Disclosure: I received a free copy of Influencer Marketing for Dummies for review.
It’s been over a year since I’ve written one of these Blogging Tips posts. So let’s talk about some of the things I’ve learned as a blogger in the past year.
A couple weeks ago, I received a copy of Influencer Marketing for Dummies to read and review. I thought this book was a perfect fit for my Blogging Tips series. So, along with a review, I’m also giving a copy of the book away to one lucky reader. Just enter the giveaway below through Rafflecopter!
So much has happened in the past year.
When I first started blogging in 2013, I had just finished dental hygiene school and was in the process of getting my license. So I had a lot of time on my hands to learn how to blog and to take photos for my recipes. When I moved my blog to self-hosting, I had just received my dental hygiene license and began looking for work. So I still had a lot of time to learn how to run a website and how to grow my blog. But over the last year, I began working as a dental hygienist about four days a week. It definitely became harder to update my blog regularly. I had to learn how to balance both my day job and blogging. Which meant a lot of schedule management and organization, and a lot of times, I’m just not good at it. Sadly. Lol.
Blogging started out as a way for me to express my thoughts, a place where I can de-stress. And it has definitely become a lot more than what I started with. But the thing is, blogging is a hobby for me. I might be making a little bit of money by writing sponsored posts and having ads on the blog, but that’s just an extra perk. Blogging is something I enjoy doing, which is why I like learning everything I can about it. From social media to connecting to brands, it’s just all part of what I’m passionate about.
I mean, who wouldn’t love to get paid to do what they love to do, right?
While Influencer Marketing for Dummies is actually written for brands and companies looking to connect with bloggers and social media influencers, it’s a great resource for us as bloggers too.
Here’s why.
“Content is King”
In this book, we learn about the different things brands and companies are looking for in a good partnership. Brands want influencers who are genuine, who would not sacrifice their own voice to make an extra buck. It’s definitely hard sometimes to not sound so sales-y (I know, I made up another word), but be yourself when you talk about products. You have to like the products that you write about. Otherwise, you won’t be able to connect with your readers. Your readers can feel when you’re not being authentic so it’s important to always be true to yourself and to maintain your own voice even as you’re working to promote a product.
“Impressions: They don’t tell the whole story”
Truth.
How many of you have checked your stats? Like constantly at one point or another?
Me…. What? I can’t help it! Lol.
But the thing is, it really shouldn’t matter.
And brands and companies won’t just look at how many views you have or how many subscribers you have. What really matters is the quality of the content. Because let’s say you have hundreds of thousands of subscribers, but your content is lacking in quality, these companies won’t want to partner with you. Why? Because they’re looking for someone who would fit well with them. They’ll want good quality writing, nice photos, and a good engagement of the audience.
These are some of things you can learn from reading this Influencer Marketing for Dummies. You’ll also learn about the different social media platforms and the best way to utilize them. You can find a copy of this book on Amazon or you can enter for a chance to win below. You must be 18+ to enter and a resident of the U.S.
Just out of curiosity, why do you blog?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Angie mumford says
What a wonderful blog
sewloveable says
Great tips!
dalecooper57 says
I started blogging because…..You know what, I’m not actually sure.
I had no previous experience or wish to write, I just thought I’d try it because a friend of mine had a blog and I liked the idea.
Now I couldn’t stop if I wanted to. ;~}
dalecooper57 says
Useful tips, thanks for sharing.
imagesbytdashfield says
I started blogging because I had started to turn serious with my photography and wanted to share and learn from others.
Nadia says
I started blogging because my friends would always ask me about restaurants and how I liked them. So I started reviewing them when I went. It is simple and I like to write and eat…perfect combo!
razeen96 says
Wow! That was an interesting read! do you have a Blog post on how you manage your time? I started Blogging as a hobby, I wish to write a lot more. But, because of school projects and commitments its becoming such a challenge.
Andrea| Cooking with a Wallflower says
Sorry for the late reply! You can take a look at this section to find some printables to help you with organization. =)
Geert Smits says
Thanks for your review. I agree with you, and the writer(s) of the book that content is king. But … as Seth Godin learns us: all marketeers lie (tell stories) But if it is a good lie (story) we want to believe it. So a good story is quality content. Even if it is not the whole truth 🙂
alexdneagoe says
I started blogging because I was bored last summer and I had nothing else to do, but now blogging it’s kind of in my system and I feel the need to post constantly. Not necessarily because of the views I get, but because I really enjoy it!
Xyon McKell says
Great points. Thanks for sharing. I blog to share my love of my hobbies, as well as opinions on them.