tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43831729968744057352023-10-14T02:55:33.100-07:00News By JadeDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-3968109066382078322019-04-18T06:14:00.001-07:002019-04-18T06:14:16.342-07:00581 Sensory Words to Take Your Writing from Bland to BrilliantDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-71518710548582490332019-04-11T05:32:00.001-07:002019-04-11T05:32:34.106-07:00How to Write a Blog Post in 2019: The Ultimate Guide<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/how-to-write-a-blog-post-v2.jpg' /></p>
<p>Here’s the thing:</p>
<p>There are many tutorials that can teach you how to write a blog post.</p>
<p>They can educate you on the mechanics of blogging, what to do, and what not to do.</p>
<p>Read them and you can learn how to craft a perfectly serviceable blog post. Heck, you might even write something that wins you an adoring fan or two.</p>
<p>But if you dream bigger, if you want to know how to write a blog post that cuts through the noise and wins you <em>legions of fans</em>, you need something better than a run-of-the-mill tutorial.</p>
<p><strong>You need an ultimate guide.</strong></p>
<p>In this post, this ultimate guide, we’ll share tips used by professional writers to create spellbinding posts that are adored by thousands. You’ll learn the secrets to crafting irresistible headlines, seducing introductions, captivating advice, and motivational closings.</p>
<p>You’ll even learn how the pros refine and polish their posts once they’re finished writing them.</p>
<p>These are secrets many bloggers would gladly pay real money to learn, but it won’t cost you a thing — other than a few minutes of your time.</p>
<p>Let’s dive in.</p>
<p><span id="more-7702"></span><br /></p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e5e5bb;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fefed0;border-color:#fffff6;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">Want Smart Blogger’s <strong>Ultimate Editing Checklist</strong> — a 22-point cheatsheet for polishing your post to perfection? <a href="https://blogtraffic.lpages.co/leadbox/14d021473f72a2%3A12ed0d446b46dc/5889979771256832/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here</a><script data-leadbox="14d021473f72a2:12ed0d446b46dc" data-url="https://blogtraffic.lpages.co/leadbox/14d021473f72a2%3A12ed0d446b46dc/5889979771256832/" data-config="%7B%7D" type="text/javascript" src="https://blogtraffic.lpages.co/leadbox-1498077769.js">
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<h2>Table of Contents</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#step_1">Step #1. Craft a Headline That Readers Can’t Resist</a></li>
<li><a href="#step_2">Step #2. Write an Introduction That Grabs and Seduces</a></li>
<li><a href="#step_3">Step #3. Deliver Advice That’s Easy to Consume and Impossible to Ignore</a></li>
<li><a href="#step_4">Step #4. Close with a Motivational Bang</a></li>
<li><a href="#step_5">Step #5. Polish Your Post So It’s Smoother Than a Slip ‘n Slide</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<div class="su-divider su-divider-style-default" style="margin:16px 0;border-width:1px;border-color:#ccc"><a href="#" style="color:#47a7d7">Back to Top</a></div>
<h2 id="step_1">Step #1. Craft a Headline That Readers Can’t Resist</h2>
<div id="attachment_13974" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="wp-image-13974 size-full" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-1-craft-a-headline-v2-1.png" alt="Step #1. Craft a Headline That Readers Can’t Resist" width="700" height="350" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-1-craft-a-headline-v2-1.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-1-craft-a-headline-v2-1-150x75.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-1-craft-a-headline-v2-1-300x150.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text"><a title="Click to Tweet" href="https://twitter.com/home?status=%22Your%20headline%20will%20be%20your%20map,%20your%20writing%20navigation%20system,%20letting%20you%20know%20which%20literary%20roads%20to%20choose%20and%20which%20to%20avoid.%22%20-%20%40smartbloggerhq%20pic.twitter.com/n2M91SHziN%20https%3A//smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-blog-post/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click to Tweet</a></p>
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<p>Want to know one of the biggest mistakes bloggers make?</p>
<p>Writing the blog post before the headline.</p>
<p>Without a headline, they have no roadmap to follow. And so their post goes in multiple directions, leaving readers feeling dizzy, confused and disoriented.</p>
<p>And then they try to create a headline that embraces all that madness. Bloggers, have mercy!</p>
<p>If you want to write a blog post full of clarity, conciseness and conviction, spend some time crafting a quality headline that sets a clear destination, lures readers in, and leaves them eager for your advice.</p>
<p>Your headline will be your map, your writing navigation system, letting you know which literary roads to choose and which to avoid so that readers reach the intended destination as easily and efficiently as possible.</p>
<p><strong>Follow these 8 rules to craft your killer headline:</strong></p>
<h3>Headline Rule #1. Pick a Mouth-Watering Topic</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Want your blog post to get opened?</p>
<p>Then your headline must promise readers the very answer to whatever is tormenting them. The thing that keeps them up at night.</p>
<p>Your headline should not promise them a trip to the moon and back — readers are way too swift for such shenanigans. Keep the benefit specific and narrow, and readers will feel compelled to click and get the solution to what’s bugging them.</p>
<p>How do you find out what’s bugging your readers? Research:</p>
<ul>
<li>Review comments on your posts and on posts of other sites in your niche.</li>
<li>Send your subscribers surveys asking them what their greatest struggles are.</li>
<li>Use tools like BuzzSumo to find out what the most popular posts in your niche are (which gives insight into your target readers’ needs).</li>
<li>Read the reviews of books in your niche on Amazon (you’ll find a gold mine of feedback to explore).</li>
</ul>
<p>You have one responsibility as a blogger — yup, just one. And that is to serve your audience. The better you know them, the better you serve.</p>
<p>Before you know it, you’ll know them so intimately they’ll feel like you’re reading their minds, and your headlines will reflect that.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>Let’s say you’re in the self-improvement space and you wrote the headline below:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Create an Amazing Life</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This headline is so broad it’s unlikely to draw readers in. No one loses sleep over “wanting to create an amazing life.” They lose sleep over specific aspects of their lives that have left them unfulfilled.</p>
<p>So you are better off narrowing in on something specific that’s bugging your readers, such as:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Boldly Pursue Your Dreams Even if You’re Scared and Insecure</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Narrowing in on something specific makes readers feel like you have the answers they’re looking for.</p>
<h3>Headline Rule #2. Steal from the Pros</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Okay, you’ve done your research and you know exactly what your readers need. Now it’s time to turn your topic into into a killer headline.</p>
<p>The easiest way to master the art of writing headlines? Steal.</p>
<p>Not in the unethical way. In the smart and efficient way.</p>
<p>Decades of copywriting and advertising research have revealed the types of headlines that have proven to be successful. The types of headlines that zap readers out of their info-overload comas and compel them to open. Why mess with that research?</p>
<p>If you want your headlines to grab readers, stick with what works.</p>
<p>No, your headlines don’t need to sound like they came straight from BuzzFeed. They can reflect your voice and style.</p>
<p>But until you’re as skilled a writer as Jon Morrow, let the proven templates be your guide (how do you think he got so good at writing headlines?).</p>
<p>Blogging is hard enough, so if you have templates at your fingertips, why not use them?</p>
<p>The easiest templates to start with? “How to” headlines and list post headlines. They are classics and they work. In fact, 75% of Smart Blogger’s most popular posts use these formats.</p>
<h4>Examples:</h4>
<p>Here are a number of Smart Blogger headlines that follow the “how to” and list post templates.</p>
<p><strong>“How to” Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a title="how to start a blog" href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog/">How to Start a Blog in 2019: Research Reveals 20X Faster Method</a></li>
<li><a title="make money writing" href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-writing/">How to Make Money Writing: 5 Ways to Get Paid to Write in 2019</a></li>
<li><a title="make money blogging" href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-blogging/">How to Make Money Blogging (Free Guide for 2019)</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>List Post Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a title="ebook mistakes" href="https://smartblogger.com/ebook-mistakes/">21 Dumb Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your First E-book</a></li>
<li><a title="blogging platforms" href="https://smartblogger.com/blogging-platforms/">The 5 Best Free Blogging Platforms in 2019 (100% Unbiased)</a></li>
<li><a title="writer's block" href="https://smartblogger.com/writers-block/">Writer’s Block: 27 Ways to Overcome It Forever</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Note:</strong> You can download Jon’s free <a title="headline hacks" href="https://smartblogger.com/headline-hacks">52 Headline Hacks</a>, where you’ll find more template options than you’ll ever need.<br /></div>
</div>
<h3>Headline Rule #3. Engage Your Senses</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Vague headlines leave readers feeling empty. Tangible headlines leave them feeling understood.</p>
<p>How to you create tangible headlines? Put yourself in the shoes of your reader.</p>
<p>How do they feel? What do they see, taste, or smell? What do they hear?</p>
<p>Engage all of your senses. The more your headline gives voice to their exact experience, the more they’ll feel like your post was written for them.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>Let’s say you blog about health and wellness and you wrote a headline called:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>5 Steps to Take When a Migraine Hits</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This headline follows a proven list post formula, and it narrows in on something that’s bugging readers. All in all it’s not too bad, but it could be even more concrete.</p>
<p>To step it up a notch, put yourselves in the shoes of your readers. Think about exactly what they’re experiencing.</p>
<p>Perhaps that would lead you to the following:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>5 Ways to Soothe Pounding and Blinding Migraines</p>
</blockquote>
<p>If you suffer from migraines, there’s no way you could resist clicking such a headline.</p>
<h3>Headline Rule #4. Tease, Don’t Satisfy</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>A common mistake you may not even realize you’re making?</p>
<p>Giving away too much in your headlines.</p>
<p>Your headlines should lure readers in like a literary temptress. They should catch readers’ attention and invoke their curiosity, not give a solution.</p>
<p>Give a solution in your headline and readers feel no need to go any further — they’re bored by the very thought of your post.</p>
<p>When this happens, not only do <em>you</em> lose but <em>your readers</em> lose as well, as they trade the richness of your post’s advice for the quick fix offered by the headline.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>Let’s say you blog about personal finance and you write the headline below:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Save for Retirement by Creating a Monthly Budget</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Sadly, readers will see this and think they’ve got all the advice they need — if they want to save for retirement, they must create a monthly budget. No need to read more.</p>
<p>On the other hand, a possible revision could be:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Save for Retirement When You’re Living Paycheck to Paycheck</p>
</blockquote>
<p>For anyone living paycheck to paycheck, this headline would pique their curiosity. Nothing is given away, it speaks to an audience with a very specific problem, and it promises a solution they’d love to get their hands on.</p>
<h3>Headline Rule #5. Honor the Headline Commandment</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>When it comes to headlines, there is only one commandment you can never break:</p>
<p><em>“Thou shalt not deceive.”</em></p>
<p>This may seem obvious, but writers inadvertently do it all the time. How?</p>
<p>They over-promise.</p>
<p>Big no-no. The content of your post must fully deliver on exactly what the headline promises.</p>
<p>If the post only delivers part of the solution, readers will feel misled and lose their trust in you.</p>
<p>Let’s never do that to them, yes?</p>
<h4>Examples:</h4>
<p>Let’s say you write a post called:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Live a Happy and Peaceful Life</p>
</blockquote>
<p>But then the post only talks about following your dreams, which is really only one aspect of living a happy and peaceful life. Even though you didn’t intentionally deceive them, readers will feel shortchanged.</p>
<p>Another example — perhaps you write a post called:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>5 Killer Ways to Attract New Clients to Your Coaching Business</p>
</blockquote>
<p>But then the fifth way contains no useful advice and instead leads to a sales page to get the solution … no bueno.</p>
<h3>Headline Rule #6. Trim the Fat</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Want to overwhelm readers right from the start?</p>
<p>Fill your headline with weak and flabby words.</p>
<p>What are weak and flabby words? Empty, unnecessary words that add no real value. Instead, they create clunky phrasing and leave readers scratching their heads in confusion.</p>
<p>The mistake many bloggers make is writing headlines the way they speak. While that’s okay when you write the post (to a certain extent), when you write headlines that way it waters them down.</p>
<p>You want your headlines to be as ruthlessly concise and powerful as possible. So chop out weak words and throw in <a title="power words" href="https://smartblogger.com/power-words/">power words</a> (if appropriate).</p>
<h4>Examples:</h4>
<p>Let’s say you draft the following headline:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Find It In Your Heart to Forgive Someone Even if They’ve Hurt You Really Badly</p>
</blockquote>
<p>There are just so many words! We can cut them down as follows:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Forgive Someone Who Hurt You Badly</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We can then add some power to it:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Forgive a Soul-Crushing Betrayal</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Much better.</p>
<h4>Another Example:</h4>
<p>Here’s a mouthful:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Stop Being Overly Doubtful of Yourself So You Can Finally Begin to Pursue Your Wildest Dreams</p>
</blockquote>
<p>My head is spinning. This can be cut down to:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Pursue Your Wildest Dreams</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We could even make it more tangible and powerful:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to End Paralyzing Doubts and Conquer Your Wildest Dreams</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Nice and trim, but packs a punch.</p>
<h3>Headline Rule #7. Don’t Be a Smarty-Pants</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Your headline should make sense to all readers no matter where they’re coming from or in what context they’re approaching your post.</p>
<p>They shouldn’t have to guess what the benefit is. After all, you’re supposed to be reading <em>their</em> minds, not the other way around.</p>
<p>So you’ll want to avoid using metaphors (unless their meaning is painfully obvious), jargon, rhymes, made-up terms, or anything that tries to be overly clever or complicated when drafting your headlines.</p>
<h4>Examples:</h4>
<p>Where to begin with this one:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Be Happy Without Acting Sappy</p>
</blockquote>
<p>A headline like this tries to be too clever — readers don’t give two hoots about not acting sappy, obviously. Don’t prioritize cute tactics like rhyming over delivering clear benefits in your headlines.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Raise a Child That Is the Apple of Your Eye</p>
</blockquote>
<p>A headline like this is also trying to be too clever. “Apple of Your Eye” is a common metaphor readers are likely familiar with, but there’s no concrete benefit being offered here. A headline must always contain a strong benefit, not a cute phrase.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Follow the Path of Glory to Your Success</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No clue what this means … and I just wrote it. If there isn’t a singular and clear interpretation of what the headline’s benefit is, it’s trying too hard. So save the metaphors for the actual post where they will (hopefully) make more sense.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How to Stop Treating Love Like a Captive Animal</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Perhaps you effectively explain in the post how people treat love like a captive animal, and it may make for a <a title="analogy" href="https://smartblogger.com/analogy/">great analogy</a>, but readers scanning headlines will have no clue why they should stop to read this, and so they likely won’t.</p>
<h3>Headline Rule #8. Rock Your Style</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>The more consistent you are with your audience, the more trust they’ll feel for you.</p>
<p>If you generally keep your headlines pretty simple and then suddenly write one jam-packed with power words, your readers will feel confused.</p>
<p>The more you write, the more of a style you’ll develop. Once you determine what that style is, use it consistently (or make slow and gradual changes to it if necessary) so your audience learns and trusts your brand.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>If most of your headlines read like this:</p>
<ul>
<li><em>How to Live With Courage</em></li>
<li><em>How to Overcome Social Anxiety</em></li>
<li><em>How to Confidently Embrace Uncertainty</em></li>
</ul>
<p>Then you might not want to suddenly write a headline that reads:</p>
<ul>
<li><em>How to Brazenly Squash the Agonizing Anxiety That Is Plaguing Your Life</em></li>
</ul>
<p>Your readers will think your blog got hacked!</p>
<h3>How to Write a Headline: Bonus Tip</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>When writing a headline, try crafting 5–10 different versions of the same headline.</p>
<p>The more you play with the words, the better you will get at creating clear, concise and curiosity-invoking headlines that readers cannot resist.</p>
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<h4>Editor’s Note:</h4>
<p>I’d be remiss if I didn’t discuss a question we hear often:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“How long/short should my headline be?”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Ever notice how some headlines in SERPs (search engine results pages) are truncated?</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-14007" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/truncated-headline.png" alt="truncated headline" width="700" height="236" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/truncated-headline.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/truncated-headline-150x51.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/truncated-headline-300x101.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>It’s based on your headline’s width in pixels, but as a general rule: right round 60 characters Google will cut off your headline.</p>
<p>Since a truncated headline can result in fewer people clicking your link in SERPs, it’s a common SEO practice to keep your headlines 60 characters or less.</p>
<p>Of course, things are never that easy.</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://backlinko.com/content-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent study</a>, Brian Dean of Backlinko found that longer (14-17 words) headlines generated more shares on social media than shorter headlines.</p>
<p>(76.7% more social shares, to be exact.)</p>
<p>As with all things, your mileage may vary.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
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<h2 id="step_2">Step #2. Write an Introduction That Grabs and Seduces</h2>
<div id="attachment_13975" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="wp-image-13975 size-full" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-2-write-an-introduction-v2.png" alt="Step #2. Write an Introduction That Grabs and Seduces" width="700" height="350" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-2-write-an-introduction-v2.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-2-write-an-introduction-v2-150x75.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-2-write-an-introduction-v2-300x150.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
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<p>You’ve lured readers in with your headline. Now you’ve got to keep them.</p>
<p>No easy task, my friend.</p>
<p>Readers are fickle. Known to take a quick glance and then vanish from your online sanctuary, lickety-split!</p>
<p>You must fight to keep them there, and the way you <a title="how to write an introduction" href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-an-introduction/">craft your introduction</a> plays a huge role in their browsing commitment.</p>
<p><strong>Follow these rules to craft an introduction that captivates your readers:</strong></p>
<h3>Introduction Rule #1. Slip into Their Shoes</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>A common mistake that reeks of amateur blogging?</p>
<p>Trying to sound too academic in your blog openings.</p>
<p>You know, those posts that start like this:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Research has proven that 92% of people fail to achieve their goals because they are unable to create and stick to habits that support those goals …”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Don’t get me wrong — as a lawyer, I value solid research. But in the blogging context, this approach bores readers. If you want to captivate instead of bore, you must make readers feel like you’re reading their minds.</p>
<p>A powerful way to achieve this?</p>
<p>Empathy.</p>
<p>Step into their shoes and write from their perspective. Show them you understand exactly what they’re going through.</p>
<p>After all, you likely struggled with the very topic you’re writing about and learned how to overcome it. We teach what we most wanted to learn, right?</p>
<p>So show readers that you “get it.” You’re not some corporate slog, you’re in it with them, fighting the good fight and sharing the tools that brought you to the other side.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>This introduction is a masterclass in empathy:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Do you feel that?</p>
<p>That little tugging sensation on your heart?</p>
<p>You’re not sure what, but something is pulling you to change. Not in a confess-your-sins-oh-ye-sinners way, but to shift directions, to embrace your calling, to finally do what you were put here to do:</p>
<p>Write.</p>
<p>You feel the ideas inside you. You sense them straining to escape. You know your job is to set them free, firing them like a cannon into a world in desperate need of them.</p>
<p>But you’re afraid.</p>
<p>You’re afraid of quitting your job and living without a safety net. You’re afraid of the concerned, disapproving looks your friends will give you when you tell them you’re giving it all up to write for a living. You’re afraid of not having enough money for food, of the power being cut off, of watching your family shivering and hungry, all because of your “selfishness”.</p>
<p>And most of all?</p>
<p>You’re afraid you’re wrong about yourself.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As writers, we all share the deep longing to embrace our calling and express our ideas, but we also share the fears that so often sabotage those longings — the fear that we don’t have what it takes, that we’ll crash and burn, and that our dreams are just that — dreams.</p>
<p>In his introduction, <a title="quit your job" href="https://smartblogger.com/quit-your-job/">Jon addresses all those longings and fears</a> and immediately makes you feel like he gets you so intimately, it’s almost creepy.</p>
<p>Creepy, but effective.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Note:</strong> You don’t need to open like this in every post. There are certainly other approaches, like telling a powerful story. But if you’re working on mastering your craft and getting the most impact for time invested, an empathetic opening is an approach you’ll want to use frequently.<br /></div>
</div>
<h3>Introduction Rule #2. Get into Character</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>If you want to captivate readers, you must trigger their emotions.</p>
<p>So as you sit down to write, think of the feelings you want them to experience:</p>
<p>Fear, anger, sadness, hope, joy, disgust, shame, comfort, love, courage, and so on.</p>
<p>Then get into character and feel them yourself as you write, and your words will read with undeniable authenticity.</p>
<p>When <a title="Lin-Manuel Miranda" href="https://smartblogger.com/writing-lessons/#lin_manuel_miranda">Lin-Manuel Miranda</a> wrote the heartbreaking lyrics in Hamilton that have left tears on the faces of millions, it was <em>his</em> eyes that first shed tears as he put his pen to paper.</p>
<p>So play with your emotions. Map out the emotional journey you’re taking readers on, and infuse those feelings into your writing. Feel what you want your audience to feel and your words will exude those emotions.</p>
<p>This tip applies to your whole post, but in no place is triggering your audience’s emotions more important than your introduction.</p>
<p>You feel me? 🙂</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>I once wrote an <a href="http://strongsensitivesouls.com/heal-our-souls/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">emotional post about my two little girls</a> which addressed how delicate their emotions are, as well as my own vulnerabilities and my longing to give them the patience, presence and love they deserve.</p>
<p>Here’s a portion of it:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I told my three-year old daughter as we stood outside the car in her school parking lot, the rain pouring down on us as she sobbed breathlessly in my arms.</p>
<p>She didn’t want to go in the car. She just wanted me to stand there, holding her. And I didn’t want to rush her, or tell her to stop crying.</p>
<p>“I’ll hold you for as long as it takes.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I felt that longing intensely and definitely shed some tears as I wrote the introduction. The feedback I got from readers was that they felt the same intensity, and even cried as well.</p>
<p>When we write, our feelings seep into our words.</p>
<h3>Introduction Rule #3. Lure Readers Down the Page</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Want readers to commit to your post?</p>
<p>Accelerate their experience. Lure them down the page.</p>
<p>The faster they get pulled down, the more committed they’ll feel.</p>
<p>Too many bumps in the road early on, and off track they go, never to return.</p>
<p>Here are three copywriting tips to use in your intros to lure readers down the page:</p>
<h4>#1. Open With a Short Sentence or Question</h4>
<p>Kind of like how I opened this section. 🙂</p>
<p>This is how all of Smart Blogger’s posts open, and for good reason. It’s a copywriting technique proven to pull readers in.</p>
<p>Start a post with a long clunky paragraph and they’ll feel exhausted just looking at it.</p>
<h4>#2. Take a Knife to Your Words</h4>
<p>Slash as many words as possible.</p>
<p>If the first draft of your introduction is 200 words, try cutting it down to 100. The more you practice this, the more efficient your writing becomes.</p>
<p>And when you write efficiently, your words have power. That power will grab your readers.</p>
<h4>#3. Set the Rhythm</h4>
<p>All writing has a pace and rhythm.</p>
<p>You want your introduction’s pace and beat to be somewhat quick. You can slow things down later.</p>
<p>How do you achieve this?</p>
<ul>
<li>Use short sentences. Even sentence fragments (totally okay).</li>
<li>Make your paragraphs no more than one to three sentences long.</li>
<li>Use delayed transitions to weave sentences together.</li>
<li>Make each sentence and paragraph lure readers into the one that follows.</li>
<li>Read the post out loud to check the flow. Are things moving forward smoothly or stalling?</li>
</ul>
<p>The best writers, like the best music composers, take readers on a journey. Fast and slow, loud and soft, urgency and ease.</p>
<p>The more you pay attention to this, the more rhythm you’ll infuse into your words.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>Shane Arthur sends readers’ eyes flying down the page by <a title="weak writing" href="https://smartblogger.com/weak-writing/">using crisp sentences and short paragraphs</a> to create a fast rhythm:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>You’re not stupid.</p>
<p>You know what writing is truly about.</p>
<p>It’s a never-ending battle for your readers’ attention.</p>
<p>Every sentence is a link in a taut chain that connects your headline to your conclusion.</p>
<p>And you are just one weak sentence away from losing your reader forever.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>He then appropriately slows things down in the section that follows with longer sentences. A masterful composition!</p>
<h3>Introduction Rule #4. Make Them Beg</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Want readers begging for your solutions?</p>
<p>Add a little fear to your opening.</p>
<p>What are readers worried about? Do they know what will happen if they don’t solve the problem the post is addressing? What is the worst-case scenario?</p>
<p>Bring those fears to the surface. Expose them.</p>
<p>By doing so, not only will readers feel a camaraderie with you (because you understand their fears, so clearly you’ve tip-toed through the dark side yourself), but they’ll feel more eager than ever for the solution you present.</p>
<p>We all have fears. We think we need to hide them, but the more we give voice to them, the easier they are to set free.</p>
<p>Do that for your readers.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>In his introduction, Glen Long brilliantly taps into the fear of failure all writers experience by addressing the dream of <a title="make money writing" href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-writing/">making a living as a writer</a> and then quickly smothering that dream with the doubts that creep up at the mere thought of it:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>So, who knows? Maybe the doubters are right. Maybe you are naive to think you could earn a living doing something you love, instead of something you just tolerate.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The fear of failure is painful, yes. But giving voice to it is validating and makes readers eager for the solutions that will set that fear free.</p>
<h3>Introduction Rule #5. Hint at the Promised Land</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Finally, as you wrap up your intro, hint at the promised land.</p>
<p>The place readers will get to when they master your methods. The destination your post promises to take them.</p>
<p>But whatever you do, do not give it all away. Just one sentence that says too much satisfies your readers enough to send them clicking away.</p>
<p>Why? Because readers bore easily. You must keep them on their toes. And the point of an introduction is not to give answers, it’s to set the stage for all the hearty advice your post will provide.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>In the introduction to Meera Kothand’s post, she addressed a problem all new bloggers face: <a title="reader profile" href="https://smartblogger.com/reader-profile/">How do you get to know your audience when you don’t have one yet</a>?</p>
<p>She goes on to talk about the big mistake many of them make (making assumptions) and why that’s ineffective. Then, she uses the simplest phrase to hint at a solution:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>That kind of guessing is like throwing darts blindfolded and hoping you hit the bull’s eye.</p>
<p>Sometimes it works. Usually, it doesn’t.</p>
<p>Fortunately, there’s another way…</p>
</blockquote>
<p>How could anyone <em>not</em> want to keep reading?</p>
<h3>How to Write an Introduction: Bonus Tip</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>When writing an introduction, try drafting two completely different versions approached from different angles and triggering different emotions.</p>
<p>Doing so will highlight the techniques and emotions that work best for both your audience and the content of your post.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e1e1e1;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fafafa;border-color:#fefefe;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<h4>Editor’s Note:</h4>
<p>A word of caution:</p>
<p>No matter how eloquent your words…</p>
<p>No matter how powerful your prose…</p>
<p>If your introduction doesn’t satisfy user intent, readers will click the “back” button and never return.</p>
<p>What’s user intent?</p>
<p><strong>It’s the purpose behind the Google search.</strong></p>
<p>If someone searches for “how to lose weight” in Google, they’re expecting search results that will help them lose weight.</p>
<p>If they click a headline that reads “7 Easy Tips For Losing Weight Fast”, and the post begins with an amusing Nicolas Cage anecdote, there’s a good chance they will leave — never getting to read the rest of the post, which is filled with weight loss wisdom.</p>
<p>And when they leave, what they’re essentially telling Google is this:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>And Google will respond by ranking your post lower in its search results.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<div class="su-divider su-divider-style-default" style="margin:16px 0;border-width:1px;border-color:#ccc"><a href="#" style="color:#47a7d7">Back to Top</a></div>
<h2 id="step_3">Step #3. Deliver Advice That’s Easy to Consume and Impossible to Ignore</h2>
<div id="attachment_13976" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="wp-image-13976 size-full" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-3-overdeliver-v2.png" alt="Step #3. Deliver Advice That’s Easy to Consume and Impossible to Ignore" width="700" height="350" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-3-overdeliver-v2.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-3-overdeliver-v2-150x75.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-3-overdeliver-v2-300x150.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
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</div>
<p>Okay, you’re doing great.</p>
<p>You got readers to click on your headline, you lured them down the page with your intro, and now it’s time to deliver on all that you’ve promised.</p>
<p>If you want readers to love you and look forward to every post you write, you’ll over-deliver.</p>
<p>If you want them to take a quick look and vanish for good, you’ll under-deliver.</p>
<p>The choice is yours.</p>
<p><strong>Use the guide below to deliver valuable and easy-to-consume advice:</strong></p>
<h3>Content Rule #1. Add Pitstops</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Subheads — use them.</p>
<p>Why? Because readers are scanners.</p>
<p>They have no choice. There’s a behemoth amount of content at their fingertips, and not all of it is good.</p>
<p>And so they scan (as do you, I’m sure).</p>
<p>Subheads are your chance to prove to readers that your content holds value. To keep luring them back into your post, when their instinct is to leave.</p>
<p>Blogging is a battle, remember?</p>
<p><strong>Keep these four tips in mind when drafting your subheads:</strong></p>
<h4>#1. Add a Subhead Every Few Paragraphs</h4>
<p>Sprinkle subheads throughout your post.</p>
<p>Why? Because they gently guide readers along the route your post is heading, making their experience feel clear, easy and enjoyable.</p>
<p>And never forget, your blog posts are all about your readers’ experience.</p>
<p>If readers see too much text when they’re scanning without enough pit stops, they’ll feel overwhelmed. It’s like getting on a bus tour and being told there will be no bathroom breaks … oh, the anxiety!</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p><em>Every single post on Smart Blogger.</em></p>
<p>Seriously.</p>
<p>That’s how important this is.</p>
<h4>#2. Avoid the 3 Subhead Blunders That Make Readers Bounce</h4>
<p>Subheads have the same function as headlines; they must make readers curious so they keep reading. So you should follow similar rules when drafting them and <a title="subhead blunders" href="https://smartblogger.com/subhead-blunders/">avoid the following common blunders</a>:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>The Plain Label Subhead:</strong> In case it bears repeating, never bore your readers. Labels are boring. Treat your subheads like mini-headlines and make sure they invoke curiosity.</li>
<li><strong>The Spoiler Subhead:</strong> Don’t give away too much in your subhead. If you do, readers will feel no compulsion to read the rest of your text.</li>
<li><strong>The Cryptic Subhead:</strong> Don’t try to be too clever. Readers don’t like to play guessing games. Adding curiosity should never come at the expense of clarity.</li>
</ol>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>Let’s say you’re writing a post about the impact sleep has on anxiety levels and you include the following subheads:</p>
<ul>
<li><em>The Importance of Sleep</em></li>
<li><em>Creating a Steady Sleeping Routine Will Reduce Anxiety</em></li>
<li><em>Refuse the Roast and Catch More Z’s</em></li>
</ul>
<p>See how the first subhead is way too plain, the second gives too much away, and the third, well, it probably made no sense to you, right?</p>
<p>The subheads below would do a better job at grabbing readers:</p>
<ul>
<li><em>The Easiest Way to Reduce Daily Anxiety</em></li>
<li><em>How to Beat Anxiety Without Resorting to Medication</em></li>
<li><em>The One Thing You Must Avoid to Sleep Better</em></li>
</ul>
<h4>#3. Compare Each Subhead to Your Main Headline</h4>
<p>Each subhead should clearly deliver on the overall headline of your post.</p>
<p>Again, if you’re viewing subheads as pit stops, they must all lead to the ultimate destination — what was promised by your headline.</p>
<p>If the subheads get off track and move away from that destination, readers are left feeling lost and confused.</p>
<p>In that case, either the subheads need to change or the headline needs rethinking.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>Say you’re writing a post called “How to Silence Your Nagging Inner Critic” and you include the following subheads:</p>
<ul>
<li><em>Observe Your Thoughts</em></li>
<li><em>Prove Yourself Wrong</em></li>
<li><em>Ask Yourself This Powerful Question</em></li>
<li><em>Bravely Quit Your Day Job</em></li>
</ul>
<p>The fourth subhead’s sudden twist in topic is jarring. It does not deliver on the overall headline, which had nothing to do with your day job.</p>
<p>Perhaps you intended all along for the post to be about not letting doubts stop you from following your dreams and quitting your day job, but readers scanning subheads will not understand that.</p>
<p>They will simply feel confused.</p>
<h4>#4. Follow a Format</h4>
<p>If you are listing various “ways,” “steps,” “methods,” “signs,” etc., to achieve what the headline of the post promises, keep the format consistent.</p>
<p>If you don’t, the post comes across as unpolished. Bloggers overlook this all the time, but it’s easy to fix once you’re aware of it.</p>
<p>If you separate your subheads from the post and list them back to back, you can see if any stray from the course.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>Say your post is called “12 Ways to Cure Insomnia” and you have a subhead for each of the 12 ways. You’ll want those subheads to follow a consistent format.</p>
<p>Let’s say your first few subheads read as follows:</p>
<ol>
<li><em>Exercise Every Morning</em></li>
<li><em>Avoid Caffeine Like the Plague</em></li>
<li><em>Wake Up at the Same Time Everyday</em></li>
<li><em>There is Nothing More Sleep-Inducing Than Nighttime Meditation</em></li>
</ol>
<p>Something there feel a little off?</p>
<p>The first three subheads start with an action verb instructing readers what to do. They are also fairly consistent in length.</p>
<p>But then the fourth subhead suddenly changes the format and breaks the flow. It doesn’t start with a verb and it’s much longer than the others.</p>
<p>This inconsistency may seem fairly innocent, but it’s distracting to readers.</p>
<h3>Content Rule #2. Unleash the Unexpected</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Let’s face it, readers today are info-holics. We all are.</p>
<p>So tired old advice isn’t going to cut it. Your post must be unique, bold, and eye-opening.</p>
<p>My advice? List your main points and see if you can add a unique perspective, experience, or twist to them. Something readers aren’t expecting.</p>
<p>What belief systems have you learned to challenge? What do you know that most people don’t? How can you shed new light on an old problem? What methods do you use that others won’t know about?</p>
<p>You don’t want to go overboard just for the sake of adding shock value. Your advice must be authentic and truly helpful. But regurgitating old advice doesn’t challenge you as a writer, nor does it enlighten your audience.</p>
<p>So pour your readers a little espresso for their info-hangover by delivering the unexpected.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>Countless articles have been written about blogging, but how many have called you out for being dumb or told you to replace your friends?!</p>
<p>Jon does just that by knocking you over the head with some hard truth bombs about <a title="smart blogger" href="https://smartblogger.com/smart-blogger/">what it takes to make it as a blogger</a>.</p>
<h3>Content Rule #3. Follow a Formula</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Notice how this post follows a pretty consistent formula?</p>
<p>Each section is relatively similar in length. Every subhead follows a pattern. Each section ends with an example.</p>
<p>The more consistency you weave into your posts, the better the reader’s experience.</p>
<p>Let’s say you write a list post covering five steps to achieve something. If the first step is 500 words, the second and third steps are 100 words, the fourth step is 200 words and the fifth step is 400 words, it looks sloppy. As though you didn’t bother to edit it before hitting publish.</p>
<p>Your readers deserve the best, and minor details like this matter as they affect the fluidity of their experience.</p>
<p>Want to go even more pro? Look at the the beginning, middle and end of each section you write, and create a guiding formula. Perhaps you start each section with a bold statement or personal experience. Then you flesh out your advice in the middle. And then you end each section with a one-sentence call to action.</p>
<p>The more formulas you add to your posts, the easier they are to write and the more they look like polished works of art.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>In his post on <a title="twitter traffic" href="https://smartblogger.com/twitter-traffic/">getting traffic from Twitter</a>, Brian Honigman uses hashtags for each subhead, each section is consistent in length, and each includes a graphic.</p>
<p>Readers know exactly what to expect from each section, making for a fluid reading experience.</p>
<h3>Content Rule #4. Be Ridiculously Generous</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Many bloggers worry about giving away too much in their posts. After all, they want readers to sign up for their paid coaching calls or products.</p>
<p>So they hold back, barely skimming the surface of their advice.</p>
<p>Truthfully, if you’re not generous with your readers in your posts, they won’t get a good impression of your paid products.</p>
<p>Don’t hold back on your readers. Fully work through the problem with them. Give them complete solutions and powerful advice. Wow them with your generosity and they will stick around as loyal readers and customers.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>Want to learn everything there is to know about <a title="affiliate marketing" href="https://smartblogger.com/affiliate-marketing/">affiliate marketing</a>?</p>
<p>Holy smokes. At 10,000 words, that insanely generous post by Leanne Regalla is basically a textbook on the subject, and reader comments praise it as such. (Let’s all bookmark this one, yes?)</p>
<p>A post of this magnitude is quite an undertaking, but don’t let it scare you. You can also wow your audience with your generosity and thoughtfulness in a 1,000-word post.</p>
<h3>Content Rule #5. Start and End Strong</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Just as your introduction and conclusion should grab readers, you want the main body of your post to start and end strong as well.</p>
<p>Of course, every section should have valuable content, but if you’re offering five ways to achieve something, save your absolute best tips for the first and fifth ways. The first way will grab your readers’ attention, and the fifth way will leave them feeling fully satisfied.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if each tip successively decreases in value, readers will feel like your post is deflating. And their excitement will deflate with it.</p>
<p>Let’s leave readers feeling pumped when they finish your post.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>Linda Formichelli gives <a title="how to write faster" href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-faster/">ten crafty ways to write 1,000 words per hour</a>.</p>
<p>While all ten ways are excellent, I’d argue that the first (about writing under the pressure of a full bladder) and last (about gambling with your reputation) are the most bold and attention-grabbing (bathroom break, anyone?).</p>
<h3>Writing a Blog Post: Bonus Tip</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Before writing the main sections of your post, flesh out an outline to nail your points down.</p>
<p>The clearer and more simplified your outline is, the more clarity and conviction your post will have.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="su-divider su-divider-style-default" style="margin:16px 0;border-width:1px;border-color:#ccc"><a href="#" style="color:#47a7d7">Back to Top</a></div>
<h2 id="step_4">Step #4. Close with a Motivational Bang</h2>
<div id="attachment_13977" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="wp-image-13977 size-full" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-4-close-with-a-bang-v2.png" alt="Step #4. Close with a Motivational Bang" width="700" height="350" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-4-close-with-a-bang-v2.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-4-close-with-a-bang-v2-150x75.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-4-close-with-a-bang-v2-300x150.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
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</div>
<p>We’re almost at the finish line! It’s time to close your post with a bang.</p>
<p>This is where you rally behind your readers. Show them that you believe in them.</p>
<p>Make them believe they can achieve the goal promised by your headline (because after reading your generous advice, they certainly can).</p>
<p><strong>Follow these rules when crafting your motivational conclusion:</strong></p>
<h3>Conclusion Rule #1. Give Your Readers a Pep Talk</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Motivate your readers.</p>
<p>Show them how far they’ve come, what they’re capable of, and what life will look like once they’ve implemented your advice.</p>
<p>Give them the pep talk you longed for when you were struggling with the topic your post presents.</p>
<p>Empower them by raising your expectations of them. They can’t just read your post and pretend it never happened — they must take action. Immediately.</p>
<p>Make them see that no matter what they’ve experienced or how hard they’ve struggled, their time is now.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>In <a href="https://problogger.com/how-to-quit-your-job-move-to-paradise-and-get-paid-to-change-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this post’s conclusion</a>, Jon uses all he’s had to overcome in life to show readers that they have no excuses: no matter hard things get, they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.</p>
<p>He encourages readers by letting them know that he believes in them and then he raises his expectations of them by telling them they need to get started … “right freaking now.”</p>
<p>By the time you’re done reading the conclusion, you feel like you can conquer just about anything!</p>
<h3>Conclusion Rule #2. Avoid New Information</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>A common mistake many bloggers make?</p>
<p>Suddenly inserting new information or tips in their conclusions.</p>
<p>It’s like reaching the last ten minutes of a spellbinding movie. You’re on pins and needles waiting to see how it ends, and suddenly a new character is introduced. <em>What the … ?!</em></p>
<p>It’s jarring. Don’t do that to your readers.</p>
<h4>Example:</h4>
<p>In his conclusion, Robert van Tongeren motivates you to <a title="repurposing content" href="https://smartblogger.com/repurposing-content/">repurpose old blog posts</a> by comparing them to epic musical classics; if they disappeared into obscurity simply because they’re old, we’d all be at a great loss.</p>
<p>Imagine if in the midst of such a conclusion, Robert quickly threw in one more way to repurpose content, or one small caveat to his post’s advice, or one more general tip to keep in mind?</p>
<p>It would throw the whole closing off and leave readers feeling ruffled instead of jamming to Bohemian Rhapsody.</p>
<h3>How to Write a Conclusion: Bonus Tip</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>When writing your conclusion, put yourself back in the shoes of your readers.</p>
<p>What will their lives be like if they accomplish the advice in your post? How will they feel?</p>
<p>The more you can hone in on your readers’ point of view, the more you can motivate them to take action.</p>
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<h4>Editor’s Note:</h4>
<p>Too many bloggers put too little thought into their closings.</p>
<p>That’s a shame.</p>
<p>Let’s face it…</p>
<p>Most people don’t read 100% of our posts. Heck, most people don’t even read <em>half</em>.</p>
<p>So how do we reward the precious few who read and absorbed the words we poured our heart and soul into?</p>
<p><em>With a closing we whipped together in 20 seconds.</em></p>
<p>Someone who makes it to the end of your post is primed.</p>
<p>They trust you. They like you. They want you to tell them what to do next.</p>
<p>So tell them.</p>
<p>Don’t waste this opportunity.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<div class="su-divider su-divider-style-default" style="margin:16px 0;border-width:1px;border-color:#ccc"><a href="#" style="color:#47a7d7">Back to Top</a></div>
<h2 id="step_5">Step #5. Polish Your Post So It’s Smoother Than a Slip ‘n Slide</h2>
<div id="attachment_13978" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="wp-image-13978 size-full" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-5-polish-your-post-v2.png" alt="Step #5. Polish Your Post So It’s Smoother Than a Slip ‘n Slide" width="700" height="350" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-5-polish-your-post-v2.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-5-polish-your-post-v2-150x75.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/step-5-polish-your-post-v2-300x150.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text"><a title="Click to Tweet" href="https://twitter.com/home?status=%22The%20battle%20for%20readers'%20attention%20is%20not%20easy.%20Polish%20your%20post%20to%20provide%20a%20smooth%20reading%20experience%20from%20the%20first%20word%20to%20the%20last.%22%20-%20%40smartbloggerhq%20pic.twitter.com/mz4p7F8UTM%20https%3A//smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-blog-post/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click to Tweet</a></p>
</div>
<p>Phew! You’ve <a href="https://smartblogger.com/bucket-list/#writing_your_first_blog_post">written your post</a>. Next up?</p>
<p>Take a well-deserved break. Step away for a day or more so you can come back to it with fresh eyes.</p>
<p>Once you’re ready, it’s time to do some editing. I know, the mind reels that there’s more work to do!</p>
<p>But editing your post is essential. If your post doesn’t provide a smooth reading experience, your reader will lose attention and bail.</p>
<p><strong>Use this checklist when you’re ready to edit your post:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Take a Knife to It.</strong> Slash all unnecessary words, sentences, paragraphs, stories, etc. Include only what is absolutely essential to convey your message. Nothing more.</li>
<li><strong>Motivate, Don’t Lecture.</strong> Tweak any statements that hint of being the condescending professor. Make readers feel like you’re on their side and dedicated to their success (because you are).</li>
<li><strong>Add Emotion.</strong> Infuse your writing with passion, energy, and enthusiasm. If you’re bored by your topic, readers will be too.</li>
<li><strong>Make it Easy on the Eye.</strong> Break up any large paragraphs (2–5 sentences maximum is your goal) and run-on sentences.</li>
<li><strong>Break it Down.</strong> Clarify overly complicated wording. If you can’t say it simply, don’t write it. You don’t want to confuse your readers.</li>
<li><strong>Speak Their Language.</strong> Add examples or metaphors to make complex ideas feel more tangible and easier to digest.</li>
<li><strong>Check Yourself.</strong> Remove any contradictory statements or repetitive ideas (trust me, they’re there).</li>
<li><strong>Don’t Yo-Yo.</strong> Ensure each sentence, paragraph and section drives the post forward toward the destination promised by the headline (no side routes or backtracking).</li>
<li><strong>Be Smooth.</strong> Make each sentence and paragraph flow seamlessly into the next. Each sentence should be completely dependent on the ones before and after it or the transitions will feel choppy.</li>
<li><strong>Avoid Sharp Turns.</strong> Adjust any abrupt changes in topic. They’re jarring to readers.</li>
<li><strong>Keep It Real.</strong> Don’t mimic styles that don’t come naturally to you. The more you write, the more you’ll find your authentic writing voice.</li>
<li><strong>Add Highlights.</strong> Use bold and italics to add stress where appropriate (but do so sparingly).</li>
<li><strong>Shoot Bullets.</strong> Use bullet points to group related ideas and make them more digestible.</li>
<li><strong>Spark the Senses.</strong> Be specific and concrete (describe things readers can see, feel, hear, smell or taste). Avoid abstract statements.</li>
<li><strong>Be Firm.</strong> Avoid words like “might,” “may,” “possibly” and “perhaps” when delivering your advice.</li>
<li><strong>Respect Nature.</strong> Put things in their natural order (e.g., past to present, young to old, small to large, breakfast to dinner, etc.).</li>
<li><strong>Be Consistent.</strong> Make sure all points in a list belong to the same category; a list of steps should only list steps, a list of things should only list things, etc. This might sound like common sense, but this rule gets broken often.</li>
<li><strong>Don’t Be Lazy.</strong> Ensure all the necessary information is contained within the post itself. (External links should only provide supplemental information. A reader shouldn’t have to click a link to comprehend your post.)</li>
<li><strong>Kill the Weak.</strong> Eliminate weak and flabby words. Replace weak verbs (e.g., “she went”) with more concrete, visceral verbs (“she walked”), replace passive voice (e.g., “he was pushing”) with active voice (e.g., “he pushed”) and replace weak adjectives (e.g., “good”) with strong adjectives (e.g., “wonderful”).</li>
<li><strong>Feel the Beat.</strong> Be mindful of the pace and rhythm of each section. Speed things up or add some punch with crisp, short sentences. Slow things down with longer explanations. Good writing uses both.</li>
<li><strong>Do the Obvious.</strong> Fix any spelling or grammar mistakes (check out tools like <a href="https://www.grammarly.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grammarly</a> and <a href="http://www.hemingwayapp.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hemingway App</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Be Honest.</strong> Give credit where due.</li>
</ul>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e5e5bb;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fefed0;border-color:#fffff6;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">Want this 22-point checklist as a handy, printable PDF? <a href="https://blogtraffic.lpages.co/leadbox/14d021473f72a2%3A12ed0d446b46dc/5889979771256832/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here</a><script data-leadbox="14d021473f72a2:12ed0d446b46dc" data-url="https://blogtraffic.lpages.co/leadbox/14d021473f72a2%3A12ed0d446b46dc/5889979771256832/" data-config="%7B%7D" type="text/javascript" src="https://blogtraffic.lpages.co/leadbox-1498077769.js">
</script> to download it for free.</div>
</div>
<h3>How to Edit a Blog Post: Bonus Tip</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>A great way to self-edit your posts is to read them out loud.</p>
<p>Doing so will help you catch many of the issues listed above, particularly things like overly complicated wording, run-on sentences and choppy rhythm.</p>
<p> </p>
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<h2 id="courage">Win the Battle for Your Reader’s Attention</h2>
<p>Blogging is a battle.</p>
<p>A war to get your ideas the attention they deserve.</p>
<p>Your enemy? The dizzying array of online distractions that devour your readers.</p>
<p>This battle is not for the faint of heart.</p>
<p>There are so many learning curves. Blogging platforms and plugins you’ll need to install. Social networks you’ll need to employ. Marketing techniques you’ll need to try.</p>
<p>But none of that stuff matters if you’re drowning your ideas in amateur writing. You might as well lay your sword down in defeat. Readers don’t have time for amateurs.</p>
<p>So before you venture any further down the blogging rabbit hole, you better make sure you know how to write a blog post like a pro.</p>
<p>Skip that step, and nothing can save you. Your battle is lost.</p>
<p>The good news is, writing effective blog posts is a skill you can learn. And it’s one you <em>must</em> learn.</p>
<p>You have powerful words and ideas that can transform readers’ lives. Those ideas are worth fighting for.</p>
<p>So when you’re ready to enter the arena, arm yourself with this ultimate guide and fight the good fight.</p>
<p>Your readers are counting on you.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author</strong>: Liz Careathers, Esq. worked as an instructor in Jon’s guest blogging course for two years editing the posts of hundreds of students. She now writes to empower her readers at <a href="http://strongsensitivesouls.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">StrongSensitiveSouls.com</a> while raising her two little girls. Download her free <a href="http://strongsensitivesouls.com/smart-bloggers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Checklist for Writing Blog Posts that Emotionally Engage Your Audience</a>.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-blog-post/">How to Write a Blog Post in 2019: The Ultimate Guide</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
<br />
<br />
source <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-blog-post/">https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-blog-post/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-10879466395710081262019-04-04T06:36:00.001-07:002019-04-04T06:36:38.427-07:00How to Promote Your Blog in 2019: 9 Creative Strategies<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/how-to-promote-your-blog.jpg' /></p>
<p>Whether your <a title="blog is brand new" href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog/">blog is brand new</a> or already established, you can never have enough traffic.</p>
<p>Seriously…</p>
<p>I work at an SaaS company called Ahrefs, and even though the <a href="https://ahrefs.com/blog/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ahrefs blog</a> pulls in over 200k organic traffic every month, <em>we still experiment</em> with ways to promote our blog and bring in more traffic.</p>
<p>Because let’s face it:</p>
<p>It’s 2019. Simply sending an email blast to your subscriber list doesn’t cut it anymore.</p>
<p>But don’t fret.</p>
<p>If you’re stuck coming up with new ideas for how to promote your blog, here are 9 tried-and-tested tactics that have worked for us.</p>
<p>Let’s dig in.<br />
<span id="more-13852"></span></p>
<h2><strong>#1. Work with Podcasts</strong></h2>
<p>Let’s start things off with the buzzword of the year: podcasts.</p>
<p>Thanks to their flexibility (you can listen to them while you’re at work or when you’re on the go), they’re the most popular form of audio content.</p>
<p>They’re also widely available on services like iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify.</p>
<p>Some quick facts:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.podcastinsights.com/podcast-statistics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Over 44% of the US population</a> has listened to a podcast;</li>
<li>They’re extremely targeted, with multiple podcasts covering every niche imaginable;</li>
<li>Their audiences are <a href="https://www.mediavillage.com/article/looking-for-a-highly-engaged-youthful-diverse-audience-check-out-podcasts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">incredibly engaged</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p>Ahrefs has had great success with sponsoring podcasts (paid advertising) as well as guesting on them — that is, sending a member of our team to be interviewed on a show.</p>
<p>Here’s an actual comment from a new customer and blog reader of ours:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13842 aligncenter" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/moc-podcast-testimonial.png" alt="moc podcast testimonial" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/moc-podcast-testimonial.png 554w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/moc-podcast-testimonial-150x28.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/moc-podcast-testimonial-300x56.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 554px) 100vw, 554px" /></p>
<p>For <strong>sponsoring podcasts</strong>, think of this tactic as a type of influencer marketing.</p>
<p>Your job is to sell your blog to the podcast host and the podcast host’s job is, in turn, to sell your blog to their audience.</p>
<h3><strong>How to Promote Your Blog by Sponsoring Podcasts</strong></h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>If you have the budget, sponsoring podcasts is a great way to promote your blog. Here’s how you do it:</p>
<h4>Step #1. Do Your Research</h4>
<p>Create a list of podcasts whose audiences are a good match for your blog. If you have no idea where to start, here’s a tip:</p>
<p>Try using a specialized podcast search engine like <a href="https://www.listennotes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Listen Notes</a>. Browse the shows and pick your favorites.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13837" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/listen-notes.png" alt="listen notes" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/listen-notes.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/listen-notes-150x91.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/listen-notes-300x182.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<h4 id="h.dl7t198s0rcm">Step #2. Make Contact</h4>
<p>Once you’ve created a list of targets, you’ll need to contact the podcasts and inquire about sponsorship details.</p>
<p>What are their pricing packages? What dates do they have available? Are there any gotchas?</p>
<p>Prices can range from $50 to $5,000 and beyond per episode, so work within your particular budget.</p>
<h4 id="h.51l6w3jvhtyg"><strong>Step #3.</strong> Iron Out the Details</h4>
<p>This includes your ad copy, delivery, and any other deliverables like your blog’s logo and elevator pitch.</p>
<p>In my experience, <a href="https://ahrefs.com/blog/podcast-advertising/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">organic reads do much better</a> than “scripted ads.”</p>
<p>The goal is to get the podcast host to sound like a fan and regular reader of your blog.</p>
<h4>Step #4. Wait for Your Ad to Air</h4>
<p>If anything is off, be sure to let the podcast know as soon as possible!</p>
<h3><strong>How to Promote Your Blog with Podcast Interviews</strong></h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>If you’re strapped for cash (or simply don’t want to do podcast advertising), another approach is to appear as a guest on podcasts.</p>
<p>This is usually free — unless you’re approaching extremely-popular podcasts, which tend to charge a one-time appearance fee.</p>
<p>The catch is you’ll need some kind of credibility to your name. In other words, you’ll need to convince the podcast host that you’re someone their audience would love to listen to.</p>
<p>The process for this is similar to the one detailed above:</p>
<h4 id="h.tu6pdp974et8">Step #1. Create a Target List</h4>
<p>Use Listen Notes or a similar tool to create a list of podcast targets.</p>
<h4 id="h.ske55jtxhgtx">Step #2. Check if They Accept Interviews</h4>
<p>Often, podcasts will explicitly state on their websites whether or not they accept interview requests.</p>
<p>And if they don’t accept interview requests? Ask anyway.</p>
<p>Send in your pitch and convince them you have lots of value to add.</p>
<h4 id="h.q9blug8dytnt">Step #3. Follow the Host’s Lead</h4>
<p>Every podcast will have their own process. Some may want to do pre-interviews, some may want to work on a rough content online with you, and some may want to just “wing it.”</p>
<p>Whatever the process, remember to be courteous and respectful — you’re a guest, after all.</p>
<p>Just don’t forget to mention your blog!</p>
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<h4>Editor’s Note:</h4>
<p>Appearing on podcasts is one of our favorite promotion strategies here at Smart Blogger — as evidenced by our appearances on <a href="https://www.eofire.com/podcast/jonmorrow/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EOFire</a>, <a href="https://jamesaltucher.com/podcast/jon-morrow/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Altucher</a>, <a href="https://ducttapemarketing.com/how-to-be-a-smart-blogger/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duct Tape Marketing</a>, the <a href="https://expresswriters.com/episode-22/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Write Podcast</a>, and Loz James’ <a href="https://www.contentchampion.com/boost-blog-traffic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Content Champion</a>.</p>
<p>Just make sure you’re prepared:</p>
<ul>
<li>Show up early to the interview so the host has time to do a sound check.</li>
<li>Don’t use your phone or your laptop’s built-in microphone; instead, invest in an external microphone. Quality and price points vary, but you can get a simple microphone that plugs into your computer’s headphone jack for the price of a medium pizza.</li>
<li>Use headphones to cut down on echoes.</li>
<li>Turn off all notifications and, if you can, shut your door to minimize background noise.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="h.qfmm0qs3s8qz"><strong>#2. Republishing on Medium</strong></h2>
<p>Sure, you can publish tons of absolutely amazing posts on your own blog.</p>
<p>But if you never extend your reach, whether it’s by growing your list of email subscribers or boosting your number of social media followers, your audience will be limited.</p>
<p>So what do you do if you don’t have time to create promotional content and extend your reach?</p>
<p>Try this:</p>
<p>Republish your existing posts on <a title="blogging platforms" href="https://smartblogger.com/blogging-platforms/">blogging platforms</a> like Medium.</p>
<p>Your content will be seen by a whole new audience — some of which will then visit your blog and discover all the great content you have to offer.</p>
<p>For example, look at this blog post I published on the Ahrefs blog last December:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13850" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/podcast-advertising-ahrefs-blog.png" alt="podcast advertising ahrefs blog" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/podcast-advertising-ahrefs-blog.png 749w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/podcast-advertising-ahrefs-blog-150x123.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/podcast-advertising-ahrefs-blog-243x200.png 243w" sizes="(max-width: 749px) 100vw, 749px" /></p>
<p>It got 463 shares and 43 comments — very decent engagement considering the fact that the topic likely didn’t appeal to our blog’s core audience (people interested in <a href="https://ahrefs.com/blog/what-is-seo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">search engine optimization</a>).</p>
<p>In a bid to push the post out to a wider audience, we <a href="https://medium.com/swlh/i-spent-51-975-on-podcast-advertising-and-now-i-know-something-e3be38cb4b6c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">republished it on Medium</a>. It turned out to be a fantastic decision.</p>
<p>Here are the stats as of March this year:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13830" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-stats.png" alt="medium stats" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-stats.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-stats-150x136.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-stats-220x200.png 220w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>That’s 13.6k views in total, with 22% of readers actually finishing the whole post.</p>
<p>Plus, the Medium publication of this post averages a steady trickle of 10-30 readers every day.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Note:</strong> For the SEO-conscious among us, Medium uses canonical tags when you use their republishing tool. So no worries about duplicate content issues.<br /></div>
</div>
<h3 id="h.2gnyfc7e1ncq"><strong>How to Republish on Medium</strong></h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Medium has made the process of importing and republishing content super simple. Here’s how you do it:</p>
<h4 id="h.m0zk5qvncdx7">Step #1. Choose a Post to Republish</h4>
<p>Ideally, pick one of your top performers (since it’s already proved it’s popular).</p>
<p>You can use a tool like Ahrefs’ Top Content report in <a href="https://ahrefs.com/site-explorer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Site Explorer</a> to see which of your posts have the most shares on social media.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13844" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ahrefs-top-content.png" alt="ahrefs top content" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ahrefs-top-content.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ahrefs-top-content-150x84.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ahrefs-top-content-300x168.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>Since they’ve proven themselves on social media, these posts are the most likely to resonate with audiences beyond your blog’s existing one.</p>
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<h4>Editor’s Note:</h4>
<p>Though they aren’t nearly as detailed, there are a few free tools to track social media shares if you aren’t an Ahrefs customer.</p>
