8Masteryto Key StepS Blogging - Jeffbullas's Blog

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8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstoLearn in 4 hours what tookme 4 years of blood, sweatand tearsjeff bullaswww.jeffbullas.com

If you are an entrepreneur, CEO, professional, blogger, artist, musician,creator or anyone who wants to be successful in a world now dominated bya social web then there is a question you will need to ask yourself -“If you had to start from scratch,what are the steps that youwould take to build a globalengaged audience?”8BloggingMasteryKeyStepsto

The rules have changed whether you like it or not. It is a brave, new andexciting world.Twenty years ago when you built a business it was about starting local.Today with the World Wide Web (www) and easy to use social networksthat have global reach and real time communication, building a globalaudience from scratch is within your reach and budget.The 21st century is about abundance and opportunity amplified bytechnologies that multiply your time and effort. It is about using tools thatincrease the velocity and reach of your ideas and brand.This eBook reveals what I have learnt about building a blog the “newmedia self-publishing platform” and how it has transformed my life,increased my bank balance and provided a learning platform for life.It has shown me that anyone can make a difference and leave a dent inthe universe if they have the passion and purpose to start the journey.8BloggingMasteryKeyStepsto

Expression platformThis book shows you how to build an expression,knowledge and learning platform that cantake you to new heights of creativity, globalengagement and opportunity.We will explore, explain and help you weave theskills required into a tapestry of tweets, contentcreation and crowd sourced marketing thatwill allow readers and viewers to discover whatothers didn’t know but deep down you knew youhad.Your story and insights need to be told anddiscovered. It’s your time to share yourknowledge with a world that needs inspiration.8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstoThe agony and theecstasySo what are the tips, tactics and insights that Ilearned along the way to build a blog that nowreaches over 4 million people a year, takes meto new countries and opens doors to networks ofopportunity?When I started my blog I was unemployed,separated and on the verge of divorce and hadcredit card debts of over 50,000.If I can do itwhy can’t you?

So why should you create, build andmarket a blog?It can position you as a thought leader and expertin your industry open doors to worldwide networking enable opportunities that you may neverhave dreamed of sell your services and products while yousnooze create a platform to reach a global audience provide a publishing portal that will bringfreedom of expression and an opportunityto grow and learn. This will bring increasedawareness and develop writing, publishing,creativity and new media skills be the means to an independent careerand business offer global travel leverage your time and effort with powerfultools and technologies.8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstoAnd we are just getting started!Now before we leap in, you will probably havesome nagging doubts about whether you can dothis.The barriers to finding thestart buttonBlogging involves putting your ego and credibilityon the line every time you hit the “publish”button. This awareness can lead to a potentialblogger writing 10 or 20 articles offline and theynever see the light of online day.Blogging when embraced and focusedcan be a synthesis of your life’s passions,innate abilities and undiscovered talents. It canbe a facilitator of both personal change andself-development. It can transform both yourlife and your reader’s life - don’t let that awfulresponsibility stop you.

The thought of potentially two billion plus peoplereading your imperfect ideas can be the barrier toblogging your way to a brilliant career and maybea more fulfilled life.So what are the reasons and excuses that maystop you before you even cross the start line?Do these sound familiar?Reason 1. The Impossible Goal ofPerfectionYou are not ever going to create a blog post thatis free of grammatical errors and expression.In your mind the concepts will often seem flawedand your article structure clunky. Wrestle andwrangle your article into shape, check it, shutyour eyes and then hit publish.Your thoughtful nakedness is now visible and itis yours.8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstoThere is one distinct advantage of the digitalworld over the printed word. After it is placed andpublished before the world in all its glory, youcan also go back and punch the edit button andupdate your masterpiece. I do.Reason 2. My Ideas are Not OriginalYou are afraid that what you say and write willbe seen as redundant and superficial. I am sorryto say but there are not many original ideasunder the sun. Many people’s work, who weperceive as geniuses, such as writers, paintersand musicians, are in fact mashups and remixeswith a twist. Even the genius of Bob Dylan wasn’timmune from this.Henry Ford – “I invented nothing new, I simplyassembled the discoveries of other men behindwhom there was centuries of work”.Be prepared to stand on the shoulders of giantsand of ideas past and present. Put your creative

