Business
How To Start A Blog: Tips To Make Yours Successful And Profitable
Focus on your niche
If you haven’t already chosen a blog topic, thinking about your hobbies, passions and personal experiences is a good starting point.
Pamela Rae-Welsh, the creative director at the online visibility specialist Worsley Creative, says: “With so much online content, you’ll need to carve out a unique purpose that your blog will serve. For example, rather than creating a general cooking and recipe blog, consider a specific niche, such as Italian-inspired vegetarian cooking.”
Whatever your subject, also think about what you are hoping to achieve to refine your blog’s aim. For example, that might be to help people, make them laugh or teach them something.
Choose your blog name
Once you have decided on your subject, you need a blog name. Bear in mind that your blog and domain name should be the same, and ideally one that will stand out from the crowd.
It could be relevant to your subject but it doesn’t have to be. Lynn Beattie, a personal finance expert and the founder of Mrs MummyPenny, says: “You simply need it to be as short as possible, and memorable, so it could be a specific word, phrase or play on words.” You could spark some ideas by using the Google keyword planner and the Wordtracker keyword tool to search for the terms you might write about.
However, make sure your name isn’t already taken, so search across web domains and social media. You can search and buy your domain through different registrars such as GoDaddy and 123 Reg. See if you can buy the .com and .co.uk extensions.
Pick your platform
You will also need to pick a blogging platform that you will use to design and write your blogposts and publish online. There are several to choose from, including WordPress, Typepad, Blogger and Tumblr.
WordPress claims to be the world’s most popular platform, and is great for beginners who are looking for a simple site that enables them to build a blog within minutes. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials that can help you get set up. You can then work on personalising your blog.
Design your blog
Choosing your design theme is important because first impressions count. Francesca Henry favours WordPress for her money-saving blog the Money Fox. She says: “You can buy some beautiful and functional themes from about £50 to £150, and get free plug-ins that help you do loads of things such as create a standalone homepage.”
A simple theme is usually best, while making your blog as user-friendly as possible, including a call to action to let your readers know where they can find you, with links to Twitter and Instagram, for example. You could also get a professional logo designed to complete your brand, or work on one yourself.
Find your audience
Georgina Durrant runs the SEN Resources Blog, which is for parents and teachers of children with special educational needs and disabilities. “The blog now has more than 30,000 social media followers but it took a lot of regular, consistent posting of blogposts on my site, as well as posts on social media, and a lot more work than I initially expected to get there,” she says.
“You don’t get very far just sharing links. It’s about building a community around the blog. My following increased when I joined in and started conversations on social media. The readership of my blog kept on increasing as the community grew.”
Add other channels
There will be people who prefer to listen or watch rather than read, so you could add a YouTube channel or podcast to your blog. Marie Brown, a blogger at Beyond the Kitchen Table, which builds websites for small businesses, also has a podcast called the Website Coach. She says: “A podcast is a great way to market your blog, and featuring as a guest on other people’s podcasts is another option.”
She matches her podcast and blog topics. “You can either use the podcast transcript as the basis of the blog or, as I do, write the blogpost and use this as the outline for the podcast episode. I link the blogpost in the show notes to the podcast episode,” she says.
Keep building your blog
You will want to focus on getting your brand known, producing content and sharing your expertise before potentially turning a profit. Networking to build up backlinks will ultimately help you to monetise your blog, too.
Rae-Welsh says: “Google is looking for unique, relevant and trustworthy content to rank in the search engines – the more you add relevant and quality content, the more traffic you will get, which will give you more opportunity to monetise.”
There are free tools such as Google Search Console or Google Analytics that will help you create content that will be seen by search engines. “But it’s worth investing in learning SEO [search engine optimisation] properly if you want to make your blog a success,” Rae-Welsh adds.
Make a profit
There are various ways to make money from your blog. For example, firms that are relevant to your blog’s subject may want to buy some space and advertise their services using a box or banner. You may also want to consider approaching a particular brand to collaborate and produce a specific campaign on a subject you are passionate about.
