Katherine McLee

How To Make Money With Affiliate Marketing

Katherine McLee — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 14:37:36 +0000

This post is going to break down exactly what Affiliate Marketing is and how to make money from it.

Affiliate marketing has quickly become one of the most popular ways to generate passive income online. With good reason!

The beauty of affiliate marketing is that you can make money whether you are looking to start a side hustle, or wanting to start a full-time online business, affiliate marketing can fit in and generate income for you!

The beauty of affiliate marketing is that you don’t need to create your own products or manage stock/inventory. Instead, you promote other people’s products/services and you then earn a commission for every sale made through your unique referral links.

You recommend products you already love, to people who you know are interested in the sorts of products you’re talking about. If they choose to buy them through your link, you get paid – Affiliate Marketing.

Let’s get into how to make money with affiliate marketing!

Before we get into how to make money with affiliate marketing, we first need to go over what affiliate marketing actually is!

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is often made out to sound complicated but the process is actually very simple.

Affiliate Marketing is when you promote someone else’s product, and when someone buys that product through your unique link, you earn a commission. That’s it.

You may initially be wondering why brands would choose to pay you to promote their products. Fair question!

If you think about how much money brands spend on advertising or any other potentially expensive way of promoting or marketing their products, paying someone a commission on a product that has already been sold, makes a lot of sense.

This is why so many companies offer an affiliate program now. It’s a win-win for all involved!

Being able to make money with Affiliate Marketing is one of the most amazing aspects of having an online business or just making some money online.

It doesn’t matter your niche, your platform, audience size or how you promote it, if you have a way to reach people who trust you, you can make money.

Because most companies have affiliate programs, you can find something you love and want to promote, no matter if it feels a little obscure to you.

Where Can You Promote Affiliate Links?

You can promote your affiliate links pretty much anywhere!

Some companies do have rules of where you aren’t allowed to post. For example, Amazon affiliate links are not allowed to be promoted in private Facebook groups. So it’s important to check out your links to confirm you are following the rules of the brand, but the whole point of being an affiliate is to promote your links (and in turn, the brand’s products), so anywhere public you are generally safe with!

Be aware where you can and can’t link to your affiliate links directly. Often platforms such as Pinterest don’t let you link straight to affiliate links. Your pins need to link to a website such as your blog or a landing page which can then have further information on, before linking to your specific affiliate link.

The plus side of having a blog or landing page for your links is that you can share more information, explain more plus points and in some situations you can also collect email addresses too to be able to send out more information on that particular product or service.

Remember to always have a visible disclaimer advising of affiliate links.

*Important note* – you must ALWAYS disclose when links are affiliate links.

Each country is different so please do your own research and find out how is best to do this, but often you need a note on each post there is affiliate links in, advising of this.

There are many ways to promote your links to make money with Affiliate Marketing. Blogs and YouTube are two of the most popular ways. The most important thing – if you are wanting to make an income as opposed to a little cash here and there – is having an audience who trust in you and your knowledge.

Links that link out to specific products or services that are relevant to whichever topic you are speaking about will usually perform the best.

One example would be if you had a cooking blog/YouTube channel, you may link to the exact stand mixer or cookware set you use/that you love.

Another example would be if you take an online course you loved and truly feel others can get value from, you can share it with your audience.

A third example would be if you were a YouTuber, you can link to the camera, microphone and lighting set up that you use.

The nice thing about examples like the above examples is that it’s easy to naturally promote, as you are using and loving the products/digital products anyway!

What Sorts of Products Can You Promote?

Anything! Everything! Whatever your heart desires!

Okay maybe not literally anything… but close!

Of course it’s dependent on if the product/brand you are looking at even has an affiliate program that’s suitable for you and your audience.

You can choose from a huge range of products and brands, and can of course promote multiple products. Some products will work a lot better than others for you. It will depend on how big your audience is, how well they know and trust you, what your content is about and your overall niche.

For example, if you have a blog about tropical fish and you’re trying to promote binoculars – no matter how much you love them – it will be hard going.

On the other hand if your blog was about garden birds and you happen to have a pair of binoculars you absolutely love and they are from Amazon or a website that offers an affiliate program – bingo!

Nearly all companies have an affiliate program now, no matter the type of product. If you want to make money with Affiliate Marketing, there will be products and programs out there for you.

There are also websites such as Impact and Clickbank which have a marketplace for a large range of products and companies you can have unique affiliate links with.

Examples of the types of products you could promote:

Physical products
E-Books
Online Courses
Services (online or in person service like tutoring)
Subscription websites
The list goes on…

The important thing is to find things you use/love, that are relevant and useful to your readers!

Do You Need a Blog or YouTube channel?

Not necessarily! What you do need is an audience of some form.

Blogs (especially if you have an email list), and YouTube are often the most popular ways to promote your affiliate links as you can explain all the good (and bad) points about that certain product. You don’t NEED to have either of these if you don’t want to, though of course, you can promote via any other social media that you prefer.

It’s important to check the rules of whichever platform you choose to promote on as some don’t allow direct affiliate links, such as Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest.

In these situations you will need to place your links on a middle website, be it a blog, a Stan Store, Link Tree or anything else along those lines! You then link that website to your Socials, and your affiliate links can then be found from there.

This is why having a website with blog posts relating back to those affiliate products can be so beneficial. Not only can you post a lot more information and photos about the products you are promoting, but from your own website you can also place your affiliate links in directly!

If you aren’t sure which platform to start on or want a place to promote your blog posts, Pinterest is an amazing place to start. Pinterest itself is a search engine as opposed to a social media, meaning people are often on Pinterest to search for things.

Linking your Pinterest pins back to blog posts containing your affiliate links can bring in money for a long time to come!

How to Make Money Through Your Email List

Email lists are so underrated!

It’s something I would recommend anyone with a blog, or who wants to get into affiliate marketing, should have.

I won’t go into landing pages and funnels in this post, but more just explain how your email list can work so well in terms of affiliate marketing.

To answer the first question…

What Is An Email List?

An email list is a list of email addresses that you’ve collected by people entering their email address in exchange for goods or services (often for free).

You build your email list by having something to offer your readers for free.

This could be a checklist, an e-book, a planner, a few pages of a book etc and people who are interested in your offer will give you their email address in return for your specific freebie.

The key is to offer something of true value.

When people see there is something of value being offered for free, on a topic that is of interest to them, they are likely to pop their email address in to get that freebie. They get their freebie and you then have their email address added to your email list.

They get their freebie, you get their email – win win!

All the email addresses you get from people are held on your list.

This is how you can get in touch with people who are interested in whichever niche that initial freebie was in. As a blogger, your email list helps you stay connected with your readers by sending them newsletters, updates, or blog post notifications. It enables direct and simple communication, and helps to build trust over time, ensuring that your audience doesn’t miss out on any valuable content or key information!

There are many different tools for capturing email addresses and sending out emails to your list.

The one I currently use and really enjoy using is Mailerlite.

Mailerlite currently has an offer on too where if you sign up through my link you will get a $20 credit too!

While I have upgraded to a paid plan, the free plan lets you do everything you need initially, and you can then upgrade as your list grows!

In affiliate marketing, an email list becomes an even more valuable asset.

Building and nurturing your email list is essential to creating an engaged audience that enjoys hearing from you. You want your readers to trust that you are always coming at them with trustworthy information. This way they are more likely to listen to your recommendations, leading to potential sales and income.

One of the best things about having an email list is that you own it.

You may have a large Instagram following but if Instagram disappeared or your account got banned for whatever reason, all those followers are gone.

The email list is something you own yourself so will always have.

Email is such a good way to keep in touch with your readers. Not only have they trusted you enough to give you their email, but by doing so (to get that amazing freebie you created), you already know that they are interested in the kinds of things you have to say and the information you have to offer.

This makes your email readers your target audience. Not in the sense that you will push sales onto them of course – no one likes a spammer!

But if you think about the types of products your readers will be interested in if they already enjoy and are interested in the content you are producing… they may very well benefit from the amazing products you have found and are using!

Do You Need a Large Following To Make Money With Affiliate Marketing?

This is a tricky question to answer.

How long is a piece of string?

From experience, it’s absolutely possible to make money with a small following as we all start off with a small number of readers/viewers. As your following grows, it does become easier (numbers wise).

The only thing to keep in mind with a small audience especially is that sometimes brands do have an application process for you to become an affiliate with them and they then can ask how many followers/pageviews etc you get. This is also for the brand to confirm that your content is a good fit for their products, and vice versa.

If you get rejected or told you don’t have enough followers at this moment, don’t worry, there are so many more brands out there!

Making money with affiliate marketing is doable with even a small audience though.

Another scenario to consider is that you may have a smaller following but with readers more likely to buy the sorts of products you are promoting. This is more likely in a slightly more obscure or less common niche.

For example if you have a blog about Cooking. In theory nearly everyone could be interested and sign up to your email list so you may have a huge number of people on your list which is amazing! Your conversion rate may be a lot lower though, but with a huge following it shouldn’t matter much.

On the flip side, if you had a blog about Lawnmowers, you will have a much smaller group of people interested in getting on your email list for more info. The plus side is that you can be sure that most (if not all) of those people are truly interested in Lawnmowers and so would be more likely to grab any deals or recommendations you were offering!

