How To Start A Music Blog In Nigeria (Step-By-Step)

In this post, you’ll learn how to create a music blog in Nigeria so you too can make money blogging.

From scratch without the experience of any kind.

The step I’m about to outline in this post is almost the same step I used in helping a good friend of mine (works for MTN) set up his news and music blog website some months back.

Music blog is one of the great blogging niches I’m confident you’re sure to make money from online.

Starting your own music blog in Nigeria isn’t as hard you might have thought – even though most of the popular music blog in Nigeria looks sexy and awesome from the front end of things.

Which makes you think you have to become a professional website designer or master some line of code before creating something similar, right?

Well, you’re wrong.

You just need to understand WordPress self-hosted platform, use of the right themes and plugins and a few other things.

You can build your own music blog in Nigeria without hiring a developer to start just the way you can set up any normal blog.

Let’s get started!

How To Start A Music Blog In Nigeria (Step-by-Step)

Here are the steps we’re going to take in creating a music blog in Nigeria:

Step #1: Choose Your Music Blog Domain Name

First of all, I will advise you shouldn’t go with any other domain extensions other than dot com (.com) if you want your music blog to stay mature, relevant and international.

However, this is objective. Because I know a lot of you might prefer to blog only about Nigerian music, which is still okay. Then you can go for the dot ng (.ng) extension.

Which even helps in terms of local SEO.

That apart – I still recommend going for the (.com), as you won’t be limited in the future when you decide to expand your music blog beyond Nigeria and Africa.

As for choosing the main domain NAME – I would say you should go for a name that’s brandable, unique and stands out from the competition.

Just take a look at all the Popular music blogs both in Nigeria and all over the world.

I’m sure you’ll notice a pattern in all the chosen domain names.

If I’m to delve further – I will advise you shouldn’t include the word ‘music’ and ‘blog’ at the same domain name. Including either of them would be fair enough.

Find and use new words that are catchy.

Some other tips I have for you are:

• Use shorter domain names. At least 12 words in character
• Should be easy to type and remember
• Your music domain should be easy to pronounce
• Never use hyphens and numbers in your domain name
• Check to see that your domain name isn’t a trademarked one

If you’re stuck an anyway stuck in this step, you can try these three domain name generators:

• DomainHole
• Wordoid
• Lean Domain Search

Step #2: Claim Your Domain Name & Host Your Music Blog

Now it’s time to buy or claim your domain, so it can have its place online. That’s why you need a web host.

Note: Never create your music blog using a free blogging platform as you will never have traction doing that as blogger. You need a self-hosted music blog so your visitors and search engines (Google) can take you seriously.

To claim your chosen domain name, you’ll have to pay around $14/yearly, then hosting your website costs about $7.95 per month.

But you don’t have to pay all that before starting your music blog in Nigeria.

There is a great service that takes care of both your domain and hosting for a stupid-cheaper price where you don’t have to pay up to that amount.

The service is Bluehost.com.

The best hosting solution for bloggers. It costs about $2.95 – 5.95 per month. Both for hosting and domain purchase.

We at SmartBizFreedom use Bluehost on most of our sites and I can tell you that it’s the best! Apart from the fact that Bluehost is an affordable hosting platform – let me further give you another reason why we recommend them for all new bloggers:

• They will register your blog name/domain for free (remember it costs $14/year)
• They offer free, simple installation of the WordPress blogging platform (I will show you how soon)
• Their customer support is helpful 24/7 via phone and LiveChat (they can even help you set up your blog)
• Recommended by WordPress and top world bloggers
• They host close to 3 million blogs and websites on the internet
• They have a money-back guarantee – in case you are not satisfied

Now let’s go over on how to start creating your music blog from Bluehost.

Shall we?

#1 Click here to go to BlueHost homepage

Then click on “Get started”

#2: Select your plan

Here, just select the basic plan and proceed to the next step.

#3: Enter your new domain

Here if you already own a domain, you type it on the right box and click Next, else enter your new domain on the left side.

#4: Fill your billing details and account info

#5: Choose your hosting package and options

I unchecked the boxes next to the other products when I sign-up. You don’t need them now, at least.

#6: Create your password

#7: Pick a theme (temporal)

After doing that – you’ll be logged in to your Bluehost account, then choose a basic design template/theme for your blog. We are going to change this theme later.

But for now, lets proceed.

#8: Ready to roll!

Now your blog software (WordPress) will be installed. Once the install is complete click “Start Building” to be logged in to your new music blog.

 

Step #3: Customize Your Music Blog

If you are not logged in yet to your Bluehost account – go to bluehost.com and click on login using your domain name and the password created earlier. If forgotten you can request a new one using the “Forgot Password” link.

When inside your portal – you will have to log in to WordPress (which takes you to your new blog dashboard).

It’s time to design your music blog the way you desire.

