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Blog za milion
Kdo by v dnešním světě nechtěl vědět, jak založit úspěšný blog? V této knize se dozvíte, jak v dnešním blogerském světě vyniknout a jak tímto způsobem dokonce vydělávat peníze. Kniha vás seznámí s radami těch nejúspěšnějších blogerů a blogerek a to všechno nezávisle na věku či povolání. Založte si svůj blok, nebo pozvedněte již ten existující na vyšší úroveň díky četbě této skvěle napsané knihy.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2016
68 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 22, 2016
The Million Dollar Blog, by Natasha Courtenay-Smith, is an advice book written mainly for those who wish to run their blog as a business. The emphasis is on how to monetise the venture, be that directly through the blog itself or by using it to draw in clients to an endeavour it supports.
The book starts by encouraging everyone to blog. It then goes on to discuss the best way to prepare for this new adventure. It covers content, branding, the importance of aesthetics, and of finding a niche that allows the creator to be enthusiastic about their subject whilst remaining authentically themselves.
“Every blogger interviewed for this book has talked about the importance of authenticity and of the reader’s uncanny ability to see through a blogger who’s just in it for a fast buck and not committed to offering real entertainment value and information.”
Despite the title, there is acknowledgement that creating and maintaining a financially successful blog takes time, support and hard work.
Interspersed within the narrative are numerous tales of successful bloggers who achieve hundreds of thousands of hits and earn staggering sums, although often from more than just blogging. They are also motivational speakers, run training courses, produce video guides, paid for digital content, and books such as this one. Blogging is a part of what they do but it is not the whole story.
There is some discussion about content and the alleged short attention span of many readers. Quality writing, it seems, is not the route to a successful blog.
“Whether content is good is entirely subjective. There is plenty online that doesn’t impress me yet it has huge readership and vast followings”
The author talks of scannability, listicles, clickbait and of finding a unique voice. She believes that to flourish a blog requires a constant stream of fresh content to maintain engagement. She returns several times to the need for search engine optimisation. A presence on multiple social media platforms that encourage reader interaction is advised, but hits from search engines will apparently bring the people most likely to purchase whatever is being sold.
The time required to research, create and promote content on an active blog is acknowledged.
“If you really want to achieve something and get where you want to be, you have to work hard. If you want to do it as a hobby you can do it in your own time, but if you want to do it as a job you’ve got to put the hours in because you’ve got a lot of competition.”
Throughout the book I was Googling the various blogging aids being suggested. Most required a financial outlay. If blogging is to be an integral part of a business, and the author advises that it should be, then some investment is to be expected. The target audience is not the casual blogger.
She mentions blogs for fashion, travel and luxury goods but only touches briefly on those whose aim is to raise the profile of a cause. Even then their success appeared to be linked to activities outside the blogosphere, the blogs offering an introduction to the wider world of PR.
I would have been interested to know what the author would make of book bloggers. They do, after all, support an industry where financial gains are notoriously scarce. As she has chosen to write a book I presume she has some interest in how her creation should be promoted. I will be watching with interest how a digital strategist goes about encouraging sales.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher, Piatkus.
The book starts by encouraging everyone to blog. It then goes on to discuss the best way to prepare for this new adventure. It covers content, branding, the importance of aesthetics, and of finding a niche that allows the creator to be enthusiastic about their subject whilst remaining authentically themselves.
“Every blogger interviewed for this book has talked about the importance of authenticity and of the reader’s uncanny ability to see through a blogger who’s just in it for a fast buck and not committed to offering real entertainment value and information.”
Despite the title, there is acknowledgement that creating and maintaining a financially successful blog takes time, support and hard work.
Interspersed within the narrative are numerous tales of successful bloggers who achieve hundreds of thousands of hits and earn staggering sums, although often from more than just blogging. They are also motivational speakers, run training courses, produce video guides, paid for digital content, and books such as this one. Blogging is a part of what they do but it is not the whole story.
There is some discussion about content and the alleged short attention span of many readers. Quality writing, it seems, is not the route to a successful blog.
