Have you been gripped by gripping true crime stories and want to share your obsession with the world? You’re not alone.
True crime blogs are a popular genre, offering a platform for amateur sleuths to delve into unsolved mysteries and infamous serial killers.
In this blog post, we will guide you through starting your own intriguing true crime blog, from choosing an interesting niche to promoting and monetizing your work.
So get ready; it’s time to immerse ourselves in the fascinating world of the unexplained!
What is a True Crime Blog?
A true crime blog dives into the grim realities of criminal activities. Exploring high-profile murder cases, unsolved mysteries, cold cases, and forensic science investigations, these blogs captivate readers with their chilling narratives.
The content often stems from detailed research involving police reports and court documents to provide factual information about the crimes committed.
This genre has grown popular due to its ability to offer insights into real-world stories involving real people.
One reason why true crime is such a popular genre is because it allows readers to explore the darker side of humanity and try to understand the motives behind these crimes. True crime documentaries and books have become increasingly popular in recent years, and many true crime bloggers have found success by covering these same topics.
Beyond mere storytelling, a successful true crime blog could contribute towards raising awareness or sometimes even solving cold cases if it reaches a broad enough audience. A true crime blog is a platform where writers share stories and analyses of real-life crimes and mysteries.
Starting a true crime blog can be an exciting way to explore your passion for the subject and connect with others who share your interest in criminal cases.
Overall, true crime is a fascinating and complex genre that requires a deep understanding of the crimes and cases you’re covering.
When writing true crime content, it’s important to approach the subject matter with sensitivity and respect for the victims and their families.
It’s also important to be accurate and factual in your reporting, as many true crime readers are passionate about the genre and will quickly spot any inaccuracies or exaggerations.
Why You Should Start a True Crime Blog
If you’re a true crime enthusiast, starting a true crime blog can be a great way to share your passion with others and connect with like-minded individuals.
Here are some motivations for starting a true crime blog:
- Share Your Passion: Writing about true crime stories is a great way to channel your interest into something productive, like writing and sharing with others who have the same passion.
- Improve Your Writing Skills: Creating a true crime blog calls for regular content creation. This consistent practice can enhance your writing skills over time.
- Build a Community: True crime blogs, just like true crime podcasts and documentaries, often attract loyal and enthusiastic readers who are eager to discuss and debate cases. Launching a blog can help establish a community of like-minded people.
- Stay Up-to-Date with True Crime Cases: Running a true crime blog requires constant research on new cases, which helps you stay informed about the latest happenings in the world of crime and justice.
- Potential Income Source: Once you build an audience and become a successful true crime blogger, there are numerous ways to monetize your blog as we will explore in greater detail later.
- Advocate for Justice: Some bloggers use their platform to shine a light on unsolved mysteries or misreported crimes, potentially leading to renewed interest in cold cases or even real-world change in criminal justice issues.
Finally, investigating cases and presenting them in an engaging manner encourages analytical thinking, which is a valuable skill not only in blogging but also in everyday life.
How to Start a True Crime Blog
Starting a blog that you can eventually monetize is relatively simple. Growing it by consistently promoting it and creating content is the hard part.
With that in mind, here are some steps to help you get started:
Step 1: Choose Your Niche
The true crime world is vast and there are many topics your blog can focus on. However, it is best that you carve your niche and the best way to do that is to follow your passion.
When choosing a niche for your true crime blog, consider focusing on specific types of crimes or subgenres within the genre to cater to a targeted audience. Many true crime bloggers focus on specific cases or crimes, while others cover a range of topics within the true crime niche.
For example, if forensic science intrigues you, concentrate on cases that hinge on trace evidence. Is your passion unsolved mysteries? Then, cold cases could be an excellent focus area because unsolved crimes often captivate readers’ attention.
Your chosen niche should reflect both what compels you and appeals to potential readers.
As authenticity is key in this genre, weaving personal thoughts and experiences into posts makes them uniquely yours and more relatable to a broad audience. Authenticity comes with genuine interest.
From serial killers to true crime documentaries or books, finding a compelling sector within this field can help create engaging stories that will stand apart from other true crime blogs.
Step 2: Name Your Blog
When picking a blog name, it would be great if you could think of something clever that works for your blog. Your blog name should reflect the theme or focus of your blog and be easy for readers to remember.
Alternatively, you can be methodical and consider things like keywords, future focus, your writing style, your audience, and a host of other considerations.
You can also use an online blog name generator like this one by Wix.
As you come up with ideas, ensure that the domain name and social media handles are available for marketing purposes.
