Blogging

Developing an Impactful Blog in a Social Media-Driven World

September 9, 2019 By Susan Paige Leave a Comment

Old Fashioned Blogger – Not Having An Impact

There are many people who have the desire to launch an incredible blog with informative content. Whether the content talks about golfing, contemporary jazz or gardening, it’s a great idea to launch a blog to establish your thoughts, opinions and research. It helps you to stand out as an authority on the topic. Plus, a blog can serve as a stream of income. Consequently, there are so many micro-blogs on major platforms like Instagram and Facebook. So many people hesitate to start a blog because they make the assumption that no one is reading anymore. Think about the last time you visited Google to do a search on a particular topic. Depending on the topic, a blog probably popped up as one of the results. This alone shows that blogs still have relevancy and position in the social media-driven digital world. However, it’s going to take a specific level of skill to stand out as a blogger. If you’re up for the challenge, there are components you’ll want to include in your strategy as you build an impactful blog.

Perspective

Don’t negate the power of your own perspective. Your superpower is the fact that you’re an individual with your own brain. Use your mind and creativity to spark the online dialogue you’d like to facilitate. Know what you believe surrounding a topic. It’s also wise to find ways to actively share and promote your perspective with others within your community. If you’re passionate about climate control, share more about the heart behind your passion. Share your experiences. No one can plagiarize those experiences and how you share them. Find other blogs, online publications and podcasts that will allow you to promote your content in a relevant way. If your primary topic is climate control and you’ve found a motherhood podcast, tailor the content to their audience. You can talk to moms about how they can intentionally begin to decrease their carbon footprint. Also, you can talk about how they can teach their children to do the same. As you widen your net to reach different types of people, you’ll have an easier time attracting the audience that will become your loyal tribe. Don’t be afraid to share your perspective because out of the millions of blogs and websites in the world, you want your blog to stand out.

Search Engine Optimization

It is one of the areas you just can’t skip. If you try to forgo the inclusion of keywords, your blog will easily get lost in the digital world. To make your mark and establish a consistent stream of traffic, use the right keywords for your blog. Additionally, consider the fact that you don’t want to use the most obvious word as your sole keyword. Find out about phrases or alternate keywords that aren’t as competitive. When you have less competition on a few keywords, you’ll increase your chances of rising to the top of the Google search engine and algorithms. The Google algorithm really isn’t as tricky as the ones found on social media. Most search engines want to know that you’re creating quality, white-hat content that doesn’t break the rules or spam others. Search engine bots can tell when a blogger is producing valuable content that genuinely helps people. As a result, they’ll allow that content to rise to the top of the search engines.

Monetizable Efforts

Even though you might start this website as a blog, it’s always good to find creative ways to monetize your efforts. The classic sponsored post is one of the most excellent ways to attract people because you’ve legitimized yourself by partnering with a brand. It’s also a great idea to consider opening your own store. Whether you love to write eBooks on a topic or sell products, you can do so through your blog. Don’t forget to do thorough research on systems that support online transactions. Before you purchase magento enterprise, do your due diligence to see what else it available and excellently tailored to your needs. Sometimes bloggers make no money at all, you’ll want to avoid that.

Efficiency

When it pertains to a website or a blog, looks really do matter. If a blog is crowded with tons of pop-ads, it can be extremely discouraging to the visitor. As a result, they’ll click out of the site. As a blogger, you want to create a digital home that compels a visitor to sit down and hang out for a while. This means you’ll want to make sure they visit your table of contents. If they’re clicking through different articles, commenting on posts and staying engaged, you’ve created a website that’s both effective and efficient. If it takes forever for any given page to load, this is enough of a deterrent on its own. If you’re using templates and pre-made hosting systems to build your blog, do your research to make sure the tools you’re using are efficient as they will directly connect readers to visit frequently and hang out for a while once they’ve arrived. If you’re planning to start a blog and want to have more control over the customization of your site, check out BlueHost. They offer powerful web hosting for $3.95/month.

Image source: Pexels.

A Blogging Website: Is Investing a Good Idea?

March 1, 2018 By Susan Paige Leave a Comment

A blogging website has become a widely recognized successful and profitable Internet phenomenon. Is investing your money in one of them a good idea?

Is Investing in a Blogging Website Worth It?

What would you do if you won a couple of million dollars in a lottery? I know, the idea itself seems overwhelming, so take your time to think it through. Would it be a house, a luxurious car, perhaps a Scottish island is a good choice (yes, they sell those there). But if you consider yourself to be a farsighted person, then the thought of investing that money in order to get a stable income must have hit you the first.

You know what is the most vivid sign that you’ve stepped on the path of adulthood? It’s when the word-combination “stock market” causes a genuine interest in you, but not an entire meaningless boredom as it used to. So, in order to have a secure financial situation at any time in your life, you need to choose a great project, platform or company to invest your money in. In terms of the rising popularity of the Internet sphere and global trend of digitalization, a blogging website is a pretty good option that will give you an opportunity to become a part of a huge World Wide Web business.

