Starting a teacher blog
When I first thought about starting a teacher blog I was overwhelmed, but as I grew and narrowed my focus, writing blog posts became… easy! Yes, I said it: easy! If you’re anything like me, I imagine you have plenty of ideas, but you might be worried about the price of starting a teacher blog.
I want to dispel that fear right away. If you are committed to starting your teacher blog and you’re excited about it, the money will come along with that. How? You can become an amazon affiliate and as you learn you’ll be able to refer people to other businesses through their affiliate program as well. A lot of teacher bloggers sell their teaching resources and make money that way, too. As for me, I do all of the above plus I recruit teachers to teach ESL online.
Post Contents
- How much does starting a teacher blog cost
- Steps for Creating a Teacher Blog
- WordPress Teacher Blogs
- Teacher Blogs
- ESL Teacher Blogs
- How to make money with a teacher blog
- Teacherpreneur
- Teacher Websties
- Starting a Business Blog
- Side Jobs for Teachers
- Teacher Blog Names
- Education Blog Name Ideas
- School Blog
- Uses of Blog in Education
how much does starting a teacher blog cost?
When you start a blog, there will be some costs upfront, but as you continue to read you can get a return on your investment when you post consistently. Before we get into that, let’s discuss the steps you need to take to start your blog.
First, you need a domain name (such as nikkilubing.com), a website (such as WordPress), and a website host (such as Siteground). I recommend using wordpress.org because 35% of websites use WordPress for a very important reason.
Your posts will be found on Google using WordPress’s SEO tools. If you don’t know about SEO, it’s Search Engine Optimization. This sounds fancy, but all it means is that your posts and website are “optimized” for Google to find your site.
Before you get your WordPress.org account set up, you need to choose a web host. I’ve got two great options. One is through WordPress Engine and the other is through SiteGround.
I use SiteGround because WordPress recommends it and they have excellent customer service, which is a must for beginners.
It’s great to have two options so I thought you’d like to check out WordPress Engine, too. They are offering 3 months free! I figure, if you want to get your feet wet, it’d be another great one for you.
Once you decide your web host you’ll need to start setting up your website. Keep reading below to learn the steps from A to Z to get your blog off the ground.
siteground
WP ENGINE
Steps for Creating a Teacher Blog
First you will need a domain name. Siteground provides people with a domain name. If you go with WP Engine, use GoDaddy to get a domain name. After you get your domain name, get a hosting site (Siteground or WP Engine). Then install WordPress. Next, choose a theme. I use the refined theme from Restored316. Last, you’ll set up your pages, add plugins and start posting!
Watch the video below to learn all the steps to setting up your WordPress site.
WordPress Teacher Blogs
WordPress teacher blogs are nothing to be afraid of. If you already have the ambition to create a teacher blog get started with the best option available by choosing WordPress.
If you choose a website like blogger you don’t own your content. With WordPress, you own your content. Don’t let the technology or steps overwhelm you. If you have the budget to hire someone, a lot of teachers hire Jumping Jax Designs.
Teacher Blogs
When you’re getting started with something new it’s always a good idea to research what others are doing because it can really inspire you. Take a look at some of the blogs below and check out their website designs, blog posts, images, website menus, and other pages on their site.
My friend Diane has a great blog for Pre-K.
For all things kindergarten check out Little Learning Corner.
Check out what my friend Marlene is doing at I Heart Teaching Elementary.
A great role model for a Teachers Pay Teachers business and podcast is The Not So Wimpy Teacher.
ESL Teacher Blogs
Most of you know me for ESL so I wanted to share a couple of other ESL teacher blogs, too.
If you’re new here, I share all about making a career teaching ESL online.
For elementary English learners check out this blog.
Colorín Colorado is great for professional development.
How to make money with a teacher blog
People typically start blogs for two reasons; hobbies or business. A lot of times hobbies can turn into a business. So even if you’re thinking of starting your blog as a hobby, consider what it could become a year from now or even several years from now.
