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Business – Page 73 – Reginald Chan

Category: Business

  • Ultimate Guide to Building an Artisanal Brick Barbecue

    Ultimate Guide to Building an Artisanal Brick Barbecue

    Transform your outdoor space into a culinary haven with a handmade brick barbecue. This detailed guide provides step-by-step instructions for creating a durable and stylish brick barbecue with a smoker. Perfect for both beginners and experienced DIY enthusiasts, you’ll learn how to lay bricks with precision, integrate custom metalwork, and fine-tune ventilation for the ideal cooking experience.

    Preparation and Foundation

    Below is a comprehensive list of materials needed to build a brick barbecue with a smoker. This list ensures you have everything required from the start, making the construction process smoother.

    Foundation and Structure

    • Concrete Mix: For creating a solid foundation.
    • Rebar: To reinforce the concrete foundation.
    • Bricks: A combination of standard bricks for the main structure and red bricks for aesthetic detailing.
    • Firebricks: Specifically for areas that will be exposed to high heat, such as the smoker.
    • Metal Lintel: For supporting the structure over the firebox opening.

    Mortar and Adhesives

    • Mortar Mix: For bonding bricks together.
    • Fireproof Mortar: For areas around the smoker and fire pit, to withstand high temperatures.

    Metal Work for Cooking

    • Steel Drum: For creating a customizable smoker (optional, based on design).
    • Heavy-Duty Grill Racks: To fit the dimensions of your barbecue.
    • Metal Grates for the Smoker: Custom-fit for smoking meats.
    • Car Jacks: For an adjustable grill height system (optional).
    • Sheet Metal: For creating doors or covers for the smoker and fire pit.
    • Metal Hinges: For any doors on the smoker or fire pit.

    Finishing and Detailing

    • Heat-Resistant Paint: To coat any exposed metal parts, enhancing durability and resistance to weather.
    • Brick Ties: To fasten the grill to the foundation or adjacent structures for added stability.

    Tools and Equipment

    • Trowel: For applying mortar between bricks.
    • Spirit Level: To ensure each course of bricks is level.
    • Mason’s Hammer: For shaping or trimming bricks as needed.
    • Concrete Mixer: For mixing large quantities of concrete more efficiently (optional).
    • Wheelbarrow: For transporting mixed concrete and other materials.
    • Shovel: For mixing mortar and concrete by hand and transferring materials.
    • Measuring Tape: For precise measurements throughout the project.
    • Rubber Mallet: For gently adjusting bricks without cracking them.
    • Grout Bag: For more precise mortar application in tight spaces.
    • Concrete Float: For smoothing out the concrete foundation.
    • Welding Equipment: If custom metalwork is required and you’re doing it yourself.

    Ventilation and Control

    • Metal Dampers: For controlling airflow in the smoker and grill.

    Before you begin your project, it’s essential to review the list and tailor it to your specific design, especially if you’re planning any custom features. Having all your materials and tools ready will streamline the building process and help ensure a smooth and enjoyable construction experience.

    Step by Step Guide in Building Your First brick Barbecue

    Step 1: Planning Your Foundation

    Before you mix your concrete, carefully plan the dimensions of your foundation. The size should accommodate your barbecue and provide stability. Consider the location carefully, ensuring it’s convenient and safe for use.

    Step 2: Mixing and Pouring Concrete

    Mix your concrete following manufacturer instructions and pour it into a framed area. Ensure the surface is level as this will be the base on which your barbecue will stand.

    Step 3: Adding Reinforcement

    While the concrete is still wet, insert rebar strategically into the mix. This will reinforce the strength of your foundation, crucial for supporting the weight of the bricks.

    Building the Base Structure

    Step 4: Laying the First Course of Bricks

    Begin by laying the first course of bricks on your solid foundation. Ensure they’re level and evenly spaced, using a mortar mix to secure them in place.

    Step 5: Second Course of Bricks

    For the second course, stagger the bricks over the joints of the first course to ensure a sturdy build. Apply mortar between the bricks for a strong bond.

    Step 6: Continuing with Subsequent Courses

    Continue laying additional courses of bricks. Regularly check for level and alignment. Adjust as needed to keep your structure straight and sturdy.

    Step 7: Establishing the Smoker Base

    Introduce firebricks into your design where the smoker will be. These specialized bricks will handle the high heat from the smoker and protect your structure.

