From the category archives:

Blogging Tips

About My Blogging

by Money Smart Moms




I’ve been blogging and earning money online for close to 4 years now. Quite simply, I make blogs. Sometimes it’s easy to think that everybody knows the same things that you do, and that you may not have anything new to offer others. I often just assume that everyone knows how to make a blog, or that they’ll “be able to just figure it out”, but then I was among a community of newer blogs, and I realized I had a lot of valuable information to share.

You see, I’ve been there and done that. I made mistakes early on, and I can help you with your learning curve. I’ve tested different ways of doing things, and found what works best for me. If I was starting over and knew what I know now, I’d have saved a heck of a lot of time!

Here’s what I’m hoping to offer you with both Blogging Tips and my How to Make a Blog sections of this site:

- break down of blogging and internet marketing jargon

- shorten your learning curve

- help you focus on ways to make money

- help you understand what your readers are looking for

- show you how to offer value and build relationships

- teach you about branding…you or your blog?

- help show you how to stand apart from the pack

- show you how to take your blog to the next level

- how to grab attention from the get-go

- show you how to become the solution to your reader’s problem

- build your confidence as a blogger

That’s a tall order, eh? It’s not going to all happen overnight, but step-by-step, piece-by-piece we’ll get there. Join along or just bookmark me and pop in time to time to catch up. The great thing about blogging, is it works at your pace. There’s no race, so absorb and learn as you go…you’ll pick it up! You can do this!

If I can do this, you can too…I’m just a girl in my living room sitting behind my computer typing on my keyboard….just like you. The only difference is I’ve had more time to learn from my mistakes- so I’m here to show you what worked, and what didn’t.

I can’t promise that every single person who reads my site will go on to huge success, but I can say that I’ll offer you solid information that may help take your blog to the next level. My goal is to reach out to new bloggers, or intermediate bloggers who are ready to figure out where to go from here…are you ready?

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Let’s look at how to write reviews that convert into sales. While anybody can write a review, basically stating what they like or don’t like about a product or service, many people are lost on how to write a review that translates into sales. When you’re making blogs to make money, it’s important that the reviews that you write not only presell a product in a persuasive way, but get people in a buying state of mind. You can do this in different ways.

We’re going to look at a couple of things you’ll want to include in your reviews:

- solid feedback of both pros and cons of the product or service

- getting your potential buyer into a “yes” state of mind

- your own experience with the product or service

- why this product or service is the best choice over others similar to it

First off, remember that the person reading the review is all ready partially interested, because they’ve searched for reviews on the topic you’re covering…so the question becomes, how can you help them make a decision?

When you learn how to write reviews, you know the obvious things about the product need to be mentioned like the name and use of the product, but often times people also want to know about the pricing, and if you felt it offered enough value for the price you paid.

How did you end up using the product, and is it something that you find you really aren’t using that often, or something you’re coming to rely on quite often? What results are you getting from the product? These are all things that your potential buyer is interested in knowing.

Let’s look at the difference between these two sentences:

I bought XYZ and I like it a lot. You should get it too, because I think you’ll like it as much as I do.

Yeah, you’re not going to be selling anything with a sentence like that…

Now let’s look at how you can change that sentence:

I bought XYZ for the affordable price of XX, and I’ve got to say, for as much as I use the product, it really seems like I got a great value! I’m thrilled that it allows me to do XXX in half the amount of time it used to.

Do you see that by being specific by showing you feel that you got a good value, it’s saving you time, and you’re happy with the results, you’ve conveyed so much more than in that first sentence we used for an example?

What else do you want to include in your product review?

When you’re learning how to write reviews, you want to put people in a “YES” state of mind…you do that by asking questions that the reader will respond “YES” to in their mind.

Examples:

Do you want to do the job in half the amount of time? YES! <– they’re thinking in their mind

Are you tired of being overcharged for programs that don’t work? YES <—- see the pattern here?

