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Photo by Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash
When I came back to blogging seriously 18 months ago, two years ago now, I wanted to connect with people. Get my writing out there, and yes, make money blogging,
I’ve started to think of blogging and writing as two different things. One informs the other, but they are different.
Yes, I’m writing a book. That’s my writing. I have in the past been paid for freelance writing and corporate writing, which has always been different but connected to my blog.
When my working options became um, geographically limited (more on that later) I wanted to monetize this actual blog.
Here’s how:
I went self-hosted.
After 7 and a bit years of what my husband called a hobby blog, I wanted to buy my own domain for blog freedom.
I chose Lyrical Host, because they are UK-based (but support bloggers all over the world) and are more about people than profit. It’s managed hosting so they do all the technical stuff (including free website migration as part of the deal), or teach me how. The support tickets are answered immediately (really) and no question is too silly. I’ve tried.
There’s an extensive Knowledge Base of info, monthly freebies and challenges, a theme tweaking service, and even unicorns in their Facebook group.
Also, use GIN10 for 10% of any hosting plan.
More about Lyrical Host hosting and services can be found here.
In terms of blog traffic, Traffic Transformation from Lena Gott at Adventures in Blogging and What Mommy Does, helped me build this year’s blog traffic to be the best yet. I’m talking quadruple from when I started working the tips in Traffic Transformation if you’re good at numbers.
I also took Lena’s Adventures in SEO course. What I learned from there put this post on the first page of Google, which lead to other off-blog opportunities. If you want more eyes on your words, learn from Lena.
Adventures in SEO isn’t open now, but check out the Adventures in Blogging courses page for more available resources.
And if we’re talking blogging, I invested in The Genius Blogger’s Toolkit again this year. The Genius Blogger’s Toolkit, is A BUNCH of blogging resources at an amazingly discounted price. It covers everything you can think of about blogging and more. There’s stuff for new bloggers, and not-so new bloggers.
I still use what I learned last year, and the year before, and this year is even better. There’s an option to get the bundle with cheat-sheets you can use with all the info, to get to the stuff you want to learn faster.
The Genius Blogger’s Toolkit 2020 is available soon now, click here to get your bundle of blogging resources to boost your blog.
Something else that’s helped me grow my blog is Pinterest and Suzie from SuzieSpeaks works all my Pinterest magic. As an update to this post, my reach and engagement on Pinterest has doubled. Pinterest was consistently my top traffic source (Except for that time I went viral on Facebook.)
And I should say, since I started working on SEO, my Google traffic beats Pinterest, specifically in the last three months.
But Pinterest is down to Suzie, her click-worthy pins and Pinterest know-how. And I guess I write pinnable blog posts, too.
And I can’t write a blogging resources list without mentioning Facebook. Especially Facebook groups.
Here’s a list of the groups I’ve found to have the most supportive people in them:
Write Better, Blog Better: Writing Support for Bloggers
Momfluencers Networking Community
Blogging Breakthroughs with Faith Mariah
Sharing, Promoting, Inspiring Bloggers
and um, my group, Blogging & A Beverage
And if listening to podcasts is your thing, I shared some of my favorite blogging and writing podcasts over here.
So, there you have a list of my current go-to blogging resources. All the stuff that’s made me look at blogging in a new way in the last couple months, allowed for more connections, and made blogging even more fun.
I hope you find something in here that’s just the boost you need!
What’s your favorite blogging resource lately?
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49 Comments
Thanks for all the great tips Lovely Lorna ?
Wednesday’s post is networking for introverts. You’re fine, but tell your friends. Ha!
Ha ha! I’ll be sure to spread the word lol!!!
I haven’t heard of some of these groups, so I will have to check them out. Thanks!
Cool beans, Tiffany. Hope you find some new faves.
Some very useful tips here, Lorna. I will spend some time following your links. Thanks for posting!
Thanks, Paula! You’re in my group now, too. Thanks for joining!
Many thanks, Lorna!
Oooh this is all useful…but I can’t wait to hear more about your book too!! 😀
This is so incredibly useful, whether your goal is to monetize or not, the key is always to grow your readers because we all write to be read! Thanks for this!
Thanks for sharing your resources ? I am self-hosted as well and count blogging groups as my #1 blogging resource. They are a great source of support. I will check out some of the other groups you mentioned.
Thanks for the pickled shout-out, very sweet of you!
Like I wasn’t gonna, ha!
Really great tips Lorna and I’m a big fan of yours and the Pickled Blogs Facebook groups! I’m thinking of going self-hosted but nervous to take the leap!
Racheal, I honesty think you would love it! And Lyrical Host, if that’s what you decide. It’s more than just hosting. ?