You will need to ensure you make it clear that the post is sponsored
Alternatively, there is affiliate marketing, where links are placed into your posts or on your page that direct readers to a website selling something. You will earn a commission on any sales. You can find companies looking to place affiliate links on sites such as Tradedoubler and Amazon Associates.
Beattie adds: “There are so many other ways a blogger can make money, such as writing for brands, product sales, public speaking and social media advertising. The key is getting a well-diversified income stream.”
Business
Union Bank’s Union Cares Initiative Celebrates Academic Excellence at Pacelli School for the Visually Impaired Graduation
Union Bank of Nigeria proudly participated in the graduation ceremony of the Pacelli School for the Visually and Partially Sighted on 23 July 2025, honouring the resilience and academic achievements of visually impaired students.
The event, held on the school premises, highlighted the importance of inclusivity and determination in education.
As a 108-year-old institution committed to social responsibility, Union Bank’s involvement reflects its enduring support for Persons With Disabilities (PWD) and its dedication to fostering equitable access to education.
The Bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Olufunmilola Aluko, expressed her admiration for the graduating students:
“Union Bank proudly stands as a champion of inclusiveness and equitable representation. Through our UnionCares corporate social responsibility initiative, we are committed to supporting vulnerable and underrepresented communities.
We celebrate the incredible achievements of these students and reaffirm our dedication to empowering them to reach their full potential.”
UnionCares is Union Bank’s CSR Arm focused on creating sustainable social impact in key areas, including:
• Support for Vulnerable Groups: Empowering persons with disabilities and other marginalised communities through inclusive initiatives.
• Education and Skill Development: Facilitating access to education and practical skills that promote self-reliance and opportunity.
• Community Well-Being: Enhancing the overall quality of life of communities through health, education, and social welfare projects.
Union Bank remains honoured to collaborate with institutions dedicated to uplifting less-recognised members of society. The Bank remains dedicated to championing initiatives that inspire positive change, and foster a more inclusive, enlightened community across Nigeria.
Kevin Ugwuoke, Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, has formally assumed office as President of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI).
His leadership promises a reform-focused era anchored on policy advocacy, ethical standards, and digital innovation to deepen risk governance across sectors in the country.
Speaking during the presidential handover ceremony in Lagos over the weekend, Ugwuoke — who also doubles as acting President of the Federation of African Risk Management Associations (FARMA) — described his election as “a call to action.”
He pledged to reposition CRMI as a thought leader and institutional partner in shaping the future of risk management in Nigeria’s national development.
“Our mission is more than just certification; it’s about strengthening the culture of risk governance across sectors. We will collaborate with regulators, raise awareness, and provide practical tools to help organizations embed risk discipline at all levels.”
Ugwuoke outlined a five-pronged strategy to guide his administration: strengthening professional education and certification; deepening policy and regulatory engagement; accelerating digital transformation; integrating ESG and climate risk into corporate strategies; and mentoring the next generation of risk practitioners.
He explained that CRMI will align its initiatives with key policy institutions — including the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, the National Assembly, and sub-national governments — to help embed robust risk frameworks into economic development plans.
“We must integrate risk thinking into how we plan, govern, and invest. We will advocate for more inclusive regulations to empower small and medium enterprises, improve macroeconomic stability, and foster institutional resilience.”
Ugwuoke also announced plans to revise the Institute’s curriculum, introduce specialized certifications to reflect emerging risks, and implement a new National Risk Observatory to provide real-time risk data to both the public and private sectors.
“Digital innovation will be central to how CRMI operates going forward. We are automating our backend, delivering more virtual training, and employing technology to scale our impact across the country and beyond.”
In his remarks, the outgoing President of CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni, challenged the new leadership to consolidate on the achievements made under his tenure — from securing chartered status and strengthening partnerships to gaining greater international recognition — and take the Institute to the next level.
Also speaking on the occasion, Chukwuma Nweke, deputy managing director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, described Ugwuoke as a worthy successor. “As Professor Oseni hands over the baton to Kevin Ugwuoke — a well-respected leader in the risk management ecosystem — we are assured CRMI is poised for greater achievements under his watch.”