Step 3: Find a Reliable Web Host and Register Your Domain Name
When it comes to selecting the right web host, consider the various types of hosting options they are offering to determine which aligns best with your requirements, the pricing, and the quality of customer support.
Also think about speed and reliability, as these factors directly impact your website’s performance.
Examples of web hosts include Hostgator, Bluehost, Dreamhost, and GoDaddy, just to mention a few.
Your domain name is the web address that people will use to access your blog. Ideally, it should be the same as your blog name for branding and marketing purposes.
Once you have decided on a domain name, you can register it through a reputable domain registrar or your web host.
Step 4: Select a Blogging Platform
WordPress is the most popular platform because it offers a user-friendly interface (the WordPress dashboard) and a wide range of customizable themes to create a visually appealing website.
Consider factors such as ease of use, customization options, and SEO capabilities when selecting a platform that best suits your needs.
If you pick WordPress, the next steps are installing it, choosing the right WordPress theme, and installing the basic plugins.
If you will be writing about more than one topic, organize your content into categories such as “Famous Cases,” “Cold Cases,” and “Serial Killers,” before you even start writing. This helps readers easily navigate and find content that interests them.
Step 5: Set Up Basic Blog Pages
Here are the essential blog pages you need to set up when starting your true crime blog:
- Legal Disclaimer: Given the sensitive nature of true crime content, include a legal disclaimer. Clarify that your blog is for informational and entertainment purposes only and that you’re not endorsing or encouraging illegal activities.
- Home Page: This page should provide an overview of your blog, showcase your latest posts, and offer navigation options to various sections of your blog. Your theme will determine how it looks.
- About Page: Introduce yourself and your blog’s mission. Share your passion for true crime and explain why you started the blog.
- Contact Page: Create a way for your readers to reach out to you. Include a contact form, your email address, or links to your social media profiles.
- Resources and References: This is optional but a great one to have. Compile a list of books, documentaries, podcasts, and other resources related to true crime for readers interested in further exploring the topic.
- Privacy Policy: Outline how you collect, use, and store user data. There are templates you can find online for this.
- Terms of Use: Clearly define the terms and conditions under which users access and use your blog. Include guidelines on commenting, sharing content, and respecting copyright.
Setting up these basic pages will establish a strong foundation for your true crime blog, offering readers easy navigation, valuable content, and a memorable user experience.
How to Create Content for a True Crime Blog
Once you have set up your blog, it’s time to start creating content. Your primary goal is to engage your audience with intriguing, well-researched, and informative true crime articles.
Here are some tips to help you create compelling content for your true crime blog:
Write Down Your Content Ideas
Create a list of content ideas because having a pool of ideas ensures a steady stream of content. You can start Google Spreadsheet for this.
When you’re short on time or experiencing writer’s block, you can turn to your list for instant inspiration.
You should also jot down blog ideas as they come to you and later add them to your list. Waiting to remember later might result in losing the essence or context of your initial idea.
Write Engaging Blog Posts
When writing true crime articles, it’s crucial to engage your readers with a compelling narrative. Use vivid descriptions, dialogue, and suspense to draw them into the story.
You may include your personal opinions and insights to add depth and perspective to the article. However, make sure that you maintain a neutral and objective tone throughout.
Optimize Your Content for SEO
To maximize the visibility of your true crime blog and attract more readers, you must optimize your content for search engine optimization (SEO).
Start by conducting keyword research to find popular terms and phrases related to true crime. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your blog posts, titles, and meta descriptions. Additionally, make sure your website is mobile-friendly and has fast loading times to improve user experience.
Include relevant internal and external links in your content to boost SEO rankings.
Post Consistently
To keep your readers engaged, you need to post new content regularly. You can create a content calendar to plan out your posts and ensure that you have a steady stream of articles.
However, don’t sacrifice quality for quantity. It’s better to post less frequently but with high-quality content than to post frequently with mediocre content.
How to Research for Your True Crime Blog
True crime enthusiasts are very particular about details. Therefore, you must conduct thorough research to ensure accuracy and credibility.
You should use reliable sources such as police reports, court documents, and interviews with the people involved. Make sure that you fact-check everything and avoid making assumptions or speculations.
Let’s take a look at the typical research process and provide tips on how to find reliable sources.
Use Search Engines
The first step in researching for your true crime blog is to do a Google search. This will give you an idea of what has already been written about the case and what information is available.
Use keywords related to the crime, such as the victim’s name, the location of the crime, and the year it occurred.
