Showing posts with label Blogging Advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blogging Advice. Show all posts
This beautiful blog space turned "7 years old" this week. Happy Birthday to Caravan Sonnet! It is beyond amazing that we are now at 7 years... 7 years of growing, learning, and sharing... 7 years of becoming and 7 years of such a beautiful and faithful community of love and support.
Since I started writing on this little space in January 2013 (you can read my very first post HERE which just makes me smile), the world of blogging (or as I affectionately call it), "bloggy world" has changed significantly. At the time in 2013 many blogs that I followed and connected with were writing to share their personal lives with readers... a way to connect outside the world that we each lived in. Everyday stories mixed with some practical tips and ideas about how to live fully abounded and it was a sweet time to join "bloggy world". In the midst of so many amazing bloggers and authors who were pouring their hearts out I felt immediately embraced into the "blogging club" and think back to precious friendships (that have sweetly continued) and those early days often.
For me personally I started this blog as a way to reach out from beyond my bedridden existence at the time (due to illness) and as a simple way to keep friends, family, and loved ones informed of what was going on with my confusing health story (which ironically was only going to get more complicated in the months to come). When I started writing in January 2013 I did not know that I was dealing with Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease, Skin Cancer, or a myriad of other health issues.
At the time I started there were no other chronic illness bloggers nor were there people talking and documenting their health journey's. I often felt a bit out of place, especially in those early months of starting when I was still desperately searching for clear answers on my health.
In a twist of irony, I didn't even really write about my health issues on the blog (except for some very general terms) until March 25th, 2013- in very brief details. At the time I did so only because there was a rumor going around that I had Cancer and wasn't sharing my diagnosis out of concern for my former students. At that time I was still a full month away from my diagnosis of Skin Cancer and was not aware of that component of my health journey.
I recently spent some time re-reading back through those first few months of the blog. I remember beyond my words that I was writing with tears behind the scenes, curled up in bed, slowly and painfully typing letter by letter a post, the extreme daily pain that I was in, the intense stomach issues that left me spending any free time away from my bed on the bathroom floor, the lack of support from the medical community, the inability to walk without help, the questions, the confusion, the questions in my faith, the loss of friends and independence, the fear, the unknown, and a desperate yearning to reach out and to grab life despite all of these things.
At the same time there was a beauty to that time period that is impossible to explain unless you have walked through a complete crisis in your life. The complete resoluteness of knowing what you believe, why you believe it, and knowing that despite all circumstantial evidence to the contrary your faith remains in tact. That you can say without hesitancy ... "and if not... he is still good". It is a coming to the end of yourself... the end of what you envision for your life to be and coming to a peace and acceptance of the ways and walls of God.
This has been a road that I never would have asked to walk. Yes, there was and still are deep questions about the future with certain areas of my health and there is a deep sadness after "losing" so many precious years to Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease. I put the word "losing" in parentheses because I have realized that while I used to think that I was losing my thirties (what some have called "the best years of your life") nothing is lost when it is in the hands of our all loving God. I think back to what I wrote in 2013 about learning to be faithful in this new assignment of sickness... and what I have learned is that God has been faithful despite all of my times of unfaithfulness.
The story... I have learned is not about me... but is once again about Him. Some have asked what this looks like for this new season- and how my health is... and right now I am working on writing more about that ... but wanted to share a deep moment of gratitude for your support, your love, and the community that has been built over all of these years here at Caravan Sonnet.
As this blog has changed and morphed into what it is now - more of a cozy luxury lifestyle inspiration and travel blog, I remain so grateful for your love and blessing and support along the way.
Over the course of these last seven years I have grown as a person and a woman. It is not only in the outward areas of writing books, founding Twenty History Lane, and starting two etsy shops (December Caravan and December Lane), but in the deeper aspects of life-by processing in this space through a variety of topics that include life, faith, and love, grief, and loss.
I don't think that you can write vulnerably, deeply, and passionately in a space for seven years and it not change you. Being sick and fighting for my life has taught me to go beyond the surface and to understand a persons story - their history and who they are and the journey that has brought them to the place in life where our lives are intersecting.
The same is true for this place on the blog- and how I share the cozy luxury travel aspect -the history and the story behind a place and a building- the stories here are significant too. In many ways it feels like the blog is coming into a new season in a deep full circle way. Some people say this type of blogging has gone away but I see every single day that it is very much alive in beautiful ways.
As I move forward friends into this seventh year here on the blog I just want to take time to say thank you again for following along, for joining this community, and for all of your love and support over these last seven years. This community has been a huge blessing and built into my life in rich and deep ways. Thank you so much to the brands and press that have partnered with Caravan Sonnet and to the brands and press that will be partnering in the days and months and years ahead! Thank you friends- I can't wait to continue this journey with you and see what beautiful new adventures and days and blessings will meet us in this new year.
Since I started writing on this little space in January 2013 (you can read my very first post HERE which just makes me smile), the world of blogging (or as I affectionately call it), "bloggy world" has changed significantly. At the time in 2013 many blogs that I followed and connected with were writing to share their personal lives with readers... a way to connect outside the world that we each lived in. Everyday stories mixed with tips and ideas about how to live fully abounded and it was a sweet time to join "bloggy world". In the midst of so many amazing bloggers and authors who were pouring their hearts out I felt immediately embraced into the "blogging club" and think back to precious friendships (that have sweetly continued) to this day.