spin and slant on them. The art of creativitystarts with copying, then transforming and finallycombining with your own remix.Add your own snowflakes of creativity.Reason 3. Passionate People are a BitWeirdSucceeding at blogging does in most instancesrequire a certain degree of passion to drive theactivity and the dedication required.You will be saying to yourself “I am not weird, Idon’t want to let this passion thing turn me intoa weirdo“ .”My friends will disown me“. Don’t beafraid to wear that passion and purpose on yoursleeve. Be prepared to be different and let thatpassion become an integral part of you.Weird is good, in what can be a big bland sea ofhomogenous humanity.8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstoReason 4. My Relationships are TooImportantBlogging does require time and commitment.Potential bloggers who never start sometimescan use the excuse of “it will take me away frommy family and friends“. This is a cop out.Make the time. Stop watching so much TV. Get upearly or stay up late when the house is quiet. Youowe it to yourself and guess what.you may earna lot of respect.Reason 5. I am Not a GeniusI am sorry but the word genius is overrated. Manypeople who achieve a modicum of success aresometimes seen as gifted and lucky. Don’t letthis urban myth stop you from achieving whatmay seem from afar as an impossible dream.Dream away.

The US President, Calvin Coolidge had this to sayabout genius – “Nothing in this world can takethe place of persistence. Talent will not; nothingis more common than unsuccessful people withtalent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius isalmost a proverb. Education will not; the worldis full of educated derelicts. Persistence anddetermination alone are omnipotent.”Couple up your passion with your innate abilities,add some determination and persistence andthen magic can happen.Reason 6. I am Not a WriterThis one gets rolled out time and time again.If you go and read my first posts on this blog(and I am not going to link to them as theyare just too embarrassing) then you wouldbreak into laughter and state “what was hethinking!”Competent writing can be learned. Ifyou don’t believe me then go and buy StephenKing’s book on the basics of writing, titled ”On8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstoWriting“. It has some great simple tips.Still you might say “Nope.this writing thing is notmy gig“. Well, I am still not going to let you off thehook that lightly.The web is a multimedia playground. Thereis nothing to stop you video blogging (GaryVaynerchuk was a champion at that). The rise ofa visual web is also making “visual blogging” areality. Many areas of interest such as travel, foodand fashion are more about communicating withphotos more than the text.The Solution?“Just ship it!”Don’t wait for perfection to strike or genius toarrive. The time has come to buckle up, turn thekey and hit the accelerator.

Contents1. Plugging into your power source . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Identify your passion, purpose and innate abilities2. Creating a memorable blog brand . . . . . . . . 16Tips to take your blog from bland to memorable3. A simple marketing plan that works . . . . . . . 18Discover the 5 step marketing plan and the top 3 key marketingstrategies that will supercharge your traffic and brand awareness4: B uilding a successful bloggingfoundation: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Uncover the 12 key essential elements that every blog should have5. Creating inspired content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Learn how to create contagious content that brings people backand creates loyal fans8BloggingMasteryKeyStepsto

6: Marketing your blog for free withsocial media and other powerful strategies . . 36Social media will accelerate your marketing with crowd sourced socialmedia marketing and learn about other powerful marketing strategies7: H ave something to sell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Creating a global blog that has traffic is one thing but you need to havesomething to sell. I will show you 11 ways to monetize your blog8: Maintaining the Momentumof Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56Learn how to maintain the motivation and momentum to ensure yousucceed8BloggingMasteryKeyStepsto

The framework toblogging successThese are some of the questions for which youwill need answers to reach your goals.So you have some questionsThis eBook will hold you by the hand and showyou the steps needed to succeed. Where do I start?Where can I find the motivation?How can I stand out?What tactics do I use?What tools are available?How do I use them?How do I use social media to reach myaudience? How do I find the inspiration for thecontent? What type of content should I create? What’s the framework?8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstoSo here are 8 vital steps to creating a successfulglobal blog that can change your life.Are you ready for that?Let’s get started!

