In this post we will be going over using AI for blogging and the ways it can enhance your content.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all the rage just now and while many avoid it, it can be a powerful tool for bloggers when used correctly.

I want to preface this by reminding everyone reading this that you shouldn’t be using AI to WRITE full blog posts or content, but as a tool it can be incredibly helpful.

AI, when used correctly, can be a game-changer for bloggers.

It can help to streamline the content creation process, improve SEO, and spark more ideas and inspiration.

By integrating AI thoughtfully and carefully into your blogging, you can maintain the authenticity of your own personal voice and vibe while leveraging technology to enhance your content and content creation process.

Let’s now get into how to use AI for blogging for maximum effect.

How to Use AI for Blogging

There are a few different ways you can use AI for blogging.

Here’s a quick list of a few of the most common benefits of using AI for your blog: 

Content Inspiration: AI can generate topic ideas based on current trends and audience preferences, helping you stay relevant and keep your content fresh.

Improved SEO: AI tools can analyse search trends, suggest relevant keywords, and provide insights on optimising your content for better search engine rankings.

Quality Improvement: AI-powered grammar and readability tools can help refine your writing, ensuring your content is clear, error-free, and engaging.

Consistency: AI can help maintain a consistent posting schedule, ensuring that your blog remains active and up-to-date.

Audience Insights: AI can analyse audience behaviour and feedback, providing valuable data on what types of content resonate most with your readers.

Data-Driven Decisions: AI can provide detailed analytics and reports, helping you make informed decisions based on real data rather than intuition.

Inspiration Boost: AI can suggest new angles and perspectives on topics, sparking creativity and helping you overcome writer’s block.

Scalability: As your blog grows, AI can help manage the increased workload by automating tasks and providing scalable options and solutions to suit you and your blog.

Trend Analysis: AI can keep you updated on the latest trends in your industry, helping you create timely and relevant content.

Improved Accessibility: AI tools can assist in creating more accessible content, such as by suggesting alternative text for images or ensuring your content meets readability standards.

How Can You Implement AI Into Your Blogging?

Sparking Ideas and Inspiration

Even the most creative minds can hit a block when it comes to blogging and content ideas! AI can serve as an amazing source of inspiration when you’re struggling to come up with new topics or different angles.

By analysing popular content and trending topics, AI can suggest fresh ideas that resonate with your target audience. Additionally, AI tools can help you identify keyword ideas, allowing you to create unique content that stands out.

By utilising AI as a blogger, you can save time, get loads of new ideas for keywords, help your SEO and content creation, and maintain a consistent posting schedule, all while staying informed and inspired!

Once you have your keyword ideas you can then input into your Keyword Research Tool to narrow down on exactly what you are going to write about!

For more information on Keywords, this post goes more in depth but in an easy to understand way!

Research Assistance

AI tools can gather information really quickly from various sources. This can provide a comprehensive overview of literally any topic you’re interested in!

This saves you the time and effort of manually sifting through a lot of different articles. While your own research and fact checking is important (AI doesn’t always get things right!), it can certainly help speed things up in the earlier stages of content creation!

For lengthy articles or information, AI can help to generate a summary for you. This allows you to quickly understand the main points without having to read everything in detail. 

Streamlining the Content Creation Process

One of the most time-consuming aspects of blogging (I’m sure you’ll agree) is the research and pre-planning of your post before even writing the post itself!

AI can assist you in giving you information on a particular topic quickly and in an easy to understand fashion. 

Quick tip: If you ever don’t understand something AI has said, or something from the internet, ask AI to reword it in a more broken down/simplified way and this should help!

Once you’ve written your content, AI can help you to refine it by checking for grammar and how easy it is to read for your audience! It can check that  your writing is clear and error-free. AI can also suggest improvements to make your content more compelling and easier to understand but be aware to really double check all suggestions as it’s not always as natural sounding as it should be!

Enhancing SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is so important for any blogger wanting to increase their visibility and reach a bigger audience! 

AI can analyse current trends, keywords, and search algorithms to provide insights on the best strategies for optimising your content. With AI tools, you can track the performance of your posts to make data-driven decisions!

AI can also provide insights on how to optimise your blog content for better search engine rankings, helping you attract even more readers.

Improving Readability and Engagement

AI tools can also help you to refine your writing to make it more engaging and accessible to more people.

Tools like grammar checkers, readability analysers, and tone detectors can help you fine-tune your content to ensure it’s easy to read and resonates with your audience!

It’s really important you don’t let the AI content take over your personal voice in your blog! Using AI to help improve readability isn’t about solely using AI, it is just a tool that can help if you aren’t sure a certain point or sentence doesn’t quite make sense etc.

Common Questions About Using AI for Blogging

Can AI Replace Human Writers?

• AI can assist with drafting and generating ideas, but human writers like you and I are essential for creativity, personal touch, and nuanced understanding of topics! AI may have the facts (most of the time), but you will only get that human touch from an actual human.
• AI tools can produce relevant content, but they lack the depth, emotion, and unique perspective that human writers bring and add to their content. Human writers excel at connecting with their readers on a personal level, which is crucial for maintaining a loyal audience!

Is AI-Generated Content SEO-Friendly?

• Yes, AI can help optimise content for SEO, but human oversight is necessary to ensure the content is accurate, high quality and aligns with your brand voice. 
• AI tools like Yoast SEO and Keysearch use algorithms to analyse content and provide recommendations for optimising keywords, meta descriptions, and readability. However, human review ensures that the content remains engaging and accurate.

How Accurate is AI in Understanding Context?

• While AI has significantly improved in understanding context, it still requires human review to ensure accuracy and relevance!
• While AI tools like GPT-4 are trained on huge amounts of data and can understand context to a certain degree, they can often still struggle with highly specialised topics or certain specific questions. This is why it’s so important for a real human to edit and refine any AI info/text to ensure it is contextually correct and  comes across like it’s been written by a human.

Is Using AI for Blogging Expensive?

• There are both free and paid AI tools available. The cost depends on the tool’s capabilities and your specific needs.
• Free tools like Chat GPT or Grammarly offer basic writing assistance, while premium versions provide advanced features like style and tone suggestions. Similarly, platforms like Keysearch offer various subscription plans based on the level of service required.
  

More Questions People Have About Using AI for Blogging

In addition to the commonly asked questions previously discussed, here are some more inquiries people might have about using AI for blogging, along with concise answers:

How Can AI Help With Keyword Research?

• AI tools like Keysearch, Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz use algorithms to analyse search data and suggest relevant keywords you can use in your content. They can identify high-traffic keywords, low-competition keywords, long-tail keywords, and keyword difficulty. All of these can help bloggers optimise their content for search engines!

Can AI-generated Content Rank Well on Google?

• It can. AI-generated content can rank well if it is high-quality, informative, and optimised for SEO. As with the points above, human editing is necessary though to ensure the content is factual, human sounding and aligns with Google’s guidelines for valuable content. This is especially true after Google’s Helpful Content Update.

While AI can certainly help assist, Google especially is after HUMAN content where it helps other people. If it’s AI written fully, Google will know and won’t show your content. This can also harm your blog’s credibility.

Is AI Ethical To Use in Content Creation?

• This is a tricky one as it can be a point of personal opinion. For most, the ethical use of AI in content creation highly depends on transparency and originality! If you use AI as an aid but keep the content your own, you’re all good! As a blogger you should disclose the use of AI tools where necessary and ensure that the content is original and not plagiarised/copy and pasted. It’s essential to use AI as a supplement to human creativity rather than a replacement!

What Are The Limitations of Using AI For blogging?

• While AI can assist with many aspects of blogging, it has limitations, such as:
  • Creativity: AI may lack that creative flair and personal touch that a human writer can add/bring.
  • Context Understanding: AI tools can struggle with understanding complex or specific questions, and on occasion gets “facts” wrong too.
  • Dependency: Over-reliance on AI tools can lead to a lack of skill growth in writing and content creation. It will also go against getting found via search engines! Use AI as a tool, not as the backbone of your blog writing!

Concerns About Using AI to Help With Blogging

While AI does offer many benefits for bloggers, there are several concerns and potential drawbacks that you may have. 

Understanding these concerns can help you to make informed decisions about integrating AI into your blogging/content creation!

While AI has loads of benefits, it’s important to use it ethically. As mentioned earlier, relying too heavily on AI for content creation can lead to a loss of your personal touch and authenticity. 

Always ensure that your voice remains at the forefront of your blog. Use AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for your creativity and expertise as YOU are what your readers want to read and know.

Benefits of Using AI Voice Overs for Blog Posts

Adding AI voice overs into your blog posts and blog content can have numerous advantages It can enhance the accessibility, engagement, and reach of your content.

While it won’t be for everyone, for some niches voice overs can work SO well.

Whether you want a section of your post or the whole post available as an audio option, the option is there!

You can of course use your own voice to record voice overs if you’re comfortable with this.

The other option is to use an AI voice over tool such as ElevenLabs.

Often AI tools work on a character basis. 