For me personally I started this blog as a way to reach out from beyond my bedridden existence at the time (due to illness) and as a simple way to keep friends, family, and loved ones informed of what was going on with my confusing health story (which ironically was only going to get more complicated in the months to come). When I started writing in January 2013 I did not know that I was dealing with Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease, Skin Cancer, or a myriad of other health issues.
In a twist of irony, I didn't even really write about my health issues on the blog (except for some very general terms) until March 25th, 2013- in very brief details. At the time I did so only because there was a rumor going around that I had Cancer and wasn't sharing my diagnosis out of concern for my former students. At that time I was still a full month away from my diagnosis of Skin Cancer and was not aware of that component of my health journey.
I recently spent some time re-reading back through those first few months of the blog. I remember beyond my words that I was writing the tears behind the scenes, the extreme daily pain that I was in, the intense stomach issues that left me spending any free time away from my bed on the bathroom floor, the lack of support from the medical community, the inability to walk without help, the questions, the confusion, the questions in my faith, the loss of friends and independence, the fear, the unknown, and a desperate yearning to reach out and to grab life despite all of these things.
At the same time there was a beauty to that time period that is impossible to explain unless you have walked through a complete crisis in your life. The complete resoluteness of knowing what you believe, why you believe it, and knowing that despite all circumstantial evidence to the contrary your faith remains in tact. That you can say without hesitancy ... "and if not... he is still good". It is a coming to the end of yourself... the end of what you envision for your life to be and coming to a peace and acceptance of the ways and walls of God.
This has been a road that I never would have asked to walk. Yes, there was and still are deep questions about the future with certain areas of my health and there is a deep sadness after "losing" so many precious years to Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease. I put the word "losing" in parentheses because I have realized that while I used to think that I was losing my thirties (what some have called "the best years of your life") nothing is lost when it is in the hands of our all loving God. I think back to what I wrote in 2013 about learning to be faithful in this new assignment of sickness... and what I have learned is that God has been faithful despite all of my times of unfaithfulness.
The story... I have learned is not about me... but is once again about Him. Some have asked what this looks like for this new season- and how my health is... and right now I am working on writing more about that ... but wanted to share a deep moment of gratitude for your support, your love, and the community that has been built over all of these years here at Caravan Sonnet.
As this blog has changed and morphed into what it is now I remain so grateful for your love and blessing and support along the way. Over the course of these last six years I have grown as a person and a woman. It is not only in the outward areas of writing books, founding Twenty History Lane, and starting two shops (December Caravan and December Lane), but in the deeper aspects of life-by processing in this space through a variety of topics that include life, faith, and love.
I don't think that you can write in a space for six years and it not change you. Being sick and fighting for my life has taught me to go beyond the surface and to understand a persons story - their history and who they are and the journey that has brought them to the place in life where our lives are intersecting.
The same is true for this place on the blog- and how I share the travel aspect -the history and the story behind a place and a building- the stories here are significant too. In many ways it feels like the blog is coming into a new season in a deep full circle way. Some people say this type of blogging has gone away but I see every single day that it is very much alive in beautiful ways.
Along with this has come a new season and change in the blog design (very overdue in some ways I am sure *smiles*). I thought it would be fun to take a look back for a minute...
This picture above was from one of my earliest edition designs (actually it was its third approach at that point)... fun and creative design tabs at the top and creative fonts... bloggy world was just starting to change with these fun additions and I had purchased this design from a friend off of Etsy (she no longer sells designs) and I was so thrilled with it. *smiles* I purchased that design in 2013 and kept that design through 2014 in the summer when I purchased my next design off of Etsy...
This one I really loved and it was a delightful design to grow and change with as the blog started to change. The girl that designed it was so sweet and helpful and although she doesn't do design work anymore I am grateful for her time and help. I kept this design for the next 4 and 1/2 years...
And the design worked well... but moving into this new season with some exciting new changes coming up I knew it was time to make the change... and I am so grateful for Eve's work in designing this beautiful space and helping me to see the vision come to be. If you are looking for a gorgeous and professional design I can't recommend her shop enough. Eve has now designed both Twenty History Lane's website and made the custom changes for Caravan Sonnet. She is professional, extremely generous, and patient beyond words. She helps you create those custom websites that you dream of as an entrepreneur but that you can't necessarily afford. Without sacrificing quality she allows you to build the dream site you are wanting. I can't recommend working with her enough - you can find her shop HERE.
As I move forward friends I just want to say thank you for following along, for joining this community, and for all of your love and support over these last six years. This community has been a huge blessing and built into my life in rich and deep ways. Thank you friends- I can't wait to continue this journey with you!
Since I started writing on this little space in January 2013 (you can read my very first post HERE which just makes me smile), the world of blogging (or as I affectionately call it), "bloggy world" has changed significantly. When I started in 2013 blogging for me was a way to reach out to the world beyond being stuck in my bed due to illness and to keep friends and loved ones informed of what was going on with my health.
Ironically I really didn't talk about being ill (except in some general terms) for the first couple of months on the blog. When I finally did share in March of 2013 (in VERY brief details) about my health it was because there was a rumor going around that I had Cancer and I was sharing that I didn't have that diagnosis because former students were concerned (and at the time we were not aware that this was part of my health journey to wellness).
