When did you start blogging, and how long it took to reach where you are now?
Let me tell you, when I started online… it was actually back in November 1999. I dabbled with many things: getting paid to read email programs, surveys, affiliate products, ClickBank, eBooks, you name it.
In 2010, I got involved with blogging. I set up a free wordpress theme on my host and launched my 3-month IM coaching program. Made around $8k within a few short days by taking advantage of my brand name and my most valuable asset (my 3,000+ subscribers list)
Do not believe the hype that it’s easy to make thousands like that without skills or assets. The opposite is true.
Also read 3 Steps To Become a Pro Blogger and Make Money from Blogging.
What would you do differently if you had to start again? Why?
I would partner with skilled writers and professionals and launch niche blogs (in and outside IM). In fact, I am doing this now because I am too addicted to some keyword research tools I’ve stumbled upon recently. And I actually love to find little-known, underserved industries.You won’t believe how many niche blogs you can build in the health or wealth sector alone. Think of all the different types of diseases people get touched by. Think of the hundred ways people can make offline money or invest money.
There are onesies with high traffic volume (e.g., people searching for specific solutions, products, or information) and low to medium competition. What bothers me the most is the low quality of these sites. If you stumble upon some top results, you’ll notice that most pages are nothing but “distinguished” money sites. Serving their owners and caring less if readers find what they’re looking for.
My aim with my blog network is to serve people and give them what they want, good, valid information at two clicks away.
Also read: Stop struggling — 55 article ideas for ANY niche.
I know the basics and even some advanced stuff. I like WordPress blogging, and my biggest mistakes were not starting sooner with my blog network and not finding the right partners.
Blogging is about writing; you either partner with someone who handles writing (constant writing is critical, either daily or weekly, at least!) and knows their stuff and/or someone who loves promoting the blog (e.g., through blog commenting, forum marketing, guest posting, etc.)
Also Read: 9 Steps To Become a Food Blog Successfully
What mistakes did you make in the beginning?
I love making mistakes. This occurs naturally when trying to learn something new, right? I installed all kinds of plugins and themes and broke the blog. It took me three whole weeks, working day and night, reading, and putting all the pieces to the puzzle together—learning WordPress.I know the basics and even some advanced stuff. I like WordPress blogging, and my biggest mistakes were not starting sooner with my blog network and not finding the right partners.
Blogging is about writing; you either partner with someone who handles writing (constant writing is critical, either daily or weekly, at least!) and knows their stuff and/or someone who loves promoting the blog (e.g., through blog commenting, forum marketing, guest posting, etc.)
Also Read: 9 Steps To Become a Food Blog Successfully
What mistakes do you see others make?
Phew. There are too many to count in a short interview! The biggest ones are:1. Starting blogging with no specific goal
Why do you want the blog? Most people have one answer: to make some money. Good for you. But that’s not a goal. You don’t drive a car for the sake of driving the vehicle or just to go from point A to point B. You have specific goals when driving your car to certain destinations to get things done, right?2. Starting to learn a new skill (blogging) without knowing the terminology or taking advice from beginners or fake “gurus.”
It’s like the blind leading the blind.
I suggest they study the pros and not take for granted what they hear on forums or from people who don’t even own blogs.
3. Giving up too soon and not believing in what they’re starting out.
I like this quote: “Winners never lose, losers never win.” You either start to learn a skill that will pay off for many years to come or don’t dabble with it at all and do something else.
When I started WordPress blogging, I remember I didn’t want just to try it. I made sure to learn the game: the terminology and the basics. I’ve read anything I could get my hands on, browse through Google, and found insider tips—what works and what doesn’t, straight from those who’ve been there and done it.
Plus, I’ve read interviews with pro bloggers and emailed them whenever I had questions, worries, or challenges.
If you’re stuck, Google the challenge. If you’re not sure, ask the pros, not your friends. They are probably not bloggers.
How do you define a super affiliate blogger?
A super affiliate has built his brand name and has a tribe or following (e.g., mailing list subscribers and/or incoming traffic/RSS readers) – the more, the better.
You know you are a super affiliate blogger, not when you make $10k like the pros do, but when you have the status, credibility, and brand recognition they do. You cannot make money online if you Moneyew and nobody knows you, at least not in the blogosphere.
