today's topic | criticism

in case you didn't know, once you start blogging - it gives everybody and their mama the right to tell you how you should be doing it. 

am i guilty of this? absolutely. but my zealous advice comes from a place of sincerely wanting to help. not from the fiery pits of critical hell...although some who've sat down with me one-on-one would beg to differ. 

i made a change to MY blog and this is the feedback i received from a subscriber:

if you can't see the video CLICK HERE.

unsolicited criticism isn't just limited to blogging. all you gotta do is live your life and somebody will insert themselves and proceed to tell you what you're doing wrong. 

and to those people you say what?

My Favorite Part of Blogging

i think these "keep calm" memes are way overdone, but because i needed an image and didn't want to spend hours going through Flickr - i chose this one. it was on the first page of the search results. 

photo credit: hgjohn

Catherine, who blogs at Walking With Cake, has a series she does with another blogger in Canada. each week they answer a question on their blogs and i decided to crash the party. 

What is your favorite part of blogging?

i have total creative control of this space. 

yes, meeting and connecting with people all across the globe is rewarding, but that's not the thing that keeps me going. i love being able to say whatever it is i want to say, when i want to say it, without worrying about filters. and i don't need anyone's permission or approval to do so.

not many people have this option. even as a leader and decision maker in corporate America, my creativity was stifled. stepping too far outside the box was frowned upon...even if it made sense. 

i don't have to worry about those kinds of things here. and because i have all the freedom in the world to do what i want in my own little corner of the internets - it makes it easier to deal with the things i can't control. 

moral of the story: blogging is the perfect outlet for control freaks who like to write and share their life story with complete strangers. for free.

Getting More Facebook Likes

The Facebook page for my style blog has grown by 81% in the past three months and I didn't resort to buying "likes" for it to do so. 

Here's what I did to give it a boost:

updated my page more frequently - For me, that means going from 1-2 times per week to 3-4 times. Why not every day? Because it turns into information overload and your messages become diluted. Instead of forcing stuff on my fans on a daily basis, I focus on sharing relevant, quality content I think they'll read, benefit from, and share. 



liked other pages as Discount Thief - This strategy has proven to be super effective for driving people back to my page. In order for this to work, you have to engage ethically on other people's pages. Simply put: no spammy, self-serving comments. Never ever do I mention my blog or my services. If the page owner asks a question, I answer it. If they're making small talk, I chime in. when I read something interesting on their blog, I go to their Facebook page and let them know the value I got from it. It's always about the page owner. Not about me.

Here's what others did to add to my numbers:

publicly recognized my work - The administrator from a group of local bloggers emailed me to let me know I was chosen as the featured blogger of the week. This was a pleasant surprise, especially considering I was no longer an active member of the Facebook group. Keeping with that whole ethics thing, I immediately advised them that I wasn't a member and told them I understood if they needed to rescind. Turns out, since the group is geared solely toward Austin area bloggers - that was good enough for them. Talking about grateful! 



gave me shout outs - Natasha from One Woman's Style and Evolution and Miss Rockwell from Thrifty and Shameless showed me love. Be it blog traffic or growing your social media presence, having people in your corner to toot your horn is priceless. Reciprocating and returning the favor is a must. Promote others and you'll get it back ten fold. 

Are you making progress with your social media efforts? What's working for you?

How Long Should A Blog Post Be?

Last week I participated in the #BlogTrends chat on twitter. The topic for the night centered around ways to  grow our blogs and new technology to aid in the process. 

At some point, somebody asked how long should a blog post be. Now listen. If you've never participated in a chat before this kind of question may seem off topic, but it's not. One of the things I like about twitter chats is that most have an open format. If a question pops in your head - you're free to ask and more than likely you'll get an answer. 

In this particular instance, there were lots of answers. And they were all across the board too. Some folks said they prefer reading longer posts. Others chimed in saying if a post was too short, they felt like it was rushed and half done. 

Here's my advice:

Instead of focusing on how long or short the post should be, focus on what you want to say. 

1. If you're writing a how-to post, have you detailed all of the steps?
2. What's the purpose of the post? What do you hope to accomplish?
3. If a reader lands on your blog for the first time, will what they read make them want to come back?

There's all kinds of blogging tips out there. Some I agree with, but most I don't. 

One thing I know for sure is if your primary focus is on how long your posts should be, you won't have a successful blog. 

What are your thoughts?

Selling Your Soul For Facebook Fans

Kita over at KoKoa Magazine cracked the case on all of those Facebook pages with thousands upon thousands of 'Likes'. She tweeted about it recently, saying some brands are buying their thumb-ups. 