This means you type in/copy text in of what you would like to be read out, generate the speech (you choose the voice you would like too) and then download it as an audio file! Super simple! 

If you’re needing less than 10,000 characters per month then it’s free too!

They have paid plans at really affordable prices too. For example the first paid plan is only $5 a month for up to 30,000 characters!

There are 3 further plan options if you need them too.

For all of the plans you get to use any of the 29 different voices they have available to you.

I’ve included a snippet of a few of the voices as an example of how different they sound and how you can choose whichever suits your content the best!

ElevenLabs is also an amazing way to do video voice overs for your blog, for YouTube, TikTok or any other platform where you are sharing your video content.

You can easily add this voice clip into a video editing software or even Canva to easily add voice overs to video clips!

I hope this has been helpful in clarifying a few points regarding using AI for blogging. I also hope it has alleviated any concerns you may have had about using AI to help you in creating content but without either feeling “icky” about using it, or without being penalised by Google.

As you can see from the voice over software above, there are some amazing ways to utilise AI for your blog or for other forms of content creation!

Do you use AI for your blog?

Have you ever tried voice overs for blog or video content?

Let me know in the comments below!

Speak soon!

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The post Using AI for Blogging: A Simple Guide appeared first on Katherine McLee.

This post is all about knowing how to legally protect your blog by explaining which pages you need and where to get them.

Quick disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this post is for educational and informational purposes only. I am just sharing what I have learned and passing on the knowledge to make sure you and your blog are covered! If you have any further questions, please contact your own Lawyer for any specific legal advice or questions.

Keeping yourself and your blog legally protected is so important.

Often new bloggers don’t realise they need these 3 legal pages on their blog, or they don’t realise the importance of the pages, but it isn’t something that should be missed out or skipped over.

If you are brand new to blogging, you may not know that there are certain pages you need on your blog to keep everything above board.

We will go over the top 3 legal pages to keep your blog protected in this post below.

A quick Google search will show you which pages you need but won’t often tell you where to get the ones you ACTUALLY need.

You may be tempted to grab free templates online, making the pages up yourself or skipping one or all of them altogether. While this may sound like the easier option initially, it will take a lot more time in the long run to then rectify those pages once you realise that the free templates aren’t sufficient.  

It may sound scary or daunting thinking about where you can get these pages, but there are easy ways to get all the legal pages you need for your blog.

You can then personalise them to you and your blog, and can get them live on your blog very shortly after.

Protecting yourself, your blog, your business and your hard work is crucial. The earlier you can get those pages up and in place, the better!

Let’s get into exactly what legal pages you need for your blog and where to get them.

Who exactly needs to have Legal pages on their blog?

Legal pages are essential for anyone who owns/runs a blog or website. It’s important regardless of its size or niche!

These pages help protect both yourself and your visitors by clearly outlining the terms and conditions of using your site, privacy policies, disclosures, disclaimers, and any other legal information required by law.

Please double check what is required in your country as it can vary around the world!

Bloggers: No matter whether you’re a hobby blogger or want/have a blogging business, having legal pages is crucial to establish transparency and protect yourself as a content creator.

Business Owners: If your blog is associated with a business, whether it’s a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, legal pages are necessary to outline the terms of doing business with your company.

Affiliate Marketers: If you participate in affiliate marketing programs and earn commissions through affiliate links on your blog, you are required to disclose this relationship to your audience, typically in a disclaimer or affiliate disclosure page. 

This also requires a little research between companies you are an affiliate for but often you can get a plugin or add in a disclaimer at the start of each post that contains affiliate links.

This is super important to have on the page BEFORE any affiliate links show up.

This can then either link or direct people back to your disclosure page for further information.

E-commerce Websites: If your blog sells products or services directly to consumers, you must have legal pages that outline the terms of sale, refund policies, shipping information, and other relevant details.

Content Creators: Anyone who creates and publishes various types of content, such as articles, videos, podcasts, or digital downloads, should have legal pages to protect their intellectual property rights and establish usage guidelines for their content.

Email Marketers: If you collect email addresses from your blog visitors for marketing purposes, you need to comply with email marketing laws, such as the CAN-SPAM Act in the United States, by including an email marketing disclosure and privacy policy.

Bloggers with Sponsored Content: If you collaborate with brands or receive compensation for promoting products or services on your blog, you must disclose these relationships to your audience to maintain transparency and trust.

Basically, anyone who owns or operates a blog or website and interacts with visitors, customers, or subscribers in any capacity should have legal pages to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect both parties’ rights and interests.

So let’s get into it…

Which Pages Exactly Do You Need?

There are 3 main pages you must have on your blog.

These are:

Privacy Policy Page

A Privacy Policy is a legal document that outlines how your website collects, uses, discloses, and protects the personal information of your visitors. Personal information can include names, email addresses, IP addresses, and any other data that can be used to identify an individual.

Terms and Conditions Page

Terms and Conditions (Ts&Cs) are the rules and guidelines that users must agree to abide by in order to use your website or service. These terms cover a wide range of topics, including copyright, user conduct, disclaimers and more.

Disclaimer Page

A Disclaimer is a statement that limits your liability for the information presented on your website and advises users to seek professional advice or assistance when necessary. Disclaimers can cover various topics, such as the accuracy of information, the suitability of advice, and the risks associated with following your content.

You will also need a disclosure page if you choose not to buy a bundle with the disclosures included into the disclaimer page. 

Please be aware that if you blog about anything legal, medical/health-related, or indeed anything that you do not want to be held responsible – for example financial advice, then you may need a dedicated Disclaimer Page.

Where Do You Get These Important Pages For Your Blog?

There are a few places you can get these pages for your blog.

If you’re a Lawyer you can of course draw these pages up yourself!

If you are not a Lawyer, you can either get your own Lawyer to draw up these pages for you, specifically tailored to yourself and your blog, or you can buy the pages from a  Lawyer who has specifically written them as templates that you can customise and tailor to suit your needs. 

The second option is by far the simplest, quickest and cheapest way to get all the legal pages you need and get your blog protected as quickly as possible.

The cheapest way you can get these pages is through a Legal Bundle. A legal bundle is a bundle of templates of the key pages you need, specifically made to be customised and added to your blog/website.

Included in this Starter Legal Bundle you will find all three of the above required pages, with the disclosures included. 

Often a variety of bundles will be offered to suit your own needs, but for any blogger just starting out or anyone wanting to cover their blog/website without the hassle, a Starter Legal Bundle is perfect.

You can of course buy the pages individually if needed, but it may cost you more doing it this way.

Depending on your site’s needs you may need a larger bundle or extra pages to add on but for most newer/smaller sites, the Starter Legal Bundle is ideal!

The exact bundle I bought and still use is this Starter Legal Bundle.

After doing lots of research I found that this bundle had all the pages I needed, could be easily customised to suit myself and my blog, and could be edited and live in less than half an hour (for all 3!).

What exactly does the Starter Legal Bundle include?

The Starter Legal Bundle I mentioned above includes all 3 legal pages which can then be easily tailored and customised to suit your/your blogs needs. 

From the website directly itself it states:

“THIS IS THE LEGAL BUNDLE YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR WEBSITE LEGALLY COMPLIANT IN THE NEXT 15 MINUTES WITH NO STRESS AND OVERWHELM!”

Here’s a quick rundown of the pages included:

Privacy Policy

Why it’s important to have it written by a lawyer:

Privacy laws vary from country to country, but they all often have stringent requirements for how blogs and websites handle personal data. A lawyer can ensure that your Privacy Policy aligns with these laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States.

Terms and Conditions

Why it’s important to have it written by a lawyer:

A lawyer can draft Terms and Conditions that protect your website from legal disputes and liabilities. This includes disclaimers of warranties, limitations of liability, and clauses that govern user behaviour to minimise the risk of legal action against your website.

Legal language can be complex, and poorly drafted terms may be ambiguous or unenforceable. A lawyer can ensure that your Terms of Service are clear, understandable, and legally binding, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings or disputes with your users.

Disclaimer

Why it’s important to have it written by a lawyer:

A well-crafted Disclaimer can help protect you from legal claims arising from errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in your content. By clearly outlining the limitations of your advice or information, you can reduce the risk of liability for any adverse consequences experienced by your users.

Certain industries or types of content may have specific legal requirements for disclaimers. A lawyer can ensure that your Disclaimer meets these requirements and provides adequate protection for your website.

How Much Is The Stater Legal Bundle?

As of the time of writing this, the bundle is still only $197 as there is currently over $100 off!

You can of course buy the page templates individually but this is a more pricey way to do it!

The amazing part of this bundle is that as it’s a customisable template written by a Lawyer, not only will you be protected with the pages you need, but if you have more than one website, you only have to buy the bundle once!

What Happens If You Don’t Have These 3 Legal Pages On Your Blog?

It may be so tempting to skip these pages but if you fail to have the 3 essential legal pages (Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, and a Disclaimer) on their website, they could potentially face several negative consequences, including:

Legal Non-Compliance

Many countries have legal requirements mandating the presence of certain policies on websites. This is particularly regarding data protection and user rights. For instance, laws like the GDPR in the European Union or the CCPA in California require websites to have a Privacy Policy disclosing how they collect, use, and protect users’ personal information. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in legal penalties, fines, or enforcement actions from regulatory authorities!