It's crazy to actually read back those first few months of this blog. I see so clearly that I was yearning to reach out and to grab life, despite being completely bedridden and unable to eat. But at the same time, there was a beauty to it. Not in the fact that things were "hidden", but in the fact that blogging was more about telling your life story and details than what some imagine it is now. At the time bloggers would spend so much time connecting with each other, leaving comments, sharing stories, and really building a community. This makes me smile but there was actually at one point a "big blogger/little blogger" group and my "big" was amazing. I made so many friends during that time of life and it was all through this thing called blogging.
But as the years have passed (and many of those friends don't currently blog at all or as often or as much as they used to), there was also a shift in what blogging looked like. It went from sharing a lot about your life to sharing more about your purchases, your trips, or your career. I don't think this is a bad thing, but I do think that it is a shift that has left people confused on how you can be a blogger as your job. This conversation actually came up a couple of weeks ago with someone very important to me and I was a little stumped on how to exactly explain what it means to work as a blogger. I struggled with words and tried to explain but walked away thinking- what exactly does it mean and look like to work as a blogger?
Definitely not with this person, but with others I have been told that it must be nice "not to have a real job". I have also been told that I must sit around eating ice cream, look at instagram all day long, while writing about traveling (and probably assuming that I binge watch TV all day long). To set the record straight: ice cream is not part of my diet, anyone who knows me knows that I view my phone as a way to keep in touch with loved ones and the IG part is a section of my job, and while I do write about my travels for work, I really don't like TV at all. hahaha. *smiles*
And honestly, I think that I can speak for 100% of those that view blogging as their job that none of those things are even close to the truth (aside from the ice cream - I am kidding hahaha!) But there are a lot of questions that I receive and today I thought I would share what it is I actually do for the blog as my job.
Besides being an author and an Etsy Shop owner, and (being about to announce a new company that I have been working on for months), running this blog as a job takes an incredible amount of time and discipline. My days start very early as I work with brands and companies that are in different times zones and based out of Europe and then can finish very late due to collaborations with companies on the West Coast.
Each day I will read through different contracts, write new ones, and negotiate contracts before me. I am in constant communication with a variety of different brands and social media influencers. I write tons of emails, have phone and skype conferences, engage in interviews, and return (on a typical day) up to 200 emails on various topics. I manage 3 specific social media platforms for this blog and starting July 16th will manage a total of 8 with the new company I am starting.
I have written articles on blogging, contributed to conferences on social media influencing, spoken on the topic of marketing for a conference, and complete all of the marketing for the blog by myself. Some bigger bloggers do have a social media team, but at this point I do not have that so every single responsibility of being an entrepreneur falls squarely on my shoulders. Caravan Sonnet is a for-profit blog, so I deal with all of the budget related to the blog, all of the ins and outs of payments, and file taxes. I photograph and edit thousands of pictures and on average one blog post, after editing several drafts (depending on the content) can take anywhere from 4-6 hours. Some of the more detailed posts of the blog can take sometimes up to 8 hours to complete. I pitch jobs, I deal with the "yes's" and the "no's" and enjoy each moment of it, despite the wild ride it can be. I balance current writing responsibilities while planning future trips, work on brand building, and work to deliver quality content that is unique in a world that has hundreds of thousands of blogs. I am constantly taking classes (online and in person) to help learn new things and improve my writing and photography skills. I also take business classes. I write blog posts weeks and months out and work to build a community with my readers and social media groups, because relationships are important to me.
I don't say any of that to say that my blog is some perfect blog, but instead to share and hopefully give some explanation of what it means and looks like to work as a blogger. I hope that this helps a bit with understanding! When I look back on where this blog has come from 5 and 1/2 years ago and think to the future... I think of all of the things that are to come. Some try to say that blogging may be a dying art or hobby, but I truly believe that blogging as a job is only in its infancy phases. There is so much yet to explore and learn and grow. It's truly exciting to think about!
I also want to say this space has been a blessing to me. A complete blessing. I have processed and written and grieved through a serious illness, I have dreamed and shared joys of the future, and most of all have grown up here. Thank you to each of you who continue to read this blog and all of your support in this journey. I hope you have a wonderful Friday and weekend friends!
Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing Course Honest Review (and a $28 Off Coupon & Discount Code)
April 13, 2017
Grab your Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing coupon: Use the code 28APRIL when checking out HERE. Coupon expires April 16th at 11:59pm.
Bloggy World friends- This post today is specifically for YOU. I don't always write a ton about blogging here on the blog, but I do get asked about it A LOT. Today, I wanted to share with you the reason that I decided to invest in Michelle's class "Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing". I had seen this class floating around blog world for a long time and around Pinterest. I really debated on purchasing it though as I had never ever spent a ton of money into blogging courses in the past. At the same time though I was impressed with the description of the class and also have been looking into ways to bring more income. I loved the fact that this class allowed me the freedom to grow as an affiliate marketing blogger without changing my blog mission.
So today I am so excited to share about the class because for the next few days ONLY Michelle's class is $28 off and this is a deal that does not come around that often. Listed below are some of the most popular questions that I have received about the class and I hope that it will help answer any that you may have.
Let me know if you have any questions! I am happy to answer them!