<p>As an example, <em>SharedCount.com</em> lets you copy and paste URLs of individual posts; however, they only show counts for Facebook and Pinterest:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13847" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/002-social-media-counts.png" alt="002 social media counts" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/002-social-media-counts.png 746w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/002-social-media-counts-150x57.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/002-social-media-counts-300x114.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 746px) 100vw, 746px" /><br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<h4 id="h.nbgseieumber">Step #2. Import Your Post Into Medium</h4>
<p>Enter the URL of your post into the <a href="https://medium.com/p/import" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Medium import tool</a><strong> </strong>and hit “Import”.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13839" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-import.png" alt="medium import" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-import.png 909w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-import-150x92.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-import-300x184.png 300w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-import-768x471.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 909px) 100vw, 909px" /></p>
<h4>Step #3. Publish Your Post on Medium</h4>
<p>Follow Medium’s guidelines to format and polish your post, then click “Publish”.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13851" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-new-story.png" alt="medium new story" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-new-story.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-new-story-150x124.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/medium-new-story-243x200.png 243w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>That’s all there is to it!</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e5e5bb;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fefed0;border-color:#fffff6;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Further Reading:</strong>
<ul>
<li><a title="How to Get More Traffic from Every Post by Republishing on Medium" href="https://smartblogger.com/republishing-on-medium/">How to Get More Traffic from Every Post by Republishing on Medium</a></li>
<li><a href="https://neilpatel.com/blog/medium-for-marketers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Medium for Marketing: How to Get 1,000 Followers and 46,287 New Site Visits in 30 Days</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="h.idhzbkqy5oqs"><strong>#3. Smart Social Sharing</strong></h2>
<p>I know, I know.</p>
<p>It’s 2019, and promoting your blog posts on social media is by no means a new strategy.</p>
<p>BUT — there’s more to social media promotion than pasting a link and clicking a “Tweet” button.</p>
<p>Here’s an example of the success we’ve seen from smart sharing on the <a href="https://twitter.com/ahrefs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ahrefs Twitter account</a>:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13831 aligncenter" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ahrefs_on_Twitter___The_vast_majority_of_Google_searches_are_very_specific_and_unpopular__i_e___long_tail___A_whopping_92_42__of_them_get_ten_searches_per_month_or_fewer___https___t_co_Xqf0w8GBlM_.png" alt="Ahrefs on Twitter" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ahrefs_on_Twitter___The_vast_majority_of_Google_searches_are_very_specific_and_unpopular__i_e___long_tail___A_whopping_92_42__of_them_get_ten_searches_per_month_or_fewer___https___t_co_Xqf0w8GBlM_.png 496w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ahrefs_on_Twitter___The_vast_majority_of_Google_searches_are_very_specific_and_unpopular__i_e___long_tail___A_whopping_92_42__of_them_get_ten_searches_per_month_or_fewer___https___t_co_Xqf0w8GBlM_-106x150.png 106w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ahrefs_on_Twitter___The_vast_majority_of_Google_searches_are_very_specific_and_unpopular__i_e___long_tail___A_whopping_92_42__of_them_get_ten_searches_per_month_or_fewer___https___t_co_Xqf0w8GBlM_-141x200.png 141w" sizes="(max-width: 496px) 100vw, 496px" /></p>
<p>Pretty impressive, right?</p>
<p>Here’s another example:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13843 aligncenter" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ahrefs_on_Twitter___Where_does_one_start_with_a_content_audit______Here_s_a_simplified_flowchart_of_the_decision_making_process_we_use_at_Ahrefs___https___t_co_CIZW6UdVgg_.png" alt="Ahrefs on Twitter" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ahrefs_on_Twitter___Where_does_one_start_with_a_content_audit______Here_s_a_simplified_flowchart_of_the_decision_making_process_we_use_at_Ahrefs___https___t_co_CIZW6UdVgg_.png 485w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ahrefs_on_Twitter___Where_does_one_start_with_a_content_audit______Here_s_a_simplified_flowchart_of_the_decision_making_process_we_use_at_Ahrefs___https___t_co_CIZW6UdVgg_-101x150.png 101w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ahrefs_on_Twitter___Where_does_one_start_with_a_content_audit______Here_s_a_simplified_flowchart_of_the_decision_making_process_we_use_at_Ahrefs___https___t_co_CIZW6UdVgg_-135x200.png 135w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></p>
<p>These tweets received amazing engagement, but we actually spent very little time creating them.</p>
<p>We achieved this ROI by working smarter, not harder.</p>
<h3><strong>How to Promote Your Blog Using Social Media (Smartly)</strong></h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Here’s our process:</p>
<h4 id="h.hwawmptfohho">Step #1. Brainstorm Ideas and Organize Them</h4>
<p>The great thing about social media content is it’s all fleeting. Even if an idea is a flop, it’s easy to turn the page and try the next idea.</p>
<p>But to make the most of these (admittedly fleeting) opportunities, you need two things:</p>
<ol>
<li>A large list of ideas;</li>
<li>A method for grouping similar ideas into categories.</li>
</ol>
<p>To brainstorm ideas, get a pen and paper (or launch Google Docs, Microsoft Word, etc.) and jot down things you would like to try.</p>
<p>Get as creative as you want.</p>
<p>Think memes would be popular with your audience? Write it down. Believe infographics or inspirational quotes could be successful? Write them down. Believe posts or tweets on Topic X or Topic Y could receive high engagement?</p>
<p>(You get the idea.)</p>
<p>By listing all of your ideas, you’ll then be able to group them into categories. This will help you track which categories are successful and which are not.</p>
<h4 id="h.xoclrc8eugn0">Step #2. Craft and Publish (and Monitor) Your Content</h4>
<p>You can use social media management tools like <a href="https://buffer.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buffer</a> and <a href="https://meetedgar.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MeetEdgar</a> to schedule your content and keep it running automatically.</p>
<p>Once your social media posts begin making their way into the wild, you’ll be able to track their progress.</p>
<p>Do some receive more comments, while others receive more shares and retweets? Are some more popular in the mornings, while others receive more engagement during the evenings?</p>
<p>All data, both good and bad, will help you in the next step.</p>
<h4 id="h.e50pgk5rfmnj">Step #3. Review the Results</h4>
<p>After an appropriate amount of time has gone by, hold a review.</p>
<p>Drop the categories that didn’t perform well. Keep the ones with potential and refine them.</p>
<p>You want to focus on the categories your audience likes and tweak them.</p>
<p>Do they like emojis, or do they gravitate towards a more “serious” tone? Do they like infographics, or long chunks of copy with statistics thrown in?</p>
<p>And so on.</p>
<p>From here, keep repeating steps 1-3 until you’ve locked down the type of content your audience loves.</p>
<p>And once you’ve figured out what they love, keep giving it to them.</p>
<h4 id="h.9k6i4n6kujjh">Step #4. Advertising (Optional)</h4>
<p>If you want to try advertising, the above process will save you some serious money.</p>
<p>Pick your top organic performers from Step #3 and put money into promoting them.</p>
<p>Since they’ve already proven themselves to be popular, this is a safe and effective way to buy ads to promote your blog (without wasting time and money on losers).</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e5e5bb;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fefed0;border-color:#fffff6;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Further Reading:</strong>
<ul>
<li><a title="10 Simple Twitter Tactics That Will Get You More Traffic Today" href="https://smartblogger.com/twitter-traffic/">10 Simple Twitter Tactics That Will Get You More Traffic Today</a></li>
<li><a title="9 Ways to Go Viral on Pinterest and Get an Avalanche of Traffic" href="https://smartblogger.com/viral-on-pinterest/">9 Ways to Go Viral on Pinterest and Get an Avalanche of Traffic</a></li>
<li><a title="How I Got 532 Subscribers in 43 Days Using Cheap Facebook Ads" href="https://smartblogger.com/facebook-ads/">How I Got 532 Subscribers in 43 Days Using Cheap Facebook Ads</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="h.38nxub4m9t2c"><strong>#4. Create Roundup Posts</strong></h2>
<p>The perks of this strategy pretty much sell themselves.</p>
<p>Here’s what happens when you publish a <a title="good roundup post" href="https://smartblogger.com/expert-roundup/">good roundup post</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li>First off, it’s easy to write since most of the content is created for you;</li>
<li>You make new and powerful connections within your industry;</li>
<li>Thanks to those connections, you gain access to new audiences;</li>
<li>Your post naturally gains backlinks and social shares.</li>
</ul>
<p>So… what’s a roundup post, anyway?</p>
<p>Here’s an example:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13827" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/what-is-seo-ahrefs-blog.png" alt="what is seo ahrefs blog" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/what-is-seo-ahrefs-blog.png 654w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/what-is-seo-ahrefs-blog-150x119.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/what-is-seo-ahrefs-blog-253x200.png 253w" sizes="(max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px" /></p>
<p>Essentially, a roundup post features a compilation of answers to a single question, ideally by established experts in the field.</p>
<p>A great roundup post adds immense value to readers since they offer a range of expert opinions in one place.</p>
<p>Plus, they tend to bring in lots of traffic since the experts featured in them will often share the post with their own audiences.</p>
<p>What’s not to love?</p>
<h3 id="h.fr286whjqu4p"><strong>How to Create Roundup Posts</strong></h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Here are the basics of roundup posts so you can create your own:</p>
<h4 id="h.kyfh6dk8c2fi"><strong>Step #1.</strong> Craft Your Question</h4>
<p>Don’t take this step lightly.</p>
<p>If you ask too much of the experts you’ll be polling, most won’t have time to participate (even if they want to). And if you ask a question they’ve heard (and answered) a million times, most won’t be interested.</p>
<p>Your question needs to be clear, succinct, and something that will appeal both to your readers <em>and</em> the experts you’ll be asking to participate.</p>
<h4 id="h.s4rjxiz3mp2p">Step #2. Create a List of Influencers</h4>
<p>Once you’ve crafted your question, it’s time to create your influencer wish list. These are the influencers (“experts”) you’ll be asking to participate in your roundup post.</p>
<p>Since not everyone will respond to you, reach out to significantly more experts than you need.</p>
<p>For example, if you need 20 people for your roundup post, reach out to 40 experts (or more).</p>
<p>Remember:</p>
<p>A roundup post is only as good as the people you feature. While it takes exponentially more time and effort to get a response from a more recognized name in your industry, it’s likely worth it.</p>
<p>With that said, don’t expect the Michael Jordans of your industry to respond to your outreach — try to find people with a reasonable level of influence who aren’t complete titans.</p>
<h4 id="h.1bnshokref7f">Step #3. Reach Out to the Experts</h4>
<p>You can use specialized tools like <a href="https://www.buzzstream.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BuzzStream</a> or <a href="https://mailshake.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mailshake</a> to streamline the entire outreach process by making it easier to hunt down email addresses, batch send messages, and conduct follow-ups.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13836" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/buzzstream-outreach-list.png" alt="buzzstream outreach list" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/buzzstream-outreach-list.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/buzzstream-outreach-list-150x80.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/buzzstream-outreach-list-300x160.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>Quick tips for the message you send:</p>
<ol>
<li>Keep it short;</li>
<li>Keep it genuine.</li>
</ol>
<h4 id="h.2g7ehvkt4zw8">Step #4. Follow Up (But Only Once)</h4>
<p>There’s a chance your first email will slip past the expert you’re trying to reach. After all, they’re very busy and likely receive dozens (or hundreds) of emails every single day.</p>
<p>This is why sending a follow-up email is helpful:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13829" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/one_quick_SEO_question_for_a_new_Ahrefs_blog_post_-_rebekah_bek_ahrefs_com_-_Ahrefs_Pte_Ltd_Mail.png" alt="one quick SEO question for a new Ahrefs blog post rebekah bek ahrefs com Ahrefs Pte Ltd Mail" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/one_quick_SEO_question_for_a_new_Ahrefs_blog_post_-_rebekah_bek_ahrefs_com_-_Ahrefs_Pte_Ltd_Mail.png 603w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/one_quick_SEO_question_for_a_new_Ahrefs_blog_post_-_rebekah_bek_ahrefs_com_-_Ahrefs_Pte_Ltd_Mail-150x139.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/one_quick_SEO_question_for_a_new_Ahrefs_blog_post_-_rebekah_bek_ahrefs_com_-_Ahrefs_Pte_Ltd_Mail-216x200.png 216w" sizes="(max-width: 603px) 100vw, 603px" /></p>
<p>However, please don’t follow-up more than once — any more than that and you’re just being a nuisance.</p>
<h4 id="h.l94bik2z3xgk"><strong>Step #5.</strong> Compile Your Responses</h4>
<p>At this point, you’ll have a bunch of answers ready to sift through. Now all you need to do is turn them into a cohesive post.</p>
<p>Try to find trends in the responses and sort them into sections.</p>
<p>Next, add your own introduction to each section, as well as your opinion on why certain trends occurred.</p>
<p>This is how you put your stamp on the roundup post and make it your own.</p>
<h4 id="h.4r8ialiucqg3">Step #6. Publish Your Post (And Tell the Experts)</h4>
<p>Once your post is published, it’s time to let everyone know about it.</p>
<p>Email everyone who responded to your outreach emails (whether they ultimately contributed to your post or not) and thank them for their time. Include a link to your post, and be sure to send them well-wishes.</p>
<p>You can also ask them (politely) to share your post with their audience, but this is often implied.</p>
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<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fafafa;border-color:#fefefe;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<h4>Editor’s Note:</h4>
<p>Want to let influencers know your post has been published <em>and</em> promote the post at the same time? In addition to emailing them, tag the influencers on Twitter too.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13833" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/outreach-tweet.png" alt="outreach tweet" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/outreach-tweet.png 766w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/outreach-tweet-150x127.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/outreach-tweet-237x200.png 237w" sizes="(max-width: 766px) 100vw, 766px" /></p>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="h.6pm3yoal3nrh"><strong>#5. Advocate In-Person</strong></h2>
<p>While all blogs are digital in nature, your promotional efforts aren’t limited to the digital world alone.</p>
<p>It might be a step (or ten!) outside your comfort zone, but try this:</p>
<p>Approach a local event in your niche and pitch yourself as a speaker.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter where you are in the world or how big the event is — it could even be a small meet-up session.</p>
<p>The idea is to reach out to new people and give the work you do a huge visibility boost.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13846 aligncenter" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/inperson.png" alt="inperson" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/inperson.png 548w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/inperson-150x138.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/inperson-218x200.png 218w" sizes="(max-width: 548px) 100vw, 548px" /></p>
<h3><strong>How to Promote Your Blog by Speaking at Events</strong></h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>If you’re interested in this advanced promotional tactic, here’s how to get started:</p>
<h4 id="h.78es7zi0qqqn">Step #1. Shortlist a Few Events or Meet-Ups You’d Like to Attend</h4>
<p>If you’re not sure where to start, look around on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reddit</a>, Facebook groups, or Slack groups and join some communities in your industry.</p>
<p>Chances are good people are organizing and promoting events in these communities.</p>
<p>Make a list of potential targets, underline your favorites, and move on to the next step.</p>
<h4 id="h.qn6g87y6f02j">Step #2. Pitch Yourself to Event Organizers</h4>
<p>When pitching yourself, propose some topics that you’d be comfortable speaking about and explain how your content will add value to their audience.</p>
<p>Hopefully it goes without saying, but you should know these topics very well.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Note:</strong> If you have no experience with public speaking, it’s a good idea to start small. Save the conference keynote speeches for later.<br /></div>
</div>
<h4 id="h.u633a6l4k4ld">Step #3. Craft Your Presentation</h4>
<p>Try to deliver as much value as you can and position your blog as a great resource. This is also a good time to promote your social media accounts, which are ideally already geared towards driving traffic to your blog.</p>
<p>Just be sure not to make it <em>all</em> about you. Your job is to teach, to impart your know-how to others.</p>
<p>And when you’re able to do this well, promoting your blog will happen organically.</p>
<h4 id="h.w3yk40kgyj65">Step #4. Speak</h4>
<p>Show up to the event, deliver your speech, meet lots of new people, and enjoy converting some new readers!</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e1e1e1;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fafafa;border-color:#fefefe;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<h4>Editor’s Note:</h4>
<p>To improve your chances of landing speaking engagements, make sure you:</p>
<ul>
<li>Have a website (aka your business card);</li>
<li>Create a 2-3 minute demo video (aka your movie trailer);</li>
<li>Acquire a few testimonials (from people willing to vouch for you).</li>
</ul>
<p>There’s a lot more to it than we can unpack here, so be sure to check out Grant Baldwin’s post <a href="https://thespeakerlab.com/get-speaking-engagements/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to Get Speaking Engagements</a>. In fact, browse his entire website, <a href="https://thespeakerlab.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Speaker Lab</a>. It’s chock-full of helpful information.<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="h.55wbn02qxalk"><strong>#6. Integrate Your Blog with Your Product</strong></h2>
<p>Most businesses have blogs that are completely disconnected from their main product.</p>
<p>If you blog for a brand or business, why not align your messaging and integrate your blog posts directly into your UI (for software products) or in your product descriptions and previews (for e-commerce)?</p>
<p>This lets you direct traffic over to your blog and gives your customers a more seamless experience.</p>
<h3 id="h.7elosp7326dd"><strong>How to Fuse Your Blog and Product</strong></h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>For software products, one way to notify people of your newest blog posts is to include a (preferably unobtrusive) in-app notification.</p>
<p>Here’s what it looks like when using Ahrefs:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13838" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Site_Explorer.png" alt="Site Explorer" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Site_Explorer.png 1004w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Site_Explorer-150x84.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Site_Explorer-300x168.png 300w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Site_Explorer-768x429.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1004px) 100vw, 1004px" /></p>
<p>Click the bell icon and we display a simple drop-down menu listing all our newest content.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13832" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/in-app-blog-post.png" alt="in app blog post" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/in-app-blog-post.png 1003w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/in-app-blog-post-150x84.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/in-app-blog-post-300x167.png 300w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/in-app-blog-post-768x429.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1003px) 100vw, 1003px" /></p>
<p>So simple, but so effective.</p>
<p>If you have an e-commerce website and your blog posts are educational in nature, you can promote them directly on your homepage.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.beardbrand.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beardbrand</a> does this beautifully:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13835" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/beardbrand-blog-integration.png" alt="beardbrand blog integration" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/beardbrand-blog-integration.png 699w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/beardbrand-blog-integration-150x124.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/beardbrand-blog-integration-241x200.png 241w" sizes="(max-width: 699px) 100vw, 699px" /></p>
<p>Another way to do this is by scattering in individual links and excerpts of your blog posts wherever they’re relevant. This is how <a href="https://www.mrporter.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mr Porter</a> does it:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13828" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mr-porter-blog-integration.png" alt="mr porter blog integration" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mr-porter-blog-integration.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mr-porter-blog-integration-132x150.png 132w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mr-porter-blog-integration-177x200.png 177w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>Time to get creative!</p>
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<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fafafa;border-color:#fefefe;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<h4>Editor’s Note:</h4>
<p>Here’s one more tip that’s missed by a surprising number of business websites…</p>
<p>Include a prominent link to your blog in your website’s navigation menu.</p>
<p>Ahrefs, MeetEdgar, <a href="https://www.elegantthemes.com/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=22939" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elegant Themes</a> (affiliate link), and many other smart businesses feature their blogs in their navigation, which helps drive traffic to them.</p>
<p>Here’s how <a href="https://promote.quuu.co/referrals/nnolrl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quuu</a> (affiliate link) does it:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13840" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quuu.png" alt="quuu" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quuu.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quuu-150x30.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quuu-300x60.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>In other words:</p>
<div class="sw-tweet-clear"></div>
<a class="swp_CTT style2" href="https://twitter.com/share?text=%27If+people+have+to+hunt+to+find+your+blog+ON+YOUR+OWN+WEBSITE%2C+you%27re+doing+it+wrong.%27+https%3A%2F%2Fsmartblogger.com%2Fhow-to-promote-your-blog%2F&via=smartbloggerhq&url=x" data-link="https://twitter.com/share?text=%27If+people+have+to+hunt+to+find+your+blog+ON+YOUR+OWN+WEBSITE%2C+you%27re+doing+it+wrong.%27+https%3A%2F%2Fsmartblogger.com%2Fhow-to-promote-your-blog%2F&via=smartbloggerhq&url=x" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><span class="sw-click-to-tweet"><span class="sw-ctt-text">If people have to hunt to find your blog ON YOUR OWN WEBSITE, you're doing it wrong.</span><span class="sw-ctt-btn">Click To Tweet</span></span></a></div>
</div>
<h2 id="h.23jbxs1h9k1h"><strong>#7. Collaborate with Other Blogs</strong></h2>
<p>Creating content in collaboration with another blog means you’re able to tap into each other’s audiences and can promote yourself to a whole new set of blog readers.</p>
<p>You can even split the work!</p>
<p><a href="https://buffer.com/resources/increase-website-traffic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Here’s a post</a> that Ahrefs did with <a href="https://buffer.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buffer</a>, a social media management tool:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13834" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/buffer-ahrefs.png" alt="buffer ahrefs" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/buffer-ahrefs.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/buffer-ahrefs-145x150.png 145w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/buffer-ahrefs-194x200.png 194w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<h3 id="h.srxyfpctucc2"><strong>How to Join Forces With Another Blog</strong></h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Fair warning:</p>
<p>Collaborating with blogs significantly larger than yours probably isn’t in the cards. However, collaborating with a site similar in size is definitely doable.</p>
<p>Here’s how to get started:</p>
<h4 id="h.ibgnqnsc8rr0">Step #1. Find Opportunities in Your Niche</h4>
<p>Look for opportunities to work with blogs within the same niche as yours.</p>
<p>Start by approaching bloggers you have an existing relationship with and ask if they’d like to collaborate. You should leave cold pitching as a last resort.</p>
<p>If you have no idea which blogs to approach, Ahrefs offers a nifty trick:</p>
<p>In <a href="https://ahrefs.com/content-explorer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Content Explorer</a>, enter a relevant keyword phrase in your niche.</p>
<p>Set the “published” filter to “Last 12 months” and the “Language” filter to “English”. Next, highlight the “one link per domain” option.</p>
<p>Finally, you’ll want to set one more filter: DR (“domain rating”).</p>
<p>The higher this number, the more authoritative the website; however, the more authoritative the website the harder it will be for you to get the blogger’s attention.</p>
<p>In the screenshot below, we set the DR to 40:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13848" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/content-explorer-blogs.png" alt="content explorer blogs" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/content-explorer-blogs.png 1185w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/content-explorer-blogs-150x90.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/content-explorer-blogs-300x179.png 300w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/content-explorer-blogs-768x459.png 768w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/content-explorer-blogs-1024x612.png 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1185px) 100vw, 1185px" /></p>
<p>This will pull a list of active blogs in your niche.</p>
<p>From here, just sift through the possibilities and pick the ones you’d like to approach.</p>
<h4>Step #2. Make Your Pitch</h4>
<p>The process is pretty similar to advocating in-person: you need to make your best pitch.</p>
<p>Focus on explaining why you want to work with that particular blogger, as well as how collaboration will benefit <em>them</em>.</p>
<p>Feel free to suggest a couple of topics you feel would work well.</p>
<h4>Step #3. Create</h4>
<p>Creation time!</p>
<p>Finalize your content with the blogger you’re working with and remember to stay prompt and gracious throughout.</p>
<p>This is not the time to get pushy or rude and make an enemy out of a would-be ally.</p>
<h4>Step #4. Publish and Promote</h4>
<p>Promote the post to your newsletter and social media accounts. Make sure to tag and give credit to the other blogger too.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e5e5bb;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fefed0;border-color:#fffff6;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Further Reading:</strong>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.convinceandconvert.com/content-marketing/10-point-guide-for-blogger-collaboration/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloggers Unite! A 10-Point Guide for Blogger Collaboration</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blog.shareasale.com/2018/09/25/how-to-collaborate-with-other-bloggers-and-influencers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to collaborate with other influencers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://buzzsumo.com/blog/collaborate-examples-tips-tools-ultimate-influencer-sourced-content-asset/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to Collaborate: Examples, Tips & Tools for the Ultimate Influencer-Sourced Content Asset</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<h2><strong>#8. Repurpose Content Into Other Formats to Reach New Audiences</strong></h2>
<p>You’ve spent all this time and effort to create amazing content in the form of blog posts.</p>
<p>Why not get more out of the same piece of content?</p>
<p>Since your customers hang out in multiple places online and have their own preferences when it comes to content formats, you should try to reach audiences beyond blog readers.</p>
<p>And you do that by repurposing your content.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7667" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/003-repurpose-old-blog-posts.png" alt="give your old content a paint job" width="940" height="788" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/003-repurpose-old-blog-posts.png 940w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/003-repurpose-old-blog-posts-300x251.png 300w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/003-repurpose-old-blog-posts-768x644.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></p>
<h3 id="h.57unlfbxsii3"><strong>How to Repurpose Your Content</strong></h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Some examples:</p>
<ul>
<li>Turn your blog posts into <a title="SlideShare presentations" href="https://smartblogger.com/slideshare-traffic/">SlideShare presentations</a>;</li>
<li>Take a small section of your blog post and reimagine it as an infographic;</li>
<li>Convert your blog post into a YouTube video.</li>
</ul>
<p>Or, do it in reverse.</p>
<p>We published a YouTube tutorial on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN_xx9jGDVc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WordPress SEO</a>. It has over 20,000 views and 70 comments — not too shabby.</p>
<p>We decided to turn it into a <a href="https://ahrefs.com/blog/wordpress-seo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blog post</a>. Here’s how it performed:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13841" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wordpress-seo-blog-post.png" alt="wordpress seo blog post" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wordpress-seo-blog-post.png 611w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wordpress-seo-blog-post-150x126.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wordpress-seo-blog-post-238x200.png 238w" sizes="(max-width: 611px) 100vw, 611px" /></p>
<p>By re-creating our video in written form, we were able to reach an entirely new audience on an entirely different platform.</p>
<p>And the best part?</p>
<p>We didn’t have to come up with fresh content for the post. We took what we already had and created something new with it.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e5e5bb;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fefed0;border-color:#fffff6;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Further Reading:</strong>
<ul>
<li><a title="7 Ways You Can Repurpose Your Old Blog Posts to Get More Traffic" href="https://smartblogger.com/repurposing-content/">7 Ways You Can Repurpose Your Old Blog Posts to Get More Traffic</a></li>
<li><a href="https://sproutsocial.com/insights/repurpose-content/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">11 Clever Tips to Repurpose Content</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="h.jorebxstnlwl"><strong>#9. Monitor Online Conversations for Opportunities to Promote Yourself</strong></h2>
<p>People talk about all sorts of things on the Internet, including your niche.</p>
<p>If you monitor these conversations, you’ll get lots of chances to slide into the discussion, add value, and (subtly) promote your blog.</p>
<p>Here’s a pretty meta example of this tactic in action.</p>
<p>I once mentioned Talkwalker alerts in a blog post I wrote, and an employee commented on the post to provide the link:</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13845" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/talkwalker-alerts.png" alt="talkwalker alerts" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/talkwalker-alerts.png 682w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/talkwalker-alerts-150x63.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/talkwalker-alerts-300x125.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /></p>
<h3 id="h.57unlfbxsii3"><strong>How to Monitor Conversations for Promotion Opportunities</strong></h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Tracking online conversations is surprisingly easy. Here’s how you do it:</p>
<h4 id="h.yepviq92k0re">Step #1. Set up Your Alert</h4>
<p>You can use a free tool like <a href="https://www.google.com.sg/alerts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Alerts</a>, or services like <a href="https://www.talkwalker.com/alerts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Talkwalker Alerts</a> and <a href="https://ahrefs.com/alerts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ahrefs Alerts</a>.</p>
<p>For Ahrefs, go to <em>Alerts</em>, <em>Mentions</em>, <em>+New Alert</em>, and enter your keyword you’d like to track.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-13849" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ahrefs-alerts.png" alt="ahrefs alerts" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ahrefs-alerts.png 584w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ahrefs-alerts-150x134.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ahrefs-alerts-223x200.png 223w" sizes="(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px" /></p>
<p>What these tools do is send you an email every time a keyword is mentioned on the web.</p>
<p>From there, you can simply follow the link in the email to find out where you’ve been mentioned.</p>
<h4 id="h.p3xfa26lbijw">Step #2. Carefully Monitor Your Mentions</h4>
<p>Whether your mention comes in a blog article or a forum discussion, look for suitable areas where you can add value.</p>
<p>For example, if you’re a food blogger and you receive an alert for a discussion of a restaurant, it’s your time to shine by talking about your own experience.</p>
<p>However, a word of warning:</p>
<p>It’s extremely important not to shoehorn yourself into conversations.</p>
<p>If you’re clearly only there to advertise your own blog, people will catch on pretty quickly.</p>
<p>So, be sure to link to your own blog strategically, and only after you’d added value to the discussion.</p>
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<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fafafa;border-color:#fefefe;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<h4>Editor’s Note:</h4>
<p>You can also track mentions using <a href="https://twitter.com/search-advanced" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter’s advanced search</a>.</p>
<p>For example, let’s say I wanted to find every English-speaking tweet in 2018 that mentioned Jon Morrow by name:</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13925" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/twitter-advanced-search.png" alt="twitter advanced search" width="874" height="886" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/twitter-advanced-search.png 874w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/twitter-advanced-search-148x150.png 148w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/twitter-advanced-search-197x200.png 197w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/twitter-advanced-search-768x779.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 874px) 100vw, 874px" /></p>
<p>Twitter’s advanced search results would return a veritable smorgasbord of tweets:</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13928" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/twitter-advanced-search-results.png" alt="twitter advanced search results" width="759" height="1533" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/twitter-advanced-search-results.png 759w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/twitter-advanced-search-results-74x150.png 74w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/twitter-advanced-search-results-99x200.png 99w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/twitter-advanced-search-results-507x1024.png 507w" sizes="(max-width: 759px) 100vw, 759px" /></p>
<p>Cool, right?</p>
<p>Use this feature to find keywords and mentions that matter to you, roll up your sleeves, and then get to work. The applications are nearly limitless.</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2><strong>Over to You</strong></h2>
<p>If you sometimes find yourself lying in bed at night wondering, <em>“how do I increase my blog traffic?”</em>, I feel your pain.</p>
<p>I did my best to stay away from the more common methods of blog promotion, so hopefully you found something new to try.</p>
<p>Of course, not all of the tactics we discussed will be suitable for, or will work for, your blog and your particular niche.</p>
<p>You’ll need to experiment and find what works for you.</p>
<p>When it comes down to it, marketing is always about experimenting — experimenting, failing, and going at it again and again until you succeed.</p>
<p>Now, go forth and get that traffic!</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author:</strong> Rebekah does marketing and writing for <a href="https://ahrefs.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ahrefs</a>. She doesn’t sit still for long, so catch up with her on <a href="https://twitter.com/itsrbek" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a>.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-promote-your-blog/">How to Promote Your Blog in 2019: 9 Creative Strategies</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
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source <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-promote-your-blog/">https://smartblogger.com/how-to-promote-your-blog/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-10153514010558575932019-03-28T06:16:00.001-07:002019-03-28T06:16:24.864-07:00How to Install WordPress in 5 Minutes or Less (2019)Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-69498057119660378422019-03-14T06:45:00.001-07:002019-03-14T06:45:55.543-07:00Ghostwriting 101: How to Get Paid Big Bucks As a Ghostwriter<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/what-is-ghostwriting-900x600.jpg' /></p>
<p>You want to make money as a writer, right?</p>
<p>You’ve told everyone on Facebook (including your weird aunt) that you’re available to write. You’ve been writing guest post after guest post to showcase your talent and get your name out there. Maybe you’ve even landed a few jobs already. (Good for you!)</p>
<p>But then a potential client emails you with the question, “Do you offer ghostwriting services?”</p>
<p>And you’re stumped.</p>
<p>Maybe you’ve heard of ghostwriting. Maybe you have some idea what a ghostwriter is. Or maybe you wonder if it involves ouija boards in some way.</p>
<p>You don’t want to look like an idiot by emailing back to say, “Err… what do you mean?”</p>
<p>That sounds like a good way to send your potential client running for the hills.</p>
<p>But don’t worry — I’m about to tell you everything you need to know about ghostwriting, starting with…<br />
<span id="more-8663"></span><br /></p>
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<h2>Table of Contents</h2>
<ol>
<li><a href="#what">What IS Ghostwriting?</a></li>
<li><a href="#why">But Why Would You Let Someone Else Take Credit for YOUR Writing?</a></li>
<li><a href="#counterpoint">The Counterpoint: Why You Might NOT Want to Be a Ghostwriter</a></li>
<li><a href="#how">How to Become a Ghostwriter</a></li>
<li><a href="#ghostwriting_101">Ghostwriting 101: A Quick Recap</a></li>
<li><a href="#try_ghostwriting">Will <em>You</em> Give Ghostwriting a Try?</a></li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<br />
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<h2 id="what">What IS Ghostwriting?</h2>
<p>You might already have some hazy ideas about ghostwriting. When I first heard of ghostwriting, I thought it was just used for celebrity memoirs.</p>
<p>It turns out memoirs are just the tip of the iceberg. Ghostwriting is everywhere — from independent authors using <a href="https://smartblogger.com/kindle-publishing/" title="kindle direct publishing">Kindle Direct Publishing</a> to popular bloggers using WordPress.</p>
<p>So what is it?</p>
<p>When you ghostwrite, you let someone else put their name on your work. That is, you don’t get any credit — <em>at all.</em></p>
<p>Typically, the person who commissions the work will own the copyright, which also means they can modify or republish the work in any way they see fit.</p>
<p>So why would someone <a href="https://online.alvernia.edu/ghostwriting-for-entrepreneurs/" target="_blank">hire a ghostwriter</a>? Are they too lazy to write their own stuff?</p>
<p>Not necessarily. People hire ghostwriters for many different reasons, but the most common ones are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Their business has grown so much that they no longer have <a href="https://smartblogger.com/time-to-write/" title="time to write">time to write</a> (all) their own material.</li>
<li>They have a wealth of expertise or an exciting story to tell, but they don’t enjoy writing or they’re not very good at it.</li>
</ul>
<p>It’s nothing new, either: <a href="http://inspirationfeed.com/articles/blogging/the-history-of-ghostwriting" target="_blank">ghostwriting has been around, in one form or another, for centuries</a>.</p>
<p>To give you a better idea what being a ghostwriter may involve, my own ghostwriting has included:</p>
<ul>
<li>Taking a rough draft, editing it heavily, and expanding on it where necessary.</li>
<li>Taking a blogger’s rough notes and transcribing them.</li>
<li>Putting together short, functional blog posts (e.g., announcing a new podcast).</li>
<li>Taking an assigned topic and very brief outline, then writing a post.</li>
<li>Writing a post based on a title and nothing more.</li>
<li>Coming up with ideas, getting them approved, then ghostwriting the posts (though this is rare!).</li>
</ul>
<p>As you can see, ghostwriting has a spectrum from something akin to an editing relationship to writing a piece from scratch.</p>
<p>And it’s growing in popularity.</p>
<p>The demand for ghostwriters is so high it’s now taught in schools — <em>California State University, Long Beach</em> offers a <a href="https://www.cpie.csulb.edu/continuinged/course_listing/programdescription.aspx?OfferingID=981213341" target="_blank">Ghostwriting Professional Designation Program</a> led by Claudia Suzanne.</p>
<p>Of course, I’ve only ghostwritten for blogs.</p>
<p>Authors like <a href="https://rozmorris.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Roz Morris</a> have written whole books as ghostwriters, which is a far more involved process that includes extensive interviews with the client.</p>
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<h2 id="why">But Why Would You Let Someone Else Take Credit for YOUR Writing?</h2>
<p>Assuming you want to build up your own brand as a writer, why would you want to be a ghostwriter?</p>
<p>After all, you won’t get any of the credit. Your name won’t appear anywhere on the piece, and you probably can’t tell anyone you wrote it.</p>
<p>So why do so many writers ghostwrite, and why do so many love it?</p>
<p>Well, because there are major benefits:</p>
<h3>Benefit #1: Being a Ghostwriter Pays Exceptionally Well</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>One huge reason to be a ghostwriter is money. Ghostwriting tends to pay better than regular freelancing.</p>
<p>After all, having your name attached to your words is valuable for you as a writer. When you have a byline, you can use that piece of work to showcase your talent, build your reputation, and potentially attract new clients.</p>
<p>So it’s appropriate (and standard practice) to increase your fee to compensate for the loss of these advantages.</p>
<p>There’s no exact rule of thumb for how much extra you should charge for ghostwriting over regular freelancing. <strong>Personally, I tend to increase my fee by about 15%–20%</strong>.</p>
<p>On top of that, once you’ve established a ghostwriting relationship with someone, it often results in ongoing work for you. Most people want their writing to be consistent, so it makes sense to stick with the same writer.</p>
<p>In other words, you have consistent work at a higher rate than usual. That’s quite a plus, isn’t it?</p>
<h3>Benefit #2: Ghostwriting Lets You Develop Closer Relationships with Big Names in Your Field</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>As a ghostwriter, you’ll normally work quite closely with your client. You may be privy to their rough notes or mind maps, or you might <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-interview/" title="interview">interview</a> them on the phone or in person.</p>
<p>Chances are, you’re also focusing your ghostwriting on a particular area of expertise (especially if you’re <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-blog-post/" title="writing for a blog post">writing for a blog</a>).</p>
<p>This means you’ve got a brilliant opportunity to get to know and be affiliated with someone well-established in your field.</p>
<p>You’ll find that you get valuable insights into the “behind the scenes” of a top blog, or you get a clearer idea of how a big-name author works and thinks.</p>
<p>This may be eye-opening! It could give you some ideas for how best to move forward with your own business when you <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog" title="start your own blog">start your own blog</a>.</p>
<p>And as you build up closer relationships, or even friendships, with your client, they might share your other work on social media, bringing you a lot of extra traffic. (Several of the people I ghostwrite for have supported me in that way.)</p>
<p>If you ever need a favor or need some advice, there’s a good chance they’ll be very happy to help.</p>
<p>So much of blogging success depends on getting a <a href="https://smartblogger.com/blogger-outreach/" title="helping hand from other bloggers">helping hand from other bloggers</a> — particularly those with a large audience and a great reputation in their field.</p>
<p>Ghostwriting brings you into close contact with exactly those people.</p>
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<h2 id="counterpoint">The Counterpoint: Why You Might NOT Want to Be a Ghostwriter</h2>
<p>There are a couple of big concerns that writers have about ghostwriting:</p>
<p><em>“But surely that’s not ethical?”</em></p>
<p><em>“But why should they benefit from my hard work?”</em></p>
<p><em>“But what about building my platform?”</em></p>
<p>These are real, valid concerns. And for you, they may be deal-breakers.</p>
<p>So let’s dig into them.</p>
<h3>Objection #1: “When You’re a Ghostwriter, You’re Helping Someone Fool Their Readers — That’s Unethical”</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>When you’re a ghostwriter for someone, they pass your words off as their own.</p>
<p>Which begs the question…</p>
<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2014/03/13/is-ghostwriting-ethical/" target="_blank">Is ghostwriting ethical?</a></p>
<p>The authors who hire ghostwriters certainly think it is! But not all writers or readers agree. Many feel that some types of ghostwriting are more ethical than others.</p>
<p>For instance, think about these two scenarios, which are on opposite ends of the ghostwriting spectrum:</p>
<ol>
<li>A big-name blogger hires a ghostwriter to <a href="https://smartblogger.com/ebook-mistakes/" title="write an e-book">write an e-book</a> on their behalf. The blogger talks to the ghostwriter for an hour and provides a detailed outline. Once the e-book is complete, the big-name blogger reads it, edits it, and puts his or her name on it.</li>
<li>A big-name blogger hires a ghostwriter to write an e-book on their behalf. They give the ghostwriter free rein to come up with the topic and outline, and they don’t supply any help. When it’s done, the blogger puts his or her name on it without giving it a second look.</li>
</ol>
<p>Personally, as a reader, I’d feel comfortable with situation #1. The <em>thoughts</em> in the e-book belong to the blogger, but the ghostwriter has helped shape them.</p>
<p>Situation #2, however, seems a lot thornier. As a reader, I’d feel cheated by that.</p>
<p>I’m buying the e-book because I want the blogger’s expertise — not that of a ghostwriter I don’t know.</p>
<p><strong>If you’re thinking of ghostwriting, you have to make up your own mind about what is — and isn’t — ethical.</strong> Where would you personally draw the line as a ghostwriter, if at all?</p>
<p>For more thoughts on the rights and wrongs of ghostwriting, check out Patty Podnar’s post <a href="https://www.ndash.co/blog/is-ghostwriting-ethical" target="_blank">Is Ghostwriting Ethical?</a></p>
<p>Also, Amanda Montell’s <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a27462/ghostwriting-internet-influencers/" target="_blank">Your Favorite Influencers Aren’t Writing Their Own Content—These Women Are</a> is quite eye-opening about some of the less ethical practices in the ghostwriting world.</p>
<h3>Objection #2: “It’s Too Painful Watching Someone Else Get Praised for YOUR Work”</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>It may sound silly, but not getting recognition for your writing can be quite painful — <em>unbearable</em> to some.</p>
<p>I have to admit that, as a writer, it can sometimes sting a little to see a blogger receive lots of lovely praise for a post that <em>I</em> wrote every word of. And I’m not alone; many writers find themselves missing the attention and craving the recognition.</p>
<p>It’s no fun watching someone bask in glory that should be yours.</p>
<p>But think of it this way: All that praise is a sign you did a great job. You can be proud of that, and you can feel confident you’ll get hired again!</p>
<p>Also, as ghostwriter Roz Morris points out <a href="http://wearewhitefox.com/qa-roz-morris/" target="_blank">in an interview with whitefox</a>, it’s not just ghostwriters who go unnoticed by readers:</p>
<div class="su-quote su-quote-style-default">
<div class="su-quote-inner su-clearfix">There are many unsung heroes in the creative industries, and ghostwriters are only one of them. Editors can also make a huge difference to a book and are rarely credited.</div>
</div>
<p>So, if you can’t stand watching someone else take the praise, that’s okay. Many writers feel that way. But maybe we should also keep things in perspective.</p>
<h3>Objection #3: “Ghostwriting Keeps You from Building Your Platform”</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Even if you’re okay with someone else getting the praise, you may still oppose the idea of letting them take credit.</p>
<p>Some writers feel that, to <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-become-a-freelance-writer/" title="become a freelance writer">become a successful freelance writer</a>, you need to take credit for every <a href="https://smartblogger.com/power-words" title="powerful word">powerful word</a> you write and create an impressive body of work with <em>your</em> name on it. They believe that ghostwriting is essentially a waste of time.</p>
<p>After all, when you’ve got a bio (or at least your name) on every blog post you write, each of those posts helps raise your profile. You’ll be bringing in new readers and potentially new clients through your work — without any additional marketing.</p>
<p>This is essentially the argument that Demian Farnworth puts forward in <a href="https://raventools.com/blog/truth-about-ghostwriting" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Brutally Honest Truth About Ghostwriting</a>:</p>
<div class="su-quote su-quote-style-default">
<div class="su-quote-inner su-clearfix">The first thing every writer should ask is this: What do you want to accomplish as a writer? Is building a personal and visible platform important to you? Will it help you in the long run? If you have to ghostwrite to make ends meet, fine. But beat a hasty path out of the business as soon as possible. It’s your turn to run the show.</div>
</div>
<p>I certainly think it’s worth putting some serious thought into how best to make ghostwriting work for you. It might be that you want to solely focus on your own platform (heck, you might even hire ghostwriters of your own, some day down the line!).</p>
<p>But there’s no shame in taking ghostwriting jobs to <a href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-blogging/" title="generate a steady income">generate a steady income</a> <em>while</em> you build your platform. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. You can do both at the same time.</p>
<p>Ghostwriting takes some focus away, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing.</p>
<p><em>By the way: We’ve created a handy visual summarizing this post that you can share and embed on your own site. Check out the image below (click to see a larger view):</em></p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><a title="Ghostwriting 101: The Must-Read Ghostwriter Primer for 2019 from SmartBlogger.com" href="https://smartblogger.com/ghostwriting/?display=wide"><img class="display_wide alignnone size-full wp-image-13568" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ghostwriting-101-primer.png" alt="Ghostwriting 101: The Must-Read Ghostwriter Primer for 2019" width="800" height="2000" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ghostwriting-101-primer.png 800w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ghostwriting-101-primer-60x150.png 60w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ghostwriting-101-primer-80x200.png 80w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ghostwriting-101-primer-768x1920.png 768w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ghostwriting-101-primer-410x1024.png 410w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></a></div>
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<p><strong>Embed This Infographic On Your Site</strong></p>
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<!—– Copy and Paste This Code Into Your Post —-><a href=”https://smartblogger.com/ghostwriting/”><img src=”https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ghostwriting-101-primer.png” alt=”Ghostwriting 101: The Must-Read Ghostwriter Primer for 2019″ width=”700 px” class=”noa3lazy”/></a><br><a href=”https://smartblogger.com/ghostwriting/”>Ghostwriting 101: The Must-Read Ghostwriter Primer for 2019 from SmartBlogger.com</a>
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<h2 id="how">How to Become a Ghostwriter</h2>
<p>If you’ve been nodding your head while reading this post, you’re probably wondering…</p>
<p><em>“Okay, but how do I become a ghostwriter?”</em></p>
<p>Answer:</p>
<p><strong>The same way you <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-become-a-freelance-writer/" title="become a freelance writer">become a freelance writer</a>.</strong></p>
<p>Here are the keys:</p>
<h3>#1. Build Your Content Creation Skills</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>If you want to be a ghostwriter, you have to learn how to create quality content. What’s this mean? It means:</p>
<ul>
<li>Mastering content frameworks</li>
<li>Learning how to write solid headlines</li>
<li>Knowing how to support your points with examples</li>
<li>Keeping your readers emotionally engaged</li>
</ul>
<p>…and more.</p>
<p>Nothing will impact your ability to earn real, tangible income as a ghostwriter more than your ability to create amazing content.</p>
<p>So, if you don’t know how, learn.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Further Reading:</strong> Check out our resource <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-blog-post/" title="How to Write a Blog Post – The Ultimate Guide">How to Write a Blog Post – The Ultimate Guide</a>. Once you’ve mastered the basics, read <a href="https://smartblogger.com/memorable-content/" title="How to Create Content People Will Still Remember in 5 Years’ Time">How to Create Content People Will Still Remember in 5 Years’ Time</a>.<br /></div>
</div>
<h3>#2. Learn the Ins and Outs of SEO</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>If you can create content that will rank on Google, clients will pay you.</p>
<p>Happily.</p>
<p>Heck, they’ll <em>throw money</em> at you.</p>
<p>So how can you help your content rank on Google? By learning all you can about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and applying what you learn to the content you create.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Further Reading:</strong> Don’t know SEO? Brian Dean has a great guide that will help you learn the basics of <a href="https://backlinko.com/learn-seo-fast" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="SEO fast">SEO fast</a>.<br /></div>
</div>
<h3>#3. Build an Awesome Portfolio of Sample Content</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Ideally, you’ll have three levels of portfolios:</p>
<ol>
<li>A portfolio that shows you know how to write,</li>
<li>a portfolio that shows you’re a subject matter expert of a given topic, and</li>
<li>a portfolio that shows documented success for clients.</li>
</ol>
<p>But when you’re just starting out, you need to focus on the first level:</p>
<p><em>A portfolio that proves you know how to create a decent piece of content.</em></p>
<p>If you don’t already have your own blog or website, create an account on a <a href="https://smartblogger.com/blogging-platforms/">free blogging platform</a> like Medium.</p>
<p>Two or three sample posts are enough, and you can get started right away.</p>
<h3>#4. Find Your First Paying Client</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>In the early days, finding those first few clients will be difficult.</p>
<p>Even with solid content creation skills, SEO know-how, and a great portfolio proving you know how to write, finding paying clients without word of mouth and referrals won’t be easy.</p>
<p>Here’s what you’ll need to do:</p>
<ol>
<li>Keep checking job agency postings.</li>
<li>Pitch to software company blogs like HubSpot, Sumo, and Ahrefs.</li>
<li>Do as much self-promotion as you can, including mentioning your ghostwriting service in the byline of your blog or Medium posts.</li>
</ol>
<p>It’ll be a slow process at first, but once you get those first few clients you’ll be set. Do a great job, make your clients happy, and referrals will happen.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Further Reading:</strong> Bookmark this <a href="https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/directory/categories/agencies" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="giant list of content marketing agencies">giant list of content marketing agencies</a>. It’ll come in handy.<br /></div>
</div>
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<h2 id="ghostwriting_101">Ghostwriting 101: A Quick Recap</h2>
<p>We’ve covered a lot, so let’s review:</p>
<div class="su-box su-box-style-default" style="border-color:#3986ac;border-radius:3px">
<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#47a7d7;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">What Is Ghostwriting?</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:1px;border-bottom-right-radius:1px">Ghostwriting is when a writer (“ghostwriter”) is hired to create a piece of content for a company or individual, who will then publish the work as their own.</div>
</div>
<div class="su-box su-box-style-default" style="border-color:#3986ac;border-radius:3px">
<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#47a7d7;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">Do Ghostwriters Get Credit for Their Work?</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:1px;border-bottom-right-radius:1px">Ghostwriters are paid to let someone else put their name on their work — they do not receive any credit, and they usually cannot tell anyone they wrote it.</div>
</div>
<div class="su-box su-box-style-default" style="border-color:#3986ac;border-radius:3px">
<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#47a7d7;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">Why Do People Hire Ghostwriters?</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:1px;border-bottom-right-radius:1px">There are numerous reasons why someone would want to hire a ghostwriter, but two big reasons are time restraints and a lack of desire (or ability).<br />
<br />
Regardless of their reason, parties who choose to hire ghostwriters do so because it’s advantageous. (They’re getting something out of it, in other words!)</div>
</div>
<div class="su-box su-box-style-default" style="border-color:#3986ac;border-radius:3px">
<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#47a7d7;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">What Are the Benefits of Being a Ghostwriter?</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:1px;border-bottom-right-radius:1px">There are two huge benefits to ghostwriting:
<ol>
<li>Exceptional pay, and</li>
<li>business relationships.</li>
</ol>
<p>Because they miss out on auxiliary perks like bylines and having their name attached to the content, ghostwriters are usually well compensated.<br />
<br />
Also, ghostwriting brings ghostwriters into close contact with bloggers, authors, and influencers with large audiences. These connections can sometimes be worth more than the commission itself.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="su-box su-box-style-default" style="border-color:#3986ac;border-radius:3px">
<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#47a7d7;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">How Much Do Ghostwriters Make?</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:1px;border-bottom-right-radius:1px">It varies from writer to writer, but an increased fee of 15% or more from their standard freelancing rate is reasonable when ghostwriting.</div>
</div>
<div class="su-box su-box-style-default" style="border-color:#3986ac;border-radius:3px">
<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#47a7d7;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">What Are the Typical Objections to Ghostwriting?</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:1px;border-bottom-right-radius:1px">Those who throw shade at ghostwriting typically do so for one of three reasons:
<ol>
<li>Ethical concerns,</li>
<li>not wanting to see someone else get credit for their work, and</li>
<li>the worry ghostwriting will keep the writer from building up his or her own platform.</li>
</ol>
<p>We’ve covered each of these objections in detail. Whether any of them are deal-breakers is up to you.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="su-box su-box-style-default" style="border-color:#3986ac;border-radius:3px">
<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#47a7d7;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">How to Become a Ghostwriter</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:1px;border-bottom-right-radius:1px">The process is very similar to the one for becoming a regular freelance writer:
<ol>
<li>Build Your Content Creation Skills</li>
<li>Learn the Ins and Outs of SEO</li>
<li>Build an Awesome Portfolio of Sample Content</li>
<li>Find Your First Paying Client</li>
</ol>
<p>In short:</p>
<ol>
<li>Learn how to create awesome content,</li>
<li>learn the ins and outs of SEO so the content you produce can rank on Google,</li>
<li>create a portfolio of 2 or 3 posts that prove you’re a good writer, and</li>
<li>pound the pavement so you can secure those first few paying clients.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
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<h2 id="try_ghostwriting">Will <em>You</em> Give Ghostwriting a Try?</h2>
<p>Ultimately, ghostwriting can be a little divisive.</p>
<p>Some writers feel — passionately — that readers deserve to know exactly <em>who</em> wrote the words they’re reading. Others feel building your platform is too important to let someone else take credit.</p>
<p>But ghostwriting is a good way to <a href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-writing" title="make money as a writer">make money as a writer</a>.</p>
<p>And it doesn’t mean your platform is off the table. You can be a ghostwriter <em>and</em> have a writing career under your own name. Many writers, including me, simply use ghostwriting as a way to supplement or support their writing passions.</p>
<p>Personally, I think it’s worth it.</p>
<p>Only you can decide whether it’s right for you.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author</strong>: Ali Luke blogs about the art, craft, and business of writing at Aliventures. If you’re interested in going further with ghostwriting or any type of freelance writing, check out her epic post: <a href="http://www.aliventures.com/freelance-writing-awesomeness/" target="_blank">Freelance Writing: Ten Steps, Tons of Resources</a>.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/ghostwriting/">Ghostwriting 101: How to Get Paid Big Bucks As a Ghostwriter</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
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source <a href="https://smartblogger.com/ghostwriting/">https://smartblogger.com/ghostwriting/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-39555179596700882182019-03-07T07:07:00.001-08:002019-03-07T07:07:00.326-08:0021 Blogging Milestones on the Path to World Domination<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/blogging-milestones.jpg' /></p>
<p>It’s okay to admit it.</p>
<p>That deep, dark secret you don’t want anyone to know.</p>
<p>That thought which keeps you up night after night.</p>
<p>You want… <strong><em>to rule the world!</em></strong></p>
<p>You want to dominate your industry and be the envy of all. You want the house in the Hamptons and the spoils that go with it. You want <em>two</em> appetizers with your entree.</p>
<p>But you’re afraid.</p>
<p>You’re afraid of what others will say when they hear about your dream. You’re afraid it will seem too big — too crazy. Just like you’re afraid of what the waitress will think if you order onion rings <em>and</em> chicken tenders.</p>
<p>But mostly?</p>
<p>You’re afraid because you don’t know where to begin. You don’t know how to go from where you <em>are</em> as a blogger to <em>where you want to be</em>. You don’t know how to get from <em>here</em> to <em>there</em>.</p>
<p>The good news?</p>
<p>Just like eating an elephant, you don’t do it all in one bite.</p>
<p>World domination — or any major blogging goal — is a journey you take one milestone at a time.<br />
<span id="more-2953"></span><br />
<em>For a handy visual of the 21 blogging milestones (that you can share and embed on your own site), check out the image below (click to see a larger view):</em></p>
<div class="embedded-image">
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<p><strong>Embed This Infographic On Your Site</strong></p>
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<h2>Why Bloggers Need Meaningful Milestones</h2>
<p>When you break large tasks into small, manageable ones, what once seemed big and scary isn’t as daunting.</p>
<p>Renovating your entire home? Start by painting a room. Training for a marathon? Walk to the end of your driveway. Want to start a rock band? Get a guitar and start practicing.</p>
<p>Blogging isn’t any different.</p>
<p>Your journey as a blogger is filled with incremental milestones. They start small, gradually increase in size, and culminate with you owning sharks with frickin’ laser beams attached to their heads.</p>
<p>Want 10,000 subscribers? Start with 100. Want to quit your job? Focus on making your first sale. Want to be Jon Morrow’s best friend? Get him to notice you.</p>
<p>These milestones comprise your bucket list. They highlight what you’ve already accomplished, what you’re striving toward next, and what still lies far ahead of you.</p>
<p>To help you in your quest, here are the 21 major blogging milestones (and how to reach each one).</p>
<p>Ready? Let’s dive in.</p>
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<h2 id="starting_your_blog">#1. Starting Your Blog</h2>
<p>You’ve been talking about doing it forever.</p>
<p>You’ve been reading blogs like Smart Blogger, Blogging Wizard, and Be A Better Blogger for months.</p>
<p>You’ve been planning, scheming, and daydreaming about <a title="starting a blog" href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog/">starting a blog</a> for so long that people have started to worry about that glazed look in your eyes.</p>
<p>So don’t you think it’s time you finally did it?</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">How to Start a Blog</div>
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<ul>
<li><strong>Simple. Read this:</strong> <a title="how to start a blog" href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog/">How to Start a Blog in 2019: Research Reveals 20X Faster Method</a>. It’s Jon’s epic guide that’ll teach you everything you need to know.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Once your blog is up and running, it’s time to start writing.
<p>But first, savor this moment. You’ve already accomplished more than many wannabe bloggers ever do…</p>
<p>You’ve started a blog. You did it.</p>
<p>Now…</p>
<p>Let’s get to work.</p>
</div>
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<h2 id="writing_your_first_blog_post">#2. Writing Your First Blog Post</h2>
<p>Bloggers blog. It’s what we do.</p>
<p>So once you’ve setup your blog on WordPress, Medium, or wherever, it’s time to make this whole “blogging thing” official.</p>
<p>It’s time to write your first post.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">How to Write a Blog Post</div>
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<ul>
<li><strong>Don’t know where to begin?</strong> Check out our <a title="how to write a blog" href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-blog-post/">in-depth guide</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Pick a great headline.</strong> Your posts should have unique, <a href="http://www.copyblogger.com/10-sure-fire-headline-formulas-that-work/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">attention-grabbing titles</a>. And don’t be afraid to throw in a <a href="https://smartblogger.com/power-words/">power word</a> or two.</li>
<li><strong>Write <a title="irresistible subheads" href="https://smartblogger.com/subhead-blunders/">irresistible subheads</a>.</strong> No sense having a great headline if your subheads are flat and boring.</li>
<li><strong>Write with clarity.</strong> Avoid <a href="https://www.dailywritingtips.com/50-redundant-phrases-to-avoid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">redundant phrases</a> and empty, flabby, <a title="filler words" href="https://smartblogger.com/weak-writing/">filler words</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Master WordPress.</strong> Save precious time by learning tips, tricks, and <a title="hacks for WordPress" href="https://smartblogger.com/wordpress-hacks/">hacks for WordPress</a>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px"><a title="after publish blog post" href="https://smartblogger.com/after-publish-blog-post/">After you publish your blog post</a>, it’s time to promote it.