Do you want one simple program that can make the job easier? YES <— here’s that “Yes” state of mind we spoke of

A few more things you’ll want to include in your review is a list of the pros and cons, basically what you liked about it, and what you didn’t like so much. When you give a balance, your review is more trustworthy. Now, you don’t have to list a bunch of negatives, but sometimes you can turn a negative into a positive….

Example:
While this product does what it says, it does take awhile to finish the process. I thought it might be faster (Now…watch how we turn this negative into not that big of a deal)…but, I guess since it runs in the background, I don’t really have to think about it, since it’s fully automated, so I can be working on something else completely while it’s working. I guess it’s not that much of an inconvenience, I just thought it would have been a little faster – but for all the work it does, I’m thrilled it’s automated which really frees me up to do other tasks!

Let your blog readership understand what you think the value and easy of use is, along with how you use it, good and bad points, and you’re well on your way to a winning review that will bring along good conversion rates with it!

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Making Blogs: Are You an Ass?

by Money Smart Moms




When you’re making blogs, you have the opportunity to offer a unique perspective. Your voice is your own, but how you speak with other people can really make a difference in how they perceive you. Here’s a simple question….do you think you’re likable, or do you think you’re a pompous ass? Oooh…not quite the question you expected, eh?

Let’s look at your voice, and how it can set you apart.

1. Be genuine…people can see through the bullshit. It’s true- you may think you’re the queen of it all, or can talk about anything like it’s nobody’s business. Maybe you even pride yourself on being able to sling it like a used car salesman. Let me clue you in…it’s much more transparent than you realize.

2. Be kind…people appreciate when you speak to them in a manner that shows respect. Don’t be arrogant, don’t be pushy, and be willing to give a little bit of yourself. In return, you’ll find great rewards.

3. Be unique…copycat bloggers are looking to have a blog like a blog THEY like. Here’s where the problem comes in- if you’re busy trying to copy everything your favorite blogger is doing, you’re not coming off as yourself, and after awhile, you’ll lose your voice.

4. Be likable…don’t be afraid to have a little fun. It’s a good thing to have personality in your writing. Seriously, doesn’t it make a better read? Think about reading a textbook versus reading that juicy novel you just read this weekend…textbook reading is fine and dandy, and gets the facts across, but a great post with personality allows you to reach out to your readers, and shows you’re just like them…a blogger, a person sharing information…and that means they’ll relate, which is something you want.

5. Always offer more…if you’ve got 12 incredible things you do every time you start a new website, by holding back and offering 3 tips– well, it’s sort of lacking. Seriously, help people out, the good karma that comes back is awesome. If you’ve got 12 great tips, then share 12 great tips. Don’t be afraid your “secret” will get out. Trust me, it’s all ready out there, and what you think your guarding, “your gold”, someone else will share it, and then your readers will be like, why wouldn’t this blog have told me about that? Did they know? Why weren’t they sharing it…put it out there…be the best source of information on a topic, and blog readers will come back, because they know you’re offering good quality info, and that’s golden in itself.

Make blogs, make money…just don’t be an ass in the process.

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If you’re going to take the time to make blogs — then make blogs with value.

What is true value? You’ve decided to start a blog, but you aren’t sure what you want to blog about. Maybe you’ve been keeping a personal blog, and while it’s rewarding, you’d like to try to earn a little money from the time you put in blogging. One of the first things you need to consider is what type of blogging you’d like to do.

When it comes to a blog that earns, one of the best ways to get there is by offering people (your readers) something of value. Is there a topic that interests you? Maybe you’ve been involved in a hobby or lifestyle for awhile and think you have tips or valuable information to share. Here are examples of hobbies you can blog about: quilting, hunting, scrapbooking, camping, surfing, jewelry making, freelance writing, and honestly…this is only an itty-bitty look into things you can blog about.

You can blog about topics you’re passionate about: ending world hunger, the green movement, helping breast cancer survivors, trading stocks, wine making, bird watching, and the list goes on.

