31 Days To a Better Blog
*Note: I just found out that Darren Rowse has cut the price of his 31 Days to Build a Better Blog by 50% when you use coupon code: probloggeris5…but you have to hurry because this offer is only available for approx. the next 6 hours (I just picked up a copy of this for myself)!
31 Days to Build a Better Bloge is a workbook designed to help you revitalize your blog by giving you 31 tasks.
How To Use This Workbook:
While originally designed for bloggers to work through over a month – the feedback that we’ve been hearing from bloggers indicates that 31DBBB is being used in a variety of ways including:
- Intense Training – bloggers setting aside weekends or weeks to go through multiple tasks at once
- 1 Task a Day – the way we designed it – one day at a time
- 1 Task a Week – bloggers taking their time with the challenge and making the tasks week long tasks
- Monthly Cycle – bloggers using the tasks again and again each month as a monthly routine for their blogging.
- Occasional Inspirational Resource – bloggers dipping into 31DBBB on a more occasional basis – using it on days when they have time or lack inspiration.
The great thing about 31DBBB is that you can do it at your own pace and in your own way.
Who is this Workbook for?
31 Days to Build a Better Blog is for bloggers at different stages of their blogging including:
- those who have just started a blog but who don’t know what to do next
- those who have had a blog for a while but it’s stalled in its growth
- bloggers with bloggers block and lacking inspiration
This workbook is NOT designed for bloggers yet to start a blog (PreBloggers). It doesn’t cover setting up a blog. If that’s you check out the ProBlogger book which covers this aspect of blogging.
By the end of the 31 Days you’ll have:
- written a variety of different types and styles of posts
- learned techniques for coming up with new post ideas
- promoted your blog in a variety of ways
- built relationships with readers
- reached out to and developed working relationships with other bloggers
- developed an editorial calendar for your blog going forward
- discovered ways to be more connected to your niche/topic
- designed a plan for the next month of your blogging
- All in all the daily tasks are 31 steps to transform you blog into a valuable online asset.
Click Here to pick up your copy for under $10 using coupon code: probloggeris5
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Last Call (EVER) for IM Blogging Bootcamp
Earlier this week we told you that Alice & Lynette are just about ready to shut the doors on their Internet Marketing Blogging Bootcamp intensive coaching program that shows you how to create a low-maintenance, high-profit blog.
Well, time is running out. You have to register by Friday, September 25 in order to take advantage of:
-> This 4-week program. After this Friday, Lynette & Alice won’t be offering it again.
-> The half-off tuition rate. An amazing deal for one-on-one guidance from two experienced blogging for profit teachers.
Again, those details are here for you:
http://IMBloggingBootcamp.com/ims.html
…you’ll find out what you’ll learn week-by-week, what other blogging students think and how to register. If you don’t have a strategic profit plan for your blog, now’s the time to get one!
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Ready for Blog + Profits?
Everyone seems to talk about blogs like they’re the greatest thing…so easy to set up, a no-brainer to make a profit, etc.
If you’ve set up a blog, you know that’s often easier said than done.
But if you’ve got the right guidance, things can go a lot more smoothly…and this will be your last chance to get this type of one-on-one help to turn your blog into a profitable venture.
For quite some time now Alice and our resident technical whiz, Lynette Chandler have been offering their 4-week “Internet Marketing Blogging Bootcamp” where they take you through a series of 4 lessons and practical assignments to help you create a lower maintenance and higher profit blog.
They take you through:
- Creating a deeper connection with your target audience (a target that actually buys stuff).
- Creating an easy-to-maintain blogging routine.
- Selling through your blog (You bet it’s possible!).
- Maximizing your promotion opportunities.
Well, here’s some important news on this highly sought after coaching program:
1. This is the LAST time you’ll be able to register. Alice & Lynette are doing some restructuring and will only be offering the program one last time.
2. Tuition is HALF PRICE. You don’t want to miss the opportunity for one-on-one guidance straight from Alice & Lynette. Get feedback, advice and ask plenty questions to help you on your way to more profits from blogging.