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit you probably want to learn how to make money with a teacher blog. There are several ways to make money:
- Affiliate marketing either through Amazon or individual companies which you can find on shareasale.com.
- Sell your teaching resources via Teachers Pay Teachers or WooCommerce
- Google Ads
- Recruit for Teaching ESL Online
Teacherpreneur
As a teacherpreneur starting a teacher website is one of the best things you can do. It will send you organic traffic, which will help you build your business. The money I’ve invested in my blog quickly earned me a return on my investment.
Whatever fear you have about starting a blog, don’t let it stop you. Look at is a challenge that is part of a stepping stone on your teacherpreneur journey.
Teacher Websites
Even though teacher websites are becoming more and more popular, especially as teachers seek online business opportunities, never let the market be a factor in dictating your business. It’s your determination and vision that make teacher websites a success.
Starting a Business Blog
If you are starting a business blog or if you want more reasons for why having a blog is good for your business, listen up. I’ve already said it several times, but WordPress is definitely the website to choose because it helps you rank on Google, but there’s more!
You can integrate other platforms. Being that it’s such a widely used site, all other online entrepreneurial sites easily integrate into WordPress. For example, if you ever want to sell online courses from your website, you can easily integrate those videos using a platform called Kajabi.
If you ever want to advertise, you can easily connect your Facebook business page to your WordPress website using a pixel. If you don’t use WordPress, then you might not be able to advertise. For example, I can’t advertise to my YouTube audience via Facebook because I don’t own my YouTube channel, Google does.
There’s a lot to think about long-term. You don’t have to consider it all now, but if you are in this for the long haul, go with WordPress. You are doing yourself a huge favor.
Side Jobs for Teachers
Assuming you’re here as an entrepreneur or you’re a teacher seeking ways to earn extra income, could consider the following side jobs for teachers in addition to blogging:
- Teaching ESL online
- Teachers Pay Teachers
- Tutoring
- Part-time work such as retail, waitressing, etc.
Currently, a side job might sound like the easier answer, but long-term investing in something like blogging pays of way more. Especially if you are committed and if you enjoy writing. If it weren’t for my blog I wouldn’t be where I am in my business today.
Teacher Blog Names
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of blogging and how to get started, let’s talk about teacher blog names. How do you choose a name?
- Thing long-term. Is the name you’re choosing something you’ll like 10 years from now?
- Who are you serving? Can your name include the audience you’re serving? Will you be serving the same audience 10 years from now?
- Is using your own name an option? That way you are the face of your business and you can be flexible in terms of the audience you’re serving over the years.
Education Blog Name Ideas
I’ve seen a lot of Education blog name ideas over the past few years as I’ve been working online. People choose the grade level they teach, the city they live in, or the subject they teach. I’ve also seen people just use their name.
In the end, the name is not the most important thing even though it feels like it. The most important aspect is consistency in creating content. Consistency shows your audience they can trust you to show up. Google also loves consistency and will send you more traffic because of it. So don’t get stuck on the name! Okay?
School Blog
Are you starting a business blog or a school blog? That will also help you choose a name. I would advise to create your own website and unique name even if it is for a school blog because if you ever leave your school you can take your blog with you wherever you go.
Uses of Blog in Education
In the beginning you might not be 100% committed to one topic. In fact, you’ll probably have ideas for serving EVERYONE. The best advice I’ve heard is: If you’re serving everyone, you’re serving no one. Why? It’s impossible for you to serve everyone. Even clothing companies choose a certain type of customer based on gender, style, and affordability. Choosing a niche is the best thing you can do in terms of uses of a blog in education.
I struggled with choosing a niche in the beginning because I had experience with first grade, middle school (all subjects), ESL and Spanish. Finally, I realized ESL is what I love the most and it is also where I was the most involved so it made sense to stick with that. Eventually, if I want to expand to Spanish I will.
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