Blogging Secret Sauce
Your next steps to success: networking and detective work
Update to Blogging Secret Sauce: I was inspired by YOU, my online tribe
Looking for blogging secret sauce is like looking for the fountain of youth.
And yet time well invested.
You would think that a bloggers success solely relies on their content. And while this is partially true, it’s about the trust we develop with our audience – our online presence.
Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. This means that I’ll be providing some recommendations that have made a big impact on setting up my blog. Selecting those will not cost you a penny more, just helps fund my dreams.
In my last piece about blogging, “Launch Your Blog in 5 Steps,” I covered the ins and outs of getting your vision out into the virtual world. We talked about:
What comes next is what I consider to be true hard work: getting your brand out there.
And the secret sauce to being a successful blogger is: networking and detective work.
Making new blogger friends and gathering proper intel will empower you with fresh ideas, direction and best practices. Might sound simple; but, will require quite a bit of elbow grease: long hours and tired eyes.
It all boils down to “how bad do you want this?”
A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.
Colin Powell
Networking Time
Building a social family can make or break your dream. It’s incredibly important to find your tribe, your new blogger family. And the quickest way to do this is by joining a community of bloggers.
It may seem a little odd at first; but, making new virtual friends will expand your horizons exponentially.
Trust me on this one. You will be blown away by the level of support waiting for you out there. Strangers, hundreds of strangers, ready to weigh in on your questions and offer help, suggestions, applause.
Pro tip: My favorite social go to: Twitter! These “strangers” will become your new fan club and source of much inspiration. Feel free to check out my Twitter Account for inspiration… not bad for a bloggerpreneur.
Detective O’Clock
Read, investigate, take free e-anything – When you were in school, you studied for a test. When you decided to interview for a job, you studied up on the company. When you decided to book that first big vacation, you brushed up on locations and compared pricing.
So, why would this be any different?
Here is where the fork meets the road. Do you want to be just “one in 30 million” or do you want to stand out?
To stand out, you’ll need to dig in and do little recon. And your daily investment in this new venture should include:
- Posting on social media (1 to 3 times a day, minimum)
- “Stalking” those industry leaders (follow, DM, subscribe to their websites/YouTube channels)
- Taking free e-courses (take as many as possible without spending the big bucks – then start slow: $20-30 online courses before ever spending $300-500…. if ever)
- Downloading free e-books (makes it easy to plug into this new world and read/listen in the car, home, work, etc.)
Pro tip: First month, I signed up for both Amazon Audible and Kindle as they both offer free trial periods. I ultimately chose Audible and couldn’t be happier. During my last business trip, I finished my first blogging instructional on Audible and believe it or not, I feel ready to publish my first e-book!
BTW – can we talk about that instructional? Wow! A big thumbs up to Joseph Hogue. His e-book, “Make Money Blogging: Proven Strategies to Make Money Online While You Work from Home” covers 9 proven strategies. And did I mention that his e-book is totally free on Audible and Kindle?
What’s Next?
Organize yourself and get to writing – Make a list of 12 topics that you would love to write about. And that will cover a minimum of one new article of new content per week for the next 3 months.
I recommend that you start slow so that you don’t burn out. Don’t forget, you will also have to make time for Tweeting, Facebooking, posting on Instagram and Pinterest. And if you’re interesting in vblogging – YouTube is a whole different animal.
Pro tip: Stuck on what to write about? Don’t feel locked in. You can write about anything ranging from your specific passion to simple pleasures in life. Click here for 125 topics to choose from today.
Good luck, you’ve got this!
Get your free printable version of this guide and my step-by-step instructional on setting up your Bluehost account by filling out the form below.
[wpforms id=”1353″ title=”true”]
As with anything else, blogging has it’s many layers. Some more complicated than others. Yet similar to an onion, you can sit back and slowly peel away to the core, discovering new aspects to this dynamic and understanding the road-map to success.
What is your most important advice about blogging? Leave a comment below, we all want to read about your experience.
such a great tips, thanks for providing more insight into the blogging world
Emma! Your message was lost on the server — darn it! Appreciate you stopping by. Blogging can seem very overwhelming – it’s a lot easier that it looks. Let me know if you need any help! Stay safe.
I had my doubts about Twitter, but I am so glad I got on! I have “met” so many great bloggers there, including you!
You are such a sweetheart Cassie! Thanks 🙂
Great post. Such great tips! X
Oh wow – thanks Eden!!! Means a lot when folks read and stop to drop a comment. Happy holidays!
I definitely agree: take free everything: courses, offers, materials, advice! And you are so right! The blogging community is wonderful. Twitter has also been my easiest and most successful platform.
So true for me as well Christine! I feel constantly supported and inspired. What has been your biggest “challenge” platform?
Instagram, for sure. The follow to unfollow is the most ridiculous strategy out there.
100% agreed – that algorithm drives me crazy ! LOL
Great tips, especially about finding your blogging tribe. I have two really amazing blogging friends who I talk to near enough everyday and they keep me motivated throughout this process.
Hey there Nicola – thanks for stopping by 🙂 Am a fan of your stuff too. Amazing to think that one could build friendships virtually and find so many people w/ a common voice. Cheers!
I’m excited to apply some of your great information!
Thanks Paula 🙂 Love your landing page – have you always had one? I had one w/ my first website last year on WIX but then opted out on WordPress…
I’ve been playing with the layout quite a bit. I like the landing page but not sure if it’s effective.
Keep us posted! I’d be interested to know how it works out — maybe you could write a piece on that 🙂 #Blogmas
Hit that one right out of the park. Great post. I just started with BlogLovin” – love it. But I definitely agree that Twitter is the master at becoming a part of a supportive community.
Hey Nancy!! Sent BlogLovin’ an email – would love to get on w/ them… what’s your recommendation?
Wow, thank you for sharing this! I like the tip about 12 topics, I should start organizing my blog content.
Thanks Migle – I love your blog and everything about it: content and format! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
This is so helpful x
Hey there Bailey – thanks for stopping by 🙂 You are one of those bloggers that I “gently stalk” – so inspirational 🙂
this is such a great post!! So many great tips here and you’re right, building up your own little support network is so crucial on this platform!!
Hey Molly! Thanks for the comments – so true, no tribe = no support and to be honest I’m blown by everyone’s content!
Aw, Grace! You’ve done some serious research, thanks for sharing this with us! I especially like the tips about pacing yourself and realistically planning ahead – that’s such a good point! 12 posts in 3 months is way more manageable than 12 posts in less than 2 weeks, for instance. And of course, all of the hidden extras like social media posts all adds up and needs to be factored in as well.
Well done, you have got this!
xoxo
Hanna Rose
Latest Blog Post: Christmas Blog Post Ideas Part. 3
Hanna thank you so much for stopping by! Heading over to your blog – needing much inspiration – you being the perfect one – for the December Blog-fest I’ve agreed to do — yikesss!!! am I crazy or what?!! 🙂
No! You’re not crazy, just enthusiastic! Be sure to enjoy it and remember, there’s no pressure really, except that which you put on yourself! So, be gentle on yourself! Hanna x
Thanks love! You’ve also inspired me to reach out to BlogLovin’ – hope they accept me as a featured blogger 🙂 fingers crossed!
Thank you for this. Very helpful!!
Thanks for stopping by!! I’ll return the favor and head over to your blog as well 🙂