    Structural Enhancements and Detailing

    Step 8: Installing the Lintel

    Install a lintel over the fire pit opening to support the bricks above. The lintel will bear the weight of the structure and frame your fire pit entrance.

    Step 9: Character with Red Bricks

    Begin adding courses of red bricks for visual contrast and design flair. Ensure they’re level and follow the same staggered pattern as before for consistency and strength.

    Step 10: Embedding Custom Metal Work

    Incorporate custom metal elements such as a grill rack and smoker door. These should be designed to fit snugly within your brick structure.

    Step 11: Optimizing Grill Height

    To optimize grill height, install a custom system, perhaps utilizing adjustable parts such as car jacks, to raise and lower the grilling surface as needed.

    Finishing Touches and Operations

    Step 12: Assembling the Smoker Racks

    Put your smoker racks in place. If they’re custom-made, ensure they fit precisely within the allotted space, allowing for easy placement and removal.

    Step 13: Installing Temperature Control Dampers

    Install intake and exhaust dampers to control the smoker temperature. Proper placement will allow for precise airflow regulation, crucial for smoking meats.

    The Inauguration

    Step 14: The Initial Ignition

    Light your barbecue for the first time to test out your handiwork. This burn-in phase is essential to ensure everything is functioning as expected.

    Step 15: The Cooking Begins

    Start cooking on your new barbecue. Whether a simple set of burgers or a full brisket, enjoy the fruits of your labor and the enhanced flavor a brick barbecue brings.

    Maintenance and Longevity

    Step 16: Regular Care

    Regularly clean and maintain your barbecue. Proper care will extend its life and ensure it remains a focal point for years to come.

    Step 17: Seasonal Checks

    Before and after each grilling season, inspect your barbecue for any cracks or damage, making repairs as needed to maintain its structural integrity.

    Conclusion

    Step 18: Return and Reflect

    Regularly return to this guide as you become familiar with the nuances of operating your brick barbecue. Reflect on the process and take pride in constructing not just a cooking device but a gathering place for family and friends.

    By adhering to these detailed steps, even first-time builders can craft a stunning and functional centerpiece for their outdoor entertaining space. Embrace the process, enjoy the experience, and revel in the many delicious moments to come with your brick barbecue masterpiece.

    Happy Building, and even Happier Grilling!

  • Top 5 Ways To Choose The Best Essay Writing Services

    Top 5 Ways To Choose The Best Essay Writing Services

    Being a student in today’s day and age is difficult, as you have to follow up with multiple things to stay fit and concentrate on your studies. For example, there are endless projects and lesson plans. Besides, there are social and cultural groups where your participation is necessary.  

    Also, there are your passions and hobbies whose songs echo in your head and spending time with your family and friends. Therefore, they get time to sit, think, and write an essay. Eventually, for this reason, many students drop out of school, as they can’t keep up with pressure from all sides.  

    Consequently, to solve the issue, today, we have essay writing services that assist students in writing high-quality essays. Eventually, this has eased the pressure on students. However, there is a proper procedure for selecting the best essay-writing services. For that, you can look at the section below.  

    Ways To Choose The Best Essay Writing Services  

    Just like you research before buying a digital product, you also need to do some market research that will help you get the best services. That way, you can relax and worry less about plagiarism, which is a Dementor for modern students.  

    Here are a few ways you can choose the best essay writing services –  

    Prior Background Research  

    One of the first things that you need to do is commence background research on various essay writing essays present in the world. For this, you can ask your family and friends and see how they give reviews on certain services they offer. That way, you come to the point of doing more research on the company and creating a column of advantages and disadvantages.  

    In that regard, Google will help you a lot, you can find reviews on various companies and their services. Consequently, you will better understand the company and get your essays written by them. Read all the customer reviews and the price point at which they offer their services. It will ensure that you will get value for the money that you invest to get an A+ on the paper. For this, you can contact the custom essay writing service by paperhelp.org.  

    Customer Support Is Necessary  

    Another thing you need to look at while hiring is whether they provide the ideal customer support to students. Most students need after-sales help just to understand the various things in the paper. This is because sometimes students must explain the paper to the professor. For example, if there is a PowerPoint presentation, students must discuss it in the class.  