She and I both agreed we weren't going out like that. I tweeted back saying I'll continue to grow my fashion blog page just like I've been doing - one click at a time. 

While I won't rule out purchasing FB ads in the future, you don't ever have to worry about me forking over my hard earned money for other fraudulent questionable social media marketing shenanigans. 

The conversation got me to thinking though. Like, how up until last week, I hadn't hit the 50 fan milestone yet. I was holding steady at 45 for quite some time. The biggest reason my page isn't growing is due to my lack of self-promotion. I publish content and engage, but that's about it. 

Last Sunday I got a new hairdo and shared a pic on my FB page. The photo was accompanied by this simple two word status update: "what'cha think?!" 

Within minutes thumbs starting flying left and right. When it was all said and done, 20% of my fans had weighed in by liking the update and the post was seen by 84 people. I then shared the post on my personal page and had three friends like discount thief. 

The small amount of effort I put into that update took me from 45 to 54 likes. An increase of 20%. 

A social media expert is going to read this and want to give me all kinds of tips and advice on being more strategic. It's not that serious right now. Will it take longer to hit the next milestone? Probably so. But that's ok.

The bottom line is that I already know what to do. I just need to do more of it. More often. 

VIDEO: Bloggy Boot Camp 2012

If you landed here and you're a blogger or you know a blogger - watching this video is a must. 

If you're a blogger searching for a blogging conference to attend - you're in luck. 

If you can't see the video CLICK HERE.

You still have time to get your ticket for Bloggy Boot Camp 2012: Brand Edition.

Got questions? Blast em below in the comments.

Wanna share your blogging conference experience?! Go ahead...in the comments below.

And if you know how to keep me from having these intoxicating looking YouTube thumbnails - please do tell!

The Dark Side of Online Friendships

There's something I've been wanting to share with you for a while now. I was waiting for the right time and decided the whole Facebook friend issue was a good segue. 

I've talked alot about the wonderful relationships I've developed as a result of the online connections I've made. What I haven't talked about are the ones I believed to be genuine and it turned out they were anything but. 

SITUATION #1:

A blogger and I connected on twitter last year and started reading/commenting/sharing each other's posts. She was very vocal about a particular stand she took when it came to mommy blogging and I shared some of the same views. Over time, it seemed like her tweets became more aggressive and self-centered. She was constantly retweeting the praise and recognition she was getting from others. 

Here's what I know about social media: you can use it however you choose, but I don't have to be subjected to it. It's that simple. That's what the unfollow button is for. So that's what I did. I unfollowed her. It had nothing to do with what I thought about her as a person, and everything to do with what I want coming across my timeline. Before I had a chance to explain to her why I had unfollowed, she'd gone over to Facebook and unfriended me. Ok great. Now I know all of the inbox messages we exchanged and the sentiment she shared when commenting on my blog posts should have been taken at face value. 

Here's where I'll also hold myself accountable. I shouldn't have been so naive in the first place. Lesson learned. 

SITUATION #2:

Another blogger and I began our online relationship back in 2008. In 2011 we became closer. I'm not sure how it happened, but we ended up exchanging phone numbers which led to daily text messages and a phone call at least a couple of times per month. I. Was. Thrilled! I'd finally found someone who had the same long-term blogging goals as myself. We bounced ideas off of each other, talked about her coming to Texas for a small blogging event I wanted to have, and ended up sharing very personal details about our private lives. Yes...more than what I already tell you here on my blog. 

And get this. I had told this person about Situation #1 and we both agreed if we ever had any issues with each other - perceived or otherwise - we'd talk about it. Well guess what? That didn't happen. I noticed she wasn't responding to my texts (when in the past, if she was busy she'd tell me...proactively, I might add) and the blog engagement stopped. I called twice and left voicemail messages asking what was wrong and never got a return phone call. 

I was really hurt. This wasn't anything like Situation #1. I walked away from that one and never thought twice about it. But person #2 and I had talked about this very thing and how we were actually friends and how friends don't treat each other that way. To this day - I've been trying to figure out what I did wrong. What did I say or do to offend her? It obviously had to be my fault. 

*By now, I'm sure you're thinking bloggers are extremely dysfunctional. My response to that: we're human. 

SITUATION #3:

This person is the one I've 'known' the shortest amount of time. She's an entrepreneur with a specific focus, but she goes outside of her niche to connect with other people. That was the thing I liked about her. She didn't stay inside her box of industry professionals. 

She sent an email telling me she was coming to town and extended an invitation to meet in person. You know I was all over that opportunity! Well, when it came time for her to be here, I followed up so we could finalize the details. Not a single response. 

