It's a mess!! All those strikethroughs. I left them to remind me not to give up! Have had a lot of learning experiences on the road to trying to become a successful blogger. Yes, I did say “trying”. I know it's been 3 years but the goal I'm aiming for - generating consistent monthly income from monetized blogs and affiliate marketing websites - has not yet been achieved.
I am an active participant in a discussion forum called SEOClerks, where you can learn and earn about blogging, writing, affiliate marketing, SEO and a myriad of other tips and tricks that aspiring webmasters need to know.
A question was asked about advice for newbie bloggers. Below (below the star) is the response I contributed.
Tip #1 ~ I did not know about communities and forums when I started blogging. But I'm glad I eventually found out about their existence. If for no other reason that I no longer feel like I'm all alone.
Groups on Facebook and Communities on Google Plus are OK. But if you can find a blogging community or a forum, join it. Try to find one where you can learn and earn. You'll get support and can commiserate with fellow members who are also trying to find their way through the blogging maze.
Join an online writing community, also. It's for article writers. Similar to blogging communities. It helps improve your writing skills. Most of them have revenue-share programs, along with supportive Admin and members.
If you can afford to pay for the blogging courses offered, then go ahead. If you can't, that's where these communities and forums come in handy. Forums like SEOClerks, for example. :)
Tip #2 ~ Find blogs you really enjoy reading (search via Bloglovin or sites like that or blog directories), subscribe and visit often. Leave comments. Find the bloggers that will approve your comments and will also allow you to associate your blog URL to your name as a backlink. Not kidding. If you leave comments on a blog post, they go into moderation and you never receive approval or your comments don't become visible online, leave that blog in the dust! There are too many other bloggers out there who would happy to have visitors that leave comments behind. Leave worthwhile comments. Not one-word exclamations or boring one-liners that make the blogger think you didn't even bother to read their post.
Tip #3 ~ There are many free blog publishing platforms to get started. If you are interested in trying to earn income from your blog, find out what the rules are about monetizing your blog. All blogging platforms are not created equal. Some allow certain things and some don't. You break the rules you will have your blog deleted in a heartbeat!
Tip #4 ~ BUDGETING: Anything that requires a monetary investment and you have the money to pay for it, then go ahead. If you don't have money, use what you have. Your brains, your skills, a laptop (or whatever device you use), and Internet access.
Tip #5 ~ Most important. Don't expect immediate success. Be patient. Be persistent. Persevere.