    In that regard, you need to ensure the company has the best customer support. This will help you to solve all your queries and have more confidence to defend your paper in class. That way, you don’t waste time reading the whole paper and get the best score on the paper. Hence, you will get better value on the paper and your money, which will help you progress in your academic field.  

    Ask For The Qualification Of Writers  

    The qualification of writers is a necessary requirement that you need to know. This is because you need writers with a great depth of understanding of the subject. Also, you should ensure they have a university degree, either BA or MA. That will ensure they can write high-quality essays to get you a good score on the paper.  

    In addition, you should also test the waters of the writers by knowing their experience in writing essays and research papers. That way, you can understand how well-versed they are in writing. Also, you can understand they can write a range of topics on the subject. Hence, you will pay a good value to get the best out of them and create the best paper to get an 80% in the paper. Lastly, you should ensure they can write essays on a tight deadline. It is a major requirement of every student.  

    Authenticity Will Impress The Teacher  

    Originality is necessary for any paper. This is because professors want authentic essays with proper insights into critical thinking. That way, it will help you to enhance your paper and addition of facts and figures in the essay. Hence, you need to ask the writer to create an original paper to submit.  

    Furthermore, you don’t want plagiarized paper that can get you an F in the paper. Therefore, you need writers who can put their own words and understanding on paper. This will ensure that you don’t face any issues in school or college. Consequently, you should look at Google reviews to find relevant information on the subject. Then pay your money to the company and ask for your services.  

    Look At The Samples  

    One of the things that you need to do is look at the samples. This is because you need to see how they write essays. Everything should be checked, from the addition of facts and figures to grammatical issues in the paper. Otherwise, when you ask their writers to write for you, you will get lower grades in the class.  

    Therefore, ask the company to send you relevant sample papers on the subject. That way, you can figure out the writer’s writing capability and the possession of knowledge to craft it properly. Consequently, you will be calm by knowing someone will ensure you get good numbers in the class. In addition, they will help you transition from school to college.  

    Lastly, Check On Reworks And Revisions  

    In the end, what you should do is check whether they do rework on the paper if any issues come up. It is necessary because some intricate moments may get missed in the paper. Through rework, you can sort it out. That way, you can submit the best paper in the class and get good grades.  

    Therefore, before you ask for their services, you should ensure that you do the rework and revision part. It is the service that comes with essay writing. For the rest, you can read the discussion above, which will help you to choose the best essay writing services. 

  • How to Buy and Recharge TikTok Coins: An In-Depth Exploration

    How to Buy and Recharge TikTok Coins: An In-Depth Exploration

    Introduction to TikTok Coin Transactions

    Buying TikTok Coins
    Buying TikTok Coins

    In the dynamic world of TikTok, Coins are not merely digital currency, they’re a vital component of the app’s engaging ecosystem. Obtaining and effectively using TikTok Coins can profoundly enhance your TikTok experience, fostering deeper connections and supporting the creative community. This guide delves into the multifaceted role of these coins, shedding light on how they can amplify your engagement on this leading video-sharing platform.

    Understanding TikTok Virtual Currency

    Envision TikTok Coins as your passport to a richer interaction within the TikTok universe. These Coins enable users over 18 to support content creators, unlock exclusive content, and even propel your own creations onto more screens. Keeping updated with TikTok Coin pricing is crucial for maximising your investment in this virtual economy, where strategic insights lead to more rewarding interactions.

    Enhancing Viewer-Creator Interaction with TikTok LIVE

    TikTok LIVE takes the engagement between creators and viewers to an unprecedented level. This feature not only humanizes creators by providing a glimpse into their creation process but also allows viewers to use their TikTok Coins for digital gifts, enhancing the sense of community. Exploring the deeper functionalities of TikTok LIVE reveals the transformative power of viewer contributions in shaping the platform’s content landscape.

    Smart Spending: TikTok Coin Purchase Strategy

    TikTok Coin Purchase Strategy
    TikTok Coin Purchase Strategy

    Despite the allure of instant in-app purchases, the financially savvy user gravitates towards buying Coins via TikTok’s website, a method that sidesteps additional app store fees. This approach ensures you get more value from your TikTok Coin top-ups, making it an essential strategy for users looking to maximize their support for creators without overspending.

