My number one favorite thing about starting a craft blog is that it ignites your own creativity while inspiring others.
Starting a craft blog is more than just sharing your passion with the world, it’s a way to inspire creativity in others and yourself. As your audience grows, you’ll feel more motivated to keep creating to share your craft, and your readers will be inspired to try their hand at crafting too. It’s a beautiful cycle of creativity that benefits are endless!
When I started my first craft blog, I was simply looking for an additional creative outlet other than only crafting. I had bought my first camera and thought it would be fun to share what I was making. This was before Pinterest existed and before social media was what it is today. Blogging was the way to journal your experiences. I had no idea how much I would love it and how it would change my life!
This post is the ultimate beginner’s guide to starting your own craft blog
The benefits to starting a craft blog far outweigh any cons. Not only do you learn valuable skills like time management, writing, social media, SEO, and photography while building your blog, but you also open up unlimited income-generating opportunities. Along the way, you can connect with a community of like-minded individuals who share your interests and you’ll probably make new friends! The craft blogging community is known for being warm, welcoming, and supportive!
Getting Started: The basics to setting up your craft blog
Begin with picking a niche (your blog’s topic and focus!)
When you hear “pick a niche” you may think, “Isn’t crafting a niche already?”. Yes, although it is a niche, crafting is a very broad niche (Think of how big a Michaels store is!).
If you are looking simply for a hobby and don’t care for many to find your blog, feel free to write about whatever you’d like. If however, you’re looking to to find success (a community, income, etc.) in blogging, you will need to start by niching down in the beginning to create traction. Google wants to understand clearly what your site is about so that it can encourage those searching for that specific craft niche to find your blog.
Consider what specific craft you enjoy the most or have the most knowledge about: Is it scrapbooking, pottery, quilting, Cricut, knitting, etc.?
Naming your craft blog
Once you’ve picked a niche, it’s time to name your blog! There are a couple different opinions on how to approach naming. You can choose to name your blog with a name that makes it obvious what the blog is about, (think of your blog as if it’s a craft book, you’d want to know exactly what the book is about from the title). The other option is to simply pick a name you like!
With millions of websites, it can be tricky to find a name that isn’t already taken. I recommend having a few ideas for names that you’ve brainstormed, then google to see if there are any other websites that have the name. You will want to avoid copyright issues by picking a name different from other businesses.
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Purchasing hosting and your domain name
Once you’ve found a name that doesn’t appear to be taken, you will then need to purchase your hosting and domain name. You will want to be sure that you can purchase a .com domain name. Not a .net .ca, etc., (some choose to purchase the domain of these also so that another person doesnt start a website with a similar name).
Think of hosting as your online “real estate”. Hosting is the part of the world wide web you park your website and its contents. The domain name is the url, for example www.gildedstork.com is this blogs domain name. Think of the domain name as the address of your real estate.
I use, love, and recommend NameHero. It’s affordable and their customer service is always willing to lend a hand. Head to Namehero to purchase your hosting and domain name package here.
Note, sometimes people have purchased domain names but not put them to use, they are simply “parked”. This means there is a possibility the domain name you like has already been taken. You won’t know until you are buying your package, so do have other names on hand in case your first choice is taken.
The design of your web site: Installing a theme
When it comes to creating a successful blog, choosing the right platform is crucial. With NameHero’s guidance, you can easily install WordPress, the leading content management system for bloggers worldwide. Unlike other platforms like Squarespace and Blogger, WordPress is specifically designed for bloggers and offers endless opportunities for growth and monetization. . My encouragement to you is to make it easy for yourself and begin your blogging journey with WordPress (I made this mistake and started on Blogger).
Once you have set up WordPress, you will find a library on WordPress of hundreds of free website designs (also known as themes) you can choose one that works with your blog’s branding.
Branding your craft blog
“Branding too?! Starting a craft blog is a lot of work!” you may be thinking about now.
Stay with me here, this is where things get super fun! The main thing you want to think about when branding your craft blog in the beginning is your logo and colors. Being a creative person, I know you can have fun with this step! You can easily do this in Canva for free.
Have the branding reflect your niche and what you love! If you’re not sure what style direction to go, look around at how you decorate your home for inspiration.