You may have 1000 people in your email list (Lawnmower related for example), and find that an average of 10% clicks your links = 100 people.

On the flip side you may have 10,000 people in your list (Cooking related) but only 1% click through – again, 100 people.

This is exactly the same amount of people clicking but with a following ten times smaller!

Obviously the larger the following you have the higher the chance that people will click on those links and buy the things you are promoting.

As a general rule for audience size, the larger the better, BUT it also comes down to quality over quantity. What I mean by quality in terms of your audience is purely in the sense that 100 people who are truly interested in the things you are talking about is so much better than 1,000 people that have just given you their email address/followed you just for the numbers.

This is often why you will find that you sometimes get emails through from people checking who is reading their emails.

Professional bloggers and affiliate marketers will often remove email addresses of people who don’t read/open their emails, as this then narrows their list down to the people who are truly interested and keen to stay following that blog/person/brand.

How Much Money Can You Make from Affiliate Marketing?

Another piece of string question!

To keep it real, the answer here is literally… as much as you want.

The sky’s the limit!

When it comes to wanting to make money with affiliate marketing, you should put no limits on yourself or your earning potential. At all!

Each affiliate program is different, some offer as low as 1% commission, some offer up to 80% and all the ranges in between.

Some offer one off affiliate payments, others offer it on a monthly basis if your readers sign up to a subscription service and each month they stay subscribed, you get a commission.

Examples of these that I am an affiliate for are:

One Off Payments

A mazon Associates

Perfecting Blogging Blogging Course

Recurring Payments

KeySearch Keyword Research Tool

ElevenLabs AI Voice Over Tool

As mentioned earlier, some affiliate marketing programs require you to have a certain amount of followers/page views a month to be considered. Others (like Amazon), let you sign up straight away!

Amazon itself requires you to make 3 affiliate sales in 180 days for your account to stay active. If you go past this and haven’t made the 3 sales your affiliate account will be deactivated but you can always reapply when you are ready!

If you have your eye on one that you need a certain number of monthly pageviews for, use this as a goal to work towards and you’ll be signing up with them in no time.

You aren’t limited to just one (or 3 or 10) affiliate marketing companies/programs. You can sign up for as many as you want.

If there is another product you find you are loving and using a lot, why not share it too?

Never put all your eggs in one basket! If you want to really make money with Affiliate Marketing, definitely have a few different channels of income in terms of different programs.

Of course don’t go overboard with the promotion of products! Mix it up with recommendations of things you aren’t an affiliate of, but in the grand scheme of things, you can promote anything you like.

Whether you choose to promote 99p notebooks, £400 cameras or £3,000 online courses – there is a commission to be made.

You choose what’s right for you and your readers and what you’re comfortable with. You can always work up as you go on!

Other Ways To Make Money Online Through Your Blog

Affiliate Marketing is without a doubt one of the best ways to make money from your blog (or whichever platform you choose).

There are other ways to make money online though if you are looking for more income streams, don’t feel affiliate marketing is quite right for you or just to see some other options of avenues you can go down to make money.

If you would like to have a look into some other ways, have a read of this post here:

7 Ways to Make Money From Your Blog

Affiliate Marketing is single handedly one of the best ways to make an income online – use it to your advantage and everyone wins!

Speak soon!

Katherine

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E-commerce SEO Essentials: The Only Guide You Need

Katherine McLee — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 15:08:06 +0000

This is a guest post written and submitted by Daniel Abbott.

Depending on foot traffic, the number of digital storefronts and online brands surpasses that of physical stores in our modern world. Ecommerce SEO is now a highly sought-after ability. Online businesses use it as a compass to steer them toward the coveted shores of increased visibility, improved rankings, and higher sales.

But to successfully navigate this complex terrain, one needs to know more about SEO than just the basics. This thorough guide is your go-to resource for understanding the complexities of ecommerce SEO and providing you with the knowledge and tactics you need to succeed in the cutthroat world of online retail.

Unlock the full potential of your e-commerce endeavour by joining us on this journey to master the ever-evolving algorithms and optimise product listings.

Keyword Research and Analysis

Here’s where it all starts. Keyword research is important for better ranking and higher traffic conversions. It should be done in a way that fulfils the necessities of Google white hat techniques. Do consider your efforts for quality content including metadata and proper keyword placement.

Finding the exact terms and phrases that prospective clients use when looking for goods or services is part of this process.

Start by generating a list of possible keywords associated with your niche or line of business. Then, use keyword research tools to grow your list and find keywords that have substantial search volumes and high conversion rates. Search for longer, more focused phrases known as “long-tail keywords,” which frequently denote a strong desire to buy.

When choosing keywords, take into account phases like search volume, competition, and contingency to your offerings. Choose keywords that will help you effectively compete in your market by striking a balance between search volume and competition.

Make sure your e-commerce site stays in line with current search trends by periodically reviewing your keyword strategy in light of shifting consumer behaviour and evolving trends.

Optimising Product Listings

It’s likely that more people visit your product pages for luxury crystal wall art than the homepage. Every one of your advertising campaigns also directs viewers to a product or landing page. You should make optimising the content on these pages your top priority.

Start with product descriptions that are both informative and compelling. Make sure your descriptions emphasise the special qualities, advantages, and applications of your products. Improve SEO by organically incorporating pertinent keywords into the content. To appropriately exhibit your products, you must use high-quality images and multimedia components. Make sure the pictures are clear, well-lit, and show the product from innumerable angles. To enhance user experience and load times, reduce the size of images.

Technical SEO for Ecommerce

When you think about typical websites, technical SEO is pretty mundane stuff. With a ton of product listings, tags, categories, collections, and everything in between, dynamic e-commerce sites have completely different needs.

Because most businesses are focused on long-term performance rather than short-term sales, it is not uncommon to find SEO packages that heavily emphasise technical SEO.

The foundation of any well-optimised e-commerce website is technical SEO. It guarantees that your pages can be efficiently accessed, indexed, and ranked by search engine crawlers.

⦁ Make sure that your website loads rapidly on mobile and desktop platforms. User experience and SEO both benefit greatly from mobile friendliness.

⦁ Ecommerce sites often have duplicate product descriptions or similar content. If you can’t write original and detailed descriptions, then make sure you implement canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of a page to search engines.

⦁ To give search engines comprehensive information about your products, use schema markup and structured data. Improved search results and rich snippets may result from this.

Link Building Strategies

The most effective SEO tool you have in your toolbox is link building. However, for smaller stores, obtaining links from high-authority sources in an ethical manner is nearly impossible.

The authority and search rankings of your website can both be enhanced by these high-quality backlinks from reputable sources.

⦁ Produce outstanding content that gets backlinks from respectable websites in your field on its own. Reach out to influencers and cultivate connections with them so they can promote your content.

⦁ To connect related product pages, blog posts, and other content on your website, use internal links. This distributes link equity and enhances navigation.

⦁ Customers should be encouraged to share their stories, write reviews, and produce user-generated content that points back to your product pages.

⦁ Produce content that addresses problems and can be appropriately seeded on forums, social media, discussion boards, and local directories.

User Experience (UX)

You may not presently prioritise UX, but once you appreciate how it helps with sales and conversions, you will speedily change your mind. Pricing for SEO agencies that consider user experience (UX) is typically higher, and for good reason. A business’s user experience has the power to succeed or fail.

A user-friendly website enhances customer satisfaction and promotions with search engine rankings. This ultimately boosts conversions and enhances your online presence.

Ascertain your website is mobile-friendly and accommodates seamlessly to different devices. Google allows preference to mobile-friendly websites in its search results, and a huge percentage of online shoppers use mobile devices.

Make pages that are fascinating, educational, and ingenious to navigate so that visitors will want to discover your website more. Rankings can be positively impacted by decreasing bounce rates and raising dwell time.

Make it easier for people to find information and products on websites by streamlining the navigation. Positive user experiences are enhanced by categories that are clearly arranged and have a clear hierarchy.

Conclusion

Having said that, SEO for e-commerce platforms can get quite laborious. The issue of improving performance locally also exists. For the best local results, for example, you can contact a top Sacramento digital marketing agency at a reasonable price.

Before you start, decide on the path. Will you work with an internal team or on your own? Would you rather outsource your e-commerce SEO requirements in order to achieve better outcomes and meet your sales targets more quickly?

About Author & Bio

Daniel Abbott

Daniel Abbott is editor in chief & research analyst at The Next Tech. He is deeply interested in the moral ramifications of new technologies and believes in leveraging the data scientist, research and content enhancement to help build a better world for everyone.

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Using AI for Blogging: A Simple Guide

Katherine McLee — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 07:30:00 +0000

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.

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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7 Ways You Can Make Money From Your Blog

Katherine McLee — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 20:13:13 +0000

In this post we are going to go over the top 7 ways to make money blogging!

Making money from your very own website is so exciting, especially knowing the earning potential is completely limitless. But what are the popular ways to be able to actually make money?

The niche you are in will of course have some sway over which monetisation options are best for you. The good thing is that there are multiple ways to monetise your blog so there’s definitely something for everyone!

While there are of course no income guarantees, you should be able to find at least a few options from the list below that suit you and the way you want to make money from your blog.