<p>Share it with your friends and family on email and social media. Email it to your subscribers too (if you have any yet).<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
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<h2 id="first_tweet">#3 Getting Your First Tweet</h2>
<p>Getting your content shared on social media for the first time is a big milestone.</p>
<p>Each time your posts are tweeted, pinned, or liked, your content is exposed to new readers.</p>
<p>These new readers are potential <a title="subscriber bribe" href="https://smartblogger.com/subscriber-bribe/">email subscribers</a>. Potential customers. Potential allies in your quest for world domination.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">How to Get People to Share Your Content</div>
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<ul>
<li><strong>Make it super easy to share your posts.</strong> Sharing buttons for Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, etc. should be <a href="https://coschedule.com/blog/social-media-buttons/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">easy for your readers to find</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Make sure your posts are worthy.</strong> If you write posts that <a title="change your readers" href="https://smartblogger.com/posts-worth-writing/">change your readers</a>, they won’t be able to help themselves — they’ll <em>have</em> to share them.</li>
<li><strong>Be tweetable.</strong> Use short, <a title="tweetable quotes" href="https://smartblogger.com/tweetable-quotes/">quotable messages</a> in your posts.</li>
<li><strong>Share it yourself.</strong> How can you expect others to share your content if you don’t?</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Be friendly and appreciative. When someone shares one of your posts, <a href="http://beabetterblogger.com/howdy-neighbor-technique/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">thank them</a>. In addition to being good form, this act of gratitude will increase the likelihood they’ll share your posts again in the future.
<p>To boost the number of shares you receive, try using interesting images with embedded headlines as the <a title="content promotion" href="https://smartblogger.com/content-promotion/">featured images</a> in your posts. Be sure to choose a relevant picture, or one that creates curiosity.<br /></p>
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<h2 id="first_blog_comment">#4. Receiving Your First Blog Comment From a Stranger</h2>
<p>It finally happened.</p>
<p>The moment you discover someone other than your mom is reading your blog.</p>
<p>Your <em>first comment</em> from a stranger.</p>
<p>It’s the first sign you’re engaging a real audience (not just friends and family).</p>
<p>The first indication <a title="promotion" href="https://smartblogger.com/email-promotion/">your words are striking a chord</a> with readers.</p>
<p>The first evidence you have what it takes to succeed.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">How to Get Blog Comments</div>
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<ul>
<li><strong>Make it as <a href="http://www.quicksprout.com/2014/05/07/why-no-one-comments-on-your-blog-and-what-to-do-about-it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">easy as possible</a> for visitors to comment.</strong> Don’t do anything to <a href="http://beabetterblogger.com/blog-comments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discourage engagement</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Visit other blogs in your niche and leave inquisitive, <a href="http://bloggingtips101.com/beginners-guide-to-writing-awesome-blog-comments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">insightful comments</a>.</strong> Many bloggers will return the favor.</li>
<li><strong>Join relevant <a title="facebook groups" href="https://smartblogger.com/facebook-groups/">Facebook groups</a>.</strong> People are down on Facebook these days, but being an active member of one or two Facebook groups is an excellent way to let prospective readers know your blog exists.</li>
<li><strong>Give people what they want.</strong> <a href="http://www.chrisg.com/what-your-audience-wants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Answer questions</a> readers want answered, and they will comment.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Were you raised in a barn? Thought not. So once you’ve received a comment, <a href="http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/blog-comments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">respond to it</a>. Continue engaging with your reader.
<p>Next, visit <em>their</em> blog and leave <em>them</em> a comment. If they don’t have a blog, thank them in an email.</p>
<p>True, this level of dedication will be difficult once you’re receiving dozens of comments.</p>
<p>But in your blog’s early days? There’s simply no good reason not to go above and beyond to express your appreciation.</p>
<p>After you’ve received a few comments, it’s time to implement strategies to further <a title="boost your comment count" href="https://smartblogger.com/more-comments/">boost your comment count</a>.<br /></p>
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<h2 id="first_email_subscriber">#5. Gaining Your First Email Subscriber</h2>
<p>“The money is in the list,” says every blogger (even if nobody has asked them).</p>
<p>It’s cliché, but it’s true.</p>
<p>Email subscribers are far more likely to read, share, and engage with your content than someone who simply follows you on Twitter or “likes” you on Facebook.</p>
<p>Email cuts through the noise.</p>
<p>A person might receive a few dozen emails in a day, but they’ll receive several hundred (or more) tweets from their followers.</p>
<p>If you want to reach the top of the blogging mountain, you must <a title="email list building" href="https://smartblogger.com/email-list-building/">build your email list</a>.</p>
<p>And it all starts with that first subscriber.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">How to Get Email Subscribers</div>
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<ul>
<li><strong>Sign up for an email marketing provider.</strong> MailChimp has a free version, but if you want to send autoresponder emails, you’ll need the paid version or go to another provider like AWeber or GetResponse.</li>
<li><strong>Prominently display an opt-in form.</strong> Once you have your email list, you need to put your opt-in form front and center where readers can <a href="http://www.bloggingwizard.com/list-building-ultimate-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">easily find it</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Have a</strong> <a href="http://www.bloggingwizard.com/list-building-for-bloggers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>compelling call to action</strong></a> <strong>at the end of your posts.</strong> A focused CTA will increase the likelihood readers will subscribe.</li>
<li><strong>Update your email signature.</strong> <a href="https://optinmonster.com/16-ridiculously-simple-ways-to-get-more-email-subscribers-in-less-than-5-minutes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Include a link to your opt-in form</a> in the signature of your outgoing emails, as well as your posts in blogging forums.</li>
</ul>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Make your new subscriber feel welcomed.
<p>When someone subscribes to your list, your <a title="welcome email" href="https://smartblogger.com/welcome-email/">welcome email</a> should be warm and inviting.</p>
<p>Encourage them to ask you a question. Tell them to follow you on Twitter and say hello. Give them a link to an unexpected freebie bonus.</p>
<p>(But don’t do all three at once — you might scare away your only subscriber!)<br /></p>
</div>
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<h2 id="first_backlink">#6. Getting Your First Backlink</h2>
<p>Search engines love backlinks — they help them discover <a href="http://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo/growing-popularity-and-links" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how pages are related, and in what ways</a>.</p>
<p>Landing a high-quality link from a relevant website is great for SEO and results in more search engine traffic flocking to your website. And who doesn’t want that?</p>
<p>When a website links to yours, it’s effectively telling Google, “This dude is cool. He’s with me.”</p>
<p>Want to rule the world? You need Google to think you’re cool.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">How to Get Backlinks</div>
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<ul>
<li><strong>Create Massive Value Content.</strong> <a title="" href="https://smartblogger.com/epic-content/">Epic posts</a> are commented on, shared more, and linked to more often.</li>
<li><strong>Implement a <a href="https://ahrefs.com/blog/link-building-strategies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link building strategy</a>.</strong> Broken link building, community site link building, and other tactics are out there for the blogger willing to roll up their sleeves and make them work.</li>
<li><strong>Pound the proverbial pavement.</strong> Email outreach is time consuming, but it can be a highly effective method for acquiring backlinks — <a href="https://ahrefs.com/blog/outreach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>if</em> you do it right</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Take it to the next level.</strong> Try <a href="https://backlinko.com/link-building#chapter8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">advanced strategies</a> like link reclamation and reverse image search.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Keep going.
<p>Numerous <a href="http://backlinko.com/17-untapped-backlink-sources" target="_blank" rel="noopener">untapped backlink resources</a> are available to bloggers willing to tap them. And if you don’t, your competitors will.<br /></p>
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<h2 id="100_visitors">#7. Reaching 100 Visitors in a Single Day</h2>
<p>In your blog’s early days, visitors are scarce. Occasionally, you’ll wonder if <em>anyone</em> is reading your blog.</p>
<p>But slowly, little by little, your numbers creep higher and higher.</p>
<p>And then it happens.</p>
<p>The day your blog reaches triple-digit visitors. The day your hard work begins to pay off. The day you get your first taste of power.</p>
<p>Intoxicating, isn’t it?</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">How to Get Blog Traffic</div>
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<ul>
<li><strong>Promote on social media.</strong> Keep <a href="http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/promote-your-content-social-media-content-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sharing your content</a> on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. Use hashtags to widen your reach.</li>
<li><strong>Promote daily.</strong> While you shouldn’t <a title="publish daily" href="https://smartblogger.com/posting-every-day/">publish daily</a>, you should most definitely <a href="https://coschedule.com/blog/get-high-traffic-blog-even-youre-blogging-solo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promote every day</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Concentrate on beginner-friendly traffic-generation techniques.</strong> Videos, infographics, and the like <a title="traffic techniques" href="https://smartblogger.com/traffic-techniques/">don’t work for beginners</a> the way they work for established bloggers.</li>
<li><strong>Put yourself in your readers’ shoes.</strong> Poor navigation, lots of ads, and a mobile-unfriendly design will <a href="http://www.dailyblogtips.com/how-to-be-hated-a-bloggers-guide-to-zero-readers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alienate your readers</a> and make them bounce from your blog.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Implement strategies to <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/227076" target="_blank" rel="noopener">keep readers on your blog longer</a>. This increases dwell time, which is another way to get Google to like you.
<p>Linking to other posts on your blog, embedding videos, displaying related posts, and encouraging readers to leave comments are all effective methods for keeping visitors on your website.<br /></p>
</div>
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<h2 id="true_fans">#8. Receiving Your First Piece of Fan Mail (Well, Email)</h2>
<p>This is strange.</p>
<p>You receive an email from a stranger, but it has nothing to do with male enhancement or an unexpected inheritance from overseas.</p>
<p>It’s an email from a reader. And she’s telling you how much she enjoys your blog!</p>
<p>Your first “kudos” email from a reader is a big milestone for bloggers, and those who go on to rule the world receive many of them.</p>
<p>(Mine may or may not be printed, framed, and hanging from the walls of my office.)</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">How to Get (True) Fans</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:1px;border-bottom-right-radius:1px">
<ul>
<li><strong>Be authentic and approachable.</strong> Let your readers know <a title="empathy" href="https://smartblogger.com/empathy/">you’re a real person</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Be helpful.</strong> Make it clear to your readers <a href="http://www.aha-now.com/realities-blogging/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">you want to help them</a> (and not just promote yourself).</li>
<li><strong>Make interaction the norm.</strong> Respond to the comments of your readers. <a href="http://www.microbusinesshub.co.uk/the-key-to-success/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Acknowledge them</a>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Reply to the email. Thank your reader for contacting you, and try to answer any questions they may have asked.
<p>But don’t stop there.</p>
<p>Follow them on social media. Visit and comment on their blog. Subscribe to their list, if you like what you see.</p>
<p>Your response will make a lasting impression in the mind of your reader. Don’t waste it.<br /></p>
</div>
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<h2 id="critic">#9. Getting Your First Negative Blog Comment</h2>
<p>After weeks of praise, attaboys, and well-wishes, you receive your first negative comment.</p>
<p>You try to laugh it off by making a “these are where the tears would be if I could cry” joke, but it doesn’t work.</p>
<p>You’re confused. Hurt. Maybe a little angry. (Plus, your spouse quickly reminds you of the time you cried like a baby watching <em>Field of Dreams</em>.)</p>
<p>Don’t let it get you down. As you gain in popularity, criticism is inevitable.</p>
<p>Consider it a badge of honor — every popular blogger receives negative comments.</p>
<p>It’s proof you’re on the right track.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px">How to Reach This Milestone</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:1px;border-bottom-right-radius:1px">
<ul>
<li><strong>Find your unique voice and stand out.</strong> Don’t be another <em>me too</em> blogger — be distinctive and <a href="http://beabetterblogger.com/be-memorable-blogging/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">memorable</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Be a <a title="troublemaker writing tips" href="https://smartblogger.com/writing-tips/">troublemaker</a>.</strong> Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo.</li>
<li><strong>Keep doing what you are doing.</strong> Haters are gonna hate. Just <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfWlot6h_JM" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shake it off</a>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">As much as you would like to respond to the negative comment with a barrage of sarcastic wit and venom, don’t do it.
<p><a href="http://www.dailyblogtips.com/negative-comments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Delete the comment</a>, ignore the comment, or respond to it in a professional manner. But whatever you do, <a href="https://yaro.blog/newsletters/how-to-deal-with-negative-comments-on-your-blog/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remain calm</a>. Don’t let the insults fly.</p>
<p>Others will see how you respond, and it will leave an indelible impression of you in their minds.<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
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<h2 id="guest_post">#10. Landing Your First Guest Post</h2>
<p>Sooner or later, you’ll discover that commenting on other blogs and making friends on Twitter will boost your traffic only so far.</p>
<p>You need to reach new audiences.</p>
<p>As the marketing crowd would say, you need fresh eyeballs on your content.</p>
<p>In other words, you need to <a href="http://blog.aweber.com/email-marketing/26-ideas-to-get-more-traffic-to-your-blog-using-guest-posts.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">write a guest post</a>.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">How to Kick Tail as a Guest Blogger</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">
<ul>
<li><strong>Find your target.</strong> While it may seem like a good idea to write a post and <em>then</em> find a blog, it’s better to select a blog first and <a href="http://www.dailyblogtips.com/a-step-by-step-guide-to-writing-your-first-guest-post/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tailor your guest post</a> around their audience.</li>
<li><strong>Thoroughly read the guidelines.</strong> Make sure you know what’s expected of you, and avoid making dumb <a title="guest blogging mistakes" href="https://smartblogger.com/guest-blogging-mistakes/">guest blogging mistakes</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Proofread!</strong> Take the time to properly proofread and <a href="http://www.copyblogger.com/copy-editing-tips/">edit your posts</a> before submitting them.</li>
<li><strong>Stay positive and persevere.</strong> Sometimes you have to contact your guest post target two or three times before getting accepted. <a href="http://moz.com/blog/putting-guest-post-outreach-theories-to-the-test-with-some-real-world-data" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Persistence often pays off</a>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Your job isn’t finished once your guest post is published. No siree, Bob.
<p>You need to promote the post on your social media accounts. You need to email the post to your mailing list (even if it’s small). You need to respond to any comments readers leave on the post.</p>
<p>And, most importantly, you need to <em>thank</em> the blogger or bloggers who gave you the opportunity to write for them.</p>
<p>Guest blogging, as much as anything, is about the connections you can make. Backlinks, traffic spikes, and a bump in email subscribers are all nice.</p>
<p>But establishing a long-term connection with an influential blog owner?</p>
<p>That’s worth its weight in gold.<br /></p>
</div>
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<h2 id="interview">#11. Getting Featured in Your First Interview or “Expert Roundup”</h2>
<p>When people see you repeatedly mentioned on other sites via interviews and roundups, their perceptions of you change.</p>
<p>Yesterday, you were just an attractive guy or gal oozing talent but drowning in anonymity.</p>
<p>Today, you’re a freaking rock star.</p>
<p>You’re no more knowledgeable than you were moments earlier, but suddenly your <a title="powerful words" href="https://smartblogger.com/power-words">powerful words</a> carry more weight with readers. That’s because someone they trust just called you an expert (or treated you like one).</p>
<p>To reach world-leader status, others must view you as an authority. They need to consider you an expert in your industry.</p>
<p>Participating in interviews and roundups is a great way to make that happen.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">How to Become an Influencer People Want to Interview or Quote</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">
<ul>
<li><strong>Create an awesome About Me page.</strong> <a title="tell your story" href="https://smartblogger.com/expert-interviews/">Tell your story</a>, share testimonials, and be sure to mention you’re available for <a title="interviews" href="https://smartblogger.com/interviews/">interviews</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Help A Reporter Out.</strong> Sign up for <a href="http://helpareporter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HARO</a> and you can receive multiple emails each day listing people who are looking for quotes from experts.</li>
<li><strong>Make your <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/service/best-contact-us-pages" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact page</a> easy to find.</strong> Don’t have one? Create one.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Take advantage of the networking opportunities an interview or expert roundup creates.
<p>If you’ve been interviewed, respond to those who leave comments. Engage with them. Give them a reason to visit your blog.</p>
<p>If you participated in a roundup, you now have some common ground with the other bloggers who participated.</p>
<p>Follow them on social media. Tag them when you tweet the roundup. Send them emails saying how much you enjoy their blogs.<br /></p>
</div>
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<h2 id="100_subscribers">#12. Hitting Your First 100 Email Subscribers</h2>
<p>Finally.</p>
<p>After having single- and double-digit subscribers for what seems like forever, you finally reach 100. One hundred individuals decide they want updates from <em>you</em>.</p>
<p>These first 100 subscribers are arguably your most important.</p>
<p>They’re the ones who found your blog in its early days.</p>
<p>They’re the ones who decided to follow you before you were popular.</p>
<p>They’re the ones likely to be your biggest supporters as you rise through the ranks and vanquish kingdoms.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">How to Get More Email Subscribers</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">
<ul>
<li><strong>Be a broken record.</strong> Keep finding reasons to <a href="http://www.blogtyrant.com/get-more-email-subscribers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mention your mailing list</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Give something away.</strong> <a href="http://okdork.com/2014/03/11/get-first-100-email-subscribers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Entice readers</a> to subscribe to your list by offering something of value. And the sooner you have an opt-in bribe to offer, <a href="http://www.jeffbullas.com/2013/08/08/how-procrastination-cost-me-72800-email-subscribers/">the better</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Promote your opt-in form on social media.</strong> Add an opt-in form to <a href="http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-grow-email-list-with-social-media/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">your Facebook page</a>. Link to your form in your Twitter and LinkedIn bios.</li>
<li><strong>Ramp up your guest blogging.</strong> With a little planning to maximize results, guest blogging is an excellent method for <a href="http://www.bloggingwizard.com/guest-blogging-to-build-your-email-list/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">building your email list</a>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Why not <a title="survey your subscribers" href="https://smartblogger.com/what-readers-want/">survey your subscribers</a>? You’ve built a small tribe and it’s time to discover what they think.
<p>Find out what kind of content they want you to create, and what kind of content they wish you would <em>stop</em> creating.</p>
<p>To encourage participation, turn your survey into a <a title="subscriber contest" href="https://smartblogger.com/subscriber-contest/">contest</a>.<br /></p>
</div>
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<h2 id="viral">#13. Seeing a Post You Wrote Go Viral</h2>
<p>Wow. That was unexpected.</p>
<p>One of your posts takes off. It <a href="http://harrisonamy.com/amytv-27-viral-stories-for-beginners-why-the-ice-bucket-spread-like-wildfire/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">goes viral</a>, as the kids say.</p>
<p>At its simplest definition, a viral post is one which has a life beyond your own promotion of it. As such, it gets considerably more clicks and shares than your typical post.</p>
<p>And, as a result, your blog receives a nice (if temporary) bump in traffic.</p>
<p>Even if it’s short lived, a viral post means more eyes on your content. And that’s just what a prospective world ruler wants.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">How to Go Viral</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">
<ul>
<li><strong>Create <a href="https://www.searchenginejournal.com/7-things-content-creators-create-share-worthy-content/130865/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">share-worthy content</a></strong>. If you want a post to go viral, it must be worthy.</li>
<li><strong>Use <a title="social metadata" href="https://smartblogger.com/social-metadata/">social metadata</a></strong>. The better your posts look when shared on social media platforms, the more likely people will share them.</li>
<li><strong>Be visual</strong>. Use stunning, <a title="shareable images" href="https://smartblogger.com/visual-content/">shareable images</a> in your posts.</li>
<li><strong>Use an intriguing headline</strong>. Jon’s <a title="headline hacks" href="https://smartblogger.com/headline-hacks/">Headline Hacks</a> has some great tips for headlines that go viral.</li>
<li><strong>Make it easy to skim</strong>. People <a href="https://blog.bufferapp.com/what-makes-content-go-viral-the-anatomy-of-a-post-that-got-over-500000-likes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read only 28%</a> of blog content. Make your content easy to skim, and you greatly increase the chances it could go viral.</li>
<li><strong>Create list posts</strong>. According to a <a title="content case study" href="https://backlinko.com/content-study">recent content marketing case study</a> by Backlinko and BuzzSumo, list posts (like the one you’re reading now) get an average of 218% more shares than “how to” posts.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Since the bump in traffic is only temporary, you must capitalize on it. <em>You must turn as many of those visitors into subscribers as possible.</em>
<p>Make sure your call to action is clear and singularly focused. Offer a <a href="http://backlinko.com/increase-conversions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">content upgrade</a> for users who subscribe.</p>
<p>Use one of the dozens of available <a title="WordPress plugins" href="https://smartblogger.com/email-list-plugins/">WordPress plugins</a> designed to help you boost your subscriber count.<br /></p>
</div>
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<h2 id="popular_blogger">#14. Getting Mentioned or Followed by an A-list Blogger</h2>
<p>When Bob the bellhop from Bolivia mentions you on Twitter, a small handful of people will see it.</p>
<p>That’s nice.</p>
<p>But if <a href="https://twitter.com/johnleedumas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Lee Dumas</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/PatFlynn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pat Flynn</a>, or <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffGoins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jeff Goins</a> mentions you on Twitter, a small army will see it.</p>
<p>That’s even better.</p>
<p>When you’re mentioned or followed by an A-lister, it means much more than a small bump in traffic.</p>
<p>It means you’ve made it onto the radar of someone with influence.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">How to Connect with Influencers</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.copyblogger.com/successful-guest-blogging/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link to A-listers</a></strong> in guest posts you write, and let them know about it. Most will be appreciative, and many will share your post with their followers.</li>
<li><strong>Buy their courses or services.</strong> Want a sure-fire way to get <a href="https://expresswriters.com/15-of-the-most-influential-bloggers-and-what-you-can-learn-from-them/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A-list bloggers</a> to notice you? Give them money! As an added bonus, you’ll benefit from their vast experience.</li>
<li><strong><a title="reach out" href="https://smartblogger.com/blogger-outreach/">Reach out</a> to them.</strong> Identify the bloggers of influence, and put your content directly in front of them.</li>
<li><strong>Ask them to participate in <a href="http://www.twelveskip.com/marketing/email/1368/reasons-people-unsubscribe-email-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expert roundups</a>.</strong> Participants in roundups almost always share them.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Just as a couple should keep wooing each other even after they’re married, you should continue doing the things which caused the A-list bloggers to notice you in the first place.
<p>Keep sharing their content. Keep <a title="blog comments" href="https://smartblogger.com/blog-comments/">leaving comments</a>. Keep engaging with them.<br /></p>
</div>
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<h2 id="1000_subscribers">#15. Hitting Your First 1,000 Email Subscribers</h2>
<p>Now we’re talking.</p>
<p>Around the time you hit the 1,000 subscriber mark, your emails begin to carry more weight.</p>
<p>You’re able to generate traffic for new posts simply by emailing your subscribers.</p>
<p>Even better?</p>
<p>You can begin making real money from your blog.</p>
<p>As a rule of thumb, you should be able to make at least $1 per subscriber each month — more if you really know what you’re doing.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">How to Get Even More Email Subscribers</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">
<ul>
<li><strong>Have a dedicated</strong> <a href="https://blog.bufferapp.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-effective-landing-pages" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>landing page</strong></a><strong>.</strong> You should have at least one page focused on one thing and one thing only — getting people to sign up.</li>
<li><strong>Say <em>yes</em> to pop-ups.</strong> Yes, some people find them annoying. <a href="http://blog.aweber.com/email-marketing/7-data-based-list-building-tips-from-sumome.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">But they work</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Harness the <a href="https://optinmonster.com/webinar-marketing-101-how-to-sell-anything-with-webinars/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">power of webinars</a>.</strong> They create a sense of urgency, but without being “salesy.” Plus, you can run one even if you have a <a title="limited budget webinar" href="https://smartblogger.com/your-first-webinar/">limited budget</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Do more guest blogging.</strong> In case you haven’t yet picked up on the theme: strategic <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fguestblogging.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHpt4KrjkCvZDbH0VkbboyYvH8lWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">guest blogging</a> is a solid strategy for gaining subscribers. Gaining traffic? Not so much. But gaining subscribers interested in your blog’s topic (assuming you’re guest blogging for relevant audiences)? Absolutely.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">It’s time to think about monetizing your blog.
<p><a title="affiliate marketing" href="https://smartblogger.com/affiliate-marketing/">Affiliate</a> programs, sponsored content, digital products, and consulting/coaching sessions are common methods for <a title="making money with your blog" href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-blogging/">making money with your blog</a>.</p>
<p>And speaking of those last two…<br /></p>
</div>
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<h2 id="product">#16. Successfully Selling Your First Product or Consulting Session</h2>
<p>You tried your hand at sponsored ads. Maybe you even had a little success with them.</p>
<p>But eventually, you aim higher.</p>
<p>You decide to offer your skills as a coach or consultant.</p>
<p>Or maybe you decide to create <a href="http://profitblitz.com/get-started-selling-digital-product/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">your own digital product</a> because you like the idea of <em>unlimited</em> income potential.</p>
<p>Whatever the route, the desire is the same: to pad your wallet with twenty dollar bills.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">How to Reach This Milestone</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="https://www.copyblogger.com/jons-confession/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Know your audience</a> — intimately.</strong> To be a successful coach or consultant, you must know your audience, what they need, and how you can help them.</li>
<li><strong>Choose a topic you know inside out.</strong> If you’re <a title="writing an e-book" href="https://smartblogger.com/ebook-mistakes/">writing an e-book</a>, pick your topic wisely.</li>
<li><strong>Repurpose content.</strong> If you have been blogging for any length of time, you have a collection of archives begging to be <a title="republish into an ebook" href="https://smartblogger.com/repurposing-content/">republished as an e-book</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Master the art of ethical persuasion.</strong> <a title="focus on benefits" href="https://smartblogger.com/earn-money-blogging/">Focus on benefits</a> rather than features.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="su-box su-box-style-default" style="border-color:#cbcba6;border-radius:0px">
<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Don’t rest on your laurels.
<p>Once you’ve created your first product or course, create a <a href="http://blog.crazyegg.com/2013/04/11/perfect-autoresponder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sales funnel with an email autoresponder series</a>.</p>
<p>Then start working on your next product.<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
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<h2 id="1000_visitors">#17 Reaching 1,000 Visitors a Day</h2>
<p>When you reach 1,000 daily visitors, your blog will be perched at a level many bloggers never see.</p>
<p>Your blog has momentum, which means your email list starts to grow on its own.</p>
<p>You’re selling more products and services.</p>
<p>Your social media shares are increasing too, which is bringing even more new visitors.</p>
<p>Your hard work is paying off. “Soon,” you say to yourself before laughing maniacally.</p>
<p>“Soon.”</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">How to Get More Traffic</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">
<ul>
<li><strong>Strategically promote on social media.</strong> What gains traction on Pinterest won’t necessarily gain traction on Twitter, right? When promoting, always be <a title="mindful of the platform" href="https://smartblogger.com/content-promotion/">mindful of the platform</a> you’re using and adapt accordingly.</li>
<li><strong>Become a <a href="http://www.trafficgenerationcafe.com/slideshare-traffic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SlideShare master</a>.</strong> For many bloggers, SlideShare is an enigma. Unfortunate, because you can easily repurpose content with SlideShare and <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/BeABetterBlogger/be-memorable-blogging" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bring in thousands</a> of new readers.</li>
<li><strong>Think outside the box.</strong> Communities like Triberr and websites like <a title="quora" href="https://smartblogger.com/quora-traffic/">Quora</a> offer bloggers additional avenues for driving traffic to their sites.</li>
<li><a href="http://backlinko.com/google-ranking-factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Start taking SEO more seriously</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Ranking for keywords and optimizing your blog for Google (and <a href="http://www.matthewwoodward.co.uk/tips/bing-seo-ranking-factors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bing</a>) are a must to take your traffic to the next level.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Resist the urge to publish more often. Even though you receive traffic bumps on the days you publish, your time will be better spent on promotion.
<p>If anything, scale back on your blogging and focus even <em>more</em> time on promotion.</p>
<p>For example: targeted advertising. <a href="http://okdork.com/2014/03/04/how-to-start-advertising-on-facebook/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2190651/Twitter-Advertising-Guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://blog.hootsuite.com/linkedin-ads-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LinkedIn</a>, and others offer bloggers the ability to advertise and bring in additional traffic to their sites.<br /></p>
</div>
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<h2 id="100000_visitors">#18. Reaching 100,000 Visitors in a Month</h2>
<p>When you reach 100,000 visitors in a month, you’ve reached a level of success most can only dream of.</p>
<p>At this level, practically anything you try can be lucrative.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">How to Boost Blog Traffic</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">
<ul>
<li><strong>Pay to extend your social media reach.</strong> <a href="https://promote.quuu.co/referrals/nnolrl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quuu Promote</a> lets you get tweets and shares from real people with real followers.</li>
<li><strong>Dedicate yourself.</strong> Mastering <a title="traffic generation" href="https://smartblogger.com/website-traffic/">traffic generation</a> takes time.</li>
<li><strong>Start accepting guest posts.</strong> Neil Patel grew the KISSmetrics blog <a href="http://www.quicksprout.com/2013/02/18/dont-accept-guest-posts-unless-you-follow-these-7-rules/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to over 400,000</a> readers a month by publishing content that mainly came from guests.</li>
<li><strong>Use <a href="http://www.viperchill.com/split-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">split testing</a> to optimize conversions.</strong> At this level of traffic, even small tweaks can make a big difference.</li>
<li><strong>Try <a href="http://acuff.me/2014/03/dear-bloggers-terrify-little-bit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new delivery channels</a>.</strong> Launching a <a href="http://www.entrepreneuronfire.com/how-to-podcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">podcast</a> allows you to reach a different audience than the one on your blog. So, too, can the creation of <a href="https://blog.kissmetrics.com/2013-youtube-marketing-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a> videos and <a href="https://blog.kissmetrics.com/marketers-guide-to-slideshare/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SlideShare</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px"><a href="http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/google-analytics-basics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dig into Google Analytics</a> and learn how to make the most of its data. Discover which topics and posts are performing best, and optimize your blog accordingly. Identify your most important traffic sources, and adjust your outreach efforts.
<p>And if you haven’t started monetizing your blog yet, you’re leaving real money on the table each month. Get started!<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
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<h2 id="10000_subscribers">#19. You Hit 10,000 Email Subscribers</h2>
<p>As Jon Morrow likes to say: 10,000 subscribers is the “magic number.”</p>
<p>With 10,000 subscribers, publishers beat down your door to give you a book deal.</p>
<p>With 10,000 subscribers, you could make a full-time living as a coach or consultant.</p>
<p>With 10,000 subscribers, you can <em>easily</em> sell a course you have created.</p>
<p>In short, earning a six-figure income from your blog is entirely realistic when you have 10,000 subscribers.</p>
<p>It’s arguably the most important blogging milestone.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">How to Supercharge Your Email List</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">
<ul>
<li><strong>Lure Amazon e-book buyers to your opt-in page.</strong> At the end of your Kindle e-book, <a href="http://www.makealivingwriting.com/key-e-book-marketing-self-publishers-miss/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offer a bonus chapter</a> to readers who come to your website and subscribe.</li>
<li><strong>Use Facebook’s Lead Ads.</strong> It’s an <a href="https://www.jonloomer.com/2015/06/26/facebook-lead-ads/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opt-in form embedded inside your Facebook post</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Create content upgrades for all your most popular posts.</strong> Bonus material <a href="http://blog.videofruit.com/how-to-build-upgrades/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">customized to individual posts</a> can significantly increase your conversion rates.</li>
<li><strong>Use Facebook ads in tandem with Facebook opt-in pages.</strong> In a case study, one blogger was able to <a href="http://blog.leadpages.net/facebook-leadpages-grow-your-email-list/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">add over 17,000 subscribers</a> in six weeks using Facebook advertising to funnel readers to her Facebook opt-in page.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Look for ways to <a href="http://coschedule.com/blog/email-open-rates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">improve your email open rates</a>. It doesn’t matter how big your list is if <a href="http://www.enchantingmarketing.com/how-to-write-persuasive-emails/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nobody bothers to read</a> your emails.
<p>As your list grows, and your humble blog starts to look more like a viable business, you may need to trade your email provider for a more sophisticated solution, such as Infusionsoft that can handle e-commerce and relationship management as well.<br /></p>
</div>
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<h2 id="quit_your_job">#20. Finally Earning Enough Money to Quit Your Day Job</h2>
<p>It’s the dream of most bloggers.</p>
<p>Being able to <a title="quit your job" href="https://smartblogger.com/quit-your-job/">quit your job</a> and blog full-time means you’re able to quit the rat race. It means you can set your own schedule, pursue your passions, and spend more time with your loved ones.</p>
<p>It means you’re the boss.</p>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">How to Quit Your Job</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">
<ul>
<li><strong><a title="charge premium prices" href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-blogging/">Charge premium prices</a>.</strong> This allows you to devote more of your time, which means your premium price comes with premium service.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://blog.videofruit.com/outsource-crucial-tasks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Outsource</a> certain tasks.</strong> Time is money. And when you reach a certain level of success, your time (and money) can often be put to better use.</li>
<li><strong>Promote <a title="affiliates" href="https://smartblogger.com/affiliate-networks/">affiliates</a>.</strong> In addition to high income potential, affiliate products <a href="http://profitblitz.com/affiliate-marketing-vs-selling-products/">require zero investment</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Create joint ventures with other popular bloggers</strong>. Build a product together or just make it attractive for them to promote your products.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="su-box-title" style="background-color:#fefed0;color:#333333;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px">What to Do Next</div>
<div class="su-box-content su-clearfix" style="border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px">Don’t quit your job just yet! Instead, create an exit plan.
<p>Decide what kind of financial buffer you’ll need just in case things get tough. Your buffer will depend on your risk tolerance and personal situation, but a good rule of thumb is three to six months of salary in the bank.</p>
<p>Use the time leading up to your departure to ensure your blog is running smoothly by the time you quit.</p>
<p><a title="automate everything" href="https://smartblogger.com/minimalist-twitter/">Automate everything you can</a>. Create processes to ensure you can work as efficiently as possible. Because when the paychecks stop, you don’t want any additional drag.<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
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<h2 id="world_domination">#21. Achieving World Domination</h2>
<p>You did it.</p>
<p>They said it wasn’t possible, but you made it happen.</p>
<p>The world is your oyster. You’re the master of your own destiny.</p>
<p>And it’s all thanks to your blog.</p>
<p>Now it’s time to take a vacation. Maybe even <a href="https://unstoppable.me/life-lessons/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">move to paradise</a>. Heck, you earned it.</p>
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<h2>So What’s <em>Your</em> Next Big Blogging Milestone?</h2>
<p>You realize they’re yours for the taking, right?</p>
<p>The <a title="dominate niche" href="https://smartblogger.com/dominate-niche/">niche you want to dominate</a>?</p>
<p>The house in the Hamptons?</p>
<p>The sharks with frickin’ laser beams attached to their heads?</p>
<p>They’re all out there… just waiting for you.</p>
<p>They’re waiting for you to decide, “Today is the day I’ll make my dreams come true.” They’re waiting for you to stop <em>reading</em> and start <em>doing</em>.</p>
<p>So, don’t just sit there.</p>
<p>Work out where you are on the list and what you must do to hit that next big milestone.</p>
<p>And let’s do this thing.</p>
<p>Because the world isn’t going to rule itself.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author</strong>: Five years after first writing this post, <a href="https://kevinjduncan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kevin J. Duncan’s</a> dreams of quitting the rat race, blogging full-time, and world domination came true when Jon invited him to join the Smart Blogger team as our Blog Editor.
<p>Never give up, folks. Never, ever give up.<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/bucket-list/">21 Blogging Milestones on the Path to World Domination</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
<br />
<br />
source <a href="https://smartblogger.com/bucket-list/">https://smartblogger.com/bucket-list/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-44364002157093346192019-02-14T08:30:00.001-08:002019-02-14T08:30:23.776-08:00The Ultimate Guide to Content Curation (With Examples!)<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/content-curation.jpg' /></p>
<p>Saving time, making connections with influencers, building authority — these are just some of the benefits of content curation.</p>
<p>But you might also have lots of questions like…</p>
<ul>
<li>How much time should you spend curating content versus creating great posts of your own?</li>
<li>How can you make curated posts stand out amidst all the noise out there?</li>
<li>What tools can you use to speed up or even automate the process?</li>
</ul>
<p>Well, here’s the good news:</p>
<p>In this post, I’ll answer all those questions about content curation and more.</p>
<p>If you’re new to the topic, I’ll explain exactly what content curation is and why you should do it. We’ll also explore some tools and tactics for streamlining your content curation process, saving you loads of time, even if you’ve been doing it a while.</p>
<p>And the best part…</p>
<p>Lots of real-world examples! You’ll see what’s working in the trenches right now, so you can model it for yourself.<br />
<span id="more-13163"></span><br /></p>
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<h2>Table of Contents</h2>
<ol>
<li><a href="#why">Why Should I Consider Content Curation?</a></li>
<li><a href="#what">What is Content Curation?</a></li>
<li><a href="#benefits">The Benefits of Content Curation</a></li>
<li><a href="#myths">The Myths of Content Curation</a></li>
<li><a href="#strategy">Content Curation Strategy: How to Get Results</a></li>
<li><a href="#examples">10 Examples of Killer Content Curation</a></li>
<li><a href="#tools">Content Curation Tools</a></li>
<li><a href="#hiring">Can You Hire a Content Curator to do This?</a></li>
<li><a href="#bottom_line">The Bottom Line on Content Curation</a></li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="why">Why Should I Consider Content Curation?</h2>
<p>There’s an overabundance of information out there.</p>
<p>As I write, in the early evening, around 3 million blog posts have been published today, all vying for your attention.</p>
<p>Every second there are:</p>
<ul>
<li>8,320 Tweets sent</li>
<li>888 Instagram photos uploaded</li>
<li>3,550 Skype calls made</li>
<li>66,233 GB of internet traffic logged</li>
<li>71,596 Google searches performed</li>
<li>76,892 YouTube videos watched</li>
<li>2,758,518 emails sent</li>
</ul>
<p>By 2020, an estimated <a href="https://www.domo.com/learn/data-never-sleeps-6" target="_blank">1.7 GB of data</a> will be created for every person on earth — every second!</p>
<p>No-one can possibly keep up.</p>
<p>But with content curation, they don’t have to. Think of it like this: </p>
<p>Imagine there was only one radio station that played every genre of music and broadcast all the news and talk-back shows ever made. Your passion is country music, but it’s too hard to find amidst the noise of the other content.</p>
<p>Along comes a small, independent radio station dedicated to bringing you the best country music it can source. Everything about country music that entertains and informs you. All curated in one place for people like yourself to enjoy.</p>
<p>Which radio station will you tune into the most?</p>
<p>That’s why content curators are becoming increasingly important in a world of time-strapped, overwhelmed content-consumers. And that’s why every blogger, brand and business should consider curation as part of their content marketing strategy.</p>
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<h2 id="what">What is Content Curation?</h2>
<p>Content curation is the art of <strong>sourcing</strong>, <strong>filtering</strong> and <strong>repackaging</strong> all forms of <strong>existing content</strong> to <strong>share</strong> with a <strong>specific audience</strong> to <strong>add value</strong> to their lives and <strong>save them time</strong>.</p>
<p>Phew. That’s quite a mouthful.</p>
<p>Let’s break it down into more bite-sized chunks before we delve into the detail of how to do it.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Sourcing:</strong> First, you’ve got to find content that’s relevant to your niche and worthy of curating. Luckily, this post is jam-packed with tools to do just that.</li>
<li><strong>Filtering:</strong> This is where you sort the wheat from the chaff. Anyone can find a bucket load of content, but top curators add a filter of human analysis to make sure they’re sharing something valuable. </li>
<li><strong>Repackaging:</strong> Your curated content needs to look good. It needs to be well branded, consistently presented, easy to navigate and enticing enough for your audience to click through to the original content.</li>
<li><strong>Existing content:</strong> This can be blog posts, articles, videos, books, reviews, podcasts, music, infographics, lists, news, images — anything that is currently on the Internet, including your own content.</li>
<li><strong>Specific audience:</strong> If you are doing any form of online marketing, you are serving a specific audience. Curated content is no different. Their goals and intentions should be at the epicenter of your curation strategy.</li>
<li><strong>Share: </strong>You can share curated content in several ways. On social media, in a blog, a website, YouTube or an email newsletter. Or go for a combination — whatever works for your audience.</li>
<li><strong>Add value:</strong> This is at the heart of content curation. You need to make sense of it for your audience by putting it in context with their interests and lives. In its most basic form, this can be a summary of the content to allow readers to get the gist of the subject matter, but it should be an original summary created by you.</li>
<li><strong>Save them time:</strong> You are preparing and presenting content they need in an easy to digest format, which means they don’t have to go schlepping through the web to find it for themselves.</li>
</ul>
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<h2 id="benefits">The Benefits of Content Curation</h2>
<h3>It Makes You a Trusted Authority</h3>
<p>When you consistently curate relevant content for your audience — and add value with your insights — you become a go-to person for your topic. </p>
<p>Before long, your audience will turn to you as one of their trusted sources because you know how to filter out the noise and deliver what’s important. You’re making it easier and faster to find what they’re looking for.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Example:</strong> <a href="https://www.socialmediatoday.com/" target="_blank">Social Media Today</a> is a website and daily newsletter with 104k subscribers. In addition to curating the top news stories and publishing their own articles, they also provide information on industry events and jobs and run regular Twitter chats on all things related to social media marketing.<br /></div>
</div>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/001-social-media-today.jpg" alt="Social Media Today" width="700" height="316" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13165" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/001-social-media-today.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/001-social-media-today-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/001-social-media-today-300x135.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<h3>It Builds Your Credibility</h3>
<p>Most businesses publish original content as part of their online marketing strategy. And that’s still a great approach. But sometimes it’s good to combine your advice with those of others. Curating work by other experts proves you care enough about your audience to bring them the best content — not just your own voice — which gives you greater credibility.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Example:</strong> If anyone has the right to voice his own opinions it’s <a href="https://further.net/brian-clark/" target="_blank">Brian Clark</a> of CopyBlogger fame, one of the world’s most influential blogs. But Brian also chooses to share curated content through his weekly email <a href="https://unemployable.com/" target="_blank">Unemployable</a> for freelancers. It is this generosity of time and knowledge that boosts his credibility and pays back big time when it comes to selling his fee-generating services.<br /></div>
</div>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/002-unemployable.jpg" alt="Unemployable" width="700" height="321" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13166" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/002-unemployable.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/002-unemployable-150x69.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/002-unemployable-300x138.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>It Establishes Connections with Influencers</h3>
<p>Every time you curate content produced by an influencer or include their expert opinion in a <a href="https://smartblogger.com/traffic-hack/" title="curated list post">curated list post</a> of your own, you are endorsing their views and opening them up to a new audience.</p>
<p>It also helps put you on their radar.</p>
<p>You can draw their attention by tagging them on social media when you share their work, or emailing them a link to your curated blog post. Content curation is a great way to build solid relationships with top influencers in your niche, but only if you get it right. Like this:</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Example:</strong> <a href="https://mashable.com/about/" target="_blank">Mashable.com</a> is a digital media site, which published a <a href="https://mashable.com/2017/11/07/influencer-markting-tips-tricks-25-most-influential/" target="_blank">guest post</a> by <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronOrendorff" target="_blank">Aaron Orendorff</a> about growth hacking strategies. In it he curates advice from 25 influencers and includes their headshots and links back to their sites. The post received a total of 4.4k shares across social media, and I bet I know where 25 of those came from.<br /></div>
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<h3>It Makes You a Trend Spotter</h3>
<p>When you spend a couple of hours a day sourcing relevant and interesting content, you can’t help but increase your knowledge. You’ll start recognizing patterns and trends as they’re happening, and gaps in existing content you might be able to fill.</p>
<p>Not only does this add value for your audience, but it also makes you a credible expert in your niche and one to watch.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Example:</strong> <a href="https://www.cbinsights.com/newsletter" target="_blank">CB Insights</a> mines massive amounts (I’m talking terabytes) of data to identify and make sense of emerging technology and business trends for its customers. And it puts this to good use by sharing its often-irreverent insights and curated findings in its free daily newsletter to over 537,000 subscribers.<br /></div>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/004-cb-insights.jpg" alt="CB Insights" width="792" height="802" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13168" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/004-cb-insights.jpg 792w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/004-cb-insights-148x150.jpg 148w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/004-cb-insights-198x200.jpg 198w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/004-cb-insights-768x778.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px" /> </div>
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<h3>It Can Boost Your Google Ranking (When You Get It Right)</h3>
<p>Many people think curated content could harm your Google ranking because it’s seen as duplicate content. And that’s true, if you do nothing but reproduce the original. </p>
<p>But content curation is all about<em>adding value</em>.</p>
<p>Here’s proof. The folks at <a href="https://www.bruceclay.com/aboutus.htm" target="_blank">Bruce Clay Inc.</a> ran a test to see what ranking Google would give to curated content on their blog versus the original. You can read the full details <a href="https://www.bruceclay.com/newsletter/volume112/seo-friendly-content-curation.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Bottom line: When they reproduced the original post without adding value, the ranking went down from 4th place to 10th. But when they published an excerpt of the original with their<em>own summary</em> and links, the ranking shot up to 1st place — even higher than the original post.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/005-bruce-clay-google-ranking.jpg" alt="Bruce Clay Google Rankings" width="700" height="256" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13226" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/005-bruce-clay-google-ranking.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/005-bruce-clay-google-ranking-150x55.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/005-bruce-clay-google-ranking-300x110.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Example:</strong> <a href="https://www.smartbrief.com/about/our-company" target="_blank">SmartBrief.com</a> (“We read everything. You get what matters.”) is a curator of industry news. It’s easy to navigate with every piece of content summarized in their own words, which adds value for their readers and brownie points with Google.<br /></div>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/006-smartbrief.jpg" alt="SmartBrief" width="700" height="522" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13170" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/006-smartbrief.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/006-smartbrief-150x112.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/006-smartbrief-268x200.jpg 268w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>It Can Help Build Your Social Media Following, Faster</h3>
<p>As a curator, your output of content will increase, giving you a lot more to Tweet about on a regular basis. But remember, always aim to add value, not simply retweet or share.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Example:</strong> <a href="https://www.theskimm.com/" target="_blank">TheSkimm</a> is a curated subscription service for female millennials — over 7 million subscribers. It delivers its content via audio, video, an app, and of course, social media: They have 608k followers on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theskimm/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, 246k on <a href="https://twitter.com/theskimm" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, over 1.1m likes and followers on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheSkimm/">Facebook</a>, and 465k views on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/theSkimm" target="_blank">YouTube</a>. That’s an impressive social media presence.<br /></div>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/007-theskimm.jpg" alt="theSkimm" width="295" height="640" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13171" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/007-theskimm.jpg 295w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/007-theskimm-69x150.jpg 69w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/007-theskimm-92x200.jpg 92w" sizes="(max-width: 295px) 100vw, 295px" /></div>
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<h3>It Can Grow Communities and Conversations</h3>
<p>Great content curation encourages debate and feedback. When you add your own insights and respond to audience comments by providing them with more of what they want, it can attract other like-minded people to your knowledge “hug.”</p>
<p>They come not just to seek information from you but also to share content and support each other.</p>
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<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Example:</strong> <a href="https://www.ted.com/about/our-organization" target="_blank">TED.com</a> is one of the best-known global communities. At its core, it’s a curator of ideas, or as they put it in their mission statement: “We’re building a clearinghouse of free knowledge from the world’s most inspired thinkers — and a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.” With an online community of tens of thousands, over 11 million Twitter followers, and 35 people watching a TED Talk every second, I reckon they’ve accomplished their mission.<br /></div>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/008-TED.jpg" alt="TED" width="700" height="318" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13172" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/008-TED.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/008-TED-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/008-TED-300x136.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h2 id="myths">The Myths of Content Curation</h2>
<h3>It Saves You a Truckload of Time</h3>
<p>When done properly, the full process of content curation can take just as much time as creating original content. Sometimes more.</p>
<p>You have to source, repackage and share a ton of information. Sure, this can be done more efficiently with automated tools. But you must also spend time filtering the content, adding insight and perspective, and building relationships with influencers and other publishers.</p>
<p>This is where the real value of content curation kicks in. And it takes time.</p>
<p>With curation, the volume of your published and shared content will increase, but your ability to spend more time with your feet up enjoying a beer won’t.</p>
<p>So, don’t become a content curator if your sole purpose is to save time.</p>
<h3>All You Have to Do Is Find Relevant Content and Pump It out to Your Subscribers</h3>
<p>If you just share every blog post and article you find on your topic without any filtering, you can do more harm than good to your brand and reputation.</p>
<p>The content you curate will reflect directly on your credibility and reputation, so choose wisely.</p>
<h3 id="60_40">You Never Have to Worry About Creating Your Own Content Again</h3>
<p>Undoubtedly, content curation is a great way to build authority in your niche, but it’s rare to find a site that relies 100% on curated content. Research has shown that creating your own content is more valuable regarding conversions.</p>
<p>And let’s face it. That’s one of the main reasons we do content marketing of any kind.</p>
<p>The research is explained by Tristan Handy in <a href="https://www.convinceandconvert.com/social-media-measurement/new-research-finds-the-curation-vs-creation-sweet-spot/" target="_blank">this post</a>, who says the ratio for publishing curated v. original content on social media is around 60:40.</p>
<p>This isn’t a hard and fast rule, and everyone needs to find their own sweet spot, but it’s not a bad guideline if you’re just starting out.</p>
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<h2 id="strategy">Content Curation Strategy: How to Get Results</h2>
<h3>Give Your Audience What It Wants</h3>
<p>What are they looking for when they seek information? What are they sharing on social media? Are they looking for comparisons and reviews, or the latest industry trends? Do they want to be entertained, inspired or informed?</p>
<p>If you don’t have an existing audience, read this <a href="https://smartblogger.com/reader-profile/" target="_blank">post</a>. If you do have an audience, but you’re still not sure what they’re looking for, read this <a href="https://smartblogger.com/what-readers-want/" target="_blank">post</a>.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Example:</strong> <a href="https://further.net/about/" target="_blank">Further.com</a> is a curated weekly email targeted directly at Generation X, by Brian Clark, one of the most influential Generation X-ers on the net. He knows what they’re thinking, feeling and aspiring to, and he delivers in spades.<br /></div>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/009-further.jpg" alt="FURTHER" width="700" height="790" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13173" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/009-further.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/009-further-133x150.jpg 133w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/009-further-177x200.jpg 177w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>Source Valuable Content</h3>
<p>Overwhelming as it seems when you start out, sourcing great content is not hard, especially with so many <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K0n_3U1o6gN9I_6aduSVQgBpoNO5kEiqU40ZXT9iKWQ/edit#heading=h.jgtgrvgiovnv" target="_blank">automated tools</a> at your fingertips. </p>
<p>RSS feed readers are the first go-to source of content for curators. Using tools such as <a href="https://flipboard.com/" target="_blank">Flipboard</a> allows you to search by URL or topic and collate your content into categories.</p>
<p>Social media is the next main source, and again you have a myriad of tools at your disposal. For example, <a href="https://www.social-searcher.com/" target="_blank">Social Searcher</a> is a free platform that allows you to search by hashtags or topics and brings up every post published on the major social media sites.</p>
<p>Or you can create a <a href="https://help.twitter.com/en/using-twitter/twitter-lists" target="_blank">Twitter list</a> to collate the accounts you follow.</p>
<p>Find the right tools from the list below for your content sourcing and collating purposes, and remember to stay focused when you go searching. You can easily disappear down a rabbit warren of irrelevant information.</p>
<p>And finally, don’t forget your own blog or social media pages as a source of content.</p>
<p>Select posts that have done well in the past and may resonate with a new audience. Or think about repurposing or updating an old post. Here’s a great example of curating your content from <a href="https://www.copyblogger.com/best-of-copyblogger-2018/" target="_blank">Copyblogger</a>.</p>
<h3>Filter Your Content</h3>
<p>Content curation without filtering is a no-no. This is part of the process that’s going to demand time and attention, but it’s worth it.</p>
<p>Once you have a good collection of content, filter each piece through these questions:</p>
<ul>
<li>Is it well written or produced?</li>
<li>Is it relevant to my audience? Does it satisfy a need or curiosity of theirs?</li>
<li>Is it timely, or has it been recently updated?</li>
<li>Is it in context with everything else I have published or curated?</li>
<li>Will it reflect well on my brand?</li>
</ul>
<p>If the answer is yes, keep that piece of content and move on to the next step. If it’s no, dump it.</p>
<h3>Always Add Value</h3>
<p>There’s one more important consideration before you hit that share button. You need to add value.</p>
<p>You know the content is worthy of sharing because you’ve filtered it. Now you need to tell your audience why. The following are some of the ways you can add value:</p>
<ul>
<li>Add a brief introduction in your own words.</li>
<li>Put it in context for your audience. Make them understand why you think it’s important for them to see.</li>
<li>Highlight something specific in the article.</li>
<li>Change the headline using the language and voice your audience would relate to.</li>
<li>Likewise, think about using a different image to add your own personality or perspective to the original.</li>
<li>Add a call to action or a link to a relevant post or free download of your own to give them further information relevant to the curated piece. Doing so also helps to keep your original content on their radar.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Make It Look Good</h3>
<p>Think about a museum curator. Their job is to present an exhibition of works in a manner that makes sense.</p>
<p>They encourage visitors in by making the collection look enticing. They often separate subcategories by rooms or open spaces. They add information and insights to each piece and present them in a logical flow.</p>
<p>They don’t take random artworks, dump them in the middle of a room and expect visitors to work it out for themselves. Neither should you. </p>
<p>Think about how you’ll best present your curated content on your website or in a newsletter.</p>
<p>And above all, make sure you consistently represent and reflect your brand, whether that’s through the use of your logo and colors, your voice, the <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/3061344/how-emailing-i-love-you-translated-to-1-million-in-data-analysis-revenue" target="_blank">language you use</a> or the content you curate.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">Example: <a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/" target="_blank">brainpickings.com</a> by Maria Popova is a fine example of a well-presented and branded website with some of the most thoughtful and insightful curations on the web today.<br /></div>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/010-brainpickings.jpg" alt="brainpickings" width="700" height="320" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13174" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/010-brainpickings.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/010-brainpickings-150x69.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/010-brainpickings-300x137.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>Dedicate Time</h3>
<p>Aim to make the practice of curation a daily habit.</p>
<p>When you’re starting out, set aside at least an hour a day to source, filter and add value to existing content. Build up a collection of quality content, enhanced with your own insights, that you know your audience will love.</p>
<h3>Be Ethical</h3>
<p>The curating and sharing of content created by others is growing in popularity with proven success rates when it’s done right. And successful curators always follow these golden rules:</p>
<ul>
<li>Credit the creator of the work prominently, and link back to the source.</li>
<li>Never knowingly infringe copyright.</li>
<li>Don’t rely too heavily on one or two curation sources. At best it makes you appear lazy. At worst it could be interpreted as riding off the back of the original creator’s work.</li>
<li>Avoid reproducing too much of the original work. Add value by offering your own headline, or insight, but give your readers the motivation to click to the source to read more.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Find the Right Distribution Channels and Publishing Schedule</h3>
<p>Hands up anyone who’s shared anything on social media.</p>
<p>That’s how easy content curation can be when you’re starting off. However, you should aim to use a variety of distribution channels as your curation efforts take wings. The four main ones are as follows:</p>
<h4>Social Media</h4>
<p>Make sure you add your own introduction or insights to shared links, giving your audience a reason to click through to the original. Like this:</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/011-spin-sucks.jpg" alt="Spin Sucks" width="700" height="583" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13175" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/011-spin-sucks.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/011-spin-sucks-150x125.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/011-spin-sucks-240x200.jpg 240w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h4>Your Blog</h4>
<p>This is where you can produce original posts featuring curated content (think “best of” posts, or list posts of tools and resources). Here’s a great example from <a href="https://conversionxl.com/blog/the-10-most-read-articles-of-2018/" target="_blank">CXL</a>, which has curated 10 of its own articles in this post.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/012-cxl.jpg" alt="CXL" width="700" height="293" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13176" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/012-cxl.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/012-cxl-150x63.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/012-cxl-300x126.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<h4>Email Newsletters</h4>
<p>Send them out daily, weekly — whatever works best for you. Just make sure it’s at the same time each day or week so you can condition your audience to look forward to them. <a href="https://www.convinceandconvert.com/newsletter/" target="_blank">Convince & Convert’s</a> email turns up in my inbox as regular as clockwork once a week with a mixture of curated and original content.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/013-convince-and-convert.jpg" alt="Convince & Convert" width="700" height="695" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13177" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/013-convince-and-convert.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/013-convince-and-convert-150x150.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/013-convince-and-convert-201x200.jpg 201w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h4>Websites</h4>
<p>Dedicating a website to content curation is best left until you’ve built your skills as a curator through some of the less demanding channels like social media and your blog. </p>
<p>While you can build a successful content curation site on your own (take <a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/" target="_blank">brainpickings.org</a>, for example), mainstream information streams like <a href="https://redef.com/info/about" target="_blank">Redef</a> offer up a daily mix of hand-picked content that takes a sizeable team to curate and maintain.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/014-redef.jpg" alt="REDEF" width="700" height="320" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13178" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/014-redef.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/014-redef-150x69.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/014-redef-300x137.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>So, depending on the time sensitivity of your curated content and the method you’ll use to distribute it, you might aim to share on social media every second day, and publish a newsletter or blog post weekly, or monthly if that feels more doable.</p>
<p>If you dive right in with a daily email or a dedicated website, you may create a monster you wish you’d never started. </p>
<p>You can always increase the regularity of your content distribution once you become more confident.</p>
<p>Now, set up a social media publishing schedule in whatever <a href="https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-scheduling-tools/" target="_blank">program</a> or content curation tool you feel comfortable with. But a word of warning: Don’t schedule social media posts too far in advance. You want them to be as fresh and timely as possible.</p>
<p>The following are some additional things to think about regarding distribution and timing:</p>
<ul>
<li>Always make sure your curated content adds value, is well presented, and properly reflects your brand before you hit that share button or start to design an email newsletter.</li>
<li>Think about the environment your content will appear in, and decide if you need to adjust the headline, or the size of the image to suit the different platforms.</li>
<li>Likewise, you may need to produce variations of your introduction and insights to suit a Twitter feed versus a Facebook post, for example.</li>
<li>Do your research around the best times to schedule <a href="https://sproutsocial.com/insights/best-times-to-post-on-social-media/" target="_blank">social media posts</a> and <a href="https://coschedule.com/blog/best-time-to-send-email/" target="_blank">email newsletters</a>, and try to consistently stick to the same schedule for your emails so that your audience begins to anticipate their arrival.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Reach Out to Influencers</h4>
<p>If you want your curated content to fly, you should reach out to influencers. Here’s how you do it:</p>
<p>First, read <a href="https://smartblogger.com/powerful-friends/" title="power friends post">this post</a> and start practicing some of the techniques to get on your favorite influencer’s radar.</p>
<p>Next, when you’ve <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog" title="create your first blog">created your first blog</a> post of curated links (a list of the best, or a round-up post for example), reach out to the influencers you’ve mentioned in the post. <a href="https://www.siegemedia.com/marketing/how-to-find-someones-email-address" target="_blank">Here’s</a> how you find their email addresses.</p>
<p>You want to send your email before you publish. Something along these lines:</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">Hey [name of influencer],
<p>I wanted to give you the heads up that we’re just about to publish a curated list of the top 20 tools and resources for freelancers, and you made the list because [tailor your reason why they made the cut].</p>
<p>We’re hoping to publish within the next few days, and I’ll send you the link as soon as it goes live.</p>
<p>Thanks for being a continued inspiration.</p>
<p>Cheers, [your name]<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>Now you’ve got their attention, and they’ll likely be curious about your post. As soon as it goes live, send them a follow-up email:</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">Hey [name of influencer],
<p>Here’s the link to the curated post I mentioned in my last email: The Top 20 Tools and Resources for Freelancers</p>
<p>[Name of influencer’s site] is included as #5.</p>
<p>If you think it deserves a share, we’d be grateful for the exposure.</p>
<p>Either way, we were delighted to include you in our round-up.</p>