While you can blog about topics that you aren’t currently involved in, it takes more time and effort to do the research involved. Maybe you’ve always wanted to travel Europe via backpack. Your time and energy you’ve put into researching in the past, as well as the new things you find can make great material for a blog. You’re upcoming trip to Australia can turn into a writing journey- maybe you’ve wanted to scale Everest, and need to research training information. What you learn, you can share on a blog.

Heck, it doesn’t even matter if your hobby is building chicken coops. When it comes down to it most topics are something you can write about…the question becomes can you bring a fresh voice, a unique angle, or will you be able to monetize it?

When you monetize a website or blog, you add ways that your site can make you money, and it then becomes an earning machine for you, creating passive income.

If you’re going to take the time to create something special, quality content, combined with your own unique voice equals fresh content which both people and search engines love. What value can you offer your readers?

One of the things that I hope to do with this blog is to show you not only how to make a blog, or make blogs if you’re interested in creating more than one, but also how to create something of value that will bring people back, help build trust and relationships with your readers, along with offering a fresh voice. Be authentic, offer value, and know your audience. We’ll touch on each of these topics in more depth as we move forward together.

What is true value, and what will you offer your readers? If there are all ready tons of sites similar to yours, how will you make yours stand apart? One of the things I’d like to offer you is that I’ll use language that’s easy to follow along, makes sense, and helps you work towards your blogging goals. I like to take the technical out of things and break them down so that even a child can understand. I don’t know about you, but I like to understand what I read…so that’s what I’m hoping to bring along for the ride.

What kind of value are you going to bring to your blog? What are some ways that you can stand apart?

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Let’s look at the importance of consistent blogging…The goal of most blogs is to increase their readership, whether first-time readers or those returning to the blog after having read something that they liked. There are many things that a blogger can do that encourages both initial traffic and return readership. Most of the battle though consists of providing quality content on a consistent basis.

Quality content is by far the most important thing that your blog should have going for it. Without it, there is no reason to read what you write and without readers you will never be able to accomplish the goals that you have for your blog. The next most important thing though, and something that many bloggers fail to do, is posting to your blog on a consistent basis.

When a reader comes across a blog that they like the content of, they often either try and remember the name of it or bookmark it to their favorites so they can return and read more. If they were to return in a few days and nothing new was posted, they might try again the next day eventually they would give up and think to themselves that this blog is rarely updated. Conversely, when a blog reader finds your blog and likes what they see, if you post regularly and consistently, there will be something new for them to read the next time they visit. After doing this just a few times, suddenly you are part of this blog reader’s daily habit. This means that you have won over a new reader based solely on the fact that you are consistently updating the content of your blog.

Consistently blogging can mean something else too. There are bloggers who like to post to their blog on a daily basis. Their readers get used to checking in every day and seeing what new tidbits or words of wisdom they can find out. If you blog on a daily basis, you should really consider posting to your blog at roughly the same time every day. You could have readers that check your blog as part of their daily schedule. If they know to expect new information from you with a morning or an evening post every day, they can more easily get in the habit of going to your site.

The other thing that consistently posting to your blog does is create a wealth of content for your site. This content gets indexed by search engines and then garners even more traffic and potential readers for your blog.

Posting consistently to your blog is one of the best ways to inform your readers that you care not only about the subject you are posting about, but their experience while on your blog as well. It shows that you are taking into account their valuable time and their need for the information you are providing. Posting consistently is the best way to tell your readers that your blog is a place they can go for reliable information that is both constant and current. It really helps establish both you and your blog’s credibility.

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How Can I Make Money Blogging?

by Money Smart Moms




Are you asking yourself “how can I make money blogging?” I know, you keep hearing about other people doing it, and you’re wondering if it’s real. Yes, it’s real. I make money blogging. No, seriously— I’ve been making money from my blogs for 4 years now. I never dreamed it could be possible, but when I made my first bits of money in the beginning, I knew I’d hit on something.