Risk Of Lawsuits

Without clear Terms and Conditions and/or a Disclaimer, you may be leaving yourself vulnerable to lawsuits from users or third parties. For example, if a user relies on advice or information provided by your blog and experiences negative consequences, they may attempt to hold you liable for damages.

Similarly, if your blog contains copyrighted material or user-generated content, without proper Terms and Conditions outlining the rights and responsibilities of users, the blogger could face legal disputes over intellectual property rights.

Loss Of Trust and Credibility In Your Blog

A lack of legal pages can also harm trust and credibility with your users. Internet users are becoming increasingly aware of their rights regarding privacy and data protection, and they may be hesitant to engage with a website that does not provide clear information about how their personal data is handled.

Alongside that, users may view the absence of legal pages as a sign of unprofessionalism or lack of commitment to ethical standards, damaging your blog’s reputation which isn’t great!

Missed Opportunities

Beyond legal and reputational risks, the absence of the 3 essential legal pages may also lead to missed opportunities for collaboration or monetisation.

Many businesses, advertisers, and affiliate programs require websites to have certain legal protections in place before entering into partnerships or agreements.

Without these safeguards, bloggers may be excluded from valuable opportunities to monetise their content or collaborate with brands.

Neglecting to have important legal pages on a blog can have serious consequences, ranging from legal penalties and lawsuits to damage to reputation and missed opportunities for growth!

I hope this post on the 3 Legal pages you need to have for your blog has helped you realise the importance of keeping your website and your readers protected!

Having the right legal pages on your blog is crucial for protecting yourself and your audience. By clearly outlining your terms and policies, you establish transparency and trust, while also ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations!

Remember to include essential pages such as the Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, Disclaimer, and/included Disclosure to cover all bases.

If you’re unsure where to start or what to create, there are online resources and templates available to help you create these pages efficiently and affordably such as the Starter Legal Bundle.

Don’t overlook or ignore the importance of legal compliance—investing time and effort into setting up proper legal pages now can save you from potential headaches and legal issues down the road!

Speak soon!

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The post 3 Legal Pages You Need To Have On Your Blog: Keeping Your Blog Protected appeared first on Katherine McLee.

When it comes to blogging resources, there are lots of options out there.

No matter what your preferred method of learning is, books can be such an amazing way to enhance your knowledge. 

While you will often get a lot more information from online courses, you can always find valuable tips, information and experiences in books!

Of course one of the amazing advantages of books is how portable they are!

Knowing which books would be best to read as a blogger can be confusing, so I’ve compiled a list of top rated books so you’ve got a good place to start while choosing which ones suit your blogging needs best.

Let’s get into the top rated blogging books on blogging on Amazon in 2025!

These books cover various aspects of blogging, from content creation strategies and monetization to successful blogging habits and journalistic approaches. Always check the latest reviews and descriptions on Amazon to find books that suit your interests and goals in blogging.

Let’s get into the 11 top rated blogging books on Amazon below!

The Million Dollar Blog

The Million Dollar Blog is a book by Natasha Courtenay-Smith.

This is the book I spoke about in this Gift Guide as it’s such a great read with a lot of information and experiences from hugely successful bloggers!

The description of this book reads as:

 “In a world where everyone wants to blog and blog posts are ubiquitous, how do you stand out? How do you blog your way from nobody to somebody?

How do you make money blogging, how do you start your own blogging business, and how do you, as a business owner, use content to build your brand and drive your success?

What do the world’s most successful bloggers know that you don’t know (yet)?

No matter who you are – a mum at home, a budding fashion blogger, a lifestyle blogger, a food blogger, a big business owner or a small business owner – The Million Dollar Blog is about blogging the smart way.

The Million Dollar Blog will be your ultimate guide to starting a successful blog or taking your existing blog to the next level.

Through a combination of practical advice and interviews with some of the world’s most famous and successful bloggers, vloggers and content strategists, including Seth Godin, Lily Pebbles, Grant Cardone and Madeleine Shaw, entrepreneur and digital strategist Natasha Courtenay Smith shows you how to build a blog that will increase your profile, create new opportunities, earn money and change your life.”

Who is This Book Best For?

The Million Dollar Blog is best for people who are wanting to monetise their blogs and turn them into profitable ventures! This book is particularly suitable for aspiring bloggers, entrepreneurs, and online business owners who want to learn effective strategies for growing their blogs and generating significant income. 

ProBlogger: Secrets For Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income

ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income (Third Edition) is written by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett.

The description of this book reads as:

“An update of one of the bestselling blogging books, written by two of the world’s most successful bloggers. 

There’s a reason why the first two editions of this book have sold thousands of copies worldwide. Written by two of the world’s most successful bloggers, it’s one of the clearest books out there on how to earn an income from your blog. 

This new edition gets you up to date on the very latest changes that affect the blogging-for-business landscape. Featuring new material on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn; plus new ways and tools to grow your audience and expand your business beyond your blog, this professional blogger’s bible is better than ever.

Helps novices choose a blog topic, analyze the market, set up a blog, promote it, and earn revenue. 

Gives aspiring bloggers proven techniques and the tools they need to succeed in building a business from their blogs.

Reveals 20 key ingredients for a successful blog post.

Offers solid, step-by-step instruction on how bloggers actually make money, why niches matter, how to use essential blogging tools and take advantage of social media and content aggregators, how to optimize your advertising, and much more.

Includes techniques for attracting and growing an audience and how to mine new business opportunities beyond your blog.

Written by two full time professional bloggers, this exciting, updated edition of “ProBlogger” tells you exactly how to launch and maintain a blog that makes money.”

Who is This Book Best For?

ProBlogger: Secrets For Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income is aimed at those aspiring to achieve financial success through blogging. It is most suited for: Aspiring Bloggers, Intermediate Bloggers, Content Creators, Entrepreneurs and Online Marketers.

How to Blog for Profit: Without Selling Your Soul

How to Blog for Profit: Without Selling Your Soul is written by Ruth Soukup 

The description of this book reads as:

“Ever wondered what it takes to create and grow a successful online business? Your step-by-step guide is here! Whether you’re an author, blogger, podcaster, business owner, or maybe, just want to know how to get started, How to Blog for Profit is for you. It is jam-packed with easy-to-implement advice for creating an authentic, successful, and profitable online business.

With wit, wisdom, and the insight of someone who’s been there, The New York Times best-selling author Ruth Soukup shares how she grew her own blog-based business into a seven-figure media empire.

Master the art of creating compelling content that naturally attracts your own tribe of raving fans and loyal customers. Grow your audience faster by learning how to focus on the proven traffic strategies that actually work. Gain a clear understanding of all the options for monetizing your platform as well as which revenue streams offer the best ROI. Improve your productivity, learning to work smarter not harder, and take concrete steps to transform your blog into a business. Learn what the most successful bloggers and online business owners are doing differently than everyone else so that you can, too.”

Who is This Book Best For?

How to Blog for Profit: Without Selling Your Soul is best suited for:

New Bloggers, Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Content Creators (inc.Writers, creatives, and individuals who want to understand how to create engaging and valuable content that attracts a loyal audience), Stay-at-Home Parents and Bloggers Interested in Authenticity.

Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content

Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content is written by Ann Handley.

The description of this book reads as:

“In the newly revised and updated edition of Everybody Writes, marketer and author Ann Handley improves on her Wall Street Journal bestselling book that’s helped hundreds of thousands become better, more confident writers.

In this brand-new edition, she delivers all the practical, how-to advice and insight you need for the process and strategy of content creation, production, and publishing.

This new edition also includes:

• All-new examples, tools, resources
• Updated step-by-step writing framework
• Added and expanded chapters that reflect the evolution of content marketing (and evolution of Ann’s thinking about what works today)
• The same witty and practical how-to approach
• How to attract and retain customers with stellar online communication
• How to choose your words well, sparingly, and with honest empathy for your customers
• Best practices and ideas for crafting credible, trustworthy content
• “Things Marketers Write”: The fundamentals of 19 specific kinds of content that marketers like you write
• Inspiration. Confidence. Fun.

Content marketing has evolved. Yet writing matters more than ever.

In this new edition of Everybody Writes, you’ll find the strategies, techniques, tips, and tools you’ll need to refine, upgrade, and (most of all) inspire your own best content marketing.“

Who is This Book Best For?

Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content is best suited for: Content Creators, Digital Marketers, Business Owners, Marketing Teams, Beginners in Content Marketing and Anyone Interested in Writing. Whether you’re a casual writer or someone who wants to enhance their writing skills for personal or professional reasons, this book provides a lot of quality information!

The One Hour Content Plan: The Solopreneur’s Guide to a Year’s Worth of Blog Post Ideas in 60 Minutes and Creating Content That Hooks and Sells

The One Hour Content Plan: The Solopreneur’s Guide to a Year’s Worth of Blog Post Ideas in 60 Minutes and Creating Content That Hooks and Sells is written by Meera Kothand 

The description of this book reads as:

“Unlock countless content ideas. Sell your products and services with ease. Get your content to work harder for you.