<p>Cheers, [your name]<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>Finally, when you’re sharing other curated content in social media, tag the original creator to let them know you’re sharing their work.</p>
<p>But make sure you add value by highlighting something important. You need to demonstrate you’ve read their work and why it’s of value to your audience.</p>
<p>A simple retweet or share won’t impress them.</p>
<div class="su-divider su-divider-style-default" style="margin:16px 0;border-width:1px;border-color:#ccc"><a href="#" style="color:#47a7d7">Back to Top</a></div>
<h2 id="examples">10 Examples of Killer Content Curation</h2>
<p>The following examples are great picks because they all demonstrate at least one outstanding quality of content curation, and together they showcase a cross-section of distribution channels and topics.</p>
<h3>#1. Kottke.org: Blog</h3>
<p>Founded by <a href="https://twitter.com/jkottke" target="_blank">Jason Kottke</a> in 1998, <a href="https://kottke.org/" target="_blank">Kottke.org</a> is one of the oldest blogs on the net. Jason (almost) single-handedly curates and creates content across several different topics.</p>
<p>In January 2018, Jason launched<em>Noticing,</em> an email newsletter with a curated roundup of the week’s posts on Kottke.org. He has even curated a collection of more than 2,000 books and products he’s linked to over the years, entitled The Accidental Shop, all of which you can purchase at Amazon.</p>
<p><strong>Why is it killer curation?</strong> Because the blog and website are nurtured and maintained by an individual with a strong personable voice. Jason curates and writes about what interests him, but in doing so, he reveals what’s interesting about himself, which is an attractive quality. This organic, hands-on approach to his work has built a loyal following of subscribers and members whom he talks to like old friends.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/015-kottke.jpg" alt="Kottke" width="700" height="317" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13179" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/015-kottke.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/015-kottke-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/015-kottke-300x136.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>#2. Deadspin.com: Website</h3>
<p>This one is for all you sports lovers, as long as you don’t mind a healthy dose of humor and sarcasm served up with your daily news and commentary. Edited by <a href="https://twitter.com/megreenwell" target="_blank">Megan Greenwell</a>, <a href="https://deadspin.com/" target="_blank">Deadspin</a> has broken several major stories making it a credible and widely-followed source of sports information for its mainly male community. It also distributes a weekly newsletter to subscribers.</p>
<p><strong>Why is it killer curation?</strong> It knows exactly what its audience is looking for and serves them well. It’s brash but unpretentious. It’s a visually appealing site, relying heavily on videos and images. Above all, its conversational tone makes it feel more like chatting to your buddies about the latest game than a staid news site. Bang on brand.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/016-deadspin.jpg" alt="Deadspin" width="700" height="317" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13180" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/016-deadspin.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/016-deadspin-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/016-deadspin-300x136.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>#3. The Moz Top 10: Email Newsletter</h3>
<p><a href="https://moz.com/moztop10" target="_blank">The Moz Top 10</a> newsletter is emailed to subscribers every two weeks. In addition to the newsletter and its prolific social media sites, Moz publishes a <a href="https://moz.com/blog/" target="_blank">blog</a> (with daily updates emailed to subscribers) and its famous <a href="https://moz.com/blog/category/whiteboard-friday" target="_blank">Whiteboard Friday</a> videos.</p>
<p><strong>Why is it killer curation?</strong> Moz.com (founded by former CEO, <a href="https://twitter.com/randfish" target="_blank">Rand Fishkin</a>) is one of the leading authorities on anything SEO and digital marketing. But you knew that, right? So, when they say they’ll share the<em>“10 most valuable articles about SEO and online marketing that we could find,”</em> you know they’ll dish up the goods. This email is killer curation because it’s current in a rapidly changing arena. It’s on point and unfussy, it’s easy to navigate, it adds considerable value and saves time.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/017-the-moz-top-ten-cropped.jpg" alt="Moz Top Ten" width="495" height="700" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13216" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/017-the-moz-top-ten-cropped.jpg 495w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/017-the-moz-top-ten-cropped-106x150.jpg 106w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/017-the-moz-top-ten-cropped-141x200.jpg 141w" sizes="(max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px" /></div>
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<h3>#4. Smashing Magazine: Website</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.smashingmagazine.com/" target="_blank">Smashing Magazine</a> is a curated information resource for web designers and developers. The website is fun and quirky (what’s with the cats?) while being chock full of articles, books, and even a job postings board. You can also subscribe to a newsletter, emailed out every two weeks.</p>
<p><strong>Why is it killer curation?</strong> As you would expect from web developers, the site is beautifully designed and easy to navigate with just the right number of tricks to be impressive, without being distracting. But it’s the community focus that’s most impressive. The passion for their subject matter really shines through, as does their desire to serve and support their audience with the best content and resources.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/018-smashing.jpg" alt="Smashing" width="700" height="322" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13182" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/018-smashing.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/018-smashing-150x69.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/018-smashing-300x138.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>#5. Rohit Bhargava: Twitter Account</h3>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/rohitbhargava" target="_blank">Rohit Bhargava</a> is a marketing expert who describes himself as a “trend curator.” When he’s not teaching, <a href="https://www.rohitbhargava.com/blog" target="_blank">blogging</a>, writing books, or giving keynote presentations, he Tweets. At least daily.</p>
<p>Rohit is the founder of the Non-Obvious company, which monitors and reports on trends and provides weekly insights through its email newsletter. It also runs the Non-Obvious book awards, which is a by-product of all the reading Rohit and his team do to curate ideas for their annual trends list.</p>
<p><strong>Why is it killer curation?</strong> Rohit’s Twitter feed is full of links to funny, informative, thought-provoking, trend-setting insights. He has an innate sense of balance between light-hearted and serious, and he injects just enough of his content and promotion to remain credible. Which is why he has amassed an impressive 34.3k followers.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/019-rohit-bhargava-twitter.jpg" alt="Rohit Bhargava - Twitter" width="700" height="295" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13183" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/019-rohit-bhargava-twitter.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/019-rohit-bhargava-twitter-150x63.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/019-rohit-bhargava-twitter-300x126.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<h3>#6. Next Draft: Email Newsletter</h3>
<p>Every day, <a href="https://twitter.com/davepell" target="_blank">Dave Pell</a> sends out his news round-up — <a href="https://nextdraft.com/" target="_blank">Next Draft</a>. He curates ten items a day that he considers to be the essential, fascinating bits of information you need, without you having to go search for them. Or, as he puts it on his website,<em>“I am the algorithm.”</em></p>
<p><strong>Why is it killer curation?</strong> Because he does this<em>every day</em>. He takes content curation to the next level with his analysis and insightful commentary. But he’s also funny, wacky, and devilish enough to make you lust after his next email.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/020-nextdraft.jpg" alt="Next Draft" width="485" height="563" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13184" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/020-nextdraft.jpg 485w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/020-nextdraft-129x150.jpg 129w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/020-nextdraft-172x200.jpg 172w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /> </div>
</div>
<h3>#7. Rocumentaries.com: Website</h3>
<p>And now for something completely different — <a href="https://rocumentaries.com/" target="_blank">documentaries</a> that rock your world. This is a collection of documentaries from BBC, Channel 4, Netflix, VICE, YouTube and more. You can browse the website or subscribe to the email for the latest picks.</p>
<p><strong>Why is it killer curation? </strong>Because the site is wonderfully minimalist and focused. This is for and by lovers of documentaries. Nothing more and nothing less. You can sort by genre, sources, or recommendations and read the original curation notes before deciding which ones to download.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/021-rocumentaries.jpg" alt="rocumentaries" width="700" height="316" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13210" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/021-rocumentaries.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/021-rocumentaries-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/021-rocumentaries-300x135.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>#8. Growth.email: Email Newsletter</h3>
<p>This is another simple but highly targeted email. Compiled by <a href="https://twitter.com/milesb" target="_blank">Miles Burke</a>, <a href="http://growth.email/" target="_blank">Growth.email</a> delivers ten articles a week that have been carefully sourced, analyzed and curated. The theme, as the name suggests, is about growing revenue and business.</p>
<p><strong>Why is it killer curation? </strong>There is no fluff. This is a thoughtfully curated collection of ten articles a week that has the audience’s interests firmly in mind. Miles does this on his own, for free. It’s content curation at its purest.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/022-growth_email.jpg" alt="growth.email" width="700" height="314" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13186" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/022-growth_email.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/022-growth_email-150x67.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/022-growth_email-300x135.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>#9. Really Good Emails: Website, Email Newsletter and YouTube Channel</h3>
<p>This <a href="https://reallygoodemails.com/" target="_blank">site</a> is a curated collection for email marketing geeks. It has curated and showcased almost 4,000 email designs to date, and it provides practical and insightful critiques through its YouTube Channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGI8u5w7GFTad-dTPBnHovA/featured" target="_blank">Feedback Friday.</a> Every week it sends an email round-up of curated links to its subscribers entitled “News and articles we thought you’d like.”</p>
<p><strong>Why is it killer curation?</strong> This is one of those emails I really enjoy seeing in my inbox. It’s inspirational, educational, fun and I think I’ve clicked through to a link from every email I’ve received. Which is what you’d expect from email marketing experts.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/023-really-good-emails.jpg" alt="Really Good Emails" width="700" height="431" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13187" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/023-really-good-emails.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/023-really-good-emails-150x92.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/023-really-good-emails-300x185.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>#10. Wirecutter.com: Website</h3>
<p><a href="https://thewirecutter.com/about/" target="_blank">Wirecutter</a> provides news and recommendations for its readers about the best gear and gadgets it can find. With detailed reviews, interviews and data, this is a curated gallery of diverse and insanely useful items with links back to the sellers.</p>
<p>The website also has a Deals page with the latest retail discounts updated daily and sent to your inbox via an email newsletter.</p>
<p><strong>Why is it killer curation?</strong> This is curation with a difference. The team at Wirecutter spend hours, weeks and sometimes months researching and testing products to make shopping easy for their audience. From TVs to toilet brushes, everything is scrutinized with precision and care to establish the best product to buy in each category. The site is easy to navigate, insanely useful and hugely addictive.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/024-wirecutter.jpg" alt="wirecutter" width="700" height="320" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13188" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/024-wirecutter.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/024-wirecutter-150x69.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/024-wirecutter-300x137.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<div class="su-divider su-divider-style-default" style="margin:16px 0;border-width:1px;border-color:#ccc"><a href="#" style="color:#47a7d7">Back to Top</a></div>
<h2 id="tools">Content Curation Tools</h2>
<p>I haven’t set out to give you an exhaustive list. No-one ever could. Tools come and go on the Internet all the time.</p>
<p>Instead, I’ve researched as many as possible to bring you a good cross section of 20 automated content curation tools. Most of them are free, some have a free trial period before you need to start paying, and a couple are for the more dedicated and experienced curators with paid plans to match.</p>
<p>Explore the features and decide which are the best fit for your business.</p>
<h3>Best Tools for Sourcing and Collating Content</h3>
<h4>Feedly</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/025-feedly.jpg" alt="Feedly" width="700" height="446" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13189" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/025-feedly.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/025-feedly-150x96.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/025-feedly-300x191.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p><a href="https://feedly.com/i/welcome" target="_blank">Feedly</a> lets you source content from almost anywhere on the web and organize it in your feeds. You can sort by topic, save to read later, and even share directly to your social media accounts. Its free for up to 100 sources and three feeds, and $5.41/month for the pro version.</p>
<h4>NewsBlur</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/026-newsblur.jpg" alt="NewsBlur" width="700" height="317" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13190" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/026-newsblur.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/026-newsblur-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/026-newsblur-300x136.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Similar to Feedly, <a href="https://www.newsblur.com/" target="_blank">Newsblur</a> is a free personal news reader that allows you to read content from 64 sites in their original format and save by categories. If you upgrade to the premium account ($36/year), you get access to unlimited sources, custom tags and more.</p>
<h4>InoReader</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/027-inoreader.jpg" alt="InoReader" width="700" height="304" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13209" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/027-inoreader.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/027-inoreader-150x65.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/027-inoreader-300x130.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p><a href="https://www.inoreader.com/" target="_blank">InoReader</a> is another free reader that gives you access to an unlimited number of feeds and archived content. You can use folders and tags to sort and collate your content, and it’s quick and easy to get up and running. The starter plan is just $14.99/year to get rid of the ads and enjoy a customizable dashboard.</p>
<h4>InstaPaper</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/028-instapaper.jpg" alt="InstaPaper" width="700" height="317" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13192" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/028-instapaper.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/028-instapaper-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/028-instapaper-300x136.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p><a href="https://www.instapaper.com/" target="_blank">Instapaper</a> has a beautifully simple interface and lets you source and collate content from anywhere on the web. The best feature is adding highlights and comments to any article, but you’ll need to upgrade to the premium account for $2.00/month to unlock the unlimited version of notes and other features.</p>
<h4>Vidinterest</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/029-vidinterest.jpg" alt="Vidinterest" width="700" height="318" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13193" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/029-vidinterest.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/029-vidinterest-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/029-vidinterest-300x136.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>No list of curation tools would be complete without one dedicated to videos. <a href="https://vidinterest.tv/" target="_blank">Vidinterest</a> supports videos from YouTube, Daily Motion and Vimeo, and while other tools support a wider range of sources, Vidinterest is free. Plus you can earn <a href="https://smartblogger.com/affiliate-marketing" title="affiliate">affiliate</a> dollars by writing and sharing reviews.</p>
<h4>Social Searcher</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/030-social-searcher.jpg" alt="Social Searcher" width="700" height="317" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13194" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/030-social-searcher.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/030-social-searcher-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/030-social-searcher-300x136.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>A gazillion tools can help you source content from social media platforms, but I like <a href="https://www.social-searcher.com/" target="_blank">Social Searcher</a> because you can start using it without registering an account. This gives you access to real-time searches across 12 social media platforms, data analytics and the ability to sort by date or popularity. Upgrade to the basic plan for around $4/month and you can start saving your searches and monitoring data results.</p>
<h4>Blog Lovin’</h4>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/031-bloglovin.jpg" alt="Blog Lovin'" width="700" height="317" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13195" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/031-bloglovin.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/031-bloglovin-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/031-bloglovin-300x136.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>You’ve gotta love <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/what-is-bloglovin" target="_blank">Blog Lovin’</a>! It keeps all of the blogs you follow in one place and updates your feed as they publish new posts. It operates like a cross between a news reader and a social media platform, with love and comment buttons and a card layout like Pinterest. And it’s free.</p>
<h4>Flow Reader</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/032-flow-reader.jpg" alt="flowreader" width="700" height="319" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13196" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/032-flow-reader.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/032-flow-reader-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/032-flow-reader-300x137.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p><a href="https://flowreader.com/" target="_blank">Flow Reader</a> is the best free content sourcing and collating tool in this list because you can combine your RSS and social network feeds in one platform.</p>
<h3>Best Tools for Sharing Curated Content on Social Media and Your Blog</h3>
<h4>CrowdFire</h4>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/033-crowdfire.jpg" alt="CrowdFire" width="700" height="315" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13197" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/033-crowdfire.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/033-crowdfire-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/033-crowdfire-300x135.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>With over 19 million users, <a href="https://www.crowdfireapp.com/" target="_blank">Crowdfire</a> is a crowd pleaser regarding content curation. Source from social media and other websites and blogs with its new RSS feature. Customize and schedule posts for each social media profile. It’s free for unlimited curation and up to 10 posts/month on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. It’s $9.90/month for the plus account.</p>
<h4>DrumUp</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/034-drumup.jpg" alt="DrumUp" width="700" height="319" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13198" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/034-drumup.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/034-drumup-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/034-drumup-300x137.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p><a href="https://drumup.io/" target="_blank">DrumUp</a> lets you source, collate and share content across multiple social media accounts. You can get hashtag and content recommendations to suit your audience, share directly from the Chrome extension and track and measure engagement. DrumUp has a limited free plan, and the paid plans start at $15/month.</p>
<h4>Triberr</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/035-triberr.jpg" alt="Triberr" width="700" height="312" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13199" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/035-triberr.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/035-triberr-150x67.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/035-triberr-300x134.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p><a href="https://triberr.com/" target="_blank">Triberr</a> is a content marketing tool wrapped up in a community of like-minded bloggers. Firstly, it helps you source and share content across your social media accounts. But you can also follow and share posts from tribes of bloggers and influencers and get invited to become a member. You can get started on Triberr for free, or unlock additional features for $20/year.</p>
<h4>Tailwind</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/036-tailwind.jpg" alt="Tailwind" width="700" height="312" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13200" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/036-tailwind.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/036-tailwind-150x67.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/036-tailwind-300x134.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>If your content marketing is focused on Pinterest and Instagram, this one’s for you. With <a href="https://www.tailwindapp.com/features/small-business" target="_blank">Tailwind</a>, you can source, schedule and publish across both platforms and monitor and track the success of your efforts. There’s a free trial period, but the paid plan for bloggers and small businesses starts at an affordable $9.99/month.</p>
<h4>Tweeted Times</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/037-tweeted-times.jpg" alt="Tweeted Times" width="700" height="319" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13201" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/037-tweeted-times.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/037-tweeted-times-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/037-tweeted-times-300x137.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>The <a href="http://tweetedtimes.com/" target="_blank">Tweeted Times</a> helps you create a curated online newspaper from the most relevant content on Twitter to share with your followers. You can get basic branding and promotion for your newspaper for free, or pay $15/month to unlock more features in the pro plan.</p>
<h4>Curation Soft</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/038-curation-soft.jpg" alt="Curation Soft" width="700" height="316" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13202" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/038-curation-soft.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/038-curation-soft-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/038-curation-soft-300x135.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>This is the only software included in the list. It’s compatible with several major platforms including WordPress, Blogger and Facebook. <a href="http://curationsoft.com/" target="_blank">CurationSoft</a> is easy to use. You can search for content by keyword across blogs and social media, drag and drop, add your own commentary and post. It comes with a 14-day free trial and costs $49/year for the annual plan or $5/month for a pay-as-you-go plan.</p>
<h3>Best Tools for Publishing Curated Email Newsletters</h3>
<h4>Elink</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/039-elink.jpg" alt="Elink" width="700" height="319" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13203" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/039-elink.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/039-elink-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/039-elink-300x137.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p><a href="https://elink.io/" target="_blank">Elink</a> is a visual collection of curated links that are shareable in an email newsletter and other online formats. From Elink you can source content, design and personalize your email, add curated links and send it to your subscribers via Mailchimp. Elink has a free 14-day trial, and then it costs $12/month.</p>
<h4>Nuzzel</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/040-nuzzel.jpg" alt="Nuzzel" width="700" height="302" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13204" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/040-nuzzel.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/040-nuzzel-150x65.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/040-nuzzel-300x129.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p><a href="https://nuzzel.com/newsletters/featured" target="_blank">Nuzzel</a> is a free Twitter and Facebook news monitoring and research tool that also sends out automatically generated or self-curated social newsletters. Subscribers to your newsletter receive a daily email containing the top five stories from your Nuzzel feed or any stories you want to include.</p>
<h4>Revue</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/041-revue.jpg" alt="Revue" width="700" height="315" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13205" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/041-revue.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/041-revue-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/041-revue-300x135.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p><a href="https://www.getrevue.co/" target="_blank">Revue</a> is an email newsletter tool that connects to a range of social media and other content curation tools to build the content for your newsletter. It’s free for up to 50 subscribers and $5/month (or more as your subscriber numbers increase).</p>
<h3>Best Tools for the Full Package</h3>
<h4>Content Studio</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/042-content-studio.jpg" alt="Content Studio" width="700" height="318" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13206" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/042-content-studio.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/042-content-studio-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/042-content-studio-300x136.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>With <a href="https://contentstudio.io/" target="_blank">Content Studio</a>, you can source and filter trending content and share it across your social media accounts, blog and email marketing platforms. The free subscription allows you to publish up to 500 posts/month to two social media accounts, but you’ll need to upgrade to the $49/month pro plan for unlimited social media and blog publishing.</p>
<h4>Publish This</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/043-publishthis.jpg" alt="Publish This" width="700" height="312" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13207" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/043-publishthis.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/043-publishthis-150x67.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/043-publishthis-300x134.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p><a href="https://www.publishthis.com/" target="_blank">Publish This</a> is another full package content curation tool that lets you curate and publish content in newsletters and social media accounts. It’s free to start, but paid plans start at a slightly higher $99/month.</p>
<h4>Scoop.it!</h4>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/044-scoop.it_.jpg" alt="Scoop.it" width="700" height="318" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13208" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/044-scoop.it_.jpg 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/044-scoop.it_-150x68.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/044-scoop.it_-300x136.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>With <a href="https://www.scoop.it/" target="_blank">Scoop.it</a>, you can source content and publish it across your social media accounts, in your blog, your website or your newsletters. But you can only publish to one social media account with the free subscription and publish to five with the pro subscription ($14.99/month). If you want to embed on your website or publish newsletters, you will need to upgrade again to plus for $67/month, so this is a tool you will need to grow into.</p>
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<h2 id="hiring">Can You Hire Content Curators to Do This?</h2>
<p>Sure, you can hire a freelancer or VA to do several <a href="https://www.chrisducker.com/how-to-work-with-a-virtual-assistant-to-market-your-blog/" target="_blank">content marketing tasks</a> for you. But consider a few things before you search Google.</p>
<p>Whenever you outsource work, you’ll have a trade-off. No-one will know your brand and voice as well as you unless they work with you consistently over a length of time.</p>
<p>So, you need to decide what functions of your content curation you are comfortable outsourcing and what needs to be done by you to retain an authentic relationship with your audience. My suggestion is that with a good brief, you can hire a VA to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Source content in your niche</li>
<li>Filter the content to validate its quality and relevancy</li>
<li>Research topics/content for curated blog posts</li>
<li>Schedule your social media posts</li>
<li>Track audience metrics</li>
</ul>
<p>You still need to add your own voice and insights to your curated content before sharing it, but a VA can do a lot of the time-consuming implementation tasks, freeing up your time to focus on strategy and relationship building.</p>
<p>And secondly, it might not be a smart move to outsource your content curation until you have mastered the discipline yourself with the aid of the tools available. You’ll be in a much better position to work effectively with a VA down the road once you have tested curation firsthand and understand the needs and interests of your audience.</p>
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<h2 id="bottom_line">The Bottom Line on Content Curation</h2>
<p>A final word of advice: In your rush to embrace your new curation skills, don’t ever stop writing your own blog or producing your own videos and podcasts. Just ease back a little (<a href="#60_40">remember that 60:40 rule of thumb</a>).</p>
<p>Curation can certainly lighten the load and open new doors, but it will never replace the authority-building power that comes with creating original content.</p>
<p>What it does give you is a stack of new opportunities to build relationships with influencers and turbo-charge your social media following. </p>
<p>Just remember — always filter the content you source, always add value with your own insights and find a publishing schedule that works for you.</p>
<p>The grind of having to come up with something fresh and original on a daily basis is relegated to the past. You’re now armed with the strategy and tools to become a killer content curator!</p>
<p>So, go get ‘em!</p>
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<h2>About the Author</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.thecraftofcopywriting.com/about/" target="_blank">Mel Wicks</a> is a seasoned copywriter who helps bloggers and business owners bring the ‘wow-where-do-I- sign-up’ oomph to their writing. Give your original content a shot in the arm with her free <a href="https://www.thecraftofcopywriting.com/7-golden-writing-rules/" target="_blank">‘No-Fluff Guide to Writing Epic Blog Posts Every Time’</a>.<br /></p>
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</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/content-curation/">The Ultimate Guide to Content Curation (With Examples!)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
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source <a href="https://smartblogger.com/content-curation/">https://smartblogger.com/content-curation/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-85914854053637514462019-02-01T12:31:00.001-08:002019-02-01T12:31:28.818-08:00Income Report – January 2019 – Let’s Get This Started!Woop woop! Finally after about 2 years of wanting to do income reports and having an empty hidden category for this on my blog (how’s that for some serious procrastination!). I have pulled my finger out and finally got it done! Strange thing is, as im writing this blog post and report it is strangely …
<p class="read-more"><a class="" href="http://firststopim.com/income-updates/income-report-january-2019-lets-get-this-started/">Income Report – January 2019 – Let’s Get This Started! Read More »</a></p>
<br />
from First Stop IM – Lewis Turner – Journey To Millions <a href="http://firststopim.com/income-updates/income-report-january-2019-lets-get-this-started/">http://firststopim.com/income-updates/income-report-january-2019-lets-get-this-started/</a><br />
<br />
source <a href="https://firststopim.tumblr.com/post/182479312723">https://firststopim.tumblr.com/post/182479312723</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-41081114555189642172019-01-31T12:42:00.001-08:002019-01-31T12:42:34.833-08:0010 Things You’ll Only Understand If You’re a Domain Name Junkie<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/domain-name-junkie-v2.jpg' /></p>
<p>It’s an addiction like any other.</p>
<p>Ten or twenty bucks will scratch that itch, but the high never lasts, and before long you’re craving the next hit.</p>
<p>And the worst part? Nobody understands.</p>
<p>Except just maybe a fellow addict…<br />
<span id="more-12994"></span><br />
“Hello. My name is Glen, and I’m a domain name junkie. My last domain purchase was three weeks, four days and seven hours ago.”</p>
<p>That’s how I’d introduce myself to the support group. (You know, the one that doesn’t exist yet.) I’d stand up and tell my story to a circle of fellow addicts, who’d nod their silent support.</p>
<p>My own addiction started with an act of vanity — I acquired the .COM version of my own name. That was 17 years ago, and owning a piece of Internet real estate was novel and exciting.</p>
<p>But that first domain registration, like the first high from an illicit drug, set me on the path to dependency.</p>
<h2>The Telltale Signs of a Destructive Domain Habit</h2>
<p>Like many addicts, I failed to acknowledge my problem until it was too late.</p>
<p>For years I told myself buying domains was just a harmless hobby. Something to do on evenings and weekends to help unwind after work. But over time my hobby became a powerful <em>obsession</em>.</p>
<p>I’d wake up each morning with a head full of new domain ideas and a burning desire to check their availability. At social occasions, I’d sneak out of the room to browse domain resale sites on my smartphone.</p>
<p>And despite plans to become a savvy domain “flipper,” I was selling almost none of the domains I bought, instead keeping them for personal use.</p>
<p>Eventually, my behavior became more erratic. I would buy any domains I could get my hands on — .ORGs, .COs, even .INFOs.</p>
<p>One Monday morning I hit rock bottom when I found a dozen GoDaddy receipts in my inbox for domains that had no practical purpose. Worse still, I couldn’t even remember buying them.</p>
<p>These days I’m on the road to recovery, and my mission is to help other addicts.</p>
<p>So take a careful look at the list below, and see if you recognize any of these destructive behaviors.</p>
<p>If so, you might just be a domain name junkie.</p>
<h2>#1. You Just Can’t Quit GoDaddy</h2>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-just-cant-quit-godaddy.jpg" alt="You Just Can't Quit GoDaddy" width="598" height="598" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12996" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-just-cant-quit-godaddy.jpg 598w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-just-cant-quit-godaddy-150x150.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-just-cant-quit-godaddy-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px" /></div>
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<p>When you’re a domain name junkie, you struggle to think about anything else. You spend every idle moment brainstorming cool domains for your “someday, one day” online projects.</p>
<p>And once an idea has surfaced, you simply must know — is the name already taken? It doesn’t matter where you are, at work, at home, even in bed. You have to know.</p>
<p>When you discover the domain has already been taken (the good ones usually are), you start the search for viable alternatives.</p>
<p>And once you’ve dived down the rabbit hole, you can hardly crawl back out.</p>
<h2>#2. You Lie About How Many Domains You Own</h2>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-lie-about-how-many-domains-you-own.jpg" alt="You Lie About How Many Domains You Own" width="612" height="800" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12997" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-lie-about-how-many-domains-you-own.jpg 612w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-lie-about-how-many-domains-you-own-115x150.jpg 115w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-lie-about-how-many-domains-you-own-153x200.jpg 153w" sizes="(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px" /></div>
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<p>When you start collecting domains, it’s fun to log in to your account and delight in the breadth of your online kingdom.</p>
<p>But one day you reach the point where that list of domains is a painful reminder of a habit that’s out of control.</p>
<p>When your partner catches you buying yet another domain and casually asks, “How many is that now?” you pretend you don’t know, or deliberately lowball the true number.</p>
<p>But of course, lying is a telltale sign your casual hobby has turned into a serious problem.</p>
<h2>#3. You’ve Started Dabbling in the Newer TLDs</h2>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/youve-started-dabbling-in-the-newer-tlds.png" alt="You've Started Dabbling in the Newer TLDs" width="468" height="425" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13003" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/youve-started-dabbling-in-the-newer-tlds.png 468w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/youve-started-dabbling-in-the-newer-tlds-150x136.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/youve-started-dabbling-in-the-newer-tlds-220x200.png 220w" sizes="(max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px" /></div>
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<p>In the beginning (well, 1985), just six top-level domains (TLDs): .COM, .ORG, .NET, .EDU, .GOV and .MIL existed, but that list has since snowballed.</p>
<p>Today we have more than <strong>1,500</strong> TLDs including .COFFEE, .LAWYER and .PORN.</p>
<p>On the one hand, domains are more plentiful than ever, and even if your dream .COM is long gone, you have hundreds of other options for snagging a snappy name.</p>
<p>On the other hand, who knows how much prestige these newer domains will hold over the longer term? Nobody wants to build their blog around the domain equivalent of a pet rock.</p>
<p>Some domain junkies won’t look beyond .COM, but if you’re exploring the murkier end of the market (.CM anyone?), it might be a sign that your hobby’s taking a worrying turn.</p>
<h2>#4. You Tell Yourself You’re a “Domain Investor”</h2>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-tell-yourself-youre-a-domain-investor.jpg" alt="You Tell Yourself You're a Domain Investor" width="700" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12999" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-tell-yourself-youre-a-domain-investor.jpg 900w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-tell-yourself-youre-a-domain-investor-150x132.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-tell-yourself-youre-a-domain-investor-228x200.jpg 228w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-tell-yourself-youre-a-domain-investor-768x675.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></div>
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<p>When your domain account lists tens (or even hundreds) of seemingly random domain purchases, there are two ways to explain it.</p>
<p>Either it’s the result of years of clueless impulse buying from a click-happy domain junkie with no more strategy than a half-blind pigeon pecking in the dirt.</p>
<p>Or it’s the culmination of a strategic acquisition campaign to build a valuable portfolio of undervalued digital assets for future sale.</p>
<p>Not surprisingly, most domain name “enthusiasts” favor the second version.</p>
<p>But deep down, if you suspect there’s very little method to your madness, it might be time to go cold turkey on domains.</p>
<h2>#5. You Read the Thesaurus… for Fun</h2>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/when-your-date-asks-your-favorite-book.jpg" alt="When Your Date Asks About Your Favorite Book..." width="599" height="437" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13031" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/when-your-date-asks-your-favorite-book.jpg 599w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/when-your-date-asks-your-favorite-book-150x109.jpg 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/when-your-date-asks-your-favorite-book-274x200.jpg 274w" sizes="(max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px" /></div>
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<p>Not every domain you dream up will be available for registration. The truth is, most won’t.</p>
<p>That’s why a thesaurus is a domain collector’s best friend. In fact, uncovering snappy synonyms for your latest near-miss idea can be a lot of fun.</p>
<p>But if a thesaurus has become your favorite bedtime read (you know, just in case a cool domain idea jumps out) it may be time to seek professional help.</p>
<p>Because — wake up call! — it’s a <em>reference</em> book, not the latest Jack Reacher.</p>
<h2>#6. You Secretly Stalk the Person Who Owns <em>YourName</em>.com</h2>
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<p>I was lucky. I grabbed my personal domain before anyone else could.</p>
<p>But if you have a popular birth name, or you were just too slow to the punch, your best options may already have gone. And that really stings.</p>
<p>Because when your name’s John Brown, telling people your treasured home on the Internet is TheRealJohnWBrown.info is plain embarrassing.</p>
<p>And that’s why you secretly stalk the person who nabbed your name online. You stake out their website, mentally mocking their pathetic efforts while waiting patiently for the right moment to pounce.</p>
<p>Because one day, they’ll forget to renew that domain and then, my friend, victory will be yours.</p>
<h2>#7. You’ve Felt the Pain of “Lapsers Remorse”</h2>
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<p>Sometimes you see a domain for what it is — a dumb impulse purchase you’ll never be able to use or resell.</p>
<p>Maybe you tried to <a href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-blogging" title="make money">make money</a> by listing it for sale at a couple of domain marketplaces but didn’t get the faintest sniff of interest.</p>
<p>So when it comes up for renewal, you do the sensible thing and let it lapse. You even feel good about your level-headed decision.</p>
<p>Weeks later, you casually check to see if anyone’s re-registered it and find it’s now listed on a “premium domains” site for $3,000!</p>
<p>Of course, just because it’s listed for thousands doesn’t mean it’s worth thousands.</p>
<p>But you can’t escape the feeling you let a valuable domain slip through your fingers.</p>
<h2>#8. You’re Considering a Domain-Inspired Career Move</h2>
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<p>Sometimes you’ll stumble across a domain name that’s so good you simply <em>have</em> to own it… even though it’s totally unrelated to your work or hobbies.</p>
<p>The smart move would be to snag it and sell it for a profit to someone who <em>can</em> make good use of it. But like Gollum and that damned ring, you can’t quite bring yourself to part with it.</p>
<p>So your brain starts to explore a future possible world where you <em>become</em> the person for whom this is the perfect domain.</p>
<p>Sure it means throwing away years of hard-won experience and <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog" title="starting a blog">starting a blog</a> in a new field.</p>
<p>But finding a domain <em>this</em> good must be a signal from the universe, right?</p>
<h2>#9. You Lose Interest in Domains Moments After Buying Them</h2>
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<p>Once the buzz of snagging the name you’ve been lusting after subsides, a faint sense of regret can quickly follow.</p>
<p>“I can’t believe nobody bought this yet,” quickly turns to, “I can’t believe I just bought that.”</p>
<p>And the longer you hold onto a domain, the more money you rack up in wasted renewal fees.</p>
<p>The best way to take your mind off this painful predicament? Start scouting for your next domain name.</p>
<h2>#10. You Have a Conspiracy Theory about Domain Registrars</h2>
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<p>Maybe this happened to you…</p>
<p>One day you check a new domain and find it available for the regular price. The next day it’s suddenly a “premium” domain, commanding several thousand dollars.</p>
<p>And you can’t help but wonder:</p>
<p><em>Did my search alert the registrar to the juicy potential of this previously unrecognized name?</em></p>
<p>You wouldn’t be alone in your suspicions. Type “do domain registrars” into Google and “steal domains?” is the top auto-complete suggestion.</p>
<p>Are registrars capable of dirty tricks like this? Maybe. It’s difficult to be sure.</p>
<p>But paranoid thoughts like these might be the first sign your harmless hobby is turning into a dangerous addiction.</p>
<h2>Learn to Spot the Signs of Addiction Before It’s Too Late</h2>
<p>Domain name addiction is real. And it can wreck your life if you don’t catch it in time.</p>
<p>If you suspect you might be addicted, ask yourself the following questions:</p>
<ul>
<li>Do you visit domain registration sites several times a day?</li>
<li>Do you lie to friends and family about how many domains you own?</li>
<li>Do you often “binge” and buy multiple domains at once?</li>
</ul>
<p>If so, you’re likely a <em>domain name junkie</em>.</p>
<p>The good news? With the right support, a full recovery is possible.</p>
<p>But you must take that crucial first step. Acknowledge your addiction.</p>
<p>So repeat after me:</p>
<p>“I’m a domain name junkie. And today’s the day I get help.”</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author:</strong> Glen Long is Smart Blogger’s operations guy and a recovering domain name junkie. He’s holding a “yard sale” of the best blogging, copywriting and content marketing domains that he’s collected over the years — <a href="https://glenlong.com/domains" target="_blank">go check it out</a>.<br /></div>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/domain-name-junkie/">10 Things You’ll Only Understand If You’re a Domain Name Junkie</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
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source <a href="https://smartblogger.com/domain-name-junkie/">https://smartblogger.com/domain-name-junkie/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-14707136874056638642019-01-23T05:08:00.001-08:002019-01-23T05:08:23.084-08:00Goal-setting for Bloggers: How to Get More Done That Matters<p>Are you accomplishing your blogging goals?</p>
<p>Are you failing on your New Year's resolutions?</p>
<p>In this episode, you will discover how to get more done that actually matters.</p>
<h3>Listen to the episode</h3>
<p><iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/563338491&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%" height="166" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote>
<p>“A goal without a plan is just a wish” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry</p>
</blockquote>
<p><img class="alignright wp-image-26416 size-medium" title="Goal-setting for bloggers" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/343_Goal_Setting_for_Bloggers_Pinterest-350x525.png" alt="Goal-setting for bloggers" width="350" height="525" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/343_Goal_Setting_for_Bloggers_Pinterest-350x525.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/343_Goal_Setting_for_Bloggers_Pinterest-683x1024.png 683w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/343_Goal_Setting_for_Bloggers_Pinterest.png 735w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />I have a confession to make. Over the last 7 or 8 years, I've been a part of an amazing mastermind group.</p>
<p>And at the beginning of the year, we get together to talk about our goals. Every year, I write down my goals for that year and share it with the other members of the group.</p>
<p>We all do it. Yet, if I'm to be perfectly honest, I can't remember accomplishing any of the goals I shared with my mastermind groups.</p>
<p>They are usually large goals, and I find myself putting most of those goals back on my list the next year.</p>
<p>However, over the last month or so, I've made more progress towards my goals than I'd made in entire years previously. Why? Because of the process I've gone through.</p>
<p>A process that I believe can change your life like it has changed mine. One that will make you way more productive. But there's good news and bad news.</p>
<p>The bad news: It's going to take AT LEAST 10 to 20 hours to get set up.</p>
<p>The good news: It'll save you a ton of time and help you get WAY more done.</p>
<p>And I want to challenge you to take this seriously. You in? Then keep reading.</p>
<h2>Goal-setting for Bloggers</h2>
<p><img class="alignright wp-image-26417 size-medium" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/01_Setting_goals-350x350.png" alt="Accomplishing goals" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/01_Setting_goals-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/01_Setting_goals-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/01_Setting_goals-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/01_Setting_goals-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/01_Setting_goals-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/01_Setting_goals-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/01_Setting_goals.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></p>
<p>In order to accomplish your blogging goals, it's important for you to spend the time to work out your blogging goals.</p>
<p>In order to accomplish the blogging goals that really matter, they need to be understood and evaluated in the proper context.</p>
<p>Here are the steps I recommend you take.</p>
<h3>Step 1 – Write down (and break down) your life goals</h3>
<p>Wait a minute Leslie? Why are we going so deep so fast?</p>
<p>Here's the fact – it will take a whole lot of work to accomplish your blogging goals, especially if they are big goals.</p>
<p>Starting with your life goals helps to give your blogging goals context. It helps you to get clear on your “why”.</p>
<p>In the episode, I walk you through a more detailed process for coming up with your life goals.</p>
<h3>Step 2 – Write down (and break down) your business goals</h3>
<p>Once you understand your life goals, it's important to then think about your business goals in the context of those life goals.</p>
<p><img class="alignright wp-image-26418 size-medium" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/02_Writing_goals-350x350.png" alt="Write down your goals" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/02_Writing_goals-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/02_Writing_goals-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/02_Writing_goals-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/02_Writing_goals-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/02_Writing_goals-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/02_Writing_goals-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/02_Writing_goals.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></p>
<p>If you're reading this, you are most likely trying to start a blog as a business. You're not just in it to have an outlet. You want to actually make money from it.</p>
<p>Well if that's the case, you want to set some goals for where you want your business to go. And from there, you can move on to the next step.</p>
<h3>Step 3 – Write down (and break down) your blogging goals</h3>
<p>Now that you have your business goals, it's time to focus on your blogging goals in that context. By doing it this way, you know that your blogging goals will help you meet your business goals.</p>
<p>And since your business goals are in the context of your life goals, what you do with your blog will help you to accomplish your life goals.</p>
<p>I highly recommend for you to listen to the episode above to see how this all plays out.</p>
<h2>How to Break Down Your Goals</h2>
<p>In order to break down your goals, there are a few important questions that you want to answer. I also recommend that you write down your answers to these questions.</p>
<h3>What is the goal?</h3>
<p><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26419" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/03_Break_down_goals-_ask_questions-350x350.png" alt="goal-setting questions" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/03_Break_down_goals-_ask_questions-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/03_Break_down_goals-_ask_questions-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/03_Break_down_goals-_ask_questions-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/03_Break_down_goals-_ask_questions-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/03_Break_down_goals-_ask_questions-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/03_Break_down_goals-_ask_questions-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/03_Break_down_goals-_ask_questions.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />This is where you want to get specific. It's not good enough to say I want to make money with my blog. It's better to say I want to make money by selling my first product by a specific date.</p>
<p>Or I want to grow my email list to 10,000 subscribers by the end of the year. Write down your goal and be specific.</p>
<h3>Why do I want to accomplish that goal?</h3>
<p>If you understand why you want to accomplish your goal, you'll be more likely to accomplish it. Write down your “why” for each goal in one sentence.</p>
<p>If you can't come up with a reason why then it shouldn't be on your goal list.</p>
<h3>What are the benefits of reaching that goal?</h3>
<p>If you're setting a goal, there will be benefits associated with that goal. What are they? Write them down for each of your goals. If you can't think of any benefits, I can't think of a reason why you'd want to accomplish that particular goal.</p>
<h3>What are the pains associated with not reaching that goal?</h3>
<p>One of the things I've learned on my journey as a blogger is that people are more likely to take action to solve a specific pain point in their lives.</p>
<p>Getting clear on the pains that are associated with not accomplishing your goal will make you want to fight more to accomplish your goal.</p>
<h3>What do I need to know to accomplish my goal?</h3>
<p>This is where education comes in. To get to where you want to get, you will have to learn certain things. You can take courses, listen to podcasts, and even read books to help you learn what you need to learn.</p>
<p>However, you need to be clear on what you need to learn so that you can pursue those resources.</p>
<h3>Who do I need to engage to help me accomplish that goal?</h3>
<p>No man is an island. In order to get to where you want to be, there are people out there that can help you. Knowing who those people are will help you plan out your strategy from connecting with them and engaging them in the right way.</p>
<h3>What steps do I need to take?</h3>
<p>This is where the rubber meets the road. It's important to come up with a plan of attack. You may not know everything that needs to be done right now. But you can at least come up with a plan of things to do to figure out what needs to be done.</p>
<p>Come up with a plan so that you can know what to act on.</p>
<h3>When will I accomplish each goal by?</h3>
<p>It's important to set a date. Then your goal becomes real. If your anything like me, setting that specific date will help you to push harder as that date slowly creeps up on you.</p>
<h2>Tracking your progress</h2>
<p><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26420" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/04_Track_your_progress_-_choose_3_goals-350x350.png" alt="Tracking goals" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/04_Track_your_progress_-_choose_3_goals-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/04_Track_your_progress_-_choose_3_goals-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/04_Track_your_progress_-_choose_3_goals-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/04_Track_your_progress_-_choose_3_goals-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/04_Track_your_progress_-_choose_3_goals-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/04_Track_your_progress_-_choose_3_goals-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/04_Track_your_progress_-_choose_3_goals.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />Now that you've broken down your goals, it's important to have a way to track your progress. It's what you do on a daily and weekly basis that will contribute to the goals that you reach on a monthly and yearly basis.</p>
<p>And tracking your progress will help you to continually be aware of where you are in the process and what's left to be done.</p>
<p>Here are my recommendations:</p>
<h3>Choose 3 – 5 goals to start working on</h3>
<p>Now that you have your huge list of goals, it can be overwhelming to try to attack them all. In fact, it's virtually impossible and you will be easily discouraged.</p>
<p>That's why I recommend choosing 3 – 5 goals to start with. These are the goals you'll be focused on right now.</p>
<h3>Set Weekly goals</h3>
<p>At the beginning of each week, determine what you need to accomplish that week to get you closer to accomplishing those 3 – 5 goals by the dates you specified.</p>
<p>Write those down at the top of your weekly planner, which can be a simple notebook or something like <a href="https://amzn.to/2WbDKpb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Performance Planner</a> by Zig Ziglar.</p>
<h3>Plan your daily schedule and task for tomorrow</h3>
<p>Every day, it's important to plan out the next day's schedule and tasks. The last thing you want is to wake up uncertain about what needs to be done.</p>
<p>Your goal is to jump to action as soon as you start your day. Knowing what to do beforehand is essential.</p>
<p>Of course, make sure the tasks your write down will help you accomplish the goals you are focused on accomplishing that week.</p>
<h3>Reflect daily on what you accomplished</h3>
<p>At the end of each day, take note of what tasks you complete.</p>
<p>More importantly, which goals didn't you work on. Make a note of that. You won't work on every goal every day. However, if you keep seeing a goal show up as not being worked on, that will prompt you to add tasks related to that goal on future days.</p>
<h3>Reflect weekly on what you accomplished</h3>
<p>It's also important to evaluate how your week went. Where are you in terms of your goals? What did you accomplish? Where could you use some improvement?</p>
<p>What didn't you work on as much as you would like?</p>
<h2>Bringing it together</h2>
<p>I know – the plan that I'm proposing here will take a lot of work. You're welcome!</p>
<p>Accomplishing your goals takes work. The problem is that most people are already doing the work, but are not doing the right things to help them accomplish their goals.</p>
<p>By having the clarity I outlined in this episode, you'll gain the confidence to know that you're not wasting time. And when it's all said and done, you'll be checking those goals off quicker than ever before.</p>
<p>So what do you say? Will you take me up on this challenge? If so, let me know in the comments area below.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/26414/goal-setting-bloggers-get-more-done/">Goal-setting for Bloggers: How to Get More Done That Matters</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.becomeablogger.com">Become A Blogger</a> by <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/author/becomeablogger/">Leslie Samuel</a>.</p>
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source <a href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/26414/goal-setting-bloggers-get-more-done/">https://www.becomeablogger.com/26414/goal-setting-bloggers-get-more-done/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-54488943781423341052019-01-10T08:21:00.001-08:002019-01-10T08:21:13.160-08:00The 9 Best Affiliate Networks for Earning Passive Income in 2019Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-50726922758932907152019-01-04T09:53:00.001-08:002019-01-04T09:53:39.013-08:00How to Start a Blog (and Make Money) in 2019: 20X Faster MethodDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-4081097006859885982018-12-13T09:52:00.001-08:002018-12-13T09:52:25.299-08:007 Membership Sites that Make $100K+ Per Year (Real Examples)<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/membership-sites.jpg' /></p>
<p>Chances are, you’ve heard about people starting membership sites and making buckets of money.</p>
<p>Maybe you’re a little skeptical, and rightfully so. We all know better than to believe everything we read on the Internet.</p>
<p>But here’s the real question:</p>
<p>Should YOU start a membership site? Could YOU realistically expect to make any money?</p>
<p>And that’s a tough one to answer.</p>
<p>If you Google it, you’ll find lots of <em>how to’s</em> for getting a membership site up and running, but nothing about how to figure out if a membership site will work for you.</p>
<p>What if your niche is the exception, and you pour days and dollars into setting one up and it bellyflops. And what’s more — and this is kinda embarrassing — you’re not even sure <em>exactly what</em> a membership site is.</p>
<p>I get it. In fact, I felt like a fool a while back when I was curious about the same thing. I’ll bet we’re not the only ones too. So, I’m going to clear it all up for you.</p>
<p>Let’s start at the beginning…</p>
<h2>What is a Membership Site?</h2>
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<p>For the sake of this post, we’ll define a membership site as any part of your online business that contains gated content (information behind a log in). A gate is simply a barrier to limit access to your content to those who pay or you decide to let in. And once inside, they get access to exclusive content and membership privileges.</p>
<p>Think of it like a gym membership.</p>
<p>Before you’re allowed to pass the turnstiles, you’ve got to sign up as a paid member or for a free-trial. Once you’re inside, you have access to everything, usually on an unlimited basis.</p>
<p>Sometimes you can also have different membership levels. One level might have access to all the fitness machines, while another level up gives you access to a sauna and heated pool.</p>
<p>Simple enough, right?</p>
<p>Well, membership sites work the same way. Before you can get access to their content, you have to become a member, and you can also offer different levels of membership with varying benefits.</p>
<p>It’s the same idea as a gym membership, except on the Internet. That’s pretty much the only difference.</p>
<p>Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s look at why a membership site is a smart idea.</p>
<h2>3 Reasons You Should Build a Membership Site</h2>
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<p>Put simply, membership sites are a blazing-great way to <a href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-blogging/" title="monetize your blog">monetize your blog</a>.</p>
<p>How exactly? Well, the money flows because of three key reasons:</p>
<h3>Reason #1. Leverage</h3>
<p>Membership sites allow you to leverage your time and content in two ways:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Your content is a reusable asset.</strong> You can create it once and sell it to hundreds or even thousands of students for years to come.</li>
<li><strong>Membership sites can be totally automated.</strong> How dreamy is the idea of having a hands-off campaign that invites people to buy into your membership program while you’re sipping margaritas on the beach somewhere?</li>
</ol>
<h3>Reason #2. Value</h3>
<p>Weirdly, people <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/people-dont-value-free-stuff-2017-6?IR=T" target="_blank">value things they pay for</a> <em>more</em> than they value a freebie.</p>
<p>So in their eyes, your paid membership site content is more valuable than free information.</p>
<p>What’s more, once cash is exchanged, they’re more likely to take action and achieve results that get you rave reviews (which equals more sales).</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ramit-sethi-quote.png" alt="Ramit Sethi quote" width="700" height="547" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12007" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ramit-sethi-quote.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ramit-sethi-quote-150x117.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ramit-sethi-quote-256x200.png 256w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>There’s also an interesting money-credibility thing going on in cyberspace.</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ve noticed how easy it is for any old Joe to jump on Facebook live and create online content nowadays. It’s led to a rather strange online phenomenon, I call the ‘<em>credibility gap’.</em> Meaning, even though content volume is going up, trust in most free online content is going down.</p>
<p>So, why not play this to your advantage?</p>
<p>How?</p>
<p>I’ll explain. People attribute a higher level of credibility and trust to paid content, right?</p>
<p>Which means they’ll attribute higher value to any content locked behind the gates of your membership site. What’s more, existing members are more likely to upsell from within your membership site. Once they trust you, they’ll trust all your content.</p>
<p>And finally, let’s flip to your prospect’s perspective.</p>
<p>By packaging everything they need and presenting it with a bow and a roadmap, you’re making it <em>easy</em> for them. You’re also saving them tons of <em>time</em>.</p>
<p>No longer do they need to cartwheel about the internet piecing things together. You’ve given them one simple place to access everything they need and they’ll pay you for that simplicity.</p>
<h3>Reason #3. Tribe</h3>
<p>People love being surrounded by a tribe of people just like them, united by common interest, with similar problems and worries to chat about.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seth-godin-tribe-quote.png" alt="Seth Godin - Tribe Quote" width="700" height="547" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12022" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seth-godin-tribe-quote.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seth-godin-tribe-quote-150x117.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seth-godin-tribe-quote-256x200.png 256w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>And membership sites build tribes. They provide people with a place to hang out, belong to and feel part of something bigger than themselves. It’s the vibe of your tribe that will make people stay, pay and play.</p>
<p>Let’s not forget that every tribe has a leader too. One with unique character. </p>
<p>On the surface it may seem as if people are just buying your content, but it’s really your character and personality they’re buying.</p>
<p>They want to <em>be like you</em> on some level. They’ll connect with your character through the tone of your writing or the personality you show in videos. And it’s this that they’ll return for over and over again with credit card in hand.</p>
<p>You’re convinced now, right?</p>
<p>Hmmm, I have an inkling you’re still wondering.</p>
<p>You know it’s a good idea. But… what if your <em>niche</em> is the exception? What if <em>you</em> are the exception?</p>
<p>Let’s take look at a few successful membership sites that all make over 100K so you’ve got some proof.</p>
<h2>Successful Membership Site Examples</h2>
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<h3>Site #1. <a href="http://www.orchidsmadeeasy.com/" target="_blank">Orchids Made Easy</a></h3>
<p>Growing orchids is a popular and ongoing hobby with hungry orchid enthusiasts worldwide. Ryan ‘the orchid guy’ has created a fantastic character story and feeds his members with continuous drip fed content via a monthly membership subscription to his Green Thumb Club. Members can join at a low starting price for a month so they can test the waters.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/orchids-made-easy.png" alt="Orchids Made Easy" width="671" height="621" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12006" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/orchids-made-easy.png 671w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/orchids-made-easy-150x139.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/orchids-made-easy-216x200.png 216w" sizes="(max-width: 671px) 100vw, 671px" /></div>
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<h3>Site #2. <a href="https://www.thegamechangers.com.au/" target="_blank">The Game Changers</a></h3>
<p>A specialist in the business coaching niche, Barry Magliarditi guides his members on an ongoing development journey that dives into the structures, systems and mindset that fuel business growth. He offers a fixed fee membership to his Opulence Program which has three tiers of access. In other words, the more you pay, the more access you get to one-to-one advice.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/the-game-changers-opulence-university.png" alt="The Gamer Changers - Opulence University" width="700" height="350" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12011" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/the-game-changers-opulence-university.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/the-game-changers-opulence-university-150x75.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/the-game-changers-opulence-university-300x150.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>Site #3. <a href="https://smartblogger.com/" target="_blank">Smart Blogger</a></h3>
<p>Of course you know this one, but it’s totally worthy of a mention. As a leader in the blogging niche, Smart Blogger offers high-quality online courses to paying members. Programs such as Serious Bloggers Only and Freedom Machine are a phenomenal guide for members to navigate <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog/" title="how to start a blog">how to start a blog</a> and <a href="https://smartblogger.com/passive-income/" title="passive income">monetize</a> it.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seriousbloggersonly.png" alt="Serious Bloggers Only" width="700" height="566" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12008" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seriousbloggersonly.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seriousbloggersonly-150x121.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seriousbloggersonly-247x200.png 247w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>Site # 4. <a href="https://ladyboss.com/go" target="_blank">Lady Boss Weightloss</a></h3>
<p>Losing weight is a never ending plight for millions of people. Kaelin Tuell Poulin has created a paid 28-day challenge membership site filled with stacks of advice that gets real results. People start by joining for a 7-day free trial. Her style is authoritative and her character has a popular zero to hero story. She offers lifetime access to her content, plus a strong community for support and accountability.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/lady-boss-weightloss.png" alt="Lady Boss Weightloss" width="700" height="462" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12004" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/lady-boss-weightloss.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/lady-boss-weightloss-150x99.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/lady-boss-weightloss-300x198.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>Site #5. <a href="https://www.magneticmemorymethod.com/" target="_blank">Magnetic Memory Method</a></h3>
<p>Anthony Metivier’s membership offers free content, products and a fantastic blog on the surface.</p>
<p>Yet, the success of his behind the scenes membership program demonstrates the power of a narrow and focussed niche with a strong sales funnel.</p>
<p>He leads people gently, builds trust and engages them as he moves them into his fixed-term online program. He also offers a continuity program for those who want to stay — and many do!</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/magnetic-memory-method.png" alt="Magnetic Memory Method" width="700" height="358" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12005" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/magnetic-memory-method.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/magnetic-memory-method-150x77.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/magnetic-memory-method-300x153.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>Site #6. <a href="https://www.succulentsandsunshine.com/premium-course/" target="_blank">Succulents and Sunshine</a></h3>
<p>Cassidy Tuttle’s online business is a thriving success that uses a hybrid of <a href="https://smartblogger.com/affiliate-marketing/" title="affiliat">affiliate</a> commissions, display ads, ebook sales and a gated online course as income. She offers “easy access to all the resources and information you need to successfully grow succulents… all in one convenient place”, and has rave reviews as social proof on her site.</p>
<p>Her site boasts lots of free content. But the premium content and one-to-one access to her advice is behind the paid gates of her online course. Smart!</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/succulents-and-sunshine.png" alt="Succulents and Sunshine" width="700" height="426" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12010" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/succulents-and-sunshine.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/succulents-and-sunshine-150x91.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/succulents-and-sunshine-300x183.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h3>Site #7. <a href="https://www.janspiller.com/membership-benefits/" target="_blank">Jan Spiller Astrology</a></h3>
<p>In full disclosure, I couldn’t get confirmation that this site made over $100K, but it’s pretty safe to say it’s doing well given the length of time it’s been around.</p>
<p>Long-term survival in the online world is dependent upon income and a hungry market.</p>
<p>The unique traits of this membership site are the ongoing and endless drip feed of readings and charts offered through a tiered membership model. Natal charts and astrological weather seem to be high value in this magical niche.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/jan-spiller-astrology.png" alt="Jan Spiller Astrology" width="700" height="454" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12003" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/jan-spiller-astrology.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/jan-spiller-astrology-150x97.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/jan-spiller-astrology-300x195.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>There’s no denying success can be had in a huge variety of niches. Let’s wrap it all the learnings in in a few lesson’s to give you crystal ball clarity.</p>
<h2>Lessons Learned from $100K Membership Sites</h2>
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<p>It’s apparent that success is possible for membership sites in a wide variety of niches. And you’ve no doubt noticed that there are different models for membership sites.</p>
<p>The trouble is, they all overlap in a blur of confused boundaries that leave you wondering exactly what would work for you.</p>
<p>To help, there are two distinct levels of difference you need to be aware of… the membership models and the variables.</p>
<p>Let’s dive in…</p>
<h3>The Three Core Membership Models</h3>
<h4>The Fix Model</h4>
<p>Fix model membership sites are focussed on one thing — they solve a distinct problem. The problem can be a specific fix, such as how to grow a healthy succulent or how to write a novel. Or, they can fix a longer term problem such as how to scale a business — often solved through three, six or twelve month program.</p>
<h4>The Motivate Model</h4>
<p>When people are faced with a goal that they’re likely to struggle with alone, such as weight loss, fitness goals or a new diet, having an external source of motivation is often the difference that makes the difference.</p>
<p>Paid access to challenges that have motivational communities to share struggles in are perfect for this membership model.</p>
<h4>The Hangout Model</h4>
<p>Otherwise known as the community model, this type of membership site offers people a place to connect and belong. Members are often united towards a common cause or passion such as gardening, cooking or writing.</p>
<p>On the surface they’ll appear to join because they want to solve a problem, yet they’re more hobbyists at heart and their love for their ‘thing’ drives them to be around others who speak their secret language.</p>
<p>Once you know which model suits you best you can customise your membership site by deciding from the following variables.</p>
<h3>The Five Core Membership Site Variables</h3>
<h4>Fixed Fee or Monthly Payments</h4>