Here are the details week-by-week and information on how to register => Internet Marketing Blogging Bootcamp
We really encourage you to register now. There’s a lot of misinformation about what it takes to make a blog profitable and Alice & Lynette set the record straight, so you can get on the right track with your blog.
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Do You Really Know How To Use StumbleUpon?
If you’ve been online for any amount of time you’ve likely heard about StumbleUpon. But do you really know what it is and how to use it to your benefit?
Well, that’s all about to change because I’ve got a free report for you called: Quick Start Guide To StumbleUpon.
This free report will teach you:
- What StumbleUpon is
- How to find the pop-up up rating box
- What to avoid
- How to convert a Stumbler into a regular visitor
- Getting traffic from StumbleUpon for free
- How to make money with StumbleUpon
- And more!
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Mommy Blogger – IM Blogging Bootcamp Update & Your Own Blogging Voice
A few weeks ago, I issued a challenge to aspiring profitable mommy bloggers to join me for our 4-week Internet Marketing Blogging Bootcamp (not currently available for registration, but we will do one last run soon). Well, we got our 10 moms and we’re just starting Week 2 of the coaching program.
I’m really enjoying working with these moms who have great ideas and plenty of potential.
The Hunt for a UBP (Unique Blogging Position)
One thing many of the participants are struggling with is finding their UBP (it’s our special version of USP…it stands for “Unique Blogging Position”). What makes their blog different from others…why do people read theirs before anyone elses?
It’s not always easy to come up with something concrete and although it helps you to better shape your blogging plan, some of it does just come naturally – after a period of uncertainty. In fact, I was just reminded about this in Perry Marshall’s post Finding Your Voice.
He says:
"ALL artists, writers, engineers and people who create things go through a phase where they're trying to find their voice. At first they do it by imitating other voices that they love. Of course imitation is the highest form of flattery, but flattery isn't the point. Playing guitar exactly like B.B. King isn't the point. It's just a touchstone on the way to figuring out who you are and what you do and what's unique about you. You hone your chops and that groove becomes clearer with time."
Here’s an article by Sonia Simone on CopyBlogger.com called Take 15 Minutes to Find Your Winning Difference that includes some exercises to help you find a bit more of that UBP. She puts forward a few types of blog USPs including a Crossroads USP, Metaphotor USP and Persona Driven USP. If you’re still struggling finding yours, this post may help.
Sometimes You Gotta Just DO
One thing I’m telling our mommies and what I always tell budding bloggers, is sometimes you just gotta blog to figure it out. Much like Perry says it takes time to find your own voice. You can’t decide what / find your voice is when you haven’t said anything yet.
Most blogs evolve over time. Just have a look at some of your favorite blogs…go way back in the archives to the beginning. What you’ll see there is likely quite different to where it ended up. It’s all part of the evolution of our blogs…they grow as we do.
I look forward to what the coming weeks bring and I’ll have more updates soon.
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Mommy Blog Sellout – Moms…
Take Back Your Blogs!
I’m a mommy and a blogger (probably not what you’d refer to as a “mommy blogger”), and have for years taught moms and other entrepreneurial spirited people how to make money from their virtual property. I’ve seen so many moms carve out a living for their families…and even beyond.
But then there is what I’m going to call the “Mommy Blog Sellout”.
I am sorry if it sounds mean, condescending or anything of the sort (please see the edited to add at the bottom of this post before you shoot me !). I say this with care, concern and hope that any mommy blogger who hoped to be earning a living from their blog can appreciate this.
I don’t want to go into a long journalistic depiction of what I’m talking about in regard to this term. Just do a search for “blogher” along with the words “sponsor”, “swag”, etc. You can get caught up on your own if you aren’t already in the loop.
But in short, in an attempt to monetize blogs, mommy bloggers are accepting free product, attendance at conferences, etc. in return for pimping a product (yeah, sorry for the word “pimping” – just trying to make a point). Big name companies know the power of the mom market and instead of paying them for advertising, they are infiltrating mommy blogs with free stuff.
Mommies – Popularity Ain’t Where It’s At
Somewhere along the line, I think the distinction between popularity and entrepreneurial success has been perverted. If you started a blog just to be popular and get some free stuff now and then – so be it. That’s totally cool. But if you started a blog and thought you needed to be ultra popular to make money – I’m sorry, you have that ALL wrong.