You've got to be kidding me. What the hell is my problem?!

I waited a couple of weeks and sent her a note. And in that note, I told her if I'd done anything to upset her to please let me know. 

Can somebody let me know where I'm screwing up so I can fix it please?!

Well much to my surprise, I got a response back with an apology. It turns out she'd been experiencing a multitude of personal issues and her way of dealing with things was to shut down. Ohh how I can relate to that. 

Each one of these situations has taught me something different. And I guess the main takeaway is that the person you've known the longest may not be the person who you have the strongest relationship with. Communication is a two-way street and no matter how much I hold myself accountable, I can't take all of the blame for what may have gone wrong. 

Online relationships can be deceiving. All you have is a person's written word. Their comments, updates, etc. When you look at that and measure it against their actions, they should be aligned. Just like in real life. 

I've got to be really careful how I use the word friend. It doesn't mean I can't initiate new connections, it just means I can't lose sight of what's real and what's not. 

Warning: Abnormal Blogger Ahead

I had a birthday last week and you know what that means. A gazillion happy birthday wishes via Facebook. I make it a point to read and say thank you to every single one.

As I was scrolling through, there were a few that stuck out and made me laugh. In particular, the one from my friend Shonika. She included every possible thing she knew about me when outlining how I should celebrate. 

On the list: hot wings, martinis, and a gift card to a discount shopping store. 

How could someone I've only met in real life one time know so much about me? Occasionally we talk business on the phone, but is it normal for someone to know your favorite food and drink AND shopping habits merely from having an online relationship with you?!

It is if that's the kind of stuff you share - publicly without shame. 

At first, I hid behind a boring "professional" personality. Think 'corporate America online profile' filled with fancy jargon that doesn't mean jack to the rest of the world. I was that. I mean, that's still a part of who I am and always will be, but the truth of the matter is - there's so much more to Miss Donna. 

When I started talking about other things - the fun stuff, my likes, pet peeves, and dreams - that's when my blogging voice come alive. It was at that point I started to get emails and comments from readers sharing their stories as a result of me opening up. Richer relationships developed. I felt like my writing  was more meaningful. Its purpose went beyond pageviews.

You aren't perfect. You remind yourself every time you point to your flaws. 

Instead of looking down on yourself, allow your imperfections to work to your advantage.

I incorporate all of the weird, nerdy, "not normal" habits and hang-ups my family complains about into a memorable and relatable brand. 

I'm self-diagnosed with mild-to-moderate OCD and proud of it dammit! My blogging and coffee addictions don't need an intervention. If I'd rather watch reruns on CNBC instead of going bowling - don't knock it! 

Boldly embrace all of you. Own your authentic self - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I'm late to the party. Tea invited me to her Word Carnival ages ago, so when I needed a topic to write about today, I knew just where to go for inspiration.

We Met, We Ate, We Blogged About It

One of the goals I have with social media is to actually meet as many of my online buddies in real life as I possibly can. 

There was the time when I flew to San Francisco and stayed with a total stranger - who I met on twitter. And then the other time when I invited a total stranger to come stay with me - who I met on twitter. And then Shonika came to Austin from D.C. and we got to meet in person after developing a close friendship - yeah, you guessed it - on twitter. 

Last month, Lynn Asummermoon Davis hit me up on Facebook and told me she was coming to town. I was really excited about this one!

Lynn and I have been online buddies since she stumbled across one of my guest posts in 2010 over at The Work at Home Woman. We've been reading each other's blogs, tweeting, and emailing since then. She's one of those kind of people who has the ability to make you smile just by reading her status updates. Always positive. Always encouraging. 

She's doing an awesome job of growing her social media business, A&D Media, which caters to small businesses and non-profit organizations. The fact that she dreams of even bigger things than she's doing now is contagiously inspirational. The few hours we spent together weren't enough. I invited myself to her place in Jersey so we can pick up where we left off here. 

After we consumed more food than we probably should have, we walked away feeling blessed to have had the opportunity to be in each other's presence. 

And did I tell you this was her first time flying?! 

I'm looking forward to our next encounter...on the east coast!

Email Confession: I Want to Remain Anonymous

Hi Donna,

Started a blog a few weeks ago.  I have been unemployed for over 10 months. What sparked the blog is my husband getting laid off.

I did a lot of what you said - looked for blogs about job hunting/unemployment and most of them are shut down (i'm assuming people eventually got a job) - LOL!

Not sure if you have any other advice.  My biggest obstacle is I want to keep anonymous for many reasons-

 1.  Bashing my old job/mgmt

 2.  In case I do get a job/dont want to hinder getting a job.

 Any info would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your time!