“Whether content is good is entirely subjective. There is plenty online that doesn’t impress me yet it has huge readership and vast followings”
The author talks of scannability, listicles, clickbait and of finding a unique voice. She believes that to flourish a blog requires a constant stream of fresh content to maintain engagement. She returns several times to the need for search engine optimisation. A presence on multiple social media platforms that encourage reader interaction is advised, but hits from search engines will apparently bring the people most likely to purchase whatever is being sold.
The time required to research, create and promote content on an active blog is acknowledged.
“If you really want to achieve something and get where you want to be, you have to work hard. If you want to do it as a hobby you can do it in your own time, but if you want to do it as a job you’ve got to put the hours in because you’ve got a lot of competition.”
Throughout the book I was Googling the various blogging aids being suggested. Most required a financial outlay. If blogging is to be an integral part of a business, and the author advises that it should be, then some investment is to be expected. The target audience is not the casual blogger.
She mentions blogs for fashion, travel and luxury goods but only touches briefly on those whose aim is to raise the profile of a cause. Even then their success appeared to be linked to activities outside the blogosphere, the blogs offering an introduction to the wider world of PR.
I would have been interested to know what the author would make of book bloggers. They do, after all, support an industry where financial gains are notoriously scarce. As she has chosen to write a book I presume she has some interest in how her creation should be promoted. I will be watching with interest how a digital strategist goes about encouraging sales.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher, Piatkus.
October 25, 2016
I will freely admit in the last two or three months, my blogging mojo has pretty much crawled away and hidden under a rock with its eyes closed and its fingers in it ears.
An invitation to read this book appeared in my inbox and it intrigued me. Yes it sounded like there was a lot of info for the blogger just starting out but it also sounded like it was full of info and ideas that could help a seasoned and slightly jaded blogger like myself.
Natasha Courtenay Smith is a former journalist who has very successfully turned her hand to (amongst several other things!!) digital marketing, she knows her stuff and I was excited to see what the Million Dollar Blog had in store for me.
Quite frankly it has a wealth of detail, from interviews with pro-bloggers who have been there and done that to helpful tips on how to monetise your blog.
From my point of view it has given me a lot of food for thought, at the moment I don't have any proper advertising on my blog, now I am highly unlikely to become a pro-blogger but a small (or tiny) income from advertising on my blog is something I have seriously considered. The books takes you through the different ways advertising can be placed on your site.
There is also a lot of helpful information on SEO optimisation and getting social, I already love Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram but it has given me inspiration for sorting out my Facebook page and maybe downloading Snapchat - those filters look seriously cute.
I really is an inspiring read, I'm not going to make a million dollars but this book does show that blogging is a seriously business and there are opportunities round every corner for all bloggers from the likes of me to super uber bloggers like Zoella.
Whether you have been blogging for six months or six years, I think you will definitely get something from this book, I did and as for my blogging mojo?, well its came out from underneath the rock!!
Thanks to Piatkus for sending me this copy in exchange for an honest review.
An invitation to read this book appeared in my inbox and it intrigued me. Yes it sounded like there was a lot of info for the blogger just starting out but it also sounded like it was full of info and ideas that could help a seasoned and slightly jaded blogger like myself.
Natasha Courtenay Smith is a former journalist who has very successfully turned her hand to (amongst several other things!!) digital marketing, she knows her stuff and I was excited to see what the Million Dollar Blog had in store for me.
Quite frankly it has a wealth of detail, from interviews with pro-bloggers who have been there and done that to helpful tips on how to monetise your blog.
From my point of view it has given me a lot of food for thought, at the moment I don't have any proper advertising on my blog, now I am highly unlikely to become a pro-blogger but a small (or tiny) income from advertising on my blog is something I have seriously considered. The books takes you through the different ways advertising can be placed on your site.
There is also a lot of helpful information on SEO optimisation and getting social, I already love Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram but it has given me inspiration for sorting out my Facebook page and maybe downloading Snapchat - those filters look seriously cute.
I really is an inspiring read, I'm not going to make a million dollars but this book does show that blogging is a seriously business and there are opportunities round every corner for all bloggers from the likes of me to super uber bloggers like Zoella.
Whether you have been blogging for six months or six years, I think you will definitely get something from this book, I did and as for my blogging mojo?, well its came out from underneath the rock!!