Does any of this sound like you?

1. You never know what to write.

On most days you struggle to come up with blog post ideas and haven’t planned in advance what your content is going to be about. You’re always looking to fill a publishing queue.

2. You chase after content trends.

You go after what you think will make your post go viral or get more shares. There isn’t necessarily a thread in any of your content pieces.

3. Your content doesn’t have a strong link to the products or services you offer.

You’re not sure how to create content to promote your products or services.

If you’re nodding yes to any of the above,The One Hour Content Plan Will help you generate countless ideas. To be exact, a full year’s worth of traffic building and sales boosting content ideas in 60 minutes or less.”

Who is This Book Best For?

The One Hour Content Plan: The Solopreneur’s Guide to a Year’s Worth of Blog Post Ideas in 60 Minutes and Creating Content That Hooks and Sells is best for:

Solopreneurs and Small Business Owners, Content Creators, Digital Marketers, Entrepreneurs, Busy Professionals and Marketing Coordinators.

This book by Meera Kothand is designed to be accessible and effective for everyone, no matter their varying levels of experience in content creation and marketing.

Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business

Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business is written by Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman 

The description of this book reads as:

“The guide to creating engaging web content and building a loyal following, revised and updated

Blogs, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and other platforms are giving everyone a “voice,” including organizations and their customers. So how do you create the stories, videos, and blog posts that cultivate fans, arouse passion for your products or services, and ignite your business? Content Rules equips you for online success as a one-stop source on the art and science of developing content that people care about. This coverage is interwoven with case studies of companies successfully spreading their ideas online―and using them to establish credibility and build a loyal customer base.

• Find an authentic “voice” and craft bold content that will resonate with prospects and buyers and encourage them to share it with others
• Leverage social media and social tools to get your content and ideas distributed as widely as possible
• Understand why you are generating content―getting to the meat of your message in practical, commonsense language, and defining the goals of your content strategy
• Write in a way that powerfully communicates your service, product, or message across various Web mediums
• Boost your online presence and engage with customers and prospects like never before with Content Rules.”

Who is This Book Best For?

Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business is best for:

Content Creators including bloggers, writers, podcasters, video creators, and anyone involved in content creation looking to enhance the quality and impact of their content! It’s also best for Marketing Professionals, Business Owners, Digital Marketers, Communications Specialists and Aspiring Content Marketers!

The Essential Habits Of 6-Figure Bloggers: Secrets of 17 Successful Bloggers You Can Use to Build a Six-Figure Online Business

The Essential Habits Of 6-Figure Bloggers: Secrets of 17 Successful Bloggers You Can Use to Build a Six-Figure Online Business is written by Sally Miller

The description of this book reads as:

“Struggling to gain traction with an online audience? Plagued by posts providing little to no financial return? Do dreams of making money seem unattainable? Seasoned business analyst, MBA, and web expert Sally Miller interviewed seventeen top bloggers who gross over $100,000 every year. And now she’s here to share how they turned their passions into a financially and emotionally rewarding career.

The Essential Habits of 6-Figure Bloggers: Secrets of 17 Successful Bloggers You Can Use to Build a Six-Figure Online Business is a one-of-a-kind guide to boost your reach and propel you towards commercial goals. With detailed interviews and practical examples, Miller’s insight will help you break through stubborn blocks keeping you from living your dream life. By implementing her three patterns of success, you’ll turn your personal message into a fulfilling way to make money from anywhere in the world.”

Who is This Book Best For?

The Essential Habits Of 6-Figure Bloggers: Secrets of 17 Successful Bloggers You Can Use to Build a Six-Figure Online Business is best for:

Aspiring Bloggers, Intermediate Bloggers, Entrepreneurs, Online Business Owners, Content Creators, Marketing Professionals and Marketers seeking insights into the habits that contribute to the success of bloggers and how these strategies can be applied to other marketing efforts.

The Badass Blog Planner: Your guide to defining your purpose, creating clarity, and building a year of killer content

The Badass Blog Planner: Your guide to defining your purpose, creating clarity, and building a year of killer content is written by Sarah Morgan

The description of this book reads as:

“Calling all bloggers, small business owners, freelancers, entrepreneurs, artists, and general creators of awesome things online—this workbook is for you!Whether you’re setting goals for the new year or just hoping to step-up your blogging game, The Badass Blog Planner is the must-have workbook to blog with purpose and grow your online presence like a pro.

Packed with over 60 worksheets, this one-year planner will help you review the past year and hatch a plan to improve your online presence. It includes worksheets to evaluate and plan blog content, social media posts, products and services, email newsletters, marketing, advertising, your budget, and website design.No more late-night post idea panic or stressing over social media! You’ll take action with the confidence to create compelling and shareable content, promote your brand, organize your website, set goals for growth, plan product launches, and feel excited and inspired all year long. *Not suitable for those just starting their blog *”

Who is This Book Best For?

The Badass Blog Planner: Your guide to defining your purpose, creating clarity, and building a year of killer content is best for:

Intermediate and more experienced Bloggers, Content Creators, Goal-Oriented Bloggers, Organizational Enthusiasts, Creatives Seeking Clarity (creatives who want to define their blog’s purpose, gain clarity on their niche, and build a cohesive and impactful content plan), and Aspiring Professional Bloggers.

The Elements of Blogging: Expanding the Conversation of Journalism

The Elements of Blogging: Expanding the Conversation of Journalism is written by Mark Leccese and Jerry Lanson

The description of this book reads as:

“Becoming a blogger takes practice, hard work, and, ultimately, a passion for the craft. Whether you plan to blog on politics or parenting, The Elements of Blogging is designed to give you the skills and strategies to get started, to sustain your work, and to seek out a robust audience. This book is loaded with practical advice on important topics such as determining a niche, finding the best stories, and blogging effectively and ethically. It features examples from both amateur and professional bloggers that show the techniques for building an argument, finding a voice, crafting a headline, and establishing a brand.

Key features:

• Real-world applicability. This book includes thumbnail profiles of bloggers and their sites, which illuminate key skills you will need to become an effective blogger
• Interactivity. Each chapter features discussion points and exercises intended to get you to think about, reflect on, and apply the contents of each chapter
• Creativity. While this book dives into software and plug-ins for bloggers, its main goal is to cover how to write blogs on a myriad of topics: news, opinion pieces, travel, politics, art, and more.“

Who is This Book Best For?

The Elements of Blogging: Expanding the Conversation of Journalism is best for:

Journalism Students, Journalists Transitioning to Digital Platforms, Bloggers Interested in Journalism and Professionals and Educators in Media and Journalism.

This book explores the connections between blogging and journalism, offering a thoughtful examination of the ways in which blogging has influenced and expanded the conversation within the field of journalism.

It is for a slightly more specific audience but definitely worth a look into if you fall into one of the above categories.

The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use Content Marketing, Podcasting, Social Media, AI, Live Video, and Newsjacking to Reach Buyers Directly

The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use Content Marketing, Podcasting, Social Media, AI, Live Video, and Newsjacking to Reach Buyers Directly is written by David Meerman Scott 

The description of this book reads as:

“As the ways we communicate continue to evolve, keeping pace with the latest trends in social media, including social audio like Clubhouse, the newest online video tools such as TikTok, and all the other high-tech influences, can seem an almost impossible task. How can you keep your product or service from getting lost in the digital clutter? The eighth edition of The New Rules of Marketing and PR provides everything you need to speak directly to your audience, make a strong personal connection, and generate attention for your business.

An international bestseller with nearly half a million copies sold in twenty-nine languages, this revolutionary guide gives you a proven, step-by-step plan for leveraging the power of technology to get your message seen and heard by the right people at the right time. You will learn the latest approaches for highly effective public relations, marketing, and customer communications―all at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising!”

Who is This Book Best For?

The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use Content Marketing, Podcasting, Social Media, AI, Live Video, and Newsjacking to Reach Buyers Directly is best for: Marketing Professionals, Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners, Digital Marketers, Content Creators and PR Professionals.

The Content Code: Six Essential Strategies to Ignite Your Content, Your Marketing, and Your Business

The Content Code: Six Essential Strategies to Ignite Your Content, Your Marketing, and Your Business is written by Mark W. Schaefer 

The description of this book reads as:

“Named world’s best SEO book by Book Authority and one of the top five business books of the year by INC magazine!Mark W. Schaefer has delivered a path-finding book exploring the six factors that will help you break through the overwhelming wall of information density to win at marketing now … beyond content, beyond social media, beyond web traffic and Search Engine Optimization.

The Content Code starts where your current marketing plan ends, and provides the launch code for next-level success. The book dives deeply into the true value of social media marketing and the steps companies need to enable to achieve measurable results.

A pioneering book that explores the psychology of sharing, it is also highly practical, offering hundreds of ideas that can be used by organizations of any size and any budget.Book highlights include in-depth explorations on the connection between brand and content transmission, a focus on audiences that will move content, practical steps to build “shareability” into all your content, and the new role of promotion, distribution and SEO in a very competitive, digital world.Unlock your business value, unleash your audience, and uncover the six digital secrets of The Content Code.”