Bloggy World friends- This post today is specifically for YOU. I don't always write a ton about blogging here on the blog, but I do get asked about it A LOT. Today, I wanted to share with you the reason that I decided to invest in Michelle's class "Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing". I had seen this class floating around blog world for a long time and around Pinterest. I really debated on purchasing it though as I had never ever spent a ton of money into blogging courses in the past. At the same time though I was impressed with the description of the class and also have been looking into ways to bring more income. I loved the fact that this class allowed me the freedom to grow as an affiliate marketing blogger without changing my blog mission.
So today I am so excited to share about the class because for the next few days ONLY Michelle's class is $28 off and this is a deal that does not come around that often. Listed below are some of the most popular questions that I have received about the class and I hope that it will help answer any that you may have.
Let me know if you have any questions! I am happy to answer them!
This is probably the question that I get asked the most and the question that I have seen floating around all different blogging groups. If you don't already know Michelle Shroeder-Gardner is the designer and creator of the popular course, "Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing". Michelle is a genius blogger and is the writer behind her blog Making Sense of Cents which earned her almost a million dollars last year in revenue. Yes, you read that correctly. As a blogger she brought in almost a million dollars.
When I read through her income reports I was immediately shocked and intrigued. I had heard of other courses that discussed affiliate marketing, but had no where near the numbers of revenue that Michelle has.
In this online course Michelle shares all of her secrets and methods which have allowed her to earn over $50,000 in affiliate marketing (or as she describes it, passive and consistent) income EACH month.
The cost of the course is $197 if you pay the one time fee (which today through April 15th you can receive $28 off by using the code 28April - making the cost ONLY $169- click HERE) or two payments of $105.
If you are like me than you probably are wondering if it is worth the investment... especially if you are like me and you are not making that much money (I was making less than $4 a month in affiliate marketing sales before I took the course) and the thought of investing into the blog this substantial cost is overwhelming. When I first purchased the course I almost immediately asked for a refund. THANK GOODNESS I DIDN'T.
I thought I knew everything about affiliate marketing from reading things on line and all of the research I was doing. Y'all I wasted so much time and so many hours, but they were completely redeemed in purchasing the course.
It is one of THE best decisions that I have ever made for my blog and it will be for yours too.
When I read through her income reports I was immediately shocked and intrigued. I had heard of other courses that discussed affiliate marketing, but had no where near the numbers of revenue that Michelle has.
In this online course Michelle shares all of her secrets and methods which have allowed her to earn over $50,000 in affiliate marketing (or as she describes it, passive and consistent) income EACH month.
The cost of the course is $197 if you pay the one time fee (which today through April 15th you can receive $28 off by using the code 28April - making the cost ONLY $169- click HERE) or two payments of $105.
If you are like me than you probably are wondering if it is worth the investment... especially if you are like me and you are not making that much money (I was making less than $4 a month in affiliate marketing sales before I took the course) and the thought of investing into the blog this substantial cost is overwhelming. When I first purchased the course I almost immediately asked for a refund. THANK GOODNESS I DIDN'T.
I thought I knew everything about affiliate marketing from reading things on line and all of the research I was doing. Y'all I wasted so much time and so many hours, but they were completely redeemed in purchasing the course.
It is one of THE best decisions that I have ever made for my blog and it will be for yours too.
You can find out all of the details for the course on the official course website (click HERE), but overall the course contains 6 modules, 30+ lessons, and worksheets. The course is completely text-based (so you can read it at anytime) and it is completely self-paced (some modules I breezed through and others I really took my time to understand the material) and addresses the following information:
1. The Basics of Affiliate Marketing
2. How to pick the best Affiliate Products for your Readers and Community
3. Conversions
4. The Details of Affiliate Marketing, including the disclosures and legal information
5. Helpful tools and strategies
6. Using Affiliate Marketing on Social Media
7. How to be accepted into every Affiliate Marketing Program You apply To
and MUCH more!
1. The Basics of Affiliate Marketing
2. How to pick the best Affiliate Products for your Readers and Community
3. Conversions
4. The Details of Affiliate Marketing, including the disclosures and legal information
5. Helpful tools and strategies
6. Using Affiliate Marketing on Social Media
7. How to be accepted into every Affiliate Marketing Program You apply To
and MUCH more!
Before I purchased the course I didn't really understand what Affiliate Marketing was. I had this mis-conception that by diving into the world of Affiliate Marketing I would be "selling my blog out". What I learned about Affiliate Marketing (in my own google search) didn't really share with me how to correctly implement the information I was learning for me or my blog, and especially not for my audience.
As I worked through the course I was hit by strategies that were amazingly easy to implement and even if the information may not have been completely new to me, the way that Michelle explains things has changed the way I have come to think of affiliate marketing. I now see Affiliate Marketing as making me a better blogger and a better writer. It has connected me more deeply with my audience and as I went through the course and started to implement ideas that I was learning and have continued to do so I have grown as a blogger and a creator. The course has challenged and encouraged me to dream big on this little space- not about money, but about following a dream and a passion that you may have.
Beyond the encouragement and dreaming big, financially and practically this course has changed things for me. As I mentioned above I used to make less than $4 a month in affiliate marketing and I have now changed that by over 5000% AND GROWING in the first month alone!!!
Y'all this has been HUGE for me. Having the opportunity to earn money- passive affiliate income has been a GAME CHANGE and has been some of the easiest cash that I have ever made on this blog. Other bloggers have had HUGE successes (you can read about them on the course page) and who knows what YOUR 30 days could look like!!