-JC

*************

thanks for taking the time to reach out to me.

yes - quite a few blogs started by unemployed people who talk about their unemployment journey tend to fizzle out. i'm inclined to believe it's because they continue to write about what they don't have - a job - instead of using it as a way of "writing" themselves into a better future and new opportunities. there's not a stitch of data to support what i said. that's merely my opinion.

what are you wanting to accomplish with your blog? what's your reason for writing?

Hugs & Handshakes,

miss donna

*************

Originally I started to document my fun and ridiculous interview stories but now its growing into situations my husband is in and job search/interviewing/networking tips and thoughts based on my 10 months+ of experience.  Its hard being anonymous because I have a nice Facebook and Linked In following but I know most of those people personally and cant be sending them my blog when I am mentioned former managers, jobs etc.  I started a new Twitter but only have 8 followers.  I am following ANYTHING related to unemployment.  I am also posting on the Rants and Raves section of Craigslist one to two times daily.  Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time!
-JC

*************

ok got it.

so now that you've explained why you're writing, what is the outcome you desire? you didn't explain that part.

fill in this blank: By blogging, I want/hope to accomplish ______________________. make sense?!

*************
Help people get jobs, make money, get my thoughts out there?

Totally makes sense.  Hope the above makes sense!  LOL!
-JC

**************

 alrighty then...now we're getting somewhere!

1. help people get jobs - by continuing to blog about the negative aspects of unemployment and bashing your ex-employer, you won't accomplish this. all it does is serve as a constant reminder of your past. you are more than that. you wouldn't have survived in the sales industry all those years had  you not been. you can help people get jobs by sharing your expertise. what lessons do you have to offer someone trying to break into sales? what insider knowledge do you have that would be valuable to someone on the outside? those are the kinds of things people want to read which will help them get ahead.

2. make money - it can be done via blogging, but it takes time. it's pretty much impossible to do if you blog anonymously. having said that - expose yourself. people read blogs because they want to connect with the person behind the blog. we want to know that they're human. you have to be relatable and the only way you can do that is by allowing your readers to get to know you. ads are just one way to monetize. you need multiple income streams. once you establish yourself as an expert, you can then seek out speaking engagements. be bold and creative when it comes to your monetization plan.

3. get your thoughts out there - refocusing on all of the above will allow you to do just that...in a much more constructive way, i might add.
i hope this helps, JC. i appreciate you taking the time to send me a note and for trusting me enough to want to hear my thoughts (see #1). :)

let me know if there's anything else i can do for you and don't be a stranger!

Hugs & Handshakes,

miss donna

*************

Thank you so much for your amazing advice. You are absolutely right. I do need to move on. Unfortunately, I had a really horrible boss who put me down and treated me like garbage. Its hard to come back out of that after dealing with it for over four years. Even before your email, I have started to post more about tips rather than going backwards. I will definitely keep in touch.

THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH!!!!
-JC

It's not always an in-and-out situation. Getting to the root of the problem takes two way communication. Listening is critical.
Do you have a question for me? Feel free to send it my way. 

Niche Blogging: Getting Paid

Now that the new blog is launched, I can go ahead and tell you how I made money from it prior to ever publishing my first post.

photo credit: krisolin

When I started this blog, one of the things I didn’t know was that it would take doing a number of different things to monetize it. I’d read articles where bloggers (most in the technology and social media fields) had been hired to perform services as a result of writing about certain things, and then organizations would reach out to the them to speak or consult on those topics. Not the easiest thing to do here since I talk about so much stuff.

My plan to monetize discountthief.com consisted of seven different methods. I categorized four out of the seven as “long-term”, meaning it would take building up an audience and following in order to make them happen. Still – I wrote them down.

Number 7 on my list was a service.

I had a very vague idea of the service I could possibly offer, but honestly, I didn’t think it would materialize until later. Much later. So as a result, I didn’t have a process or even a description for the service. I hadn’t started brainstorming that far ahead yet.

One Saturday at happy hour with my friend Chris, we were catching up and I mentioned the new blog to her. She was super excited and supportive, as always, and immediately started to tell me how I could offer a service by helping women discount shop. This was along the same lines as what I had envisioned myself.

The next day I had an email from Chris offering to hire me. She’d been wanting to go through her closet and determine what she needed to buy and what things she should part ways with. What she didn’t want to do was pay the approximate $600 for a half-day session with a certified image consultant. She trusted me enough to put her wardrobe and personal style in my hands.

The experience was a success (according to the feedback Chris gave me) and alot of fun! We created several new outfits just by using clothes she already had, and then compiled a shopping list of items and shoes to buy. We headed over to DSW and Marshalls and knocked it out in about 2 ½ hours.