Who is This Book Best For?

The Content Code: Six Essential Strategies to Ignite Your Content, Your Marketing, and Your Business is best for: Content Marketers, Digital Marketers, Business Owners, Social Media Managers, PR Professionals and of course Bloggers and Writers.

Hopefully this list of top-rated blogging books on Amazon in 2025 has inspired you!

Of course, remember that the journey of a blogger is one of continuous learning, growth and patience.

Each of these books listed above offers a unique perspective, giving tips, advice and experience into the ever-evolving world of blogging.

No matter whether you’re wanting to refine your content strategy, enhance your writing skills, or learn more about the ins and outs of digital marketing, there’s a book here for you!

It can be helpful to remember your blogging goals and what you are personally wanting to learn and achieve. Both books and online courses are amazing ways to learn invaluable blogging information. Success in the blogging world is not just about numbers; it can also be about finding your voice, connecting with your audience, and of course, enjoying the journey!

Have you read any of these books?

Which of these books appeals to you most?

Let me know your opinions in the comments to help others gauge which books are best for them too!

Speak soon!

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The post 11 Top Rated Blogging Books On Amazon: How To Master Blogging in 2025 appeared first on Katherine McLee.

Here you’ll find a list of 30 Christmas Gift Ideas for Bloggers and Content Creators!

We all want to buy the perfect Christmas Gift, but that’s easier said than done!

Chances are if you’re reading this you’re either a blogger, content creator, or someone you know is.

Finding the perfect Christmas Gift that’s right for the person can be tricky.

That’s why I’ve compiled a list of perfect gift ideas for bloggers or those who create content!

These ideas range from just a few pounds up to the more extravagant so there’s something for every budget! 

1- Domain and/or Hosting

This may sound like an unconventional gift, but it’s the one thing anyone who wants a profitable blog NEEDS in their life.

To have a profitable blog you need your own website name and someone to host it.

As you can see from the image below, it’s cheap as chips for a new website!

2 – Website Theme

There are many, many themes out there.

Choosing a simple, readable but highly customisable one is key for any new/aspiring blogger!

This is the one I would personally recommend due to its features and ease of use.

I personally have used this theme for years (and still do as of Nov 2023!) so can absolutely vouch for its ease of use and regular updates!

Plus it’s totally affordable and is just one quick one-off payment!

Ashe Blog Pro Theme

3 – Keyboard

What is a blogger without a decent keyboard?

I spoke about this keyboard in this post and you can find a full review here! 

WOW.

The retro look and feel of this keyboard makes it an absolute dream to look at and type on.

A decent keyboard is such an important tool for anyone typing a lot – especially for those longer blog posts!

The colours are SO pretty and bright – even after 12 months of constant use! Absolute love.

There are so many lighting modes and combinations, anyone can find the patterns they enjoy the most.

4 – Headphones

Noise Cancelling Headphones to be more specific!

Being able to block out a lot of distraction can be key to productivity.

Or you may know someone concious of their neighbours even though they like their music or podcasts loud!

Overear, comfy, squishy noise cancelling headphones are just the best. They are the perfect tool to help get/maintain a focus when spending so many hours at the computer!

5 – Smart Speaker

There’s a few versions of these now! I love that I can just shout to (at) her to set timers, reminders or play music. 

I love it as it makes working easier due to the fact it streamlines certain things without being disruptive!

6 – Wireless Speaker

This is one of those perfect gift ideas for bloggers if your blogger doesn’t want a smart speaker and doesn’t need/want headphones. 

A cute wireless bluetooth speaker to sit near their computer is perfect! 

7 – Curved Monitor

A curved monitor is an amazing way to get the space of two screens but without needing to set up two monitors.

Whether the blogger in your life is also a gamer, or not, I cannot recommend a curved monitor enough!

I ADORE mine. I initially got it on a bit of a whim but it’s honestly been one of the best blogging purchases I ever made!

(My one is a few years old now and doesn’t seem to exist anymore but this is the closest I could see at the time for the one I have if anyone is interested in my one.)

8 – Portable Charger

You really cannot go wrong with a good portable charger!

Not even just for phones but could be to charge the headphones or speaker! 

You can also run smaller USB devices/lights off of them!

9 – Electric Blanket Throw

This is one of my favourite products I bought this year.

It’s the perfect gift for any blogger as sitting down at the desk a lot can make you feel cold!

Varying temperature settings means it’s perfect for anyone! 

10 – Hot Water Bottle For Feet

Sticking with the theme of not wanting to be cold, how cool is this?!

It’s literally a hot water bottle with little pockets for your feet.

If your feet are warm, you will be so much warmer!

Perfect for winter or for anyone with bad circulation!

11 – Planner

Ahhh the trusty planner!

For a planner that covers all of your personal and work/business needs, you really can’t go far wrong with a Clever Fox Pro!

12 – Notebooks

Maybe the blogger in your life isn’t a fan of planners or is very particular in which ones they use?

Fear not!

Notebooks!

Getting pretty notebooks with DECENT paper in them is more of a treat than you would expect!

13 – Posh/Fancy Pen

Along these lines, what about a cute pen in a gift box?

Choosing from these gift ideas for bloggers doesn’t have to be extravagant and can be super budget friendly.

Just think about what they spend a lot of time doing and if that’s writing, a cute pen could be the way to go! 

14 – Set of Coloured Fineliner Pens

Coloured pens are perfect for the blogger who is either super organised, artsy or just loves stationery (I’m the latter lol). Coloured pens to match the planner or notebooks is a great gift!

15 – Salt Lamp

Salt Lamps have a lot of health benefits but honestly I just love the colour of it.

If you’re sitting in the same spot at the computer a lot, you want your space to feel/look cute! 

Salt lamps are a perfect addition to any desk!

(Please just be aware that they are heavy so need a solid surface!)

16 – S.A.D Lamp

When on the computer a lot it can be easy to miss out on a lot of daylight.

I’m not recommending using one of these lamps to replace natural sunlight!

But sometimes we spend more time indoors than is ideal.

Getting a S.A.D lamp not only gives you a boost but can help combat S.A.D (Seasonal Affective Disorder – also known as Winter Depression.)

17 – Diffuser

Something a little different could be a diffuser!

This diffuser not only changes colours but it looks like a mini fire pit on your desk!

18 – Walking Pad

We all know we should be aiming for 10,000 steps a day.

Often though that’s easier said than done and we spend more time sitting than we mean to!

Getting a walking pad/under desk treadmill is an amazing way to get steps in while working or watching a Webinar!

19 – Desk Fairy Lights

How cute are these?!

They would make any desk look so cute and really make a workspace feel more cosy!

20 – Tripod

A tripod is especially important if the blogger in your life is looking to either get more into photography or is venturing into video!

I love this desktop tripod as it’s a lot more portable than the big ones!

21 – Ring Light

Anyone who takes photos should get a ring light!

It can make phone photos look so much more professional and means you don’t need perfect lighting to get the perfect photo!

22 – Book: Million Dollar Blog

For any blogger you know who wants to turn their blog into a real business and income stream, this book is a definite must!

Following the guidance and wisdom of those already in the position that bloggers are often aiming for is cruical, and also so inspiring!

23 – Water Tumbler With Handle

If the blogger in your life is notorious for not drinking drinks due to forgetting about them (guilty) – the solution is an aesthetic and huge water tumbler!

Having a large cup to keep water cold is the perfect way to stay hydrated, while the cup itself looks so pretty!

24 – Camera

A camera would be so appreciated by any blogger! 

Photos are a big part of blogging, even for those of us who use a lot of stock photos, we still need to take our own photos!

A lot of bloggers and content creators take a lot of their own photos so a high quality camera is KEY to getting those sharp, clean, aesthetic pictures we all see and love!

25 – Digital Photo Frame

Photos are a big part of blogging, even for those of us who use a lot of stock photos, we still always need to take our own inbetween times!

How cute is this?

This is one of the more unique Christmas gift ideas for bloggers as you can fill it with photos that are special to them! 

Picking up an SD card will mean you can fill it with memories, or you can leave it blank and they can fill it themselves with images of their choosing!

26 – Water Bottle

While sitting at a desk for long periods of time, we can (too easily) forget to stay hydrated! 

Having a cute water bottle to keep handy absolutely helps combat this! Especially if it has motivational sayings on the side too!

27 – Desktop Whiteboard

This desktop accessory is a great way to stay organised without  needing a large whiteboard!

It’s perfectly shaped to sit behind a keyboard and be easily visible but without being bulky or in the way!

28 – Perfume

You can never go wrong with perfume! 

Of course perfume is a personal thing as evereyone’s tastes are different but smelling amazing can be such a mood booster!

29 – Blue Light Glasses

Blue light glasses are a must for anyone looking at screens for long periods of time!

They have clear lenses so don’t distort any vision but really can help to protect eyes!

Loads of different styles to choose from too!