ALSO... there are several bonuses with this course which includes:
A 30 day refund policy.
If you don’t find value in the course, you can ask for a refund. Sometimes you find a class just is not for you- that is okay and I loved the fact that Michelle offered a 30-day refund policy. (I do encourage you to stick with the whole course before you give up!!)
Extra Bonuses!
Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing offers several extra bonuses that were priceless:
1. A Pinterest lesson that helped me with my Pinterest strategy
2. A Facebook group where Michelle regularly interacts with members and everyone is incredibly supportive.
A full list of bonuses can be found on the course page.
Beyond the encouragement and dreaming big, financially and practically this course has changed things for me. As I mentioned above I used to make less than $4 a month in affiliate marketing and I have now changed that by over 5000% AND GROWING in the first month alone!!!
Y'all this has been HUGE for me. Having the opportunity to earn money- passive affiliate income has been a GAME CHANGE and has been some of the easiest cash that I have ever made on this blog. Other bloggers have had HUGE successes (you can read about them on the course page) and who knows what YOUR 30 days could look like!!
ALSO... there are several bonuses with this course which includes:
A 30 day refund policy.
If you don’t find value in the course, you can ask for a refund. Sometimes you find a class just is not for you- that is okay and I loved the fact that Michelle offered a 30-day refund policy. (I do encourage you to stick with the whole course before you give up!!)
Extra Bonuses!
Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing offers several extra bonuses that were priceless:
1. A Pinterest lesson that helped me with my Pinterest strategy
2. A Facebook group where Michelle regularly interacts with members and everyone is incredibly supportive.
A full list of bonuses can be found on the course page.
Who is the course good for?
-You want a course that teaches you the very basics and then builds from there.
-You are an affiliate marketing beginner, and want to start monetizing your site.
-You have affiliate marketing knowledge, but don't know how to put a strategy together for your blog.
-You have begun using affiliate links but aren’t making any income.
-You want actionable tips on how to make your first dollar
-Any blogger who dreams of making an income from their blog without losing their mission
Do I need a lot of page views before this course is worth it?
NO.
Who is the course good for?
-You want a course that teaches you the very basics and then builds from there.
-You are an affiliate marketing beginner, and want to start monetizing your site.
-You have affiliate marketing knowledge, but don't know how to put a strategy together for your blog.
-You have begun using affiliate links but aren’t making any income.
-You want actionable tips on how to make your first dollar
-Any blogger who dreams of making an income from their blog without losing their mission
Do I need a lot of page views before this course is worth it?
NO.
While lots of traffic will increase your affiliate marketing success, I was pleased and shocked to realize and learn that it is not the only factor to affiliate marketing success. There are TONS of blogs that will get lots of page views but don't have conversions. More importantly this course teaches you to get into the mindset of an affiliate marketer and how to be strategic with the content you produce - no matter your page views.
Is this course niche specific?
NO. This course will teach you the building blocks for success no matter your niche. It will give you a road map and foundation for success.
NO. This course will teach you the building blocks for success no matter your niche. It will give you a road map and foundation for success.
Do I really need this course? Can't I find free information on the Internet?
My honest answer is maybe. If you want to spend hundreds and hundreds of hours reading through and researching you may be able to find some of the information on line. BUT you wouldn't have all of the in-depth knowledge, the information collected and presented in an easy to understand and implement way and you wouldn't have all of the bonuses that I have shared above and more. The course in these ways and more is priceless.
My honest answer is maybe. If you want to spend hundreds and hundreds of hours reading through and researching you may be able to find some of the information on line. BUT you wouldn't have all of the in-depth knowledge, the information collected and presented in an easy to understand and implement way and you wouldn't have all of the bonuses that I have shared above and more. The course in these ways and more is priceless.
This course completely changed my blogging life, and gave me the final push I needed to make affiliate marketing work for me.
This course was the last missing piece of the puzzle for me, and I do honestly believe that it will be for you too. If you’re unsure or worried about the cost, than the 30 Day refund policy is a complete gift. Purchase the course, put the work in, see the outcomes, and then decide whether or not to ask for a refund. Very very simple.
Do you have any questions? Please feel free to ask in the comments if you have any further questions, and good luck in your affiliate marketing journey friends! I hope that you will find it as rewarding as I am!!
Don't forget = the sale ends SOON so go and purchase today for $28 off using the code 28APRIL and click HERE to purchase.
1. The Cost
Compared to other photo editing bundles and prices, PicMonkey is by far the most affordable option that I have found to edit photos, add watermarks to my photos, and to create Pinterest size able images. The basic plan which allows you to have access to some of the core editing tools, basic touch up features, basic effects, and basic overlays, fonts, and textures is FREE. This is a great option for newbie bloggers and those who are on a tight budget.
But, if you want access to the advanced touch up tools, advanced and primo effects, overlays and fonts, top-shelf templates, custom effects, the option to edit after saving your work and no ads than the price will absolutely stun you as it is only $3.99 a month if you sign up for the annual plan and $7.99 if you pay month to month. This is amazing and for those, like myself, who are watching every penny it is extremely affordable to be able to have this at my fingertips at such a great price. Want to sign up right now? Click HERE.