Let’s get into the top 7 ways to make money blogging.

There’s such a range in the ways you can truly make money from your blog.

The beauty in having your own blog is that you can choose whichever strategy and whichever monetisation strategy that suits you.

Do you only have to pick one of the options below to make money from your blog? Nope! You can absolutely choose one, a few, or even all the ways listed below.

Choose the combination that’s right for you and your blog, and that suits you as to how you want to make an income.

Remember there are many more ways not listed also! This post is just to touch on the top 7 ways, but there are many more!

The first two on the list I truly believe anyone can implement for you to make money from your blog.

They are also (in my opinion) the easiest to get started with.

These are Advertising and Affiliate Marketing.

Advertising

This is probably the most widely known way to make money blogging.

Adding adverts to your blog can help you to make money passively from your blog.

Where Do You Find Adverts For A New Blog?

As a new blog you are best signing up for Google Adsense where you can place Google Adverts on your blog.

Google Adsense has a very low threshold as to what’s required to get into their program, so it’s perfect for newbies and people with lower pageviews.

You can absolutely stay with Adsense if it suits you so it isn’t only for new bloggers! It’s just the one I would recommend for newer bloggers.

With Adsense Google provides the adverts for you. You can choose where the adverts are placed on your site or you can even let Google choose. Google will automatically place them where they feel they will perform the best so you don’t have to do anything, but they don’t always end up where you may have placed them yourself.

Experiment and see which performs the best and which is better aesthetically for your blog and your readers.

How Much Can You Get Paid With Adverts?

The amount you get paid from advertising can vary dramatically.

It depends on which adverts are showing, where they are placed on your website, how many views your site gets and how many people click onto them.

The amount you will get from adverts will go up and down with the seasons too!

Adding adverts to your website is probably one of the simplest of these 7 ways to make money from your blog mentioned here. Personally I would never purely rely on advertising as an income due to the fluctuations mentioned above so I would always choose at least another one from the other options to compliment it.

Once you grow a larger following and have more pageviews/sessions you can request to join other advertising companies.

With a larger amount of monthly pageviews, you will be able to apply for higher paying advertising. So that’s always something to look forward to as your blog grows!

Some people don’t like the look of having adverts on their blog which is personal preference. I’m happy to have adverts on mine as I’m happy seeing adverts on other people’s!

Affiliate Marketing

This is, hands down, one of my favourite ways you can make money from a blog.

The earning potential is limitless, and is more based on your own efforts, rather than the advertising rates set by an external company.

It is a term used all over the Internet, but is often portrayed as more complicated than it actually is.

It’s one of the ways you can potentially make a lot of money in a short amount of time…

BUT

Be aware that as with everything, seeing real results will most likely take time and effort.

The bigger the audience and the more they trust and respect your opinions and recommendations, the more you will make.

I have a full post explaining Affiliate Marketing in more detail here!

As a quick run down though…

What Is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate Marketing is when you get a commission from selling someone else’s products or services.

How does it work?

To start with affiliate marketing, you start by joining an affiliate program with a company or a network that offers these programs. This could be directly with the company such as Amazon, or through an affiliate marketplace such as Clickbank.

The company then provides you with your own unique link that tracks any clicks through and any sales.

You can then share this link on your blog, social media, or other platforms, recommending the product or service to your readers.

Whenever someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission, which is a percentage of the sale!

This percentage will vary company to company and even product to product.

Essentially, you’re getting paid for helping a company sell its products by using your platform to reach more people.

It’s basically a win-win!

Be careful not to promote any bad products though as the last thing you want as an affiliate marketer is a bad reputation!

Promoting products you use and love is the ideal here as you can openly talk about how much you enjoy them and how they can also benefit others.

Most companies have affiliate programs now!

If there’s a product or service you already love and want to share with your readers, you can check directly with that company’s website and see if they have an affiliate program you can join.

Here’s an example and one anyone with a self hosted blog can do – Share Your Hosting!

If you love your hosting company, see if they have an affiliate pgrogram (nearly all of them do), and then talk about them and why you like them!

This means no matter what niche your blog – there will absolutely be affiliate programs you can join.

If you love your hosting provider – recommend them!

You already use and love them, so share them with your readers.

How Much Can You Make With Affiliate Marketing?

The amount you make depends on the company’s commission rate, how big your audience is, and how much your audience trusts you.

One of the best parts of affiliate marketing is that you can sign up to as many affiliate programs as you like.

Imagine how much money you can make just by sharing products you already love with your audience.

Selling Your Own Digital Products

If you are a new blogger, this one will most likely sound scarier than the rest. It doesn’t have to!

There are loads of ways to create and sell digital products so if you are interested in going down this route then absolutely do.

If you’re unsure just now, have a read and maybe keep this in mind as a potential for the future if you don’t feel ready just yet.

This money making option has a few parts to it, but as an overview, you create your own digital products and sell these through your blog or through a site linked to your blog.

This could be through sites such as Shopify or Etsy.

For a more indepth look at Shopify and who it can benfit the most, check out this post here!

There are many different types when it comes to digital products. The types of digital products you can create and sell are things like:

E-Books
Courses
Planners
Subscription Websites
Worksheets
Checklists
Other Printables

One of the great things about digital products is that you only have to create them once but can sell them over and over!

Once they are created, your job is then just to promote and share with your audience why they will benefit from your products. If you’ve made a high quality product, this should be fairly simple!

Obviously if they need updated/refreshed then do this, but on the whole once created, you can then profit from them over and over again.

The overheads for these sorts of products are also very low, which means the profit margin here is very high.

This is because as much as you have spent your time creating a product, an unlimited amount of people can then purchase it from you.

If you are a newer blogger or new to your niche and don’t feel you could create a full online course yet, you could try for printables!

The beauty in selling digital products is that there really is something for everyone, and they will all be unique to you.

Selling Physical Products

For some niches, this option can work amazingly well.

Say for example your blog was about crochet or healthy dog treats. You could absolutely sell physical products relating to either of those topics.

The overheads and time needed can be a lot higher, but that’s not to say it’s a bad option at all.

If you love to crochet and are crocheting all the time anyway, why not sell it too!

Making products to order can save you ending up with a large amount of inventory, but puts a little more pressure on you to get the products out in the timescale advertised.

You can set up your own online store again through platforms such as Shopify or Etsy.

This income stream won’t suit all website niches.

But that’s the beauty in choosing the best ways for you to make money from your blog. It’s all personalised to you.

Selling Your Own Services

Selling online services is an amazing option if you can offer a service to a person or group of people.

This could be one-on-one phone calls (for example a coaching call in your specific niche), personalised video tutorials, online consultations or VA services.

You don’t have to talk on the phone to sell a service online either as there are so many options so you can do it as a purely online service if this is what suits you better!

If you are knowledgeable about a specific topic but don’t have a large audience to be able to fully utilise the above other money making options, this is a great way to make money.

You can promote your services on your blog, on social media or on platforms such as Fiverr.

As with the above points, some niches will do better with this than others.

If you are knowledgeable on a certain topic, you can absolutely consider sharing your knowledge and advice in the form of a paid service.

This is also one of the “quicker” ways to make actual money from your blog – along with selling digital products – as you will get paid for your services there and then. This is unlike money from adverts or affiliate links where you have to hit payout thresholds and then often only get paid the month after again.

I wrote a whole post explaining what to expect from making money from your blog if you are looking for more information on the topic!

Click here to check that post out!

The last of the 7 ways to make money from your blog is…

Freelance Writing

Like above, if you love writing about a specific topic or topics and don’t have a large audience of your own yet, you can offer your services as a Freelance Writer.

This is where people hire you to write a specific blog post but for THEIR website, not yours.

Freelance writing is different to offering a guest post for another blog.

With a guest post you will still write content for another blog but will include your own information/links back to your own blog.

The bonus about this is that often you can link that post back to yourself/your own website which will also get your blog more exposure, growing your own audience.

With freelance writing/content creation, you provide a blog post you have been paid for, but purely for the other’s site.

If you have a lot of knowledge in a certain area, or if you are amazing at research/understanding and can learn and then craft a helpful and understandable post for different topics, you may want to look into this!

There is also no limit as to how many people you can write for, so time is your only limitation.

With freelance writing it’s often a good idea to reach out to blogs/companies you would like to write for. Unless you offer your writing services on a platform such as Fiverr, bloggers may never know you offer this as a service.

So that’s it!

Those are my top 7 ways to make money from your blog.

There are many other ways but those are the most popular and simplest – especially when first starting out.

Some are trickier to learn/implement than others, but all can be very profitable. Whether used alone or combining a few options and having multiple streams of income (always recommended!).

One last thing to note is to not undervalue your time and services!!!

When starting out it can be very tempting to agree to any amount people offer you. And there’s nothing wrong with this in the early days while you’re building up your blog and experience. As you grow, take some time to really figure out your cost and go with this number. Your time is valuable, and only you can decide how much you want to charge. No matter if it’ a coaching call, written content, personalised placed adverts or selling digital products. Work out what numbers suit you and go with these!

I really hope you enjoyed this explanation of the top 7 ways to make money blogging.

Which of these are jumping out at you as the best options for you and your blog?

Have you already started implementing some of the options above?

Which are your favourites?

Let me know in the comments!