    Gifting in Real-Time: The Joy of Supporting Creators

    The immediacy of supporting creators during a LIVE session underscores TikTok’s commitment to fostering instant connections within its community. Quick and easy TikTok Coin recharges ensure that momentary inspirations to support are seamlessly converted into acts of generosity, enriching the overall experience for both viewers and creators.

    Broadening Horizons: Diverse Uses of TikTok Coins

    Beyond their primary function as a medium for gifting, TikTok Coins unlock potential avenues for content promotion and visibility. The TikTok Promote feature is a strategic tool for users aspiring to increase their digital footprint, enabling them to harness their Coins towards gaining broader exposure. This segment highlights the dual utility of Coins, emphasizing their role in enhancing both consumption and creation on the platform.

    Cybersecurity and TikTok Coin Scams

    How to Buy and Recharge TikTok Coins
    How to Buy and Recharge TikTok Coins

    In an era where digital scams proliferate, the quest for free TikTok Coins can lead unwary users into risky territories. Emphasizing cyber safety, this section details the red flags associated with fraudulent schemes and underscores the importance of obtaining Coins through legitimate means. Awareness and prudence in TikTok Coin transactions safeguard not only your virtual assets but also your personal data.

    Empowering Aspiring Creators through Strategic Coin Use

    Transitioning from a viewer to a creator on TikTok is a journey filled with learning curves and opportunities. Leveraging TikTok Coins creatively can significantly aid in this transformation, providing a means to support others while also investing in your visibility. Tips for effective content strategy, community engagement, and utilizing Coins for content promotion underscore the multifaceted advantages of this virtual currency in a creator’s growth trajectory.

    Conclusion: Embracing the TikTok Coin Ecosystem

    As we conclude our exploration, it’s clear that TikTok Coins are more than just tokens of digital appreciation. They signify a commitment to supporting creativity, fostering community engagement, and enabling content discovery. Engaging with the TikTok economy thoughtfully not only enriches your personal experience but contributes to the vibrancy and diversity of the platform as a whole. Investing in TikTok Coins, therefore, is an investment in the creative fabric that makes TikTok a hub for innovation and connection.

    Stay ahead of the curve by subscribing for more insights into leveraging TikTok features, ensuring your journey on the platform is as enriching and rewarding as possible. With TikTok Coins, the possibilities for engagement and creativity are just a transaction away.

  • Get Noticed In A Noisy World: 5 Simple Steps To Take You From Here To The Top

    Get Noticed In A Noisy World: 5 Simple Steps To Take You From Here To The Top

    Every entrepreneur wants to get noticed in a noisy world.

    Yes, they do and so do you. But wait, me too! Today’s world is very much different.As you work on generating buzz for your brand, make sure to keep a solid foundation by using LLC Formation Services to create a legally recognized business entity, helping to secure real-world credibility as you rise to the top.

    We are constantly finding for ways to beat the competition. Take this website for example. I am constantly finding ways to build a bigger audience and increasing the size of my email list.

    Getting noticed in a noisy world does sound like a daunting task, right? I bet.

    They want to see you do good, but never better than them. Remember that – Unknown.

    This quote is point-on. In this marketing world, there aren’t that many friends that wish you all the best with your business truthfully. And to be honest, they will welcome your failure because if you fail (and fail more), they probably have higher chance to success. Plus, lesser one competition to compete with them.

    Make sense?

    In this post, you’ll learn the tips I used to get noticed in a noisy world. I’ve been through some tough times, but with multiple awards and honorable mentions such as from Harvard University’s blog, I am sure I could do you some favors for free, right? CONTINUE READING

  • Top 20 Productivity Tools Every Entrepreneur Should Know About

    Top 20 Productivity Tools Every Entrepreneur Should Know About

    Productivity tools make or break an entrepreneur’s productivity level.

    One way or another, the right tools with the right planning will help you get more jobs done in a shorter time span. And when you have more time in your hands, you can achieve more tasks than what’s expected.

    Juggling so many tasks can be daunting and lead to a lot of stress. If you’re an entrepreneur and you want to become more efficient, productive and successful, here’s a list of tools you need to use today.

     

    best productivity tools for entrepreneurs

    1. Buffer

    Social media marketing is the next big thing in marketing. Regardless the size of your business, you got to engage in social and this is where Buffer helps you to improve your productivity level. You can schedule social media updates and perform serious analytics with Buffer. This makes building up your brand and company on social media extremely easy.