Step 1. P lugging into your power source:Identify your passion, purposeand innate abilitiesBlogging is about writing and creative expression.It is hard work and not everyone is cut out to putpen to paper or hunt keys on the keyboard forhours each day. Even Tolstoy, the famous Russianwriter and author of “War and Peace” once said“I don’t like writing butI love having written“.It’s like the start of the New Year where we cleanthe desk, set the goals and roll out the revisedset of New Year’s resolutions. Some of us areexcited by the year ahead but others are filledwith dread and are even thinking whether goingback to “that” job is an option.8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstoThat motivation for life and the dawn of a newyear for some of us is burning and real and forothers it is dormant or extinguished.It’s not just about writingSo you aren’t a writer?Well . blogging and new media is not justabout writing. You can be a podcaster, video ora visual blogger.The visual social web is driven by awesomeimages, great videos and photos that go viral.Many successful blogs are powered by YouTubevideos, Fashionistas with glamour shots thatinspire and images and creations that highdefinition cameras turn into works of art.

What should you blog about?Find work that is playI often get asked “how do you know what to blogabout?” For me the answer seems simple. Thesecret lies in discovering what you love doing incombination with your innate talents. Easily said,but sometimes very hard to discover.I came across a quote by the famous economistDr Paul Samuelson that encapsulates one of thesecrets to success in life, business and blogging.The reality is that a lot of people struggle theirentire lives in discovering their career path. Infact some people never discover the secret ofmaking life a joyous journey and in many caseslife is a tedious path doing things they hate.It is a sad truth but many people go to their gravewith their song unsung and their talents andpassions undiscovered.“Never underestimatethe vital importanceof finding early in lifethe work that for youis play.This turns possible underachievers into happywarriors.”Most of us do not have the privilege ofdiscovering this early on in life but stumble uponit in later years. There is no rhyme or reason asto when or how it occurs, it could be an epiphany8BloggingMasteryKeyStepsto

or it may be a slow awakening, but if you discoverit then grab it with both hands, do not ignore itbut embrace it with all the energy and optimisticobsession you can muster.Work that is play is the combination of innate abilityand aptitude combined with passion to create asynergy that positively enhances life’s journey.Sir Ken Robinson, in his book “The Element”,says “it is the place where the things we love andthe things we’re good at come together”.Questions you should ask yourselfSo how do you find this element? What questionsshould I be asking to discover work that is play?Here are some questions you should be startingto ask yourself. What comes easily to me? What do I read about till 2.30 in themorning? What willingly gets me up at 4.30am? What do I enjoy doing? What kind of things do people complimentme on? What activities give me my spirit energy?You may find that the topic of the blog thatyou create or the career that you love will be acombination of several elements.8BloggingMasteryKeyStepsto

What do successful bloggers writeabout?Successful bloggers are writing and creatingcontent combining what they are good at withtheir passion. That might be politics, it might besport or it may be marketing. Arianna Huffingtonwho sold the political news blog Huffington Postfor more than 300 million, is passionate abouther topic and if you dig deeper you will find thatevery element of what she did was driven by thatburning interest and desire.8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstoThe secret is waiting for you. I am sure that someof you already know what that is. Remember, “Itis never too late to have a happy childhood”.This is where you need to start before you evenwrite your marketing plan or kick off your blog.

Step 2. Creating a memorableblog brandThe challenge is to have your brand and blogstand out in a universe of over 500 millionwebsites. Creating a distinctive and differentbrand is the start of that journey. The otherchallenge is creating a brand that is professional,memorable and sticky.An important component in this is thedevelopment of a distinctive brand voice thatmatches your persona, which is woven into yourarticles, posts and multi-media content.Help to develop a distinctive writing voice by: showing your personalitydisplaying your humorputting yourself in your audience’s shoesexposing your imperfections8BloggingMasteryKeyStepsto revealing your passions telling your stories developing brand “you”.Your brand should also be distinctive in its logo,writing, messaging and media.Creating a brand personality that expressesyour passion, experience and personality is vital.Standing out amongst bland peers is key.When people discover your blog, website or socialnetworks they should instantly know that it is “you”.Sally Hogshead, the author of “Fascinate”,includes a by-line that makes her instantlymemorable.

