I just hit Day 50 of blogging, and wow — what a journey it’s been!
How has it felt?
☘️Very exciting and motivating: I look forward to waking up each day, thinking I’m going to learn, build, or write something new and cool.
☘️Very rewarding: I find my own voice. I find my drive to write and create again. I find my own cozy corner that is filled with a like-minded and supportive community 💕 (thank you!!!)
BUT: The whole painting does not only have a pretty pastel pink colour, because it is also:
🥀 Very confusing for beginners: Despite my professional background in business and tech, I still find it quite challenging and time-consuming to figure out all technical topics.
🥀 Like a never-ending loop of learning: After the blog launch preparation, I still find myself neck-deep in new things to implement, or to fill the blog content, to promote it and increase traffic, etc.
Will I still encourage you to start a blog and a blogging business?
Definitely!
Especially if you want to build something of your own and live a rewarding life to your full potential.
I will also be there learning my way through and accompany you.
Whether you’re thinking of starting a blog or already knee-deep in drafts and design, I hope this little recap from behind the scenes will help you stay grounded, inspired, and maybe even a little more confident about your own journey.
💁🏻♀️Here are my 3 biggest takeaways (⭐️and a bonus to-do checklist at the end) from these first 50 days — some are things I wish someone had told me before I started.
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. When you click these links, I may get a small commission. It won’t cost you anything, and it helps me to run this site. I only promote products and services that I think are great.
🧭 Not sure what to write about? Use your IKIGAI.
One of the most common questions new bloggers ask is: “What should I write about?”
My answer: Start with your IKIGAI — the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, and what others need from you.
👉🏻 From that sweet spot, create cornerstone blog posts to kickoff the blog — these are long-form, meaningful and value-packed pieces that represent the main pillars of your blog.
Think of them as the “roots” of your content tree. They can grow into blog series, digital products, e-books, or workshops later on, when you are ready to monetise.
For example, my blog centers around personal development and is built on 3 core topics with related cornerstone contents:
| ✍🏻Bullet Journal for Fulfilment & Productivity Read about How to Set Goals (and Actually Follow Through): A 5-Step Framework → | 📚Language Self-Learning (EN & DE focus) Read about My German Self-Learing Journey & Resources for A1 to B2 → | 👩🏻💻Bloggin & Content creation for Beginners Read about How to Build your Own Blog in 2025: A Beginner Guide → |
From there, everything else flows and grows.
And by the way, read the blog posts if you haven’t ☺️ As written, they are my cornerstone writings so I put in so much effort (and everything is available in English and Vietnamese (but the Blogging content for now).
📬 Start your email list from Day One. Seriously.
This is not just some marketing advice — this is a lifeline. Start your email list early.
Why? Because email lets you connect more intimately with your readers (like me and you).
It’s like sending a handwritten letter, not shouting into a crowd. You can share updates, ideas, future product offers, and long-form thoughts in a much cozier, more personal way.
This makes everything more special: It’s not just another post in the feed — it’s a cozy letter in someone’s inbox. 💌 (for me, it’s such a privilege. I do not take your readership for granted.)
👉🏻 Here’s how to begin: For each cornerstone blog post, offer a lead magnet (aka: a freebie, gift, digital download, resource guide — call it whatever feels right!). This helps your readers and grows your list.
For instance, for each of the aforementioned blog posts, I created:
| ✍🏻5-Step Goal Setting & Goal Planning Framework Grab FREE e-book with ready-to-use templates → | 📚Must-Know 500+ A1-A2 Basic German Vobulary List Grab FREE worksheet with EN & VN translation → | 👩🏻💻10-Step Blog Setup Guide for Beginners in 2025 Grab FREE e-book with step-by-step instructions → |
And if you’re stuck on what kind of freebie to make? Just think: “What’s one thing I can create to help someone take their first step today?”
And of course, grab any freebies if you haven’t from the above links ☺️ (and let me know by hitting Reply if you have any feedback or suggestions)
📚 Don’t delay learning email marketing, next to blogging
I made a rookie mistake here, so take note.
I thought I was smart: I had freebies. I had an email marketing account set up. From Day One (as my 2nd advice above).
But what I was not smart enough to have thought was that I should start learning the actual email marketing side of things from Day One too 😅.
As a result, I postponed a whole month before sending out my very first “Sunday MyA5Letter.” (As many of you were here since my blog launch with the very first Blogging Guide freebie, you’ll probably remember that “complete silence” gap!).
💡 Pro tip:
- Take the free KIT Crash Course (KIT is the email marketing service provider I am using and vouching for!). You’ll thank yourself later.
- Read about How To Start Writing Newsletters
I seriously wished someone had told me about these tips 50 days ago to get on these trainings. So I must share with you and help you avoid this regret.
👉🏻 If you’re curious, KIT is such an amazing email marketing service provider:
✓ It is the platform I’ve used to write these newsletters and deliver freebies to you (see those landing pages above? It’s all KIT doing)
✓ Beautiful automation sequences (these will put your blogging business on auto-pilot mode and you on cozy, hands-free business operations)
✓ And it has a tip jar feature. SOOO: if you’d like to buy me a coffee + croissant for all the writings, tips, and resources I have put out so far (Vielen Lieben Dank 😚)
Final words 💭
Thank you for reading till the end! I hope this special blogging edition is helpful (spoiler: there will be more to come, so stay tuned!).
💡 To recap with a simple all-you-need-to-do checklist as a beginner blogger:
1️⃣ Get your website domain and hosting with Bluehost
- Read or re-read my freebie guide and head to Bluehost (use this link for 30% off to get your monthly hosting as much as…$2.75 and a FREE domain name. Plus, you’d support me as a small beginner blogger)
2️⃣ (optional if you use WordPress, which you really should) Take this beginner WordPress 101 course
- Learn everything about blog setup (FREE at the time of this newsletter’s publication)
3️⃣ Brainstorm and write cornerstone blog posts
- Kickoff your blog with a clear content intention and structure
- Guide your long-term blog post series development
4️⃣ Create a lead magnet out of the cornerstone blog post
- The lesson is: Start your email list as soon as you launch your blog, offering values on top of the cornerstone content
5️⃣ Take the FREE Kit Crash Course to jump start your mailing list
- Start building your cozy list of subscribers from Day One
🎶 Once again, if you’ve been dreaming of starting a blog or newsletter, just remember: your words matter. Someone out there needs to hear what only you can say.
Let this be your sign to start.
I am here, every step of the way with you!
P.S. Want to get the newest updates instantly delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to be a member of our MyA5List! I am looking forward to welcoming you in.
🇻🇳 To my Vietnamese readers:
- Hiện tại nội dung newsletter chủ đề Blogging chỉ hỗ trợ tiếng Anh. Mong các bạn thông cảm!
- Theo thông tin kể từ tháng 9/2023, Bluehost hiện không hỗ trợ IP từ Việt Nam (các nước khác, như mình ở Đức, vẫn sử dụng bình thường và trơn tru). Nếu bạn là blogger ở Việt Nam, có thể xem xét dùng VPN để truy cập hoặc tìm đơn vị hosting khác như NameCheap, WP Engine, v.v. (hãy tìm hiểu thêm và đưa ra lựa chọn phù hợp nhất nhé)