I’ve worked at home for more than 4 solid years now! I’m in my pajamas right now– typing this out. Seriously, can you believe it? YES! My three dogs (yes three!!!!) are all curled up nearby, and I didn’t have to wake up to an alarm clock. In fact, I haven’t set my alarm in years. Okay, there was that one day I had to be to the airport early, since I was flying to Orlando, Florida…but it was so worth it!!!

Anyway, here I am….making money with blogs, and I’m about to tell you something really cool. Even though I’ve been doing this for a few years, last fall- I found a program that increased my income even more. I’m a true believer in research and wanting to know what else is out there. I found a program that I just adore!!!

I stumbled on it while reading a popular forum that I go to, and the reviews were great. People were raving about it, so I decided to check it out for myself. While you’re asking “How Can I Make Money Blogging?”, I was asking myself– “How can I make MORE money blogging?

That’s where Amy Bass and The Niche Blogger comes in…

I needed to focus and have a more specific goal. I also needed a few pointers so that I could refine what I was all ready doing…All you need is to be pointed to the right path and you’ll be well on your way to making the kind of money you need to make. There are many different opportunities, both online and off. However, the best method of making money that is suited to the most people is blogging- and it’s what I know best.

If you have a good blog up and running with quality content, you can place advertisements on your blog so you can earn money from your readers. Not only that, just last week I got a check in the mail for hundreds of dollars from a direct advertiser who wanted to put their links on my blogs and websites.

Of course, the most money comes to those bloggers who get good traffic and a consistent readership. You might feel like turning away from this opportunity if you’ve never considered blogging before, or aren’t sure how to get started.

The important thing to realize is that everyone was a beginning blogger at first– even me! My husband wasn’t sure what to think when I told him what I wanted to do…now he smiles, because I’ve been doing it for 4 years, and he understands what passive income is all about! He loves that I blog, and can stay home. Since you’re asking “how can I make money?,” now is the time where learning to blog it is important for you.

I highly recommend joining The Niche Blogger in order to get started with your blogging journey. There is no better tutorial site out there and you will get a step-by-step education on blogging from start to finish.

The Niche Blogger – Make Money Blogging

What’s really neat is the sense of community, and the fact that everyone tries to help one another succeed with their blogs. If you get stuck at all, just send me a message on the forum board, and I’ll help you out however I’m able to. (look for Deb on the board)

If you’re concerned that you’re not a good writer, there are many tips and techniques you can use to create blog posts nonetheless. If you are able to send an e-mail and do simple web tasks, you have what it takes to run a blog!

Don’t turn away from this opportunity, and take the time to learn how to become a blogger today. You’ll never need to ask yourself, “how can I make money?,” again! Instead, you’ll be saying– “I make money blogging!”….that’s what I say!

Want to Make Money Blogging? Click here to learn more…

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Blogs and Money

I love blogs. Money just seems to go together with blogs so well! Seriously, I’ve been blogging and making money for 3 1/2 years. June will be 4 years for me! Want to know what made a difference when it came to my blogs? Money starting coming in more and more after I joined The [...]

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Earn Extra Cash

Are you ready to earn extra cash? I know when I started blogging, it was a big motivator! The internet has opened so many opportunities for making money, but one of the best ways to get started earning extra cash is by blogging. When you’re ready to start blogging and earn extra cash, knowing where [...]

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Make Money Online with Blogging

If you’re looking for a make money online opportunity- blogging is the perfect opportunity. It’s no wonder so many people are catching on. You’re not alone…a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet, and teh extra money you bring in from blogging can really help make a difference. I get excited talking about [...]

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Make Money Blogging with a Plan

I make money. Business is going swell. What business am I in? I make money in the business of blogging and web marketing. A lot of people attempt to make money blogging, but things just don’t come together for them, or they don’t know how to go about it. Finding no success, they quickly get [...]

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