A few months ago I wrote about my top ten blogging tools and I thought it was about time to do a follow up to that post. While I covered a vast majority of my favorite items that have made blogging a little easier, efficient, and effective, there are a few more I would like to bring your attention to. While I will always believe that content is the most important tool to helping your blog grow, connecting with the right people and utilizing the best tools definitely helps. I know only because what I am about to list off have helped me a ton.
1. Blog Consultations
I feel as though these can get a bad rap sometimes just because the thought of paying somebody else to talk blogging with you seems silly. However, do you pay a therapist for advice? Exactly. People work hard to figure out the world of blogging and some of those people really like sharing their wealth of wisdom with those who want to hear it. While I have previously offered blog consultations, I have also received this service from others. Some of my favorite blog consultors are Alissa, Taylor, and Lisette. Know that individually we will never have this thing all figured out, together however we can. Invest in that knowledge, I promise you will gain something from it.
This is one of my favorite services I have found in my three and a half years of blogging yet. Charissa is a master with words and knows how to capture people [ie: your readers] attention. You may remember when I had her write my advertise page a few months ago. I am happy to report I am still reaping the benefits from her work. Regardless if you are a blogger or business owner, you could benefit from House of Bliss. Don’t just take my word for it though, read more about what people are saying here.
Well here is a fun fact for you–I am an idiot when it comes to pinning for my blog. Sure, I know how to click “pin it” (although I typically even forget to do this step), but add in knowing the best key words to type or creating a community on Pinterest and I am lost. Because of this fact, I have hired Jacquelyn to know [and do] all of this for me. It only makes sense to me to invest in a service that I believe will ultimately provide a higher return in the future. While we are on the subject, feel free to follow me over there 😉 Expect to see all sorts of really fun pictures of living rooms, kitchens, and wood plank ceilings. It may be consuming my life.
4. Virtual Assistant
While I do not personally use a virtual assistant at the present time, my email inbox is telling me that I should. Not all parts of blogging are fun, not all are income producing, and certainly not all are things I am awesome at. That’s where a virtual assistant comes into play. If you are at a point with blogging where you feel you would be better suited to outsource some of the time sucking activities [or heck-are looking for somebody to help you grow your income stream] a virtual assistant can be your best friend. My friend Skye is the virtual assistant of all virtual assistants in my eyes. While I don’t believe she is taking on new clients at the moment, she is coaching others on how to become a VA or how to get started working with one. If you fall into either of those categories, I recommend contacting her asap. That or reach out to some of your favorite bloggers who you think may use a virtual assistant and ask them about theirs. You know what’s better than doing work? Having somebody else do work.
5. And as always, a cute planner
I am a planner junkie and believe wholeheartedly in writing everything down. It is the only way I stay 28% sane. I am obsessed with the look of my new 2015 Kate Spade planner. This particular planner is 17 months and starts in August 2014 and goes through December 2015. If you are in need of a planner pick me up, this is the one for you. While on the topic of cute office supplies, Lifeguard Press has tons of awesome options so be sure to check them out. I work only as hard as how cute my accessories are. Needless to say, I’ve been hustlin’ the last few days.
Hopefully a few of these are beneficial to you and your blog. I would love to hear any additional tools/services/people that you have utilized in conjunction with your online space. Do share….