Thanks to Piatkus for sending me this copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2020
Brilliant information for anyone wanting to enter the bloggers world, with tips from those in the industry to step-by-step guides on how to start! It could definitely be shortened, having found “Part 2” of the book most useful, but then I understand the online world. Very engaging, strongly recommend!
July 10, 2018
Všechny možné obecné rady, které kolují po internetu shrnuté do jedné knihy. Nejzajímavější z obsahu byly rozhovory s úspěšnými blogery.
June 3, 2020
I enjoyed this book and it has provided inspiration for my own fledgling blog.
The information is clear and concise, and whilst not providing all the answers, it did encourage me to read around the subject to find out more about the things that really interested me.
The bottom line is blogging is hard work, but if you think about and apply the lessons from the book you can make yourself as successful as you want to be.
The information is clear and concise, and whilst not providing all the answers, it did encourage me to read around the subject to find out more about the things that really interested me.
The bottom line is blogging is hard work, but if you think about and apply the lessons from the book you can make yourself as successful as you want to be.
Read
September 8, 2018Jádrem Descartovy filozofie je motto: "Myslím, tedy jsem." Filozofií Courtenay-Smithové je heslo: "Bloguji, tedy jsem."
Sama kompozice této knihy působí jako blog. Větší kapitoly se dělí na podkapitolky a článečky. Je tu použito různorodé množství fontů, tučným písmem se nešetří a čtenář se nemusí jako klíště držet přísně chronologického pořadí, může si přeskakovat a vracet se k těm pasážím, které ho zprvu tolik nezaujaly. Například se dá publikace číst tak, že napoprvé vynecháte všechny rozhovory s konkrétními blogery o tom, jak začínali. Sepjetí tématu s formou je tedy velké.
Autorka zdůrazňuje důležitost promyšleného plánu a pak vložila do knihy několik rozhovoru, z nichž vyplývá, že úspěšný blogger přišel k blogování jako slepý k houslím. Také mě tahá za uši drobná pasáž o výmluvách, ve které autorka působí až skoro jako workoholička posedlá blogem a možná i taková trochu je. Ale souhlasím, že blogování (jako spousta jiných aktivit) je proces. Člověk se učí postupně a když nezačne, neudělá ten příslovečný první krok, pak se logicky nemůže postupně zlepšovat.
Publikace se rozhodně stane důležitou knihou nejen v knihovničce každého "správného" bloggera, ale je i aktuálním svědectvím toho, jak se mění svět a jak virtualita působí na realitu a ovlivňuje ji.
Přišlo by mi skvělé, kdyby autorka uvažovala o pokračování této publikace, protože se za dva roky zase něco změnilo. Ocenila bych kapitolu o Patreonu, Ko-fi a podobných projektech a o tom, jak do schématu, které představila zapadají.
Sama kompozice této knihy působí jako blog. Větší kapitoly se dělí na podkapitolky a článečky. Je tu použito různorodé množství fontů, tučným písmem se nešetří a čtenář se nemusí jako klíště držet přísně chronologického pořadí, může si přeskakovat a vracet se k těm pasážím, které ho zprvu tolik nezaujaly. Například se dá publikace číst tak, že napoprvé vynecháte všechny rozhovory s konkrétními blogery o tom, jak začínali. Sepjetí tématu s formou je tedy velké.
Autorka zdůrazňuje důležitost promyšleného plánu a pak vložila do knihy několik rozhovoru, z nichž vyplývá, že úspěšný blogger přišel k blogování jako slepý k houslím. Také mě tahá za uši drobná pasáž o výmluvách, ve které autorka působí až skoro jako workoholička posedlá blogem a možná i taková trochu je. Ale souhlasím, že blogování (jako spousta jiných aktivit) je proces. Člověk se učí postupně a když nezačne, neudělá ten příslovečný první krok, pak se logicky nemůže postupně zlepšovat.
Publikace se rozhodně stane důležitou knihou nejen v knihovničce každého "správného" bloggera, ale je i aktuálním svědectvím toho, jak se mění svět a jak virtualita působí na realitu a ovlivňuje ji.
Přišlo by mi skvělé, kdyby autorka uvažovala o pokračování této publikace, protože se za dva roky zase něco změnilo. Ocenila bych kapitolu o Patreonu, Ko-fi a podobných projektech a o tom, jak do schématu, které představila zapadají.