Once your craft blog is set up, it’s time to create your first blog post!
10 steps to a creating your first blog post
- Research keywords for SEO
- Inspiration gathering
- Research craft techniques
- Purchase necessary supplies
- Make craft while also taking process photos or filming
- Take final styled photos
- Edit photos
- Write post
- Edit post
- Hit publish!
Here’s a brief breakdown of each step:
1. Research keywords for SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Writing a blog post does take a lot of effort, I want my effort to be found by readers searching on Google! Using an SEO tool such as Ubersuggest, I can type in the idea I have for a craft and see what questions people are asking. Are there specific questions they google such as best materials to use, help with technique ect.?
Jot your finding down for when you go to write your post, you will want to answer these questions.
If you would like to dive deeper into learning about SEO for your craft blog, this book is easy to understand and follow.
2. Inspiration gathering
Once I know what others are curious about, I head to Pinterest to build a moodboard. As a visual person, I find this helpful for creating a vision of what my blog post will look like. I like to think of my blog post as a beautiful magazine article and I use this step to be the creative director of the article – it’s fun!
Consider what colors will be used in your craft? How will you style the final images? Is it seasonal?
3. Research craft techniques
Will you be experimenting with a new craft technique? Research what others have done, how can you put a fresh spin on it?
4. Purchase necessary supplies
Make a list of all the craft supplies needed, then head to your local craft store or place an Amazon order. You will want to have all tools and supplies within arms reach when you move on to the next step.
5. Make craft while also taking process photos or filming
To provide a helpful tutorial to your blog readers, it is a good idea to share the step-by-step process, either through photos or video. You may want to pause in between each step to snap a photo. The other option is to film, you can include the video in your post and you can also screenshot each step to include photos as well.
6. Take final styled photos
You will want to take a handful of photos of your final craft, these will be your “money shots” to use in marketing your blog post. Once your craft is complete, decide how you would like to style it. Do you want it to appear as the craft would be used, for example, a tea towel hung on your oven door? Or would you like it on a clean background with objects around it that help tell a story? Grab your camera (or phone!) to capture it the way you envision it, your blog is your perspective! Feel free to look back at your Pinterest board for inspiration.
7. Edit your photos
You probably will find it helpful to edit your photos in order to make them more eye catching (although keeping them true to life). I find my photos always benefit from some brightening and adding a touch of contrast.
8. Writing your blog post
This is the step where you will want to pull out your notes from step one! Be sure to include in your blog post: A clear title describing what the post is about, an intro that gives a brief overview of what the reader can expect, material list, step-by-step instructions, and a summary outro paragraph at the end.
9. Edit your blog post
I like to run my blog posts through Grammeraly to check for any grammatical errors. Be sure to slowly read through your post (doing this outloud can help as well), does it make sense, does it have a smooth flow?
10. Hit publish!
Once your blog post is prepared with images and text in your WordPress post editor, you’re ready to hit publish and start sharing your craft with the world! Take a minute (or more!) to celebrate this big accomplishment – you set a goal and you accomplished it!
Some additional tips to creating your blog post:
Writing your blog posts when you’re more of a crafter than a writer
A tip from the Blogging Millionaire podcast that I’ve been implementing this year and has been game changing is to write 500 words each day.
As a craft blogger, I can get super excited over making the crafts and producing the photos, but when it comes to writing the posts I’m one to procrastinate.
Hopefully this tip can help someone if you struggle with the writing part of blogging also:
Set a goal to write a certain word count per day, it could be 100 words or 500 words. Try to not go a day without writing.
I’ve found 500 words is very manageable for myself. I don’t worry about it being perfect writing, I leave the editing for later. But over the course of four days I’ll have a post of over 2000 words – it’s so much more pain-free than feeling like I have to write a long post in one day.
I also have found it helpful to have a few posts in the writing process. That way if I’m not inspired to write 500 words on one topic I have another to jump to.
Often times however, it becomes a snowball effect in that once I start writing I can easily get on a roll and write a lot more. The days where I only have a small pocket of time to fit writing in, I know I am still building traction on a post.