I assume that some moms resist commercialism in their posts because they fear they’ll lose readers. Yeah, you probably will…but you know what you will gain? CUSTOMERS. A few hundred customers are way more valuable than thousands and thousands of readers who just want to read about poopy diapers. 
And let’s be serious – by accepting these sponsorships and free stuff, you’ve ALREADY gone commercial, but in a different way. And that way ain’t always very profitable.
Anyway ENOUGH – I Want to Help
Here’s what I want to do. We have a Blogging (for profit) Bootcamp – it’s currently retired from accepting new students. It retails for $297 for the 4-week program, but I want to take 10 want-to-be profitable mommy bloggers through this program – FREE of charge.
I actually run this program with Lynette Chandler. I haven’t talked to her because I rushed to make this blog post (this is something I feel strongly about and just reached the boiling point), but I’m pretty sure I can nudge her to be on board without much trouble. 
Here’s How to Be Considered in the 10
1. Read the details about the bootcamp. Apply ONLY if this is a good fit for you and you are willing to commit to completing the entire program.
1. Submit a ticket under “Product Support” here.
2. Use subject line: “I’m a mommy blogger”.
3. Then tell us about your blog, your goals and why you want to be one of the 10.
Deadline to Submit: 11:59 PM, Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Guidelines: We will contact the 10 chosen moms on Thursday, August 6. Bootcamp begins August 10 – and you must commit to completing your 4 weekly assignments. If you don’t complete – you get booted and we’ll choose someone else.
IMPORTANT: We won’t be able to reply to all the requests. If you are chosen, we will contact you by Thursday, August 6.
EDITED TO ADD: Yes, I am aware that what I am saying here is going to annoy a large chunk of the people I’m talking to (and note: If you’re happy with your blog, I’m not actually talking to you…k?). My goal with this post is to connect with mommy bloggers who are ready to make a change, are willing to learn and accept new ideas.  That’s all…so if that’s you, please apply.
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Suppose This Happened To Your Blog
As I see it, there are 3 things wrong with blogging today:
#1 – Unless you’re consistent with the attention you give your blog, it will never get past the start-up phase, and so any effort you do put into it, ends up being a waste of your time.
#2 – Recommendations aren’t given naturally and regularly, and they’re not relevant to your blog’s topic to make a significant improvement in your online profits.
#3 – Lack of interaction tends to come across as being self-centered. Blogging is a social activity, so in order to build partnerships with other bloggers, you have to be a part of the community and be generous with links and attention.
But it can be tough to overcome these 3 problems on your own, which is why I was so stoked to hear about successful Blogger and Internet Marketer Kelly McCausey’s Blogging Internship program.
Kelly has spent years perfecting her online blogging techniques – and studying and evaluating what it takes to be an accomplished and successful blogger – so you don’t have to.
Her step-by-step program can help you transform your lifeless blog into a profitable one, as she helps you:
** Gain a steady flow of traffic
** Infuse your blog with fresh content
** Increase your readership
** Boost comment activity
** Create a plethora of inbound links
** And so much more…
In just ten short weeks, after fully completing the program – you’ll have raised your level of exposure in the blogosphere, added more than fifty pages of content to your blog, built some great relationships and incorporated new profit points into your content.
Click Here for more information.
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What Should I Blog About? 50 Ideas to Get You Started
What’s the hardest thing about blogging? Coming up with fresh, new content! And you have to publish new posts frequently – twice a week at the very least – to keep readers interested and earn search engine love.
If you’re feeling stuck, here is a list of 50 blogging ideas that are sure to inspire you to come up with new content for your blog. Most of the ideas can be used more than once, so you won’t run out of blog posts for months to come.
(And by the way, if you’re looking for ideas AND want to make money from them, sign up for the Blogger’s Paycheck course)
1. Special events – Relate your blog topic to a special event, national day of, or holiday.
2. News – Subscribe to Google news alert on your keywords and write about the latest news in your niche.
3. Book review.
4. Respond to a post on another blog in a niche similar or related to yours.
5. Blog milestone – Write about your blogging milestones, such as publishing your 100th post, getting your 1000th comment….