Nweke stressed that growing economic uncertainties — from inflation and exchange rate volatility to growing debt — underscore the need for a more strategic view of risk. “Risk must be recognized not as a compliance obligation or a cost center but as a key enabler of resiliency and growth. Institutions that embed risk into their strategies will absorb shocks more effectively, unlock value, and inspire investor confidence.”
As part of the day’s ceremonies, 11 distinguished practitioners were conferred with the Fellow of Chartered Risk Manager (FCRMI) award, while 21 new members were formally inducted as Chartered Risk Managers (CRM).
Furthermore, a new Governing Council was inaugurated to oversee the affairs of the Institute for the 2025–2027 term, marking a decisive step forward in institutional renewal and policy direction.
L-R: Registrar/Chief Executive, Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), Victor Olannye; Divisional Head, Risk Management Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Grace Abioye; Immediate Past President, CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni; President, CRMI and Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Kevin Ugwuoke; Director, Enterprise Risk Management, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Amal Haruna; and Rep. Keynote speaker, Deputy Group Management Director, United Bank of Africa (UBA), Chukwuma Nweke; at the CRMI Conferment Handover/Sent-Forth ceremony, held in Lagos recently.
One of Africa’s leading financial institutions, Zenith Bank has reaffirmed its dedication to employee welfare by announcing the promotion of over 4,000 staff members and implementing salary increases ranging from 20% to 30% across various employee grades.
This bold initiative, under the leadership of Managing Director/CEO Dame Adaora Umeoji, its aimed at boosting staff morale and productivity.
With over 8,000 employees, this significant investment in human capital reflects Zenith Bank’s belief that its workforce is its most valuable asset. The salary adjustments, effective January 1, 2025, aim to reward performance, alleviate financial pressures, and ensure enhanced customer service delivery. Promotions for top management are also expected as part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to excellence and growth.
Dr. Umeoji emphasized the importance of maintaining a motivated workforce, stating that the bank’s dedication to its employees will translate into superior service experiences for customers. She highlighted the organization’s commitment to setting industry benchmarks through innovative solutions and exceptional service delivery.
Zenith Bank’s continued leadership in the Nigerian financial sector is underscored by numerous awards, including Best Bank in Nigeria 2024 by Global Finance and recognition as the Biggest Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in 2024 by The Banker. These accolades complement its reputation for innovation, sustainability, and corporate governance.
By prioritizing employee welfare during challenging times, Zenith Bank not only strengthens its internal operations but also sets a standard for other financial institutions in the region, reinforcing its position as a leader in Africa’s banking landscape.
As a major player in Nigeria’s financial landscape, under its managing director/chief executive officer, Adaora Umeoji, the bank has embraced a holistic approach to growth that integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles with its core business objectives.
At the heart of Zenith Bank’s strategy is a focus on buoying economic inclusion, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and driving technological innovation to enhance customer experiences. The bank’s proactive investments in renewable energy, sports, digital transformation and impactful community initiatives exemplify its dedication to creating long-term value for its stakeholders while addressing global sustainability challenges.
Zenith Bank’s continued success is driven by a combination of strong financial performance and an unwavering commitment to its stakeholders.
Zenith Bank’s growth trajectory is underpinned by a robust expansion strategy. With operations in several countries, including the UK, UAE, China, and most recently, France, the bank continues to expand its geographical footprint.
As usual, the bank’s efforts in 2024 did not unnoticed as the lender clinched several local and international awards in recognition of its outstanding performance.
In 2024, the bank won the Best Bank in Nigeria at the annual Global Finance award in Washington, DC, NY.
The bank also emerged the Biggest Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, 2024 by The Banker; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2024 – World Finance; Best Corporate Governance, Nigeria 2024 – World Finance; Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria 2024 – International Banker; Bank of the Year, 2024 – Business Day; Retail Bank of the Year, 2024 – Business Day; Bank of the Year 2024- The Banker.
It also clinched the Most Responsible Organization in Africa 2024 – SERAS; Best in Gender Equality & Women Empowerment 2024 – SERAS and Best in Transparency & Reporting 2024 – SERAS
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