Speak soon!

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19 Must-Know Questions About Blogging Answered: Your Ultimate Guide to Blogging in 2024!

Katherine McLee — Tue, 07 May 2024 14:51:33 +0000

In this post we will be answering the top 19 questions about blogging in 2024!

Whether you are a newer blogger or have not started your own blog yet, these answers should help answer some common concerns you may have!

As with any new business or hobby, there are always things to learn. Some people prefer to research and learn as much as they can beforehand, whereas others prefer to dive in and learn as they go.

No matter which your learning preference is, you may well have had one, two or any number of questions in relation to starting a blog in 2024.

While some of the questions below may seem obvious from the outside, often there’s more to the answer than you may initially realise!

Let’s get into the answers to the top 19 questions about blogging in 2024.

1 – How Do I Choose A Niche?

This is one of the first things you may think about when you first decide you want to start a blog.

For some, this will be a fast decision and you’ll know instantly what topics you want to blog about.

Others may have no clue what they want their niche to be, or they may have a few options.

It can be tricky to pick the niche you want to blog about but there are some guidelines you can follow which can help you choose the best niche for you.

The trick is to choose a niche that is something you’re passionate about, but also something that has an audience and good potential for growth and monetisation.

One common misconception is thinking that you need to be an expert in a topic to have a blog on it.

While having some background knowledge in your chosen niche is advised, it’s certainly not essential to be an expert. Being open to learning, researching and enhancing your own skills and knowledge as you go in a certain niche is also a good reason to choose it.

Picking a niche that has an audience is important. Nearly every topic in the world will have an audience, but not all topics will be easily monetised if this is the route you are wanting to go down.

If you aren’t sure there is an audience for your chosen topic, have a quick Google and see how many other websites pop up. This will show you if there’s a need for your information!

Unless you have chosen a very specific micro niche, Keyword Research will help you never run out of ideas of things to write about.

2 – Do I Need Technical Skills?

This is a completely valid concern and my honest answer is no, but, it will be a lot simpler for you if you did have some.

Blogging isn’t just putting text up on a website, there’s the technical aspects of blogging, such as setting up your website, managing hosting, dealing with domain names, adding in lines of code etc.

A lot of the aspects of blogging can be learned as you go, and often there are plugins and tutorials to help simplify or walk you through the steps you need.

Your hosting company will help you with anything hosting related. This includes website errors and anything to do with the setup of your website.

Choosing a hosting company with good customer service is so important for this very reason.

While some technical knowledge can be helpful, it’s not always necessary to have advanced technical skills to start a blog. Many blogging platforms, such as WordPress, offer user-friendly interfaces and guides to help beginners set up their blogs without much technical know-how. Additionally, there are plenty of online resources, tutorials, and communities where you can seek assistance if you encounter technical challenges.

3 – Can I Make Money From Blogging?

One of the most common questions about blogging is whether it’s possible to make money from blogging and if so, how.

People often wonder about different monetisation strategies. These can be things like advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and selling products or services.

Yes, it’s absolutely possible to make money from blogging! You just need to be aware that it takes time, effort, and some strategic planning.

Some of the more common monetisation strategies include things like advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, selling digital or physical products, offering services, and membership or subscription models.

It’s important to build a solid audience and provide valuable content before focusing on monetisation, as readers are more likely to engage with ads or purchase products from a trusted source.

I have a full post here explaining making money with a blog and how soon you will see the money!

4 – How Do I Drive Traffic To My Blog?

Building an audience is crucial for the success of any blog.

Another of the most common questions about blogging that new bloggers especially have is how to attract readers to their blog.

This can include concerns about SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), social media promotion, email marketing, and other strategies for increasing traffic.

When it comes to driving traffic to your blog, ideally you want to aim for a combination of strategies. This includes optimising your content for search engines (SEO), promoting your blog on social media platforms, engaging with other bloggers and communities in your niche, guest posting on relevant websites, and building an email list.

Consistently creating high-quality content that resonates with your target audience is key to attracting and retaining readers.

5 – What should I Write About?

This of course will depend on your specific niche, but the worry of whether you’ll find enough things to create blog content about long term is often a question people have when they are looking into starting a blog in 2024..

Keyword Research is such an important topic but can feel a bit confusing. This post here should help explain exactly what keyword research is, and how to use it for your own blog!

Finding inspiration for blog topics can come from various sources, such as your personal experiences, interests, industry trends, reader feedback, keyword research, and competitor analysis.

Brainstorm ideas regularly and keep a running list of potential topics.

A content calendar can work wonders here as you are then never out of ideas for what to write about and always know what’s coming up next.

Aim to provide valuable information, solve problems, answer questions, entertain, or inspire your audience with your content!

6 – How To Deal With Criticism and Negative Feedback?

Fear of criticism and negative feedback can hold people back from starting a blog or sharing their writing online. Understandably so!

Many worry about how to handle criticism in a constructive way and develop a thick skin.

It’s natural to feel apprehensive about receiving criticism, but it’s important to remember that feedback, whether positive or negative, can help you grow and improve as a blogger.

Remember, there is a huge difference between someone leaving feedback, questions or suggestions, and someone who has left a nasty comment just for the sake of being nasty.

You can develop resilience by focusing on constructive criticism, learning from mistakes, and staying true to your voice and values! People enjoy your blog because it’s you – remember that.

You can consider establishing clear guidelines for yourself for moderating comments on your blog to maintain a positive and respectful community.

For example, if it’s a question, opinion, feedback or constructive criticism, you can keep it and respond/answer their comment. If it’s nasty/rude you can just delete it and move on!

7 – Is It Too Late To Start A Blog?

With so many blogs already out there, some people worry that the blogging world is oversaturated and that it’s too late to start a successful blog.

You may wonder if there’s still room for new voices and perspectives.

The answer is that it’s never too late! People are always searching for information.

While the blogging world is competitive by nature, there is still room for new voices and perspectives.

The key is to find your unique angle or niche, create high-quality content, and consistently engage with your audience.

Keep in mind that building a successful blog takes time and persistence, so focus on providing value and building genuine connections with your readers.

Enjoy it and find your voice as you go!

8 – How Much Time Does Blogging Take?

People often worry about the time involved in starting and maintaining a blog. Understandably so! Especially if you have other responsibilities like a full-time job or family obligations. You may be wondering if you can realistically fit blogging into their busy life.

The answer is, of course you can, but I would encourage you to be realistic with how much time you can put into it.

Your time commitment for blogging will vary depending on factors such as how frequently you publish new blog posts, keyword research and research of topics, and how much time you are wanting to spend on social media/promotion of your content.

It’s so important to set realistic goals and expectations based on your available time and resources. Consistency is way more important than frequency. So prioritise quality over quantity when it comes to creating content , come up with a schedule that suits you and don’t stress about not being able to work on your blog for 6 hours a day!

9 – Will Anyone Read My Blog?

There’s often a fear of putting in so much time and effort to start your own blog, only to have no one read it.

People worry about whether they’ll be able to attract an audience and whether their writing will be liked or be “good enough” for their readers.

The beauty of blog posts as opposed to professional news articles is that people know there’s a person behind your posts. They will enjoy the way you write, the way you put information across, and any other unique qualities you have to offer. Don’t worry if things aren’t perfect, blogs are loved for their realness as much as quality information.

Building an audience for your blog takes time and effort.

Knowing it will take time can help as you won’t be expecting a huge amount of readers straight away, but with dedication, learning and a good strategy, you can attract readers who truly want to read your content.

Focus on creating valuable, relevant, and engaging content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience. Use SEO techniques, social media promotion, and networking within your niche to increase your blogs visibility and attract an audience to your blog.

Putting out high quality content that helps your reader solve a problem or answer a question is one of the best ways to gain the attention of your target audience.

10 – What Blogging Platform Should I Use?

With so many blogging platforms available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. You may worry about whether to use a free platform like WordPress.com or Blogger, or whether to invest in a self-hosted WordPress.org blog.

When choosing a blogging platform, consider factors such as ease of use, customisation options, scalability, cost, and ownership of your content.

Popular options include WordPress (both the self-hosted WordPress.org and the hosted WordPress.com), Blogger, Wix, Squarespace, and Medium.

Research and read into the features and limitations of each platform to determine which best aligns with your needs and goals for your blog.

From a personal perspective, I would always recommend a WordPress.org blog with your chosen hosting.

Free blogs are great for those with no extra money, for someone just starting out and unsure if they will like blogging, or for those wanting to blog as a hobby or not wanting to make an income from their blog.

The free blogging platforms are often a little simpler, but this comes down to having less features and less customisation options.

You do not own your blog if you have it on a free platform. The platform does.

If you want the security of owning your website, want to be able to get an income from your blog, want to be able to have freedom to customise your blog as much as you like and already know you enjoy blogging, absolutely go for a self hosted blog on a platform such as WordPress.org.

Keep in mind that you can always migrate your blog to a different platform in the future if needed. It isn’t always simple but it’s absolutely doable.

11 – Where Can I Find Resources To Learn Proper Blogging Techniques?

This is a very common question as there is so much information everywhere you look, but the tricky part can be finding the RIGHT information that will actually be useful for you and your blog.

