How to start a blog and find your first readers (part 1)

ByJohn Dawson Updated on

Archive Notice
This article was originally published on my former blog, DawsonDecoded, and is preserved here for historical reference. It reflects my views and approach at the time it was written. Any affiliate links that originally appeared in this article have been removed or disabled.

Picking a topic and a name

Blogging remains one of the most effective ways to share your ideas and build an audience. If it attracts traffic, it can become a source of revenue (advertising, affiliate marketing and digital products), even if it wasn’t designed from the start as a commercial project.

I don’t recommend starting a blog solely to “make a living” in the current environment, but you can always monetise it once you have an audience.

Where to start?

Begin by deciding on the topic (your niche) and the name. These two choices lay the foundation for everything that follows.

To get off to a good start, bloggers should choose a topic they are passionate about and can write about without getting bored, as well as a name that won’t constrain them. There is no need to chase perfection at this stage; a blog will always evolve over time.

A choice that can grow with you

Step 1: choose a niche

Step 2: choose a blog name

Step 3: secure your domain name

What’s next

FAQ – choosing a blog topic and name

A choice that can grow with you

You’ve decided to launch a blog, great! But as we’ve just seen, before you rush to buy a domain name or start designing, you need to answer two essential questions:

  1. What will your blog be about?
  2. What will you call it?

Get these two decisions right, and you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches later. That said, you don’t need to stress over perfection. Just choose something you’ll be happy to stick with.

Try to think of a topic (niche) you’ll actually enjoy writing about and a blog name that feels right: one that leaves you room to grow as your blog evolves.

Step 1: choose a niche

This is where many beginners freeze. They overthink their choice, trying to find the “perfect” niche.

When in fact there is no perfect topic.

But there is a great topic for you.

The best niche is one you can keep writing about without getting bored. Consistency is what builds a blog, not chasing the trendiest topic of the month.

A desk at home near the window. It's a rainy day so the lamp is on. On the desk, a desktop computer, some books, a coffee mug, and an open notebook.

What makes a good blog topic?

Writing regularly on a topic isn’t enough. It also needs an audience: people should be Googling, searching, or pinning content around your theme, otherwise, even the best writing won’t get discovered. And finally, the topic should bring some kind of value: solving a problem, teaching something useful, or inspiring readers. Even “fun” niches work best when they offer a clear benefit.

To test whether your idea holds up, ask yourself a few simple questions. What do people often come to you for advice about? What challenges have you solved recently that might help others? What do you wish you had known one or two years ago? And perhaps most importantly: could you easily write ten posts on this subject without running out of ideas? If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.

Topics that work

If your blog is primarily commercial, some niches are easier to monetise, because advertisers pay higher rates or readers are ready to buy. Here are a few examples:

  • Personal Finance & Online Business: Budgeting, side hustles, freelancing tips, investing basics
  • Food & Lifestyle: Easy recipes, meal prep, home organization, cozy living
  • Health & Wellness: Fitness routines, mental health, self-care, postpartum recovery
  • Travel & Parenting: City guides, toddler activities, family travel tips
  • Tech & Software: App tutorials, blogging tips, AI tools

And don’t worry if your idea feels “too small.” Niches like urban gardening, bullet journaling, or even potato chip reviews have dedicated audiences. The internet is huge.

Photo of a woman working at her home study sitting at desk in front of the window on a rainy day, writing in her notebook.

Step 2: choose a blog name

A strong blog name is short and simple, ideally no more than three words. It should be easy to spell and pronounce, so avoid things like numbers or hyphens that can confuse readers.

The best names also leave room to grow. For example, “KetoLife2025” locks you into one narrow diet, while something like “Healthy Bite” allows you to expand into other areas over time.

Finally, test how natural it feels to say out loud. If introducing yourself with “I run yourblogname.com” sounds awkward, it’s a sign you should keep brainstorming.

How to brainstorm names that work

  1. Write down 10–20 words related to your topic or vibe.
  2. Mix and match them. Add personality words: cozy, wild, mindful, bold, glow, vault, wander.
  3. Try different styles:
    • YourName + Topic: JennaTravels, MariaMakesMoney
    • Catchy Phrases: The Lazy Budgeter, No BS Wellness
    • Benefit-Based: Simplify & Thrive, Escape the 9-to-5
    • Descriptive Combos: Bullet Journal Babe, Fit Freelance Life

Still stuck? Ask an AI tool (like ChatGPT) to generate name ideas, or explore the Brand name generators section of my Toolbox.

When in doubt, choose your own name for your blog: it helps build a flexible personal brand and makes it easier to pivot if your niche evolves. This approach gives you the freedom to shift topics, rebrand, or expand without starting from scratch.

Step 3: secure your domain name

Quick domain tips

Your domain is your blog’s web address (like myamazingblog.com). Keep it as close to your blog name as possible.

  • Go for .com if available
  • Avoid dashes or numbers
  • If your name is taken, tweak it slightly: add “the,” “my,” or “blog” (e.g., thequietshift.com, mybudgetjournal.com)

You’ll often get a free domain when you sign up for hosting, so don’t rush to buy it separately yet.

A man sitting at his desk at home, working on a laptop with a notebook open next to him.

What’s next

Once you have a topic and a name, you’re ready for the exciting part: launching your blog and getting it online.

Next, in the second part:

This next post will be followed by:

  • Make it look and feel professional: themes and must-have pages.
    Choose a beginner-friendly theme and add the essential pages that make your blog look trustworthy.
  • Create and share content that builds trust (and your first readers).
    Write posts that people actually want to read, then promote them the smart way to get your first 100 visitors.

🎧

Prefer to listen? This topic is also explored in one of my podcast episodes:

FAQ – choosing a blog topic and name

Begin by choosing a topic (niche) you enjoy and a blog name you can grow with. Getting these right early makes it easier to evolve and avoid rebranding later.

Choose something you can write about consistently, that has an audience searching for it, and that provides value—whether by solving problems, teaching, or inspiring.

Keep it short (under 3 words), easy to spell and say, and broad enough to allow your blog to expand over time. Avoid names that box you into one narrow topic.

Yes, especially if you want long-term flexibility. Using your name builds a personal brand and lets you pivot or expand your niche without starting from scratch.

The next step is launching your blog—choosing hosting, registering your domain, and setting up WordPress—before moving on to design, content, and monetization.

Portrait of John Dawson over a blue stippled background.

Great to have you here! Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.

Hello, I’m John Dawson, a graphic designer (for a little while longer) and the writer behind DawsonDecoded, where I share hands-on insights on AI, blogging, social media, and whatever else crosses my mind.”

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