2. The Easy Ability to Create a Watermark for Your Photos
With all of the ways that photos are "stolen" and copied now-a-days it is important to have a watermark on your photos. PicMonkey makes it easy to create this watermark! If you are looking for an easy tutorial on how to create a PicMonkey watermark for your photos I found THIS post from Pinterest to be really helpful in explaining things step-by-step!
3. Easy to Create Printables
For bloggers that are interested in offering free printables to their community, PicMonkey makes it easy and simple to create these. If you are interested in an easy tutorial on how to create free printables in PicMonkey I found THIS post one Pinterest to be really helpful!
4. The Easy and Affordable Ability to Edit Images
As bloggers we spend so much time taking and editing photos and as much as I want to be able to purchase an expensive editing software, I just can't afford that right now. I have loved that PicMonkey gives the opportunity to affordably edit images so that pictures look professional on the blog.
5. Easy to Create Pinterest Images
One of the highest ways to drive traffic to your blog is through Pinterest and creating images that are "pin-worthy" to stand out among all of the hundreds of thousands of pins that are pinned throughout the day is incredibly important. PicMonkey gives you the ability to create Pinterest images and also Pinterest board covers easily and without breaking your budget.
What about y'all? Do you use PicMonkey? If you want to sign up to try it out for a week free you can click HERE!
But, if you want access to the advanced touch up tools, advanced and primo effects, overlays and fonts, top-shelf templates, custom effects, the option to edit after saving your work and no ads than the price will absolutely stun you as it is only $3.99 a month if you sign up for the annual plan and $7.99 if you pay month to month. This is amazing and for those, like myself, who are watching every penny it is extremely affordable to be able to have this at my fingertips at such a great price. Want to sign up right now? Click HERE.
2. The Easy Ability to Create a Watermark for Your Photos
With all of the ways that photos are "stolen" and copied now-a-days it is important to have a watermark on your photos. PicMonkey makes it easy to create this watermark! If you are looking for an easy tutorial on how to create a PicMonkey watermark for your photos I found THIS post from Pinterest to be really helpful in explaining things step-by-step!
3. Easy to Create Printables
For bloggers that are interested in offering free printables to their community, PicMonkey makes it easy and simple to create these. If you are interested in an easy tutorial on how to create free printables in PicMonkey I found THIS post one Pinterest to be really helpful!
4. The Easy and Affordable Ability to Edit Images
As bloggers we spend so much time taking and editing photos and as much as I want to be able to purchase an expensive editing software, I just can't afford that right now. I have loved that PicMonkey gives the opportunity to affordably edit images so that pictures look professional on the blog.
5. Easy to Create Pinterest Images
One of the highest ways to drive traffic to your blog is through Pinterest and creating images that are "pin-worthy" to stand out among all of the hundreds of thousands of pins that are pinned throughout the day is incredibly important. PicMonkey gives you the ability to create Pinterest images and also Pinterest board covers easily and without breaking your budget.
What about y'all? Do you use PicMonkey? If you want to sign up to try it out for a week free you can click HERE!
Over the last several months I have received many emails asking me for "blogging advice". I am so humbled and honored and while I don't feel that I am an expert at all I thought I would take the time on this "three year anniversary" to share some thoughts and tips. I hope that it helps! Thank you again to all of my readers for taking the time to read this little space on the internet! I pray that you leave here encouraged to grow in your relationship with the Lord, that you are inspired to live life fully and beautifully, and that you leave here inspired to take the time to delight in the beauty of ordinary days.
(P.S. If you are looking for past "blogging advice" I have written the following posts about the subject this past year: Six Tips to Help Your Blog Make and Impact and a Difference in this World, Six Ways to Stop the Comparison Game and Love Your Blog, and the 12 Unwritten and Important Etiquette Rules of Blogging. There are also former posts that I wrote over the years on blogging advice that might be of help if you are interested: Tips from the three month newbie, the six month newbie, the nine month newbie, blogging 1 year later and blogging advice: two years later.)
Thank you again y'all for reading this little space! I love connecting with y'all!
You are wonderful!
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1. Write for you.
I have shared this so many times, but it truly the simplest yet most profound pieces of wisdom that I can offer any blogger. Write about what you are passionate about, what you are processing, what you are struggling with, what makes you cry and laugh, and share your heart with the world. So MANY bloggers that I knew at the beginning of this journey that were writing and now don't told me that they simply got burned out because they tried to fit into a "mold" to get a following. Write for you and I promise that while you may hit "writers block" or feel like you have nothing to say, you will not feel burned out and you will not feel that you have to compare your blog to someone else's.
Listen... as a writer and an artist I can tell you that there is always going to be someone that can write better, take better photos, is funnier, smarter, etc, etc, etc. If you spend all of your energy on comparing yourself to someone else instead of sharing your story and your blog we as your readers will miss out on an incredible opportunity. Your story matters. Your blog matters. Write for you.
2. Define Your Goals & Develop and Re-evaluate Your Mission Statement
So often I hear bloggers say, "I want my blog to have an impact" or "I want my blog to make a difference" but we don't define and really narrow down what our goals are with our blogs. What are your goals? In what arena do you want your blog to make a difference? Do you want to be known as "the best" in your niche? Do you want to make an impact for a charity that you are passionate about? Do you want to become an author? Do you want to use your blog as a stepping stone for a shop or business? Do you want to become a full time blogger? What are your goals? Defining your goals will help you see and plan how you want your blog to make a difference and an impact in the world.