In addition to Google, there are other search engines that can be useful in researching true crime cases. Some search engines specialize in public records, while others focus on news articles and blog posts. Some popular search engines for researching true crime cases include:
- LexisNexis
- ProQuest
- JSTOR
Police Reports
Once you have an idea of what information is available, you can start looking for police reports. Police reports are public records and can be obtained by filing a request with the police department that investigated the crime.
Police reports can provide valuable information, such as witness statements, crime scene photos, and forensic evidence.
Interview experts or individuals involved in the cases
Reach out to forensic scientists, detectives, journalists, or even family members of victims to gain unique perspectives and gather firsthand information that can add depth to your blog posts.
Research is a crucial part of writing a true crime blog. You need to gather as much information as possible about the crime, the victim, and the perpetrator. Research true crime cases, unsolved mysteries, or even famous criminal investigations to find accurate information.
How to Promote Your True Crime Blog
Now that your true crime blog is up and running, it’s time to start promoting it to attract readers and build a following. Here are some effective ways to promote your true crime blog:
Guest Posts
One of the best ways to promote your true crime blog is by writing guest posts for other blogs in the true crime niche.
Look for blogs that have a similar target audience as yours and offer to write a guest post for them. In return, you can include a link back to your blog in your author bio or within the content itself.
This can help you reach a wider audience and establish yourself as an authority in the true crime community.
Cross-Promotion
Collaborate with other true crime bloggers by featuring each other’s content or sharing each other’s posts on social media. This will increase the visibility of both blogs.
Podcast Interviews
Once your blog catches on, consider reaching out to true crime podcasters for the opportunity to be interviewed on their show.
This can introduce you to a new audience of true crime enthusiasts who may be interested in reading your blog.
Online Forums and Groups
Join online forums and groups related to true crime blogging or specific true crime niches. Participate in discussions, share knowledge, ask questions, and provide support to fellow bloggers.
Start Sharing on Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for promoting your true crime blog and reaching a wider audience. Share your blog posts on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and encourage your followers to share them as well.
Use relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your posts and engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages.
Interact with Your Readers
As a true crime blogger, engaging your audience is essential to building a successful blog.
Respond to comments and messages, and ask your readers for feedback and suggestions. This will help you build relationships with your readers and keep them engaged with your content.
Link Building
Link building is another important aspect of promoting your true crime blog. This means getting other websites to link back to your blog, which can help improve your search engine rankings and drive traffic to your site.
Reach out to other bloggers in the true crime niche and offer to exchange links, or create high-quality content that other websites will want to link to naturally.
How to Make Money With a True Crime Blog
Monetizing your true crime blog can be an exciting way to turn your passion into a profitable venture. There are several options you can explore to generate income from your blog:
- Affiliate Marketing: With affiliate marketing, you earn commissions for every sale made through your referral link. You can recommend true crime books, documentaries, or even merchandise related to true crime.
- Partner with companies that offer true crime-related products or services to write sponsored posts. Don’t forget to indicate that the article is sponsored to maintain trust with your audience.
- Display Ads: Placing advertisements on your blog can generate revenue through pay-per-click or pay-per-impression models. Platforms like Google AdSense make it easy to display relevant ads based on your content and audience.
- Digital Products: Create and sell digital products such as e-books about famous true crime cases, exclusive interviews with experts, or even online courses on forensic science or criminal profiling.
- Consulting: If you have expertise in true crime, consider offering consulting services to individuals, media outlets, or even law enforcement agencies who may seek guidance or insights.
Final Thoughts
Starting a true crime blog can be a rewarding experience, but it requires a lot of hard work and dedication.
If you have a passion for true crime and are interested in sharing your knowledge and insights with others, then starting a true crime blog is something you should strongly consider.
Having said that, success in the world of true crime blogging is not guaranteed. It takes time and effort to build a following and establish yourself as an authority in the field.
You need to be willing to put in the work and stay committed to your blog, even when it feels like no one is reading.
One of the keys to success in true crime blogging is to stay true to your passion. Write about the cases and topics that interest you, and don’t be afraid to share your opinions and insights. Your readers will appreciate your authenticity and will be more likely to stick around if they feel like they are getting a unique perspective.
And as you do all that, remember that true crime is about real people and real tragedies. It’s important to approach the subject matter with sensitivity and respect. Don’t sensationalize or exploit the cases you write about, and always keep the victims and their families in mind.
Ultimately, starting a true crime blog can be a challenging but rewarding experience. If you have a passion for true crime and are willing to put in the work, you can build a successful blog and connect with a passionate community of readers.