October 4, 2017
This is a very useful book for those of you who want to be a blogger. Strongly recommended.
July 14, 2019
Ako vyniknúť vo svete, kde chce blogovať azda každý a blogové príspevky sa dajú nájsť na každom rohu?
Ako sa blogovaním môžete stať niekým?
Čo vedia najúspešnejší blogeri na svete a ktoré vedomosti (zatiaľ) chýbajú vám?
Nech už ste ktokoľvek - mamička v domácnosti, nádejný bloger píšuci o móde, životnom štýle či stravovaní, majiteľ veľkej spoločnosti alebo malej firmy - v knihe sa dozviete, ako sa z vás stane úspešný bloger.
Naučte sa písať a speňažovať blog, zistite, ako môžete podporiť firmu úspešným blogovaním, a prečítajte si svedectvá osobností, ktoré už v blogosfére pôsobia a zabezpečujú si tým vysoký príjem.
Na túto knihu som sa veľmi tešila a zároveň som sa aj obávala, tak som ju dosť dlho odkladala, hľadajúc najvhodnejší čas…. No aj v knihe sa dočítate, že najvhodnejší čas nikdy nenastane a treba proste začať. Easy, simple a tak podobne….
Toto dielko v sebe spája 2 veci:
1. podrobný (a to fakt myslím podrobný) návod ako si pripraviť pôdu na blogovanie, teritórium, obsah i možný dosah blogu a samotnú prevádzku blogu
2. príbehy blogerov. Autorka je z Veľkej Británie, takže väčšina blogerov v príbehoch je odtiaľ, čo je pre mňa osobne veľmi príjemné. Otázkou je, akú relevantnosť to má 3 roky po vydaní na Slovensku? Veľa z týchto blogov stále veselo fičí, čiže nebude problém si ich pozrieť, skôr uvažujem nad prepojením na našu lokalitu. Ale zas, pri tomto je jedno či je bloger z Hornej Dolnej alebo Maiami, ak má dobrý obsah a venuje sa mu.
A tam niekde začína, stojí a padá celá blogovacia sféra, blog proste nie je záležitosť jedného dňa a ani týždňa, je to beh na dlhé trate (jedným z odporúčaní je aj kontrola úspešnosti po roku, slovom a písmom ROKU, áno o 365 dní neskôr).
Aj by ste boli ako ja a potrebujete aj krátky zoznam, tzv. výcuc, tak nech sa páči:
Čo ma asi na tejto knihe odrádza je neustály tlak na speňažovanie blogu (chápem, patrí to k tomu, ale…). Aj keď ak túto knihu človek číta z pohľadu biznisu, tak samotné vyjadrenie od Natashe je jasné:
Nerada by som niekoho sklamať, ale blog zjavne nebude zábavka na 5 minút v sobotu pred párty z ktorej človek vyťaží ťažké milióny na ďalšiu párty. Je to práca ako každá iná, aj keď pre väčšinu nie úplne ortodoxná…. Dôležité je začať a postupovať ďalej, všetko ostatné príde potom.
Prvá veta: Miestom konania je londýnska štvrť Soho, udalosťou veľtrh London Fashion Week.
Posledná veta: Preto sa pustite do práce - a dajte mi vedieť, škoda vám darí.
Goodreads Challenge 2019: 53. kniha
Ako sa blogovaním môžete stať niekým?
Čo vedia najúspešnejší blogeri na svete a ktoré vedomosti (zatiaľ) chýbajú vám?
Nech už ste ktokoľvek - mamička v domácnosti, nádejný bloger píšuci o móde, životnom štýle či stravovaní, majiteľ veľkej spoločnosti alebo malej firmy - v knihe sa dozviete, ako sa z vás stane úspešný bloger.
Naučte sa písať a speňažovať blog, zistite, ako môžete podporiť firmu úspešným blogovaním, a prečítajte si svedectvá osobností, ktoré už v blogosfére pôsobia a zabezpečujú si tým vysoký príjem.
Na túto knihu som sa veľmi tešila a zároveň som sa aj obávala, tak som ju dosť dlho odkladala, hľadajúc najvhodnejší čas…. No aj v knihe sa dočítate, že najvhodnejší čas nikdy nenastane a treba proste začať. Easy, simple a tak podobne….