Chris took off her black cardigan and heels and put on  her  bedazzled sandals - one outfit, two ways to wear it.

When Chris told her mom about my new gig and how pleased she was with the outcome, her mom hired me. This was going to be interesting because keep in mind – I didn’t have a system in place to tackle this in person, and figuring out how to accomplish it with an out of town client was sure to be a challenge. I was up for it. Chris’s mom purchased the outfits I picked out and may hire me again to shop for her when she goes on a cruise at the end of the year.

I said to myself: I can do this. I can really do this.

So as of today, my one week old personal style blog has already made a profit. The only thing I invested in was the $10 domain name back in September – with no actual idea of how it would be used.

And now the real work begins. Figuring out a strategy to land more paying clients!

The Big Reveal

Nervous. That's what I'm feeling right now. 

Today would have been my Daddy's birthday. He died when I was 18. Here I talk about how he shaped my life and deposited an entrepreneurial spirit into my DNA. 

My initial goal was to launch my new blog in April. I met the goal of getting it ready by then, but there was nothing really significant about that particular time. And while I've been working on the blog for several months, I wanted its official birthday to have meaning and sentiment. 

So it is today - May 1, 2012 - that I share with you and everyone else the labor of love I've worked tirelessly to create.

It could never have happened without the support of my family, friends, and last but not least, you. 

Thank you Jackie, Latorsha, Linda, Holly, Chrissy, Chris, and my baby - The Girl.

I hope I make you and my Daddy proud. 

**************************************************

www.discountthief.com

****************************************

I dedicate this to the man who loved and adored me unconditionally.

Mr. Johnnie Johnson 

Niche Blogging: Strength In Numbers

Listed in order are the top three all-time traffic sources for this blog:

• google
• Facebook
• The Work at Home Woman (where I guest blog)

It can change from week to week, with twitter making the list instead of google or Facebook, but the one thing that remains the same is TWAHW.

When I started working on the new blog, finding a blog to contribute to in that niche was important. The list above proves it. I'd already developed a relationship with an editor/founder of a site and had been engaging long before she even launched her network. When I emailed and expressed my interest in contributing content, she responded within minutes saying yes. 

Some folks swear by writing keyword-rich blog posts to get traffic. I'm the opposite. I believe you need a community, not SEO. Search engine algorithms can change at any time and I have no desire to write for a 'machine' that I can't control. I'm not saying SEO is a bad thing. Relying on it alone is. 

I've not had one person hire me as a result of guest blogging. But what I have experienced is growth on my Facebook page, more connections via twitter as a result of Holly sharing my posts, and the obvious which is more eyeballs right here on my blog.

When you decide to guest blog, you have to ask yourself why you're doing it. Deciding to do so is a no-brainer if your goal is to move beyond blogging as a hobby.

Here are my reasons:

• exposure to a new group of bloggers
• to build relationships and establish credibility in this new market
• the opportunity to participate in virtual and live events sponsored by the network and its partners

The collaboration has to be mutually beneficial. While the blog's editor was thrilled that I'd ask to join, she wanted to know what I was bringing to the table. A fair question to ask and you should already have the answers before you send a pitch.

Building an audience for your blog takes time, no matter what kind of blog it is or your reasons for writing. Even if you're writing for fun, you want somebody out there reading and engaging.

These points sum it up:

• find a like-minded blogging community/forum before you launch
• identify other bloggers in your niche and start the relationship building process (via commenting/tweet chats/sharing)
• don't become a blog snob get so embedded in that niche and fail to connect with others outside of your target audience

The niche blog journey is not for the faint of heart. I'm enjoying it though. Looking forward to sharing the reveal with you and everything I'm learning along the way. 

Niche Blogging: Getting Started

A couple of weeks ago I shared that I'm in the process of launching another blog. A niche blog. I also told you I was taking you along on the journey with me. 

I've been making notes of things as they transpire, but wasn't quite sure how to go about disseminating the information. I mean, I know I'm going to tell you right here like this, it's just that I couldn't decide when I needed to start. Yes, I tend to over-analyze sometimes. 

I figured sooner would be better than later and to go in chronological order (as best I can). 

