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Starting a blog has been an absolute game changer for my online business.
I want to dive more into this as I expand freelance options for remote workers.
This is my first full month of launching my blog. It has only been 2 weeks and I have already made over $400.
I want to talk about what I’ve done correctly since starting and also share mistakes I made. I also want to give you tips on what I plan to do this year to make my blog more profitable.
So let’s talk about my blog’s growth and highlight errors to avoid, I’ll give you the tools to create a profitable blog in less time. From consistency in content creation to the intricacies of search engine optimization (SEO). Keep in mind, as time goes on, strategies shift—so let’s talk about current practices to guide your blogging journey to success.
Key Takeaways
- Establish a routine posting schedule, aiming for consistency, whether that’s one or two posts weekly.
- Master SEO and conduct thorough keyword research to significantly boost your blog’s visibility.
- Prioritize Pinterest for blog promotion during your initial year and consider short-form videos once established.
Initiating a Successful Blogging Journey
When I launched my blog this month, I wasn’t expecting to make almost $500 in two weeks. My journey has taught me valuable lessons on building a successful and profitable blog efficiently. I am still learning every day, but let’s talk about what has worked for me so far.
Consistent Posting Schedule:
- Aim for two posts weekly (I am doing 2 longer form posts weekly but also posting my short form daily job listings)
- Consistency is vital; two long-form posts consistently outperform erratic posting
Mastering SEO and Keywords:
- An in-depth understanding of Search Engine Optimization is crucial
- Integrate SEO in all aspects: website, blog posts, images
- Keyword research aligns content with audience interests and boosts rankings
Leveraging Pinterest:
- Pinterest should be the primary focus for the initial blogging year and this is what I am trying to build right now
- Use Pinterest to drive traffic: essential for applying to ad agencies, such as Mediavine which requires 50,000 monthly sessions but they also have their new journey program that I have applied for which only requires 10,000 sessions (I will keep you updated on that)
- The platform’s design facilitates direct traffic to your blog
Short-Form Video Content as a Growth Leverage:
- Once established with Pinterest and SEO, explore short-form videos
- Platforms like TikTok can vastly broaden your reach
- Short-form videos can result in viral content, increasing your blog’s visibility
I think this is the way it should be done for growth, however, I did do this backwards because I started with a TikTok account with over 60,000 followers. If you don’t already have this, Pinterest is way better for directing traffic to your website.
| Posting Frequency | SEO Importance | Pinterest Usage | Short-Form Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 times a week | Critical | Primary focus | For growth after |
Essential Strategies for Blog Progression
Posting Frequency Consistency is pivotal when it comes to blogging.
I’ve found that updating my blog twice weekly has been an effective strategy for growth, but it’s crucial to find your own rhythm.
Mastery of SEO Understanding SEO (Search Engine Optimization) has been a game-changer. Regularly consider SEO strategies in your content creation process so that search engines are more likely to rank your blog posts higher, expanding your reach. I urge you to dive deep into learning SEO—it’s a non-negotiable aspect of successful blogging.
The Importance of Keywords Alongside SEO, keyword research is indispensable. Everything published should be based on what your audience is searching for online. This approach isn’t about randomly choosing topics; it’s a strategic move to ensure your content is desirable and ranks quickly on search engines.
Prioritizing Pinterest is so important, that I suggest focusing on Pinterest during your blog’s first year. Unlike other platforms, Pinterest drives users directly to your site—crucial for increasing your blog’s visibility and traffic. This can accelerate eligibility for ad networks like Mediavine, which requires specific traffic benchmarks.
This is what I am doing now and I have noticed a huge spike in my Pinterest traffic. I will say Pinterest does take time to build steady traffic, I expect to see better results in the coming months and I will keep you updated on that. The thing that is so great about Pinterest is that you do not need followers and pins can still drive traffic to your website months even years later.
I just recently took a course on Pinterest and I am trying that strategy for a bit. I will let you know what I think about this in a few months and do a full deep dive into what I think works on Pinterest.
Regularity in Content Publication
Maintaining a consistent publishing schedule has been crucial. In the beginning, allocating time for two blog posts per week fits perfectly into my schedule. This regularity is what I recommend to others as well; if managing two posts weekly is too taxing, then opting for one is better than an erratic posting pattern. I have more blog posts than that on my website currently because I had written some for my other website and then realized they fit this niche better and migrated them over here instead.
Consistent Schedule:
- Posting twice weekly was my ideal frequency
- If twice is too much, once a week is preferable
- Avoid fluctuating between multiple postings and zero postings
Content Strategy:
- Understanding and implementing SEO and keyword research is vital
- Each post should be strategically crafted based on what readers seek and not on your own personal wants (sorry)
- Focusing on a single social media platform initially can be advantageous
For me, my blog’s growth so far has been centred on my grasp of search engine optimization (SEO) and keyword research. Spending time on SEO was something I was sort of familiar with when starting out, but it now governs my thought process, surfacing at least every few hours. Ensuring that content is optimized for search engines like Google is a fundamental step towards gaining visibility and attracting more readers.
I have had 150 sessions so far this month from Google which may not seem like a lot but that is pretty good for a brand new domain.