You can learn the skills you need to learn about blogging through online courses, tutorials, blogs, and books dedicated to blogging.

When it comes to online courses you have a range to choose from. Please remember that not all courses are created equally, so word of mouth from someone you trust and reviews can help a lot here.

You can buy courses directly, use paid platforms such as Skillshare or get information for free from places like YouTube.

YouTube is such an amazing way to get lots of information about blogging. Not only that but it’s one of my favourite places to troubleshoot when things don’t always go to plan!

That being said, to find the exact information you need while filtering through all the less-great information can take so much time and energy.

Investing in a decent blogging course will save you a lot of time and energy in the long run. Plus an added bonus is that often courses will provide free updates too so you’ll always have the most up to date information!

On top of all things mentioned above, you can also join some blogging communities. Talking and networking with other bloggers and more experienced bloggers can provide valuable insights, support and guidance.

12 – What Are The Best Practices For Writing Engaging Blog Posts?

Writing engaging blog posts involves a mix of grabbing your readers’ attention with strong blog post titles, clear formatting for readability (using subheadings, bullet points where needed, and images), incorporating visuals, and ending with a clear conclusion.

It’s important to make sure you are solving a problem or being entertaining for your readers. Keeping your blog content reader-focused is key.

There are a few steps you can follow to create the best content for your specific audience.

Know your audience: Understand who your target audience is and create your content to suit and meet their interests, needs, and issues they may be having.

Start with a captivating blog post title: Grab your readers’ attention right from the start with an intriguing headline that promises value or solves a problem they may be having/experiencing.

Break up your text: Use shorter paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings to make your content easy to read and digest. Frequent spaces and images can help with this too. You can of course also add video if this suits your content.

Provide value: High quality blog posts offer actionable tips, insights, or solutions to your readers’ problems. Make sure your content is informative, useful, and relevant to your audience. Don’t make your posts too short but don’t waffle just to fill space! The more relevant and helpful information you can provide, the better.

Encourage engagement: Invite your readers to leave comments, ask questions, or share their opinions at the end of your posts. Make sure to engage back by responding to comments which will help your audience to know you better and know that you’re a real person where they can ask questions and will get an answer.

Edit and proofread: Before hitting that publish button, have a read over your post for spelling and grammar errors, clarity, and coherence. A well-edited post reflects positively on your credibility as a blogger.

Blog posts do not have to be perfect, and can be in a more conversational tone, but making sure they make sense and flow well is important.

For a full list of epic and eye-catching words you can add into your blog post titles, click through to that post here!

13 – How Often Should I Publish New Blog Posts?

How often you publish new blog posts depends on your time, goals and resources.

Consistency is key, so aim for a publishing schedule that you can realistically maintain over the long term. Some bloggers publish twice weekly, once weekly, some are once a fortnight and some are even daily. Experiment with different posting schedules to find what works best for you, your audience and your content creation process.

For more information on the exact number of blog posts you should be aiming for, check out this in depth post!

14 – Do I Need To Be An Expert In My Niche To Start A Blog?

While having knowledge in your chosen niche is a plus point, it’s certainly not necessary to be an expert in your niche to start a blog.

(This doesn’t include topics such as finance or anything medical etc.)

Passion, a genuine love for your chosen topic, and a willingness to learn and share your journey is also an amazing way to connect and share information with your readers.

If you do have experience or are qualified in certain topics then you can of course use this to share your knowledge to enhance your blog content.

15 – How Can I Build An Email List For My Blog?

Building an email list is one of the best decisions you can make while blogging.

It’s not only an amazing way to engage with your audience, nurture relationships, and drive traffic to your blog but long term can help with an online income too!

Your email list is something you own, and is a way for you to engage directly with those who have indicated (by signing up) that they are really interested in what you have to say.

To get readers to join your list, you can offer incentives such as free downloadable pages/products, exclusive content, extra tips and information or special promotions (niche dependant) in exchange for their email address.

Use opt-in forms strategically throughout your blog (you can experiment to see what works best here for you and your readers), promote your newsletter on social media, and you can even run paid ads to encourage sign-ups if you feel this would be of benefit to you.

16 – What Are Some Effective Ways To Monetise My Blog?

Luckily there is a range of different ways to monetise your blog.

This means you can choose whichever monetisation strategies suit you and your niche the best!

In addition to the more “traditional” monetisation methods like advertising and affiliate marketing, there are various other ways you can monetise your blog.

These include sponsored content, offering consulting or coaching services, selling digital products (ebooks, courses, templates etc), creating and selling physical products, and providing subscription-based content.

To dive deeper into the world of blog monetisation, have a look at this post here for more information on blog monetisation strategies.

17 – Should I Focus On Building My Blog’s SEO or Promoting On Social Media?

When it comes to getting your blog seen, both SEO and social media play important roles in driving traffic to your blog and growing your target audience.

Up until recently I would have said SEO (talking Google) was the best thing to focus on, but due to various updates, this may not be the best strategy for all bloggers now.

Social Media is more of an active way to grow your blog as it requires more hands-on marketing (unless opting for paid ads etc) but can be really effective in terms of getting your blog seen.

Focus on creating high-quality, SEO-friendly content that answers questions your audience may have and incorporates relevant keywords.

Alongside SEO practices, actively engage with your audience on social media platforms! Share your blog posts, participate in relevant blogging/business communities, and leverage social media advertising to increase your blog’s visibility and engagement.

18 – How Do I Stay Motivated And Overcome Writer’s Block?

Staying motivated and overcoming writer’s block can be challenging for bloggers. Every blogger you speak to will have had this at some stage though so you are not alone if this has happened to you!

The biggest tip to overcome writer’s block is pre-planning out content.

Do your keyword research and from this, create a content plan so you have your upcoming posts all planned out.

Other things that can help are things such as establishing a consistent writing routine, setting realistic goals, breaking tasks into smaller manageable chunks, and seeking inspiration from other bloggers!

For more information on overcoming writer’s block as a blogger, check out this post!

19 – How Can I Measure The Success Of My Blog?

What success means for your blog will vary depending on your goals and personal/business objectives.

The most common metrics to track include website traffic (unique visitors, sessions and pageviews), engagement (comments, social shares), conversion rates (email sign-ups, sales), and revenue (from advertising, affiliate marketing, product sales etc).

The easiest way to track most of these metrics is to use web analytics tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. You can also use plugins on your WordPress website to help show a snapshot of these numbers.

When it comes to monitoring numbers such as affiliate sales, often the best place to check these is through your affiliate homepage for that specific company.

This may be a dashboard if you use a website such as Clickbank, or on the website directly for direct links from Amazon for example.

It’s important to monitor these metrics and make informed decisions to optimise your blog’s performance.

Don’t get caught up in checking all of your metrics all of the time, but keeping an eye every so often can help you see what’s working and what can be altered for better performance.

These are just a few of the common worries and questions about blogging that people have when considering starting a blog.

Each individual may have their own unique concerns based on their specific goals, interests, and circumstances!

If you have any other questions about blogging, please feel free to leave them in the comments below and I’ll answer them as best I can!

For a full post on how to start your own blog, check out this post here!

How To Start A Blog in 2024!

Speak soon!

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3 Legal Pages You Need To Have On Your Blog: Keeping Your Blog Protected

Katherine McLee — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 22:59:02 +0000

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!

Click Here To Protect Your Website Today

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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11 Top Rated Blogging Books On Amazon: How To Master Blogging in 2024

Katherine McLee — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 16:32:00 +0000

In this post we will be going over some of the top rated blogging books on Amazon in 2024!

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 2024!

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 2024 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 2024 appeared first on Katherine McLee.

Achieve More in Less Space: Home Office Ideas for Compact Living

Katherine McLee — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 15:30:00 +0000

Image: Pexels

Guest article written and submitted by Sara Bell of EducatorLabs.

Working from home has become the new norm for many people, and having a dedicated workspace is essential for productivity and organization. However, not everyone has the luxury of a separate room for a home office. If you’re living in a small space, here are some ingenious ways to create a functional and stylish home office that won’t take up too much room.

Buy the right decor, equipment, and furniture

Setting up a home office in a compact space necessitates savvy choices in office products and furniture. Opt for versatile and space-saving items like foldable desks and wall-mounted organizers that maximize utility without compromising style. Compact ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, and cable organizers are excellent additions to ensure comfort and productivity in limited spaces.

In addition, one of the best ways to maximize your living space is to invest in multipurpose furniture. For example, consider getting a desk that doubles as a dining table or a coffee table with storage compartments. This way, you can have a functional workspace during the day and easily transform it into a relaxing area when work is done. Another idea is to use a sofa bed or a murphy bed, which can free up space for a desk when not in use.

Before making any purchases, it’s a good idea to dive into in-depth product reviews from unbiased sources. This research helps in making informed decisions about the functionality, durability, and suitability of these items for your specific space, ensuring that every purchase serves its purpose effectively in your compact home office setup.

Make extra space by adding a loft bed

If you live in a studio apartment or a small bedroom, a loft bed can be a game-changer. By elevating your sleeping area, you create valuable space underneath for a cozy and private home office. Simply place a desk, chair, and some shelves or storage units under the elevated bed, and you have yourself a dedicated workspace that doesn’t take up any extra square footage.