Na to, aby ste začali blogovať, nemusíte dostať povolenie a nikto vás vopred nemusí uznávať. Treba však prejaviť sebavedomie, schopnosť predstúpiť pred milióny ľudí a vieru v to, že ste dosť dobrí, aby ste si toto postavenie udržali.
Toto dielko v sebe spája 2 veci:
1. podrobný (a to fakt myslím podrobný) návod ako si pripraviť pôdu na blogovanie, teritórium, obsah i možný dosah blogu a samotnú prevádzku blogu
Práve preto vám rada predstavujem nielen celkový obraz, ale aj zložité detaily…. Musíte rozvíjať všetky naraz.
2. príbehy blogerov. Autorka je z Veľkej Británie, takže väčšina blogerov v príbehoch je odtiaľ, čo je pre mňa osobne veľmi príjemné. Otázkou je, akú relevantnosť to má 3 roky po vydaní na Slovensku? Veľa z týchto blogov stále veselo fičí, čiže nebude problém si ich pozrieť, skôr uvažujem nad prepojením na našu lokalitu. Ale zas, pri tomto je jedno či je bloger z Hornej Dolnej alebo Maiami, ak má dobrý obsah a venuje sa mu.
A tam niekde začína, stojí a padá celá blogovacia sféra, blog proste nie je záležitosť jedného dňa a ani týždňa, je to beh na dlhé trate (jedným z odporúčaní je aj kontrola úspešnosti po roku, slovom a písmom ROKU, áno o 365 dní neskôr).
Aj by ste boli ako ja a potrebujete aj krátky zoznam, tzv. výcuc, tak nech sa páči:
Blogovanie je postupný proces:
* Hľadať vhodnú oblasť
* Vymedziť publikum
* Spustiť blog
* Tvoriť obsah
* Deliť sa o príspevky na sociálnych sieťach a zapájať sa do diskusií
* Počúvať publikum a učiť sa od neho
* Do zunovania sa venovať produkcii obsahu a komunikácií na sociálnych sieťach
Čo ma asi na tejto knihe odrádza je neustály tlak na speňažovanie blogu (chápem, patrí to k tomu, ale…). Aj keď ak túto knihu človek číta z pohľadu biznisu, tak samotné vyjadrenie od Natashe je jasné:
V tejto knihe sme sa zaoberali predovšetkým profesionálnym blogovaním a budovaním blogu ako mediálnej značky.
Nerada by som niekoho sklamať, ale blog zjavne nebude zábavka na 5 minút v sobotu pred párty z ktorej človek vyťaží ťažké milióny na ďalšiu párty. Je to práca ako každá iná, aj keď pre väčšinu nie úplne ortodoxná…. Dôležité je začať a postupovať ďalej, všetko ostatné príde potom.
Prvá veta: Miestom konania je londýnska štvrť Soho, udalosťou veľtrh London Fashion Week.
Posledná veta: Preto sa pustite do práce - a dajte mi vedieť, škoda vám darí.
Goodreads Challenge 2019: 53. kniha
September 16, 2022
How can you stand out in a world where everyone wants to blog and blog entries are pervasive? How does one go from blogging nothing to becoming someone? How do you leverage content as a business owner to strengthen your brand and fuel your success?
Every business knows that blogging should be a crucial component of their marketing and success because it has become the "it" career of the modern era, but it has never been harder to stand out in the environment of digital storytelling.
Whether you are a stay-at-home mother, an aspiring food blogger, or a small company owner, you can succeed.
This is the book Natasha shared interviewed with the top 10 bloggers in different categories. I bought this book 3 years ago but did not read it until now. The book is easy to read but I think this book is more for women than men, this is my experience but If you want to know how blogs and bloggers work you can read this book.
I recently design and developed my own blog "https://ocdil.blog "which I was thinking about for a year to launch. A few days earlier I started to learn how to design an SEO-friendly blog. I am writing my book for a few months, then I thought I should publish my book only on my blog.
I think for these type of topics online articles or videos is better than a book. Because books can be outdated after the time of publication. The latest articles, videos, and SEO information which you can find online easily.