6. Niche heroes -Blog about a person who made a positive contribution in your niche.
7. Blog memes – Join in blog memes such as “Wordless Wednesdayâ€. There’s at least one for every day of the week!
8. Product review – An excellent way to work in some affiliate links.
9. FAQs in your niche – Write a short Q & A based on FAQs about your niche.
10. Blog comment response – Write a long and expanded response to a comment on your blog.
11. Predict trends – What do you see happening in your niche in a year? 5 years?
12. Historical view – What was your niche in the past? Or what past event influenced your niche?
13. Top tips on a topic of interest to your readers
14. Best of… – A good year ender, make a list of your best posts for the year.
15. Contests – Organize a contest for your blog readers, or make a list of contests your readers can join.
16. What I learned from… a current event, a person you met, or an experience you had.
17. Definitions – Define terms that are commonly used in your niche but a beginner may not understand
18. New products – Not a review but simply an announcement of a new product relevant to your niche. This is another good opportunity to drop in some affiliate links.
19. Biggest problem – Ask your readers what their biggest problem is about your blog topic or niche. They post their answers in the comments section.
20. Biggest problem follow-up – Summarize the comments from #19 in another post.
21. Biggest problem follow-up series – Write a separate blog post tackling each question from #19.
22. Interview somebody knowledgeable in your niche, or has succeeded in it, or is otherwise interesting to your readers.
23. Big list – Compile a big list of various resources, just like this one. The bigger the better!
24. Reader Survey – Put up a brief survey online and blog about the results.
25. Be provocative. Challenge a common belief or widely accepted idea in your niche.
26. New idea – What new idea about your blog topic or niche have you come across lately?
27. YouTube – Embed a funny, moving or insightful video on YouTube. You can even have a “video day” once a week.
28. YouTube version 2 – Make YOUR own YouTube video. Publish it on YouTube then embed on your blog. This way, you can attract traffic from YouTube to your blog.
29. Freebie – Scour the ‘net for freebies that your readers will love. Or create a freebie of your own, such as a checklist or special report.
30. Personal story – Use a personal story to illustrate an important concept or principle in your niche.
31. Free to publish articles – Check out relevant articles in article directories such as Ezine Articles… but don’t publish them entirely on your blog. Instead, use an article or a group of articles as your take-off point for a blog post, or several.
32. Link love – This is a post with links to other blogs. Some bloggers set aside one day a week to publish a list of the best blog posts on their topic.
33. Photo – A picture is worth thousand words, right? Search Flickr for creative commons pictures that your readers will like.
34. Hot topics – Look at Digg for hot topics in your niche
35. Pros and cons – Examine what’s good and bad about something related to your blog topic
36. Respond to relevant questions you find in Ask.com
37. Guest post – Invite another blogger to write a guest post for your blog
38. Reader’s post – Invite blog subscribers to submit an article or post to be published on the blog
39. Inspirational post – Write a motivational post for your readers.
40. Update an old post with fresh ideas, new learnings and current research findings.
41. Beginner’s guide – What do beginners in your niche struggle with? Write a post to guide them through it.
42. Best list – Patterned after “best dressed lists†make a list of the best ___ in your niche.
43. Worst list – Make your version of the “worst dressed list†for your niche.
44. New uses for – Think of new ways your readers can use gadgets and other stuff.
45. Write about a live event that you attended and what you learned from it.
46. Bribe post – Bribe your readers with a freebie in exchange for subscribing to your newsletter or RSS feed.
47. Around the world – Compare how people in different countries do something related to your niche.
48. Seasonal – Relate the month or season to your blog topic.
49. Blog carnival – Join or host a blog carnival, where several publish posts about the same topic on the same day.
50. Host a virtual “conference†on your blog – Invite “speakers†to publish their post on a specified date and time. Q&A happens in the comments section.
Now that you’ve got a steady flow of fresh content, how do you actually make money from your blog? Visit Blogger’s Paycheck for a step-by-step guide on blogging for profit.
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