Dedicate a section of your kitchen for work

The kitchen may not be the first place you think of when setting up a home office, but it can actually be an excellent spot for a compact workspace. Choose a section of your kitchen counter, preferably away from the sink and stove, and designate it as your work area. Add a comfortable barstool, and you’ll have a convenient place to work while still being able to keep an eye on dinner or grab a snack.

Purchase a pull-out desk

A pull-out desk is a brilliant solution for those who cannot spare any floor space for a traditional desk. It can be installed on a wall or in a closet and easily pulled out when you need to work. Once you’re done, simply push it back in, and your home office disappears, leaving no trace behind. Add some shelves or wall-mounted storage units to keep your office supplies organized and within reach.

Section off space with a folding screen

If you want to create a sense of privacy and separation and minimize distractions between your workspace and the rest of your living area, consider using a folding screen. It’s an elegant and flexible solution that allows you to section off a part of the room for your home office while still maintaining an open feel. When you’re not working, fold the screen away to free up space.

Utilize a versatile mobile workstation

A rolling cart or a small table on wheels can serve as a versatile and mobile workstation. This is particularly useful if you don’t have a dedicated spot for your home office and need to move it around depending on the time of day or other activities. You can easily roll your workstation into a corner or another room when not in use, keeping your living area clutter-free.

Keep track of value-boosting improvements you make

Creating a home office in a small living space can not only improve your productivity but also add value to your home. If you’re planning on selling your property in the near future, it’s essential to document the improvements you make. Take before-and-after photos of your home office transformation to showcase how you’ve made the most of your limited space. Potential buyers will appreciate seeing the creative solutions you’ve implemented to make your small living space more functional and appealing.

Decorate strategically

Decorating a small home office area involves maximizing functionality without sacrificing style. Opt for light, neutral colors to create an illusion of space and brightness. Utilize vertical storage solutions like floating shelves or wall-mounted organizers to free up valuable desk space. Incorporate mirrors strategically to reflect light and visually expand the area. Choose furniture with built-in storage to minimize clutter. Personalize the space with inspiring artwork or motivational quotes to create a conducive and inviting work environment. Lastly, integrate plants or greenery to add a touch of nature and freshness to the workspace while keeping the area feeling open and rejuvenating.

If all else fails, find a roomier space

And finally, keep in mind that sometimes, despite your best efforts, there won’t be enough room to comfortably work in your home. If space constraints persist, consider finding a larger home or apartment, especially one with an extra bedroom that can easily convert into a home office. Online listings provide a convenient platform to search for suitable rentals, allowing you to filter based on various criteria like cost, home type, number of bedrooms, and more. By exploring options that offer an additional room dedicated to your workspace, you can ensure a conducive and productive environment for your professional endeavors within the comfort of your home.

Creating a home office in a small living space may seem challenging at first, but with a little ingenuity and resourcefulness, it’s definitely achievable. By implementing these great ideas, you can design a dedicated and stylish workspace that not only meets your professional needs but also blends seamlessly with the rest of your living area. So, embrace the challenge and let your creativity shine as you build the perfect home office oasis in your small abode.

Speak soon!

Sara Bell of EducatorLabs.

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Navigating New Horizons: A Guide to Thriving as a Digital Nomad with a Disability

Katherine McLee — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 15:03:09 +0000

Guest article written by Laura Carlson of Endurabilities.com

Navigating New Horizons: A Guide to Thriving as a Digital Nomad with a Disability.

Exploring the digital nomad lifestyle opens up a world of travel and flexible work, but navigating it with a disability requires unique considerations. This article aims to provide valuable tips for overcoming these challenges, ensuring you can fully engage in and benefit from this dynamic way of living. Embrace these strategies to make your digital nomad journey not just feasible, but also immensely rewarding and fulfilling.

Equip with Assistive Tools

Investing in advanced assistive devices and software is vital for ensuring independence and efficiency while traveling. These tools, specifically tailored to your needs, can significantly enhance your ability to work remotely. They not only aid in overcoming physical barriers but also help in staying connected and productive, regardless of your location. By harnessing the right technology, you can maintain a high level of professional output and enjoy the freedom that comes with the digital nomad lifestyle. Additionally, these technologies can provide a sense of security, knowing that you have the support necessary to tackle any challenges that may arise in different environments.

Launch a Business and Brand Economically

Starting your own business can be a game-changer, offering unparalleled control over your work environment. Economical branding, such as creating a useful text logo, can be achieved with online tools. This approach not only helps in establishing a unique identity for your business but also ensures you do so without overextending financially. It’s a strategic move that combines entrepreneurship with practicality, making it ideal for digital nomads with disabilities. Furthermore, it allows for the creation of a work culture and environment that are not only disability-friendly but also aligned with your personal values and aspirations.

Network with Other Digital Nomads

Creating connections with fellow digital nomads who understand the unique challenges of traveling with a disability is invaluable. These relationships offer support, shared experiences, and practical advice for navigating different environments. Engaging with a community that empathizes with your situation can provide not only social engagement but also a wealth of information that can make your nomadic journey smoother and more enjoyable. This network acts as a safety net, offering advice on accessible destinations and strategies for managing your work while on the move. Moreover, these connections can evolve into lifelong friendships, enriching your personal and professional life in countless ways.

Advance Career with Online Learning

Elevating your career prospects is possible when you earn your degree online. These programs offer flexibility and accessibility, allowing you to balance work with advancing your education whether you earn your computer science degree online or choose a different degree. Pursuing an online degree can open new doors in the tech world, equipping you with valuable skills while fitting seamlessly into the nomadic lifestyle. This educational route is especially beneficial for those with disabilities, offering a convenient and adaptable learning environment. Additionally, these programs often provide resources and support specifically designed to accommodate various disabilities, ensuring a learning experience that is both inclusive and empowering. By completing your studies online, you also demonstrate to potential employers your ability to work independently and manage your time effectively, key skills for any successful digital nomad.

Customize Work Schedules

Adapting your work schedule to align with your personal energy levels and productivity patterns is crucial. Tailoring your workday to fit your individual needs not only maximizes your efficiency but also ensures you manage your disability effectively. This flexibility is one of the key advantages of the digital nomad lifestyle, allowing you to work at your own pace and on your own terms. By doing so, you can create a balanced routine that accommodates both your professional ambitions and personal well-being. This personalized approach to scheduling can also reduce stress and enhance your overall job satisfaction, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable work-life balance.

Utilize Smart Home Technology

Integrating smart home technology into your living space enhances accessibility and convenience, especially important for individuals with disabilities. With easy installation and remote troubleshooting, these technologies make managing your living environment effortless. They offer a level of independence and control that is particularly beneficial when you’re frequently on the move, ensuring comfort and functionality in any location. These technologies can also be synced with mobile devices, allowing you to customize and control your environment remotely, which is invaluable for maintaining a consistent living space no matter where you travel. Additionally, smart home technology can be tailored to specific needs, providing customized solutions that make daily tasks easier and more manageable for those with disabilities.

Secure Comprehensive Health Coverage

Obtaining extensive international health insurance is essential for digital nomads with disabilities. It’s important to choose a policy that covers your specific needs, ensuring you have access to the necessary medical care wherever you travel. This coverage provides peace of mind and security, allowing you to focus on your work and travels without worrying about potential health issues. Researching and understanding the healthcare systems of your destinations can help you navigate them more effectively if the need arises. Having a well-documented plan for medical emergencies, including contacts and potential facilities, can further ensure your safety and well-being as you travel.

Communicate Travel Needs Clearly

Effective communication is key when planning travel and accommodations. Many service providers offer specialized disability services, but they often require advance notice to provide the best experience. Clear communication of your needs ensures smoother travel and lodging arrangements, making your journeys more comfortable and stress-free. This proactive approach can also open up opportunities to discover accommodations and travel options that you might not have known were available. Establishing a good rapport with service providers can lead to more personalized assistance, making each travel experience more enjoyable and tailored to your needs.

The digital nomad lifestyle, characterized by its freedom and flexibility, is not only accessible but can be profoundly enriching for individuals with disabilities. By strategically utilizing assistive tools, embracing entrepreneurship, building a supportive community, and leveraging online education, you can overcome the unique challenges that come with your situation. The key is to approach this lifestyle with adaptability, resourcefulness, and a clear understanding of your needs. It’s about creating an environment that not only accommodates your disability but also celebrates your ability to navigate and thrive in a world without borders. This journey is not just about managing a disability; it’s about redefining the possibilities of your life and career in the expansive landscape of digital nomadism.

Boost your business with cutting-edge digital marketing strategies. Connect with digital marketer Katherine McLee now and watch your online presence soar.

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What Is Digital Marketing? A Simplified Guide For Beginners

Katherine McLee — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 23:12:13 +0000

In this post we are going to answer one of the most commonly asked questions on the internet today: What Is Digital Marketing?

We’re going to unravel the magic of digital marketing for the online world today. We’ll explore how businesses use websites, social media, emails, and other online tactics and strategies to catch your attention!

In an era where the digital realm is the central hub of modern communication, understanding digital marketing has become so important for individuals and businesses alike.

Digital marketing uses different ways to catch your eye online. It includes things like using social media to get your attention and making websites/blogs show up in online searches. This helps companies and bloggers connect with an audience and build relationships in the online world.