Dil Nawaz
https://ocdil.blog
Every business knows that blogging should be a crucial component of their marketing and success because it has become the "it" career of the modern era, but it has never been harder to stand out in the environment of digital storytelling.
Whether you are a stay-at-home mother, an aspiring food blogger, or a small company owner, you can succeed.
This is the book Natasha shared interviewed with the top 10 bloggers in different categories. I bought this book 3 years ago but did not read it until now. The book is easy to read but I think this book is more for women than men, this is my experience but If you want to know how blogs and bloggers work you can read this book.
I recently design and developed my own blog "https://ocdil.blog "which I was thinking about for a year to launch. A few days earlier I started to learn how to design an SEO-friendly blog. I am writing my book for a few months, then I thought I should publish my book only on my blog.
I think for these type of topics online articles or videos is better than a book. Because books can be outdated after the time of publication. The latest articles, videos, and SEO information which you can find online easily.
Dil Nawaz
https://ocdil.blog
May 31, 2018
Prie pačios knygos neturiu ko prikibti. Ji puiki! Daug informacijos ir naudingos. Ypač pradedantiesiems, kurie dar neturi patirties rašant tinklaraštį. Net gi ir tiems, kurie dar net nežino ką nori rašyti. 😊 Viskas surašyta smulkiai, aiškiai ir paprastai. Nuo tinklaraščio idėjos išsigryninimo iki internetinio puslapio paleidimo, bei pagrindinių socialinių tinklų aptarimo.
Taip pat, gausu informacijos ir įmonėms, kodėl verta rašyti blogą, kaip save pateikti ir kodėl šiais laikais tai net gi būtina.
Labai patiko, jog informacija pateikiama ne sausai ją išdėstant, bet remiantis daugybe sėkmingų blogų įkūrėjų patirčių. Autorė pakalbino tikrai labai daug realiai rašančių blogerių (kiekvieną galite iš kart ir pagooglinti 😃). Kiekvienas skyrius turi tarsi savo herojų, kurio pavyzdžiu autorė tarsi pabrėžia informacijos svarbą.
Autorė moka ir pajuokauti, tad skaityti nėra nuobodu.
Tiesa, knygoje daug kalbama apie tai kaip iš savo tinklaraščio uždirbti, pateikiama daugybė būdų nuo elementariausių iki rimtų projektų. Sakyčiau net gi labai daug kalbama šia tema. Nors man tai nebuvo svarbu, bet ir netrukdė (niekada nežinai ko gyvenime prireiks) 😁
Tad tie kurie svajoja pradėti rašyti blogą, bet nežino nuo ko pradėti ar tiesiog nesiryžta to daryti, ši knyga kaip tik jiems - joje rasite ne tik kaip tą padaryti, bet ir pakankamai motyvacijos savo idėjoms įgyvendinti.
Taip pat, gausu informacijos ir įmonėms, kodėl verta rašyti blogą, kaip save pateikti ir kodėl šiais laikais tai net gi būtina.
Labai patiko, jog informacija pateikiama ne sausai ją išdėstant, bet remiantis daugybe sėkmingų blogų įkūrėjų patirčių. Autorė pakalbino tikrai labai daug realiai rašančių blogerių (kiekvieną galite iš kart ir pagooglinti 😃). Kiekvienas skyrius turi tarsi savo herojų, kurio pavyzdžiu autorė tarsi pabrėžia informacijos svarbą.
Autorė moka ir pajuokauti, tad skaityti nėra nuobodu.
Tiesa, knygoje daug kalbama apie tai kaip iš savo tinklaraščio uždirbti, pateikiama daugybė būdų nuo elementariausių iki rimtų projektų. Sakyčiau net gi labai daug kalbama šia tema. Nors man tai nebuvo svarbu, bet ir netrukdė (niekada nežinai ko gyvenime prireiks) 😁
Tad tie kurie svajoja pradėti rašyti blogą, bet nežino nuo ko pradėti ar tiesiog nesiryžta to daryti, ši knyga kaip tik jiems - joje rasite ne tik kaip tą padaryti, bet ir pakankamai motyvacijos savo idėjoms įgyvendinti.