Within your WordPress dashboard, you can begin installing the needed plugin to make your music blog great and most importantly change your theme too.

In WordPress, blog layouts are known as “Themes”.

What is a blog theme by the way?

Basically, themes control the entire design of your blog. To change your theme, you are going to click on the “Appearance” tab on the left menu.

There are countless themes both free ones and paid for you to use. But don’t rush it yet my friend, as I will list some cool music-focused themes for you can install on your music blog.

If there’s a particular music blog you have in mind to model then that’ll be the best as you will have a little bit of clarity of where you’re headed.

And the music themes I’m about to list also comes with great designs and as well.

All you just have to do is customize them the way you want. Some of these music themes are paid while some are free.

If you ask me, I would say you should start with a paid theme as they come with a greater feature than the free ones.

But if you’re on a budget, go with the paid ones. Then switch later.

Here are a few music-blog themes you can choose for your music website in Nigeria:

• Neve Music Band theme

Neve is a popular and multi-purpose WordPress theme. Compatible with top page builders and ease to access. It’s free to use.

• FWRD – Music Band & Musician WordPress Theme

This is a theme with many demos, all of them entirely dedicated to music, but also suitable for different types of websites. This is a paid music theme.

• Obsidian theme

Obsidian is a minimalist and great theme for those solo musicians who are just starting their careers. Everything about this music WordPress theme is simple and beautiful. This theme gives you everything you need as a music blogger.

Obsidian theme is another premium theme.

• Musik theme

Musik is a theme that should work great for any music sharing website/platform, or any other business that operates in the music industry. Super clean music theme.

This theme reminds me of some of the popular music downloading sites in Nigeria.

It is also a paid theme.

Step #4: Start Writing, Posting, Promoting & Make Money

Congratulations as your music blogging website are now up and running on the internet.

Now, what next?

The next thing for you is to start researching and posting on your music blog, upload songs and putting them in the right categories.

It’s pretty straightforward to get your way around the WordPress, even if you’re from the ’70s.  🙂

When it comes to promoting your music blog in Nigeria, there are many variables involved to have maximum success, especially when your music blog is brand new without visibility and authority.

For a start, here are a few ways you can do this:

Create a Facebook page for your music blog, add your URL, share your latest post there, then boost it with at least #1,500

Create a Twitter page for your blog, follow other music websites, follow as many artists as possible, comment on their tweets, comment on their follower’s tweet and follow them as well.

Also join music related forums online, groups and connect with other news, celebrity and music bloggers.

Bear in mind that what actually matters is the type of posts and music-related content you publish and upload to your blog. It must be authentic and helpful to visitors.

If not, you’ll hardly get repeating visits and people can’t share your blog with their networks.

For making money:

See, I wouldn’t advise you to put your focus on the money aspect at first.

Because if you start providing good recommendations and great music posts on your blog – it won’t take time to build up and start attracting money-making opportunities on your blog.

I’m saying this from experience.

The sweet part about having any type of (value-focused) blog is the various ways in which you can monetize it.

• You can land a sponsorship deal
• You can place ads
• You can collaborate with other bloggers to host an amazing event

The opportunities are limitless.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a music blog in Nigeria?

To start a music blog Nigeria you’ll have decided on the name of your music blog, then you get a free domain from Bluehost then pay for hosting, then install a music theme to customize and start putting contents on your blog.

How much does it cost to start and create a music blog?

The approximate cost to create and get your own music blog running and functioning is about $100. Might not be up-to that but put that in your budget.

Do music blogs make money?

Of course, established music blogs make quite a lot of money from their blogs and websites through sponsored deals, collaborations, Ad placements and a bunch of other monetization tactics. You can too if you put in the work.

How much can I make from my music blog?

It depends on many conditions, my friend. Like from the traffic number you get on a monthly basis and clicks if you monetized via Ads.

Like if you get 1,000 page views a month, you can make about $10-$100 per month. But if you can get to 100,000 page views a month you can make between $1,000-$10,000 off of your blog per month.

I would say earning via Ads isn’t that lucrative in blogging.

Landing sponsorship deals and making sponsor posts and uploading sponsored music still remains the best route.

It pays heavily!

Imagine being paid #100,000 (naira) or MORE for a single sponsorship deal. In fact, you get about 5 of these in a month. How better would your life be?

Bit it all depends on how relevant and authoritative your blog is. A more reason why you need to focus first on getting helpful and awesome stuff on your blog and work hard to make it go viral.

Can I get some examples of Nigeria music blogs for inspiration?

Sure!

Here are some top music blogs in Nigeria:

• TooXlcusive.com
• NotjuskOk.com
• 360nobs.com
• Juguda.com

We do hope you found this article on creating and building a music blogging business in Nigeria? Drop your comments below if you have any questions on How to Start A Music Blog In Nigeria