Bloggers can still make money online, but there is one item that is critical to a profitable blog. What is it? CONTENT. Yes, you need a fast loading attractive blog that is easy to navigate and contains a clear call to action. You need social media accounts. Landing and squeeze pages help. So does SEO. But the singular most important thing your blog needs above all else is quality content that serves the needs of your customers … [Read more...]
Blogging Basics: 5 Essential Graphic Design Elements
Five essential graphic design elements every blogger should create to help market and promote their blog. … [Read more...]
If You Want to Grow Your Blog You Need to do LESS
Are you overwhelmed with never ending lists of blogging tasks you have to do? It's time to create a cost benefit analysis to eliminate all of those time-draining tasks that are not producing any results. I had a light bulb moment this week when I was digging out some dead lilac bushes. As I dug and yanked and pushed and pulled to get those ugly stumps out of my otherwise beautiful landscape I realized I needed to do the same thing with my … [Read more...]
Testing Your Landing Page to Increase Conversion
Remember how your landing page needs to be an evolving thing? Well, the best way to make that happen is by using A/B testing your landing page, data, formatting, and by having it be a part of a planned sales funnel. Unfortunately, when it comes to testing, formatting options, and a sales funnel, one post simply won’t be enough to talk about every detail. However, we can help you get an idea of the big picture. Ready? The Big Picture of Testing … [Read more...]
How to Easily Make an Ebook with your Blog Posts
Offering a free ebook on your blog is still the easiest way to gather emails in your sleep. People sign up to your list and they get the ebook as a free PDF in an email or instant download. Creating an ebook is not hard if you already have tons of blog posts. The trick is knowing which blog posts to use and then how to put them together to look like a great piece of digital content. But wait; What is an ebook? Well, it’s essentially a digital … [Read more...]
What is a Favicon and Why Your Blog Needs One
Our International Bloggers' Association graphics expert and IBA Board Member, Orana of Orana Creative, explains what a favicon is, why you need one, and how to set it up. Look up at the tabs on your browser. Yes, do it. Ok. What did you see? Every tab for every site you have open has the Title of the site and….. A little tiny image! That is a favicon. Favicon’s are important, more so than you might … [Read more...]
How to Choose a Tagline for your Blog
Guess what? You have about two seconds to make a first impression online. So how do you optimize these precious two seconds so that your ideal reader or customer knows that they are in the right place? Your tagline! Your tagline is incredibly important and can make or break your blog. There are several things that a good tagline should have in order to tell your ideal avatar exactly what you do, how you can serve them, and why they should read … [Read more...]
Give Your SEO a Boost with a Customized Search Engine
A Customized Search Engine can boost your blog in a variety of ways. IBA Board Member Kimberly Starr from Kimberly C. Starr explains what they are, how they can help and how to create your own. As I’ve dived more and deeper into the layers of SEO (search engine optimization), I’ve realized what a rabbit hole it is – and how much fun it can be, too! One of my new favorite parts of it is the custom search engine because it’s a quick, easy, … [Read more...]
3 Reasons You Need to be Guest Posting on Other Blogs Already
While SEO isn't the end-all-be-all of everything, it's still important. And one of the best SEO tactics that can improve your blog and websites is to procure legitimate backlinks. One of the best ways to do just that, while also getting your words out there in the world is guest posting on blogs that are not your own. Getting published on other blogs is easily one of the most powerful tools you have as a writer. If you have been wondering … [Read more...]
Beginner Blogging: How to Properly Source Music for Videos
Do you know how to properly source music for videos you create? At IBA, we teach you how to legally find the best music for your videos! Go ahead and 'pin' this so you can easily find these tips on how to properly source music for videos! How to Properly Source Music for Videos You've decided to take the plunge into video creation, and you want a little bit of background music. So you download the latest tune from your music sharing app and … [Read more...]