When others know you, you are a super affiliate, and you have a mailing list you can use for traffic, clicks, and sales.
Also read 8 Steps to Become a Successful Video Blog and Make Money.
My brand name my mailing lists, and my skills (I am a copywriting addict and Jay Abraham marketing strategist fan)
However, I would not have reached any blogging success if I had not loved reading and learning from others. Most people don’t like to put in the time and effort to attain their goals, and the majority of people I’ve known or talked with are simply not as patient as I am.
In other words, if you know what you need to achieve, then get it. Do whatever it takes, legally and morally, to reach your dream. The problem is that people think this is a solo game. Not really. Everything we do in life is with the support of others and for others.
You are not alone in this game. You’re either playing in a “team” (you can form yourself or with the help of others), or you’re not in the business.
There’s no shortcut in this. You have to learn the inner game, and the more you know, the better for you and those around you. Information is power, yes! But applied knowledge is the key. You can have the right information, but if you don’t understand it and have no clue what to do with it, then you’ve wasted your time.
Learn to find the correct information from the right people and apply it ASAP.
What is the money of blogging success?
My brand name my mailing lists, and my skills (I am a copywriting addict and Jay Abraham marketing strategist fan)
However, I would not have reached any blogging success if I had not loved reading and learning from others. Most people don’t like to put in the time and effort to attain their goals, and the majority of people I’ve known or talked with are simply not as patient as I am.
In other words, if you know what you need to achieve, then get it. Do whatever it takes, legally and morally, to reach your dream. The problem is that people think this is a solo game. Not really. Everything we do in life is with the support of others and for others.
You are not alone in this game. You’re either playing in a “team” (you can form yourself or with the help of others), or you’re not in the business.
There’s no shortcut in this. You have to learn the inner game, and the more you know, the better for you and those around you. Information is power, yes! But applied knowledge is the key. You can have the right information, but if you don’t understand it and have no clue what to do with it, then you’ve wasted your time.
Learn to find the correct information from the right people and apply it ASAP.
Also Read: 15 Steps To Become a Successful Blog for Free and Make Money Online
WordPress is on your web host because you can control your blog, plugins, and theme. You don’t own the blog with Blogger, but Google controls it. Find a wordpress enabled host that lets you install your blog at the push of a button.
Trying to manually install your blog is a headache. Getting on the WordPress.com platform is free, but no ads/promotions are allowed. This means you must go with the WordPress.org version but do it from a host with Fantastico or a one-click install like the others (e.g., DreamHost, HostGator, BlueHost, GoDaddy, etc.).
The best advice I can give to you (and everybody else) is to never control the uncontrollable (e.g., other people or outside events). You only have the power to control yourself and direct your thoughts and actions to reach your goals, or worse, let them sabotage and distract you from your goals.
This is the challenge we are all facing nowadays, and the one who controls it can lead others to achieve their dreams naturally (by example) and not by command.
What do you like the most: WordPress or Blogger? Why?
WordPress is on your web host because you can control your blog, plugins, and theme. You don’t own the blog with Blogger, but Google controls it. Find a wordpress enabled host that lets you install your blog at the push of a button.
Trying to manually install your blog is a headache. Getting on the WordPress.com platform is free, but no ads/promotions are allowed. This means you must go with the WordPress.org version but do it from a host with Fantastico or a one-click install like the others (e.g., DreamHost, HostGator, BlueHost, GoDaddy, etc.).
Do you have any quick tips for newbie bloggers who want to start a blog that makes money?
Definitely! Money today. Invest your time and money wisely. Take imperiously. Learn from those who have been there and done it. Create your team, and don’t look back. You are on the path to outstanding achievements – you just have to believe in your dream and get out there. Take what’s yours. You develop your skills and are the only one shaping your destiny/future.The best advice I can give to you (and everybody else) is to never control the uncontrollable (e.g., other people or outside events). You only have the power to control yourself and direct your thoughts and actions to reach your goals, or worse, let them sabotage and distract you from your goals.
This is the challenge we are all facing nowadays, and the one who controls it can lead others to achieve their dreams naturally (by example) and not by command.
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