In this article, I will take you through an in-depth guide on how to become a tech blogger in Uganda, requirements, the niches in technology, and so much more.
For starters, it is now coming to 4 years since I quit my first job and decided to join professional blogging. Joining blogging is one of the best decisions I have ever made in life and I have no regrets about it.
Becoming a professional blogger is not something easy as it requires one to have lots of skills, knowledge and enough time.
Before you choose to walk down the path of tech blogging, you should have it in mind that a lot has changed about blogging over the past years. Blogging is not a get-rich-scheme or an easy way to make money online.
That said, blogging remains one of the best avenues one can use to earn descent money online legally, and if you are a committed and hardworking individual, you can earn thousands of dollars from your blog monthly.
If you are looking at making blogging your main job, you have to be determined and treat your blog like a professional business.
Steps To Become A Tech Blogger In Uganda
You have selected Technology as your blogging niche, but what does really take for you to become a professional tech blogger in Uganda? The short answer is you need to start a blog and create original content for it regularly. Below I dive into requirements to become a tech blogger in Uganda:
1. Choose what tech subject to blog about
When starting a tech blog in Uganda, you will be required to have a primary core tech niche or subject, then choose 2-3 secondary niches derived from the core niche. Some common tech niche types that work best in Uganda include:
- Product review tech blogs
- Mobile specifications tech blogs
- Technology News blogs
- Information Security blogs
- Tech How To Blogs
- Trending Tech Gadgets
- Definitive Tech Guides
- Beginners Guide to programming
- Space Technology
- Mobile and PC hacks
- PC Game Reviews
- Internet Tips and Tricks
- Artificial Intelligence
- Web design guides
- PC Troubleshooting
- Mobile Repairs
Some tech bloggers in Uganda combine 3-5 tech niches in order to make their blogs robust and more engaging. Always stick to one core niche than mixing up unrelated niches. If your core niche is tech, strictly stick to that. Do not mix it with fashion or politics.
2. Existing Knowledge in the tech subject
This is a very important point for anyone who wants to become a tech blogger. You must have a good understanding on the specific technology subject you plan to blog about. I’m not saying you have to be an expert to get started, NO, but you need to have basic knowledge in a specific field of technology.
Take an example; you could be someone who loves downloading movies, computer software, mobile applications, games etc. Such a person can start a tech blog about reviews. Here you can review the software you have used before, how it performed for you and if possible direct people where they can download them.
3. Have internet marketing skills
What I have learned through my blogging journey, is that for one to be become a successful blogger in any niche, you need to have several internet marketing skills. Any blogger or anyone willing to join blogging must ensure that they have the following internet marketing skills at a starter or professional level:
- Original content writing
- Digital Marketing
- Search Engine Optimization
- Management
However, you don’t need to be an expert in the above mentioned skill areas. Many new bloggers become experts in these skills through learning and implementing. This way, they are always capable of acquiring new skill sets during the process. Personally I became a SEO expert through learn and execute.
You also need to present yourself differently from all other bloggers out there. You need to be unique and special. Aim at becoming better than all bloggers in your niche.
In order to fulfill this, you need to put more focus on fixing your weaknesses. For example:
- Practice writing if you are a bad writer
- Practice being more engaging if you are a boring person
- Take feedback from experts or trusted friends.
4. Money to buy a domain and hosting
In this world, no matter what business you plan to start, you cannot rule out the element of money. To start a professional tech blog, you will definitely require money to buy a domain name and pay for hosting fees. I do not encourage anyone thinking of starting a serious blog to run their blog on free hosted blogging platforms with free domain extensions such as .blogspot.com or .wordpress.com.
Buying a Domain
If you are looking for professionalism and credibility, you should be willing to invest in buying a custom domain and a hosting server. Domains go for as low $12 on Godaddy while Uganda’s Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD) such as .ug or .co.ug go for only $25 if you buy from the Official .ug Domain Registrant Website. I recommend registering your .com domain with NameCheap which goes for as low as $8.8. This is roughly UGX 32,000/-.
Choosing a simple and brandable domain name is important. A domain name cannot be changed or edited. So choose wisely.
Below are some characteristics of a good domain name:
- Good domains are short (mostly below 10 characters).