Whether you’re new to starting a business online or already know a bit about digital marketing, this post will help you understand digital marketing that bit better!

We will go over what Digital Marketing is and how to use digital marketing in today’s online world.

This post is going to answer the common question: What Is Digital Marketing? And how can it benefit you!

So to start off, let’s answer the main question first: What Is Digital Marketing?

The technical answer is: “Digital marketing refers to the use of digital channels, such as the internet, social media, email, search engines, websites, and various online platforms, to promote products, services, or brands. It involves leveraging digital technologies to reach and engage with a targeted audience, attract potential customers, build brand awareness, and drive sales or desired actions.”

In more simple terms, digital marketing involves using the internet and online tools to advertise and connect with people who might be interested in what a business or website offers.

It includes things like creating websites, posting on social media, sending emails, and showing up in online searches to get people’s attention and encourage them to learn more about a business or its products/services.

In very simple terms, Digital marketing is like telling the world about something, using the internet to do so!

Digital marketing is like spreading the word about something you love, but instead of using traditional methods like newspapers, you do it online.

Imagine you have an idea, product, or anything else you want to share. Instead of shouting it out on the street, you use the internet to spread the word.

This involves things like making a website, posting on social media, sending emails, and showing up in online searches!

Digital marketing is just the fancy way of saying, “Hey, check this out!” in the online world.

Imagine you have a favourite pizza place. If that business wants more people to know about their amazing pizzas, they may use digital marketing. They could create ads on social media or send out emails with special offers. On top of this they could also make their website show up first when someone searches for “best pizza near me.” (This would be done using a high-quality Keyword Research Tool.)

Basically, digital marketing is all about using the internet’s superpowers to reach and connect with people! It includes a range of things like social media marketing, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and more. It’s an umbrella term for any marketing done online – i.e, digitally!

What Are Some Popular Options For Digital Marketing?

When you look into the centre of digital marketing, it is the science of promoting products, services, or brands using digital channels.

It’s the modern way businesses connect with their audience through the wonder that is the internet.

Digital marketing happens in various online spaces, each with its own strategy and set of opportunities:

Search Engines (SEO)

I would assume you have searched for something on Google at some point! That’s where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes into play. It’s all about improving your website’s visibility in search results, so more people can easily discover what you offer. It’s about making your website rank higher in search results, ensuring more people find you effortlessly. Using a Keyword Research tool can dramatically help with this marketing strategy.

Social Media Marketing

As soon as you scroll through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, or LinkedIn, you’ll witness SO many examples of social media marketing. It’s about building communities, engaging followers, and telling your brand story. It could be mixed between text, videos, and even paid ads. Anyone sharing/promoting anything on social media falls into this category!

Content Creation

Whether it be blogs, videos or infographics, content is king in the digital realm. Creating valuable, informative, or entertaining content is the heartbeat of digital marketing.

Blogs serve as an invaluable platform for sharing information, insights, opinions, and stories. (A personal favourite!) They cater to various interests/niches, providing your readers with in-depth knowledge, how-to guides, updates, and engaging articles. A well-crafted blog not only informs but also establishes a brand’s authority and credibility in its field.

Videos are an amazing visual medium that captivates audiences through visual storytelling. From product demonstrations and tutorials to vlogs and brand stories, videos bring content to life, engaging viewers with compelling narratives, visuals, and emotions. They often result in high engagement and better retention of information!

Infographics often present complex or more complicated information in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format. Combining graphics, images, and text, they convey data, statistics, lists, or step-by-step guides in an easily understandable manner. Infographics are highly shareable, making information accessible and engaging across different platforms.

Email Marketing

Email marketing is a vital component of digital marketing, focusing on sending targeted, personalised emails to subscribers or potential customers.

It includes:

Building an email list through blog/website sign-up forms and things like landing pages.
Tailoring your content to subscribers’ preferences.
Sending engaging emails with clear calls-to-action.
Analysing metrics for continual improvement!

Businesses use email marketing to connect with subscribers, drive sales, and build lasting relationships.

Paid Advertising

We have all seen those sponsored ads on Google or in social feeds! They are everywhere nowadays! That’s the pull of paid advertising. Businesses/Content Creators pay to showcase their products or service to a targeted audience.

How Does Digital Marketing Work?

Digital marketing operates on the principles of understanding your audience, creating compelling content, and strategically placing it where your audience hangs out online. It’s about building relationships, not just selling.

Digital marketing works by utilising various different online channels and strategies to reach and engage with a targeted audience.

Here’s an overview of how digital marketing works:

Understanding Your Audience

It starts with understanding your target audience. This means knowing their demographics, interests, behaviour, and preferences!

Utilising Multiple Online Channels

Digital marketing uses various online platforms and channels such as websites, social media, search engines, email, content marketing, paid advertising, and more.

Creating Engaging Content

The key is to create valuable, informative, or entertaining content tailored to your audience’s needs and preferences. This content can include blog posts, videos, infographics, social media posts, emails, and more!

Strategic Placement

Your content is then placed on different online platforms to reach your target audience where they spend their time online. For instance, using SEO tactics to appear in search engine results or running targeted ads on social media.

An example of this would be, if you are trying to reach an audience interested in recipes, Pinterest would be a more strategic platform to focus on than somewhere like Twitter/X!

Engaging and Converting

Once your audience interacts with your content, as a digital marketer you would then aim to engage them one step further and guide them towards desired actions, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or visiting a different link/website.

Analysing and Optimising

Using data analytics to track the performance of your campaigns, keeping an eye on metrics such as website traffic, engagement rates, conversions, and more, is super important. This data helps you to understand what works and what doesn’t, allowing for optimisation and improvement of your marketing strategies.

What Is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is like being a matchmaker between people who have great products or services and those who might be interested in them!

Here’s a simplified example of how it works:

You love a particular brand of running shoes, and you want to tell your friends about them.

The company that makes those running shoes has an affiliate program.
They say, “Hey, if you bring new customers to us, we’ll give you a small reward.”
You tell your friends about these amazing running shoes and give them a special link provided to you by the company.
When your friends use the link to buy the running shoes, the company knows it’s because of you. As a thanks for bringing in new customers, they give you a commission or reward.

Affiliate marketing is like being a friendly middle-person, connecting people with products they might like and earning a little something in return. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!

Is Digital Marketing The Same As Affiliate Marketing?

Yes and no.

Digital marketing and affiliate marketing are not the same thing but affiliate marketing is under the umbrella of digital marketing. So while affiliate marketing is a form of digital marketing, not all digital marketing is affiliate marketing!

Let’s break down the differences:

Digital Marketing:

Definition: Digital marketing is a broad term that encompasses all marketing efforts carried out through digital channels, such as the internet.
Components: It includes various strategies like social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, search engine optimisation (SEO), paid advertising (PPC), and more.
Goal: The goal of digital marketing is to promote products, services, or brands online, increase brand awareness, and connect with a target audience.

Affiliate Marketing:

Definition: Affiliate marketing is a specific type of performance-based marketing within the broader scope of the digital marketing umbrella.
People Involved: It involves three main parties: the merchant (seller or product creator), the affiliate (the promoter or marketer), and the customer.
Mechanism: Affiliates earn a commission for every customer they bring to the merchant’s business through their marketing strategies and efforts, usually using personalised affiliate links!
Goal: The primary goal of affiliate marketing is to drive sales and leads for the merchant while allowing affiliates to earn a commission.

Basically, Digital marketing uses various online strategies to promote products or services while Affiliate marketing is a part of digital marketing where individuals earn commissions by promoting others’ products or services through unique links.

I hope that helps explain the difference as I know often the terms get thrown around as if they are interchangeable which makes things confusing!

Why Is Digital Marketing a Good Way to Make Money For Bloggers?

Digital marketing is an amazing way for bloggers to make money because it opens up so many options in terms of revenue streams and allows bloggers to monetise their online presence (and all that hard work!).

Here are some reasons why digital marketing is a good idea for bloggers:

Affiliate Marketing

Bloggers can join affiliate programs and promote products or services they like/enjoy within their blog posts. When their audience makes a purchase through the affiliate links, that blogger earns a commission.

Advertising Revenue

Bloggers can also earn money through advertising, either by displaying ads on their blog or participating in ad networks.

Digital Product Sales

Bloggers can create and sell their own digital products, such as e-books, online courses, or downloadable/printable resources. Digital marketing helps reach a wider audience and promote these products effectively!

Email Marketing

As a blogger you can build an email list and engage with your audience through newsletters, informative or promotional emails. This direct communication channel allows bloggers to promote products, affiliate offers, or their own services!

Selling Merchandise

If you are a blogger who has established a brand or niche, you can sell merchandise related to your blog. Digital marketing strategies help promote and sell these items to your audience.

Consulting or Coaching Services

Bloggers with expertise in a particular field can offer consulting or coaching services. Digital marketing helps to showcase that knowledge, attract clients, and promote their services to a larger audience.

Membership or Subscriptions

Bloggers can create exclusive content or resources for a premium audience and monetise it through membership or subscription models. Digital marketing helps attract and retain subscribers.

Collaborations and Partnerships

Digital marketing enables bloggers to connect with other influencers, brands, or businesses for collaborations and partnerships. These collaborations can involve joint promotions, co-created content, or sponsored campaigns.