February 18, 2018
I picked this up from the library as I've just started blogging again after 4 years off. I wish I had this book the first time around! Clearly outlining the hard work that is essential for a successful blog, every chapter also has real life case studies in the form of interviews with huge all-stars of the blogosphere. From reading this I now have a clear plan for my blog, I have a niche (a word I still hate but have to accept!)and I am confidently creating content for my blog. I've posted 7 days in a row so far and have no plans of stopping any time soon. I've since ordered myself a copy to keep as I can see myself using this as an actual manual moving forwards. Highly recommend for anyone looking to make a bit of money from their blogs.
HANDY NOTE: If you blog for business rather than to create a media brand there's only a couple of chapters that will be relevant to you (this was my original intention but I have changed my goal posts now). Still would say worth the purchase as Courtenay-Smith's advice is easily readable and far from preachy.
HANDY NOTE: If you blog for business rather than to create a media brand there's only a couple of chapters that will be relevant to you (this was my original intention but I have changed my goal posts now). Still would say worth the purchase as Courtenay-Smith's advice is easily readable and far from preachy.
December 28, 2020
This book has been on my shelf for a couple of years and I thought it was the perfect time to read it, having started a personal blog earlier this year. Not only did it take me some time to start, but it took me some time to finish too! I dipped in and out of this over a period of 3 months! Despite this, it is a great book with fantastic tips for building a successful blog and has motivational success stories dotted throughout which are very interesting. I liked how the book gave tips on blogging for personal vs. business too, as I do both. I will keep this book on my shelf for years to come so that I can refer back to it when I hit a brick wall. The stand out message from this book is that consistency and persistence is key to blogging success and even the biggest blogs start out small. Also, it reassured me to know that you don’t have to monetise your blog to be successful. Blogs can serve a bigger purpose, as I intend mine to. A useful and motivating read that has spurred me on- just keep blogging!
April 20, 2020
This is by far the best blogging book I've read.
Instead of focusing heavily on what platforms to use and how the author monetised her own blog, it has more of a general business and marketing view of what to do before you start blogging, or what to change once you start your blog and become a bit stuck.
Natasha uses fantastic interviews to inspire and put her points across, which allow you to believe that anything is possible with a lot of hard work and dedication.
I loved this book and will be applying a lot of the things she spoke about, and will refer to it again soon.
Instead of focusing heavily on what platforms to use and how the author monetised her own blog, it has more of a general business and marketing view of what to do before you start blogging, or what to change once you start your blog and become a bit stuck.
Natasha uses fantastic interviews to inspire and put her points across, which allow you to believe that anything is possible with a lot of hard work and dedication.
I loved this book and will be applying a lot of the things she spoke about, and will refer to it again soon.
September 30, 2018
I really enjoyed the book, it is full of good advises, examples and even instructions about what the blogging sphere is about, how to blog, how to create content, how to start, how not to give up and what to do in case you are really tempted to do so.
there are a lot of "to do" and "don'ts", list pf ready to be implemented ideas and hacks on how to start.
It's a good read for those who are looking into digital marketing, have started or are looking to start an own blog.
there are a lot of "to do" and "don'ts", list pf ready to be implemented ideas and hacks on how to start.
It's a good read for those who are looking into digital marketing, have started or are looking to start an own blog.
September 18, 2019
Skvelá kniha !
Keď sa mi dostala do rúk, najprv ma vôbec nezaujala, nakoľko prvé strany boli len o úspešných fashion blogeroch ... ale potom som sa do nej naozaj začítala...Presne opisuje ako písať vlastný blog, ako vydržať a neprestať a pritom mať z toho ešte aj úspešný biznis ...
Skvelé na tom je, že sú tam aj príklady naozaj veľmi dobrých svetových blogerov...
Dokonca som si z tejto knižky musela vypísať niektoré super inšpirácie.
Určite by som sa chcela ešte k tejto knižke vrátiť!
Keď sa mi dostala do rúk, najprv ma vôbec nezaujala, nakoľko prvé strany boli len o úspešných fashion blogeroch ... ale potom som sa do nej naozaj začítala...Presne opisuje ako písať vlastný blog, ako vydržať a neprestať a pritom mať z toho ešte aj úspešný biznis ...