Before I tell you about the paid gig I landed as a result of my new blog - the blog that hasn't even launched yet - you might want to hear how this whole thing got off the ground:

• the plan
  - it started off with random ideas jotted down on paper. I didn't try to control my thoughts, I just  went with the flow. As I look back and flip through pages, I have a list of things that bloggers are already doing in this space and on the opposite side I wrote how I could be different. I limited myself to the number of tags/labels I was going to use for each post and came up with those too, as well as how many pages my blog would have. I started off being really themed, but as I began working on it, I changed some things. Side note: This is called the 'Ready Fire Aim' approach. I didn't want to get consumed with over-planning. I wrote down different ways to monetize and prioritized that list. The most important question I asked myself was, "What solutions will this blog provide?". Niche blogs must solve problems. I even went so far as to write down what I thought my biggest challenge would be. 
• the design
  - simple and easy to navigate was a no-brainer. I hate to keep repeating the word "different", but the design is where I could really set myself apart from other bloggers. Everyone else goes with a light background. Ok. I'll do the opposite, no matter how many times I've been told by the experts not to. It works for this concept (I'll talk more about this once we launch) and I can always change it. Like Stephanie O'Dea did with A Year of Slow Cooking, and as I'm doing here, Blogger is my platform. I know you WordPress snobs just predicted my doom. That's alright...we'll talk more about this later on as well. I tapped my BFF who happens to be a graphic design student to work on my header. It's done. I had a vision and she brought it to life. Free of charge, I might add. Thanks Jackie! My blog's design will continue to evolve and the last thing I wanted to do was come down with a case of infatuatedwithmydesignitis. This condition has been known to paralyze bloggers. 
• the execution
  - the plan and design would be useless without it. After many long talks with myself and dealing with self-doubt, I got up one day and put the plan in motion. Once I got going and determined how many posts I would need to sustain the blog in the beginning, I estimated a launch timeframe. With working on content and allowing time for testing, April is the magic month. That's all I can guarantee. No exact date. I put in anywhere from 11-14 hours per day. I was starting to develop insomnia because I couldn't make my brain shut up. That was no fun. I've been sleeping much better these past couple of weeks. I've turned my Google calendar into an editorial calendar because I need one for this project. I have to keep track of post topics and frequency. 

So there you have it. That's basically what I did. None of which occurred when starting this blog.

Of course, I'm here to answer your questions. Do you have any suggestions?

Niche Blogging: Does it Really Pay?

When I reviewed Holly's eBook, I let the cat out of the bag and told you I'm working on another blog. Since January I've been behind the scenes planning, researching, and developing content. I'm shooting for an official launch date in April and it looks like I'm going to make it. 

It's not uncommon for bloggers to have more than one blog. Particularly those who blog for a living. It makes total sense if you're looking at blogging as a business. Multiple blogs equals multiple streams of income. I'd been going back and forth with starting another blog, but reading Can You Make (real) Money Blogging? got me to take action.

I can't speak for everyone, but here's why this new project works for me:

• No Niche: This blog doesn't have one. I enjoy being able to write about whatever I want to write about on any given day. But with everything I've read from folks who are successfully monetizing their blogs, their first piece of advice is to find a niche. I asked myself three questions: (1) What could I write about without getting bored?  (2) Is this topic something I can expand upon in the future? (3) Since there are a gazillion people blogging about this subject, how can I make my blog different? One blogger suggested staying away from over-saturated niches. I say, if you can bring something unique to the table - add value to what exists and fill a void - go for it. No two blogs are the same. 
• Experimenting with Risks: I'm a risk taker. No doubt about it. The new blog will be somewhat of an experiment for me. I'm putting the niche advice to the test AND opening myself up to alot more criticism in the process. There's a love-hate relationship with bloggers in this particular arena and it gets worse when you're paid. The sellout factor increases dramatically. Those who blog for fun simply can't understand why you're accepting compensation and they don't have a problem voicing their opinions. You get to be a part of the experiment. I'm going to share what I'm doing and take you with me on the money making journey. I'm sure there'll be lots of lessons learned along the way. 
• Positioning for Long-Term Goals: While making money with this blog is high on my list of priorities, the blog will serve another purpose. By focusing on this one area and sharing my expertise (yes, I just sinned by calling myself an expert), this will give me the opportunity for more media exposure. I haven't stopped chasing the tv personality dream and I won't stop until I get there. 

When I go live, you'll hear about it first - right here. Thank you for giving me a platform and challenging me to evolve.

Oh yeah...if you have any advice, I'd love to hear it and if I can answer any questions - let me know!

'Blogging Success': the eBook

If you're new around these parts, you may not know I've been a guest blogger for Holly Hanna over at The Work at Home Woman since January 2010. Has it really been two years already?!

Holly launched her blog in 2009 and recently published her first eBook. When she asked if I'd be interested in reading it and sharing my thoughts about it with you, I seized  the opportunity. Immediately!