“A hogshead is abarrel that holds62 gallons, sowhat’s your namesmartass?”Now, that is part of her voice and reveals herpersonality and sense of life. You can’t borrow orsteal that line but you can learn from it.I remember agonising over what I should includein my branding and after looking at otherbloggers, many who seemed to have studiophotos manipulated in Photoshop which madethem look like Hollywood stars, I decided to dosomething different.8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstoI had an Artist friend of mine draw a caricature.That is what you see at the top of my blog.It worked.What will make you stand out? How do you takeyour blog brand from bland to memorable?

Step 3. A simple marketing planthat worksHere we will discover the 5 step marketing planand the top 3 key marketing strategies that willsupercharge your traffic and brand awareness.A plan will keep you on track. If you really want toget serious you could write a business plan andback that up with a marketing plan.A strategy will ensure that you select theappropriate tactics and tools to reach the rightaudience in the most efficient manner.In its simplest form it involves five stages.1. Identify Target Audience(s)This is important to make sure that when you buildyour social networks that you have an audiencethat wants to listen and engage. Just because8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstothere are 2 billion people plus on the web doesn’tmean they all want to listen to your message andstory. If you are selling wine then you will need totarget restaurants, food bloggers and anyone whowill help you reach an extended audience.2. Set GoalsGoals keep you on track like a guided missile butneed to be measurable eg Blog/website traffic goals eg 1,000 visitorsa month 1,000 email subscribers in 6 months 2,000 Twitter followers in 3 months Sell 1,000 eBooks in the first 12 months at 19.95

3. Select Marketing Tactics and Toolsto Achieve GoalsThe 3 core marketing tactics you will need toconsider will be:Social media marketinga. Email marketingb. Search engine optimizationac. Social media marketinga. Social media marketingIf your audience is mostly on Facebook, themarketing tactics will need to be more Facebookcentric. So if you wanted to increase Facebook“likes” you will use tactics such as: installing a Facebook social plugin onthe blog encouraging your audience to ”like” yourFacebook page from your daily/ weeklyemail newsletter.8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstoAlso don’t forget to include other social networksand media such as growing your Twitter followersand using Twitter to distribute your content.We will take a closer look at these in step 6.b. Email marketingBuilding an email list from day one is vital and welook at the best tactics for achieving that in step 6.c. Search engine optimizationMaking sure you are optimizing your blog soyou can rank for key phrases on the first pageof search engines without having to pay. Step 6will include the key steps to working towards thisgoal.

4. Monitor and MeasureIt is important to monitor your success andyour failures to see if people are subscribing orunsubscribing. This allows you to change fromtactics that aren’t working and find ones that do.Keep experimenting!5. Rinse and RepeatYou’ll start to find what works and what doesn’t,so do more of what does and cull out whatdoesn’t. Continue to keep an eye on your keyperformance indicators like sales per month,traffic and subscribers.8BloggingMasteryKeyStepsto

Step 4: Building a successful bloggingfoundation:Uncover the 12 key essential elements that everyblog should haveI started the blog with my own domain namejeffbullas.com, which was done partly forcreating a personal brand online. I then usedWordPress.com as my blogging platform usingtheir free hosted WordPress template whichended up causing me a lot more work later whenI wanted to add extra features and functions(such as Retweet and Facebook share buttons).Measurement tools such as Google Analyticswere also a problem as WordPress.com wouldn’tallow me to plug that in. I would recommend thatyou avoid this and buy your own domain nameand self-host from day one. It will cost you a fewdollars a month but it will save you a lot of timeand grief later on.8BloggingMasteryKeyStepstoSo what are 12 blog building essentials?1. Buy your Own Domain NameThis is important because if you do thatyou can always take it with you andhost your blog wherever you like suchas GoDaddy or HostMonster. If you use blogger.com, Typepad.com or even WordPress.com, theydo it for free but it comes at the cost of yourindependence, which removes your flexibility inthe future to control your blogging d

spin and slant on them. The art of creativity starts with copying, then transforming and finally . The time has come to buckle up, turn the key and hit the accelerator. KeY blogging sTePs 8 masteryTo contents . let’s get started! KeY blogging sTePs 8 masteryTo step 1. Plugging into your power source:

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