<p>If you choose the Fix model then a fixed fee works well. Prices can vary from a $27 online course to a $3,000 plus online program. It’s all about how much value you offer. The hangout model is perfect for a monthly payment structure as people will pay to stay as long as you continue to provide regular high-value new content.</p>
<h4>Content Type</h4>
<p>When it comes to content, you’ve got an enormous range of choice.</p>
<p>Depending on your model, you can use video (live or you talking to slides), worksheets, workbooks, photos and mock-up illustrations, photography, quizzes, charts, graphs, interactive spreadsheets, Facebook live videos, webinars and so on.</p>
<p>As long as it’s online and accessible within a gated forum or platform, you’re good to go.</p>
<p>See, even <a href="https://store.iqmatrix.com/" target="_blank">mind-maps</a> work as membership site content.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/iq-matrix.png" alt="IQ Matrix" width="700" height="413" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12002" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/iq-matrix.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/iq-matrix-150x89.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/iq-matrix-300x177.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<h4>Drip or Immersion Access</h4>
<p>Deciding when your members will get access to all of their content immediately or not is personal preference. You can choose to drip feed content to members daily, weekly or monthly to protect your content.</p>
<p>Drip fed content is perfect if you offer a free trial or want to build excitement and suspension.</p>
<p>Or, you can throw members into the deep end with full immersion access on day one and let them work as fast, or as slow as they choose.</p>
<h4>Lifetime or Fixed-Term</h4>
<p>There are no hard and fast rules here. Lifetime access provides paying members to ongoing ‘forever’ access to the course or content they’ve paid for. This works well for bigger, more detailed courses that take a long time to complete.</p>
<p>Fixed-term access is perfect to create a sense of urgency to encourage members to complete the course. It also opens the door to offer a continuity program for those who haven’t finished within the fixed term and want to retain access.</p>
<h4>Tiered or Single-Level</h4>
<p>Single-level access means a fixed program structure. You may have one or more programs that solve a specific problem, which is best suited to a dedicated, single-level or set structure.</p>
<p>Or, you may offer a program, in which three tiers works best. You can offer online access as a base level and leverage one-to-one access to you at your top level.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/three-tier-program.png" alt="Three-Tier Program" width="700" height="525" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12012" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/three-tier-program.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/three-tier-program-150x113.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/three-tier-program-267x200.png 267w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p> <br />
It’s pretty clear that membership sites can work in a huge range of niches. And they’re a great way to leverage your time to create the income you know could change your life and give you the freedom you crave.</p>
<p>But that’s not the real issue here is it? Could it be that a sneaky fear of not being up to the task is lurking behind the clumsy charade of ‘will it work for me’?</p>
<p>You’d be inhuman if it wasn’t.</p>
<p>Regardless, now is the time to step up and decide. Because you’re only ever one decision away from changing your life. Could this be one of those decisions?</p>
<p>I’m guessing though, because you’re a passionate blogger with your heart set on spreading your message, that you’re keen to discover a bit more about how to build a membership site.</p>
<h2>How to Build Your Membership Site</h2>
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<p>If you’re up for playing a bigger game, rather than giving in to those progress-halting worries of yesterday, you’re ready to create a membership site to leverage your time and make money faster. Fantastic!</p>
<p>But, just as you’re enjoying your moment of excited inspiration, you wonder what is the best platform to build your membership site with?</p>
<p>Well, your options fit into two broad categories — a WordPress Plugin or a non-Wordpress All-in-One platform.</p>
<p>Let’s take a look.</p>
<h3>WordPress Plugins</h3>
<p>If you’ve already got an existing WordPress website oozing with content and attracting traffic, then a plugin may be the best option.</p>
<p>Using a plugin gives your readers a sense of familiarity as you can maintain brand consistency and probably reuse your existing website theme.</p>
<p>Plugins makes marketing simple as you can install a ‘log in’ button on your existing home page and avoid having to create a new domain name as well. Plugins these days are remarkably easy to get up and running too — even for non-techies.</p>
<p>Here are a few options for you:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://member.wishlistproducts.com/" target="_blank">Memberpress</a> — MemberPress will help you build astounding WordPress membership sites, accept credit cards securely, control who sees your content and sell digital downloads … all without the difficult setup.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.learndash.com/wordpress-course-plugin-features/" target="_blank">Learndash</a> — a powerful WordPress plug in with course builder, quizzes, cart, group management and is compatible with any theme.</li>
<li><a href="https://restrictcontentpro.com/" target="_blank">Restrict Content Pro</a> — a seriously top-level and increasingly popular membership plugin that offers all the features you could want.</li>
<li><a href="https://memberium.com/" target="_blank">Memberium</a> — Built exclusively for WordPress and Infusionsoft™, Memberium is the perfect tool for creating scalable membership sites.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Non-Wordpress All-in-Ones</h3>
<p>Perfect for bloggers or online newbies who don’t yet have a fully fledged website or tech stack in place, an all-in-one platform makes things ridiculously easy. Just pay a subscription and have fun with the drag and drop builders to customise and upload your content.</p>
<p>You’ll also benefit from a host of extras such as payment systems and course builders plus marketing and email automation options as well. Job done.</p>
<p>Here are a few of the players worth considering in this space:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://newkajabi.com/">Kajabi</a> — the all-in-one tool for those who want it all and want it simple. Websites, membership sites, landing pages, quizzes, online courses, webinars and payments.</li>
<li><a href="https://teachable.com/" target="_blank">Teachable</a> — With just a few clicks, you’ll get a fully functioning school with learning management, payment gateways, and sales and marketing tools.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thinkific.com/">Thinkific</a> — drag and drop design, customised pricing and cart for those who want to educate with confidence.</li>
<li><a href="https://home.kartra.com/">Kartra</a> — this relative newbie packs a punch as it does every-single-online-thing you’ll ever need. Pre-written funnels, email marketing, membership sites, analytics and everything else. </li>
<li><a href="https://simplero.com/">Simplero</a> — Action packed ALL in one for your website, membership site, email and business management, CRM, hosting, payments, marketing — everything you’ll need to be online in one place.</li>
<li><a href="https://accessally.com/">AccessAlly</a> — if you’re ready for upselling and sophisticated marketing as well as a solid course builder with gamification and more, AccessAlly is a great option.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Is a Membership Site for You?</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Starting a membership site isn’t for everyone. It takes a certain kind of person to jump into content and community management like this.</p>
<p>Yet, for a blogger who is serious about monetizing, it’s a road worth considering. Seriously. </p>
<p>Because it’s a way to build a following and an income — fast.</p>
<p>A membership site means you’ll build your name with credibility, trust and value. It’ll make you stand out from the crowd as an online entrepreneur with a character people love.</p>
<p>Because you’ll be someone who offers a solution to fix problems, motivates people beyond that which they can achieve alone and you’ll give them a place they want to hang out.</p>
<p>But only you know if you’re up to the task.</p>
<p>Only you know if you’re disciplined enough to map out a vision, a structure and create the content you need.</p>
<p>Only you know if you’re up to taking the leap and taking charge of your future.</p>
<p>So what do you say?</p>
<p>Are you up for it? Or not?</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author:</strong> Miranda Hill is a qualified coach, behavioral profiler and writer who helps people to master their performance in business and life. As a published blogger and ghostwriter, she helps entrepreneurs to trade confusion for clarity. Trained in many coaching models, she’s developed her guide 1<a href="https://grablifego.com/writersmindset/">0 Mindset Secrets That Set Truly Successful Writers Apart</a> so you can boost your writing results.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/membership-sites/">7 Membership Sites that Make $100K+ Per Year (Real Examples)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
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Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-70660341327044614022018-11-29T08:05:00.001-08:002018-11-29T08:05:58.039-08:00How to Become a Freelance Writer and Get Paid $200 – $1K per Post<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/how-to-become-a-freelance-writer.jpg' /></p>
<p>Imagine you’re sitting in a lounge chair on the beach, staring out over the glittering sea, the ocean breeze ruffling your hair, listening to the slow, steady rhythm of the waves.</p>
<p>It’s peaceful. Perfect for thinking.</p>
<p>And so you do, scribbling down your thoughts with one hand and drinking a martini with the other.</p>
<p>You’re a freelance writer. You get paid to write for websites, magazines, corporate clients — all different types of gigs.</p>
<p>And it’s work you can do from anywhere.</p>
<p>One week, you’re on the beach. The next, perhaps you’re in the mountains. The week after that, you’re visiting family.</p>
<p>Sounds like a dream, right? Like it can’t possibly be real?</p>
<p>But it is.</p>
<p>In this post, I’m going to teach you how to become a freelance writer. I’m also going to talk about what’s changed with freelance writing and what it really takes to build a career in today’s world, both as a full-time writer or just doing it on the side.</p>
<p>Because the career is real. The freedom is real. In fact, you might even say it’s easier than ever before. Here’s why:<br />
<span id="more-11306"></span></p>
<h2>The $412.88 Billion Opportunity for Writers</h2>
<p>That’s not a typo. 🙂</p>
<p>Have you noticed how just about every business has a website, blog, and Facebook page?</p>
<p>Maybe you’ve also noticed how the stuff most of them publish kinda sucks? Boring content, unprofessional spelling and grammatical mistakes, etc.</p>
<p>Well, that’s why <em>successful</em> businesses are hiring freelance writers in droves. In 2016, companies spent 195.58 billion on content marketing, and the research firm Technavio <a href="https://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/11/06/content-marketing-industry-be-worth-412bn-2021-following-four-year-growth-spurt" target="_blank">predicts spending will more than double</a> to 412.88 billion by 2021.</p>
<p>It’s the new normal, but here’s what’s crazy:</p>
<p>While businesses are well-aware of the importance of content marketing, writers are still stuck in the Stone Age of wanting to get published in magazines and newspapers. Yes, you can still make a living that way, but with an increasing number of publishers not paying writers at all, the competition for paying gigs is getting stiffer and stiffer.</p>
<p>With content marketing, on the other hand, there’s actually a <em>shortage</em> of writers. You can make a lot more money with way fewer headaches.</p>
<p>Here’s how to get started:</p>
<h2>How to Become a Freelance Writer</h2>
<h3>#1. Develop Your Content Creation Skills</h3>
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<p>Your skill at creating exceptional content will have more of an impact on how much money you make than anything else. Here’s why:</p>
<p>The companies paying the highest rates are the ones who understand the importance of quality content. They are happy to pay the best writers, because they believe (correctly) that it will help them dominate their competitors.</p>
<p><em>For a handy visual reminder of the ROI of content marketing, check out the image below (click to see a larger view):</em></p>
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<div class="screenshot"><a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-become-a-freelance-writer/?display=wide" title="How to Become a Freelance Writer and Get Paid $200 - $1K per Post from SmartBlogger.com"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/roi-of-content-marketing.png" alt="The ROI of Content Marketing" width="800" height="2500" class="display_wide alignnone size-full wp-image-11333" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/roi-of-content-marketing.png 800w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/roi-of-content-marketing-64x200.png 64w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/roi-of-content-marketing-768x2400.png 768w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/roi-of-content-marketing-328x1024.png 328w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></a></div>
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<p> <br />
<strong>Embed This Infographic On Your Site</strong></p>
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How to Become a Freelance Writer and Get Paid $200 – $1K per Post from SmartBlogger.com
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<p> </p>
<p>So how do you level up your skill at creating exceptional content?</p>
<p>The good news is, we have dozens of posts about that very topic here at Smart Blogger. Start with this one about <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-blog-post/" title="how to write a blog post">how to write a good blog post</a> and work your way through.</p>
<p>In particular, here are some of the most important content skills for you to develop:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Mastering content frameworks</strong>. The web is overflowing with list posts (i.e., 7 Ways to X) for a reason: they work. It’s not the only content framework, though. There are actually about a dozen proven frameworks, and the best freelance writers master as many as possible.</li>
<li><strong>Writing headlines</strong>. The headlines of your posts have a bigger impact on their traffic and overall success than any other factor. Get in the habit of brainstorming 5-10 per day. Like anything else, writing the perfect headline is mostly about practice.</li>
<li><strong>Thinking for yourself</strong>. Ever notice how most writers are just regurgitating the advice of other writers? Don’t be one of those. I’m not saying you have to be <em>entirely</em> original, but at least layer your own thoughts on top of the standard advice. It’ll give your writing a much greater sense of authority.</li>
<li><strong>Supporting points with examples</strong>. Instead of making a point and leaving it hanging there unsupported, get into the habit of backing up every point you make with an example. There are exceptions to this rule, but you’re far better off having too many examples than too few.</li>
<li><strong>Keeping the reader emotionally engaged</strong>. To get work as a freelance writer, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that your posts need to make logical sense, but you might not realize they also need to resonate with the emotions of the reader. The better you get at keeping readers emotionally engaged, the more shares you will get on your content, and you’ll be able to charge more.</li>
</ul>
<p>And while those are a good start, there’s one particular skill that’s so important it deserves its own point:</p>
<h3>#2. Up Your SEO Game</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Companies and agencies are more than happy to pay a little extra for someone who understands the basics of SEO.</p>
<p>The more intimate your understanding of keywords, user intent, and competitive analysis, the more likely your post is to rank well in the search engines. Therefore, your writing becomes more valuable.</p>
<p>Because put yourself in their shoes: wouldn’t you rather pay more for someone with a proven ability to rank? I certainly would, and so it makes sense to become that person.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Tip:</strong> here’s an extremely thorough <a href="https://backlinko.com/learn-seo-fast" target="_blank">SEO guide and resource list</a> from my buddy Brian Dean.<br /></div>
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<p>The strongest portfolio you can have is a collection of posts ranking on page 1 of Google. Sarah Peterson, for example, now makes over $1,000 per post, because she has a proven track record of ranking well.</p>
<p><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/002-posts-ranking-page-1-of-google.png" alt="Up Your SEO Game" width="700" height="343" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11310" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/002-posts-ranking-page-1-of-google.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/002-posts-ranking-page-1-of-google-300x147.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>Granted, it takes time to build that kind of portfolio. Let’s walk through the process, starting with what you do when you’re a total beginner.</p>
<h3>#3. Build a Portfolio of Sample Posts</h3>
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<p>You’d think it would be really hard to become a freelance writer without an extensive portfolio, right? After all, it’s proof for clients that you know what you’re doing.</p>
<p>But here’s the thing:</p>
<p>There are different levels of proof, starting with…</p>
<h4>Level 1: A Portfolio That Proves You Know How to Write a Decent Post</h4>
<p>You’d be surprised how many so-called “freelance writers” don’t understand how to write a proper blog post. I’d say it’s more than 80%, which sounds horrible, but it’s also a huge advantage if you <em>do</em> know how to write a good post.</p>
<p>Let’s say you’ve been working on your content skills (the first step above *cough*), and you’re getting comfortable writing different types of blog posts. Well, write a few <em>sample posts</em> to show off your skills.</p>
<p>If you have your own website, put them there. If not, it’s quick and easy to publish them on other <a href="https://smartblogger.com/blogging-platforms/" title="blogging platforms">blogging platforms</a> like Medium.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/003-publish-on-medium.png" alt="Publish on Medium" width="700" height="401" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11320" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/003-publish-on-medium.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/003-publish-on-medium-300x172.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>The best part is, you can do this in a matter of a week or two. Two or three posts is enough, and you don’t need anyone’s approval to publish them. If you don’t have a portfolio yet, it’s absolutely where you should start.</p>
<h4>Level 2: A Portfolio That Proves You Know What You’re Talking about</h4>
<p>Next, you want to build your credibility as a subject matter expert.</p>
<p>And I’m not just talking about demonstrating your expertise. This phase is also about showing you can get published on top publications.</p>
<p>Think about it… if you see someone writing on one of the top sites in your space, don’t you immediately assume they are an expert?</p>
<p>Well, that’s the kind of credibility you need. It’s also far easier to do than you might assume.</p>
<p>Because most big sites have stopped paying for content, they’re always looking for good writers. In our <a href="http://guestblogging.com" title="guest blogging" target="_blank">guest blogging program</a>, we’ve helped hundreds of new writers get published on sites like Forbes, Huffington Post, Scary Mommy, Lifehack, and dozens of others. I won’t say it’s easy, because it’s not, but it’s far easier than most people think. Here’s a <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/5-ways-to-feel-like-a-kid-again-even-if-youre-an-old-grouch_b_9147760" target="_blank">guest post</a> by Laura Tong published at Huffington Post:</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/004-build-portfolio-by-guestblogging.png" alt="Build a portfolio by guest blogging." width="700" height="489" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11328" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/004-build-portfolio-by-guestblogging.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/004-build-portfolio-by-guestblogging-286x200.png 286w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>I’m generalizing here, but for the most part, it’s about the pitch. If the editor likes your idea, and you follow up with a well-written piece, you can get published almost anywhere.</p>
<p>And that immediately helps make you a hot commodity as a freelance writer.</p>
<h4>Level 3: A Portfolio Showing Documented Results for Clients</h4>
<p>Finally, you want to prove you can get results for clients.</p>
<p>One way is to track shares and search engine rankings for the posts you write, like we discussed above for Sarah Peterson, but an even better way is to create case studies. Here’s an example from <a href="https://www.siegemedia.com/strategy/increase-website-traffic" target="_blank">Ross Hudgens of Siege Media</a>:</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/005-create-case-studies.png" alt="Create case studies" width="700" height="696" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11312" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/005-create-case-studies.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/005-create-case-studies-150x150.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/005-create-case-studies-201x200.png 201w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>He shows screenshots of increasing client traffic by 250,000 visits per month for three different clients. <em>Nothing is more compelling than that</em>. Granted, it’s super hard to do, but that’s what makes it so valuable.</p>
<p>Your long-term goal should be to develop that kind of proof for yourself. It might take you years, and that’s fine, because when you get there, it can literally make you one of the highest paid writers and consultants in the world.</p>
<h3>#4. Get Your First Paying Client</h3>
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<p>So, we’ve talked a lot about the skill and credibility aspects of becoming a freelance writer. What about getting clients? That’s the hard part, right?</p>
<p>In the beginning, yes. Eventually, top freelance writers end up getting more work than they can handle, mostly by referral, but getting those first few paying clients can be a real slog.</p>
<p>Here are some insider tips for getting started:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Keep an eye on agency job postings</strong>. One of the best potential clients is agencies, because they usually have an ongoing need for writers. Instead of only getting paid once, you can develop a relationship with a few and get new gigs for months or even years into the future. <a href="https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/directory/categories/agencies" target="_blank">Here’s a big list of content marketing agencies</a>.<br />
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/006-agency-job-postings.png" alt="Agency job postings" width="700" height="429" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11313" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/006-agency-job-postings.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/006-agency-job-postings-300x184.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p> <br />
There are two main ways of getting work from them. You can reach out to them and ask if they have any freelance work — a gutsy but effective approach — or you can keep an eye on their “careers” page.</p>
</li>
<li><strong>Pitch software company blogs</strong>. This might seem odd, but stick with me here for a moment. You want to work with businesses who have money to spend on marketing. Chances are, those companies are subscribed to various apps for email marketing, analytics, and so on. Most software companies in the marketing space (like Hubspot, Sumo, Ahrefs, etc.) also publish a great deal of content.<br />
<br />
So, who better to write for? You’re instantly getting in front of thousands of the right clients. Many of these blogs will also pay you to write for them, so in many cases you can get your first client while also prospecting for clients. What could be better than that?<br />
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/007-pitch-software-company-jobs.png" alt="Pitch software company jobs" width="700" height="348" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11314" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/007-pitch-software-company-jobs.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/007-pitch-software-company-jobs-300x149.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p> </p>
</li>
<li><strong>Link to your services in your byline</strong>. Let’s say you’re in “Phase 2” of the portfolio building process we walked through above, and you are writing some guest posts for top blogs in your space. You can mention it in your byline to attract clients. <a href="https://copyhackers.com/2018/11/how-to-be-a-freelance-copywriter/" target="_blank">Here’s an example</a> from Sophia Dagnon over at Copyhackers:<br />
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/008-link-to-services-in-your-byline.png" alt="Link to services in your byline" width="700" height="139" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11315" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/008-link-to-services-in-your-byline.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/008-link-to-services-in-your-byline-300x60.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p> </p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Before we move on, there’s one thing you SHOULDN’T do…</p>
<p>Compete against bottom dollar freelancers on sites like Upwork.</p>
<p>Yes, there’s always work available on sites like those, but generally speaking, it’s clueless, frustrating clients who will nickel and dime you over everything and never refer you other work. It’s better than nothing, I suppose, but I believe you’re far better off pursuing some of the options I mentioned above. Not only will you get paid more, but you’ll be treated better too, and it will be much easier to grow your client base.</p>
<h3>#5. Scale until You No Longer Want to</h3>
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<p>In the beginning, you’ll probably be thrilled just to get a client paying you to write a few articles on the side, but I think it’s useful to step back and think about how freelance writing fits into an overall career.</p>
<p>Here’s the career path for most freelance writers:</p>
<h4>Phase 1: A Nice Side Income</h4>
<p>Most people start writing just a few articles on the side, and I think that’s smart. You can learn the craft, build your connections, and make a few bucks on the side. Most likely, about $20-$25 per hour.</p>
<p>Is it going to make you rich? No, but it’s certainly not a bad side gig. A lot of part-timers clear $500-$1,000 per month from their writing.</p>
<p>Eventually, if you’re good, you’ll also start getting more work than you can handle in your spare time, and that’s when you can ponder moving on to the next phase.</p>
<h4>Phase 2: A Full-Time Job or Business</h4>
<p>When should you consider quitting your day job?</p>
<p>The easiest answer: whenever you feel confident your freelance writing could replace your salary. You can either…</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Go to work as a full-time content marketer</strong>. The number of job openings for full-time content marketers is exploding. Here’s <a href="https://www.conductor.com/blog/2018/04/digital-marketing-jobs/" target="_blank">a graph</a> of the job growth just from 2017 to 2018:<br />
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/010-content-marketing-job-growth.png" alt="Content marketing job growth" width="700" height="437" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11316" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/010-content-marketing-job-growth.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/010-content-marketing-job-growth-300x187.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p> </p>
</li>
<li><strong>Start your own content marketing agency</strong>. Once you’ve picked up a few clients, you can begin hiring people to work under you and grow your own miniature agency.</li>
</ol>
<p>Both options have big upsides. You can have a long, solid career as a content marketer working companies who truly appreciate it, and building an agency could potentially make you a millionaire.</p>
<p>At some point though, I’ve found that even the most successful writers usually end up moving on to…</p>
<h4>Phase 3: Starting Your Own Site</h4>
<p>In the past, you’ve probably thought of starting your own site as the first step, not the last, and it’s true — there’s nothing stopping you from starting your site right now.</p>
<p>But think about it for a moment…</p>
<p>Would you rather start your own site right now, spend a couple of years learning everything from scratch, and then slowly but surely begin to make money from it, or could it actually be a better option to go to work for someone else for a while, get paid while you learn, and then start your own site with several years of experience under your belt?</p>
<p>Over the years, I’ve noticed an increasing percentage of our students choosing the second option, and I think it makes sense. Yes, you can absolutely start your own site right now, and yes, you can be successful — we are the market leaders in helping people do exactly that — but it’s a tough road. You have to persistently put in the effort for years before it begins to pay off.</p>
<p>If you become a freelance writer and start working for other businesses, on the other hand, the payoff is fast. Probably a month or two to learn the basics and then another month or two to get your first client. While it might take you longer overall to build your own publishing powerhouse, it’s easier to stay persistent when money is coming in each and every time you publish an article.</p>
<p>The bottom line:</p>
<h2>You Can Make Good Money As a Writer</h2>
<p>It’s tragic how many writers think go into another career because they believe no one can make a living from it. It’s just not true.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s tough to make a living as an author. Yes, it’s difficult to scrape by writing for magazines and newspapers. Yes, there are plenty of would-be poets and novelists living under bridges.</p>
<p>But those are only a few types of writing.</p>
<p>If you want to make money as a writer, go where the money is. That’s what I did. I started out writing for other sites, took a full-time job at Copyblogger, and then branched off on my own — exactly the career path I described above.</p>
<p>The results?</p>
<p>About $5.3 million so far. In <a href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-blogging/" title="make money blogging">this case study</a>, I described exactly how I did it.</p>
<p>Oh, and did I mention I did it all from a wheelchair without being able to move from the neck down?</p>
<p>Yeah…</p>
<p>So please, don’t tell me you can’t make money as a freelance writer. You absolutely can.</p>
<p>You just have to be smart about it.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author:</strong> Jon Morrow is the CEO of Smart Blogger. Check out his new blog <a href="https://unstoppable.me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unstoppable</a> and read the launch post that went viral: <a href="https://unstoppable.me/life-lessons/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7 Life Lessons from a Guy Who Can’t Move Anything but His Face</a>.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-become-a-freelance-writer/">How to Become a Freelance Writer and Get Paid $200 – $1K per Post</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
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Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-30670682382102611952018-11-15T06:08:00.001-08:002018-11-15T06:08:16.062-08:007 Editing Tips That’ll Make You a Better Writer (with Examples!)<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/editing-tips-1.jpg' /></p>
<p><span class="strikeout">There are some bloggers who seem to have a natural gift when it comes to writing.</span> Some bloggers seem to be naturally gifted writers.</p>
<p><span class="strikeout">They manage to get their ideas across clearly and economically, which means that readers can easily follow what they write.</span> Readers devour their clear, economical prose.</p>
<p><span class="strikeout">Not only is there a lot of respect for what they have to say, but also the way that they say it.</span> People respect what they say — and <em>love</em> how they say it.</p>
<p><span class="strikeout">Whenever they publish a new post on their blog, it always gets dozens of comments and hundreds of shares.</span> Every new blog post attracts dozens of comments and hundreds of shares.</p>
<p><span class="strikeout">It would be great to be as successful as they are, but you don’t know what you need to do to make your writing better.</span> You’d love to emulate their success, but you don’t know how.</p>
<p><span class="strikeout">The good news is that there are some editing tips that can easily learn which will improve everything you write from now on.</span> Fortunately for you, a few simple editing tips can transform your writing forever.<span id="more-1395"></span><br /></p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e5e5bb;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fefed0;border-color:#fffff6;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">Download a free PDF cheat sheet with seven questions that make it easy to edit your writing like a pro. <a href="https://blogtraffic.lpages.co/leadbox/149e24e73f72a2%3A12ed0d446b46dc/5856805443862528/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here</a><script data-leadbox="149e24e73f72a2:12ed0d446b46dc" data-url="https://blogtraffic.lpages.co/leadbox/149e24e73f72a2%3A12ed0d446b46dc/5856805443862528/" data-config="%7B%7D" type="text/javascript" src="https://blogtraffic.lpages.co/leadbox-1498077769.js">
</script>.<br /></div>
</div>
<h2>The Unfair Advantage Popular Writers Try to Hide</h2>
<p>You know your writing heroes? Would you be shocked to learn that their writing is no better than yours?</p>
<p>Sure, the end product is better, but the first draft is just as clumsy, flabby, and downright difficult to read as any of your own writing efforts.</p>
<p>What popular bloggers know that many people don’t know (or don’t want to believe) is that a post isn’t finished simply because they’ve said everything they want to say. In many ways that’s just the beginning.</p>
<p>Think of your draft as a rough diamond. Value is hidden inside it and you need an expert gem cutter to reveal its beauty and clarity.</p>
<p>Which is why many top bloggers hire a professional editor to transform their rough diamonds into gleaming jewels. That’s right — someone else is helping them.</p>
<p>Somewhat unfair, right?</p>
<p>No wonder their writing seems so much better than yours. And even those bloggers who don’t use an editor have simply learned how to edit their own posts like a pro.</p>
<p>Fortunately, editing isn’t rocket science. If you have someone to show you how.</p>
<p>So let’s break down the rules that’ll help you transform your unremarkable draft into a perfectly polished post.</p>
<h2>7 Editing Tips That Will Totally Transform Your Next Post</h2>
<h3>Tip #1. Don’t Pad Your Prose with Empty Filler Words</h3>
<div class="alt-subhead">(Or: Avoid Using Grammar Expletives)</div>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Grammar expletives are literary constructions that begin with the words <em>it</em>, <em>here</em>, or <em>there</em> followed by a form of the verb <em>to be.</em></p>
<p>(<em>Expletive</em> comes from the Latin <em>explere</em>, meaning <em>to fill</em>. Think smelly literary landfill).</p>
<p>Common constructions include <em>it is, it was, it won’t, it takes, here is, there is, there will be</em>.</p>
<p>The problem? When <em>it</em>, <em>here,</em> and <em>there</em> refer to nouns later in the sentence or — worse — to something unnamed, they <a title="weak writing" href="https://smartblogger.com/weak-writing/">weaken your writing</a> by shifting emphasis away from the true drivers of your sentences. And they usually require other support words such as <em>who</em>, <em>that</em>, and <em>when</em>, which further dilute your writing.</p>
<p>Let’s look at an example:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span class="highlight1">There are</span> some bloggers <span class="highlight1">who</span> seem to have…</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The <em>there are</em> expletive places the sentence’s focus on some nebulous thing called <em>there</em> instead of the true focus of the sentence — <em>some bloggers</em>. And the writer must then use another unnecessary word — <em>who</em> — that’s three unnecessary words in one unfocused sentence.</p>
<p>Train yourself to spot instances of <em>there</em>, <em>here</em>, and <em>it</em> followed by a <em>to be</em> verb (such as <em>is</em>, <em>are</em>, <em>was,</em> and <em>were</em>) and adjust your sentences to lead with the meat and potatoes of those sentences instead.</p>
<p>(Tip: Use your word processor’s <em>find</em> functionality and search for <em>there</em>, <em>here,</em> and <em>it</em> and determine if you’ve used an expletive).</p>
<p>Other before-and-after examples:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="highlight1">It’s</span> fun <span class="highlight1">to</span> edit — <span class="highlight2">Editing is fun</span></li>
<li><span class="highlight1">It</span> takes time <span class="highlight1">to write</span> — <span class="highlight2">Writing takes time</span></li>
<li><span class="highlight1">There are</span> many people <span class="highlight1">who</span> write — <span class="highlight2">Many people write</span></li>
<li><span class="highlight1">There’s</span> nothing better than blogging — <span class="highlight2">Nothing’s better than blogging</span></li>
<li><span class="highlight1">Here are</span> some things to consider: — <span class="highlight2">Some things to consider are:</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Caveat: If you previously described an object using <em>there</em>, <em>here</em>, and <em>it,</em> you’re not guilty of an expletive infraction. For example:</p>
<ul>
<li>I love editing. <span class="highlight2">It’s</span> fun. (This is not an expletive construction since I previously described what <em>it</em> refers to.)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Tip #2. Don’t Weaken the Action with Wimpy Words</h3>
<div class="alt-subhead">(Or: Avoid Weak Verbs; Use Visceral and Action Verbs Instead)</div>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Not only does <em>to be</em> conspire with <em>it</em>, <em>there,</em> and <em>here</em> to create nasty grammar expletives, but it’s also responsible for its own class of sentence impairing constructions.</p>
<p>Certain uses of <em>to be</em> in its various forms weaken the words that follow. The solution is to replace these lightweights with more powerful alternatives.</p>
<p>Let’s see some before-and-after examples:</p>
<ul>
<li>She <span class="highlight1">is blogging</span> — She <span class="highlight2">blogs</span></li>
<li>People <span class="highlight1">are</span> in love with him — People <span class="highlight2">love</span> him</li>
<li>He <span class="highlight1">is</span> aware that people love him — He <span class="highlight2">knows</span> people love him</li>
</ul>
<p>Other verbs besides <em>to be</em> verbs can lack strength as well. Use visceral verbs or verbs that express some action. Let’s edit:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="highlight1">Give out</span> — <span class="highlight2">Offer</span></li>
<li><span class="highlight1">Find out</span> — <span class="highlight2">Discover</span></li>
<li><span class="highlight1">Make</span> it clearer — <span class="highlight2">Clarify</span></li>
<li>I can’t <span class="highlight1">make it</span> to the party — I can’t <span class="highlight2">attend</span> the party</li>
<li>He <span class="highlight1">went</span> to Mexico — He <span class="highlight2">traveled</span> to Mexico</li>
<li><span class="highlight1">Think of</span> a blogging strategy — <span class="highlight2">Devise</span> a blogging strategy</li>
</ul>
<h3>Tip #3. Don’t Cripple Your Descriptions with Feeble Phrases</h3>
<div class="alt-subhead">(Or: Avoid Weak Adjectives)</div>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Weak adjectives sap the strength from your writing just as nefariously as weak verbs. Use the best adjectives possible when describing nouns and pronouns. And be mindful that certain words, like <em>really</em> and <em>very,</em> usually precede weak adjectives. Take a look:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="highlight1">Really bad</span> — <span class="highlight2">Terrible</span></li>
<li><span class="highlight1">Really good</span> — <span class="highlight2">Great</span></li>
<li><span class="highlight1">Very big</span> — <span class="highlight2">Huge</span></li>
<li><span class="highlight1">Very beautiful</span> — <span class="highlight2">Gorgeous</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Even if you don’t have a telltale <em>really</em> or <em>very</em> preceding an adjective, you can often give your writing more impact by using stronger alternatives:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="highlight1">Dirty</span> — <span class="highlight2">Filthy</span></li>
<li><span class="highlight1">Tired</span> — <span class="highlight2">Exhausted</span></li>
<li><span class="highlight1">Scared</span> — <span class="highlight2">Terrified</span></li>
<li><span class="highlight1">Happy</span> — <span class="highlight2">Thrilled</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Even worse than using weak adjectives is using weak adjectives to tell your readers what something <em>isn’t</em> as opposed to telling them what something <em>is</em>:</p>
<ul>
<li>It’s <span class="highlight1">not that good</span> — It’s <span class="highlight2">terrible</span></li>
<li>He’s <span class="highlight1">not a bore</span> — He’s <span class="highlight2">hilarious</span></li>
<li>He’s <span class="highlight1">not very smart</span> — He’s <span class="highlight2">ignorant</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/weak-adjectives-sap-the-strength-from-your-writing.png" alt="Weak adjectives sap the strength from your writing." width="1024" height="512" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11293" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/weak-adjectives-sap-the-strength-from-your-writing.png 1024w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/weak-adjectives-sap-the-strength-from-your-writing-300x150.png 300w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/weak-adjectives-sap-the-strength-from-your-writing-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
</div>
<h3>Tip #4. Trim Flabby Words and Phrases</h3>
<div class="alt-subhead">(Or: Avoid Verbose Colloquialisms)</div>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Today’s readers have limited time and patience for flabby writing. Their cursors hover over the back button, so say what you mean as concisely as possible before your readers vanish:</p>
<ul>
<li>But <span class="highlight1">the fact of the matter is</span> — <span class="highlight2">But</span> (Avoid flabby colloquial expressions when possible)</li>
<li>Editing is <span class="highlight1">absolutely</span> essential — Editing is <span class="highlight2">essential</span> (<em>Absolutely</em> is redundant)</li>
<li>You’re <span class="highlight1">going to have to</span> edit your work — <span class="highlight2">You’ll have to</span> edit your work <em>or</em> You <span class="highlight2">must</span> edit your work (<em>Going to</em> and <em>going to have to</em> are flabby expressions)</li>
<li><span class="highlight1">Due to the fact that</span> editing takes time, some people avoid it — <span class="highlight2">Because</span> editing takes time, some people avoid it</li>
<li>Every <span class="highlight1">single</span> person should love editing — Every person should love editing (<em>Single</em> is redundant; and shouldn’t married people love editing too? 😉 )</li>
</ul>
<h3>Tip #5. Don’t Pussyfoot Around Your Verbs and Adjectives</h3>
<div class="alt-subhead">(Or: Avoid Nominalization)</div>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Nominalization occurs when a writer uses a weak noun equivalent when a stronger verb or adjective replacement is available. Like expletives, nominals usually introduce other unnecessary words when used.</p>
<p>Count the number of words in the before-and-after examples below, and you will witness how badly nominals weaken your writing:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="highlight1">Give</span> your post a <span class="highlight1">proofread</span> — <span class="highlight2">Proofread</span> your post (verb form)</li>
<li>Alcohol <span class="highlight1">is the cause of</span> hangovers — Alcohol <span class="highlight2">causes</span> hangovers (verb form)</li>
<li>The plane’s <span class="highlight1">approach was met with the scramble of</span> emergency crews — The plane <span class="highlight2">approached</span> and emergency crews <span class="highlight2">scrambled</span>. (verb form)</li>
<li>He <span class="highlight1">shows signs of carelessness</span> — He is <span class="highlight2">careless</span> (adjective form)</li>
<li>She <span class="highlight1">has a high level of intensity</span> — She is <span class="highlight2">intense</span> (adjective form)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Tip #6. Throw Out the Rulebook on Punctuation</h3>
<div class="alt-subhead">(Or: Use the Occasional Comma for Clarity)</div>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>The rules around punctuation can be complicated, <a href="http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">even for the humble comma</a>.</p>
<p>But do you truly need to know the difference between a serial comma, an Oxford comma, and a Harvard comma to <a title="how to write a blog post" href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-blog-post/">write a great blog post</a>? Of course not. (And it’s a trick question — they’re all the same.)</p>
<p>So my philosophy on commas is simple:</p>
<p><strong>Use commas sparingly if you prefer, but if excluding a comma MAKES YOUR READER STOP READING, add another bleepin’ comma — regardless of what any comma police may say.</strong></p>
<p>Let’s look at an example:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>You can ignore editing and people reading your post may not notice but your ideas will get lost.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>By not including a comma between <em>editing</em> and <em>and</em>, I read this sentence and asked myself, “I can ignore editing <em>and</em> people reading my post? Really?” Of course, readers work out the intended meaning a moment later, but by that time, they’ve already stalled.</p>
<p>So, regardless of what comma rule I may break by adding a comma to this sentence, as long as my readers don’t get confused and stop reading, I don’t care — and neither should you.</p>
<p>Let’s look at another example that needs a comma for clarity:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>One day, when you find success you can pull out your golden pen and write me a thank-you letter.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>By not including a comma between <em>success</em> and <em>you</em>, I read this sentence and asked myself, “Is success something you can pull out of a golden pen?”</p>
<p>Regardless of your stance on commas, you ultimately want your readers to keep reading. You want them to continue down your slippery slope of powerful content and <a title="transitional phrases" href="https://smartblogger.com/transitional-phrases/">transitional phrases</a> all the way to your call to action — without getting jarred from their trance to contemplate commas with their inner editors or a Google search.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/editing-tips-for-commas.png" alt="Editing tips for commas" width="700" height="350" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11290" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/editing-tips-for-commas.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/editing-tips-for-commas-300x150.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<h3>Tip #7. Be As Manipulative As Possible</h3>
<div class="alt-subhead">(Or: Use Noun Modifiers Whenever You Can)</div>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>You won’t use this technique often, but at least be mindful of it.</p>
<p>When we use two nouns together with the first noun modifying the second, we are using noun modifiers. I like them because they hack the flab from our writing by shortening our sentences. Let’s review some examples:</p>
<ul>
<li>Tips <span class="highlight1">on</span> editing — Editing tips</li>
<li>Great advice <span class="highlight1">on</span> how to boost traffic — Great traffic-boosting advice (<em>Traffic-boosting is a compound noun here</em>)</li>
<li>Information <span class="highlight1">regarding</span> registration — Registration information</li>
</ul>
<p>These sentences have prepositions between the noun sets. Whenever you spot this construction, try to implement this noun-modifying technique.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e5e5bb;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fefed0;border-color:#fffff6;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">Download a free PDF cheat sheet with seven questions that make it easy to edit your writing like a pro. <a href="https://blogtraffic.lpages.co/leadbox/149e24e73f72a2%3A12ed0d446b46dc/5856805443862528/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here</a><script data-leadbox="149e24e73f72a2:12ed0d446b46dc" data-url="https://blogtraffic.lpages.co/leadbox/149e24e73f72a2%3A12ed0d446b46dc/5856805443862528/" data-config="%7B%7D" type="text/javascript" src="https://blogtraffic.lpages.co/leadbox-1498077769.js">
</script>.<br /></div>
</div>
<h2>What’s Your Excuse Now?</h2>
<p>These editing tips are not magical, mystical, or complicated. In fact, you could consider them downright boring, plain, and inconsequential.</p>
<p>But applying smart editing rules is what separates your heroes from the masses, catapults them to success, and makes readers say, “I don’t know what it is about their writing, but it’s absolutely fantastic.”</p>
<p>Look at it this way: You’ve expended a ton of effort on SEO, content marketing, networking, and social media promotion, all in the hopes that more people will notice your blog. So when they arrive, shouldn’t your next post blow their socks off too?</p>
<p>And how about your last post and the one before that? (Yes, you can apply these rules to your old posts too!)</p>
<p>Or are you one of <em>those</em> writers who think they write well enough already? Well, you might be surprised by just how many of these crimes against clarity you’re committing.</p>
<p>Open one of your posts right now and see how many of these editing tips you can apply.</p>
<p>Read each word of your post. Is the word an expletive? Is it a weak verb? A weak adjective? Does it represent nominalization or flab or break any of the other rules mentioned in this post?</p>
<p>Run each word of your post through this a checklist of editing tips. You <em>will</em> find something to improve. And your writing will be 100% more powerful as a result.</p>
<p>Because the search for perfection never ends.</p>
<p>And your writing is never too good.</p>
<p>Sure, proofreading and editing take time.</p>
<p>And yes, you’re already busy enough.</p>
<p>But your writing heroes edit, and they land the guest posts, book deals, and exposure you only wish you could.</p>
<p>So, take a break from #amwriting and start #amediting right now.</p>
<p>Your success will thank you.</p>
<p>And so will I.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author</strong>: Shane Arthur is a former copyeditor for Jon Morrow’s kick-butt <a href="https://ue160.isrefer.com/go/gbcc-direct-optin/shanearthur/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Guest Blogging Certification Program</a> (affiliate link) that teaches writers just like you how to get their work featured on the world’s biggest blogs and online magazines.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/editing-tips/">7 Editing Tips That’ll Make You a Better Writer (with Examples!)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
<br />
<br />
source <a href="https://smartblogger.com/editing-tips/">https://smartblogger.com/editing-tips/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-63891473028745193662018-11-10T08:12:00.001-08:002018-11-10T08:12:21.088-08:00Designrr Review + Lifetime Discount – Sexy Ebook Design Made Easy?<p>Making ebooks sucks! Personally, I hate it! No matter what I’ve done in the past, they always seem to look crap and if you want to make it look amazing you have to find, hire and hope that the $100’s you spend actually give you something that looks half decent. And that’s per ebook! Which […]<br />
from First Stop IM – Lewis Turner – Journey To Millions <a href="http://firststopim.com/review-discount-bonus/designrr-review-lifetime-discount-sexy-ebook-design-made-easy/">http://firststopim.com/review-discount-bonus/designrr-review-lifetime-discount-sexy-ebook-design-made-easy/</a></p>
<br />
<br />
source <a href="https://firststopim.tumblr.com/post/179962359418">https://firststopim.tumblr.com/post/179962359418</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-8250953057790800992018-11-08T08:29:00.001-08:002018-11-08T08:29:16.492-08:00The 5 Best Free Blogging Platforms in 2019 (100% Unbiased)<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/free-blogging-platforms.jpg' /></p>
<p>So, you’d like to take blogging for a test drive, eh?</p>
<p>See if you like it or not before ponying up the bucks for a complete self-hosted WordPress setup?</p>
<p>You’ve probably heard you can start a blog for free, and indeed you can. The big question is:</p>
<p>What’s the best free blogging platform right now?</p>
<p>And the answer is… it depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.</p>
<p>In this post, we’ll go over all the different free blogging platforms and give you the pros and cons of each, but first, let’s stop to ponder a more fundamental question:<br />
<span id="more-11159"></span><br /></p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<h2>Table of Contents</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#free_blogging_platform">Do You Even Need a Free Blogging Platform?</a></li>
<li><a href="#no_blogging_platform_for_everyone">No Blogging Platform is Right for Everyone</a></li>
<li><a href="#medium">#1. Medium: Best Platform for Simplicity</a></li>
<li><a href="#wordpress">#2. WordPress.com: Best Sandbox Platform</a></li>
<li><a href="#linkedin">#3. LinkedIn: Best Platform for Professionals</a></li>
<li><a href="#instagram">#4. Instagram: Best Platform for Visuals</a></li>
<li><a href="#guest_blogging">#5. Guest Blogging: Best Platform for Building Your Authority</a></li>
<li><a href="#self_hosted_wordpress">Making the Switch to Self-Hosted WordPress</a></li>
<li><a href="#best_free_blogging_platform_for_you">What’s the Best Free Blogging Platform for You?</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="free_blogging_platform">Do You Even Need a Free Blogging Platform?</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>The truth:</p>
<p>Blogging can be expensive.</p>
<p>If you’re a seasoned blogger who’s been around the block a time or two, who’s already figured out which ideas work and which don’t, it’s easy to chalk up these costs as the price of doing business. Spend money, make money. Wash, rinse, and repeat.</p>
<p>But what if you’re a beginner learning <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog/" title="start a blog">how to start a blog</a> for the first time? What if you’re someone who hasn’t yet figured what works and what doesn’t?</p>
<p>I’ll let you in on a secret…</p>
<p><strong>You can experiment just as well on a free blogging platform as you can on a self-hosted WordPress setup with all the bells and whistles.</strong></p>
<p>Actually, you can <em>experiment better on a free blogging platform</em> since the learning curve isn’t as steep.</p>
<p>Do you <em>really</em> want to experience the inevitable growing pains of blogging while forking over large piles of cash each month?</p>
<p>Free blogging platforms allow you to confirm your blog topic has potential, spy on the competitors in your niche, and test your ideas without spending any of your hard-earned dough.</p>
<p>So which one is best?</p>
<p>Well, that’s the thing:</p>
<h2 id="no_blogging_platform_for_everyone">No Blogging Platform Is Right for Everyone</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Different bloggers have different needs, and different blogging platforms are good for different things. Ultimately, “best” will depend on you and your situation.</p>
<p>That said, each of the platforms we’ll discuss do have common traits (besides being free). Let’s briefly look at them before we dive in:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>There’s zero maintenance hassle.</strong> The burden of maintenance doesn’t fall on you when you use a free blogging platform. No worries about software updates, data backups, or gremlins hacking your server — they’re all handled by someone else.</li>
<li><strong>They’re easy to use.</strong> To varying degrees, each platform is friendly to beginners. With limited tech savviness, you could get started <em>today</em>.</li>
<li><strong>Customization is limited.</strong> If you’re a micromanager, take a deep breath: you will not have full control or unlimited options when you use a free blogging platform.</li>
</ul>
<p>That last one can be both a blessing and a curse.</p>
<p>Once you get serious about blogging, the limited customization options of free platforms will likely hold you back. When you’re just starting though, the limitations will help you focus on what’s important: the aforementioned <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog/#test_medium">testing of your ideas</a>.</p>
<p>Alright, enough prologue.</p>
<p>Ready to find out which platform is best for you? Let’s go.</p>
<h2 id="medium">#1. Medium: Best Platform for Simplicity</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/001-medium-platform.png" alt="" width="700" height="530" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11162" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/001-medium-platform.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/001-medium-platform-300x227.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>First up is Medium.</p>
<p>Founded by Evan Williams, one of the founders of Twitter, Medium launched in August 2012 to much fanfare, and it’s grown into a behemoth. According to the New York Times, as of May 2017, Medium was up to 60 million unique visitors each month.</p>
<p>That’s considerably less than WordPress, but Google Trends indicates the tide could be turning:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/002-world-wide-searches-for-wordpress.png" alt="Worldwide searches for WordPress" width="700" height="144" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11163" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/002-world-wide-searches-for-wordpress.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/002-world-wide-searches-for-wordpress-300x62.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>The red line in the graphic above represents the number of worldwide searches for “wordpress” during the past five years. The blue line represents the number of searches for “medium.”</p>
<p>Granted, some of those “Medium” searches could be for the TV show of the same name that starred Patricia Arquette from 2005 through 2011.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, it’s growth is impressive.</p>
<h3>How Do You Get Started?</h3>
<p>Medium offers multiple ways to register.</p>
<p>Don’t want to remember yet another password for yet another account? No problem. Sign up using one of your social media accounts.</p>
<p>Go to <a href="https://medium.com/" target="_blank">Medium.com</a> and click the “Get Started” button:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/003-join-medium.png" alt="Join Medium" width="700" height="411" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11164" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/003-join-medium.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/003-join-medium-300x176.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Choose Google or Facebook. You’ll then be asked to log into your (Google or Facebook) account. Once you authorize Medium to access your account, it will redirect you back to Medium.</p>
<p>That’s it.</p>
<p>To get to your Medium account in the future, all you have to do is click “Sign In” on the homepage and choose the “Sign in with Google” or “Sign in with Facebook” option.</p>
<p>Or if you already have a Twitter account, it’s even easier. Choose the “Sign In” link instead of the “Get Started” button, and you’ll see the following:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/004-welcome-back-to-medium.png" alt="Welcome Back to Medium" width="700" height="501" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11165" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/004-welcome-back-to-medium.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/004-welcome-back-to-medium-300x215.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>Click the “Sign in with Twitter” button (even though you haven’t yet signed up).</p>
<p>If you haven’t already logged into Twitter, you’ll be asked to log in and then authorize Medium to access your Twitter account.</p>
<p>Click “Ok,” and you’ll be off to the races.</p>
<h3>What Do You Get For $0?</h3>
<p>A simple, beautiful WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) blogging platform that embraces minimalism.</p>
<p>After you join, click your avatar (the floating head) in the top-right corner of the page and then, select “New story.”</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/005-medium-new-story.png" alt="New Story on Medium" width="700" height="202" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11166" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/005-medium-new-story.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/005-medium-new-story-300x87.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>You’ll land on a clean, easy-to-use editor.</p>
<p>Where to insert the title for your post is clearly defined. So, too, is where to begin typing your first sentence.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/006-medium-title.png" alt="Title on Medium" width="700" height="275" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11167" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/006-medium-title.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/006-medium-title-300x118.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Every change you make gets automatically saved in the background. And as you type, you begin to see exactly how your finished post will appear to your readers.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/007-medium-wysiwyg-editor.png" alt="Medium's WYSIWYG editor" width="700" height="401" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11168" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/007-medium-wysiwyg-editor.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/007-medium-wysiwyg-editor-300x172.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>That’s the beauty of a WYSIWYG editor.</p>
<p>There’s no guessing, no wondering, and no trial and error. If your post looks good in the editor, it’s going to look good when your post goes live after you click the “Ready to publish?” button.</p>
<p>And speaking of what happens after publishing, there’s something else Medium offers you for the whopping price of zero dollars and zero cents:</p>
<p><strong>The chance to be featured in front of their 60+ million readers.</strong></p>
<p>Write something that wows people and, if it receives enough love from readers (they click a “clap” button to show their approval), it could get featured as one of Medium’s top stories on their app and website…</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/008-medium-daily-digest-email-1.png" alt="Medium's Daily Digest" width="700" height="452" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11169" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/008-medium-daily-digest-email-1.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/008-medium-daily-digest-email-1-300x194.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Or in their “Daily Digest” email…</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/009-medium-daily-digest-email-2.png" alt="Medium's Daily Digest" width="700" height="434" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11170" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/009-medium-daily-digest-email-2.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/009-medium-daily-digest-email-2-300x186.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Such a spotlight would mean <em>lots</em> of new eyeballs on your content.</p>
<h3>Who Should Use Medium?</h3>
<p>Anyone. Everyone.</p>
<p>Seriously, though it isn’t perfect, you’ll be hard pressed to find a blogging topic or niche that Medium can’t service.</p>
<p>This is especially true if your niche will be self-improvement or entrepreneurship. Medium puts your content, your message, front and center to your readers.</p>
<p><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/010-why-use-medium.png" alt="Why Use Medium?" width="700" height="447" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11171" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/010-why-use-medium.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/010-why-use-medium-300x192.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>As Evan Williams once put it: “Medium is not about who you are or whom you know, but about what you have to say.”</p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/@jeffgoins" target="_blank">Best-selling authors</a>. <a href="https://medium.com/@jaltucher" target="_blank">Entrepreneurs</a>. <a href="https://medium.com/@IvyShelden" target="_blank">Writers</a> who stepped away for a season, but are making a comeback. <a href="https://medium.com/@JesseLBarnett" target="_blank">Ministers</a> who have a good sense of humor. <a href="https://medium.com/@kevinjduncan" target="_blank">Yours truly</a>.</p>
<p>All have things to say, and all have found homes on Medium.</p>
<h3>Who Should NOT Use Medium?</h3>
<p>Microbloggers (you’d be better off using Instagram — more on that later).</p>
<p>Those who don’t plan on using their blog for <em>writing</em> (photographers, podcasters, etc.).</p>
<p>Anyone who likes to color outside the lines.</p>
<p>Medium is all about the written word. Sure, graphics embedded into Medium posts look great, but in the end, it all comes back to the words.</p>
<p>Medium is best for those who love words. It excels at typography. It uses an abundance of white space so that its text has a perfect canvas. It embraces a minimalistic design so that nothing distracts your readers from your precious — yes, I’m going to repeat it — <em>words</em>.</p>
<p>Look at this example screenshot from a post written by Jeff Goins:</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/011-why-you-should-not-use-medium.png" alt="Why You Should NOT Use Medium?" width="700" height="326" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11172" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/011-why-you-should-not-use-medium.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/011-why-you-should-not-use-medium-300x140.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Black text on a white background. A simple, easy-to-read font. It’s a perfect arrangement for Jeff’s strong, unique voice.</p>
<p>Medium offers no glitz, glam, or sparkles. And, unlike WordPress.com (which provides a few basic design themes and customization options), Medium is one size fits all.</p>
<p>What you see is what you get.</p>
<p>If you like what you see, great. If you don’t, there’s not a lot you can do about it.</p>
<h3>Final Word on Medium</h3>
<p><strong>What are the Pros?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Built-in audience of over 60 million readers!</li>
<li>Good for all blog types</li>
<li>Excellent typography — your blog will look professional</li>
<li>More business friendly than WordPress.com</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>What are the Cons?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Little, if any, customization — your blog will look like every other Medium blog</li>
</ul>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> If the written word is your preferred medium, you’ll do very well with Medium. It’s an easy-to-use platform that puts your words front and center, and it’s the platform we most often recommend to beginner bloggers.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>But is it the right choice for everyone?</p>
<p>Let’s look at the other options…</p>
<h2 id="wordpress">#2. WordPress.com: Best Sandbox Platform</h2>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/012-wordpress_com-best-sandbox-platform.png" alt="Wordpress.com - Best Sandbox Platform" width="700" height="525" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11173" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/012-wordpress_com-best-sandbox-platform.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/012-wordpress_com-best-sandbox-platform-300x225.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p><small>Source: <a href="https://lorelle.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Lorelle on WordPress</a></small></p>
<p>Launched in 2005, WordPress.com is a turnkey blogging platform built on the open-source WordPress.org software.</p>
<p>In any given month, over 409 million people will view more than 21 billion pages on WordPress.com’s network of blogs. In September 2018, more than 70 million posts were published and over 52 million <a href="https://smartblogger.com/blog-comments/">blog comments</a> were written.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/blogging-platforms-infographic.png" alt="WordPress.com is quite popular." width="700" height="394" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11216" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/blogging-platforms-infographic.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/blogging-platforms-infographic-300x169.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>In short, WordPress is quite popular.</p>
<h3>How Do You Get Started?</h3>
<p>Signing up for a free account takes only a few minutes.</p>
<p>Go to <a href="https://wordpress.com/" target="_blank">WordPress.com</a> and click the “Get Started” button to get to Step 1:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/013-getting-started-with-wordpress_com.png" alt="Getting Started with WordPress.com" width="700" height="510" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11174" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/013-getting-started-with-wordpress_com.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/013-getting-started-with-wordpress_com-300x219.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>You’ll need to enter your email address, a username, and a strong password.</p>
<p>Next, enter a few details about your blog for Step 2:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/014-getting-started-with-wordpress_com-2.png" alt="Getting Started with WordPress.com" width="700" height="519" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11175" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/014-getting-started-with-wordpress_com-2.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/014-getting-started-with-wordpress_com-2-300x222.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>For Step 3, enter an address for your site:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/015-wordpress-give-your-site-an-address.png" alt="WordPress.com - Give your site an address" width="700" height="277" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11176" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/015-wordpress-give-your-site-an-address.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/015-wordpress-give-your-site-an-address-300x119.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Once you’ve typed something, you’ll get a list of options. Be sure to select the “Free” one.</p>
<p>Finally, in Step 4 you pick a plan. Again, choose the “Free” option.</p>
<h3>What Do You Get For $0?</h3>
<p>WordPress.com’s “free for life” plan gives you numerous features, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>A free WordPress.com subdomain</li>
<li>“Jetpack” essential features</li>
<li>Community support</li>
<li>Dozens of free themes</li>
</ul>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/016-choose-your-wordpress_com-flavor.png" alt="WordPress.com - Choose your flavor" width="700" height="611" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11177" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/016-choose-your-wordpress_com-flavor.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/016-choose-your-wordpress_com-flavor-300x262.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>Let’s look at those features in more detail:</p>
<h4>Free Subdomain</h4>
<p>A couple of definitions are probably in order…</p>
<p>First, what’s a domain? See the address bar at the top of your browser? What comes after the “https://” is the domain.</p>
<p>In the case of this site, the domain is <em>smartblogger.com</em>. For my site, it’s <em>beabetterblogger.com</em>.</p>
<p>And in the case of WordPress, the domain is <em>wordpress.com</em>.</p>
<p>So what’s a subdomain? If the domain is the parent, the subdomain is the child. Anything between the “https://” and the domain is a subdomain.</p>
<p>Some examples:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>alumni</strong>.harvard.edu</li>
<li><strong>braves</strong>.mlb.com</li>
<li><strong>finance</strong>.yahoo.com</li>
</ul>
<p>That’s what WordPress is offering with its free subdomain.</p>
<p>So, if I wanted to start “Kevin’s Awesome Blog” on WordPress.com, my subdomain might be something like <em>kevinsawesomeblog</em>. Readers would type <em>kevinsawesomeblog.wordpress.com</em> in their browser to view my site.</p>
<p>It’s not a good look if you’re a business (more on that later), but for a sandbox blog where you’re testing your ideas, it’ll do the trick.</p>
<h4>Jetpack Essential Features</h4>
<p>WordPress.com doesn’t allow third-party plugins (unless you upgrade to their “business” plan). So, if your buddy tells you about this “amazing” WordPress plugin “you’ve got to try,” you’re out of luck until you upgrade to a self-hosted WordPress site.</p>
<p>However, WordPress.com’s free plan does come with many built-in plugins that offer everything from spam protection to contact forms.</p>
<p>For a complete list of the built-in functionality that WordPress.com offers, check out their <a href="https://en.support.wordpress.com/plugins/" target="_blank">plugins</a> page.</p>
<h4>Community Support</h4>
<p>Possibly WordPress.com’s best feature (beyond the price) is its extensive support system and knowledgebase.</p>
<p>You can find virtually anything you need to know about using their free platform in WordPress.com’s <a href="https://en.support.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Support</a> section. To call their collection of how-to articles merely “extensive” would be an understatement.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/017-set-up-your-blog-in-five-steps.png" alt="WordPress.com - Select your theme" width="700" height="425" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11178" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/017-set-up-your-blog-in-five-steps.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/017-set-up-your-blog-in-five-steps-300x182.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>And if you have a specific question you need an answer for, they have you covered there too.</p>
<p>Visit the WordPress.com <a href="https://en.forums.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">forum</a>, search to see if anyone has had your same question, and browse the answers. Can’t find the solution you need? Post the question yourself.</p>
<h4>Free Themes</h4>
<p>Whereas Medium prevents you from customizing the look of your blog, WordPress.com gives you options.</p>
<p>With “dozens” (93 at the time of this writing) of <a href="https://wordpress.com/themes/free" target="_blank">free themes</a> from which to choose, WordPress.com offers design flexibility that isn’t available with Medium and the other free platforms.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/018-wordpress_com-themes.png" alt="WordPress.com - Select your theme" width="700" height="447" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11179" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/018-wordpress_com-themes.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/018-wordpress_com-themes-300x192.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>What we’re saying is…</p>
<p>You get a lot for “free.”</p>
<h3>Who Should Use WordPress.com?</h3>
<p>WordPress.com is a solid platform for <em>almost</em> every type of blogger.</p>
<p>Do you want to be a self-help blogger? Good news — WordPress.com will meet your needs.</p>
<p>Want to blog on food, pets, or politics? You’re in luck.</p>
<p>Just want to write about life? That’s WordPress.com’s jam, my friend.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/019-why-you-should-use-wordpress_com.png" alt="Why you should use WordPress.com" width="700" height="432" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11180" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/019-why-you-should-use-wordpress_com.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/019-why-you-should-use-wordpress_com-300x185.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p><small>Source: <a href="https://thenextadventure401274822.wordpress.com/2018/10/02/the-journey-begins/" target="_blank">The Next Adventure</a></small></p>
<p>But WordPress.com is good for more than just blogging. You can also use it for projects and e-commerce stores, which isn’t something the other free platforms can claim.</p>
<p>That gives it an edge over the other options. If you want to blog <em>and</em> do something else with your site, WordPress.com offers flexibility the others do not.</p>
<p>However, it’s not a good fit for everyone…</p>
<h3>Who Should NOT Use WordPress.com?</h3>
<p>If you want to blog for a business, you should skip WordPress.com and look into Medium or LinkedIn (which we’ll discuss in a moment).</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>Because it makes you look like a cheapskate.</p>
<p>Free is wonderful, but using WordPress.com when you’re a business is the equivalent of handing out business cards with the printer’s logo on the back of them.</p>
<p>Doesn’t exactly scream “I’m a professional,” does it?</p>
<p>Also:</p>
<p>If you’re hoping to join a blogging community where your posts have a chance to be discovered by new audiences, you should look elsewhere.</p>
<p>Medium shines a spotlight on the best their members have to offer. If you write something great, it has a chance to be featured and seen by millions.</p>
<p>WordPress.com? Not so much.</p>
<p>Here’s a screenshot of the most-recent “Editors’ Picks” on the official WordPress.com blog:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/020-why-you-should-not-use-wordpress_com.png" alt="Why you should NOT use WordPress.com" width="700" height="560" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11181" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/020-why-you-should-not-use-wordpress_com.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/020-why-you-should-not-use-wordpress_com-300x240.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>There might as well be tumbleweeds blowing across the screen.</p>