Blogging Success: Tips for Creating Content, Getting Traffic and Monetizing Your Blog is loaded with resources and sprinkled with Holly's personal blogging story. 

Who would get the most out of this book:

This is the ideal book for a beginner and/or intermediate blogger. Someone who has started the process, but  could benefit from avoiding costly mistakes along their blogging journey. Holly does a great job of setting realistic expectations when it comes to growing your audience and becoming a paid blogger. Something I think the blogosphere could always use more of.

If you're like me and have been blogging for a few years, Blogging Success has takeaways for you too. I walked away knowing I haven't taken advantage of all the different FREE ways I could be driving traffic to my blog. Holly introduced me to online resources I never knew existed.

What would've enhanced this book:

As someone who's looking to build a business around blogging, I would've liked to see more in depth information on the how-to's of monetizing. Holly did, however, stress the importance of having multiple income streams. This is of particular interest to me, as I'm in the process of launching another blog - one with a specific niche.

With all of the content packed into these 44 pages, it would be damn near impossible to cover everything. My advice for Holly is to write a second eBook devoted strictly to blog monetization. This is the stuff bloggers crave! Blogging Success lays the foundation to build upon.

How am I going to use this book:

I printed one hard copy (per the Copyright Notice) and I'll create an action guide specific to my blogging goals using the resources and insight Holly provided. As with any other professional development tool, you won't reap the full benefits unless you're willing to do the work. I'm going to read this book more than once. That's the best way to take advantage of all it has to offer.

For a limited time, you can save $10 by using promo code THANKS. Pick up your copy of Blogging Success: Tips for Creating Content, Getting Traffic and Monetizing Your Blog by clicking on the link.

Each one of us has our own unique way of digesting information, so I'd love to hear your thoughts about it.


Disclosure: Holly provided me with a complimentary copy of this eBook for the purposes of conducting this review. I received no form of monetary compensation. This post does not contain affiliate links and the opinions expressed are solely my own.

Email Confession: I Want MORE

"Hello!

I found your blog quite by accident awhile back, and although I’m not a daily reader, I really appreciate what you’ve accomplished. I think I remember seeing one of your blogs some time ago that addressed how you submitted articles to magazines and what you went through. My question to you is – can you direct me to that blog again, or give a gal some help in that area? I want to submit an article to MORE Magazine – I’ve never been published before since I write primarily for myself, but I have a story I think would be so interesting to middle-age women needing a change, and MORE caters to women in my age group. Thanks! BSW"

*********************

Hey BSW!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog. I appreciate it. Yes, you did read where I shared my experiences with getting articles published.

Congratulations for taking the initiative to reach out to MORE. It may take a couple of tries before you get someone's attention, but don't give up. Be prepared to possibly having your content published online vs. in the print publication. I actually prefer digital because your stuff stays on the internet forever. When you send your pitch to the editor, be sure to tell them how their readers will benefit from your piece. What will they gain/learn? What void are you filling? If you have a compelling story, tell it, but be brief.

Here's their Media Kit - look over it. Let them know which audience(s) you're going to reach. I hope this helps. Wishing you much success and shoot me a link to your article once it's published.

Hugs & Handshakes,

Miss Donna

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE

• doesn't matter if you've visited one time or one-hundred, I'll do my best to answer your questions
• if there's someplace I can send you for more information, I'll share that too (here's a great post about the scary truth of getting media coverage)
• something on your mind?! let me know. send a note to info@donnaljohnson.com. let's keep the conversation going!

Bloggers Don't Get Paychecks - Part 2

I'm really excited to announce my video project with Social Moms on behalf of their client, Nature's Path Organic Foods.

When I wrote Bloggers Don't Get Paychecks and shared the opportunity on my Facebook page, some of you wanted to know how this came about:

• I've been an inactive member of Social Moms (SM) since 2008 or 2009 (when it was known as Twitter Moms). I continue to get the newsletter and scan it for opportunities. When I saw the call out, I completed the questionnaire immediately. 
• Since I wasn't active in the SM community, I really didn't expect to get a response. Much to my surprise, I received an email from the SM team telling me they'd checked out my blog and videos and liked them. I'm making it a point to bring up my inactivity because there are some networks who give preferential treatment/better opportunities to members who engage more and/or pay for premium membership privileges. This isn't the case with SM. Thanks, Megan. 

• The fact that I have a YouTube channel was instrumental in me being chosen. All I had to do was point to my videos and let them speak for themselves. No convincing on my part. The decision makers were free to draw their own conclusion as to whether or not I'd be a good fit to convey their brand messaging.
• To increase your chances of getting paid gigs via your blog, you have to diversify and show all of your talents. Text-only blog posts won't cut it.You have to stand out and be memorable.