Tips for photographing your crafts
If you want to take great pictures of your crafts, keep these tips in mind:
- Opt for natural light and position your subject in front of a window. This will help avoid harsh shadows and bring out the colors and details of your work.
- Pay attention to the background. A plain white backdrop is a safe choice, but sometimes a dark or patterned background can make your craft stand out even more. Just make sure it doesn’t clash with the colors or distract from the focus of the photo.
- Use props to tell a story and illustrate the process behind your craft. Think scissors, pens, ribbons, stamps, or any other items that help convey the context and purpose of your creation.
- Apply the rule of thirds and consider creating a triangular composition with your subject. To add depth and interest, try propping up some elements or playing with shadows and highlights. This will give your photo a more dynamic and professional look.
Spread the word: Promoting your craft blog through marketing
Email marketing
Email marketing is a must-have tool for bloggers who want to grow their audience and create a loyal following. Unlike social media, your email list is a valuable asset that you own and control. And the good news is, it’s easier than you think to get started.
With email software (I use and love Flodesk, Flodesk makes it so easy to design beautiful emails!), you can quickly create and add forms to your website and posts. Use these forms to collect email addresses and send regular updates about new posts, promotions, or other news. Consistency is key, so make sure to stay in touch with your subscribers and keep them engaged.
To entice more people to join your list, consider creating freebies like craft templates, e-books, or exclusive content. These incentives can help you build trust and loyalty with your audience, and ultimately grow your blog’s reach.
Marketing in Facebook Groups
If you’re looking to promote your craft blog and connect with like-minded creators, Facebook groups are a great place to start. Just search for groups related to your niche and start sharing your work to build a community. One group we highly recommend is “Becoming a Blogger,” which offers valuable resources and support for bloggers of all levels.
Pinterest Marketing
Another powerful tool for blog marketing is Pinterest. As a visual search engine, Pinterest can drive a ton of traffic to your blog if used strategically. There are millions of crafters on Pinterest so it is a great platform to market with. When posting images from your blog, be sure to space them out over the week and vary the type of content you share – including process photos, titles, and other eye-catching visuals. For tips on mastering Pinterest marketing, check out the “Smart Pin Media” podcast.
A note on social media marketing
While social media can be a helpful tool for promoting your blog, it’s not always necessary. SEO and email marketing should be your top priorities, as they can have a bigger impact on your traffic and engagement. Once you’ve established a consistent routine for creating blog content and sending emails, you can start exploring social media to see if it drives results for your blog. However, with limited time in the day, it’s important to prioritize what works best for you and your blog.
Monetizing your craft blog (make some money!)
Once you have started a craft blog you may desire to monetize it. Bringing in an income from your blog will help continue to fund the fees that come with it, as well as your craft project materials. The sky is the limit for what’s possible to earn. Set goals that are realistic for where you are at but that also motivate you. Below is a brief overview of some of the ways you can make money from your craft blog:
- Advertisements and sponsored content
- Affiliate marketing
- Selling physical products or digital products (e.g. ebooks, printables)
- Offering services (e.g. consulting, teaching workshops)
Have a Cricut? Check out my guide for how to turn your Cricut into a money-making machine here.
Tips for balancing it all (from a mom of a busy toddler!)
To balance all your blogging responsibilities, try setting achievable goals that challenge you just a little bit (definitely stay clear of anything that will overwhelm you!). For instance, decide on the number of blog posts or emails you aim to produce.
As a busy stay-at-home mom, I value spending quality time with my daughter and limiting screen time. Thus, I plan my blogging routine accordingly. I take photos during the day when she’s either napping or playing nearby. This way, I can involve her in my creative pursuits (for example handing her ribbons or beads to play with along side me). I reserve my screen time such as writing and research for when she’s asleep, either in the morning or at night. By doing so, I am able to better manage my time effectively and pursue my passion without sacrificing valued family time.
Whew! That was a lot, let’s do a quick recap:
These are the steps to starting a craft blog, simplified:
- Pick a niche
- Name your craft blog
- Purchase your hosting and domain
- Install a web design theme
- Create your first blog post
- Hit publish and celebrate!
- Market you blog
- Organize your time to support your new passion
So, what are you waiting for? Start a craft blog today and watch your creativity soar!
