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Shortly after I started blogging in January 2012 I had what I like to call a laundry room epiphany, with low readership and dismal earnings I was in the middle of a major pity party when it occurred to me; Almost every career out there worth having requires either a 4 year degree or a lot of working your way from the bottom to the top, why would blogging be any different.
That day I entered my own personal “Blogging University” and decided I would devote 4 years to learning as much as I could about blogging and putting it into practice. At the end of the 4 years I would evaluate if it is working for me and my family or not; until then I am gave it all I could without disrupting the family balance we all love.
(Update: As of middle of 2017 I have finished 5 1/2 years of blogging and am now earning a full-time income– a just above minimum wage full-time income but it is full-time and you simply can’t beat the flexibility of blogging. I work 4 days a week for roughly 8 hours a day. That is 32 hours a week and I get to decided which 32.)
Want to Start Your Own Blogging Journey?
It is as easy as 1. 2. 3. 4.
- Pick a domain name (blog name) and register it: I personally use Go Daddy. This is so simple and inexpensive to do Go Daddy often run sales where you can register your domain name (blog name) for as little as .99 cents.
- Pick a Web Host: I started out with BlueHost. It costs as little as $5.95 a month.
- Get started on WordPress.org. : I started with a free WordPress template and saved up money until I could afford Genesis with the Prose child theme.
- Start blogging: I simply jumped right in (yep that is my first post it makes me cringe but I did it). I learned as I went and I don’t regret it .
(and if you want to earn money from your blog check out this post)
Want To Grow Your Blog : eBooks On Blogging I Recommend
I have read each and every eBook on this list and found them helpful for growing my blog. Some like Blogging For Profit caused my blog to grow by leaps and bounds
Blog Growth
Blogging For Profit Without Losing Your Soul
Delicious Blogging:The Ingredients You Need To Create A Better Blog
The 15 Success Traits of Pro Bloggers: A Proven Roadmap to Becoming a Full-Time Blogger
Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World
iBloom in Business: Equipping You to Build a Successful Business while Living a Life You Love!
You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One)
Networking
How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships
Time Management
21 Days To A More Disciplined Life
Time Management Mama: Making Use of the Margins to Pursue your Passions
At the end of each year of blogging I shared a series of posts on what I learned on the journey so far. Here are the links to those posts.
What I learned My Freshman Year Of Blogging
Blogging University: The Landing Page where you can read my story
Getting Started With Social Media
Creating A Networking: Socializing With Other Bloggers
Keeping Your Sanity While Blogging
What I Learned My Sophomore Year Of Blogging
What I learned during my Sophomore year
10 Sites To Help Your Site Become Awesome
3 questions to ask yourself before you invest in your blog
10 Ways To Make Your Old Posts More Pin Worthy
6 Tips That Will Grow Your Pinterest Traffic
10 Ways To Find Time For Blogging And Life
4 Sources Of Facebook Page Wisdom So Good I Can’t Stop Talking About Them
My Advice To All Bloggers Wanting To Grow Their Site
What I learned My Junior Year Of Blogging
4 Things I Would Tell My Former Day One Blogging Self
Why An In-Depth Blog Review Is Worth Every Penny
7 Ways To Build Blogging Friendships When You Can’t Afford To Go To A Conference
A Simple Tip For Improving Your Photography Skills
What I Learned My Senior Year Of Blogging
Why I don’t Hustle: Blogging In The Margins Of Life
How To Run A Profitable Blog That Doesn’t Take Over Your Life
40+ Companies That Reward You For Sharing Them
3 Task Sheets You Need To Blog More In Less Time
So you Want to Start a Blog – Or Grow the One you Have?
Currently thinking of a few more posts to include in my senior year.
What I Learned During My First Year of My Masters In Blogging
How To Get Awesome Courses To Grow Your Blog Dirt Cheap
What Slow Blogging Is And Why You Might Want To Make The Switch
15 Ways Busy Moms Can Find The Time To Create A Successful Blog
10 Books That Will Help You Grow Your Blog
Other Posts On Blogging
From time to time I stumble across something that is helping my blog in such a big way that I was too excited about it to save it for the yearly updates, here is a list of those articles.
5 eBooks That Have Grown My Blog
Creating A Light Box Effect For Under $2
Simple Tools For Setting Up An Effective Office Anywhere
10 Ways Thrifty People Save Money On Blogging
If you are a fellow mom trying to grow your blog into a steady income source without letting it take over your life join my Snail Pacing Bloggers Facebook Group.
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