<h3>Final Word on WordPress.com</h3>
<p><strong>What are the Pros?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Suitable for a variety of blog types</li>
<li>Solid support articles and forum</li>
<li>More design options than other free platforms</li>
<li>Shorter learning curve if you choose to transition to self-hosted WordPress later</li>
<li>Good for more than just blogs</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>What are the Cons?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Not ideal for businesses</li>
<li>You can’t install third-party themes and plugins</li>
<li>Lack of community makes it difficult to build an audience from scratch</li>
<li>WordPress advertising and banners may appear next to your content</li>
</ul>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> If you’re a non-business blogger who wants an easy to use platform that gives you <em>some</em> control over customization, WordPress.com is a solid option — especially if you plan to transition to self-hosted WordPress someday.<br /></div>
</div>
<h2 id="linkedin">#3. LinkedIn: Best Platform for Professionals</h2>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/021-linkedin-best-platform-for-professionals.png" alt="LinkedIn - Best Platform for Professionals" width="700" height="343" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11182" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/021-linkedin-best-platform-for-professionals.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/021-linkedin-best-platform-for-professionals-300x147.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-get-lucky-life-business-darren-rowse?trk=portfolio_article-card_title">Darren Rowse</a></small></p>
<p>Next up is LinkedIn.</p>
<p>Primarily used for professional networking, LinkedIn also offers a publishing platform. This allows any of its 560 million users (as of September 2018) to write posts that could (potentially) be read by any of the 260 million members who are active in a given month.</p>
<p>(Again, potentially.)</p>
<h3>How Do You Get Started?</h3>
<p>Go to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank">LinkedIn.com</a>, and you’ll see this window encouraging you to join:</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/022-getting-started-with-linkedin.png" alt="Getting started with LinkedIn" width="700" height="430" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11183" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/022-getting-started-with-linkedin.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/022-getting-started-with-linkedin-300x184.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>Enter your name, your email, and a strong password. Then click the “Join now” button.</p>
<p>You’ll then be asked to answer a few simple questions:</p>
<ul>
<li>Your country and zip code</li>
<li>Whether or not you’re a student (if no, you’ll enter your job title and the name of your employer; if yes, you’ll enter the name of your school and other relevant info)</li>
<li>Your reason for joining LinkedIn</li>
</ul>
<p>It sounds like a lot, but it’s fairly harmless.</p>
<p>Still, if you feel the urge to throw your computer into the dumpster, we won’t blame you.</p>
<p><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/023-linkedin-hurdles.gif" alt="LinkedIn hurdles" width="497" height="280" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11184" /></p>
<h3>What Do You Get For $0?</h3>
<p>A free-to-use publishing platform that’s focused on professionals and business contacts.</p>
<p>If you’re already a LinkedIn member, publishing your content will be easier than WordPress.com, Medium, or any other blogging platform.</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>Because it’s built right into your LinkedIn profile. Click the “Write an article” button and start writing.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/024-linkedin-profile.png" alt="LinkedIn - Profile" width="700" height="229" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11185" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/024-linkedin-profile.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/024-linkedin-profile-300x98.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<h3>Who Should Use LinkedIn?</h3>
<p>Anyone who wants to reach professionals and businesses.</p>
<p>After all, that’s what LinkedIn is all about, right? Nurturing business relationships.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/025-why-you-should-use-linkedin.png" alt="Why you should use LinkedIn" width="700" height="397" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11186" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/025-why-you-should-use-linkedin.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/025-why-you-should-use-linkedin-300x170.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140715161426-27775243-how-to-choose-the-right-business-partner-7-tips-i-have-learned-overtime?trk=portfolio_article-card_title">Syed Balkhi</a></small></p>
<p>Blogging on LinkedIn helps to cultivate those relationships.</p>
<p>When you write an article, LinkedIn will notify your existing connections. If your article is great (and why wouldn’t it be?), they’ll take notice. Write more and more great articles, and they’ll start to see you as an authority.</p>
<p>And, like with Medium, great content on LinkedIn has a chance to get noticed by those <em>outside</em> your list of connections.</p>
<p>If one of LinkedIn’s editors sees your masterpiece and decides to feature it on one of LinkedIn’s numerous channels, your work gets exposed to a giant audience of interested, like-minded professionals.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e5e5bb;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fefed0;border-color:#fffff6;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Tip:</strong> Want to increase the chances a LinkedIn editor will see your article? Share it on Twitter and include “tip @LinkedInEditors” in your tweet.<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/026-sharing-linkedin-on-twitter.png" alt="Sharing LinkedIn posts on Twitter" width="700" height="638" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11187" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/026-sharing-linkedin-on-twitter.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/026-sharing-linkedin-on-twitter-300x273.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<h3>Who Should NOT Use LinkedIn?</h3>
<p>This one is pretty straightforward…</p>
<p>If you aren’t a working professional, or you’re not looking to reach working professionals, you’ll be better off choosing one of the other free platforms.</p>
<h3>Final Word on LinkedIn</h3>
<p><strong>What are the Pros?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Good for professionals and businesses</li>
<li>Clean, simple design</li>
<li>Easy to use — publishing platform is built right into your LinkedIn profile</li>
<li>Built-in audience of like-minded professionals</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>What are the Cons?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Only good for professionals and businesses</li>
<li>Very few customization options</li>
<li>You can’t schedule posts for future publishing</li>
</ul>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> If you’re looking to write posts that will reach professionals and businesses, LinkedIn is the best free blogging platform available.<br /></div>
</div>
<h2 id="instagram">#4. Instagram: Best Platform for Visuals</h2>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/027-instagram-best-platform-for-visuals.png" alt="Instagram - Best platform for visuals" width="700" height="428" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11188" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/027-instagram-best-platform-for-visuals.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/027-instagram-best-platform-for-visuals-300x183.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>A photo and video-sharing platform that’s owned by Facebook, Instagram is one of the largest social media sites in the world.</p>
<p>As of June 2018, Instagram has 1 billion users worldwide. The previous September, they had 800 million users — a growth of 200 million in only nine months.</p>
<p>Even if you subtract everyone who follows a Kardashian or has posted a photo of themselves impersonating a duck, Instagram offers an audience of well over 75 people.</p>
<p>(Kidding. Mostly.)</p>
<h3>How Do You Get Started?</h3>
<p>On a personal computer, go to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/" target="_blank">Instagram.com</a>, and you’ll see the following:</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/028-get-started-with-instagram.png" alt="Getting started with Instagram" width="700" height="525" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11189" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/028-get-started-with-instagram.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/028-get-started-with-instagram-300x225.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>Enter your phone number or email address, your name, your desired username, and a strong password. Then click the “Sign up” button.</p>
<p>Or, skip all that and click the “Log in with Facebook” button (assuming you have a Facebook account). If you aren’t already logged in, it will ask you to log into your Facebook account.</p>
<p>You could also do the above using the Instagram app on your mobile device.</p>
<h3>What Do You Get For $0?</h3>
<p>You get an extremely popular social media platform that’s perfect for microblogging.</p>
<p>What’s microblogging, you ask? Here’s how it works:</p>
<p>You get a great image. Maybe it’s a photo you took on your camera, or perhaps it’s a Creative Commons image that perfectly fits your current shade of melancholy.</p>
<p>You upload the image to Instagram.</p>
<p>And for the caption? You write a short blog post.</p>
<p>Here are a couple examples:</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/029-what-do-you-get-with-instagram.png" alt="What do you get with Instagram?" width="700" height="375" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11190" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/029-what-do-you-get-with-instagram.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/029-what-do-you-get-with-instagram-300x161.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>In the above screenshot, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yesandyesblog/" target="_blank">Sarah Von Bargen</a> cleverly plugs a course she offers in the midst of a tiny, bite-sized post (accompanied by a photo of assorted beverages).</p>
<p>And in the below screenshot, my friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jaimedbuckley/" target="_blank">Jaime Buckley</a> (in true Jaime Buckley style), uses Instagram to publish an eye-catching graphic alongside 107 inspirational words on parenting.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/030-instagram-for-eye-catching-graphics.png" alt="" width="700" height="424" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11191" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/030-instagram-for-eye-catching-graphics.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/030-instagram-for-eye-catching-graphics-300x182.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>That’s microblogging — and it can be done very, very well using Instagram.</p>
<h3>Who Should Use Instagram?</h3>
<p>Anyone who focuses on highly-visual topics.</p>
<p>Models…</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/031-why-you-should-use-instagram.png" alt="" width="700" height="455" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11192" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/031-why-you-should-use-instagram.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/031-why-you-should-use-instagram-300x195.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Photographers…</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/032-photographers-use-instagram.png" alt="" width="700" height="359" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11193" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/032-photographers-use-instagram.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/032-photographers-use-instagram-300x154.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Yoga instructors…</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/033-yoga-instructors-use-instagram.png" alt="" width="700" height="405" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11194" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/033-yoga-instructors-use-instagram.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/033-yoga-instructors-use-instagram-300x174.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Professional chefs…</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/034-professional-chefs-use-instagram.png" alt="" width="700" height="455" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11195" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/034-professional-chefs-use-instagram.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/034-professional-chefs-use-instagram-300x195.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Make-up artists, hair stylists, clothing stores…</p>
<p>The list goes on and on.</p>
<p>If you’re someone who can combine great visuals with short posts that pack a punch, you can have great success using Instagram as a microblogging platform.</p>
<h3>Who Should NOT Use Instagram?</h3>
<p>If your idea of a great image involves pulling out the iPhone 3G you’ve had since 2008 and snapping a photo, Instagram may not be the platform for you.</p>
<p>If you tend to draft novels when you write, Instagram’s 2,200 character limit when writing captions could prove problematic.</p>
<p>Also, if your target audience tends to shy away from mobile devices for any reason, Instagram might not be the best platform to test your ideas. Instagram started life as a mobile app. Mobile is where it shines, and it’s where most of its users call home.</p>
<p>(So, if you’re planning to start a Wilford Brimley fan club, it’s probably best to skip Instagram.)</p>
<h3>Final Word on Instagram</h3>
<p><strong>What are the Pros?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Great for visual topics</li>
<li>Ideal platform for microblogging (short posts)</li>
<li>Great if your target audience primarily uses mobile devices</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>What are the Cons?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Limited to 2,200 characters</li>
<li>Limited to one hyperlink (in your bio)</li>
<li>If your target audience isn’t on mobile, it’s less than ideal</li>
</ul>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Instagram offers a great microblogging platform geared toward visual topics. However, it is not kind to fans of the great Wilford Brimley.<br /></div>
</div>
<h2 id="guest_blogging">#5. Guest Blogging: Best Platform for Building Your Authority</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Sometimes, the best platform for your work is someone else’s popular blog.</p>
<p>Why? Because it can mean instant credibility.</p>
<p>Once your post publishes on a site like Smart Blogger, Forbes, Lifehacker, or Business Insider; people look at you differently.</p>
<p>Yesterday, you were just you — a talented, attractive writer living in obscurity. But then, after having your work published on a well-known website, you’re now seen as a subject matter expert in your field.</p>
<p>What happened? Guest blogging happened.</p>
<h3>How Do You Get Started?</h3>
<p>There are two approaches to finding sites where you can contribute guest posts.</p>
<p>The first is easy…</p>
<p>Check to see if the blogs you already like to read (that are relevant to your niche, of course) accept guest post submissions.</p>
<p>Browse their “About” or “Start” pages. Try their “Contact” page. Sometimes, they’ll make it easy and have a “Contribute” or “Write for Us” link in their navigation menu or footer.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/035-guest-blogging-best-platform-for-building-authority.png" alt="Guest Blogging - Best platform for building authority" width="700" height="246" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11196" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/035-guest-blogging-best-platform-for-building-authority.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/035-guest-blogging-best-platform-for-building-authority-300x105.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>The second approach involves utilizing Google’s and Twitter’s search capability.</p>
<p>Here’s how it works:</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/036-use-google-to-find-places-to-guest-blog.png" alt="Use Google to find the best places to guest blog." width="700" height="499" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11197" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/036-use-google-to-find-places-to-guest-blog.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/036-use-google-to-find-places-to-guest-blog-300x214.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>As you can in the screenshot above, you can query a topic (in this example: “blogging”) along with a search phrase (“write for us”).</p>
<p>Google returned a list of results that contained both of those search terms/phrases.</p>
<p>Click on the results that look promising, browse the sites, and see if they’re a good fit. Not all sites will be worth your time. Skip the ones that aren’t. Bookmark the matches.</p>
<p>Then try some other, similar queries:</p>
<ul>
<li>“Blogging” + “guest post”</li>
<li>“Blogging” + “contribute”</li>
<li>“Blog tips” + “write for us”</li>
</ul>
<p>And so on.</p>
<p>Replace “blogging” and “blogging tips” with whatever topics <em>you</em> would like to write about.</p>
<p>Searching for guest blogging opportunities on Twitter follows a similar routine:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/037-search-guest-blogging-opportunities-on-twitter.png" alt="Search guest blogging opportunities on Twitter." width="700" height="439" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11198" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/037-search-guest-blogging-opportunities-on-twitter.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/037-search-guest-blogging-opportunities-on-twitter-300x188.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Type “guest post”, “guest blog post”, “guest article”, etc. in the search box. Twitter will give you a list of tweets where people used those exact phrases.</p>
<p>Every time someone proudly tweets that a guest post they’ve written has been published on someone’s site, as <a href="https://twitter.com/MeeraKothand">Meera Kothand</a> does in the above screenshot, it’s saved by Twitter for posterity. And it allows you to go on an archeological hunt find it.</p>
<p>Scroll through the results.</p>
<p>Based on the title of the guest post and the site that published it, you will have a good idea whether or not it’s a match for you. Keep scrolling until you find some possibilities. Click the link in the tweet, browse the site, and bookmark it for later if you think it’s a contender.</p>
<h3>What Do You Get For $0?</h3>
<p>You get the chance to put your words in front of already-existing, relevant audiences.</p>
<p>Jon wasn’t an unknown when he wrote <a href="https://problogger.com/how-to-quit-your-job-move-to-paradise-and-get-paid-to-change-the-world/" target="_blank">How to Quit Your Job, Move to Paradise and Get Paid to Change the World</a> as a guest post for Darren Rowse’s ProBlogger in 2011, but he was an <em>unknown to me</em> until I discovered the post a few years later.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/038-credibility-through-guest-blogging.png" alt="Gain credibility through guest blogging." width="600" height="287" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11199" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/038-credibility-through-guest-blogging.png 600w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/038-credibility-through-guest-blogging-300x144.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></div>
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<p>Then everything changed.</p>
<p>It didn’t matter that Jon was already well known by most thanks to his former role at <a href="https://www.copyblogger.com/author/jonathan-morrow/" target="_blank">Copyblogger</a>; for me, his ProBlogger post was a gateway drug.</p>
<p>Jon went from being an unknown — a riddle, wrapped in an enigma, smothered in secret sauce — to an authority on blogging I <em>had to read</em>.</p>
<p>That’s the power of guest blogging. Every time you put your words in front of newly targeted audiences; you have the chance to gain fans for life.</p>
<h3>Who Should Guest Blog?</h3>
<p>Anyone who wants to build their credibility and boost their authority.</p>
<p>How can guest blogging do that, you ask? Let’s use me as an example.</p>
<p>Before I wrote my <a href="https://smartblogger.com/bucket-list/" title="bucket list">first guest post</a> for Smart Blogger, the only people who viewed me as an authority on blogging were my wife and <em>maybe</em> one of our cats.</p>
<p>My site, Be A Better Blogger, was less than a year old. After reading a post about quitting your job and moving to paradise written by some guy named Jon, launching my own “blog about blogging” sounded like a great idea.</p>
<p>So that’s what I did. I was on unemployment at the time, and I had a lot of free time on my hands.</p>
<p>And I was doing a great job in such a short period.</p>
<p>The only problem?</p>
<p>I had little credibility. Few saw me as an authority on the topics I was writing.</p>
<p>Then I received an email…</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/038-credibility-through-guest-blogging.png" alt="Gain credibility through guest blogging." width="600" height="287" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11199" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/038-credibility-through-guest-blogging.png 600w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/038-credibility-through-guest-blogging-300x144.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></div>
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<p>Jon’s editor, the talented Glen Long, invited me to write a guest post for Smart Blogger (formerly known as Boost Blog Traffic).</p>
<p>That guest post…</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/039-opportunities-from-guest-blogging.png" alt="Gain opportunities from guest blogging." width="700" height="502" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11201" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/039-opportunities-from-guest-blogging.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/039-opportunities-from-guest-blogging-300x215.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Led to a <a href="https://smartblogger.com/blog-comments/" title="blog comments">second opportunity</a>…</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/040-opportunities-from-guest-blogging-2.png" alt="Gain opportunities from guest blogging." width="700" height="509" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11202" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/040-opportunities-from-guest-blogging-2.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/040-opportunities-from-guest-blogging-2-300x218.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>Which led to a <a href="https://smartblogger.com/memorable-content/" title="memorable content">third</a>…</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/041-opportunities-from-guest-blogging-2.png" alt="Gain opportunities from guest blogging." width="700" height="506" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11203" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/041-opportunities-from-guest-blogging-2.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/041-opportunities-from-guest-blogging-2-300x217.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>Which led to the post you’re reading right now.</p>
<p>It led to opportunities like writing for Syed Balkhi over at <a href="https://optinmonster.com/" target="_blank">OptinMonster</a>.</p>
<p>It led to being asked to provide quotes for dozens of blog posts and articles.</p>
<p>It led to flattering, tongue-placed-firmly-in-cheek emails like this one from <a href="https://menwithpens.ca/" target="_blank">James Chartrand</a>:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/042-guest-blogging-legitimizes-you-as-a-blogger.png" alt="Guest Blogging legitimizes you as a blogger." width="700" height="295" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11204" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/042-guest-blogging-legitimizes-you-as-a-blogger.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/042-guest-blogging-legitimizes-you-as-a-blogger-300x126.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>It may not have led to tons of traffic for my website or large crowds chanting my name in the streets, but guest blogging did something that would have taken me considerable time to do on my own:</p>
<p>It legitimized me.</p>
<p>Hey, and speaking of website traffic…</p>
<h3>Who Should NOT Guest Blog?</h3>
<p>Anyone who wants to build up their own blog.</p>
<p>The reason? It isn’t very efficient.</p>
<p>Brace yourself…</p>
<p><em>You would better off publishing your masterpiece on your website, even if it isn’t yet popular, rather than on someone else’s — even if their website is very popular.</em></p>
<p>Please don’t misunderstand: Guest blogging is a great way to gain credibility; however, it isn’t a great way to get traffic to your blog. Not anymore.</p>
<p>Guest blogging may have been a nice traffic source in the past, but those days are long gone.</p>
<p>In his eye-opening article on the topic, Tim Soulo determined <a href="https://bloggerjet.com/guest-post/" target="_blank">guest blogging was a poor return on investment</a> if your goal was to generate traffic to your website.</p>
<p>According to Tim’s survey of over 500 bloggers (which included yours truly):</p>
<ul>
<li>Guest posts from those in the marketing niche earned their authors an average of only 56 website clicks</li>
<li>85% of the authors received fewer than 100 referrals to their sites</li>
</ul>
<p>That doesn’t mean you should <em>never</em> guest blog. It just means you need to be clear about your reasons for doing so.</p>
<p>Guest blog for credibility, for boosting your authority, and for building your brand.</p>
<p><em>Don’t guest blog</em> if you’re hoping for traffic. More often than not, you’ll be disappointed.</p>
<p>Oh, and there’s one more group who shouldn’t guest blog:</p>
<p><strong>Those who want to take shortcuts.</strong></p>
<p>There’s both good and bad when you’re putting your words in front of a large audience. If your post teaches them something new, inspires them, or gives them something juicy to chew on; they’ll remember you for it.</p>
<p>And if it sucks? Yeah, they’ll remember you for that too.</p>
<p>Guest blogging is a great way to build your authority, but it’s also a great way to destroy it.</p>
<p>If you’re not willing to put in the time and do the work, guest blogging isn’t for you.</p>
<h3>Final Word on Guest Blogging</h3>
<p><strong>What are the Pros?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Write for interested, targeted audiences</li>
<li>Fastest way to build your authority and reputation</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>What are the Cons?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Fastest way to destroy your authority and reputation</li>
<li>Not an efficient method for getting traffic to your own website</li>
<li>Getting published on quality sites is hard work</li>
<li>Time-consuming — may be hard to fit into busy schedules</li>
</ul>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Guest blogging is a great way to build your authority and get your content in front of new readers. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it. However, it’s unlikely to generate tangible traffic to your blog.<br /></div>
</div>
<h2 id="self_hosted_wordpress">Making the Switch to Self-Hosted WordPress</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Technically, there’s <em>one more</em> free option out there…</p>
<p>The WordPress.org software — the same software used by WordPress.com — is free too. It’s free for any and all to use.</p>
<p>However, just like there’s no such thing as a free puppy (once you factor in food, veterinarian bills, and replacing all your shoes after they’ve become chew toys), WordPress.org’s software isn’t <em>actually</em> free once you add up the other expenses.</p>
<p>See, to use the software, you have to install it on your own web host. That costs money.</p>
<p>Is this something you will want to do eventually? Absolutely. Just not right now. Not when you’re getting started.</p>
<p>So how will you know when you’re ready?</p>
<p>Jon recommends making the switch once you reach a 20% outreach success rate.</p>
<p>What does that mean? Let’s break it down:</p>
<h3>Step #1: Register for a Free Blog</h3>
<p>Sign up for Medium, WordPress.com, or whatever free platform best fits your needs.</p>
<h3>Step #2: Follow Jon’s New Method for Starting a Blog</h3>
<p>If you haven’t read <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog" title="how to start a blog">How to Start a Blog in 2018</a>, do so immediately.</p>
<p>(Well, not <em>immediately</em>. Finish reading this post; leave us a comment; and share it with all your friends, loved ones, and acquaintances. Then, by all means, immediately after <a href="https://twitter.com/kevinjduncan" target="_blank">saying hi</a> on Twitter, go and read Jon’s excellent tutorial.)</p>
<p>In the post, Jon shows you how to conduct a miniature <a href="https://smartblogger.com/blogger-outreach/" title="blogger outreach campaign">outreach campaign</a> where you email 10-20 influential bloggers and ask them to share your blog posts.</p>
<p>Once you’ve hit a 20% success rate, you’re ready to make the transition.</p>
<h3>Step #3: Switch to Self-Hosted WordPress</h3>
<p>Jon’s post also offers guidance for making the switch. When you’re ready to choose a web host, be sure to read <a href="https://smartblogger.com/wordpress-hosting/" title="wordpress hosting">WordPress Hosting: A Brutally Honest Guide That’ll Save You Money</a>.</p>
<p>It’ll help you pick the best host for your needs and budget.</p>
<h2 id="best_free_blogging_platform_for_you">What’s the Best Free Blogging Platform for You?</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it?</p>
<p>You now know why testing your ideas on a free blogging platform when you’re just starting is a good idea. You now know the pros and cons of Medium, WordPress.com, LinkedIn, Instagram, and guest blogging. And, you now know how to get started with each of them.</p>
<p>So which one is it going to be?</p>
<p>If you want my honest opinion, the answer is simple…</p>
<p>The best free blogging platform is whichever one will get you to stop dipping your toes into the water and start diving in head first.</p>
<p>The next blogging masterpiece isn’t going to write itself.</p>
<p>Are you ready?</p>
<p>Then let’s do this thing.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author</strong>: Kevin J. Duncan runs <a href="https://beabetterblogger.com" target="_blank">Be A Better Blogger</a>, where he uses his very particular set of skills to help people become the best bloggers they can be.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/blogging-platforms/">The 5 Best Free Blogging Platforms in 2019 (100% Unbiased)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
<br />
<br />
source <a href="https://smartblogger.com/blogging-platforms/">https://smartblogger.com/blogging-platforms/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-16769987129271165722018-10-31T17:20:00.001-07:002018-10-31T17:20:13.789-07:00How to Grow a Blog to 20 Million Readers – with Maat van Uitert<p>Ever wish you could <strong>grow your blog to millions of readers</strong>?</p>
<p>Do you wonder if it's even possible?</p>
<p>In this interview, Maat van Uitert shares how she was able to do it.</p>
<h3>Listen to the Interview</h3>
<p><iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/522664557&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false" width="100%" height="166" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<h2>Maat van Uitert – Her Blogging Story</h2>
<p>Maat started her blog back in 2015. Her family had moved to a farm in Southeast Missouri and there weren't any jobs available.</p>
<p>When she moved, she didn't know anyone and was looking for something to do.</p>
<p>When she stumbled onto blogging, she thought it would be a fun hobby.</p>
<p>She could use her blog to share what was going on in their lives.</p>
<p>And what was going on in their lives? Chickens.</p>
<div id="attachment_26372" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26372" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-2-350x350.png" alt="First Blog Topics" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-2-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-2-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-2-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-2-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-2-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-2-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-2.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Maat's First Blog Topics were Focused on Chickens</p>
</div>
<p>Chickens were a big part of their lives and were family pets. Talking about Backyard chickens was a natural way to talk about what they were into.</p>
<p>That was the start of her blog, <a href="http://pamperedchickenmama.com/">Pampered Chicken Mama</a>.</p>
<p>In the beginning, she didn't look at it as a business. She didn't even know it was possible to make money with a blog.</p>
<p>But then she started learning more about blogging. She learned that it was a good income source.</p>
<p>So she went all in and grew it into a huge platform with 20 million readers.</p>
<p>Today, there's a team behind the blog and it's a solid business that provides for her family.</p>
<h2>Her Content Creation Evolution</h2>
<p>When she first started her blog, her content was about farming in general.</p>
<p>But the problem was that nobody cared. It became necessary to refine the topic a bit.</p>
<p>So she started digging into her area of expertise to help her refine. Her area of expertise was</p>
<div id="attachment_26373" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26373" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-2-350x350.png" alt="Refine topic" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-2-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-2-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-2-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-2-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-2-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-2-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-2.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Maat had to refine her topic.</p>
</div>
<p>animals, and more specifically, chickens.</p>
<p>So she started creating content about caring for chickens as food producers.</p>
<p>Then she came to a big revelation – people who kept chickens for food aren't buyers.</p>
<p>But people spend money on their pets. After realizing that, she made the smart decision to focus on people who kept chickens as pets.</p>
<p>She structured her content in that way because she needed to <strong>make money to take care of her family</strong>.</p>
<h2>Growing an audience</h2>
<div id="attachment_26374" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26374" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-2-350x350.png" alt="Grow an Audience" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-2-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-2-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-2-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-2-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-2-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-2-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-2.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">How to Grow an Audience</p>
</div>
<p>When Maat started taking her blog seriously, she started focusing on growth.</p>
<p>She knew she needed an audience, and did what it took to grow hers.</p>
<p>For her blog, it was all about 3 different strategies:</p>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/26163/how-to-network-grow-your-blog/">Networking with other bloggers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/22140/wordpress-seo-ranked-in-google/">Search Engine Optimization</a> (SEO)</li>
<li>Learning about <a href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/22695/social-media-strategy-blog/">Social Media Marketing</a></li>
</ol>
<h2>How to Network with Other Bloggers</h2>
<p>When Maat started her blog, she joined Facebook groups to connect with other bloggers. Especially bloggers in her niche (Homestead).</p>
<p>She would then reach out to these bloggers to network with them.</p>
<p>Those relationships eventually evolved into a support group of bloggers.</p>
<p>This also led to some guest posting opportunities. However, those guest posts didn't result in a lot of traffic for her.</p>
<h2>Search Engine Optimization</h2>
<div id="attachment_26375" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26375" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-2-350x350.png" alt="SEO" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-2-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-2-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-2-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-2-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-2-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-2-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-2.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">SEO played a big role in increasing her blog audience.</p>
</div>
<p>When it comes to SEO, you have to understand keyword research and where your competition is.</p>
<p>Here's a secret – there are websites that spend a lot of money on SEO research. You can look at what those websites are doing and figure out how to rank based on that.</p>
<p>If you combine that with doing some of your own keyword research, you have a recipe for success.</p>
<p>Two tools to help you are the <a href="https://ads.google.com/home/tools/keyword-planner/">Google Keyword Planner</a> and <a href="https://www.semrush.com/">SEMRush</a>.</p>
<p>Using those tools, you can find good keywords and analyze your competition.</p>
<p>Once you understand those things, you can develop an editorial calendar targeting the right keywords.</p>
<div id="attachment_26377" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26377" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-2-350x350.png" alt="Keywords Google" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-2-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-2-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-2-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-2-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-2-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-2-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-2.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Optimize your posts for your chosen keywords</p>
</div>
<p>Here's how you can optimize your posts for your chosen keywords:</p>
<ul>
<li>Include your keywords in your title</li>
<li>Include your keywords in the URL</li>
<li>Include your keywords in your image file names</li>
<li>Include your keywords in your image alt tags</li>
<li>Include your keywords in the description</li>
<li>Include your keywords multiple time in the article</li>
<li>Include your keywords in at least one h2 tag</li>
</ul>
<h2>Social Media Marketing</h2>
<div id="attachment_26378" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26378" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/7-1-350x350.png" alt="Pinterest Marketing Strategy" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/7-1-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/7-1-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/7-1-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/7-1-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/7-1-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/7-1-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/7-1.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">She went all in to refine her Pinterest strategy.</p>
</div>
<p>Maat noticed that she was getting most of her Social Media traffic from Pinterest.</p>
<p>To double down on what was working, she decided to go all in on Pinterest.</p>
<p>To refine her Pinterest strategy, she constantly analyzed what was working for her.</p>
<p>If a certain kind of content was getting more pins and repins, she would create more of that content.</p>
<p>Her focus was on doing more of what was working.</p>
<p>Why? Because that was driving page views and resulting in more money.</p>
<p>Her recommendation is for you to do the same – focus on what works.</p>
<h2>Bringing in the human element</h2>
<p>One day, Maat was giving a talk about caring for chickens in Tennessee.</p>
<p>During the talk, people kept asking her how to do things. Her response was sharing things they could do.</p>
<div id="attachment_26379" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26379" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-1-350x350.png" alt="shared personal life" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-1-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-1-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-1-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-1-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-1-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-1-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-1.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">She shared more about her personal life.</p>
</div>
<p>But they wanted to know how SHE did things. This was her first hint that her audience wanted to know more about her and her family.</p>
<p>A year ago, she started talking about her children having special needs.</p>
<p>When she opened up about that, she started getting personal messages from people all over the world.</p>
<p>They were sharing with her about how they kept chickens because of their special needs children.</p>
<p>That's when she realized the importance of sharing about her life.</p>
<p>It helps to create community.</p>
<p>Today, she includes a personal story in every email she sends out.</p>
<p>She also includes family stuff in the editorial calendar.</p>
<h2>How to get millions of page views</h2>
<div id="attachment_26380" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26380" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-1-350x350.png" alt="millions of page views." width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-1-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-1-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-1-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-1-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-1-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-1-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-1.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">There's no magic bullet to get millions of page views.</p>
</div>
<p>When asked about how to go from where you are to having a blog with millions of views, here are her tips:</p>
<ul>
<li>Understand that there's no magic bullet.</li>
<li>Listen to people who are smarter than you. It's important to listen to people who have been there, done that.</li>
<li>Invest in your education. She estimates that she has spent $50K in her blogging/business education.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Maat's Passion for Parents of Special Needs Children</h2>
<p>Parents of special needs children need to know that blogging is a viable way to support your family.</p>
<p>When you build an online business, you're able to take care of your family better. There's a lot of flexibility if you build your business in a smart way.</p>
<p>The key is to build in a way that you can remove yourself from the business.</p>
<p>Here are Maat's tips for removing yourself from your business:</p>
<ul>
<li>Develop Standard Operating Procedures for how you handle things in your business.</li>
<li>Hire smart people and project managers. They know how to do their jobs and are invested in the business.</li>
<li>Treat freelancers very well and pay them very well.</li>
<li>Build a team of people who are invested in the outcome of the business.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you are a parent of special needs children and want to know more about building a business, visit <a href="http://teammaat.com">TeamMaat.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/26367/grow-a-blog-20-million-readers/">How to Grow a Blog to 20 Million Readers – with Maat van Uitert</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.becomeablogger.com">Become A Blogger</a> by <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/author/becomeablogger/">Leslie Samuel</a>.</p>
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<br />
source <a href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/26367/grow-a-blog-20-million-readers/">https://www.becomeablogger.com/26367/grow-a-blog-20-million-readers/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-14250461026291321332018-10-31T15:30:00.001-07:002018-10-31T15:30:38.183-07:00Instant Social Profits 2.0 Review + Bonus – Build Profitable FB Groups<p>Instant Social Profits (Ewwwwww!!!) What a terrible name, and in fact the sales page isn’t much better… lot’s of hype, income proof screenshots and overall IM BS! BUT! Stick around as once you go past all of that it DOES get better! What Is Instant Social Profits? So let’s dive straight in, you may already […]<br />
from First Stop IM – Lewis Turner – Journey To Millions <a href="http://firststopim.com/review-discount-bonus/instant-social-profits-2-0-review-bonus-build-profitable-fb-groups/">http://firststopim.com/review-discount-bonus/instant-social-profits-2-0-review-bonus-build-profitable-fb-groups/</a></p>
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source <a href="https://firststopim.tumblr.com/post/179633074888">https://firststopim.tumblr.com/post/179633074888</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-48339121495765777182018-10-26T19:31:00.001-07:002018-10-26T19:31:21.589-07:00The Failures That Lead to Me Making Money Blogging<p>My journey to <strong>making money blogging</strong> wasn't a rosy one.</p>
<p>In this post and podcast episode, I share some of that journey with you as well as lessons learned.</p>
<h4>Listen to episode</h4>
<p><iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/518942973%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-Mthnm&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false" width="100%" height="166" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe><br />
I can remember it like it was yesterday.</p>
<p>There were three deposits in my PayPal account. Two $27 deposits and one $16 deposit – a total of $70.</p>
<div id="attachment_26337" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26337" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-1-350x350.png" alt="Paypal deposits" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-1-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-1-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-1-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-1-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-1-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-1-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-1.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Paypal deposits</p>
</div>
<p>It was at that moment that the course of my life changed. I now knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that making money online was possible.</p>
<p>Yes, I saw all the sales pages before and heard the stories – stories of those that had come before me making tons of money.</p>
<p>That had never been my reality.</p>
<p>You see – I had tried making money on the internet before. Allow me to share those experiences with you.</p>
<h2>Stocks with the pastor</h2>
<p>One day I walked into our choir director's home – pastor Graham.</p>
<p>I was a student at Andrews University at the time and was a member of the Deliverance Mass Choir (DMC).</p>
<p>I don't remember why I was there, but I remember seeing something I had never seen in person.</p>
<div id="attachment_26338" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26338" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-1-350x350.png" alt="stock market" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-1-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-1-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-1-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-1-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-1-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-1-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-1.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">I dumped my money into the stock market.</p>
</div>
<p>He had three computer monitors next to each other, and I was instantly in love. Not with him, but with having multiple monitors.</p>
<p>On two of those monitors, there were all kinds of screens with numbers, graphs, and tickers.</p>
<p>He had been investing in the stock market and was making a decent amount of money.</p>
<p>Fascinated, I asked him to teach me how. He explained the basics, and I was ready to go.</p>
<p>He warned me to try it out with a dummy account.</p>
<p>That's precisely what I did – I invested in the stock market with fake money. What happened? I was “winning.”</p>
<p>I had done some research and found a company that seemed like it would increase its value.</p>
<p>So I dumped my fake money in, and things turned out very well.</p>
<p>I was OBVIOUSLY a pro at this stock market game.</p>
<p>It was time to take the next logical step – throw in some real money in the game.</p>
<p>That's precisely what I did. I took $4,800 of my tuition money and invested in a company that was obviously going up.</p>
<p>It wasn't a problem though – I knew I'd make my money back and then some. I'd have more than enough money to pay my tuition, and then I'd have more money to invest.</p>
<p>What followed was an emotional rollercoaster. One day I'd be up $600, and the next day I'd be down $600. It oscillated back and forth for a few days, until one special day.</p>
<div id="attachment_26339" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26339" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-1-350x350.png" alt="Investment failure" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-1-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-1-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-1-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-1-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-1-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-1-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-1.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">My investment kept going down.</p>
</div>
<p>On that day, something happened. I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew it wasn't good.</p>
<p>I woke up that morning, and my investment was down $2,000. What the heck had taken place?</p>
<p>However, I knew that fluctuations happened all the time. Surely, it was gonna come back up. So I held on to it.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it kept going down, and down, and down.</p>
<p>But it was too late for me – I was already emotionally invested, and couldn't pull out.</p>
<p>It HAD TO come back up . . . But it didn't. But yet – I couldn't see myself taking out less than I had invested until I had to.</p>
<p>I eventually pulled out, when my investment was down to $136. But I pulled it out because I needed to pay rent and didn't have enough money to do so.</p>
<p>My part of the rent was $162.50, so I had to add $26.50 to my “$4,800 investment” to pay my rent.</p>
<p>I never invested in the stock market again (but don't worry – I will get back at it soon, now that I know much more about it).</p>
<h2>12 Daily Pro</h2>
<p>In case you're wondering if I learned my lesson, allow me to disabuse you of that notion.</p>
<p>I didn't. I should've learned not to put money into something without fully understanding it. But I guess that wasn't exciting enough.</p>
<p>So I went on to something else. Something where I was sure I could make WAYYY more money WAYYYYYYY faster. The name was 12 Daily Pro.</p>
<p>It was something some of my college friends had gotten into. They were making money effortlessly.</p>
<div id="attachment_26340" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26340" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-1-350x350.png" alt="12 Day Pro" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-1-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-1-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-1-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-1-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-1-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-1-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-1.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">With 12 Day Pro, I earned while sitting in front of the computer to watch website ads.</p>
</div>
<p>All you had to do was sit in front of the computer and watch 12 websites flash on the screen for 12 seconds each.</p>
<p>That's it. For every day you do that for up to 12 days, you'd make 12 % of your money back.</p>
<p>Yes, with only 144 seconds of work per day, you could make 12% of your investment back. Moreover, after 12 days, you'd have 144% – for a profit of 44%.</p>
<p>Now that's better than any other investment I knew of. How exactly did it work? WHO KNOWS and WHO CARES? 44% is a fantastic return.</p>
<p>I knew I had to be smarter with this “investment.” So I only “invested” $100. I know – you think I was stupid. But hey – it worked. In 12 days, I had $144. Take THAT!</p>
<p>So I took the obvious next step – I “invested” $2000 of my wedding money.</p>
<p>Side note: My fiancee at the time trusted me so much that she allowed me to do that because I was so confident. She's amazing, and I was an IDIOT!</p>
<p>Day 1 – 12%, Day 2 – 12%, Day 3 – 12%. Everything was looking pretty good.</p>
<p>Day 4 – 12%, Day 5 – 12%, Day 6 – 12%. I told you – this stuff was working, and I was pumped.</p>
<p>Day 7 – The site went down.</p>
<div id="attachment_26341" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26341" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-1-350x350.png" alt="12 Day Pro " width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-1-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-1-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-1-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-1-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-1-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-1-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-1.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">12 Day Pro was a fraud.</p>
</div>
<p>At this point, I was a little nervous, but I knew it would come back up. Sites experience technical issues every so often. It was nothing out of the ordinary.</p>
<p>I reassured my wife, and the other people I convinced to dump their money in, that everything would be ok.</p>
<p>That wasn't the case. A few days later, the site was still down. I had no idea what was going on.</p>
<p>That was until I got a call. I don't remember who it was, but the person told me to turn on the TV.</p>
<p>I saw a news report about a big <a href="https://money.cnn.com/2006/02/27/news/companies/sec_autosurf/index.htm">Ponzi Scheme called 12 Daily Pro</a> that the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/lr19579.htm">SEC had shut down</a>.</p>
<p>They were working with the owner (read: fraudster) and were trying to get our money refunded.</p>
<p>I was fortunate to get my money back. Unfortunately, there were many others, including people I convinced to join, who didn't.</p>
<p>I decided never again to invest any money without fully understanding what I was doing.</p>
<p>I needed to be able to trace exactly where the money was coming from. I needed to understand how every step in the process worked.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: 1px solid #CCC; border-width: 1px; margin-bottom: 5px; max-width: 100%;" src="//www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/key/oDG0AY4stZaMuh" width="595" height="485" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2>Why I HATE Internet Marketing Scams</h2>
<p>I didn't lose a ridiculous amount of money online (although $4,800 did feel that way at the time).</p>
<p>But I was able to experience firsthand how it felt to lose a significant amount of money. Not just that, but as you can imagine, losing $4,800 of tuition money had negative ripple effects.</p>
<p>I've been working online since 2008, and have seen a lot of “money-making opportunities” come and go.</p>
<p>And I've seen a bunch of people fall for many scams. Scams that make the creators rich at the expense of others.</p>
<p>And I hate it because real people are being hurt. So many people lose their savings and even retirement because of these scams.</p>
<p>Some even lose their families. This is terrible and needs to stop. Unfortunately, it won't. Not completely.</p>
<p>Because there will always be people, who will do anything for their own personal gain.</p>
<p>Fortunately, there's always something you can do to make sure you don't fall prey to these scams.</p>
<h2>What I learned from internet marketing scams</h2>
<p>I'm glad that I fell victim to these scams. Why? Because those scams taught me a few things.</p>
<h2>1. Empathy above annoyance</h2>
<div id="attachment_26344" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="wp-image-26344 size-medium" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-350x350.png" alt="empathy above annoyance." width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/8.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">I learned empathy above annoyance.</p>
</div>
<p>First off, they enabled me to empathize with others who are looking for success the way I was.</p>
<p>I was looking for the “easy button” like so many people are today. If I hadn't experienced this, it would be easy for me to write off people who are looking for the same thing.</p>
<p>I know how it feels to be in a tough financial situation. I know how it feels to desire a quick win and a flood of extra cash pouring in from who knows where.</p>
<p>As a result, I can help to guide people who are susceptible to these scams.</p>
<h2>2. Don't do what you don't understand</h2>
<div id="attachment_26345" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26345" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-350x350.png" alt="don't do" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Don't do what you don't understand.</p>
</div>
<p>While the stock market isn't a scam, I didn't fully understand how it worked.</p>
<p>With 12 Daily Pro and the other scams, I didn't understand any of it at all.</p>
<p>All I cared about was that I could make money.</p>
<p>Now, before I make any financial “investments,” I need to understand what I'm doing. I take responsibility for my actions.</p>
<p>No more blind faith or, more accurately, blind hope.</p>
<h2>3. Follow trusted, transparent experts/mentors</h2>
<div id="attachment_26346" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26346" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10-350x350.png" alt="trusted, transparent experts/mentors" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Follow trusted, transparent experts/mentors</p>
</div>
<p>When I started to follow people who were doing what I wanted to do, I started having some success.</p>
<p>These experts had been there, done that, and were transparent with what they did.</p>
<p>The best mentors don't have anything to hide. Instead, they were very forthcoming with information. They spilled the beans.</p>
<p>I read their blogs, followed their social media posts, and took their courses.</p>
<p>By following these men and women, I was able to do what they did and see results.</p>
<h2>4. Follow through with consistent action</h2>
<p>This is where most people fail. In every program that I've been through, the majority of people never follow through.</p>
<div id="attachment_26347" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26347" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/11-350x350.png" alt="consistent action" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/11-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/11-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/11-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/11-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/11-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/11-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/11.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Follow through with consistent action</p>
</div>
<p>They buy the course, take a few steps and then fall off the face of the planet.</p>
<p>Those who show up, follow instructions, ask tons of questions and then take action, succeed.</p>
<p>I always tell my <a href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/club/">Blogger Coaching Club</a> members this…</p>
<p>When I took my first course on blogging, I was probably annoying to the other members.</p>
<p>I was on every call and asked tons of questions. So were a handful of others.</p>
<p>We showed up and kept showing up. We created content and have been doing so for over a decade.</p>
<p>And we're still around.</p>
<h2>5. Work HARD!</h2>
<p>Building any business is hard work. Don't believe the hype you read on those flashy sales pages.</p>
<p>Every successful blogger I know worked hard to get where they are. While they do have a lot of leverage today, they still work hard.</p>
<p>Fortunately, with the kind of business we're building, it's possible to get to a point where you don't work as hard.</p>
<p>I know I'm not there yet after doing this for ten years <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/11/72x72/1f609.png" alt="😉" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></p>
<h2>Making money blogging</h2>
<p>On that day when I received those first payments in my PayPal account, my life changed.</p>
<p>Because I knew I could do that over and over again. My hopes were validated.</p>
<p>That was the starting point for everything I've been able to do.</p>
<p>I want to get you to that point. That's why on November 1st, 2018, I'm doing a <a href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/club/">30-day Blog Income Challenge in my coaching club</a>.</p>
<p>If you can see that it's possible for YOU to make money, you will be more likely to follow through.</p>
<p>Are you willing to follow the training? Are you ready to be challenged to take action consistently for 30 days? Are you willing to work hard?</p>
<p>If so, join me, and let's do this.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/club/">Click here to join the coaching club</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/26331/failures-lead-making-money-blogging/">The Failures That Lead to Me Making Money Blogging</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.becomeablogger.com">Become A Blogger</a> by <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/author/becomeablogger/">Leslie Samuel</a>.</p>
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<br />
source <a href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/26331/failures-lead-making-money-blogging/">https://www.becomeablogger.com/26331/failures-lead-making-money-blogging/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-42396126748862354562018-10-25T08:45:00.001-07:002018-10-25T08:45:18.483-07:00What to Blog About: The Data-Driven Guide to Choosing Blog Topics<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/what-to-blog-about.jpg' /></p>
<p>Let’s begin with a simple fact:</p>
<p>Anyone can <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog/" title="how to start a blog">start a blog</a>, but not anyone can start a blog <em>other people want to read</em>.</p>
<p>In the throes of self-pity, you might be tempted to believe it’s because of the fickleness of human nature, a lack of influential connections, or perhaps the realization of how difficult building an engaged audience actually is.</p>
<p>And you would be <em>partially</em> correct. All those factors do play a part.</p>
<p>But what if I told you the primary cause of failure for bloggers is actually their choice of <strong>what to blog about</strong>? Not their connections, not their persistence, not their understanding of how blogging actually works, but the accidental, unfortunate decision to write about the wrong <strong>blog topics</strong>.</p>
<p>You might be skeptical, and rightfully so. The good news is, I’m about to prove that assertion to you right now. Even better, I’ll show you how to uncover exactly what to blog about, increasing your chances of success 100X.<br />
<span id="more-10964"></span></p>
<h2>Blog Topic Insights from Studying 13,360 Bloggers</h2>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/002-blog-topic-insights-v2.png" alt="Blog Topic Insights" width="554" height="135" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10982" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/002-blog-topic-insights-v2.png 554w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/002-blog-topic-insights-v2-300x73.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 554px) 100vw, 554px" /></div>
</div>
<p>Over the years, my team and I have mentored 13,360 bloggers in every imaginable niche, language, and style. Everyone from meteoric success stories like Laurel Bern to thousands of students who have struggled to break through the noise.</p>
<p>And we’ve noticed some patterns. Some very interesting patterns.</p>
<p>Data from students shows us that some blog topics get traffic quite easily while others are nearly impossible. For instance, you can blog about square-shaped tomatoes with as much vigor and persistence as you like, and you’re never going to take off, because… nobody cares.</p>
<p>In fact, the range of blog topics where you can expect to both get substantial traffic and monetize is relatively narrow. Some blog topics that seem plausible from the outset, such as freelancing, actually don’t have a prayer of success.</p>
<p>In other words, your choice of what to blog about is critical. If you make the wrong decision, you can execute every traffic and monetization technique flawlessly, and none of it will work, because having the right blog topic is critical.</p>
<p>Here’s a step-by-step guide to finding your blog topic:</p>
<h2>Step 1: Choose a Popular Niche</h2>
<p><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/001-nested-circles-niche-to-interests.png" alt="Niche to Interests" width="600" height="600" /></p>
<p>Before you write a single post, it’s worth asking yourself a simple question:</p>
<p><strong><em>Is anyone in your niche getting significant traffic?</em></strong></p>
<p>If not, what makes you think you can be the first?</p>
<p>For some reason, people are happy to invest hundreds or even thousands of hours into publishing content without stopping to consider if anyone else has ever been successful. Worse, they believe that competition is <em>bad</em>. They take pride in being the first person to write about a topic and believe that’s an opportunity.</p>
<p>It makes me want to cry. Not only is that perspective flat-out wrong, it’s tragic because it leads you to invest time into projects that never had a prayer of success.</p>
<p>So, how can you tell if a niche is popular or not?</p>
<p>The easiest way is to reference a research library like the one we have in Freedom Machine. It does all the heavy lifting for you by giving you a list of successful blogs, their most popular posts, and examples of how they monetize.</p>
<p><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/niche-research-library.png" alt="Research Library" width="700" height="467" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10995" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/niche-research-library.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/niche-research-library-300x200.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>But let’s say you don’t have that. What can you do?</p>
<p>There’s no exact science to it, but here’s the process I recommend:</p>
<h3>Find a List of Popular Blogs in the Niche</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>This is trickier than it sounds.</p>
<p>Let’s say you’re blogging about how to trade stocks. Does that put you in the “stock trading” niche, the “investing” niche, or something else?</p>
<p>My advice: go to the broadest category that makes sense. In the case of trading stocks, that would actually be the “personal finance” niche, assuming you’re targeting people who want to trade stocks for themselves (more discussion about this later).</p>
<p>From there, just run a simple Google query like “best personal finance blogs”, and chances are, you’ll find several lists to browse through:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/004-best-personal-finance-blogs-google-query.png" alt="Best Personal Finance Blogs Google Query" width="700" height="454" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10969" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/004-best-personal-finance-blogs-google-query.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/004-best-personal-finance-blogs-google-query-300x195.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>From there, you just need to dig a little deeper and find out how popular those blogs really are.</p>
<h3>Plug the Blogs into Ahrefs to Uncover Their Traffic</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>One of my favorite things about <a href="https://ahrefs.evyy.net/c/1316302/298495/4653?subId1=what2blog" target="_blank">Ahrefs</a> (affiliate link) is it gives you both social and search data. Let’s go through an example, and you’ll see what I mean.</p>
<p>In their Site Explorer, you can type in any URL to pull a report on the site:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/005-ahrefs-site-explorer.png" alt="Ahrefs Site Explorer" width="700" height="327" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10970" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/005-ahrefs-site-explorer.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/005-ahrefs-site-explorer-300x140.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>You’ll get back a report with an enormous amount of data. Going back to our trading stocks example, let’s say I found out that Mr. Money Mustache is one of the most popular personal finance sites, so I plug it into Ahrefs. Here’s what comes back:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/006-mr-money-mustache-ahrefs-data.png" alt="Mr. Money Mustache - Ahrefs Data" width="700" height="480" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10971" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/006-mr-money-mustache-ahrefs-data.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/006-mr-money-mustache-ahrefs-data-300x206.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>And that’s just a sample. In the left sidebar, there are lots of additional reports where you can go even deeper.</p>
<p>If you want to look at social traffic, for example, you can click the “Top Content” link, and here’s what you get back:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/007-mr-money-mustache-social-traffic-ahrefs.png" alt="Mr. Money Mustache – Ahrefs Social Traffic" width="700" height="441" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10972" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/007-mr-money-mustache-social-traffic-ahrefs.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/007-mr-money-mustache-social-traffic-ahrefs-300x189.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>There’s all the content on the site, sorted by total shares. As you can see, the top 10 posts all crossed 2,000 shares, so it looks like Mr. Money Mustache is doing well from a social traffic perspective.</p>
<p>Personally, I like to see at least five sites within the same niche with at least five posts above 1,000 shares. That’s usually enough to start guessing what readers in the space want to read more about. More on this later.</p>
<h3>A Word of Warning about Popularity</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Stop for a moment and think about another question:</p>
<p><strong><em>What’s your end goal for building a blog?</em></strong></p>
<p>I’m guessing it’s not just to get a bunch of traffic and feel good about yourself. You want to turn that traffic into money somehow, right?</p>
<p>Well, some niches are dramatically easier to monetize than others. You can get a lot of traffic writing about the daily activities of celebrities, for example, but that doesn’t mean you’ll <a href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-blogging/" title="make money blogging">make money blogging</a> about it.</p>
<p>Some niches can only be monetized through advertising. A good example is the news. Every time you read an article on a news site, they get paid a few cents for an “impression.” That’s how they survive.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/008-monetization-through-advertising.png" alt="Monetization Through Advertising" width="700" height="648" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10973" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/008-monetization-through-advertising.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/008-monetization-through-advertising-300x278.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>If you do the math though, it takes a lot of traffic to start earning enough from advertising to quit your job or do anything meaningful. Like… hundreds of thousands of visitors per month.</p>
<p>For that reason, when my team evaluates popular niches, we also look at how the blogs are monetizing. Ideally, we want to see people selling some type of products and services because those genuinely have the highest ROI on blogs. If all we find are popular sites stuffed with ads, it’s a bad sign.</p>
<p>The bottom line?</p>
<p>Popularity is good, but it’s not enough. When you’re doing research, also pay attention to how blogs in the space are monetizing.</p>
<h2>Step 2: Choose a Single Tribe That’s Hungry for Content</h2>
<p>When you’re researching a niche, you’ll notice blogs seem to focus on different types of readers.</p>
<p>In the personal finance niche, for example, blogs like Get Rich Slowly and The Simple Dollar focus on fundamentals like secure investments, living frugally, and so on. At the same time, there are other blogs like I Will Teach You to Be Rich and Mr. Money Mustache that focus much more on how to increase your income and improve your lifestyle.</p>
<p>If you feel like those sites are fundamentally different, you’re right. While they both occupy the personal finance niche, they serve different “tribes.”</p>
<p>Here’s what I mean by tribe:</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">A tribe is a group of people who congregate online around common interests.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>In the personal finance space, the two biggest groups are “save and invest” people and “increase your income” people. Neither tribe is right, but they don’t really mix well with one another. You won’t find a blog focusing equally on both tribes.</p>
<p>So, how does this help you?</p>
<p>It allows you to narrow in on your target audience. Here’s what to do:</p>
<h3>Name the Tribe for Each Popular Blog in Your Niche</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Earlier, we talked about identifying at least five blogs with more than 1,000 shares on at least a few posts. Now let’s go back and figure out which tribe they are talking to.</p>
<p>For instance, here are the popular posts on Mr. Money Mustache:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/009-popular-blogs-in-personal-finance-niche.png" alt="Popular Blogs in Personal Finance Niche" width="700" height="440" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10974" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/009-popular-blogs-in-personal-finance-niche.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/009-popular-blogs-in-personal-finance-niche-300x189.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>Do you see the pattern?</p>
<p>Mr. Money Mustache is clearly positioning himself <em>for</em> getting rich and <em>against</em> extreme frugality in some of his most popular posts. In other words, he’s speaking primarily to the “increase your income” people.</p>
<p>So, go through your list of five blogs. Based on their most popular posts, who are they resonating with? If it’s not immediately clear, here’s how to figure it out:</p>
<ol>
<li>Skim through their popular posts for patterns.</li>
<li>Read at least a few of them to get a better idea of their philosophy.</li>
<li>Based on what you’ve learned, assign the tribe a name.</li>
</ol>
<p>When you’re finished, you should have a pretty good idea about who’s interested in reading what. From there, you’re ready to…</p>
<h3>Choose the Tribe That’s the Best Fit for You</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Not all decisions can be made with spreadsheets and numbers. To succeed at blogging, you also need to consider what <em>you</em> enjoy talking about. The sweet spot is the overlap between your interests and everyone else’s:</p>
<p><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/010-zone-of-magic.png" alt="Zone of Magic" width="700" height="547" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10975" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/010-zone-of-magic.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/010-zone-of-magic-300x234.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>For instance, let’s say all of the blogs you studied were suddenly interested in having you take over as Editor-In-Chief. Ask yourself…</p>
<ol>
<li>Based on your own approach and philosophy, which tribe would be <em>most</em> excited to have you as their leader?</li>
<li>Which tribe do you feel like you could help grow and achieve their objectives?</li>
</ol>
<p>In other words, you’re looking for an existing blog and tribe to serve as a model for what you want to build. It’s already built a following, so it’s clearly viable, and you feel like you could also contribute in a meaningful way.</p>
<p>That’s what I call the Zone of Magic. Ideally, it’s where you spend all your time.</p>
<h3>What to Do It If You Don’t like Your Options</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Before we move on, there’s one important question we need to address:</p>
<p>What if you’re not a good match for <em>any</em> of the existing tribes in your niche?</p>
<p>Approximately 60% of the students who go through our flagship course, Freedom Machine, find themselves in this exact situation. They have zero interest in writing about any of the topics they find on other popular sites in their niche. Even worse, they feel like those bloggers and their tribes just “don’t get it.”</p>
<p>If you find yourself in that situation, here’s a little tough love for you:</p>
<p>If there’s not an existing tribe who’s clearly interested in the same things you are, and you start a blog anyway, you’re essentially telling people they are wrong and need to change the way they think. In general, people don’t respond well to this. Not only will they refuse to share your posts or buy your products, but they might send you some hate mail as well.</p>
<p>The better, safer, and ultimately much more rewarding approach?</p>
<p>Go back to the drawing board and find a tribe whose interests align with yours. Instead of fighting them, just figure out where they want to go and show them how to get there.</p>
<p>Here’s how…</p>
<h2>Step 3: Write About Their Proven Interests</h2>
<p>Which would you rather write about: topics you <em>think</em> your readers might like, or ones you <em>know</em> will get traffic, because you have proof of those topics being popular in the past?</p>
<p>Obviously, it’s better to have the proof, right? You might as well invest your time where you have the best chances of success.</p>
<p>In this section, I’ll show you how to uncover those proven interests, as well as put your own spin on them. Let’s jump in.</p>