There are many aspects that you’re going to have to take into consideration, like SEO, SMM, PPC. Don’t worry, these scary words won’t seem very frustrating a couple of moments after you have dived into that sphere. Also, content is the most important aspect of any blogging website. That’s exactly what people are coming for. You’re not going to have any problem with this aspect, though. A good essay writing service, like greatpaper.co.uk, for example, will cover all of your creative needs.

It’s Not Like Any Other Investment

If you’re not really familiar with the peculiarities of work for the international stock market and you have no idea why you’re supposed to pay attention to Dow Jones Industrial Average, then you definitely won’t be able to become one of the Wall Street wolves. Good news is that none of that matters because an investment into the blogging sphere won’t require applying any of the traditional financial world rules.

Some of the business gurus advise treating a blogging website like a rental real estate. It needs constant attention and participation in development processes and then all the work will pay off. Also, one of the biggest myths about this type of investment is that you may expect a passive income which is never the case here.

Become a Part of a Creative Process

Taking into consideration that a blogging website will be providing you with an active income, it’s important to take a very close look at this sphere, get familiar with every aspect. What is a better way of doing it except starting a blog yourself? If you know the business from the inside, it will be easier to solve the problems which may occur and face minor or major inconveniences with dignity.

Also, you should look around, get familiar with all the options, and become a theoretical professional of the blogging business. A way to success always starts with a solid theoretical knowledge which later turns into practical skills of business magic. Read some books on blogging which will tell about both writing and selling aspects of this sphere.

The Way You Choose the Blog

You can become an investor who will share a certain part of stock or you can just buy the whole blog. When you decide that this Internet sphere is definitely worth your attention and money, then you need to choose a niche. Obviously, you’d like to get engaged in something that you genuinely care about. Unfortunately, your personal preferences may not always represent people’s need for high-quality content. Pay close attention to search engines and get familiar with the trends. This is a double-edged sword, though, because a very popular niche is occupied by many high-profile blogs which won’t come cheap and if you want to attract readers to a brand-new blog, then the fight for the audience’s attention will be rather bloody. On the other hand, fresh topics may not catch an eye of readers right away and you may end up losing your money.

Don’t just invest money in a blog if you`ve visited its website a couple of times and you loved everything. You need to explore it throughout at least half a year to make sure it’s profitable. You are most likely to buy a blog which will cost 7-25 times of what it makes monthly. Speaking of money, you have to learn how to monetize the blog. There are four main ways of doing this. By cost-per-click ads, affiliate sales, direct advertising or selling your own products. The most successful blogs often use different variations of these. It’s a good idea if you want to make the best out of that investment.

Writing For Money: How to Find Writing Jobs

August 23, 2017 By Mary Newton Leave a Comment

I decided to be a writer when I was in seventh grade. From that moment to this very day, every time I tell someone I write, I steel myself for criticism. I have to because, to the world at large, forging a career in writing is like signing up to never, ever make money. It’s like joining the Starving Artists Club, like choosing the opposite of success. It’s Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge finding out that Ewan McGregor is not a duke after all.

But I am here to tell you a secret: writing is practical. Writing can make you a living. Choosing to write does not mean sacrificing a successful life. If anything, pursuing your love of writing can secure your success and happiness. It’s just a matter of getting started, of finding the way in that is best for you, and building your network from there. That said, here are a few ways you can write for money.

Captioning and Transcription

If you are the type of person who is a spelling and grammar superstar with lighting-fast typing skills, captioning is a great way to put those skills to use. Captioning – and transcribing – through companies such as Rev, Inc. is easy and straightforward. Pay rates tend to go per video minute rather than the hours of work you actually put in, so the faster you are, the more you will get paid. While captioning may not be a creative writing job, it does expose you to media you would not have experienced otherwise, allowing you the opportunity to learn about and experience new things from stand up paddleboarding to the Frank Sinatra Timex show.

Blogging

If you’re the type with ideas to share with the world, blogging is for you. Make sure you settle on your unique perspective before you begin, and also pick up some marketing skills if you can. To make money from your own blog, you will need a high amount of traffic (people clicking through to your site) and possibly some advertisements from other companies on your page. There is no guarantee that starting a blog will immediately begin earning you money, but if you have the right content and the right marketing tactics for your intended audience, you have a fighting chance.

To get started, WordPress has a free platform that you can use to display your writing and express yourself. It’s a strong option for beginners since your only investment is your time and energy. If you want to be able to customize your blog on your own domain and need hosting service, we recommend trying BlueHost. They offer powerful hosting services for $3.95/month!