- Must be easy to remember or memorize
- Easy to spell
- Have a .com extension
- Must be descriptive (easy to tell what the blog is about just looking at the name)
- Don’t include hyphens or numbers
- Must be brandable (like Techcruch, Mashable, Dignited, Engadget etc)
Buying Hosting
Typically hosting will cost you about $65 a year if you buy from a reputable hosting company. I personally host all my WordPress websites on Bluehost, the best WordPress hosting company officially recommended by wordpress. Bluehost offers a reliable 24/7 by phone and live chat. The best thing with Bluehost is when you buy hosting from them; they give you a free domain worth about $14. So if you are planning to start a blog, I wouldn’t encourage you to buy hosting and domain separately. Just buy hosting from Bluehost and get a free domain as an offer. The hosting plan will cost you roughly $65.
5. Setup your blog
After you have purchased a domain and hosting, you will need to design and setup your blog. There are hundreds of free WordPress themes that you can you can install on your server and start posting. If you have enough budget, you can buy a premium theme from Themeforest.
Premium themes are designed in a professional way and make your blog look more professional. Premium themes also come along with support and free updates unlike free themes. Themes at Themeforest.net cost between $15-$70.
Setting up a blog does not require one to have so much expertise, but if you can’t do it on your own, I will help you setup your blog for free. Claim your free blog setup offer.
6. Solid internet connection
To efficiently run your tech blog, you will need to have a solid internet connection. You will need to do lots of research on the internet in order to be able to come up with great and unique content. In Uganda where internet is very unreliable, I recommend that you have two internet connections, just in case one fails, you can switch to the other. A backup internet connection is a wiser idea. I personally use MTN Uganda and Africell Uganda.
Tips to becoming a successful tech blogger
What steps do I need to follow to become a successful blogger? Well below are the tips you must follow if you dream to ever make it big in the blogging business:
- Have passion for blogging
- Learn a lot about blogging
- Work hard but expect no quick returns
- Do not be greedy for money.
- Build backlinks for your blog
- Have faith and patience
- Post consistently
- Remember content is king
- Be professional. Don’t spam.
- Write original content. Don’t copy and paste
- Learn digital marketing (SEO, SMO, SMM)
- Cover trending topics
- Write for audience with SEO in mind
- Do proper keyword research
- Consider blogging as a business not a get rich scheme.
- Lastly never give up
How to become a popular tech blogger in Uganda
Technology bloggers in Uganda are increasing every year and it is becoming very hard for new bloggers to become famous. There’s no Ugandan blogger who doesn’t really want to become famous.
But before you think of becoming a popular tech blogger in Uganda, there are several things you should first put in place such as;
- Being a hard worker
- Posting consistency
- Being productive
- Being creative
- Choose right blog theme
- Optimize your blog for SEO
- Have a well optimized profile and picture
If you are able to work on the above mentioned areas, then you are on the road to becoming the most popular tech blogger in Uganda. Below are some of the tips one can follow to become a tech blog star in Uganda, in just 4 months.
- Start guest posting for bigger tech blogs and receive backlinks for your blog.
- Start leaving influential comments on posts on blogs. Remember not to do spamming commenting in a bid to generate backlinks. Comment in an orderly and peaceful manner. The most important thing is to leave relevant comments.
- Start seeing yourself as an authority
- Solve people’s problems through your blog or on Question and Answer forums like Quora, Stack Overflow, Yahoo Answers, WikiAnswers etc.
- Collaborate with other bloggers
- Attend tech events and speak if there’s opportunity to.
- Write an ebook and give it for free
What you should know about blogging
The real truth about blogging is you have to spend money in order to make more money. However I believe the initial expenditure is not much, and any hardworking individual should be in position to afford these little startup fees.
True bloggers know that blogging is an investment where you invest money and efforts, and you are later rewarded for your efforts through the benefits that come with blog monetization.
Read; 46 Super Ways To Monetize a Blog (Website) In Uganda [In-depth Guide].
Conclusion
Becoming a tech blogger in Uganda is as easy as that, but becoming a successful blogger is another story. It took me about two years to start earning money from my blogs. Success in blogging doesn’t happen overnight. It requires one to be passionate about their niche, hardwork, faith and consistency.
Having passion for technology is the key to becoming a successful tech blogger. Technology has to be something close to your heart. Many bloggers make mistakes of going for blog topics they have no interest in but believe they will make money out of them.
You will need to be passionate about the topic or subject your blog focuses on. If you start a tech blog but have no interest in technology, trust me your blog won’t live to see its first anniversary. You will eventually lose interest and stop updating it, especially if you have been creating your own content.
To become a blogger, you need to have a strong desire to create or write original content. Even if you have never written any blog before, you can learn how to blog. There are thousands of free resources online that can help you learn blogging or improve your blogging skills.
Also read;
Top 8 Most Influential Tech Blogs (Websites) In Uganda