30 – Motivational Cards

These cards are so cute! 

It comes as a little deck of cards and each one has a motivational saying or quote on!

They are perfect to give someone that little motivational/mindset boost!

Hopefully you found this helpful!

Let me know in the comments which you decided to buy for yourself or for the blogger in your life! 

Speak soon!

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The post 30 Awesome Christmas Gift Ideas For Bloggers appeared first on Katherine McLee.

Whether you have been blogging for 5 years or 5 minutes, there’s a high chance you’ve heard about this blogging course.

There’s a lot of hype around it and honestly I can see why! But we will cover all points in this blog post.

If you’ve been thinking about whether it’s worth investing in for you, this post should help you decide! 

I purchased and completed the course a while back so I’m able to give a full and honest review for you!

This course is aimed at newer bloggers but it absolutely has its place for more experienced bloggers too. 

This review will help you make an informed decision as to who this blogging course is for and how it could benefit you.

Let’s get into the review of Perfecting Blogging!

The Importance of Online Courses

When I first started blogging many moons ago I didn’t purchase any course as I didn’t see the point. I figured I could work it out myself for free.

I have discovered that this is honestly not a good idea. And there’s a few reasons why!

Firstly you will never find all the information from online courses, online for free. You may find quite a lot, but chances are the key pieces of information you need to really help, may still elude you! (This is what I found out!)

Secondly, our time is precious. What I also discovered is that I could spend hours upon hours researching and trying to source answers to some questions, whereas if I’d bought the course sooner (on whichever topic I was needing at the time), I’d have gotten access to the answer straight away!

Courses help you learn all the “secrets” from those highly experienced in their field. 

If you’re blogging as a hobby and have no intention of wanting to really grow your blog or ever make money from it then you may not feel the need to invest in an online course. Completely understandable!

Online courses are an amazing tool for hobbies – in anything – as they provide you tricks and insights you just don’t get for free.

Where online courses become (in my opinion) crucial, is when you have chosen to take blogging (or any other activity/venture) seriously. 

Blogging especially has one of the lowest startup/overhead costs of any business. That doesn’t mean free, but it can be kept low.

Setting yourself up for success, and saving SO much time by taking courses is always the best idea.

Since I started taking online courses a few years back, I now love them. Anything I want real, fast, effective information on, I buy a course.

One thing to be aware of is that there’s now an abundance of online courses out there. Some may not be great or what you’re looking for. Reviews and word of mouth recommendations are important to save yourself money and time!

Now onto the review…

Perfecting Blogging Course Overview

This course had been on my radar for quite a while before purchasing, but my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to grab it and see what all the fuss was about.

Let’s get into the ins and outs of this course. I will share my own personal opinion on the course itself, along with what’s included, price and who it’s really for!

Firstly, what I love about Perfecting Blogging in particular over other online courses I’ve taken based around blogging is that this course covers everything you need to start/enhance your blogging journey. 

Of course if you are looking for a course specifically to learn about one specific aspect of blogging such as Backlinks then this specific course may not be the fit for you. 

On the other hand if you want amazing, in-depth information on all aspects of blogging you need to grow your own successful blog, I would highly recommend Perfecting Blogging. 

I love the fact it goes over all areas of growing and enhancing your blog, in super simple to understand video and text modules.

There are multiple downloads included, along with all videos, all text information, and you have lifetime access. Some courses offer limited access times or no free updates, but Sophia gives you lifetime access so you can go back over parts as often/as many times as you like!

All updates are also free/included in the one-off course price! This means you have automatic, full access to the newest updates at no additional cost.

Recently there has been another large update with extra information added, completely for free for those who have purchased the course, and of course is all included for anyone looking to buy the course themselves also. 

What Content Is Included In Perfecting Blogging?

As of me writing this, there are 9 Modules, each with their own lessons/information in.

Within these 9 modules are 61 checkable items. This includes all lessons, downloads, information etc.

As you can see from that number alone, you get a lot of information on a lot of different topics for your one-off price! 

The main modules of Perfecting Blogging (as of July 2023) are:

• Welcome to the Perfecting Blogging Master Course!
• Perfecting Blogging: Really Freakin’ Important Things You Need To Know About Blogging
• Perfecting Blogging: Setting Up A Website That Your Readers Will Trust
• Perfecting Blogging: Content, Content, Content (The MOST Important Thing I’ll Teach You About Blogging)
• Perfecting Blogging: The Exact Steps I Take When Writing Every Single Blog Post
• PERFECTING BLOGGING: The Techniques I Use To Make Money From My Blog
• Affiliates
• Worksheets + Printables
• BONUS SECTION!

Within these modules you will find all the lessons, downloads, printables and text information on various topics.

These include topics such as:

Choosing a niche

Blog/Website Aesthetic

Blog Themes

Graphics

Branding

Content Planning

Blog Post Writing

Structuring Blog Posts

Keywords

Affiliate Marketing

Ads

Plugins

Motivation

Making An Income

And many more topics, many of which are across multiple lessons!

Once you have purchased the course, you also get access to her exclusive blogging group! There is information within the course contents as to how to find/join this.

The group is an amazing community of people sharing ideas and asking questions which can be invaluable to anyone wanting to take their blogging journey seriously. 

What Is NOT Covered In Perfecting Blogging?

This course is perfect for any new blogger and anyone wanting to really grow their blog, but I just want to highlight a few things that aren’t in the course for full transparency!

As mentioned, the course is being updated often (free of charge once you’ve purchased the course), but as of when I completed the course, there are a few topics not mentioned, or not mentioned about much. These include:

Affiliate Marketing

There is some information on affiliate marketing but not so much on disclaimers or any real in-depth information.

Legal Pages

You must must must make sure you’re blogging legally.

Unless you are getting your “main 3” pages drawn up by your own lawyer, the most cost effective way to cover yourself and your blog is to buy a template bundle for all 3 pages (Privacy Policy, Disclaimer and Terms and Conditions), that was written by a lawyer and that you adapt for your own blog and circumstances. 

This Starter Legal Bundle offers exactly those, specifically for bloggers, and is the bundle I still use now.

These are super easy to buy, modify and publish on your blog.

I feel this is an important topic that should have been mentioned more!

Pinterest and Email Marketing

Both topics are touched on but not extensively. This can be easily rectified by grabbing Perfecting Email and Perfecting Pinterest though!

Anything Overly Technical

This wasn’t a surprise for me as I knew in advance that that wasn’t the point of this course. If you are looking for highly technical information or more info on SEO, sitemaps or Google Sandbox etc, you won’t find it here. Not yet anyway!

Other than those, Perfecting Blogging is an insanely high value course which is SO easy to understand, even for the newest blogger. It covers so many topics that you most likely have questions on with straight-to-the-point, concise information. 

With free information on YouTube and online, it can take hours listening or reading to find the one snippet of information or answer to one question.

With this course, everything is answered so clearly and without any fluff added in at all. All information and lessons are purely the information you need for your blog.

How Much Is The Perfecting Blogging Course?

At the time of writing this, the price of Perfecting Blogging is $257.

Now I know what you’re thinking! If you are new to online courses you will instantly be thinking that $257 for a course sounds like a lot of money for a course. 

If you are more experienced with blogging or online courses you will know how amazing that price is!

To me, no cost is “too much”, if it’s going to gain you the results you are looking for!

Think about how much that will make you back in the longrun!

Quick note – depending on which country you are in there may be a tax to pay ontop of that base price.

If you have looked into high value online courses before, you can instantly see that a lot of courses are $500+. To the point I was actually pleasantly surprised that the BSL Perfecting Blogging course was so much less!

No real business is free, and for the amount of value you get from this one course alone, it’s 1000% worth it.

You can buy Perfecting Blogging alone for $249, or as part of one of the bundles.

Beginner’s Blogging Bundle – this bundle contains both Perfecting Blogging and Perfecting Pinterest and is currently $427 ($514 value!).

They also offer the Ultimate BSL Blogging Bundle which includes Perfecting Blogging, Perfecting Pinterest, AND Perfecting Email which is currently $699 ($793 value!).

What Other Courses Are Available From BySophiaLee?

Perfecting Blogging is the main course that covers all things blogging, but there are other courses on BySophiaLee!

The next two courses are:

Perfecting Pinterest is perfect for anyone needing to up their Pinterest skills and engagement.

Perfecting Email is all about email marketing! If you need the extra help/guidance when it comes to growing an email list and email marketing, this course is for you.

Lastly there’s the NEW course: Perfecting Social Media which is just $89!

Perfecting Social Media is perfect for anyone looking for a little extra guidance in growing an online following.

Alongside these 4 courses, Sophia also offers bundles at a discounted rate.

If you are interested in more than one of the courses, one of these bundles would be the most cost effective option for you!

As mentioned above;

Beginner’s Blogging Bundle – this bundle contains both Perfecting Blogging and Perfecting Pinterest.

They also offer the Ultimate BSL Blogging Bundle which includes Perfecting Blogging, Perfecting Pinterest, AND Perfecting Email.

Does Perfecting Blogging Offer An Affiliate Program?