If creating your own blog is not your style, yet you love the real-world, non-fiction stories and advice in blogs, you can always try writing for another site. This type of freelancing will generally pay per article, but if you are talented and fit well with the site, freelancing could become a steady job. For more on where to go for these freelance blogging opportunities, try articles like this one or even freelance sites like Fiverr.

Copywriting and Advertising

Jobs such as copywriting and ad writing, unlike blogging or captioning, have a higher chance of being office-based as opposed to online. These jobs will employ both refined grammatical skills and higher-level creativity, perfect for the well-rounded writer. While these jobs may be more competitive, their pay and hours will be more consistent than the others, and can lead to even better opportunities within the company.

While the ideal career of New York Times Bestselling Author may be difficult to achieve, that is not the only way to make money writing. If a published novel is your ultimate goal, don’t worry: use your free time to write your own creative work and send it to agents, all the while building your experience, network, and skills with a paid writing position. Writing skills are essential to the function of our society and should never be underestimated. So if you are looking to write, go for it. You can make money writing.

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Photo: Writer Sanctuary

10 Best Frugal Living Blogs

July 5, 2017 By Mary Newton Leave a Comment

Frugal living blogs are all over the internet, making it difficult to keep up with every single one. But how do you choose which blogs to follow? Check out this list of the ten best frugal living blogs and what makes them so great.

1. WiseBread

WiseBread has been around for a while, and age certainly keeps them on top of their game. From life hacks to career advice, they have it all, entirely dedicated to their motto: Living large on a small budget. Their practical advice on a variety of finance-related topics is sure to keep you interested and informed.

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2. Money Saving Mom

It is no surprise that many frugal living blogs are run by moms. This mom in particular focuses much of her blog on finding coupons and deals. She also provides grocery lists and menu plans, adding a touch of personal experience to her practical advice.

3. Mavis Butterfield’s One Hundred Dollars A Month

If you are looking for a frugal living blog driven by personal experience, look no further! With recipes, crafts, gardening tips, daily deals, and money saving advice, One Hundred Dollars a Month offers a variety of resources and tips for the frugal liver. You can rest easy knowing that all of this advice is tried and tested by Mavis herself!

4. Living Well Spending Less

This blog is quite the eye-catcher, and that is a good thing. This blog covers four major topics: food, life, home, and money. It offers financial planning advice, as well as accompanying tutorials with free downloads. The blog also sells a Living Well Planner created by the founder, Ruth.

5. Budget and the Bees

This blog offers practical and varied financial advice, covering topics from money to travel. It is a great one-stop-shop for those seeking practical financial advice.

6. Money Crashers

Money Crashers posts articles in a variety of categories and from a variety of writers. Whether you are a busy mom or an artist looking to sell your work online, this blog has an article for you.

7. SquawkFox

The coolest thing about SquawkFox is that the blogger, Kerry K. Taylor, is not just a blogger. Taylor has been around almost as long as Wise Bread, and has an amazing career background in finance advice. She is a speaker and a consumer expert. She has done TED Talks, has her own YouTube channel, and even wrote a book on saving money. If you are looking for professional advice, SquawkFox is definitely the place to get it.

8. The Simple Dollar

One unique thing about this blog is that it is male-driven. Many frugal living blogs are run by women who run their own households, leading to posts about dinner recipes, updating their kids’ bedrooms, and the like. While these are all fantastic and useful topics, it is refreshing to have a varied perspective. This blog is simple and streamlined, offering frugal living and financial advice, as well as a variety of guides to help you navigate the financial world.

9. Our Debt Free Family

This blog offers fantastic personal finance advice, but perhaps its best treasure is the blog’s toolkit. From forums to calculators to suggested reading, this is a goldmine of useful finance tools.

10. Fun Cheap or Free

Last, but certainly not least, Fun Cheap or Free offers a unique perspective on a fun and frugal life. While also offering free printables and fantastic budgeting advice, this blog’s shining star is its experience-driven tips on how to have fun without breaking the bank.

These blogs offer a wonderful variety of frugal living and personal finance advice, all with their own unique perspectives. Among them, you are sure to find the perfect one for you.

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Photo: Cheap Like Me

Become a Smart Money Maker in 4 Weeks

August 12, 2016 By Amanda Wilks 2 Comments

Who’s a smart money maker? What does it actually mean to be a smart money maker? You can Google search all day and come up with hundreds of solutions to make money fast. It’s understandable. It’s needless to say that it’s a wish everyone has, but not all have a full grasp on how to do it correctly and smartly. There are ways to not just become a quick money maker, but a smart one, who is well organized and opts for clever ways of generating more funds.

There are always job openings waiting, and you should always keep them in mind. If you’re jumping in with no safety or backup net there to catch you, it’s a tragically bad start. It’s certainly not the smart way to do it, and you might find yourself in a crisis. Be patient and careful because you won’t have to stay in that limbo forever. In fact, you can become a smart money maker in just four weeks as long as you understand the basics.