I have shared this a couple of times over this past year, but I can't recommend enough having a "mission statement" for your blog if you want to develop your blog and make an impact. The mission statement to me is almost a part "b" to defining your goals. First you have the goals and then you need the mission statement. Your mission statement may change and morph as the years go on and your blog develops more and more. Take the time to let your mission statement grow and morph with you as a person and this will flow over into the course of your blog.
For me, Caravan Sonnet, only posts blog posts that "strive to encourage people to grow in their relationship with the Lord, inspire people to live life fully and beautifully, and posts that would encourage others to take the time to delight in the beauty of ordinary days". Under this I have decided that the topics that I post about will be about health, scripture, travel photography, my writing, and my shop. This mission statement has helped me make the decision of what I will and won't do in bloggy world. Its made it incredibly easy to turn down certain offers and collaborations and opened the doors to lasting friendships and a blog that I know I would want to read forty years down the road.
3.Write. Write. Write. Write some more
One of the biggest pieces of blogging is to recognize a key component: writing. Let's be honest: maintaining a blog is a lot of work. You need to be thinking about the daily component of responsibilities, plus your weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. But everything comes down to writing and sharing your heart. Writing and crafting your words takes time- a lot of time and the best way to become a better writer is to keep writing.
One of the biggest pieces of blogging is to recognize a key component: writing. Let's be honest: maintaining a blog is a lot of work. You need to be thinking about the daily component of responsibilities, plus your weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. But everything comes down to writing and sharing your heart. Writing and crafting your words takes time- a lot of time and the best way to become a better writer is to keep writing.
4. Find a Balance...
Look, I am an author and am currently writing books full-time in addition to life demands and other responsibilities. But realistically as I headed into year two of this blog I knew that I needed to come up with a blog schedule that was practical and worked for the long-term. I have found posting on Monday (typically about relationships and singleness), Tuesday (travel or personal updates), Thursday (health tips), Friday (optional- shop info or personal), and Saturday (shop info) works best for me. This leaves me a couple of days in the week to focus on responding genuinely to blog comments, connecting with other bloggers, and still allows me to fit in the demands of my writing and speaking career plus my treatment schedule, writing schedule, and shop demands without sacrificing my personal relationships. Find what works for you and find a balance.
5. Build a Genuine Community and don't try to "fit in" Where You Are not Welcome.
I have received so many emails from bloggers who feel "left out" in blogging world. Honestly for as much as I read about building community in bloggy world, I receive triple the amount of emails from ladies who are hurt because they can't seem to "fit in". Honestly, trying to fit in can sometimes feel like an episode of mean girls. Let's be honest. I have had this happen to me so many times in bloggy world where I have approached some "well known" bloggers (they might not even be "big" but are "well-known" within a certain group) and tried to collaborate with them for certain projects or just to connect on a deeper level. Y'all, I have been told everything in the books: "I would love to, but your not married" or "Your social media following is not big enough" or "You just don't have artistic talent" or "Your blog is too small for my following" or my "favorite one": "Your following is just not big enough to have an impact for Jesus"... and the list goes on and on and on.
A couple of years ago this saying went around bloggy world and there is a ring of truth to it- hahaha!
Yes, there have been a few tears behind the scenes, but instead of trying to fit in where we are not welcome and compare ourselves to a certain "bloggy standard" (that the rest of the world who is not blogging doesn't understand!) lets focus on our lives, our blogs, our friendships, and our dreams for our websites. Don't take it personally (yes, it hurts) but instead move on and create your own welcoming circle of encouraging each other in this crazy process.
6. Limit Social Media
I shared this tip this summer and I am giggling as I write this because I received some truly awful "hate emails" from some bloggers that were stunned that I would even suggest to limit social media. But y'all the statistics are staggering and so I want to share this again as one of my tips: In 2014 there was a study released that said that people were spending an average of 21 minutes a day on instagram in addition to the time spent on other social media outlets. (Lets be honest depending on the age range that you fall into it could be more or less.) The study went on to conclude that people were spending an average of 2 to 3 hours on combined social media outlets.
Another study being performed currently shows that in one year researchers are expecting these numbers to triple. Y'all, I am going to suggest that part of the issue with dealing with comparing our lives to others is the amount of precious time we give to social media.
Look, I love social media, especially with fighting for my health right now because it allows me to connect with others outside my home, book speaking engagements, run an etsy shop from my home, promote my books that I have authored, allows me to stay connected with friends and loved ones, and gives me the opportunity to make new friends. I DEFINITELY believe that you can have a healthy balance with using social media. I truly do. I also believe that social media can be a wonderful tool for sharing the gospel and encouraging others. BUT, I am the first one to say that I am very very purposeful with how I spend my time in regards to social media. Because I treat my blog (and its components - which social media is one) as a business, I schedule the amount of time that I am on my social media sites. At first I would time myself with this area to get into a habit and not it is just second nature. I really suggest in my blog tips and advice organizing time each week (not each day) on various social media sites, I also highly recommend limiting the amount of social media sites you are on.