Absolutely! 

As mentioned in the module list above, there is information as to how you can become an affiliate for the course.

This means that if you love it, you can also promote it and earn a commission back. 

The commission rate is 40% with a 60 day cookie tracking period!

This means that if anyone clicks on your specific link and buys the course within 60 days, you will receive 40% of the cost back in commission.

Affiliate programs are fairly common throughout blogging/online courses from experience, but not all have as good percentages or tracking periods. 

Plus if a course isn’t good, why would you want to promote it anyway lol.

Perfecting Blogging is the best of both worlds as it’s an amazing, high value course with an amazing affiliate program!

Who Is This Course Not For?

As with anything, nothing is ever “one size fits all”. 

As I mentioned earlier, I want to be completely transparent as to whether it’s worth the money to help you make the most informed decision. 

There are a few people this course isn’t for!

If you have over 10,000 monthly visitors a month and are already making a decent income each month, this course may not add much value to you.

This course isn’t for you if you are expecting instant results or aren’t keen to put the work in – although that’s true of any aspect of blogging or any online course!

If you are wanting in-depth information on SEO, or specific information on anything more technical such as sitemaps, this isn’t the course for you. 

There is hardly any mention of Email Marketing but this does make sense with there being a full, in depth course available. 

Who This Course Absolutely IS For

If you are a brand new blogger, or a blogger who already has a blog but is looking for more information, support and guidance, and you are looking for an in-depth course on how to write blog posts along with so many more tips and tricks on Keywords, Images, and other important aspects of blogging, then this Perfecting Blogging Course is the best course for you. 

Sophia herself states “These courses are best for someone who is a new blogger or is looking to turn their blog into a business that makes them money. They are basically my dream courses I wish I would have been able to take when I started getting serious about blogging. If I would have known all of this information, my blog would have grown even faster and I would have made money sooner.

P.S. If you are an experienced blogger and already incorporate keyword research, you may not need the bundle that includes Perfecting Blogging.”

This is the first course I recommend to all new bloggers and to anyone wanting to take their blog seriously and turn it into a serious venture. 

If you are wanting more professional information on blogging and how to blog properly, you will get a lot out of this course. 

If you feel you know a lot of the free information out there and are looking for the next level of information then this course is for you!

Quick summary of the main key points of Perfecting Blogging:

• The course is a mixture of video and text sections
• You get free updates and get lifetime access to the course
• You can go entirely at your own pace due to the lifetime access
• Keyword research, on-page SEO, writing blog posts and titles, blog post templates, a branding kit template and more are all included in Perfecting Blogging
• Perfecting Blogging is PERFECT if you are new to blogging or needing further help/information to really get your blog off the ground. My regret is that I didn’t do it earlier!
• Perfecting Blogging doesn’t cover things like off-page SEO or sitemaps
• You can request access to the affiliate program for Perfecting Blogging once you have purchased the course
• Once you have purchased the course you can get access into the Perfecting Blogging Facebook Group for no extra cost
• If you are also interested in more than one of the courses, you can buy them together in a bundle for the best value to save money

Taking Perfecting Blogging has really deepened my understanding of a lot of the different aspects of blogging. For new bloggers it’s the ultimate guide to cover all bases and save you SO much time trying to find all the information for free, even if that was possible.

If anyone ever asks for my top recommendation for a course for new bloggers, I recommend this one. 

The advice is so easy to implement and incorporate. You will feel more knowledgeable after every module!

Please come back and let me know how much it helped you understand more about the blogging world and your own personal thoughts on it!

Remember, blogging is a dynamic and diverse business. Always be open to learning, experimenting, and adapting your strategies along the way! 

With the right information and action, you will find exactly what works for you, your blog and your audience.

Best of luck on your blogging adventure!

Disclaimer: This course review is based on my own personal opinion after purchasing and completing the course. Results may vary depending on individual efforts and commitment of course! While nothing is guaranteed, setting yourself up for success with a high value course such as this one certainly sets you in good standings for it.

Speak soon!

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As a blogger, it’s essential to understand the importance of keyword research for driving organic traffic to your blog.

Keywords play a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO) which helps your blog posts rank higher in search engine results. This in turn can attract readers interested in your content.

For new bloggers especially, keywords and keyword research can be confusing and can feel overwhelming. 

In this post we will break down what keywords are, what keyword research is, and why it’s so important for your blog!

What Is A Keyword?

A keyword is a word or phrase that is used to search for information on the internet. This can be one word or multiple words. Keywords don’t have to just be one word as the name would suggest!

When you want to find something online, you type specific words into a search engine like Google or Pinterest.

The search engine then looks for websites, pages, images or other online content that is relevant to those keywords.

It can be a word or a phrase that represents the main idea or content you are looking for. 

Keywords are important because they help search engines understand what you’re looking for and match it with relevant content on the internet already. 

If you use the right keywords, you’re more likely to find what you’re searching for quickly and easily.

As an example, let’s say you want to find a recipe for chocolate chip cookies. You would type “chocolate chip cookie recipe” into the search bar.

In this example, “chocolate chip cookie recipe” is the keyword. 

The search engine will show you a list of websites and web pages (including blogs) that have information related to making chocolate chip cookies.

What Are Long-Tail Keywords?

As a blogger you have probably heard the term “long-tail keywords”. 

A long-tail keyword is a more specific and detailed phrase that contains 5 or more words.

Unlike shorter and more general keywords, long-tail keywords are more specific to particular topics or niches.

They typically have lower search volume but can be highly valuable for targeting a specific audience!

Long-tail keywords are perfect for newer bloggers who are looking for keywords with a lower competition.

The keyword “running shoes” is broad and generic. This means a search engine could bring up a huge range of results and as a new blogger you may not get anywhere near the top pages of search results. 

However, a long-tail keyword like “running shoes for women with arch support” is much more specific and targeted to a very specific audience.

It narrows down the search to a particular type of shoes for a specific audience, making it easier for the reader to find relevant information or products.

As mentioned, the advantage of using long-tail keywords is that they tend to have less competition compared to broader more generic keywords.

This means that if you have a website, blog or a business targeting a specific niche, using long tail keywords can help you attract a much more specific audience to your content.

Additionally, long-tail keywords often indicate higher user intent, as people using such specific terms usually have a clear idea of what they are looking for.

What Is Keyword Research?

Keyword research is when you identify and analyse these specific words and phrases that people use when searching for information, products or answers on search engines like Google.

It involves understanding the search intent of your target audience and determining which keywords are relevant, popular, and likely to drive targeted traffic to your blog.

It’s like finding the right key that unlocks the door to more visibility and potential visitors for your online presence.

Keyword research is such an important part of search engine optimization (SEO). I honestly cannot stress this enough!

Think of keyword research as detective work. You’re trying to uncover the specific words or phrases that people type into search engines when they’re looking for something. 

Keyword research is what helps you find the most relevant and effective words or phrases that people use when searching for information online.

By carrying out keyword research, it allows you to find out the terms, questions and queries commonly asked and searched by your target audience in your specific niche.

The only hosting I would recommend for new bloggers: HostGator.

This then allows you to choose the best keywords to focus on within your blog posts, and all around your blog or website.

As an example, if you have a food blog and you write an article about healthy breakfast recipes, some of the keywords for that article could be “healthy breakfast recipes,” “easy breakfast ideas,” or “nutritious morning meals.”

These keywords reflect the main topic of your blog’s content and are words or phrases that people might use when searching for breakfast recipes.

Remember that not everyone searches for information in the same way.

Never assume you can wing it and guess what people are searching for!!

By understanding keywords, you can optimise your content and blog to match what people are actually searching for. This in turn also helps your content appear higher in search engine results!

Using keywords not only in the content of your blog but also in your post titles, categories, tags and other areas of your website will help search engines such as Google to really understand what your blog or website is about.

The more search engines understand what your blog is about, the more likely it is to show it to the right audience.

If you are truly serious about blogging and getting your blog found by readers looking for information in your niche, then keyword research (done properly) is non-negotiable.

Why Keyword Research Is Crucial For Bloggers

Keyword research is crucial for bloggers for several important reasons.

Keywords help search engines understand what your content is about, and they play a crucial role in determining where your content appears in search results!

Keywords are the bridge between your content and your target audience. They help to connect your content with the right audience who are actively searching for information related to those keywords.

By conducting keyword research, you can identify the specific words and phrases people use when searching for information related to your content.

When you then strategically incorporate these keywords into your blog posts, you can increase the chances of your content appearing higher in search engine results. This then can lead to improved visibility and organic traffic.

You Get To Know Your Target Audience

Keyword research helps you to understand your target audience better. When you spend the time learning the keywords people use to search for information, you gain insights into your audience’s interests, needs, and pain points. 

This understanding enables you to create content that directly addresses your specific audience’s queries and provides valuable information, resulting in a more engaged and targeted readership.

Proper use of keywords is essential for search engine optimisation (SEO) and are used to improve the visibility and discoverability of your blog/content on the internet.