Think of What You Naturally Excel At

Week One

Be it your talents or skills you’ve acquired, it’s important to become fully aware of what you have at your disposal. In order to start making money the smart way, you cannot skip anything that involves understanding your capabilities. The true trick is being honest with yourself about it. Perhaps you have been working in retail for your entire life, but you do not have the patience for it. Not everyone has, and there is no shame in admitting you might not be the perfect choice for that industry.

Week Two

Create a list of what you love and another with your talents. Find where they intersect because the combination will give you an answer. If you love it, you’ll be good at it. If you’re good at it, you’ll start making good money quickly. It’s the smart way to do it. You might not always find that beautiful combination between what you love and what you’re good at, but you can find something at least close. If you’re a good writer, start a blog. If you’re a good craftsman, make furniture and sell it. Use your talents.

Think of What You Have Learnt

Week Three

Take a good long look at your diplomas and ponder your current experience. Over the years, you have gained professional aptitudes that could benefit you in the future. Those are more tools you can use to become smarter at making money. Write it down, organize it, and think of the possibilities that experience opened for you. There is a chance that you have become more than qualified to do your job, and you may search for new venues, ask for a raise, or even look for opportunities of a promotion.

Week Four

You can become a smart money maker by carefully assessing what your experience has thought you. Many make the mistake of sitting still, learning and never using that knowledge. There are always opportunities to make use of every little thing. If you’re a good driver, you can find ways to make money with your car that can be tremendously useful. If you have sufficient knowledge on a topic, you can create online courses or become a tutor. All it takes is a bit of awareness and sense of business.

Smart Money Maker Attitude: Keep Up and Learn More

Get smarter at making money by continuing to improve and keeping up with the latest technology. Apps are not just mobile games today. There is a tremendous selection of software that can help you get better, organize yourself, understand your capabilities, arrange your finances, and, ultimately, get smarter at making money in just one month.

Image Source: Unsplash

Ways to Make Extra Money Every Month (up to $1,000)

February 23, 2016 By Amanda Blankenship 3 Comments

People are often looking for ways to make a little extra money. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be rolling in the dough, however, it can really provide some financial stability or even a better way to save. When you are looking to make extra money, you can look at it a few different ways. However, the main focus is usually how much extra money you would like to make. The following ways to make extra money guarantee an extra $500 to $1,000 each month.

Cleaning Houses

You can make a decent amount of money cleaning houses and you don’t necessarily need to be a full-time maid to do that. Many people in more wealthy areas look to hire individual maids instead of hiring maids through companies. Then, by word of mouth, people will begin recommending you to friends, etc. You can make between $12 and $20 an hour cleaning houses usually.

Blogging

Blogging for income isn’t a really new concept. People have been doing it for quite some time. Many moms do it for extra money when they are staying at home with their kids. Blogging is also something that you can pick up and stop when you want to, so it is a great thing to do if you are making extra money for a short-term savings goal. Obviously, blogging can take time. However, some websites are willing to pay writers nicely for their time and efforts for a piece. You can also start your own blog and create a following. You can use some affiliate programs to make money with your own website.

Virtual Assistant

Blogging is a great way to make extra money, but so is being a virtual assistant! Bloggers, website owners and even business owners don’t always have the time they need to get everything they need done. Being a virtual assistant, you would help the website or business with whatever they need help with. This can vary from creating content to managing social media accounts to simple administrative assistance. You can do this from home so, that’s a plus too.

Babysitting

Babysitting is a relatively easy way to make extra money too. If you can market your services well and babysit a couple times a week, you can make some decent extra money. Many babysitters charge up to $15 per hour so the extra cash stacks up quickly and, like cleaning houses, if you are good at what you do, people will recommend you to their friends.

Mowing Lawns

This is another word-of-mouth job that you can get more clients the better your work is. Of course, mowing lawns is not a ton of fun, but it can pay nicely. You can charge about $50 per yard. If you’ve got five yards to mow each week, you can get an extra $250 per week and $1,000 per month. This takes a little bit of time and some physical effort, but could be worth the additional pay out.

Pet Sitting

Just like babysitting, pet sitting can be minimal effort and people will recommend you if you are good at it. Many people will pay up to $50 a day for someone to watch out for their beloved pets. This usually only takes an hour or two a day while the person is away on vacation and it can be a good way to make a little extra cash (up to $1,000 a month if demand is high).

Offer Up A Service

If you can offer a service that is need in your area, offer it! People will usually need it and, in tight knit communities, people will think of you first. You can offer things such as elderly care, grocery delivery, baker, consignment sale, arts & crafts and even hair cuts to your community. These can all be great ways to make a little extra cash.

Photo: Flickr: Pictures of Money