     

    2. Hootsuite

    Hootsuite is a powerful alternatives to Buffer. However, Hootsuite works slightly different from its competitors. Aside from scheduling and analytics, Hootsuite helps to increase productvity but having the social listening feature. You can listen and engage with customers while understand the strategies taken by your competitors.

     

    3. Trello

    trello productivity tools

    Working with a team and want to delegate tasks efficiently? Trello allows you to do so — and in style! The thing that makes Trello a powerful productivity tool is that it allows you to drag and drop between projects (or also known as boards). You can create checklists, images and texts to take productivity to the next level. It comes with a free account and you can subscribe for paid ones for more features.

     

    4. Evernote

    Evernote is probably one of the best (and popular) productivity tools for entrepreneurs. It allows you to upload images, voice memo, texts, reminders and chat with your colleagues for team collaboration. What makes it really useful is the offline feature where you can access the notes anytime of the day from any mobile devices. Just like Trello, there are both free and paid accounts with different features.

     

    5. Clear

    This is an iPhone app and it does one thing (and only one thing) superbly well. It helps you to get organized and ensure that tasks are completed in a timely matter. Clear allows you to add new tasks and reminders under a few seconds. Simple actions such as swiping the tasks left and right would open up more options such as delete the task or marking the task as complete.

     

    6. Any.Do

    AnyDo for productivity

    Another powerful task management app on smartphones. It integrates perfectly on computers too and the one thing that makes it stand out from the rest would be the ‘ morning notifications’. For example, when you set your day start at 9am, Any.Do will send you a reminder on tasks that need to be completed on the same day. You can snooze, change date or even set the tasks as complete. And the best part, it is free to download (paid plans available).

     

    7. Asana

    Looking for productivity tools to help your team with task management? Asana is a free project-management tool that allows teams to communicate without email, in one central location. Trust me, you can’t ask for more than this!

     

    8. Fiverr

    Entrepreneurs are always chasing for more time and yes, 24 hours isn’t enough. Fiverr is a market place to find for nearly everything (which starts at $5 per gig). If you are on a shoestring budget, you may want to consider getting a few gigs from Fiverr.

     

    9. Elance

    find freelancers to improve productivity

    If you require a freelancer on a long term project, Elance is the answer. You can search for thousands of freelancers with different capabilities and price range. Personally, I love using Elance to find for Virtual Assistants (VA’s). The concept is pretty simple; You act as an employer and you post a project. Freelancers from all around the world will bid for the project and you can select them based on experience, price range etc. Payment could be done by milestones or after completing the project.

     

    10. Social media platforms

    Believe it or not, social media platforms are great source of productivity hacks. For example, spending sometime on Twitter or Pinterest would give you a couple of ideas for your upcoming project. Plus, with social media being live 24-7, you know that you are going to get the latest trends — every single time.

     

    11. Talkwalker

    Consider Talkwalker as a newer, more advanced version of Google Alerts. It offers more comprehensive results and more options that allow you to check for mentions of your company online. This helps with public relations and the chance to interact with people who are discussing your brand online.

     

    12. DropBox

    productivity tool using dropbox

    DropBox allows you to share files with others, sync files across devices and ensuring your files are constantly accessible (while safe) in the cloud. As an entrepreneur, this is a great productivity tool as it allows you to share important files with your colleagues without needing to send an email attachment or using hard copies.

     

    13. Google Drive

    You already know about this tool, but the release of Chromebooks and the ability to convert and edit Microsoft Office documents make this productivity tool (and accompanying Docs and Sheets) a great way to collaborate and share documents with your clients, freelancers or employees. Do I really need to elaborate more on this?

     

    14. Audible / Kindle Unlimited

    Most entrepreneurs read a lot. For me, listening to audio version of the book is always an awesome way to save more time while increasing your productivity level. With both Amazon Kindle and Audible, you can listen to several audio books each month.

     

    15. EventBrite

    what is Eventbrite?

    Are you looking for the latest networking event in town? Head over to EventBrite and discover tickets for small to medium size events at reasonable prices. EventBrite also allows you to create and host your own event in the case of need (which is awesome).