Skvelé na tom je, že sú tam aj príklady naozaj veľmi dobrých svetových blogerov...
Dokonca som si z tejto knižky musela vypísať niektoré super inšpirácie.
Určite by som sa chcela ešte k tejto knižke vrátiť!
April 12, 2021
A useful overview of starting and maintaining a blog, with inspiring stories/interviews with successful blog owners. Plenty of practical advice. The downside is that any print book about online arenas will quickly go out of date - this was published in 2016, so things will have changed and moved on, particularly with social media channels. There's still a lot of info here, particularly for a beginner - but also to help reinspire anyone with a blog that's been stagnating for a while.
February 7, 2018
This is an absolute must for anyone who is serious about running a blog. The writer takes you right to the very heart of the industry and uses the experiences of well established bloggers to emphasise relevant points. The book is well laid out with information presented in bite sized chunks making it far easy to absorb. I’m reading it for the second time to ensure I took everything onboard.
June 29, 2019
Good read! Although the book isn't specific to any country, some information may not apply to certain countries.
However, great examples of real and successful entrepreneurs with lessons to learn from and inspirations to take.
There are really good lists of resources, softwares, tips and tricks too.
Would recommend for someone thinking of starting an online blog and an online business.
However, great examples of real and successful entrepreneurs with lessons to learn from and inspirations to take.
There are really good lists of resources, softwares, tips and tricks too.
Would recommend for someone thinking of starting an online blog and an online business.
July 23, 2021
Motivating one! Explains in good details how a successful blog should be created, however, in my opinion the topic of the book changes on daily basis as the technology and people 's online psychology changes. So I am not sure if the details would be helpful in 10 years from now, but the basics will be as described. Liked it.
May 20, 2023
This book tells you a bit about blogging, gives you many motivational stories and basically it motivates you to start and learn through the process. Ok to read. If you know a bit about SEO, Wordpress and watch basic tutorials on YouTube you can learn similar things as from this book. I would give 3 or 4 stars.
January 13, 2019
It's good for those who just starting bloging or wants to start but don't know how. The book also will be helpful if someone lost hope and giving up bloging. But all it could be placed on 70 pages but not on 270 🤷🏻♀️
January 21, 2019
As I already have a blog and I've got years of research on the topic, this book has nothing new to offer me. However, for those who have no idea where to start, how to promote and how to monetize a blog, this is a pocket-size bible that gives you full knowledge of the whole picture.
May 7, 2019
This is a great book for anyone who has started a blog but is losing motivation. Rather than any step by step method for achieving success, this book inspires with great stories of other blogs success and some the hints and tips they've gathered along the way. An essential read for anyone blogging.
June 4, 2019
I've literally just finished this book and can't wait to put everything I've learned into action!
Natasha, thank you so much for this integral manual! It has lit a fire within me and provided me with the inspiration to just get out there and get on with my blogging idea.
Natasha, thank you so much for this integral manual! It has lit a fire within me and provided me with the inspiration to just get out there and get on with my blogging idea.
August 16, 2019
Inspiring and eye-opening
This book covers everything you need to get started with blogging. It is really useful and inspiring to read the case studies and every time I finished a chapter I was looking forward to working on my blog, Simp!y Shine.
This book covers everything you need to get started with blogging. It is really useful and inspiring to read the case studies and every time I finished a chapter I was looking forward to working on my blog, Simp!y Shine.
March 17, 2021
A good book, with great info for getting started. It would be interesting for an update to understand how blogging Vs vlogging and other media outlets have changed the face of it as video is now so big.
June 9, 2017
Excellent book if you're interested in blogging.
I'm just starting out and the calmness and reassurance in this book crushes the overwhelming feeling of starting a blog.
I'm just starting out and the calmness and reassurance in this book crushes the overwhelming feeling of starting a blog.
January 10, 2018
An inspiring and diverse collection of blogger success stories and different ways that this can be achieved
January 24, 2018
Just what I needed to get me started on my blogging
Easy to follow with excellent examples from successful bloggers.
Easy to follow with excellent examples from successful bloggers.
May 3, 2019
When I first started reading it I was like yessss here’s a book with handy blog tips and life stories from successful bloggers . But now I’m near the end I’m finding it a tedious read .
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