I’m going to look into it. I was looking at Siteground as well. Thank you 🙂
I belong to a few of these groups, but others are new to me. I’m heading to check them out now! Thank you!
YOU are def my fave blogging resource! Saving this post for the day I have time!
Aww, thank you, Rebecca! Your networking tips for introverts question is coming up tomorrow.
Wow! Thank you, Lorna, for sharing this with us. Awesome! 🙂
Excellent resources and on a separate note, I’m finally able to ‘like’ your posts from my phone YAY ?
Oh, yay! I was actually missing you! x
Lol! I’m picturing JN in The Shining, hereer’s Johnny!
Such great tips! I wish I would’ve taken a blogging course when I started blogging. I started blogging a bit ago, when things were a little more simple or maybe it was me. Again, I didn’t have a steady knowledge of blogging, I just blogged. 🙂 I have attended a blog conference, it was fun; I got to meet other bloggers and learn more about blogging.
I feel like I need to start trying harder with this whole blogging thing, because I’ve been doing it for years but I just kind of… meander. At the same time, any concerted effort to do anything about it fills me with fear. (As does Pinterest. I read your post about it, but I am still entirely terrified of it and its potential for stealing my life/time.) So it’s possible I will just continue to… meander. But maybe if I ever get over that I’ll come back to this post.
Thank you, this was extremely informative. I’ve never considered doing a blogging course, but it sounds like this one was really helpful for you and reaching your goals. The price tag does make me a little worried, but I think it may be something I’ll need to consider. I always have the green light for Yoast SEO but it still seems like I’m missing something key when it comes to blogging.
Hello from another American living elsewhere! The payment plan on the course worked for me, ha. I like getting green lights on Yoast, but it isn’t everything. Love your blog, keep going!
All good resources (especially the groups!) I’ve often wondered about how much those courses can offer to non-niche bloggers, and so have not taken the plunge, but I know I need to pull the trigger on self-hosting. I just haven’t yet.
I’m not niched, and I’ve well, taken lots of takeaways from this course, ha! And I can’t say enough about Lyrical Host!
I just read through this and enrolled in the free 5 day course with It’s A Lovely Life. But I’m trying to figure out the whole self-hosted thing. I recently repurchased my domain name and signed up for the WordPress.com personal plan, but now I’m thinking I should have ventured out and did a self-hosted blog instead. Money is so tight so I hate to have wasted it. Definitely feeling a little confused and hoping I’ll be able to glean some info from this course and figure out what direction to take my little blog.
Have fun! Get a notebook and pen, ha! In terms of hosting, I went from the free WP to paid self-hosting. If you’re transferring from other site, I believe the transfer fee renews you for a year. And the actual migration of your data is free, at least with my hosts.
Great post about blogging resources, sure it will help many. Pinterest is the thing for me if I am looking for more traffic to the blog. And, a proper responsive theme is also very essential for making your blog easily accessible to all…..I have recently shifted to a new theme from Pipdig, and i am quite satisfied with the results. But, in the end it’s all about the content you create…:)
Well put, Lorna, all of it. I love many of the FB groups you mentioned as well. My fave blogging resource lately is a few blogging BFFs I’ve gotten to know through some of those groups, whom I can bounce stuff off of at any hour of the day or night – if they aren’t up working at the weird hours I sometimes am (though they often are), I know they’ll get back to me whenever they ARE online next! 🙂
Lots of goodies thank you, Lorna…I treied self hosting a while ago and failed miserably but maybe if I am honest I din’t prepare enough and I didn’t feel wholey supported by my host …Lyrical Host sounds like it might be the one I need…Thank you 🙂 xx
Thank you Carol. They are the best. The support is amazing. So helpful and they do all the techy bits and more. Free migration from where you are is part of all packages, too. I also have 10% of coupon if and when you’re ready.
Did you do the WP or the linux package ? and thank you 🙂
Both, but I’m told Linux only worth it if your site isn’t WordPress. WordPress packages best if you’re running on WordPress!
ps. Mine is WordPress. Gin10 at checkout means 10% off first payment on any, with yearly or monthly options.
Thank you, Lorna…I will it out when I come back from my short break/jolly…
Have fun!
Oh I intend to, Lorna…Haha…Have a great weekend 🙂 x
I love your writing style, and thank you for the tips.
Thanks, Phil. I wish you a good word day.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing. I requested to join your FB group.
Hi Cindy, happy to have you!
I love this post! One of my favourite things about blogging is the Facebook and twitter community, it’s always such a pleasure x
And I love that you’re in my FB group!
Thank you for having me 💕
Hi Lorna – Thank you so much for sharing and the mention of Sharing, Inspiring, Promoting Bloggers FB Group. I truly appreciate that. I also pinned this post in my Group board