     

    16. Meetup

    Looking for bigger events to join and EventBrite isn’t capable to provide such resources? Meetup is the tool for you. It is a super effective way to find influencers, local events and networking groups in just a few clicks of the button.

     

    17. Editorial calendar

    Do you find yourself rushing to get posts published on your company blog? Using an editorial calendar like this one would help you to publish posts in a timely manner. It also allows you to be more productive and ensure your readers are constantly getting updates without fail.

     

    18. Rainmaker Platform

    rainmaker platform as a productivity tool

    Looking for an all-in-one marketing platform for your startup business? Introducing the Rainmaker Platform; A complete marketing platform that allows you to build your own marketing and sales platform build under one roof. From superior web hosting to marketing tool, Rainmaker Platform takes your marketing and productivity level from A to A+ in just a few clicks. You can also try it for 14-days free using this link.

     

    19. MailChimp

    I bet you heard about email marketing before. Trust me, email marketing is a great productivity tool if done correctly. I use MailChimp as my email marketing provider and with it, I create multiple follow up emails and broadcast emails to be delivered at the right time — every week. MailChimp is set to send out welcome emails for new subscribers and specific emails for those who have completed several tasks; clicking on links, opening emails etc.

    MailChimp has both free and paid plans which starts from $9 per month. Create a forever-free MailChimp account here.

     

    20. IFTTT

    IFTTT is the short form for IF This, Then That. Basically it allows you to create automated tasks to speed up your productivity level. One of my favorite (and most used) productivity hacks using IFTTT is when I tag ‘tasks’ to a post to Pocket app, it will automatically trigger and action which will add the the title and details of the post to my Evernote notebook entitled, Follow Up Tasks. Instead of manually saving the information on Evernote, IFTTT does it for me and it save up a lot of my time. At the moment, there are over 50 different actions and triggers to customize your automation.

     

    What are your favorite productivity tools?

    I hope I didn’t miss out any productivity tools that entrepreneurs can utilize. If you have any which is not listed, feel free to leave a comment and tell me about it!

  • How To Start A Blog In Just 5 Steps [Infographic]

    How To Start A Blog In Just 5 Steps [Infographic]

    You heard that you can make money with a blog and you are inching to start a blog. There are way too many guides out there on ‘how to start a blog‘ but you want just the facts.

    Yes, you want a complete blogging tutorial that teaches you how to create a blog from scratch. You have no time to waste and certainly, you don’t want to waste money buying web hosting and domain names just to become another failed blogger.

    You want to start a blog and start making money from blogging. I feel you –and that’s why I created this post for you; How To Start A Blog In Just 5 Simple Steps.

    If you are the type that read, bookmark this post for future reference and if you’re a graphic-type of person, there’s an infographic right at the bottom of this post. And if you find this post useful, I would appreciate it if you can share this around or use the infographic in your blog post!

    how to start a blog

    Step 1: Start a blog by choosing a domain name

    A domain name is like your brand and it matters even more especially when your blog get traction and more visibility. Most bloggers find it really challenging to find a blog name and allow me to hep you out on this.

    There are several rules of thumb when it comes to choosing a domain name:

    • Always go for dot com (.com) followed by dot net (.net) and dot co (.co) – Avoid others forms of Top Level Domains (TLD’s) regardless how interesting they sound like
    • Domain name should be short and in most cases, under 20 characters
    • Choose a domain name the represents your brand and make sense for reading (higher readability = easier remembrance)
    • Avoid hypes and numbers whenever possible
    • Have the keyword embedded in the domain for some search engine advantage in the future

    Domain usually costs anywhere from $0.99 to under $10 per year. There are many domain registrars out there such as GoDaddy and NameCheap which sells at super low prices.

    Want to save money in domain name and get a free one? Continue reading Step 2!

    To be included in you reading list: ProBlogger Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income

    Step 2: Choosing a reliable web hosting company

    Web hosting is like the power company that lights up your home (in this case, home is your domain). One of the biggest mistakes done by bloggers is choosing really, really cheap web hosting companies due to the obvious reason; dirt cheap cost.

    The results? Tons of downtime and even possibility of hacking which leads to angry visitors and lost of revenue for you. If you think about it, this isn’t the reason of you starting a blog. You want to make money or passive income from blogging!