Digital marketing provides bloggers with a diversified set of tools and strategies to generate income. By utilising these opportunities, bloggers can turn their passion and expertise into a sustainable source of revenue.

Of course the more the merrier in terms of income streams, so you can absolutely apply many of these strategies, not just one or two!

How To Get Started With Digital Marketing

Getting started with digital marketing isn’t as daunting as it may initially sound! It can be fun and exciting, and there are several ways to get started.

Here’s a quick digital marketing guide for beginners:

Educate Yourself

Take advantage of online resources, courses, and tutorials to learn the basics of digital marketing. YouTube can be an amazing platform for this type of initial research! Learn about key concepts such as SEO, social media marketing, email marketing, and content creation.

Define Your Goals

Clearly define your goals and why you are starting. Whether it’s to increase your website/blog traffic, building up an email list, or boosting sales, having specific goals will help your digital marketing strategy stay on track.

Identify Your Target Audience

This part is super important! Understand who your target audience really is. Knowing their preferences, behaviours, and interests will help you tailor your digital marketing efforts to effectively reach and engage them.

Create a Website or Blog

Establish yourself with an online presence with a user-friendly website or blog. Platforms like WordPress especially make it easy to set up your own blog and give yourself that space on the internet!

Optimise for Search Engines (SEO)

Learn the basics of SEO to improve your website’s visibility on search engines. The aim is to rank as high as possible, no matter what search engines you choose. Focus on keyword research, optimised images, meta tags, and creating high-quality, relevant content that your readers will love and find helpful.

Start Email Marketing

It’s never too early to start building up your email list. Use lead magnets, such as free resources, printables or newsletters, to encourage your visitors to subscribe to your list. There are many free platforms for lists under 1000 emails in size so I would recommend starting as soon as you can.

Engage on Social Media

Choose social media platforms that align with your audience and goals. This ties back in with what I mentioned earlier about if you are aiming to share your content with people looking for recipes, Pinterest will most likely be a better option for you than Twitter/X! Going to where your potential readers are is one of the best ways to promote your content.

Create High-Quality Content

Content is key for digital marketing. Create valuable, high-quality and relevant content that helps or entertains your readers. This can include blog posts, videos, infographics, and more.

Understand Paid Advertising

If you are choosing to go down the paid advertising route, I would recommend familiarising yourself with paid advertising platforms like Google Ads or social media ads. Start small, set a budget, and experiment with different ad formats to see what works for you. Setting your ads to show for those in your target audience will give you the best results over just showing the ads to anyone and everyone!

Monitor Your Analytics

Use analytics tools like Google Analytics to track the performance of your digital marketing efforts. Analysing data will help you understand what’s working and where you can adjust your strategy to make any improvements.

Network and Connect

Connecting with other bloggers and website owners in your niche is an important step. You can join online groups and forums, reach out directly via the other’s website or blog, or you can even attend virtual events to build relationships with others with the same goals or interests as you.

Don’t feel like you have to jump straight in at the deep end! Getting yourself started with digital marketing is a gradual process. Take it one step at a time, experiment, and adapt your strategies based on what works best for you, your goals and your specific audience.

Can Anyone Become a Digital Marketer?

Absolutely! One of the best aspects of digital marketing is its inclusivity and flexibility for anyone who wants to do it.

If you are eager to learn, patient and curious about trying different digital marketing strategies, you absolutely have the potential to become a digital marketer!

There’s no specific experience or qualifications required to get started, as long as there’s a passion for your chosen topic and a willingness to learn and adapt, you can absolutely get into digital marketing!

There are a few reasons why anyone can become a Digital Marketer:

There Is An Abundance of Learning Resources

The internet is full of various learning resources, from blogs and articles to online courses and tutorials. YouTube and online courses are both amazing places to look. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, there’s a wealth of information at your fingertips!

Accessibility of Tools

Many digital marketing tools and platforms are user-friendly and accessible. A lot are also free or low-cost too! You don’t need a background in technology to get started as often there are walk-throughs or user guides on getting started. All else fails – Google it!

The Flexibility

As digital marketing can be done using various strategies such as SEO, social media marketing, content creation, email marketing, and more. This means you can choose the area that best aligns with your interests or strengths. You can adapt your marketing strategies to fit you and your niche!

Opportunity for Creativity

Digital marketing allows for creativity and a personal touch. No matter whether you’re a blogger, writer, designer, seller or any other title, there’s a role for you. Standing out is important so don’t feel worried about adding a personal touch and using your own unique voice!

Constantly Evolving

Digital marketing is always evolving. Literally always! This constant change means that there’s room for fresh perspectives and ideas. Being adaptable and willing to stay updated on industry trends is more important than a specific educational background.

Freelance Opportunities

Digital marketing offers many freelancing opportunities. If you’re looking to get into freelancing or start your own business, digital marketing is the perfect way to bring in new opportunities, to show others your skills/experience in your niche, and find clients.

Community Support

Online communities, forums, and social media groups (especially Facebook groups) provide a supportive environment for learning more and networking with others. Engaging with other digital marketers can be an invaluable part of your learning journey! Sharing the journey makes things more enjoyable, feel less alone, and is an amazing place to share tips and tricks with others in the digital marketing space!

Overall, digital marketing can be an invaluable tool in growing your brand and presence online. Along with that it can be an amazing way to create one (or a few!) income streams, across various channels.

Digital marketing stands as the main strategy of most modern business strategies. It really helps individuals and companies to connect, engage, and thrive. It helps businesses gain exposure, and helps readers and potential customers to discover new people, blogs and brands!

No matter whether you’re just starting your digital marketing journey, or looking to refine your marketing strategies, the power of digital marketing can open doors to endless opportunities!

Hopefully this guide has helped you understand more about what digital marketing is, how to use and utilise it, and how to get started!

Anyone can get started with digital marketing, as there’s so many options and variables that can be modified to suit you and your own personal brand and business!

If you have any questions on the topic “what is digital marketing?”, or any other digital marketing related questions, let me know below!

Speak soon!

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Katherine McLee

How To Make Money With Affiliate Marketing

Before we get into how to make money with affiliate marketing, we first need to go over what affiliate marketing actually is!

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Where Can You Promote Affiliate Links?

Remember to always have a visible disclaimer advising of affiliate links.

What Sorts of Products Can You Promote?

Do You Need a Blog or YouTube channel?

How to Make Money Through Your Email List

What Is An Email List?

They get their freebie, you get their email – win win!

One of the best things about having an email list is that you own it.

Do You Need a Large Following To Make Money With Affiliate Marketing?

Making money with affiliate marketing is doable with even a small audience though.

This is exactly the same amount of people clicking but with a following ten times smaller!

How Much Money Can You Make from Affiliate Marketing?

The sky’s the limit!

One Off Payments

Recurring Payments

Other Ways To Make Money Online Through Your Blog

Katherine

E-commerce SEO Essentials: The Only Guide You Need

Keyword Research and Analysis

Optimising Product Listings

Technical SEO for Ecommerce

Link Building Strategies

User Experience (UX)

Conclusion

About Author & Bio

Using AI for Blogging: A Simple Guide

How to Use AI for Blogging

How Can You Implement AI Into Your Blogging?

Sparking Ideas and Inspiration

Research Assistance

Streamlining the Content Creation Process

Enhancing SEO

Improving Readability and Engagement

Common Questions About Using AI for Blogging

Can AI Replace Human Writers?

Is AI-Generated Content SEO-Friendly?

How Accurate is AI in Understanding Context?

Is Using AI for Blogging Expensive?

More Questions People Have About Using AI for Blogging

How Can AI Help With Keyword Research?

Can AI-generated Content Rank Well on Google?

Is AI Ethical To Use in Content Creation?

What Are The Limitations of Using AI For blogging?

Concerns About Using AI to Help With Blogging

Benefits of Using AI Voice Overs for Blog Posts

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

7 Ways You Can Make Money From Your Blog

Advertising

Where Do You Find Adverts For A New Blog?

How Much Can You Get Paid With Adverts?

Affiliate Marketing

What Is Affiliate Marketing?

How does it work?

Here’s an example and one anyone with a self hosted blog can do – Share Your Hosting!

How Much Can You Make With Affiliate Marketing?

Sponsored Posts

You are. That’s why they asked you.

Selling Your Own Digital Products

One of the great things about digital products is that you only have to create them once but can sell them over and over!

Selling Physical Products

Selling Your Own Services

Freelance Writing

There is also no limit as to how many people you can write for, so time is your only limitation.

19 Must-Know Questions About Blogging Answered: Your Ultimate Guide to Blogging in 2024!

1 – How Do I Choose A Niche?

2 – Do I Need Technical Skills?

3 – Can I Make Money From Blogging?

4 – How Do I Drive Traffic To My Blog?

5 – What should I Write About?

6 – How To Deal With Criticism and Negative Feedback?

7 – Is It Too Late To Start A Blog?

8 – How Much Time Does Blogging Take?

9 – Will Anyone Read My Blog?

10 – What Blogging Platform Should I Use?

11 – Where Can I Find Resources To Learn Proper Blogging Techniques?

12 – What Are The Best Practices For Writing Engaging Blog Posts?