<h3>Drill Deeper into the Site Stats</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Earlier, we used <a href="https://ahrefs.evyy.net/c/1316302/298495/4653?subId1=what2blog" target="_blank">Ahrefs</a> (affiliate link) to examine the most shared posts on Mr. Money Mustache. Let’s go back to that:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/011-drill-deeper-into-site-stats.png" alt="Drill Deeper into Site Stats" width="700" height="368" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10976" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/011-drill-deeper-into-site-stats.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/011-drill-deeper-into-site-stats-300x158.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>In general, the highest-quality shares are the ones from Facebook, so I tend to sort posts that way instead of by overall shares. Save these for later by running a custom export of the first 20 rows and saving it to your computer.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/012-highest-quality-shares.png" alt="Highest Quality Shares" width="700" height="275" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10977" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/012-highest-quality-shares.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/012-highest-quality-shares-300x118.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>The next step is to dig into the keywords driving the most search engine traffic. You can find those by clicking on “Organic keywords” in the left sidebar.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/013-dig-into-the-keywords.png" alt="Dig into the Keywords" width="700" height="338" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10978" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/013-dig-into-the-keywords.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/013-dig-into-the-keywords-300x145.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>The default sorting by traffic is fine, but if you’re a beginning blogger, I would recommend eliminating all keywords with a keyword difficulty (KD) over 40. Again, do a custom export of the first 20 rows and save it to your computer.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/014-eliminate-difficult-keywords.png" alt="Eliminate Difficult Keywords" width="700" height="241" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10979" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/014-eliminate-difficult-keywords.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/014-eliminate-difficult-keywords-300x103.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>You should go through the same process for all the most popular sites serving your tribe. By the time you’re finished, you’ll have a list of dozens or maybe hundreds of posts proven to be popular with your audience.</p>
<h3>Choose Posts Where You Can Add Value</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>So… now you have a big list of popular posts on other sites serving your tribe. That’s obviously useful information, but here’s the big question:</p>
<p><strong><em>How do you use that information without sounding like a copycat?</em></strong></p>
<p>You didn’t get into this to regurgitate the ideas of other writers. You want to publish content that’s uniquely you.</p>
<p>Here’s how:</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">Copy the topic, not the advice.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>For instance, one of Mr. Money Mustache’s most popular posts is Getting Rich: From Zero to Hero in One Blog Post. The <em>topic</em> is getting rich, and the <em>advice</em> is to live simply and frugally on half of what you make.</p>
<p>If I were to write a post on the same topic, I would talk about getting a remote job where you can live in a cheaper country like Mexico but continue making US dollars. In other words, I would give completely different advice on the same topic, and I would interweave my own story of moving to Mexico into it.</p>
<p>I’d also choose a different headline like, “How I Became a Millionaire from My Wheelchair.” Again, it’s the same topic, but an entirely unique headline. No one would accuse me of being a copycat.</p>
<p>You can follow the same approach with the most popular topics in your space. Scan through the list of posts you exported from <a href="https://ahrefs.evyy.net/c/1316302/298495/4653?subId1=what2blog" target="_blank">Ahrefs</a> (affiliate link) and choose the ones where you can write about the same topic but give your own unique advice.</p>
<h3>Write a Better Version of That Post</h3>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Okay, you’re almost ready to write your post. Finally!</p>
<p>Before you start scribbling down your thoughts, consider two final questions:</p>
<ol>
<li>What made the post you studied on the topic popular?</li>
<li>What can you do to create an even better post?</li>
</ol>
<p>It’s like the old saying, “Stand on the shoulders of giants.” When you find a popular posts model, you always want to know why it worked, and you want a good idea of how to improve upon it.</p>
<p>At some point, I’ll write a post detailing exactly how to do that, but here’s the short version. There are five ways to improve upon any post, and they all begin with the letter ‘D’:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Detail:</strong> make your post more detailed (or comprehensive).</li>
<li><strong>Design:</strong> include an infographic or organize your points in a more useful way.</li>
<li><strong>Data:</strong> include unique stats or examples to back up your points.</li>
<li><strong>Drama:</strong> amp up the emotion by infusing your post with personality and stories.</li>
<li><strong>Distinctions:</strong> give advice based on your unique perspective as an expert.</li>
</ul>
<p>For instance, the Getting Rich post on Mr. Money Mustache is pretty short and lacks a lot of detail, so if I wanted to compete, I would probably write a much more comprehensive manual for getting rich, clocking in at 3000+ words. I might also add in my personal story, giving it extra drama.</p>
<p>Regardless of which method you choose, here’s the bottom line:</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">Your goal is to write the best post ever published on a proven, familiar topic.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>Is it easy?</p>
<p>Hell no. Usually, it’s a lot of work.</p>
<p>But this is how you win.</p>
<ul>
<li>You stop writing about whatever you want and limit yourself to proven topics.</li>
<li>You study the competition.</li>
<li>You create content so much better than theirs, that it makes them want to call their mommy.</li>
</ul>
<p>‘nough said.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author:</strong> Jon Morrow is the CEO of Smart Blogger. Check out his new blog <a href="https://unstoppable.me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unstoppable</a> and read the launch post that went viral: <a href="https://unstoppable.me/life-lessons/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7 Life Lessons from a Guy Who Can’t Move Anything but His Face</a>.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/what-to-blog-about/">What to Blog About: The Data-Driven Guide to Choosing Blog Topics</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
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Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-11658405114759669542018-10-19T18:36:00.001-07:002018-10-19T18:36:21.974-07:00I Decided to Think and Grow Rich – Here’s Why<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I hated the book “</span><a href="https://amzn.to/2RWAITz" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think and Grow Rich</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So many people recommended the book to me that I attempted to read it at least four or five times.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Notice the word “attempted” in the previous sentence. There’s a reason for that. I was never able to get through the first few chapters.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’d start reading it and then get turned off by its seemingly heavy focus on getting rich.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And you know what? It turned me off.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But it kept happening – people I know, trust and respect kept recommending it. And yes, it annoyed me.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_26317" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Publication-Foundation/dp/193787950X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1539646867&sr=8-3&keywords=think+and+grow+rich&linkCode=ll1&tag=becomeablogger-20&linkId=df927f4b257436696d7734bcb9295ebb&language=en_US" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26317" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-350x350.png" alt="Think and Grow" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></a>
<p class="wp-caption-text">Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill</p>
</div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Then while attending Cliff Ravenscraft's <a href="https://www.cliffravenscraft.com/p/free-the-dream" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Free the Dream</a> conference, it happened again.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cliff got on the stage and boldly proclaimed – if you haven’t read the book “Think and Grow Rich,” you need to.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fed up, I made a decision. I was going to power my way through the book regardless of how I felt (I listened to the</span> <a href="https://amzn.to/2Co84Wd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Audible version</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That way – I could at least be able to point people to all the reasons why I hated the book.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There was only one problem. From the beginning of the book to the end, I found myself LOVING what it said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It was at that point that I realized that I wasn’t receiving the value of the book because I wasn’t ready.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I needed a huge mindset shift. And that’s precisely what has happened. My mindset has shifted as a result of my experiences in business.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also, a lot of this has to do with my mastermind group who challenge me to think bigger.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I want to share with you the major lessons I drew from the book. Lessons that WILL change your life (and business) if you take them seriously.</span></p>
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Side note: I HIGHLY recommend for you to listen to the episode. I share much more of my full journey through this process.</span></i></p>
<h3>Listen to Episode</h3>
<p><iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/516122355&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false" width="100%" height="166" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<h2>It’s ALL about Mindset – THINK and Grow Rich</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This was my first revelation. My mindset issues were so significant that it caused me to repel the book. I hated the book without even knowing what it stood for.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_26318" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26318" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-350x350.png" alt="Success Mindset" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">To be successful, you have to have a success mindset.</p>
</div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first few pages challenged my previously-held beliefs, and that made me uncomfortable.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thank God I decided to go at it again.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And in the book, Dr. Hill relayed the idea that one of the most significant powers we have is the ability to control our thoughts.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you control what you think, you will control what happens to you. To be successful, you have to have a success mindset. And once your mindset is right, other things fall into place.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Does that sound a bit woo-woo? Well, I’ll take it even further.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The laws that govern success are as immutable as the laws that govern nature.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you drop something from the top of a building, it will fall. Why? Because the law of gravity never fails. That law doesn’t change.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Likewise, if you leave a garden untouched for a long time, weeds WILL grow. The beautiful flowers that were once there will die.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There will be various changes that will result in a not-so-beautiful used-to-be garden.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These processes are natural and are governed by the laws of nature.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What many people don’t realize is that success is the natural result of having a success mindset. If you change your mindset, you change your outcome.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are laws that govern success. If we apply those laws to our lives and focus our minds on those laws, success is inevitable.</span></p>
<h2>The Importance of a Definite Major Purpose</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Too many people wander around in life letting life happen to them. They are passive in their pursuit of happiness/success.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_26319" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26319" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-350x350.png" alt="Definite major purpose" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/3.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Decide on a definite major purpose.</p>
</div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They work at a job because it’s the job they have, not because it’s in alignment with what they feel called to do.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unfortunately, success hardly ever happens this way.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you want to increase your chances of success, decide on a definite major purpose. The following four questions will help you define your definite major purpose:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">What do you want to achieve in life?</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">By when do you want to achieve it?</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How exactly do you plan on accomplishing it?</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">What are you willing to give in exchange for making that goal a reality?</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once you’ve determined your definite major purpose, write it down and read it at least twice daily. Once when you wake up and once before going to bed.</span></p>
<h2>Success is the result of the little things</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the problems I’ve had in life is that I’m quick to pursue big goals. Yes, I know – that doesn’t sound like a problem. Well, not directly.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The indirect result is that I’m not as consistent with the little things. Also, because the goals are so big, and often so far off, I tend to get distracted and move on to something else.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_26320" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26320" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-350x350.png" alt="little things success" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">It’s the little things you do everyday that result in success.</p>
</div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take for example when I made the huge announcement last September. I was going to grow my YouTube channel to 100K subscribers in a year. I went at it hard for a month and then fell off.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But what I know now is that it’s the little things that result in success. The things you do each and every day.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The habits you develop. The stuff you read every day. The content you create every day. The morning routine you go through every day.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Over time these things add up. You will achieve your definite major purpose much quicker that way.</span></p>
<h2>The Importance of Going the Extra Mile</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This sounds obvious, but most people rarely ever do this. We go to our jobs and do what we have to do to get a paycheck.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_26321" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26321" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-350x350.png" alt="Work hard" width="350" height="350" data-pin-description=""Whatever you do, work with all your heart..."" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">“Whatever you do, work with all your heart…”</p>
</div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We start a business, and there are certain things we know we have to get done. That's how we get paid by our clients or customers.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But do we go the extra mile? I’m reminded of a verse in the Bible:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance.” – Colossians 3:23</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Is this how we approach what we do on a daily basis? Is this how we approach the little things? I can’t speak for you, but for me – this hasn’t been the case.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But now I see that if we live our lives this way, success is inevitable.</span></p>
<h2>Success (and being rich) isn’t primarily about money</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes, the thing that held me back from reading this book isn’t even what this book is focused on.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes, the focus is on becoming rich. But richness, as Dr. Hill defines it is way more than just about money.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_26322" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26322" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-350x350.png" alt="Success and riches" width="350" height="350" data-pin-description="Success isn't all about money." srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-350x350.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-150x150.png 150w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-100x100.png 100w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-220x220.png 220w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-550x550.png 550w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6-470x470.png 470w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Success isn't all about gaining more money.</p>
</div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In fact, here are the twelve great riches he addresses:</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A positive mental attitude</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sound physical health</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Harmony in human relationships</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Freedom from fear</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The hope of achievement</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The capacity for faith</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Willingness to share one’s blessings</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A labor of love</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">An open mind on all subjects</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Self-discipline</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The capacity to understand people</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Financial security</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When I read this, I want to shout from the mountaintops – “YES, I WANT TO BE RICH.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because I know that when I’m rich in those twelve areas, I will have had a ridiculously awesome effect on the world.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In fact, I will have changed the world at a pretty tremendous level – and that’s my goal.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also, please note where “financial security” is found on that list. It’s dead last. It doesn’t mean it’s not important, but it’s there for a reason.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s why we see so many examples of financially secure people being extremely depressed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Money alone doesn’t bring fulfillment. But if you’re a rich person in the truest sense of the world, fulfillment is a natural byproduct.</span></p>
<h2>My “Think and Grow Rich” Progression</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This book has changed my life, and I’m only at the beginning stage. I loved it so much that I ended up listening to it four times in two weeks.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Besides that, I’m going through their home study course. Next is their online distance learning program and in-person Leader Certification Class.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My goal is to become a certified Napoleon Hill Foundation Leader. Why?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because:</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">I want these principles to be engrained in my mind at a deep level.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">I want to be able to guide you through embracing a success mindset.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">I want these principles to guide the content I create so that I’m able to help you increase your chances of success.</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You will see and experience the changes in my content.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes, I will continue to teach you how to blog. But I will focus much more on the mindset issues that need to be overcome to be successful at it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That will be a core aspect of what I teach going forward, and I look forward to growing with you.</span></p>
<h2>What it Means for my Coaching Club</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is the part that I’m most excited about. If you’re a part of my coaching club, you will see the most significant changes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why? Because I interact with you on a near-daily basis. I will be pushing you like never before.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I want you to embrace the mindset changes that will increase your chances of success. Mindset will be a core part of the new training.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I will be doing an entire module on mindset. As I answer your questions via video in the Facebook group, you will notice a bigger focus on mindset.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ve decided to invest in your success, and I’m going the extra mile to deliver the highest level of value ever.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/club/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>Click here to find out more about the coaching club</b></a></p>
<h2>Resources Mentioned</h2>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill</span>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/2RWAITz" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Available in Amazon</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/2Co84Wd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Audible version</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Infographic</h2>
<div id="attachment_26326" style="width: 2010px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-26326" src="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/340_Think-and-Grow_INfographic_Edited-1.png" alt="Major Lessons Drawn from Think and Grow Rich" width="2000" height="4640" srcset="https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/340_Think-and-Grow_INfographic_Edited-1.png 2000w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/340_Think-and-Grow_INfographic_Edited-1-350x812.png 350w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/340_Think-and-Grow_INfographic_Edited-1-768x1782.png 768w, https://www.becomeablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/340_Think-and-Grow_INfographic_Edited-1-441x1024.png 441w" sizes="(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Major Lessons Drawn from Think and Grow Rich</p>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/26311/think-and-grow-rich/">I Decided to Think and Grow Rich – Here’s Why</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.becomeablogger.com">Become A Blogger</a> by <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/author/becomeablogger/">Leslie Samuel</a>.</p>
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source <a href="https://www.becomeablogger.com/26311/think-and-grow-rich/">https://www.becomeablogger.com/26311/think-and-grow-rich/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-80270668267911875462018-10-04T08:41:00.001-07:002018-10-04T08:41:11.376-07:00Affiliate Marketing for Beginners: A Step-By-Step, Comprehensive Guide<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/affiliate-marketing.jpg' /></p>
<p>If you’ve ever wondered how to earn passive income from your website, this is post is going to become your new Bible.</p>
<p>Not only am I going to teach you the basics of affiliate marketing, but we’ll also dive into some real examples from professional affiliate marketers who are making thousands or even millions of dollars per year.</p>
<p>In other words…</p>
<p>Want to make a few extra bucks on the side without doing much?</p>
<p>I got you covered.</p>
<p>Or maybe you’re wondering how to become an affiliate marketer and quit your day job?</p>
<p>You’ll find this useful too.</p>
<p>Let’s jump in.<br />
<span id="more-7249"></span><br /></p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<h2>Table of Contents</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#what_is_affiliate_marketing">So What Is “Affiliate Marketing,” Anyway?</a></li>
<li><a href="#why_affiliate_marketing_rocks">Why Affiliate Marketing Rocks for Bloggers</a></li>
<li><a href="#types_of_bloggers">The Types of Bloggers Most Likely to Succeed with Affiliate Marketing</a></li>
<li><a href="#how_to_sell_affiliate_products">How to Sell Affiliate Products (Without Selling Your Soul)</a></li>
<li><a href="#behind_the_hype">Behind the Hype: The Realities of Affiliate Marketing</a></li>
<li><a href="#how_affiliate_engine_works">How the Affiliate Marketing “Engine” Works</a></li>
<li><a href="#three_levels_of_affiliate_marketing">The Three Levels of Affiliate Marketing Mastery</a></li>
<li><a href="#which_products_to_promote">How to Decide Which Products to Promote</a></li>
<li><a href="#7_simple_steps">7 Simple Steps to Affiliate Marketing Success</a></li>
<li><a href="#how_to_start_affiliate_marketing">How to Start Affiliate Marketing</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="what_is_affiliate_marketing">So What Is “Affiliate Marketing,” Anyway?</h2>
<p>Well, here’s our (somewhat long-winded) definition:</p>
<p>If you’ve been listening to us for a long, you’ve learned that bloggers <a title="make money blogging" href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-blogging/">make money</a> by building an audience that trusts them, and then offering products or services that will genuinely help that audience.</p>
<p>Affiliate marketing is really just a quicker way to offer products and services without creating them yourself.</p>
<p>In practice, it’s a modern interpretation of a very old idea — getting a commission on a sale. You introduce your readers to products or services from trusted companies or individuals and get a commission on any sales to customers you send their way.</p>
<p>For bloggers, that means you find a product or service that you like, promote it to your readers, and earn part of the profit on each sale that you make.</p>
<p>Simple idea, right?</p>
<p>Let’s see an example.</p>
<p>In our WordPress hosting post, we give readers the ins and outs of how to choose an excellent host. A portion of readers want to know who we recommend based on those criteria, and so here’s what we say:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/siteground.png" alt="Siteground" width="700" height="408" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10911" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/siteground.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/siteground-300x175.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>The arrow is pointing to an affiliate link. If anyone clicks on that link and buys from them, we earn a commission</p>
<p>Bloggers can include links like this in blog posts, emails, social media posts, and much more. We’ll get into all the possibilities later.</p>
<p>For now, though, it’s important that you know exactly what affiliate marketing means — as well as its potential for you as a blogger.</p>
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<p> </p>
<h2 id="why_affiliate_marketing_rocks">Why Affiliate Marketing Rocks for Bloggers</h2>
<p>At Smart Blogger, we’re big fans of <a title="earn money blogging" href="https://smartblogger.com/earn-money-blogging/">selling affiliate products and services</a>.</p>
<p>Here are three compelling reasons why we think you should look into it, too:</p>
<ol>
<li>You can monetize your blog sooner than you would if you created your own products from scratch.</li>
<li>You can learn what types of products your audience is clamoring for, reducing the risk of any future product launch of your own.</li>
<li>You can get your readers used to the idea of buying from you — and increase their level of trust (as long as you pick the right products and services to sell).</li>
</ol>
<p>All pretty significant advantages to you as a growing blogger.</p>
<p>But that’s not all. There are additional benefits to affiliate marketing as well.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>It’s easy to implement.</strong> You share a link with your readers and that’s it. You don’t have to worry about tracking sales, providing customer service, setting up payments, or anything else. All that support is handled by the merchant.</li>
<li><strong>It doesn’t require you to have a support team in place</strong>. Affiliate marketing is completely doable even if you’re a one-person show.</li>
<li><strong>It doesn’t require specialized expertise</strong>. You don’t have to be a world-renowned expert in your niche. You only need to be familiar enough with your topic area to know what products are good and worth recommending to your audience.</li>
<li><strong>It’s low-effort and low-risk</strong>. While affiliate marketing isn’t exactly passive income, it doesn’t require a significant time or money investment on your part.</li>
</ul>
<p>Sounds pretty good in theory, right? Let’s see if affiliate marketing is right for you.</p>
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<p> </p>
<h2 id="types_of_bloggers">The Types of Bloggers Most Likely to Succeed with Affiliate Marketing</h2>
<p>Affiliate income can look pretty attractive, but you need to have a few things in place first if you want to succeed.</p>
<p>For instance, don’t jump into the deep end if you’re still figuring out <a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog/">how to start a blog</a>.</p>
<p>Instead, make sure that:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>You’re producing regular content on your blog</strong>. You have to give a lot of free value to your readers to build your credibility before you start asking for sales.</li>
<li><strong>You have an email list with at least 500 subscribers</strong>. If you can attract and keep 500+ subscribers engaged around your topic, you have a foundation with earning potential.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Hold Off on Affiliate Marketing if…</h3>
<p>If you already have a list of at least a few hundred people and are planning to sell services like coaching, consulting, design, writing or other professional services (as in legal advice, finance, or real estate) in the short term, it’s probably best to hold off on affiliate marketing.</p>
<p>That’s because for service providers, your best bet is selling services first. It’s simply your most profitable way to start monetizing.</p>
<p>You can consider adding affiliate offers into the mix once your money-making machine from services is running smoothly.</p>
<p>Still with me? Great!</p>
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<p> </p>
<h2 id="how_to_sell_affiliate_products">How to Sell Affiliate Products (Without Selling Your Soul)</h2>
<p>Affiliate marketing has gotten a bad rap in some circles because of unethical marketers who annoy their readers with junk ads, offers that don’t apply to them, or general spam.</p>
<p>These bloggers have given affiliate marketers an unsavory reputation.</p>
<p>But when affiliate marketing is done right, it’s a positive, powerful “engine” for generating value for you and your readers.</p>
<p>The bloggers who succeed understand this simple truth:</p>
<p><strong><em>Your relationship with your audience, and the trust that you build with them, is your single most important asset.</em></strong></p>
<p>The importance of trust can’t be stressed enough. You have to invest the time and effort to constantly nurture trust with your audience — and take care never do anything to betray that confidence.</p>
<p>So whenever you’re tempted to cut corners or venture into the murkier regions of affiliate marketing, just remember you’re risking the relationship with your readers. In other words — don’t do it!</p>
<h3>The Simple Golden Rule for Success</h3>
<p>Here’s our foolproof rule for success as an ethical affiliate marketer:</p>
<p><strong>You should only become an affiliate for products that you have personally used</strong> — <em>even if that means purchasing a product so you can kick the tires and decide if it’s something you can recommend.</em></p>
<p>Why? Because your reputation’s on the line.</p>
<p>Think about it: what’s the first thing you do when you need a new doctor, mechanic or building contractor?</p>
<p>You ask for recommendations from people you trust. Word of mouth is still one of the most powerful marketing tools.</p>
<p>But when you get advice from friends that turns out to be bad, you can’t help but wonder, “What on earth were they thinking?”</p>
<p>You probably won’t value their opinion as highly the next time around — if you even ask them at all.</p>
<p>As a blogger, you can’t afford to have your good name damaged because you didn’t do your due diligence and check a product out thoroughly.</p>
<p>And doing it right makes everything so much <em>easier</em>.</p>
<p>When you can honestly and wholeheartedly recommend a product or service that you’ve tried and liked, your marketing will simply <em>work</em>.</p>
<p>You won’t feel sleazy or unethical. You’ll be legitimately excited about the product — and your audience will appreciate your authenticity and feel confident buying from you.</p>
<p>That’s a good place to be — for both you and your readers.</p>
<p>But in case this is all sounding a little too to good to be true, a few cautions are in order.</p>
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<p> </p>
<h2 id="behind_the_hype">Behind the Hype: The Realities of Affiliate Marketing</h2>
<p>Most good things have a downside, and affiliate marketing is no exception. But if you’re aware of the potential trade-offs and pitfalls, you can enter into it with your eyes open.</p>
<p>So let’s start our reality check with a few cautionary points.</p>
<h3>Quick and Easy to Set Up Doesn’t Mean Instant or Free</h3>
<p>Selling affiliate products is certainly quick and easy when compared with creating, marketing and delivering your own products. But that doesn’t mean it’s a breeze.</p>
<p>You’ll have to take care in choosing which products to represent — and you’ll need to invest time and at least some money into finding the best affiliate products for your readers.</p>
<p>And you can’t expect miracles or overnight successes. You’ll need some trial and error to discover what works and build a mix of offers over time.</p>
<h3>Earning While You Sleep Doesn’t Mean “Set It and Forget It”</h3>
<p>No blog income is truly, completely passive. If you’re looking for an “easy button,” don’t become a blogger!</p>
<p>Even when you’re set up with some affiliate offers, you have to continue the work of growing and engaging your audience — and that means creating great content and building trust with your readers.</p>
<p>Without a loyal and engaged audience, you’ll struggle to find success via affiliate marketing. And without a growing list you’ll quickly “burn out” the audience you already have.</p>
<p>The best way to think of it is like this: affiliate marketing is a money-making add-on to a successful blog, not an alternative to a successful blog.</p>
<h3>Even Smart Bloggers Can Make Dumb Choices</h3>
<p>Many bloggers have been fooled by unscrupulous merchants. If an opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. Even if a merchant is above-board, they might not be a good fit for your audience.</p>
<p>Likewise, you shouldn’t let yourself be seduced by the tactics of less ethical affiliate marketers. You can find numerous tips and tricks in affiliate marketing forums that might help you make a quick buck but could quickly break trust with your audience.</p>
<p>Here are some quick tips to help you stay safe:</p>
<ul>
<li>Never pay a fee to become an affiliate — that includes membership or setup fees. Merchants who charge you fees are running scams on rookies who don’t know any better.</li>
<li>Don’t let yourself be pressured into using “black hat” strategies to drive traffic to your site — e.g., aggressive SEO tactics that focus exclusively on tricking search engines instead of pleasing humans. This kind of activity can alienate your audience and get you banned from search engine listings.</li>
<li>Don’t promote a product until you’ve subscribed to your affiliate partners’ email list and know exactly what your readers can expect in terms of follow-up marketing. Your potential partner may have a more aggressive style than your readers are used to, and that can reflect poorly on you. If there’s a big mismatch, don’t promote the product.</li>
</ul>
<p>Now that you know the pluses and minuses of affiliate marketing, let’s dig in for a behind-the-scenes look.</p>
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<p> </p>
<h2 id="how_affiliate_engine_works">How the Affiliate Marketing “Engine” Works</h2>
<p>Even though it’s based on a simple idea, affiliate marketing can be complicated, especially when you start getting into the nitty-gritty details.</p>
<p>The section will help you understand the most important concepts without drowning you in technical detail.</p>
<p>Let’s start with some basic definitions.</p>
<h3>Affiliate Marketing Glossary</h3>
<p>Affiliate marketing has its own terminology, which can be confusing at first. But if you become familiar with these concepts, you’ll be well on your way.</p>
<p>Here are a few terms it’s important to know:</p>
<p><strong>Affiliate</strong> — the partner who promotes the merchant’s products for a commission. Also called the <em>publisher</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Affiliate agreement</strong> — a contract that both parties agree to specifying the rules, responsibilities, rates to be paid and other legalities.</p>
<p><strong>Affiliate link</strong> — a trackable URL that identifies the affiliate as the source of targeted traffic to a merchant’s site. (A click on an affiliate link counts as a <em>referral</em>.)</p>
<p><strong>Affiliate network</strong> — an online marketplace where merchants list their products and where affiliates can find products to sell.</p>
<p><strong>Affiliate program</strong> — a program set up by merchants to pay commissions when affiliates refer people to their products.</p>
<p><strong>Commission</strong> — a percentage of the total sale that is paid to the affiliate for referring the sale.</p>
<p><strong>Cookie</strong> — in affiliate marketing, cookies are used to assign a unique ID to the buyer in order to tag the purchase as being referred by you. Cookies usually have a predetermined lifespan, so that even if the buyer doesn’t purchase right away, you will still get credit for the sale if it occurs within that timeframe (often 60 days or more).</p>
<p><strong>Customer</strong> — the end user or purchaser of the merchant’s product or service.</p>
<p><strong>Merchant</strong> — the owner or creator of the product or service. Also known as a <em>retailer</em> or <em>brand</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Referral</strong> — credit for a click or a sale that occurs when the affiliate sends traffic to the merchant’s site.</p>
<h3>The Mechanics of Getting Paid for Promoting Affiliate Products</h3>
<p>Affiliate marketing can get pretty technical. Fortunately, you don’t need to know all the details to get started.</p>
<p>The actual mechanics run in the background, thanks to the merchant’s affiliate program software.</p>
<p>But here’s a quick look behind the scenes:</p>
<ol>
<li>When an affiliate joins the merchant’s program, he or she is given a unique ID and a specific URL to use when promoting the product.</li>
<li>The affiliate includes the link in their blog content and/or subscriber emails and invites readers to click it to find out more.</li>
<li>When a potential buyer clicks on the link to visit the merchant’s site, a cookie identifying the affiliate is placed on their computer. The cookie ensures that the publisher is credited with the referral sale even if it occurs days or even weeks later.</li>
<li>Whenever a buyer completes the sale process, the merchant checks the sales record for a cookie identifying the source of the referral.</li>
<li>If the merchant finds a cookie with an affiliate ID, the affiliate is credited with the sale.</li>
<li>The merchant makes reports available so that the affiliate can see their referrals (clicks) and sales.</li>
<li>The merchant pays the affiliate commission at the end of each payment period.</li>
</ol>
<p>Here’s a graphical overview to help you visualize the process:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7252" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/002-affiliate-links.png" alt="affiliate links" width="700" height="900" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/002-affiliate-links.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/002-affiliate-links-233x300.png 233w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>The flow is pretty straightforward once you understand it, and it works the same no matter what kind of product you’re promoting or how established you are as an affiliate marketer.</p>
<p>So let’s look at the typical progression for a blogger who’s serious about making affiliate marketing a major source of income.</p>
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<p> </p>
<h2 id="three_levels_of_affiliate_marketing">The Three Levels of Affiliate Marketing Mastery</h2>
<p>As you mature as a blogger and affiliate marketer, you’ll pass through three distinct stages — each one with its own strategies and typical earning levels.</p>
<p>Knowing what level you’re at is important. If you try to skip ahead and use strategies you’re not ready for yet, you’ll likely fail.</p>
<p>Use these descriptions to figure out where you are in your blogging journey and build from there.</p>
<h3>Stage 1: Getting Started</h3>
<p>You can start selling to your list once you’ve proven that your topic has legs — i.e., you have enough engaged subscribers to prove your blog is a viable money-making platform.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, you’re ready for this stage once you have 500-1,000 email subscribers and at least 10% of them are opening your emails. At this point, you can start testing products to see what your audience is likely to respond to.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Applicable strategies</strong>: Experiment with a few products or services to find a “core earner” and round out your affiliate offers with a few complementary digital products (ebooks, packaged services, download products, etc.).
<p><strong>Typical earnings</strong>: Up to $250/month, enough to cover your expenses and maybe the occasional treat.<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>Stage 2: Ramping Up</h3>
<p>Once your blog is more established and you have a few thousand subscribers, you’ll be ready to up your affiliate sales game.</p>
<p>At this stage, you’ll be publishing quality content on a regular basis and continuing to grow and engage with your email list. You’ll be starting to build relationships with influencers serving similar audiences.</p>
<p>You’ll also now have some experience selling to your subscribers, and you’re beginning to understand what they like and need from you. You’ve found at least one product that’s earning consistently and may also have plans for your own products.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Applicable strategies</strong>: Continue to look outside your core offers to find additional solid-earning products and services. Seek to identify additional smaller-earning offers that also sell consistently.
<p><strong>Typical earnings</strong>: Around $500–$2,000 per month — a nice part-time income.<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>Stage 3: Full Time Earner</h3>
<p>You’re now considered a top-tier blogger, with an email list of 10,000 subscribers or more.</p>
<p>It’s easier now to network with the big influencers because of your accomplishments and reputation. You’ll be invited to participate in major product launches and promotions.</p>
<p>You’re also a pro at selling to your readers, building sales funnels and writing sales pages.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Applicable strategies</strong>: Build closer relationships with the “big name” authorities, participate in high-ticket product launches, and run your own major email campaigns.
<p><strong>Typical earnings</strong>: You’re now making a full-time income from your blog!<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>Of course, relatively few bloggers will successfully progress to this final stage, but you can still achieve significant success and satisfaction from the earlier stages.</p>
<p>Also, some bloggers may deliberately deviate from this path. For instance, if you’re serious about creating your own products, you might start to replace affiliate products with your own offerings around Stage 2.</p>
<p>In other words, you can start monetizing your blog with affiliate sales, using the experience to generate revenue and learn what your audience will buy, then pivot to your own products with a much greater confidence in your product focus and your subscribers’ willingness to buy.</p>
<p>Now that you know the typical stages bloggers go through on their affiliate marketing journey and figured out where you belong, let’s dig into how you find the best products to promote.</p>
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<p> </p>
<h2 id="which_products_to_promote">How to Decide Which Products to Promote</h2>
<p>You can represent many different types of products and services as an affiliate.</p>
<p>Some are more profitable than others, but usually most of your affiliate income will come from one or two “ringers” — core products that just about everyone in your audience needs and which also pay a good commission.</p>
<p>As you progress, you can add complementary products to round out your offerings and help your audience in new ways, but identifying your core earners is an essential first step.</p>
<p>We highly recommend that you start with digital products, services and courses for this simple reason:</p>
<p><strong>They usually have greater earning potential.</strong></p>
<p>Digital products generally pay higher commissions than physical products because there is much less overhead to produce and distribute them.</p>
<p>They also have the advantage that the merchant is often an individual rather than a company, so you can build a personal relationship with them that will increase your status as a blogger and future success as an affiliate.</p>
<p>That said, physical products can be a good option for certain niches, but we’ll focus on digital products for the most part (although we revisit physical products below).</p>
<p>So what’s a potential ringer?</p>
<p>Your best bets are mid-priced ($200–$2,000) courses or services that could potentially benefit almost all of your readers at some point in their journey.</p>
<p>Once you start generating steady affiliate income, you can offer other similar products, hosted services or ebooks that allow you to help more people (or help everyone more thoroughly).</p>
<p>Let’s look into the product options for bloggers.</p>
<h3>Option #1: Digital Downloads</h3>
<p>Digital downloads are online resources that your readers can access instantly, without having to wait for a package to come in the mail (as is true for physical products).</p>
<p>They could be audio or video files, PDFs, ebooks or even links to webpages where the content lives online.</p>
<p>Examples:</p>
<ul>
<li>Books or ebooks — Books that are either self-hosted on your merchant’s website or downloaded from <a href="http://amazon.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.apple.com/ibooks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iBooks</a> or other online sellers<br />
<br />
<img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/backlinko-hosted-ebook.png" alt="Backlinko hosted ebook" width="600" class="alignnone" /></li>
<li>Software — Downloadable programs, games, apps, plugins and cloud services</li>
<li>Mobile applications — Some of the hundreds of apps that are available through the <a href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/affiliates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iTunes Affiliate Program</a> and other <a href="http://www.mobyaffiliates.com/blog/top-mobile-affiliate-networks-2016/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mobile app affiliate networks</a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/itunes-affiliate-program.png" alt="iTunes affiliate program" width="600" class="alignnone" /></li>
<li>Music, movies, TV shows, and more — Media offered through Amazon as well as the iTunes Affiliate Program and others</li>
</ul>
<h4>Advantages</h4>
<ul>
<li>Digital downloads are an easy way to get started and help your audience with pressing problems.</li>
<li>There are no overhead costs of production, shipping or storage.</li>
<li>Your buyer can access and begin benefiting from their digital product immediately.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Disadvantages</h4>
<ul>
<li>Many ebook, software or other download products are relatively inexpensive. You’d have to sell a lot of them to make any significant money.</li>
</ul>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Our recommendation?</strong>
<p>Do it! But expect higher earnings from other options on this list.<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>Option #2: Online, Hosted and Professional Services</h3>
<p>When it comes to selling services as an affiliate, it’s important to concentrate on those which will be accessible to your entire audience no matter where they’re located (as opposed to service providers who serve local customers only).</p>
<p>In other words, don’t limit your earning potential by geography.</p>
<p>Your best bet is to represent online, hosted or professional service providers/influencers you’ve worked with in the past and have full confidence in.</p>
<p>Examples of professional services:</p>
<ul>
<li>Designers (<a href="https://99designs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">99 Designs</a>, <a href="http://www.zazzle.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zazzle</a>, <a href="https://designmodo.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Designmodo</a>)<br />
<br />
<img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/services-screenshots.png" alt="Designer Services Screenshots" width="600" class="alignnone" /></li>
<li>Media or creative businesses (<a href="http://mediacontentadvantage.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Media Content Advantage</a>, <a href="http://www.johnmelley.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Melley Voice Overs & Production</a>, <a href="http://www.musicradiocreative.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Music Radio Creative</a>)</li>
<li>Marketing services (<a href="http://sproutsocial.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sprout Social</a>, <a href="http://Hootsuite.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hootsuite</a>)<br />
<br />
<img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/hootsuite-affiliate.png" alt="Hootsuite Affiliate" width="600" class="alignnone" /></li>
<li>Masterminds and membership sites (<a href="http://seriousbloggersonly.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Serious Bloggers Only</a>, <a href="https://freelancewritersden.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Freelance Writer’s Den</a>, <a href="http://www.digitalmarketer.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Digital Marketer</a>)</li>
<li>Research or consulting services (<a href="https://www.questia.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Questia</a>, <a href="http://touchstoneresearchgroup.com/catalog/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Touchstone Research Store</a>, <a href="http://www.snow-consulting.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Snow Consulting</a>)</li>
<li>Accounting, finance, or legal advice (as permitted by law) (<a href="http://www.findlegalforms.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Find Legal Forms</a>, <a href="https://www.motifinvesting.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Motif Investing</a>, <a href="http://www.greatland.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Greatland</a>)<br />
<br />
<img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/motif-affiliate-program.png" alt="Motif Affiliate Program" width="600" class="alignnone" /></li>
<li>Niche specialties – pop culture, travel, tourism, nightlife, crafts/artisans (<a href="https://www.petcaresupplies.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pet Care Supplies</a>, <a href="http://www.zchocolat.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zChocolat</a>, <a href="https://www.silvercar.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Silvercar</a>)</li>
</ul>
<p>Examples of online/hosted services:</p>
<ul>
<li>Website platforms (<a href="http://www.wix.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wix</a>, <a href="https://www.squarespace.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Squarespace</a>)</li>
<li>Lead generation services (<a href="https://thrivethemes.com/leads/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thrive</a>, <a href="https://www.leadpages.net" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leadpages</a>)</li>
<li>Email service providers (<a href="http://www.aweber.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AWeber</a>, <a href="https://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Constant Contact</a>)<br />
<br />
<img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/aweber.png" alt="Email Service Providers - affiliates" width="600" class="alignnone" /></li>
<li>Website services (e.g., hosting, anti-spam, security, etc.)</li>
<li>Media (<a href="https://wistia.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wistia</a>, <a href="https://vimeo.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vimeo</a>, <a href="http://www.telestream.net" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Telestream</a>, various WordPress plugins)</li>
<li>Course platforms (<a href="https://zippycoursesplugin.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zippy Courses</a>, <a href="https://www.ruzuku.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ruzuku</a>, <a href="https://teachable.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Teachable</a>)<br />
<br />
<img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ruzuku-affiliate.png" alt="Ruzuku - Affiliate" width="600" class="alignnone" /></li>
<li>Virtual Assistant or customer service support (<a href="https://www.zendesk.com/partner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zendesk Partners program</a>, <a href="https://vaaffiliates.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VA Affiliates</a>, <a href="http://www.tempsasap.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TempsASAP</a>)</li>
<li>IT support, cloud-based storage, backup, security or other technical services based on monthly subscriptions</li>
</ul>
<h4>Advantages</h4>
<ul>
<li>It’s easy to become a service affiliate, and it helps your audience manage important tasks that require specific expertise.</li>
<li>There’s likely a higher earning potential than from digital downloads because services are usually offered at a higher price point.</li>
<li>Many hosted services will offer a recurring commission – meaning you’ll get paid for as long as the customers you refer continue to use the service.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Disadvantages</h4>
<ul>
<li>Some of your favorite professional service providers (ones you have experience with) might not have affiliate programs in place.</li>
</ul>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Our recommendation?</strong>
<p>Do it! Especially if you can find an excellent service provider who can potentially help nearly everyone in your audience at one time or another and who can be a strong, steady income generator.<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>Option #3: Online Courses</h3>
<p>Online courses are an important subset of digital products, especially for bloggers, and the market is huge. They’re so popular that they deserve their own category on this list.</p>
<p>Online courses exist on just about any topic you can think of. They range in price from free to thousands of dollars, with higher-priced programs promising big results for students.</p>
<p>Examples:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.learningwithexperts.com/gardening/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">My Garden School</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ahaparenting.com/peaceful-parenting-course" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids – How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting</a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/aha-parenting-affiliate.png" alt="Aha! Parenting affiliate" width="600" class="alignnone" /></li>
<li><a href="https://www.suzeu.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Suze Orman’s Personal Finance Online Course</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>Advantages</h4>
<ul>
<li>Courses are one of the best ways to help your audience achieve a goal that’s important to them or move past a roadblock that’s been keeping them stuck. You can deliver incredible value with little effort on your part.</li>
<li>Courses are often offered at a higher price point than other digital products, so your earning potential is higher.</li>
<li>Courses are popular. It should be easy to find other influencers in your niche whose courses can help your readers.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Disadvantages</h4>
<ul>
<li>You’ll have to spend time working through and reviewing courses to make sure that they deliver on their promises (to protect your reputation).</li>
</ul>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Our recommendation?</strong>
<p>Do it! Help your readers in a big way, and earn big at the same time.<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>Option #4: Physical Products</h3>
<p>If you decide to represent physical products on your blog, your best bet is to choose high-quality, distinctive products that that will appeal strongly to your specific audience.</p>
<p>Avoid commodity products that your readers can buy anywhere — the commissions are so small you won’t make worthwhile money unless you can drive tremendous traffic to your site.</p>
<p>Commissions on physical products are usually fairly low because of the overhead of production costs, storage costs, shipping, etc. So unless you are planning to build a large review or shopping site, physical products will probably be a very small portion of your blogging affiliate income.</p>
<p>However, if you have a favorite tool of your trade, a must-have gadget that will make your readers’ lives easier, or a high-quality recommendation that you’re sure people will be thrilled with, go ahead and offer it.</p>
<p>You’ll build goodwill even if you don’t make a lot of money.</p>
<p>Examples:</p>
<ul>
<li>Niche shopping — <a href="http://www.productreviewmom.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Product Review Mom</a> (parenting), <a href="http://compostmania.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Compost Mania</a> (gardening), <a href="https://roemersworkshop.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Roemer’s Workshop</a> (hobbies), <a href="http://pinchofyum.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pinch of Yum</a> (food)</li>
<li>Tech or gadgets — <a href="https://www.engadget.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Engadget</a>, <a href="http://gizmodo.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gizmodo</a>, <a href="http://craziestgadgets.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Craziest Gadgets</a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/engadget.png" alt="Engadget" width="600" class="alignnone" /></li>
<li>Cool stuff — <a href="http://thisiswhyimbroke.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This Is Why I’m Broke</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>Advantages</h4>
<ul>
<li>Once you have an established blog, companies may approach you and offer you free product in exchange for a review. (You should always disclose this, as it could be seen as a conflict of interest.)</li>
<li>If you can afford to purchase products on your own in order to test them, you’ll be seen as a truly objective reviewer.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Disadvantages</h4>
<ul>
<li>Commissions on physical products are usually a lot lower because of the overhead, so you’ll have to sell a whole lot more product to make a decent income.</li>
<li>Buying products so you can review them before promoting them can be expensive.</li>
</ul>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Our recommendation?</strong>
<p>Offer physical products only under certain circumstances:</p>
<ul>
<li>They’re directly related to your blog topic and something your audience absolutely needs.</li>
<li>They’re not commodities. Specialized and distinctive products reflect better on you, boosting your reputation and credibility.</li>
</ul>
<p>Products might be a good fit for how-to, hobby, fitness, cooking, fashion, food blogs and similar niches.<br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>You should now have plenty of ideas for types of products you can represent.</p>
<p>Here’s how to go about finding the best options for you.</p>
<hr style="height: 1px; border: none; color: #ccc; background-color: #ccc;" />
<p> </p>
<h2 id="7_simple_steps">7 Simple Steps to Affiliate Marketing Success</h2>
<p>Follow these seven steps and you’ll be well on your way to building your own affiliate marketing machine, even if you’re just starting out.</p>
<h3>Step 1: Identify the Desirable End Goal</h3>
<p>The key to finding products that your audience wants to buy is knowing the goals they hope to achieve and the obstacles that are holding them back.</p>
<p>Once you understand your audience’s aims and what’s keeping them from achieving them, you can find products that help them get where they want to go.</p>
<p>Don’t worry — you don’t have to be a mind reader. You just have to know how to listen to what your audience is already telling you.</p>
<p>The easiest and best thing to do is to tap your current readers for details, but even if your list is small, you still have lots of options.</p>
<p>Let’s see how to discover your audience goals and roadblocks.</p>
<h4>1. Mine Your Readers’ Emails and Blog Post Comments</h4>
<p>Gather up and read through feedback you’ve already received from your readers through email or comments on your blog.</p>
<h4>2. Go Ahead and Ask Them by Email</h4>
<p>Send your readers an email and ask them what their biggest frustration or obstacle is right now, and how you can best help them.</p>
<h4>3. Look For Clues Left in Public Places</h4>
<p>Read the discussions in online forums in your niche as well as on sites like Quora. Amazon book reviews on your topic are also enlightening.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/amazon-book-reviews.png" alt="Amazon Book Reviews" width="700" height="455" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10914" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/amazon-book-reviews.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/amazon-book-reviews-300x195.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>Whatever source you use, look for statements that start with phrases like:</p>
<p>“I wish…”</p>
<p>“I’d love to…”</p>
<p>“Someday I’d like…”</p>
<p>“I’m frustrated by…”</p>
<p>“I can’t seem to get past (barrier or challenge)…”</p>
<p>“I hate it when…”</p>
<p>Collect your responses into a spreadsheet or document and look for commonalities.</p>
<p>Then choose a much-wanted accomplishment that you know your readers can achieve if they complete certain steps.</p>
<p>Examples:</p>
<ul>
<li>Gardeners — Grow a year-round indoor herb garden</li>
<li>Personal finance — Build an emergency fund</li>
<li>Career — Get your next promotion</li>
</ul>
<h3>Step 2: List the Steps Needed to Reach the Goal</h3>
<p>Once you’ve found a desirable end goal, list out all the steps that your readers need to take to get there from where they are now.</p>
<p>You’ll find your audience’s objectives, stumbling blocks and challenges in these steps. Once you know these, you’ll be able to look for products to help your readers along their way.</p>
<p>Let’s use our example of the indoor herb garden.</p>
<p>The steps your readers need to take probably look something like this:</p>
<ol>
<li>Find sunny or well-lighted spots in your home</li>
<li>Get the right kind of pots with drainage</li>
<li>Use a good potting soil</li>
<li>Choose plants that will thrive indoors</li>
<li>Find a good fertilizer</li>
<li>Transplant properly</li>
<li>Water and humidify correctly</li>
</ol>
<p>Sound about right? Good.</p>
<p>Now you can start identifying your audience’s needs.</p>
<h3>Step 3: Determine What They Need to Get Ahead</h3>
<p>Look at each of the steps you’ve outlined and figure out what types of tools or resources your readers need to accomplish each step.</p>
<p>They might need physical products such as fertilizer, or they may need software, services or knowledge that they can get from a course or book.</p>
<p>Any tools or resources that are either essential to success or dramatically increase its chances (or provide greater ease or speed) are good candidates for affiliate sales.</p>
<p>Here are some examples for specific groups:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Gardeners</strong> — pots, tools, fertilizer, potting soil, reference books, a course including how-to videos</li>
<li><strong>Emergency fund builders</strong> — a separate bank account, places to sell their old stuff, tips for making money on the side, financial planning services, an ebook on saving money on major purchases, a course on changing money habits</li>
<li><strong>Job seekers</strong> — a book on salary negotiation, resume rewriting services, a course on professional networking using LinkedIn</li>
</ul>
<p>Here are some recommendations for each of the main blogging niches to help you generate ideas of your own:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Business and Entrepreneurship</strong> — Productivity apps, business growth courses, masterminds, books and ebooks</li>
<li><strong>Career</strong> — Resume and cover letter services, aptitude or personality assessments, courses and ebooks on networking and negotiation, mastermind and networking group memberships</li>
<li><strong>Creative Endeavors</strong> — Media services, website and online services, marketing courses, virtual assistant services</li>
<li><strong>Freelancing</strong> — Writing and marketing courses and memberships, ebooks, training programs</li>
<li><strong>Gadgets and Technology</strong> — Physical products, apps, software, games</li>
<li><strong>Marketing</strong> — Lead generation tools, CRM services, email services, website services</li>
<li><strong>News, Culture, and Entertainment</strong> — Movie streaming apps and memberships, restaurant/food review apps, music subscriptions, toys, games, hobbies</li>
<li><strong>Parenting</strong> — Physical products, courses, support groups, memberships to discount sites</li>
<li><strong>Personal Finance</strong> — Budgeting or accounting software or apps, courses, membership sites, newsletter subscriptions</li>
<li><strong>Self-Improvement</strong> — Books and ebooks, courses, tracking apps, coaching services, masterminds</li>
<li><strong>Social Media and Blogging</strong> — Hosting services, WordPress themes, email service providers, web services, media services</li>
</ol>
<p>Using these examples as a guide, brainstorm a list of all the products that you think would help your audience the most.</p>
<p>We’ll narrow down your list in the next step.</p>
<h3>Step 4: Choose a Product to Promote as an Affiliate</h3>
<p>As an ethical blogger, you’ll always be constrained in the products you choose to represent in one of two ways:</p>
<ul>
<li>Either you’re limited by your experience to products that you’ve used and liked, that have affiliate programs <em>and</em> that are a good fit for your audience, or</li>
<li>You’re constrained by the products you can get access to in order to evaluate them, either by buying them outright or getting a free sample or trial.</li>
</ul>
<p>No matter which approach you take, expect to have to invest time and money into researching the best products for your audience.</p>
<p>Here are your three options, listed in order of preference (with your best option listed first).</p>
<h4>Option #1: Promote Products You Already Know and Love</h4>
<p>This is probably the most common way bloggers get started with affiliate sales.</p>
<p>You become an affiliate for something that you’ve used yourself, had a good experience with, thoroughly tested and feel good recommending. You should be fairly confident that others will get the same results you did (or better), as long as they do the work.</p>
<p>If you’ve found great success from a course, mastermind, or ebook that your readers could also benefit from, it only makes sense for you to spread the word and share your results.</p>
<p>Do an inventory of the products, services and courses you already have experience with. You might have a list of a dozen or more.</p>
<p>Which of these would you be thrilled to promote? Cross out any that don’t fit the bill.</p>
<p>Now simply check to see if the merchant has an affiliate program (some won’t but you’ll probably be surprised at how many do).</p>
<p>Do a Google search for “affiliate program” + [product name], or simply email the merchant and ask.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/affiliate-program-pinterest-marketing-course.png" alt="Google for Merchant Affiliate" width="700" height="361" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10912" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/affiliate-program-pinterest-marketing-course.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/affiliate-program-pinterest-marketing-course-300x155.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>Then run your remaining options through this Good Affiliate Product checklist:</p>
<ul>
<li>You’ve previewed the product so you know its quality (given, in this case).</li>
<li>They have a solid refund policy that you trust they’ll honor.</li>
<li>They provide good customer support (and you’ve tested it).</li>
<li>You have a good story to share about your experience with the product.</li>
<li>The offer fits your audience’s needs and won’t abuse the trust you’ve built with them.</li>
</ul>
<p>The products that tick all the checkboxes are your best opportunities for affiliate income. As time goes on, add as many of these products to your mix as you like.</p>
<p>You’ve found your first product! Apply using the merchant’s process and start promoting.</p>
<p>If you’re just dipping your toe in the water of affiliate marketing, this first option may be enough to get you started.</p>
<p>However, most bloggers will want to try one or both of the next two options, too.</p>
<p>(And you’ll have to explore these options if you don’t have an existing product you love that is also a great match for your audience <em>and</em> offers an affiliate program.)</p>
<h4>Option #2: Partner with Influencers to Represent Their Products</h4>
<p>As mentioned earlier, one of the best ways for you to build relationships with the authorities in your niche is to promote their products to your audience.</p>
<p>So if you don’t have any product, course or service in mind already, try this approach next.</p>
<p>Start by asking for recommendations from people you trust. Spy on your favorite influencers’ sites to see what they have to offer. Check each product’s social proof and testimonials and see if they pass the Good Affiliate Product checklist above.</p>
<p>Bloggers who have affiliate programs will often have an application process (sometimes formal, sometimes not) that you can go through to be approved.</p>
<p>Usually, you’ll need to show that:</p>
<ul>
<li>You have a decent-sized email list.</li>
<li>You’re serious about producing content on a regular basis.</li>
<li>There’s a good fit between your audience and the influencer’s audience.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you have all of these things in place, you can approach the influencer and simply ask. Sometimes — especially if they already know you — they’ll even approach you first and offer.</p>
<p>Also, it helps if you’ve been building a relationship with the influencer prior to asking them to become an affiliate.</p>
<p>If you want to work with top influencers doing huge, Jeff Walker-style launches, you might need to invest months or years in building those relationships.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Note:</strong> Requesting an interview is a great way to start getting to know an influencer. After that, just keep nurturing your relationship and building your list. You will probably need 5,000-10,000 subscribers to start gaining attention from the biggest authorities.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>Good product candidates (ones that could become core offerings) will fill a vital need for your audience:</p>
<ul>
<li>They’ll move them past some step that they’re struggling with.</li>
<li>They’ll provide assistance that your readers ask you for all the time in their emails and comments, but that you don’t (or can’t) yet provide yourself.</li>
<li>They’ll be tools or resources that are essential to completing the steps they need to take to succeed.</li>
</ul>
<p>If the influencer is serious about building affiliate relationships, they may have program information on their website and/or they may have already mentioned the opportunity in emails to you.</p>
<p>If not, just ask!</p>
<p>Let them know that you’re familiar with their work and whether you’ve had positive experiences with their other products.</p>
<p>Here’s how to approach an influencer and get the scoop:</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Subject: Possible affiliate relationship?</strong>
<p>Hi [First Name],</p>
<p>I’m wondering, do you have an affiliate program for [course name, ebook, your services]?</p>
<p>I have a blog at [your blog] helping [audience] with [mission]. I’ve got [X number] email subscribers and good engagement from my list.</p>
<p>I’ve [followed your blog/read your book/taken your related course/used your related service] and [say a little about the results you’ve achieved]. It seems that [prospective affiliate product] could also be a good fit for my audience.</p>
<p>Is there any way I can review [product] to be sure?</p>
<p>Let me know. It would be great to be able to help my readers [achieve desirable result] with [product name].</p>
<p>Best,</p>
[Your Name]</div>
</div>
<p>If you don’t already know any influencers in your niche offering what you’re looking for, try a Google search for</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">“affiliate” + [product] or [topic] or [company]</div>
</div>
<p>For example, a search for “affiliate build emergency fund” shows these results:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7253" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/003-affiliate-build-emergency-fund.png" alt="affiliate search" width="700" height="637" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/003-affiliate-build-emergency-fund.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/003-affiliate-build-emergency-fund-300x273.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>Out of this list, the Busy Budgeter looks promising.</p>
<p>You could check their site to see whose products they are promoting, and look into whether it would be right for your readers, too.</p>
<p>If you find some excellent products using these first two options and want to stop here, you’re all set.</p>
<p>However, if you want to keep exploring opportunities (now or in the future), go ahead and move on to Option #3.</p>
<h4>Option #3: Find Products via an Affiliate Network</h4>
<p>If you don’t have any direct experience with or knowledge of products in your niche that could help your readers, you can often find good affiliate products on affiliate networks.</p>
<p>But be aware — this approach requires that you invest time into research and money into purchasing products to try out, more so than the first two options.</p>
<p>That’s because there’s less trust and prior knowledge involved from the outset. You have to do your due diligence to protect your reputation and the credibility you’ve built with your readers.</p>
<p>When you work through a network, you typically won’t know the merchant ahead of time and usually won’t build a relationship with them (your business relationship is with the network).</p>
<p>Two of the most popular and reliable affiliate networks are <a href="http://www.clickbank.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clickbank</a> and <a href="https://affiliate-program.amazon.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon Associates</a>.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/reliable-affiliate-networks.png" alt="Reliable Affiliate Networks" width="700" height="825" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10908" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/reliable-affiliate-networks.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/reliable-affiliate-networks-255x300.png 255w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>As one of the biggest affiliate networks, Clickbank represents physical products as well as digital downloads. Be sure to research and test potential affiliate products the best you can before signing on. There’s a lot of junk on Clickbank, but there are high quality products as well.</p>
<p>Buy products that look promising and test them. Most aren’t very expensive.</p>
<p>As usual, review all potential products through the Good Affiliate Potential checklist.</p>
<p>Here are a some specific tips for finding affiliate products on Clickbank:</p>
<ul>
<li>Review the steps your readers must take and decide what major category your solutions will fall under — for example, business, computers, health and fitness, etc.</li>
<li>Look for a gravity score of 30 or more, because these products have a proven track record of selling well for a number of different affiliates. Products, especially new products, with gravity scores under 30 may work but are more risky. Gravity scores of greater than 100 mean the product’s popular. You could have competition, but don’t worry about that. The important thing is that there’s lots of demand.</li>
<li>Look for commissions of 65% or greater, or at least $18 per sale.</li>
<li>The product’s description will specify if they offer a $1 trial (not all will).</li>
<li>Check out each product’s <a href="https://accounts.clickbank.com/return_policy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">return policy</a> as well.</li>
</ul>
[If you’d like more information specifically on Clickbank, check out this comprehensive guide from <a href="https://www.authorityhacker.com/how-to-make-money-from-clickbank/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Authority Hacker</a>.]
