(Part 1)
So while slightly disconcerting at the time, I was grateful for my initial I’m-shutting-this-whole-thing-down feelings because it brought perspective. It was as though God was handing me a lens through which I would filter the rest of the conference. That lens repeatedly prompted me to ask this question: How will this (tip, strategy or idea) help me more effectively and efficiently bring glory to God and less to myself?
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to blog with excellence. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make money. There’s nothing wrong with implementing smart strategies or brilliant ideas in order to gain followers or increase traffic. There’s nothing wrong with being successful. It’s certainly my goal. The tricky part is remembering for whom I’m doing it. And it’s not me.
So I’ll tell you some of what I learned — the practical, take-home tidbits (plus some of my own links & commentary too). I’m not going to break it down by session for two reasons:
- there was so much overlap and
- a lot of the learning took place outside the sessions
Legalities
- As soon as you start making money from your blog (whatever amount) it becomes a business. Treat it as such.
- Keep impeccable records of all transactions from the very beginning. Use an online spreadsheet like Google Docs, a separate PayPal account that tracks what goes in or out or just an old-school style ledger sheet. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just accurate.
- Get familiar with basic accounting concepts and terms. (Have only glanced at it, but will look at this accounting site myself.)
- Have at least a disclosure policy, a comment policy and a privacy policy on your blog.
- Consider an LLC (or LLP for partnership) to limit your personal liability. Many bloggers are doing this.
- Consult a lawyer or accountant if you aren’t sure about something. The cost could potentially save you much more down the road.
Writing
- Content is king. Always has been, always will be. Write good stuff.
- Know your voice. Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone else. The world needs you, not a copy of someone else.
- Blog your passion(s). Readers will pick up on it (and leave) if you don’t. They’ll also know if you’re writing to please your advertisers or to get more free stuff.
- Keep a file, journal or list of ideas for blog posts. Write it down when you think about it so you always have post ideas.
- To niche or not to niche? In general, the feeling was that a niche is not imperative. However, don’t be chaotic. Stay true to who you are and write about your passions even if they cover various topics.
- If your blog starts to feel like a burden, it’s time to rethink and refocus.
- Don’t be afraid to evolve. Try new things, take risks. If they don’t work, move on. Stress less.
Traffic and Readership
- Gain readership by commenting on other blogs, guest posting, taking part in memes and carnivals and being active on Twitter, Facebook and other social media.
- Be helpful.
- Spend 80% of your time promoting other bloggers and 20% of the time promoting yourself.
- Consider collaborating with other like-minded bloggers, intentionally supporting & encouraging each other so you’ll all rise to the top together.
Advertising & Monetization
- Lots and lots of bloggers make money on their blogs. Many make part to full-time incomes. Some make 6 figures.
- Ways to monetize with ads: sell private ad space or join an ad network.
- Private Ads are often the 125×125 pixel boxes you see on sites.
- Some Ad Networks: JuiceBoxJungle, RGN, Glam, Blogher.
- Private Ads Pros: you have total control over the ads on your site, you set the price and keep 100%.
- Private Ads Cons: have to maintain everything yourself and find your own advertisers.
- Ad Network Pros: the network finds the advertisers and does all the maintenance.
- Ad Network Cons: you can’t entirely control what ads show up on your site, the network keeps typically 50% of whatever you make; hard to get into some.
Networking
- Network, network, network.
- Building relationships with other blogger and getting to know them is not only key to getting ahead on your blog, but is just plain fun.
- Be intentional about building relationships with others and reaching out.
Until next time.
Shared at Musings of a Housewife.
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Wow! Great tips. Thank you! Since I am so new to this I would have never even known what “Blissdom” was until I read your blog. Thank you for being generous and sharing your tips. I look forward to hearing more! And yours was the first blog I put on my new “follow” list!
I’m honored.
Oh, oops, I meant to say that the first two paragraphs were the best. THANK YOU for the reminder and encouragement!
I couldn’t have summarized better!
BlissDom was fabulous! Thanks for sharing with all!
I agree. It was great. Can’t wait til next year!
Great recap and I agree that a lot of the learning was also done outside of the sessions, isn’t that always the way?
Thanks for all the great links, too!
As a first-timer, I had no idea how valuable the stuff outside of the sessions would be. HUGE. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for sharing what you learned!
thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. i started blogging as just a forum to post my poetry and such and then it kinda took off more than i expected.
i still don’t know what my plan is, but this is really helpful info!
thanks
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I hope you stick around! I’m toying with some more specific blogging help-type info. Stay tuned…
I loved your first post in this series and this contained such a wealth of information! Thank you so much for sharing in such an easy to follow way.
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Thanks Monica.
Great synopsis! I’m glad you are past the post-conference woe…it happened to me too, and you’re right; it brings great perspective!
Perspective is always good. So nice to be able to bounce things off of one another too! Looking forward to Relevant! Woot!!
Great thoughts (part 1) and info (part 2). It was really hard for me to have clear productive thoughts at Blissdom too! it was QUITE overwhelming for a first timer. I’m told the next time around it won’t be so overwhelming… Thanks for sharing!
It’s been nice to read the round-ups as it has helped me process and digest!
Wow! Great tips and summary! I find myself looking for help on your blog more and more!
Thanks! I hope you keep coming back – I’ve got more blog info up my sleeve.
Thank you for this post! very useful. never used juicboxjungle. might have to look into them
Thank you for your post. I am really starting to realize how naive I was and probably still am with my spur of the moment decision to start blogging. I did not realize that it would be a “business”. I was just looking for ways to be able to save money with coupons so I could keep putting food on the table. I few extra cents here and there from ads was a bonus. Its just like to think after I’ve already jumped in. Thank you again for your insights. Who know where this road will take me but I am looking forward to it.
Marsha
I’m bookmarking this. Thanks!
While I am not nearly the student of religion that you are, I believe that by using the amazing gifts God gave you, you are bringing glory to Him, even if you never speak his name once in the entirety of this blog.
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