How To Start (Or Switch To) A Self-Hosted Blog

Step 8: Reach out to old readers.

Lots of people already follow your blog and type thoughtful comments for each of your posts. Unfortunately, many of them only subscribed through their WordPress.com reader, which will not accompany you to your new self-hosted site.

 

 

Before I switched to self-hosting, I gathered all of my old readers’ email addresses I could find and sent a friendly note reminding them of their ending subscription, as well as inviting them to follow me at my “new” blog. I included the links from Step 7 (email and RSS feeds), and a fair number of them re-signed up.

 

Although this doesn’t guarantee everyone will re-subscribe, it’ll help you stay connected with your most devout readers!

 

 

Other Steps in This Series…

The Cheat Sheet

Step 1: Pick a Host

Step 2: Pick a Domain Name

Step 3: Pick a Website Builder

Step 4: Pick a Theme

Step 5: Save, Export, and Upload Your Content

Step 6: Install Analytics

Step 7: Add Email and RSS Subscription Options

Step 8: Reach Out to Old Readers

Step 9: Add Advertizing

Bonus: 4 Features of a Successful Blog