(Source)
A E-book that I read forever ago and just getting around to sharing with you is Hustle and Blog by Ashley Migneault from Modernette. Hustle and Blog is an e-book writeen by a lifestyle blogger, for lifestyle bloggers! This book includes: The Basics and Business of Blogging, Content Creation, Build Your Audience, Monetization, Working with Brands, and Futures Planning. (This is directly from her blog.)
In this book, her biggest point that I got was: Be consistent! Be confident! And write what you want to write about. All of these are things that I struggle with. I haven't always been the most consistent blogger, but it's usually during a move that I fall off the face of the earth. Confidence has been something I struggle with all the time.
She talked a lot about sponsorships as well. Which seems to be a hot topic lately because everyone is writing about, and something that I want to do better. Everyone has a different approach: Some start off with swapping with like size (and niche) bloggers then launch a sponsorship program. Some don't even off swaps at all. I had swaps on my blog for a while. Right now I am so backed up so they aren't available right now. She gave great tips on how to be a better sponsor like contact the day off. In the past I have waited until their month.
Also what to look for when sponsoring a blogger. Bottom line she recommends "Would the person who reads this blog be interested in what I have to say?"
Adding a service is now becoming the norm in blogging. I have added my etsy store on to my blog. I have always been crafty and now I love that I can share that with all of you. (Yes, that means expect a lot more DIY craft projects in the future.) There are many other ways to add to your blog. One of my favorite bloggers turned RLF (Real Life Friend) Emily has a design business. She also did my rebranding!
Now go and stalk Ashley on twitter. facebook. pinterest. bloglovin.
Another blogger came out with an ebook a while back was Alycia Crowley from Crowley Party.
(Source)
Right off the bat is the good stuff. She asks, "What does success look like to you in terms of blogging?" It's important to know what you expect or want out of a blog? It's the age old question, "How do you expect to get there if you don't know where you are going?"
Alycia has a lot of great points in this book, but my favorite is it's more than an e-book but also a workbook. She wants you to write things out and hold yourself accountable for your future. She also talks a lot about consistency.
One of the biggest misconceptions about blogging is that it's a get rich quick type of thing. It's not! You have to work hard. If you want to be successful you have to treat it like a business and interview. Every single day. Another tidbit is you have to think your blog is worth something. If you don't why should anyone else.
Also not many blogger make money off just blogging. They have something added to their blog: affiliate links, services, advertising, etc. The list can go on and on. Blogging is not just black and white. It's a whole bunch of colors all mixed together.
Blogging is all about networking connecting. In networking have a consistent social media icons. This is something that I struggled with early on with blogging. I was trying to balance blogging and professional development. (I was working in the sport industry for a team that didn't get social media. So it was always a balancing act.)
Alycia talks about guest posting a lot for bloggers. I agree and disagree. Maybe I disagree because I feel like guest post are so hard to write. What do you write about? Something that is similar to their blog? Or yours? So many questions and I know that I am totally overthinking it but that's how my mind works.
Extra tips and tricks in blogging:
Carry a notebook. Never know when an idea is going to happen.
Create an editorial calendar.
Be honest and open.
Schedule post as much as possible.
What's the biggest piece of advice that you got from this?