<p>Here are some tips for finding affiliate products on Amazon:</p>
<ul>
<li>You can find digital downloads, including books, courses and more, in the Amazon Associates affiliate program.</li>
<li>Look for at least 20+ reviews. Read the reviews carefully.</li>
<li>Again, if you decide to promote physical products, try to find high-quality, high-value, specialized or unique products that your audience will appreciate — mediocre or poor-quality products will reflect badly on you.</li>
</ul>
<p>You can review and vet products on your blog for quality and value, saving your readers time and headaches. You may even be able to claim a tax write-off for the expense of any purchase.</p>
<p>Aside from Clickbank and Amazon, there are many good networks to find physical goods:</p>
<ul>
<li>Many online retailers have affiliate programs, including Target and Walmart. Your best bet is to check with your favorite retailers.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.cj.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commission Junction</a> has a wide range of products from mostly quality sellers.<br />
<br />
<img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/commission-junction.png" alt="Commission Junction" width="600" class="alignnone" /></li>
</ul>
<p>Once you find a product or two that are likely to be great offers, you need to apply and get approval.</p>
<h3>Step 5: Get Yourself Set Up as an Affiliate</h3>
<p>Whether you work directly with a merchant or through a network, you’ll have to apply, be approved and provide certain information so that you can be paid.</p>
<p>At a minimum you’ll need to provide:</p>
<ul>
<li>Your personal/business contact information for tax and reporting purposes</li>
<li>Your bank account where commissions will be sent</li>
</ul>
<p>In turn, the merchant must provide you with:</p>
<ul>
<li>An affiliate link. Whenever you post about the product, you’ll use this trackable link. It will have a long tag at the end of each link that includes your affiliate ID.</li>
</ul>
<p>Here’s what some typical affiliate links look like.</p>
<h4>Example link that directs to the merchant’s home page</h4>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">https://merchantsite.com/dap/a/?a=1199<br /></div>
</div>
<h4>Example link to another page on the merchant’s site</h4>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">https://merchantsite.com/dap/a/?a=1199&p=merchantsite.com/page.html<br /></div>
</div>
<p>You’ll also usually get some tips and useful assets for marketing the product (often found in a welcome guide or on the affiliate reporting site).</p>
<p>These could include:</p>
<ul>
<li>An affiliate guide as well as instructions on how to use the platform and summary of policies such as payment</li>
<li>Marketing tools like banners and sidebar graphics</li>
<li>Sample email/webpage swipe copy</li>
<li>Ongoing communications from the merchant about promotions, new products, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you use a network like Amazon, you’ll get your own link for each of the specific products you promote.</p>
<p>Be sure to check your specific network’s help or support pages for more information.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e5e5bb;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fefed0;border-color:#fffff6;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Tip:</strong> If your audience is global (which many bloggers’ are), you might want to check out <a href="http://geni.us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">geniuslink</a> for tracking overseas sales through Amazon, iTunes and Microsoft Store.<br /></div>
</div>
<h3>Step 6: Start Promoting Your Chosen Affiliate Products</h3>
<p>Few things destroy a good relationship with your audience as quickly as too many pushy sales messages. The last thing you want is for readers to think you care more about squeezing every last penny out of them than you do about helping them succeed.</p>
<p>So make sure to balance out your offers with lots of valuable non-promotional content. Every once in a while (say, every one in four emails) you can include a specific call to action to ask your readers to buy a product.</p>
<p>Remember, free content builds a reservoir of goodwill with your readers. Keep filling that well by giving and people will be much more open to sales-related emails when you send them.</p>
<p>In addition to emailing your list, you’ll also cross-promote your offers in many different ways, at different times and through different media.</p>
<p>Many of these promotional efforts will be “soft sells” — links, reviews, resource pages or informational posts added specifically to gently guide your readers toward products that they may need.</p>
<p>Start off by collecting all the social proof that you can:</p>
<ul>
<li>Quotes from readers on their successes using the affiliate products</li>
<li>Testimonials from others (i.e., not your readers) who’ve enjoyed success</li>
<li>Your own results using the product</li>
</ul>
<p>Pat Flynn from <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smart Passive Income</a> recommends becoming an authoritative, credible source of information on the products that you sell.</p>
<p>But what does that mean exactly?</p>
<p>Well, people are often a little skeptical of the information they find about a product on the merchant’s own site, assuming it’ll always paint a glowing picture. This means you have an opportunity for your blog to become the go-to destination for more even-handed information about the product, describing its positive and negative points.</p>
<p>Let’s see your options for promoting your affiliate products.</p>
<h4>Option #1: Add Affiliate Links in Key Places on Your Blog</h4>
<p>Don’t let your biggest asset go to waste. Make the most of your website’s real estate by using these tried-and-true methods to get your readers’ attention:</p>
<ul>
<li>Use a Resource page — Resource pages can be very effective when you drive traffic to them from posts, guest posts or other promotional efforts.</li>
<li>Promote your products in a sidebar on your blog — Sidebars are less effective than they used to be, but using one may still be worthwhile.</li>
<li>Use <a href="https://www.hellobar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hellobar</a> or a popup or exit gate — These marketing tools (often WordPress plugins) can be very effective.</li>
</ul>
<p>Here’s an example of <a href="http://www.problogger.net/recommended-blogging-resources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ProBlogger’s</a> resource page:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7284" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/004-problogger-resources-and-tools.png" alt="Problogger blogging resources" width="700" height="900" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/004-problogger-resources-and-tools.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/004-problogger-resources-and-tools-233x300.png 233w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<h4>Option #2: Create and Promote Custom Content</h4>
<p>Custom content strategies will be the backbone of your affiliate promotional efforts.</p>
<p>Use as many of the following different strategies as make sense for your blog and audience.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Note:</strong> All of these strategies assume that you are already sending traffic to the latest content you’re creating by emailing your list on a regular basis (at least two to four times per month) to let them know what’s new.<br /></div>
</div>
<h5>A) Write Reviews</h5>
<p>You can write detailed reviews of products, courses, books or software products you promote as an affiliate.</p>
<p>Your reviews can focus on a single product or compare competing products side-by-side.</p>
<p>The second approach arguably builds more trust and gives you the opportunity to promote multiple products at the same time, giving your readers the information they need to choose between them.</p>
<h5>B) Write Definitive Content on a Related Topic</h5>
<p>You can write a definitive, comprehensive post on your site to educate your readers and “soft sell” your products.</p>
<p>For instance, you could write an ultimate guide to setting up a WordPress blog and include your affiliate links to your favorite hosting providers.</p>
<p>Whatever the topic, make sure that it’s evergreen content — information that’s likely to be useful and valuable for years to come.</p>
<p>You can create blog posts, videos, infographics or anything similar — but whatever you do, it should not be a sales page.</p>
<p>Finally, your content must be excellent — make sure it’s an authoritative list post, an epic how-to post, an ultimate guide or some otherwise epic content.</p>
<h5>C) Write Guest Posts to Promote Your Definitive Content</h5>
<p>The advantage with writing content for someone else’s blog is that you get to tap into their (hopefully large) audience.</p>
<p>When looking for potential targets, make sure that the host blog’s readers are likely to be interested in your post’s topic and looking for solutions to problems your affiliate products can solve.</p>
<p>Also, do your research to check that the host blog gets a fair number of comments and/or social media shares and that they credit and link to guest authors.</p>
<p>Most blogs won’t allow the author to include their own affiliate links (but it’s worth checking). The next best thing is to link to the definitive content on your own blog, either naturally within the body of your post or in your author’s bio.</p>
<h5>D) Conduct Interviews</h5>
<p>You can interview people who’ve had great success using the product so that your audience can hear their stories — think of it as a kind of audio testimonial.</p>
<p>If the merchant is an individual rather than a company, you can also invite them to chat about how their product works and why your readers will find it useful.</p>
<h5>E) Create Valuable Bonus Content</h5>
<p>Assuming it’s allowed by your affiliate agreement (sometimes it’s not), you can create bonus content, exclusive to your readers, that helps people get even more value from the affiliate product.</p>
<p>People love bonuses! You can create many types of bonuses fairly quickly and easily while still giving your readers excellent value.</p>
<p>By the way, this is a fantastic way to differentiate yourself from other bloggers representing the same products.</p>
<p>Here are some example bonuses you could offer:</p>
<ul>
<li>Step-by-step checklists</li>
<li>Quick-start guides</li>
<li>Video overviews or demos</li>
<li>Complementary or discounted services (e.g., coaching calls)</li>
</ul>
<h4>Option #3: Craft Promotional Emails for Your Subscribers</h4>
<p>Your email list is your biggest asset when it comes to driving traffic to your offers.</p>
<p>Assuming you’re already emailing your list on a regular basis — for example, every Tuesday, every two weeks, etc. — you can also run occasional promotions where you email your readers more frequently.</p>
<p>If your mailing list software allows it, you can segment interested readers onto a separate interest list, so that only people who raise their hands will receive your free informational and promotional emails.</p>
<p>But even if you can’t segment your list, you’ll want to provide lots of valuable content and build anticipation for your product offers.</p>
<p>Here are some quick ideas:</p>
<ul>
<li>Promote your offers indirectly by sending emails linking to your free content (blog posts, reviews, etc.).</li>
<li>Offer occasional special deals exclusive to your readers (discounts, bonuses, etc.).</li>
<li>Run “social proof” giveaways — ask your readers to share their experience with your process or product in return for a chance to win.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you’re promoting a low-priced product like an ebook, digital download or hosted service on an ongoing basis, you might do something as simple as using a P.S. or signature link in your regular emails, with occasional emailed links to custom content.</p>
<p>For courses, masterminds, services or higher-earning products, you might do something closer to an official launch once per year with softer launches once per quarter.</p>
<p>And of course, always follow your merchants’ lead. If they run major launches twice a year, for example, you can participate in those and take advantage of the natural momentum these launches often create.</p>
<p>You may have a different promotion plan for each product.</p>
<h5>Example Email Sequence</h5>
<p>Custom email sequences are especially effective for your core products.</p>
<p>You’ll usually send out a series of five to seven emails spread out over a timeframe spanning a week or two.</p>
<p>These can be run in parallel with your normal blog emails or you can “pause” your regular content for the duration of the sequence.</p>
<p>A sample seven-email series might look like this:</p>
<ol>
<li>A welcome email (if they’ve joined a new interest list) or a content-rich email talking about the problem the product solves</li>
<li>More helpful content (no selling)</li>
<li>First mention of the product, positioning it in relation to the problem, with a link to a sales page</li>
<li>More free content with advice that’s valuable regardless of whether the reader buys the product, also including another link to the product</li>
<li>A “bigger sell” to incentivise the reader to buy using scarcity (e.g., “Only 50 places available”) or time urgency (e.g., “This deal ends in 48 hours”) *</li>
<li>Additional helpful information, testimonials and/or social proof, and a reminder that time is running out</li>
<li>An eleventh-hour last call to let readers know that the offer is closing soon</li>
</ol>
<p><em><strong>* Warning:</strong> Only use scarcity or urgency tactics if they are genuine and you intend to stick to the limits or deadlines. Telling readers a deal ends for good at midnight, then offering it again the following week, is a surefire way to lose their trust.</em></p>
<p>The important thing here is to try different approaches for each product, see what your audience responds to best, and don’t give up!</p>
<h4>Option #4: Run Exclusive Live Events</h4>
<p>Finally, you can run live events to introduce your audience to your products.</p>
<p>Webinars are the most popular way to do this, and you can host them on your own or as a joint venture with the merchant. (Usually, though, merchants will only participate if you can attract a certain number of attendees.)</p>
<p>If there’s already strong interest from your readers in a particular product, you can make it the focus of your webinar, giving attendees one of the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>An interactive walk-through showing how you use the product, including tips and tricks you’ve learned along the way</li>
<li>A demonstration of specific features of particular interest to your readers</li>
<li>A personal case study of the results you achieved using the product</li>
</ul>
<p>More typically, the webinar will focus on a particular outcome that the audience wants to achieve and then position the product as a way to achieve those results more easily or quickly.</p>
<p>A common way to separate webinar content from product content is using the webinar to explain <em>what</em> you need to do to achieve a certain goal, and leaving the product to dive into (or facilitate) the <em>how</em>.</p>
<p>Importantly, the webinar should be valuable <em>even to people who don’t end up buying the product.</em></p>
<p>To give an example, if you were promoting a software product that automates blogger outreach, your webinar could talk about high-level strategies for outreach that attendees could implement manually, then position the product as a time-saver that lets you focus on the relationship-building instead of the initial outreach.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#e5e5bb;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#fefed0;border-color:#fffff6;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>Tip:</strong> to get the most from a live event, remember to publish and promote your webinar replays for people who weren’t able to attend first time around.<br /></div>
</div>
<h4>Don’t Forget to Track Everything to Discover What’s Working Best</h4>
<p>Whichever options you choose for promoting your affiliate products, you’ll want to know which are producing the best results.</p>
<p>Pat Flynn recommends <a href="https://prettylinkpro.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pretty Link</a> for this. You can create clean, easy-to-use-and-remember links plus get analytics so you can see exactly where people are coming from and what strategies are working best for you.</p>
<p>Most importantly of all, be patient. Don’t expect to get any of this right the first time out. Keep building a strong foundation of content and continually test and try new things.</p>
<h3>Step 7: Comply with Legal Requirements (and Best Practices)</h3>
<p>In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that you <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">let people know you’ll earn a commission</a>.</p>
<p>But even if it isn’t required by law where you’re located, we recommend it. It’s just good business.</p>
<p>Don’t be afraid to be transparent. People will appreciate your honesty and want to support you to repay you for making their lives better.</p>
<p>So wherever you share an affiliate link, whether it’s in blog posts, web pages, or emails, let your readers know that you stand to earn a small commission if they buy through you — and if they choose not to use your link, no worries.</p>
<p>Assure them that you wouldn’t recommend any products if you hadn’t used them yourself or were confident they could help them.</p>
<p>It’s also a good idea to create an Affiliate Disclaimer page on your website.</p>
<p>Here’s an example of our own <a title="disclaimer page" href="https://smartblogger.com/affiliate-disclaimer/">disclaimer page</a> at Smart Blogger:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7272" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/005-affiliate-disclaimer-v2.png" alt="affiliate disclaimer" width="700" height="679" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/005-affiliate-disclaimer-v2.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/005-affiliate-disclaimer-v2-300x291.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>We’re also clear on how those affiliate links might look within blog posts.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7256" src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/006-what-an-affiliate-link-looks-like.png" alt="affiliate link" width="700" height="163" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/006-what-an-affiliate-link-looks-like.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/006-what-an-affiliate-link-looks-like-300x70.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>And finally, thank people before and after for using your links.</p>
<hr style="height: 1px; border: none; color: #ccc; background-color: #ccc;" />
<p> </p>
<h2 id="how_to_start_affiliate_marketing">How to Start Affiliate Marketing</h2>
<p>That dream you’ve had of making money while you sleep isn’t just a silly fantasy.</p>
<p>It’s a completely achievable reality.</p>
<p>Sure, it’s not as easy as pushing a magic button, but with a little knowledge and persistence you can definitely do it.</p>
<p>Once you’ve gained a respectable following, affiliate marketing is one of the best ways to <a href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-blogging/" title="make money blogging">make money blogging</a>.</p>
<p>And the best news is that it’s so easy to get started. All the steps are spelled out in this post.</p>
<p>Simply identify the <em>one big thing</em> everyone in your audience needs to reach their goals and start there.</p>
<p>Choose a great digital product that you believe in and share it. Tell the story of your successes.</p>
<p>Provide lots of valuable content that helps and educates your readers, and take care not to be too salesy.</p>
<p>Be honest and transparent. Nurture the trust that readers place in you.</p>
<p>And finally, be patient.</p>
<p>All your efforts will pay you back with that sweet “cha-ching” of overnight deposits into your bank account.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author</strong>: Leanne Regalla is a content writer and strategist for membership-based businesses at <a href="http://writingthatresonates.com/welcome-smartblogger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Writing That Resonates</a>. Quickly avoid the common mistakes that bore your readers and drive potential customers away with her <a href="http://writingthatresonates.com/welcome-smartblogger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Compelling Business Writing Checklist</a>.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/affiliate-marketing/">Affiliate Marketing for Beginners: A Step-By-Step, Comprehensive Guide</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
<br />
<br />
source <a href="https://smartblogger.com/affiliate-marketing/">https://smartblogger.com/affiliate-marketing/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-88564801907548177822018-09-06T13:26:00.001-07:002018-09-06T13:26:26.504-07:00Why You Shouldn’t Start a Podcast or YouTube Channel (Seriously)<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/start-a-podcast.jpg' /></p>
<p>You’ve seen it for yourself. These days, there are a gazillion different ways to broadcast your thoughts online.</p>
<p>Blogging, podcasting, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat — the options are overwhelming. Are you supposed to do all of them? If not, which ones are most important? What if you are talented in one medium and terrible in another?</p>
<p>ARGH! It’s so confusing.</p>
<p>Well, here’s the good news:</p>
<p>In this post, I’ll do my best to answer those questions. Even better, I’ll give you answers that include taking things off your plate, not putting more things on.</p>
<p>In other words, everything is about to get a whole lot simpler. Let’s jump in.<br />
<span id="more-10846"></span></p>
<h2>Why Trying to Do Everything at Once Is a Mistake</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Some influencers are doing it all. They have a blog, podcast, YouTube channel, a bunch of social media accounts with tons of followers — everything.</p>
<p>From the outside, it’s impressive. You might even think that’s what <em>you</em> have to do if you want to <a href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-online/" title="make money online">make money online</a>.</p>
<p>But here’s a little secret:</p>
<p>Behind the scenes, most of those influencers are paying entire teams of helpers. In the rare case where they <em>are</em> doing everything themselves, it also leaves them without any time to monetize all that content, so many “social media influencers” are actually broke.</p>
<p>The reason why?</p>
<p>No one gets more than 24 hours in a day. It doesn’t matter how smart, fast, or multi-talented you are — you’ll never be able to do everything well.</p>
<p><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/24-hour-start-a-podcast.png" alt="No one gets more than 24 hours/day." width="940" height="788" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10858" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/24-hour-start-a-podcast.png 940w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/24-hour-start-a-podcast-300x251.png 300w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/24-hour-start-a-podcast-768x644.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></p>
<p>You have to choose. The question is… how?</p>
<h2>How to Figure out What to Focus on</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Thankfully, this one is simple. Just answer one question:</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">In what medium can you develop a top 1% skillset?<br /></div>
</div>
<p>At first glance, this might seem like a strange question, but let’s break it down.</p>
<p>There are three types of media: the written word, audio, and video. Chances are, you’ll be better at one than the others.</p>
<p>For example, writing has always come naturally to me. Even when I was in school, I could write essays 10X better than everyone else and barely exert myself at all.</p>
<p>For you, maybe it’s something different.</p>
<p>Maybe engaging people with your voice and having interesting conversations comes naturally to you. In that case, you should <a href="https://smartblogger.com/why-podcast/" title="start a podcast">start a podcast</a>.</p>
<p>Or maybe you’re captivating on video. Ever since you were a kid, you’ve been a natural entertainer.</p>
<p>Wherever you shine, that’s the medium you should focus on.</p>
<p>But here’s the caveat:</p>
<p>Don’t just jump in and expect to be successful. Success with any kind of content marketing isn’t about being good. It’s about being among the best.</p>
<p><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/being-among-the-best.png" alt="Success with any kind of content marketing is about being among the best." width="940" height="788" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10860" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/being-among-the-best.png 940w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/being-among-the-best-300x251.png 300w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/being-among-the-best-768x644.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></p>
<p>Here’s what I mean:</p>
<h2>The Staggering Difference between Being Good and Being Great</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Once upon a time, I was an NFL (American football) junkie, and I was always intrigued by the pay difference between players.</p>
<p>The star of your team might make $20 million a year. The backup to your star, however, might make $2 million or even less.</p>
<p>Was this because the star was 10X better?</p>
<p>Not even close. In a professional sport, even the backup players are among the best in the world. At best, a star might be 50% better than his replacement.</p>
<p>So why do they pay him 10X more?</p>
<p>Because games are a matter of matchups. One player being just a little bit better than his opponent can mean the difference between winning and losing. If you have an entire team of players who are just a tiny bit better, you win the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>You see the same thing in the Olympics. The silver medal runner might be just a fraction of a second behind the gold medal winner.</p>
<p>And content marketing works the same way.</p>
<p>The rewards go to the best of the best. You can be a good writer or podcaster or YouTuber and have mediocre or even terrible results.</p>
<p>In fact, I’ll go out on a limb and say something controversial:</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">If you’re not prepared to be among the best in your niche, content marketing isn’t going to do anything for you at all. You might as well quit.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>Before you get too discouraged though, here’s the other side of the coin:</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#F0F0F0;border-color:#fcfcfc;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">If you diligently upgrade your skills over time in a medium where you have some natural talent, you can almost always be among the best.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>Let me explain…</p>
<h2>How I Became One of the Most Popular Writers on the Web</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Over the last decade, my work has touched over 200 million people — about 1 out of 8 people in the English-speaking world.</p>
<p>Crazy, right? Obviously, I must have some secret.</p>
<p>But I don’t. I followed the exact method I’m teaching you here.</p>
<p>I recognized I was a naturally talented writer, so then I spent <em>years</em> improving my writing skills to the point of being among the best in the world. It took me about three years to begin to get noticed and another two years after that for people to start thinking of me as “the blogging guy.”</p>
<p>During those years of practice, I wrote 1,000 words every single day. In the first year, I also wrote 100 headlines per day. Added to that, I spent one or two hours per day reading the work of other top bloggers, dissecting why they were popular, and deliberately practicing incorporating their techniques into my own work.</p>
<p>It’s the same process an athlete uses to become an elite player in their sport. Identify natural talent, practice like hell, and then do your best to be in the right place at the right time.</p>
<p>Content marketing is no different. It’s a sport, and there are winners and losers.</p>
<p>The medium doesn’t matter. Blogging, podcasting, YouTube — the vast majority of the rewards go to the people at the top.</p>
<p>The question is, are you willing to put in the work to get there?</p>
<p>It doesn’t always have to take three years as it did for me. I spent a lot of time running in circles because I didn’t have anyone to guide me. With the right coach, you can progress much, much faster.</p>
<p>And that brings me to my most important point.</p>
<h2>The Formula for Being an Insanely Successful Person</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>It’s all about stacking top 1% skills.</p>
<p>Let’s say you have some natural talent as a writer. You invest in some good training, work like hell, and gradually become a top 1% writer.</p>
<p>But that’s not the end of the story.</p>
<p>Now you’re getting lots of traffic, but you’re not making much money, and you realize it’s because your marketing sucks. So again, you invest in some good training, work like hell, and gradually become a top 1% marketer.</p>
<p>Again though, it’s not the end of the story.</p>
<p>Because now, you’re making some pretty good money, but you’re working night and day, and you want to hire someone to help you. Problem is, you’re a terrible manager and leader, but again, you decide to suck it up, invest in some good training, work like hell, and gradually become a top 1% CEO.</p>
<p>The above story isn’t a fairytale, by the way. It’s the story of the last 10 years of my life.</p>
<p>And it’s actually a pretty common story. Regardless of profession, the most successful people in any field get there by stacking 1% skills on top of each other.</p>
<p>So, let’s bring this full circle:</p>
<h2>When to Branch out into Podcasting or YouTube</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Assuming you’re a blogger, you should wait until you’ve mastered blogging.</p>
<p>Let’s take me as an example.</p>
<p>I’ve spent the last couple of years improving my skills as a CEO. It’s been a painful, gradual process, but I think I’m starting to “get it,” and that’s one of the reasons why the company is now growing faster than it has in years.</p>
<p>Am I among the top 1%? Not quite, but <a href="https://www.businessknowhow.com/money/earn.htm" target="_blank">according to these stats</a>, I’m getting pretty close. I think it’s just a matter of time.</p>
<p>So, what’s next?</p>
<p>I’ll pick another media and become the top 1% there. I have some natural talent with podcasting as well, so that’s probably the next skill to stack on top. On the other hand, I don’t think I have much natural talent with video, so the chances of me starting a YouTube channel where I’m the star are pretty slim.</p>
<p>And that’s fine. We don’t have to be great at everything.</p>
<p>The key is to be great at one thing… and then another thing… and then another thing.</p>
<p>If your first “thing” is writing, I’m your man. We have some of the <a href="https://smartblogger.com/products/">best training there is for writers</a>, and we’re expanding it all the time.</p>
<p>But do me a favor…</p>
<p>Don’t start a podcast or YouTube channel while you’re trying to learn how to write. That’s the equivalent of someone training for an Olympic marathon deciding to become an Olympic swimmer and skier all at the same time.</p>
<p>That’s never going to happen. Not unless you’re inhuman, anyway.</p>
<p>So, pick just one medium. Focus on it. Get really, really, really great at it.</p>
<p>And then enjoy the rewards of being at the top.</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author:</strong> Jon Morrow is the CEO of Smart Blogger. Check out his new blog <a href="https://unstoppable.me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unstoppable</a> and read the launch post that went viral: <a href="https://unstoppable.me/life-lessons/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7 Life Lessons from a Guy Who Can’t Move Anything but His Face</a>.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/start-a-podcast/">Why You Shouldn’t Start a Podcast or YouTube Channel (Seriously)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
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source <a href="https://smartblogger.com/start-a-podcast/">https://smartblogger.com/start-a-podcast/</a>
Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383172996874405735.post-68836287787944348682018-08-16T10:12:00.001-07:002018-08-16T10:12:07.836-07:00How to Make Money Blogging: The $5.3 Million Case Study<p><img src='https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/make-money-blogging-v2-1.jpg' /></p>
<p>There are lots of guides out there about how to make money blogging, but here’s what makes this one different:</p>
<p>I’ve taken three different blogs to over $1 million per year. In fact, the blog you’re reading right now has made a total of $5.3 million.</p>
<p>And in this post, I’m going to give you a step-by-step case study showing you exactly how I did it, starting from nothing.</p>
<p>Let’s jump in.<br />
<span id="more-1962"></span><br /></p>
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<h2>Table of Contents</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#make_money_blogging">How to Make Money Blogging, Even If You’re a Beginner</a>
<ol>
<li><a href="#_1">Choose a Profitable Niche</a></li>
<li><a href="#_2">Level up Your Content Skills</a></li>
<li><a href="#_3">Figure out Which Traffic Sport to Play</a></li>
<li><a href="#_4">Grow Your Email List with Pop Ups</a></li>
<li><a href="#_5">Begin Monetizing with Affiliate Offers</a></li>
<li><a href="#_6">Develop a Unique Mechanism</a></li>
<li><a href="#_7">Launch the Minimum Viable Funnel</a></li>
</ol>
</li>
<li><a href="#faq">FAQ about How to Make Money Blogging</a></li>
<li><a href="#bottom_line">The Bottom Line about How to Make Money Blogging</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="make_money_blogging">How to Make Money Blogging, Even If You’re a Beginner</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>If you’re starting from scratch with no traffic or influential friends, it’s easy to wonder…</p>
<p><em>Is it reasonable for you to believe you can make money blogging?</em></p>
<p>For that matter, how do blogs even make money? Ads? Or something else?</p>
<p>Well, let’s take a look at exactly how I did it at Smart Blogger. Here’s my complete step-by-step process for how to make money blogging:</p>
<h3 id="_1">#1. Choose a Profitable Niche</h3>
<p><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/profitable-niches-wordle.png" alt="Choose a Profitable Niche" width="700" height="377" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10733" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/profitable-niches-wordle.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/profitable-niches-wordle-300x162.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>Let’s start with a little brutal truth, shall we?</p>
<ul>
<li>Passion does not equal profit.</li>
<li>Neither does expertise.</li>
<li>Hard work doesn’t guarantee anything either.</li>
</ul>
<p>For example:</p>
<p>You can be the world’s foremost expert on square-shaped tomatoes, wake up every morning with a burning passion to educate the public on their vast superiority to normal-shaped tomatoes, and work until your fingers bleed and your eyes fall out of your head, following all the right tactics for growing a popular blog, and…</p>
<p>You’ll never have a chance in hell at making any money.</p>
<p>Here’s why:</p>
<ol>
<li>Nobody but you gives a damn about square tomatoes</li>
<li>Even if they did care, they wouldn’t spend any money</li>
</ol>
<p>In other words, <strong>you need a large audience who buys things</strong>. Without that, nothing else matters. It’s a prerequisite for everything else.</p>
<p>In the case of Smart Blogger, I noticed early on that bloggers buy lots of different things:</p>
<p><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/what-bloggers-buy.png" alt="what bloggers buy" width="700" height="700" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10780" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/what-bloggers-buy.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/what-bloggers-buy-150x150.png 150w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/what-bloggers-buy-300x300.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>In fact, there are companies with $10 million+ per year of revenue in most of those categories. It’s also a growing space with millions of people:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/blogger-statistics-2014-2020.png" alt="Blogger Statistics - 2014-2020" width="700" height="522" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10734" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/blogger-statistics-2014-2020.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/blogger-statistics-2014-2020-300x224.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>The only problem?</p>
<p>Loads of competition. Whether it be my previous employers Brian Clark or Neil Patel, my good friends over at Problogger, or the gazillion other “blogging about blogging” peeps infesting the social media space, everyone was intent on snagging a piece of the pie. They also had a several year head start on me.</p>
<p>So, how did I compete? The honest answer:</p>
<h3 id="_2">#2. Level up Your Content Skills</h3>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><a href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-blogging/?display=wide" title="The Best Content is King"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/the-best-content-is-king-v2.png" alt="How to Make Money Blogging: The $5.3 Million Case Study" width="800" height="2000" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10751" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/the-best-content-is-king-v2.png 800w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/the-best-content-is-king-v2-120x300.png 120w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/the-best-content-is-king-v2-768x1920.png 768w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/the-best-content-is-king-v2-410x1024.png 410w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></a></div>
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<p> <br />
<strong>Embed This Infographic On Your Site</strong></p>
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How to Make Money Blogging: The $5.3 Million Case Study from SmartBlogger.com
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<p> </p>
<p>You’ve probably heard that “Content is king,” and it’s true… to an extent. A more accurate statement would be…</p>
<p><strong>The Best Content Is King</strong></p>
<p>If that’s hard to understand, think about it this way:</p>
<p>Lots of bloggers sit down and think, “What will I write today?” They jot down some thoughts, doing their best to be helpful, original, and entertaining. If they’re disciplined, they might even stick with it for a few months.</p>
<p>But it almost never works. Here are a few reasons why:</p>
<ul>
<li>What you want to say isn’t what other people want to read</li>
<li>You weren’t using a proven content framework</li>
<li>It’s not the best post ever published on the topic</li>
</ul>
<p>Granted, it’s not your fault. Until today, chances are no one ever told you about any of those requirements. You thought you just had to write interesting stuff and publish it.</p>
<p>No, grasshopper. No.</p>
<p>The truth is, <strong>you have to create the best content ever published on topics lots of people are interested in learning more about</strong>. And that brings us to the three levels of content creation:</p>
<ol>
<li>You know what content is popular in your niche, and you write exclusively about those topics</li>
<li>You’ve mastered frameworks proven to make your content more popular (list post, how to post, etc.)</li>
<li>Your content delivers more value to the reader than any other post published on that topic</li>
</ol>
<p>You’re probably thinking, “Geez. That sounds hard.” And you’re right, it is.</p>
<p>I personally spent about three years honing my skills by writing for other sites before I started my own blog. It doesn’t <em>have</em> to take that long — I’m just a perfectionist, so I wanted to learn from the best people in my space.</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/how-to-quit-your-job-problogger.png" alt="How to Quit Your Job - Problogger" width="700" height="428" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10735" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/how-to-quit-your-job-problogger.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/how-to-quit-your-job-problogger-300x183.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>It worked, though. Nowadays, my posts get millions and millions of visitors, not because I know some special “secret,” but because I’m really good at what I do. In fact, I’ll go ahead and say it…</p>
<div style="width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:75%;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/m1y5Iver1GNR6" width="100%" height="100%" style="position:absolute" frameborder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<p> <br />
Blogging is really no different than anything else. The more of a bad ass you are, the easier it is for you to make money.</p>
<p>So you want to know how to make some money blogging?</p>
<p>Become a badass writer.</p>
<p>Then the next step is to…</p>
<h3 id="_3">#3. Figure out Which Traffic Sport to Play</h3>
<p><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/traffic-word-jumble.png" alt="Figure out Which Traffic Sport to Play" width="700" height="391" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10736" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/traffic-word-jumble.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/traffic-word-jumble-300x168.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>When you’re a beginner, getting traffic is confusing.</p>
<p>Should you focus on optimizing your keywords? Growing your Facebook page? Leaving comments on blogs? Answering questions on Quora? Creating videos for YouTube?</p>
<p>And so on.</p>
<p>There are a gazillion traffic tactics out there. Everybody says theirs is the best.</p>
<p>But here’s the data:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/referral-traffic-sources-by-topic.png" alt="referral traffic sources by topic" width="700" height="525" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10781" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/referral-traffic-sources-by-topic.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/referral-traffic-sources-by-topic-300x225.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p><small><em>Source: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-facebook-news-traffic-chart-2017-5" target="_blank">Facebook and Google dominate web traffic, but not the same kind</a></em></small></p>
<p>Pretty much all the traffic for written content comes from either Google or Facebook. The rest of traffic sources combined don’t even come close to competing with those two Goliaths.</p>
<p>So, how do you get them to send you a bunch of traffic?</p>
<p>One option is you can pay for it. They like that.</p>
<p>But chances are, you’re reading about how to make money blogging because you don’t want to pay for traffic. You want it for free, right?</p>
<p>Well, imagine this:</p>
<p>There’s an arena where all the bloggers in your space go to compete for traffic. The number of other challengers you defeat determines the amount of traffic you receive.</p>
<p>In other words, getting traffic is a sport.</p>
<ul>
<li>There are winners, and there are losers</li>
<li>To be good, you have to train</li>
<li>You need to study your opponents</li>
</ul>
<p>There are actually two sports, and I’d bet you’ve heard of both of them: search engine optimization (SEO) and going viral on Facebook. Both take years (yes, I said years) of study to master, but you can start getting pretty decent traffic after just a few months of study and practice.</p>
<p>Which one should you focus on?</p>
<p>Well, here are two questions to guide you:</p>
<ul>
<li>Is your topic something your friends and family regularly talk about on Facebook? Examples: pets, parenting, self-improvement, and health. If so, focus on playing the viral traffic sport.</li>
<li>Is your topic something people actively search for information about on Google? Examples: product reviews, specific questions they would ask an expert, how-to information. If so, focus on SEO.</li>
</ul>
<p>For most topics, you can do both, but one or the other will be dominant. In that case, focus on whichever one is dominant.</p>
<p>In the blogging space, for example, stuff about writing and grammar occasionally goes viral on Facebook, because we love criticizing our relatives about their terrible English. On the other hand, you rarely talk with your family about blogging platforms, WordPress plugins, affiliate marketing, or any other blogging topics.</p>
<p>You will, however, search for them on Google. Just as you would guess then, the blogging niche is heavily dominated by search. Here’s a breakdown of Smart Blogger’s traffic by source:</p>
<div class="embedded-image">
<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/smartblogger-traffic-by-source.png" alt="Smart Blogger's Traffic Breakdown by Source" width="700" height="325" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10737" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/smartblogger-traffic-by-source.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/smartblogger-traffic-by-source-300x139.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>The truth is, we pretty much ignore Facebook. The volume of traffic available there comes nowhere close to the volume of traffic available from Google. So, we focus on Google.</p>
<p>I also spend WAY more time keeping up to date on SEO stuff than I do on social stuff. I’m a geek about it. Throw me in a room full of Google engineers, and I’d probably know more than half of them.</p>
<p>Not to imply I’m the best, though. I’m also competing against people like Darren Rowse, Amy Lynn Andrews, and Neil Patel. They’re pretty freaking good too.</p>
<p>In time, I think I can be better, but who knows? That’s why sports are fun. You never know who is going to win.</p>
<p>If you’re good though, you’ll always be in the “playoffs,” for your space, and you’ll get lots of traffic. Maybe not the most, but still plenty.</p>
<p>And then you can focus on how to…</p>
<h3 id="_4">#4. Grow Your Email List with Pop Ups</h3>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/grow-your-email-list-with-pop-ups.png" alt="Grow Your Email List with Pop-Ups" width="700" height="399" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10738" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/grow-your-email-list-with-pop-ups.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/grow-your-email-list-with-pop-ups-300x171.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
</div>
<p>Chances are, you see pop ups as an annoyance.</p>
<p>They get in the way when you’re trying to read. They ask you to hand over sensitive information like your name, email address, and phone number. Sometimes you have to deal with multiple pop ups on the same site, and it makes you feel hassled and uncared for.</p>
<p>And all that sucks. In my opinion, you have every right to be annoyed.</p>
<p>But here’s the thing…</p>
<p>That’s where the money comes from. The best predictor of the revenue for a blog is the size of their email list. Here’s a breakdown of our revenue at Smart Blogger comparing revenue device from email to other sources.</p>
<p>The rule of thumb is you can expect to make $1 per subscriber per month. So, if you have 10,000 email subscribers, you should be able to make about $10,000 per month.</p>
<p>So obviously, growing your email list is a top priority. You might, however, feel conflicted about using pop ups. What are you supposed to do?</p>
<p>Here’s a different way of looking at it:</p>
<p>If a visitor comes to your site and doesn’t give you their email address, the chances of them returning are nearly zero. You’ll never have another opportunity to help them.</p>
<p>If you believe your content is the best, and you believe you can help them over time, I believe you owe it to them to be as pushy as possible about staying in contact. In other words, <em>not</em> using a pop up is unethical. A little annoyance is a small price to pay for change.</p>
<p>And remember, that doesn’t mean you have to be extremely pushy or spammy. You can absolutely use pop ups in authentic ways.</p>
<p>But you absolutely must <em>use</em> them. Assuming you want to make money, anyway.</p>
<h3 id="_5">#5. Begin Monetizing with Affiliate Offers</h3>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/begin-monetizing-with-affiliate-offers.png" alt="Begin Monetizing with Affiliate Offers" width="700" height="490" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10775" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/begin-monetizing-with-affiliate-offers.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/begin-monetizing-with-affiliate-offers-300x210.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>So, you’re operating in a profitable niche, and you have traffic and an email list. What next?</p>
<p>Lots of bloggers jump into creating a course or book or community of some sort, but that’s a mistake, in my opinion. Before you start selling things, <strong>you need concrete evidence those things are what people want to buy</strong>. Otherwise, you’re risking wasting months or even years of your life trying to push a product no one wants.</p>
<p>The simplest way to obtain that evidence:</p>
<p>Affiliate offers.</p>
<p>By seeing what your audience buys from other people, you can get a much better sense of what they might want to buy from you. If you promote a product and it converts well, you should think about creating a similar product. If it doesn’t convert well, you should probably move on.</p>
<p>In other words, affiliate offers are a form of market research. As a bonus, you just so happen to get paid commissions on the products your customers buy in the process. So not only are you learning what your audience wants to buy, but you’re making money from your blog at the same time. Pretty sweet deal.</p>
<p>At Smart Blogger, I’ve tried lots of different offers. WordPress hosting, landing page tools, email marketing software, WordPress themes, and half a dozen different types of courses. Since we sell courses, I pay the most attention to the results from those programs, and here are a couple of lessons:</p>
<ul>
<li>End to end solutions sell best. Courses promising to take someone from knowing nothing to making money far outperformed the others. For instance, here’s a screenshot showing us as the #1 affiliate for Danny Iny’s Course Builder’s Laboratory:<br />
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<img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/top-affiliate-leaderboard.png" alt="#1 affiliate Leaderboard" width="550" height="237" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10776" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/top-affiliate-leaderboard.png 550w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/top-affiliate-leaderboard-300x129.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" /></li>
<li>Tools with a clear connection to making money also sell better than the others. For instance, landing page builders. As proof, here’s a screenshot of our earnings from promoting LeadPages:<br />
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<img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/leadpages-affiliate-commissions.png" alt="LeadPages - Affiliate Commissions" width="427" height="234" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10739" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/leadpages-affiliate-commissions.png 427w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/leadpages-affiliate-commissions-300x164.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 427px) 100vw, 427px" /></li>
</ul>
<p>By themselves, neither of those promotions really moved the needle on our revenue, but they did teach us useful lessons that went into creating Freedom Machine, which brings us to…</p>
<h3 id="_6">#6. Develop a Unique Mechanism</h3>
<p><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/a-b-transition.png" alt="Develop a Unique Mechanism" width="700" height="300" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10740" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/a-b-transition.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/a-b-transition-300x129.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>Before you think about launching your own products or services, there’s one essential point about human nature you need to understand:</p>
<p>Whenever anyone purchases anything, they expect to transition from where they are now (Point A) to where they want to be (Point B). For example…</p>
<ul>
<li>When you buy pizza, you want to transition from being hungry and craving pizza (Point A) to tasting delicious pizza and feeling full (Point B).</li>
<li>When you hire a plumber, you want to transition from having a clogged, overflowing toilet (Point A) to having a normally functioning toilet (Point B).</li>
<li>When you buy a course on SEO, you want to transition from feeling bewildered and getting ignored by Google (Point A) to ranking for competitive terms and getting traffic.</li>
</ul>
<p>The success of a product ultimately depends on helping customers make those transitions. If the customer doesn’t get to Point B, they typically view the experience as a failure.</p>
<p>So, here’s the magic question:</p>
<p><strong>What makes you better equipped to deliver that transition than your competitors?</strong></p>
<p>The answer to that question is what marketing expert Todd Brown calls your “unique mechanism.” It’s a little different from a “unique selling proposition,” because it’s not just something about you that’s different. It’s something about you or your method that makes you better able to help customers than anyone else.</p>
<p>For Freedom Machine, we have multiple unique mechanisms:</p>
<ol>
<li>Get published on Medium — a platform with more than 60 million active readers looking for content</li>
<li>You don’t have to struggle with setting up your blog. We do it for you.</li>
<li>A research concierge who will do your research for you instead of having to pay for expensive tools</li>
<li>Content frameworks developed behind the scenes at Smart Blogger to produce popular content</li>
<li>A monetization methodology proven by our success with Smart Blogger</li>
<li>Advice on how to automate everything, so you eventually get more freedom</li>
<li>Weekly calls with me where I will help you set up your Freedom Machine</li>
</ol>
<p>Combined, those unique mechanisms are EXTREMELY convincing at setting us up as the superior solution. Therefore, the product sells like hot cakes.</p>
<p>To be clear… it’s not necessary to have 7 different unique mechanisms. Sometimes just one is all you need (i.e. fresh, hot pizza in 30 minutes or less). The core idea though is to make sure you are obviously far more capable than your competitors at delivering results.</p>
<p>Then all you have to do is…</p>
<h3 id="_7">#7. Launch the Minimum Viable Funnel</h3>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/freedom-machine-webinar-optin.png" alt="Launch the Minimum Viable Funnel" width="700" height="461" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10741" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/freedom-machine-webinar-optin.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/freedom-machine-webinar-optin-300x198.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>Look around at successful entrepreneurs of any type, and you’ll find a surprising trend:</p>
<p>They tend to sell their products <em>before</em> the product is created.</p>
<p>To most people, this sounds like insanity at best or a disturbing lack of ethics at worst. How could you possibly ask people to buy something that doesn’t exist?</p>
<p>The answer:</p>
<p>It’s the same principle as Kickstarter.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kickstarter-campaign.png" alt="Kickstarter campaign" width="700" height="464" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10742" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kickstarter-campaign.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kickstarter-campaign-300x199.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>You create a fancy minimal sales funnel of some sort (in this case, just a simple sales page), tell people the product is coming soon, and then wait to see if enough people sign up to justify making the product. If they don’t, you refund everyone’s money and start over.</p>
<p>In other words, it’s the final step in validating you have a viable product. The steps go like this:</p>
<ol>
<li>Identify demand by promoting affiliate products</li>
<li>Find a unique mechanism that makes you clearly superior</li>
<li>Test the demand for that unique mechanism with a quick and dirty launch before you create the product</li>
</ol>
<p>In my case, the minimum viable funnel was a 90 minute webinar (you can register for the current version here.) The first time I did it, there was no product, no follow-up sequence, nothing. It was just a bare-bones test.</p>
<p>And it resulted in $126,000 in sales live on the webinar.</p>
<p>Seeing that $30,000 sales was my minimum for success, we went ahead and created the first version of the product live with students. About a year later, it’s now approaching $1 million in sales.</p>
<p>That’s also just one product. We have others, and we have still more in the research pipeline.</p>
<p>And guess what I would do if I had to start over again?</p>
<p>The exact same thing. It’s not easy, it’s not fast, it’s not even that sexy, but it works.</p>
<p>Let’s close with some questions and answers, shall we?</p>
<h2 id="faq">FAQ about How to Make Money Blogging</h2>
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<p>So, we’ve covered the basic process. Now let’s step back for a moment and answer some of the questions I hear the most often:</p>
<h3>Do bloggers make money?</h3>
<p>I certainly do, but I don’t think that’s what you’re asking. I think you’re asking…</p>
<p><em>“Is it reasonable for me to learn how to make money blogging?”</em></p>
<p>The no BS answer:</p>
<p>It depends on how patient and persistent you are.</p>
<p>Starting a blog from scratch is just as difficult as starting any business. For example, it requires the same time and effort as starting your own restaurant, software company, or accounting service. Yes, those businesses are wildly different, but the first few years are usually the same story: low income, lots of stress, big learning curve.</p>
<p>If you want a more concrete answer than that, we’ve found it takes even our smartest, most dedicated students 3-6 years to make enough money from blogging to quit their jobs. And that sounds like a long time, but so what? 3-6 years to be able to work from anywhere in the world, take a vacation whenever you want, and probably have passive income until the day you die?</p>
<p>Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.</p>
<h3>How much money can you make from blogging?</h3>
<p>The fact is, most bloggers make as much money as any other type of entrepreneur:</p>
<p>Nothing.</p>
<p>And it’s not because there’s no money in it. This blog makes more than $1 million per year, for God sakes, and it’s nowhere close to the most profitable blog out there. Blogs like <a href="https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/" target="_blank">The Penny Hoarder</a>, <a href="https://moz.com/blog">Moz</a>, and <a href="https://lifehacker.com/" target="_blank">Lifehacker</a> power businesses worth hundreds of millions of dollars.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/penny-hoarder-affiliate-marketing.png" alt="Penny Hoarder - Affiliate Marketing" width="700" height="379" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10743" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/penny-hoarder-affiliate-marketing.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/penny-hoarder-affiliate-marketing-300x162.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p>So why aren’t more bloggers rich?</p>
<p>The truth is, most people quit. They start a blog, realize it’s hard work, and walk away.</p>
<p>But if you’re patient and persistent?</p>
<p>You can make millions. I have. So have lots of other smart, dedicated entrepreneurs.</p>
<p>You just have to do the work. Consistently. For years.</p>
<p>Can you do that?</p>
<p>Then yeah, I think you can make six figures at least. Maybe more.</p>
<h3>How do you start your own blog for free?</h3>
<p>Lots of people say you can’t. They tell you to buy a domain name and a hosting account and a premium WordPress theme.</p>
<p>But I think that’s nonsense.</p>
<p>You can get started for free within five minutes on <em><a href="https://medium.com/" target="_blank">Medium</a></em>. They also have over 60 million monthly readers, so you can get a lot of exposure there if you get featured.</p>
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<div class="screenshot"><img src="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/blogging-through-medium.png" alt="Free Blogging on Medium" width="700" height="448" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10744" srcset="https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/blogging-through-medium.png 700w, https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/blogging-through-medium-300x192.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></div>
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<p><a href="https://smartblogger.com/how-to-start-a-blog/" title="how to start a blog">This article walks you through that strategy, step-by-step</a>.</p>
<p>Alternatively, you can write on <a href="https://wordpress.com/" target="_blank">WordPress.com</a>, <a href="http://linkedin.com/" target="_blank">Linkedin</a>, or any of the other platforms out there. It doesn’t really matter. The point is, start writing and learning as soon as possible.</p>
<p>Once people start sharing your articles, and you begin to understand how everything works, then you can go through the trouble of setting up your own site, installing WordPress, and all that jazz. Until then though, it’s just a headache you don’t need.</p>
<h3>What are the most popular blogging platforms?</h3>
<p>WordPress is by far the most popular. No one else is even close.</p>
<p>But that doesn’t mean it’s the best for everyone.</p>
<p>As I mentioned earlier, I think Medium is a good place to start. You can also create your own blog with tools like Blogger, Squarespace, Wix, Joomla, and countless others.</p>
<h3>What are the top blogs about how to make money blogging?</h3>
<p>I’d like to think Smart Blogger is the best (and most comprehensive) site on the topic, but it’s by no means the only one. Not all of these talk about how to make money blogging, but together, they give you a solid foundation:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://backlinko.com/" target="_blank">Backlinko</a> — Brian Dean doesn’t talk much about how to make money blogging, but he’s one of the top experts and educators in the world on SEO. What I love about his content is how easy to understand it is, despite covering some incredibly complex topics. If you’re a beginner, prepare for a treat.</li>
<li><a href="https://digitalmarketer.com/" target="_blank">Digital Marketer:</a> — In my opinion, my friends over at Digital Marketer are the best in the world at monetizing traffic. If you’d like to learn about marketing, list building, customer research, automation, or funnels, there’s no better source.</li>
<li><a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/" target="_blank">Smart Passive Income</a> — If you’re interested in using your blog to build passive income, Pat Flynn is a master at showing you how to build a tiny little business that can support you and the lifestyle you want. Both his blog and podcast are excellent.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="bottom_line">The Bottom Line about How to Make Money Blogging</h2>
<hr class="style11" />
<p>Is it possible?</p>
<p>Absolutely, but only if you treat it as a business.</p>
<p>Yes, you can start your blog as a side project. Yes, you can slowly grow it in the background. Yes, you can turn your blog into a source of passive income that eventually lets you quit your job, travel, spend more time with your family, whatever you want to do.</p>
<p>But like anything worthwhile, it’s hard work getting there.</p>
<p>You have to study. Practice. Master your craft.</p>
<p>If you love writing, I can’t imagine a better business, though. Not only is blogging a great way to get your writing noticed, but it’s a great way to connect with people around the world who need you, teach them what you know, and get paid pretty damn well in exchange.</p>
<p>There’s never a day I regret dedicating myself to blogging. Never.</p>
<p>It’s not just because of the money, either. It’s because I also get to do what I love and help people at the same time.</p>
<p>What could be better than that?</p>
<div class="su-note" style="border-color:#c2d4de;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;">
<div class="su-note-inner su-clearfix" style="background-color:#d8ecf7;border-color:#f7fbfd;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;"><strong>About the Author:</strong> Jon Morrow is the CEO of Smart Blogger. Check out his new blog <a href="https://unstoppable.me/" target="_blank">Unstoppable</a> and read the launch post that went viral: <a href="https://unstoppable.me/life-lessons/" target="_blank">7 Life Lessons from a Guy Who Can’t Move Anything but His Face</a>.<br /></div>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com/make-money-blogging/">How to Make Money Blogging: The $5.3 Million Case Study</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smartblogger.com">Smart Blogger</a>.</p>
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Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061732396072796961noreply@blogger.com0