    So, here are some guidelines you need to know when choosing a web hosting company:

    • Reliable uptime for web hosting performance
    • Proven track record in this industry
    • Support consists of live chat, phone, email and forum
    • Money back guarantee

    Since you are starting out in blogging, you should be getting shared web hosting as this is the most affordable one. While there are higher end ones like WP Engine, you’re still in good hands especially when your blog is hosted with a professional web hosting company with affordable prices.

    Why? Because it doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket.

    If you need recommendations, I recommend using BlueHost (read my review on Bluehost) because it costs only $3.95 per month and all the goodies such as free domain name, free site builder, professional support and money back guarantee under one roof. Of course, you only get this deal when you use this link (original price is $5.99 per month).

    Step 3: Installing a blogging platform

    In the 3rd step on how to start a blog, you need to install a blogging platform. Here, I would recommend you to install WordPress as it is one of the most flexible blogging platforms for both beginners and businesses.

    Big brands such as Tech Crunch, The New Yorker and Sony Music use WordPress for their websites.

    By default, most shared hosting service providers would have cPanel system which you can use to install WordPress. If you slightly geeky, here’s the real definition of cPanel credits to Wikipedia:

    cPanel is a Linux based web hosting control panel that provides a graphical interface and automation tools designed to simplify the process of hosting a web site.

    If you are wondering if you could create a blog without WordPress, yes you could — but would you? Millions of blogs out there are powered by WordPress because it is flexible and super scalable. As a matter of fact, WordPress allows you to change every expect of your blog (with some coding knowledge).

    Right now, you may be thinking, “Hey Reginald, this is just too much for me. I am working/studying and I have absolutely no time to spare. I demand to know how to start a blog fast!

    Yes sir! Pardon me for all the jargons I said in the past few paragraph. You want an easy way out? Signup for BlueHost web hosting and they will give you a free domain. Then the magic happens. BlueHost has 1-click install for WordPress. All you need to do is to click and wait.

    Now you are all set … under 5 minutes. Yes, sign up for BlueHost here (If you cancel within 30 days, you receive a full refund on your hosting service and if you cancel after 30 days, you receive a prorated refund for the remainder of your hosting term).

    Step 4: Setting up your blog

    Yes, you just started a blog. Pretty simple right?

    No, it’s no over yet! There’re two more steps and the next step (really simple one, I promise) is setting the blog up.

    On your dashboard (accessible through http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin), head over the left panel and click on Settings > General as seen on the image below:

    setting up WordPress blog

    Once the page is refreshed, you will see a new page and this is the main switch box for your blog. See the options in the image below? Fill the details according to the details of your blog.

    how to setup a wordpress blog

    Once everything is done, click on the Save button.

    Important note: Tagline should be no longer than 160 characters.

    Bonus offer: See why over 164,000 website owners trust StudioPress Themes!

    Step 5: Installing plugins to your blog

    What are WordPress plugins?

    WordPress plugins are bits of software that can be uploaded to to extend and expand the functionality of your WordPress site. 

    In short, plugins help you to do wonders with your blog (even when you have no knowledge about) and it increases productivity.

    Plugins can be installed directly from your blog’s dashboard. Click on the left panel and select Plugins.

    how to install wordpress plugin

    A new page will be visible and you can search dozens of plugins directly from the WordPress repository. As of this point of writing, there are over 37,900 plugins available for download to your blog.

    install wordpress plugin

    Here are some important plugins you need to have when you first start a blog:

    Alternative plugins for advanced bloggers:

    WordPress comes with some beautifully made themes which you can use for free. But if you would want a more custom look and feel, there are tools such as Thrive Theme Builder that allows you to create custom custom blog templates without a single line of code. Besides that, you have StudioPress who offers dozens of professional made blog templates ready for download at very reasonable prices.

    So, what’s next after starting a blog?

    Did you know that you have finish all the 5 steps in ‘how to start a blog‘?

    Yes, give yourself a pat on the back and maybe some beer. You have successfully create a blog from scratch (and without pulling a single strain of hair). Well, that’s awesome right?

    Of course, starting a blog is just the first step in your blogging journey. What’s coming up next is how to make money with a blog (subscribe here to be kept updated)!

    Bonus: How To Start A Blog [Infographic]

    How To Start A Blog [Infographic]