• This opportunity was pretty lucrative in my opinion, especially for a first timer like me. It took planning and scripting and directing. It's more labor intensive than writing a post to review a product. The only instructions I received were to be creative, incorporate music/dancing, and keep it under 30 seconds.
• Having a social media presence to be able to share and spread the message is very important, but SM or their client didn't focus on my follower/fan/subscriber numbers. They were interested in my content. If you think you can't put yourself out there until you grow your following, I'm here to tell you I have less than 6,000 twitter followers, just under 200 Facebook fans, and I'm holding steady at 53 YouTube subscribers with no viral videos. Some bloggers are interested in popularity contests and trying to penetrate the in-crowd. I'm not one of them.

You have to get clear on your goals for blogging and take steps every day to move you closer to achieving those goals. You have to be ready for the opportunity before it ever presents itself.

Stay humble, show gratitude, and help the person next to you. 

The spotlight might be on you at the moment, but you can't forget about the community who gave you the platform to shine.

This is not a sponsored post, meaning I'm not being paid to write this. I was compensated for creating a video for Nature's Path.

Vague Blog Disclosures Suck

At some point if you monetize your blog, you have to figure out how you're going to disclose the pay-for-play relationship you have with brands and sponsors you work with.

That's the decision I'm facing as I get set to announce my first paid spokesperson opportunity.

The guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission pretty much leave it up to the blogger as to how we do it, they just want to ensure it's done. 

I've seen it done all kinds of ways - from having a blanket disclosure statement to spelling it out in posts. Some bloggers take the extra step and let their readers know, link by link, when they're promoting affiliates.

Here's how I'm going to disclose the information to you:

In plain, non-confusing, free of legal jargon english at the end of each sponsored post.

Adding a separate disclosure page with cookie-cutter lingo doesn't work for me. Yes, that would make it clear that I may receive compensation, but it's still too ambiguous as far as I'm concerned. If I purchase something with my hard-earned money and decide to write about it, that's one thing. I don't want the lines to become blurred when I'm compensated for giving my opinion.

As my valued reader, it's not your job to figure out when I'm endorsing a product/service for money and when I'm not. I'd be up front with you even if I wasn't required by law to do so.

It all boils down to this: When the shoe is on the other foot, how do I want to be informed? How you answer that question should guide your decision making process when it comes to keeping your audience in the know.

Don't assume I'm turning my blog into fish stick and Febreeze territory. Ain't happening. You got my word. 

I'm simply doing my best to honor our relationship and the trust you bestow upon me. I'm grateful that you take the time to read, share, and engage with me here. 

Amberr declared my blog a "no-bullshit" zone. Let's keep it that way.

Non-Meme Queen: The Versatile Blogger

I've typed and deleted three sentences trying to get this post started. I'm not deleting anything else. Whatever it ends up being, just go with it please?! Great. Thanks.

A few months ago on twitter I had a question about something. I don't remember exactly what, but what I do remember is that Amy came to my rescue and answered it. We've been blogging buddies since then. She lives in Chicago and tells me at least a couple of times a month she wants me to come visit. 

Sit tight, Precious...I'll be there soon as I can!

Three bloggers awarded Amy The Versatile Blogger award. The rules state if your blog is mentioned, you have to tell seven things about yourself and list 15 13 bloggers you think others will enjoy reading.

I appreciate Coffee Lovin Mom passing the torch to me.*

7 RANDOM THINGS YOU PROBABLY DON'T CARE TO KNOW ABOUT TUE®:

1. LEFT. my dominant hand
2. 13. favorite number, was my Daddy's thirteenth child (yes, he had 12 with his first wife)
3. ORANGE. favorite color
4. TERRELL OWENS. the man I plan to marry, he doesn't even know I exist but that's ok
5. OUTBURST!. my ROTFLMAO equivalent, you'll know it when you hear it
6. HEIGHTS. I don't do em
7. BETWEEN A & B. my bra cup size

BLOGS I GOTTA HAVE IN MY LIFE

1. hotchocolocatecaramelmocha
2. The Work at Home Woman
3. The Numbers Whisperer
4. Teen Entrepreneur Blog
5. Learn What Not To Do
6. Libra Fitness Austin
7. Miss Coupon Diva
8. Cassius Blue Consulting
9. 12 Most
10. The VaVoom Factor
11. Dump Your Frump
12. Girl Talk With Marlo
13.  Mel Robbins 

* I'm the self-proclaimed 'Non-Meme Queen'. As such, this is my first and last time participating in one of these.

Thank you kindly, Management.