Competitive Advantage For Bloggers

The blogging world is a highly competitive space. Keyword research provides serious bloggers with a competitive edge.

By identifying keywords that have moderate search volume but low competition, you can target specific niches and rank higher in search results.

This can help you attract readers who are specifically interested in your content, rather than competing with well-established blogs for highly competitive keywords.

When search engines know exactly what your content is about, they know exactly who to show it to! 

How To Carry Out Effective Keyword Research

Keyword research involves several steps.

Brainstorming

Start off by brainstorming potential keywords based on your topic or niche. These topics can be general areas of interest that align with your blog’s niche. For example, if you have a travel blog, your broad topics could be “budget travel,” “adventure destinations,” or “travel tips.”

Use A Keyword Research Tool

Then, you use a keyword research tool to explore the popularity/volume and competition of those keywords.

A free keyword research tool will give you a rough idea, but not enough information if you are serious about ranking in search engines.

These tools provide insights into how many people search for a particular keyword and how difficult it is to rank for that keyword!

It means you can pick specific keywords based off of what people are actually searching for.

Analyse Search Volume and Competition

Pay close attention to the search volume of the keywords you find. Look for keywords with a decent search volume, indicating that people are actively searching for content related to those keywords.

At the same time, assess the competition level for each keyword. Aim for a mix of keywords with both moderate and low competition to increase your chances of ranking well.

Based on what you find out, you can then choose the keywords that are most relevant to your content and have a good balance between search volume and competition.

Seek Out Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords as mentioned above are longer and more specific keyword phrases. They often have lower search volumes but can be highly effective in targeting a more niche audience.

Look for long-tail keywords that address specific problems, questions, or interests within your blog’s niche. These keywords can inspire focused and valuable blog posts that cater to a specific audience’s needs.

Take Note Of Keywords and Related Topics

Once you have gathered a list of keywords, make sure they align with your overall topic. Look for keywords that complement or fit within your chosen niche specifically.

Choose the keywords that spark ideas for informative, engaging, and valuable blog posts!

Use the keywords as a starting point to expand your ideas.

Research more about the topic, look into related topics, and then search the new topic keywords. 

This process can help you generate more in-depth and comprehensive blog posts!

Note Down Blog Post Ideas

Once you have a list of relevant keywords, brainstorm blog post ideas around those keywords. Think about different angles, subtopics, or aspects you can cover within each keyword.

You can also look at the “People also ask” section in Google search results for additional ideas!

It will also show you related keywords which you can use in your content or save for later!

These keywords will help you attract the right audience to your blog or website, improve your search engine rankings, and increase your chances of getting more visitors!

Keyword research is one of the most crucial parts of a new blogger’s journey towards building a successful blog. 

By following the points talked about above, you can use keyword research to generate blog topic ideas that are relevant, valuable, and aligned with what people are actively searching for!

It helps ensure that your blog posts address the needs of your target audience and increase the likelihood of attracting organic traffic and engagement.

By understanding your niche, identifying target keywords, and creating high quality content, you can attract organic traffic, engage readers, and establish your blog’s authority!

This post has hopefully explained to you what keywords are, what keyword research is, why it’s important and how to do keyword research to benefit your blog!

Have you noticed an increase in organic traffic since starting to implement keywords and keyword research?

What was the most confusing part of keyword research to you?

Let me know in the comments below!

Speak soon!

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Free vs Premium WordPress themes. There are many many free WordPress themes which are lovely and can definitely suit your needs, but that of course depends on what your needs are. I’ve had both on various blogs and hands down I prefer the flexibility of the paid/premium themes, but I had many years of joy out of free themes also. So which is right for you?

So… Free vs Premium WordPress Themes

On the surface it may not look like there is a huge amount of difference between a site with a free theme as opposed to a paid theme, and for some websites this is true!  Your budget it something to think about. What I love is that you can get incredible themes for very affordable prices! There is a huge range in prices in the Premium themes also from just £20/$30 way up into the hundreds if you were after a completely custom built theme. Free themes are (in a way) simpler. Similar to when we talked about blogs themselves and the differences between the free vs paid platforms. With the free themes there is a lot less choice in terms of layouts/fonts/colours and a lot of other settings. As an example you may get a choice of 10 different fonts with your free theme but a premium one may give the choice of 200. I have used both paid and free themes for years and adore my paid theme. I enjoy being able to completely customise the aesthetic of my website for that small one off price.  The theme I’m loving that fits my blog perfectly and lets me customise things to get it exactly as I want it is the Ashe Pro Theme. Literally only cost me around $30, one off payment – beautiful website forever – win! If you like the look/layout of my website then you can get the Ashe Pro theme here: Ashe Pro (correct on October 2022).

What Is The Purpose of Your Blog?

You probably already have a good idea of the main purpose of your blog. If not, take a minute to think about the purpose of your blog. Everyone has a different purpose to their blog. If your blog (paid or free) is just as your own online diary/journal or to have a place to brain dump, then (unless you want something more customisable), then honestly all you need is a free theme. If your purpose (be it now or down the line), is to make an income from your blog, to work with brands, and grow a large audience, then I would absolutely recommend a paid theme.  The paid themes often look a little cleaner, more well presented and that extra personalisation can make such a difference.  

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  Which Is Right For Me? Anyone can use either type of theme, but from experience, here’s how I’d break down whether a free or premium theme is better for you: Free:

• Journal/diary type blog
• Blogging purely for fun – where your blog is more of a hobby than a business
• Brand new bloggers – before you have worked out if blogging is right for you and something you want to do longer term, you can try the free themes as these will be more than suitable while you find your feet.

Premium:

• If you want a more professional/polished look to your website
• You are looking to be able to customise as many different features and elements as you like (dependant on the premium theme of course)
• If you want your blog to have more of a “website” feel to it than a blog
• You feel you want to be taken more seriously as your own brand
• If you are a newer blogger but don’t want to worry or think about having to change/upgrade to a premium theme down the line

Both have their places and both have good points, but I do feel that the benefit of a premium theme over a free theme is well worth the small fee to buy one. You just need to have a think about the future of your blog and where you want it to be. Then choose a theme around this so you’re already a step ahead!

Can You Change Theme?

You can of course. As with anything, you can always change your mind. Nothing is ever set in stone forever.  You can upgrade to a premium theme at any point. Changing from a free to a premium theme is simple, as it’s similar in that you just need to customise and readjust your settings and widgets etc to get it all looking and functioning how you like it. You’ll find most time consuming bit is playing about with all of those settings and personalising your website to look exactly how you want it. (Too many people – myself included! – spend waaaaaaaaaay too long on this. But it’s hard not to when you want it to look all pretty and have the aesthetic that you always imagined for it.) On the flip side of this, taking that time at the start/early on, to set up all the wee bits and pieces and get the layout just so, means that once it’s done, it’s done.  I mean there will always be things to update and things you want to change or move, but the majority should then be all set up and ready to share that amazing content with the world!

Which Will Help Monetise Your Blog?

You can absolutely monetise your blog with either a free or a paid theme on your WordPress website.  Unlike free or paid BLOGS, where a different company owns your blog, having a free THEME, just means you have chosen a free theme/template for your website. A free theme won’t stop you being able to make an income from your blog, be it from ads, affiliate marketing, working with brands etc, butttttt, if your website doesn’t look as professional as others, this may hold you back a little. People do have good success with free themes don’t get me wrong, but you absolutely give yourself a good ground to start on if people can see that you have a beautiful paid theme on your website. From experience, if you are serious about wanting to make money from your blog and you’re struggling between the choice of a free vs premium wordpress themes – always choose the premium one. If you are serious about blogging as a business in any way then I would definitely always recommend a premium theme. I’m all about keeping things on a budget and not over-spending on your blog – especially at the start before you have fully decided if blogging is right for you – but buying a premium theme is one of the ways you definitely should invest that little bit of money.

Where To Buy Premium Themes?

There are quite a few places to get premium themes, one of my favourite ways is through wordpress itself! That then takes you to that companies website to purchase the theme, as with the Ashe Pro theme here. A lot of the free themes are like a sample/basic version of that person’s/company’s paid version.  This way if you are using a free theme and like it but want more features or more scope to be able to customise and personalise things that bit more, you can often upgrade to their paid version.  You can have a look at other websites/blogs that have the sort of look you would want and often at the bottom or listed on their website will be the name of the theme they are using and you can then search this. I’ve personally never bought one from Etsy but you can get some really beautiful ones on there too – from what I’ve seen!

To Sum Up…

The choice between free vs premium wordpress themes is completely personal preference. There are pros and cons to both!  I would always opt for a premium theme now, even for a small blog, the whole point of a blog is that it’s yours. Your space to talk about whatever topics you fancy. So why would you not want to make it look exactly how you want it to look too? I would ever really recommend not buying yourself a lovely premium theme are if your blog is purely to get your own thoughts out, where it isn’t quite as important what the website looks like, or if you are a brand new blogger and haven’t decided at all if blogging is even right for you – in this case you should pick a free theme and blog away, and if/when you decide you really do love it, you can then upgrade!  Speak Soon!

Katherine

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