Look, I love social media, especially with fighting for my health right now because it allows me to connect with others outside my home, book speaking engagements, run an etsy shop from my home, promote my books that I have authored, allows me to stay connected with friends and loved ones, and gives me the opportunity to make new friends. I DEFINITELY believe that you can have a healthy balance with using social media. I truly do. I also believe that social media can be a wonderful tool for sharing the gospel and encouraging others. BUT, I am the first one to say that I am very very purposeful with how I spend my time in regards to social media. Because I treat my blog (and its components - which social media is one) as a business, I schedule the amount of time that I am on my social media sites. At first I would time myself with this area to get into a habit and not it is just second nature. I really suggest in my blog tips and advice organizing time each week (not each day) on various social media sites, I also highly recommend limiting the amount of social media sites you are on.
I received so many hateful and critical emails from bloggers telling me that they "can do it all". That is great. I am truly not being sarcastic, but I just do not see how it is possible to be on a million social media sites all of the time?!? I mean how do you have time for work, for your friendships and relationships in person, and time with the Lord? Instead of spending hours looking at how great someone else's life "supposedly is" build into your own life and blog. (P.S. My dear friend Katie has an amazing post on social media that you should check out HERE!)
7. Don't Worry About Not Having the Financial Resources to Make Your Blog "Successful"
One of the biggest ways that bloggers spend time comparing themselves is in the ability of some bloggers to spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on a blog. Most of us do not have that kind of money to spend. From instagram loop giveaways to giveaways on blogs to sponsorships to blog classes to photo editing software to website design to blog conferences to you name it the list goes on and on. Recent studies are showing that many bloggers spend upwards of $5 to $20 thousand dollars a year!!
Y'all if you have that kind of money to spend on your blog that is fine, but for most people that is just not a reality. For me it is absolutely not a reality. Honestly there was a giveaway opportunity that I just had an opportunity to be apart of and the buy in was $2 and I had to turn it down as I am fundraising for medical treatment this year. Yes, I turned down a $2 buy in, because for me right now that is what I have to do. Maybe you are in a similar situation. You read about all of these things that bloggers are doing and spending money on and you wonder if your blog can ever be important if you don't have the financial resources your blog won't be successful. You spend time researching and comparing all of the amazing opportunities other bloggers have because they appear to have more financial capability.
Stop Worrying.
I promise that even without all of the things I listed above people are doing your blog can and will have a influence and be successful. If you feel like you want to utilize finances towards your blog why not create a 12 month or 18 month plan to save to get to the conference you want to or to purchase the photo editing software you want? No matter what friends, your blog can have an impact. Don't compare yourself to what someone else can spend, instead continue to develop your blog at your own pace and at a financial budget for you.
8. Understand the 12 Unwritten and Important Etiquette Rules of Blogging
I wrote this post several months ago and it is truly applicable for blogging advice! You can find it HERE!
9. Realize when to say "goodbye".
I shared this in my "two year blogging advice" post and this year I have seen the importance of this in new ways. This was one of the more difficult lessons to learn in bloggy world- realizing when it is time to say "goodbye". I don't mean "goodbye" to blogging (although I do think different seasons and times call for this) but I mean goodbye to connections and collaborations that don't fit with your mission or who you are. Because of my personality and loving people it was a hard lesson for me to learn that sometimes in blogging world people "show their spots" later on.
Several years ago (a few months after I started blogging) there were a couple of well known bloggers who were Christians that started "bad mouthing" each other on social media. (To this day I still don't know what started everything.) If you were blogging then and involved in the least little bit with social media you probably know what I am talking about. It was ridiculous. Names were called, people chose sides, and honestly the whole thing was so sad. I will never forget though what another blogger (who wasn't a Christian) said to me at the time though. "It usually takes longer, because people hide behind a "pretty blog" but a persons true colors and character will always come out.". This has stuck with me through many months and now years of blogging as I have sadly seen this to be true.
I have been shocked by bloggers who claim to be Christians and speak of God, Christian values, and loving others and then behind the scenes have sent hurtful emails, written very judgmental comments, and been critical over silly and petty things. I have seen Christians not wanting to help other bloggers because of petty jealous and an the assumption that giving help will diminish their personal "following". The reality is that, just like in real life, blogging is dealing with other people. My greatest advice is to live in forgiveness and realize when it is time to say "goodbye" and move forward following the Lord.
10. Realize those bloggers who genuinely live out their faith.
On the complete flip side of #10 has been the absolute blessing of connecting with other ladies who love the Lord passionately not just "on their blog" but behind the scenes. These ladies have consistently been an encouragement to me in their writings and behind the scenes and have selflessly helped me and countless others in bloggy world. Whether it has been an encouraging word or shared tears, or sweet emails and lots of prayers, or simply helping out with answering a thousand bloggy questions these ladies are the "real deal". We are all at different "phases" but their genuine love for the Lord covers all circumstances and has provided beautiful friendships. I truly look up to each and every one of these ladies and respect them. If you are looking for amazing bloggers who live out their faith and practice what they write I can't recommend enough these ladies: Katie from Always, Katie, Amanda from Marshalls Abroad, and Erin from Its Erin Morris.
My final advice is to enjoy the process and journey of this blogging world. Just as we grow and evolve as humans in our personal lives I have noticed the blog shift and change and morph into more of "me". I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for year four of this little space! Thank you so much for your kindness, encouragement, and love this past year! I look forward to connecting in deeper ways with y'all over this next year! Happy Three year Blogiversary!
Thank you again for living life with me this year!
With lots of love,
Thank you again for living life with me this year!
With lots of love,
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