Additionally, the role of TikTok in driving traffic to my blog cannot be understated. I have to preface, I started with a prebuilt community so it has helped me to build so quickly. Becoming part of an ad network such as Mediavine requires achieving a certain threshold of monthly page views, a goal expedited by the effective use of TikTok to drive traffic.
Grasping the Essentials of SEO
Understanding Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is pivotal – it’s what takes blogging from a hobby to a business. I think about SEO continuously, these strategies determine how easily readers can find my blog through search engines. Everything, from the blog structure to the images you use, plays a part in boosting your search rankings.
Keyword research is equally essential. There’s no benefit in writing about topics that readers aren’t searching for. Before I post, I conduct thorough research to ensure the content is desirable and has the potential to rank well in search results.
Concerning social media, I strongly advise focusing on Pinterest initially. Unlike other platforms, Pinterest directs users straight to your website, speeding up the process of increasing page views – a critical metric for securing ad agency partnerships. Once you have a steady stream of traffic, search engines take notice, which can further amplify your visibility.
For experienced bloggers who’ve nailed their Pinterest strategy and understand SEO well, exploring short-form videos can provide additional reach. Platforms like TikTok can expose your content to a vast audience quickly, which has been an impressively powerful marketing tool for my blog. While it seems tempting to jump onto every social media trend, focusing on what works best for your blog is key.
Summarized Tips:
- Maintain a consistent posting schedule.
- Prioritize understanding and applying SEO strategies.
- Utilize keyword research to ensure content relevance.
- Initially, concentrate social media efforts on Pinterest.
- Once established, consider branching out to short-form video content.
Significance of Strategic Keyword Selection
Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
- Critical for blog success
- Involves optimization of website, blog posts, images, etc.
- Must be researched and understood deeply
Keyword Strategy:
- Integral to SEO
- Guides content creation based on audience interest
- Aims to improve post rankings and visibility
Ignoring the power of proper keyword research can hinder your blog’s potential. It did not take long for me to realize that what I choose to write about needs to be fueled by rigorous keyword analysis, ensuring my posts align with what my readers are seeking.
SEO Tips:
- Use your focus keyword in your image alt text, meta description, and title.
- Do keyword research with tools, I use Keywords Everywhere
- On Google, you want high-search low-competition long-tail keywords
How I Made $400 in Two Weeks
All of this being said, you might be wondering how I made $400 with my blog. It has all been with display ads so far. I am not with a premium ad agency (yet). I do, however, run display ads through Google Adsense. When researching everything a lot of people said to just skip Google Ads and wait for a premium ad agency but I would’ve missed out on almost $500 if I waited.
I have had an unusually high RPM for Google Adsense, I am not sure if this is because of my niche or what but with only display ads, I have made over $400 in two weeks of launching my blog.
If you want to skip Google Adsense, that’s up to you but it has been worth it for me.
Key Takeaways
- Consistency in Publishing: Regularly posting on your blog is crucial. While I maintained a rhythm of two articles weekly, find your own equilibrium. Whether it’s one or two posts, consistency is what counts. Aim to deliver quality content at regular intervals.
- Mastering SEO and Keyword Research: Understanding Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is non-negotiable. It permeates my thoughts constantly, ensuring the content is discoverable and ranks well. Embrace keyword research to ensure your topics are sought-after and optimized for quicker ranking. My first course, Perfecting Blogging, covers our comprehensive SEO methodology that spans your site’s front end to the subtleties within your posts and images.
- Focusing on Pinterest: In the digital realm of social media, divesting your energy across every platform isn’t necessary initially. My steadfast belief for the first year is to concentrate on Pinterest. It’s unique in directing users right to your website – a potent tool for amplifying page views rapidly. By increasing your blog traffic, you catch the attention of ad agencies, like Mediavine, which requires 100,000 page views a month for entry. As your presence on Pinterest strengthens, so does your visibility on other platforms like Google. I witnessed my posts gaining traction, which, in turn, catapulted further visits to my blog.
- Leveraging Short-Form Video Content: Once you’ve established your blog’s foundation and Pinterest strategy, incorporate short-form videos, notably on TikTok. The potential for virality, even with a small following, is stupendous. TikTok, in particular, has burgeoned into our most formidable marketing instrument. Its capability to reach hundreds of thousands is striking, as demonstrated when they invited me to share insights based on my success over the summer.
Conclusion & Final Tips
- Consistent Posting Schedule:
- Aim for two blog posts a week, which proved to be the ideal balance for me.
- Consistency is key; erratic posting can be detrimental.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
- Understanding and implementing SEO is critical; it’s a part of my thought process every few hours.
- SEO enhances your visibility on search engines, allowing higher ranking and greater exposure.
- Keyword Research:
- Integral to SEO, it helps in creating content that readers are actively searching for.
- Targeted keyword usage accelerates blog ranking and relevance.
- Focused Social Media Strategy:
- In the first year, prioritize Pinterest as it’s unique in driving traffic directly to websites.
- Pinterest quickly increases page views, which helps in joining an ad agency sooner.
- Joining an Ad Agency:
- Aim for an ad agency like Mediavine, which requires a threshold of sessions, 50,000 per month.
- An ad agency is a rapid way to monetize your blog through increased page views.
- Leveraging Short-Form Videos (Once Established):
- If your blog is stable with consistent page views and SEO, explore short-form video content.
- Platforms like TikTok can catapult your content to a vast audience with minimal followers.
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