Better Blogging
How do you build a better blog? Being a researcher by nature, when the idea to turn my online journal into a ‘real’ blog was presented to me, I began to seek out some print resources to help me figure out the web world. On date nights with the hubs, I gravitated toward the technology section in Barnes and Noble as we walked off our meals and started accumulating a little blogging library.
These are the resources I turn to again and again for tips and inspiration. I usually have one of these in my bag when we head out for park days and appointments and I can cram in a little mom-time reading. Whenever I have writer’s block, feel burned out, or just need a fresh look at my blog, spending some time with these authors usually does the trick. In my job as a web editor, some of these books have really come in handy as well–especially when an article just isn’t coming together or another writer and I need to do some brainstorming.
7 of My Favorite Blogging Resources
- The Handmade Marketplace, 2nd Edition: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online
is a must have if you’re planning to sell online, whether through Etsy or another source. The Handmade Marketplace includes techniques to brand your business, establish a client base, sell your products, and cover all aspects of social media.
- Blogging for Bliss: Crafting Your Own Online Journal: A Guide for Crafters, Artists & Creatives of all Kinds
features screenshots from popular creative bloggers, an introduction to the tools of the trade, and step-by-step instructions to help you go from blank screen to fully fleshed pages. It also includes how to add banners and graphics, take perfect shots, crop and size photos, establish links, and attract an audience of loyal readers.
- Money-Making Mom: How Every Woman Can Earn More and Make a Difference
–“Finance and family blogger Crystal Paine shares real-life stories, practical tips, and hard-won wisdom from the failures and successes that have carved her family’s path to financial freedom.” This book covers much more than blogging, but building an online presence is a big part of Crystal’s success, and she shares specific details and experiences about getting started.
- How To Blog For Profit: Without Selling Your Soul
is written to both newbie and experienced bloggers. Ruth Soukup offers advice and tips to help you create a successful blog through stories of her own blog’s growth. She shares how she manages to earn a full time income while remaining true to the things she truly cares about.
- The Golden Rules Of Blogging
is designed for bloggers of all levels of experience, featuring 28 blogging ‘golden rules’ and when, why and how to break them.
- Your Family in Pictures: The Parents’ Guide to Photographing Holidays, Family Portraits, and Everyday Life
–mom photographer Me Ra Koh teaches you how to bump up your photography game, even if you have little to know photog experience, and take better pictures with whatever camera you happen to have. A must if you include your own pics on your blog.
- Blogging for Creatives: How designers, artists, crafters and writers can blog to make contacts, win business and build success
is a field guide for everything you need to know about the blogging, a “non-techie guide to the blogosphere, complete with hundreds of tips, tricks and motivational stories from artistic bloggers who have started from scratch. It covers everything creatives need to know about how to design a beautiful, interesting blog that people will want to return to again and again–such as how to design, publish and host a blog, as well as keeping it fresh, staying motivated and forging connections with others in the field.”
Another way to stay on top of trends and tips for blogging is through online resources like Pinterest. Be sure to follow our Better Blogging board, and if you’d like to be a contributor, leave a comment below or send a request through Pinterest and we’ll get you added!
Follow Learning Table ‘s board Better Blogging on Pinterest.
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Mivalso Recommend signing up for Darren Rowse’s weekly ProBlogger newsletter. Thanks for the titles to check out!
Oops. That’s supposed to be I also recommend.
Thanks for the tip–I’ll check that out! I watched one of his webinars, and I really learned a lot! 🙂
Just pinned for future reading, especially the one about not selling your soul, because I don’t want to do that! I second the recommendation on Darren Rowse at ProBlogger, he’s also got a great podcast.
Thanks so much, Jean!
these are all new to me, and while all are helpful, some are exactly what i need to read! i’ve been blogging for 8 years or so and i still need help! 🙂
I love Blogging for Bliss! I’ve heard of most of these, but have really wanted to get my hands on Blogging for Creatives. all great resources.
Great list. I definitely have to get my hands on some of them. Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad it helped, Jasmin!
I have read some of these books but not others, so I will definitely have to check the ones I’ve missed out. I also have a blogging Pinterst board because I see a ton of great resources there as well. Thanks for the list, I am always looking for new books!
Thanks, Andi!
I pinned this post because I’m only 3 1/2 months in and I can use all the help I can get.
That’s great, Trish–thanks so much!
Thanks, Trish–I hope this helps!
SO many great reads! I feel like I need all the help I can get – this is an amazing start. Thanks!
Well done! My choice five and seven 🙂
Thanks so much!
This is a great list. Can’t wait to dig into a few of these. Which one is your absolute favorite?
Debs, my favorite one for creative inspiration is Blogging for Bliss, and my favorite one for navigating all the technical and social media stuff is Blogging for Creatives. I really do consult all of these books all the time for different things. 🙂
Such great information! I love the idea of that 28 rules for bloggers. I will definitely look into that.
I pinned this and also saved this for later – thanks for the great resources and suggestions of good blogging books! I am grateful for the help!
Thanks so much, Clare–I’m happy to hear that it helped! 🙂
Blogging for Bliss is what is for me. Pinned it for reading it soon. Thanks for sharing.
It’s really inspiring to me, Ratisha. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 🙂
I love how many resources there are. Everywhere you look there’s tips and tricks for how to improve a blog.
I have heard a lot about that how to blog for profit without selling your soul book- maybe I should check it out! I’ve been getting writer’s block more often lately.
Writer’s block is tough to get over. A friend of mine recently shared an article with me that has some great tips. If you want to check it out, it’s: http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/fall-in-love-with-writing
Writer’s block is tough–it hits me so hard sometimes!
These are awesome resources and I haven’t heard from any of them! Thank you so much for gathering these!
That’s great, Tiffany–thanks!
Thank You for sharing this. Such useful tools.
Wow, the books provided seem like great ones to read… I haven’t been blogging too long so any resources are welcomed! I’ll have to check out a few!
I’m happy this helps, Eloise!
Definitely bookmarking this list for my weekend reading. Thanks for sharing them!
Thanks so much, Chelsea!