Blogoversary Party, Day 5 - Successful Blogging Tips (And Your Questions Answered)

This post is linked up with Real Life's "Your Life, Your Blog!"

If you are just joining the party, start here and check out all the amazing prizes! You can also meet me here as I explain a little bit about my blogaversary party week.

Your Questions To Moi

How did you start making money? More importantly, how do you get free stuff?
First of all, let me say that I do not make a lot of money blogging! I do however make a little bit by offering advertising spots on my blog (see Sarah Mae recommends). I started by approaching businesses that I liked and sincerely wanted to promote, and asked them if they would be willing to sponsor Like A Warm Cup Of Coffee. I had no idea what to charge at the time, so I started with a seriously low number. As my site grew, my rates did go up. The general rule of thumb is $2-$4 per 1000 pageviews a month (tip from Lara Kulpa, Ginkgo Consulting). As for getting the "free stuff," that just starts happening as your blog grows. Businesses will want you to promote their products, so they send you them for review. Sometimes, however, you just get lucky! Hoover Vacuum Cleaners contacted me when I had my 31 Days To Clean series going on and offered to send me two new vacuum cleaners. My blog had maybe 10 readers at the time! That was luck!

You'll have to share your time management secrets!
My biggest time management secret is this: put your kids to bed early! Our kiddos have a pretty strict bedtime of 7pm (granted, they are 3, 2, and 3 months old). This gives me plenty of time in the evenings to write. It also gives me time to hang out with my hubby!

I also would like to know what you do to "work at home" and how you make an income through blogging.
When I mentioned "working at home," I was referring to the high and noble call by God for young women to "love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled" (Titus 2: 4,5). My "work" at home is all about raising my children up in the Lord by daily, moment by moment, instruction in love, kindness, truth, grace, and discipline. It also involves being a creative and productive homemaker - giving life to every area that God has given me authority over. My writing (blogging) is just one of the domains God has entrusted me with, and it is the least of all. As for making an income, see the first question. :)

"I may have to find out how you got all these great giveaways."
Well, I'll tell you! I just asked. Yep, I just went around and asked different businesses that I truly liked if they would be interested in donating to my blog party. I shared with them my stats and what they could expect in return from me (being featured). Once I posted my initial prize list, businesses starting contacting me to be included. How fun is that?!

Tips From Successful Bloggers

"Be yourself. Be real. Be authentic. And don't neglect your real life." :-) Melissa Michaels, The Inspired Room

"My best tip for having a successful blog involves several things. First of all, I feel the same pride I do about my blog as I did on day one. So, I guess when I had one reader (hi, Mom!), I was proud of what I wrote and treated my blog like it was a success. Secondly, I made my participation in the blog community a priority. I left a comment for every one I received, I joined carnivals and answered emails. As my blog has grown, I haven't been able to keep up with that goal and that makes me sad! And I guess the most important part for me, is just being myself. I found my voice (or it found me on an ER visit) and I've tried hard to stay true to it. There are many distractions in the blogosphere and even pressure to conform your blog into something you didn't plan for it to be. My best advice is to set goals and keep a clear focus. I still do this on a regular basis. I reach for the stars and am happy when I hit the streetlamp! Lastly, if I focus too much on the numbers, traffic, trying to make my blog profitable, I don't enjoy it. But when I remember why I'm doing this, I have the time of my life!" Kristen Welch, We Are THAT Family

"Remember that finding your voice and developing your brand and building a community is how bloggers gain influence and become successful...Success online is not measured by our traffic, but the good we do and lives we brighten with our sites." Ali Worthington, Allison Worthington Media

"Provide value. Solve actual problems. Uncover what’s bugging people and fix it for them." Sonia Simone, Copyblogger, Remarkable Communication

"Give back & pay it forward. Helping other people is never out of fashion. It pays to be nice." Katja Presnal, PR/Media Marketing Consultant, Skimbaco Lifestyle

"My most successful blogging tip is "don't be afraid of your inner goofball" It has always paid off for me!" Tracy O Conor, I Hate My Message Board

Suggested Blogging Articles

Blogs Are Our Friends, by McMommy
How To Write An Article in 20 Minutes, Jim Estill, Time Leadership
It's Not Your Traffic, It's Your Voice, Ali Worthington, Mrs. Fussypants

Blogging Sites I Recommend

Copyblogger
Problogger

Super Awesome Businesses of the Day

Okay, Family Life Today isn't exactly a business...it's more a ministry that focuses on helping couples build healthier marriages and families. However, Family Life missionaries Emily and her husband have graciously donated Passport 2 Purity and So You're About To Be A Teenager to be given to one of you. All they ask is that you take some time to peruse the Family Life Today website to get a little more familiar with the ministry. You can do that, right? Thank you!





Next up, HydroChic!

HydroChic, "The Ultimate Feminine Modest Swimwear and UV
Swimwear So You Can Enjoy the Water Like Never Before!"

You can win this Dry Pouch Bag from HydroChic! Just head on over to their site and tell me which bathing suit or swim gear is your favorite!

Click this button to see all that HydroChic has to offer!


Prize List

Sumo Cookies! They're big, they're sweet, and they are custom
Twenty-Four Hours Is All You Get (CD)

Mom Walk and a Seasons of a Mother's Heart, by Sally Clarkson
5 Little Questions, plus journal, by Dannah Gresh and Nancy Leigh DeMoss
A Christa-Taylor Long Sailor Skirt (Denim)
A Stacey McDonald autographed copy of Passionate Housewives Desperate for God
One item of choice from the irresistible and unique Christian baby clothing store, Faith Baby

The new CD "Shelter" by Marie Barlow Martin
Artwork by the very talented Jennifer Ueckert
A custom blog design by APH Boutique
Full Blogger Design by Extravagant Grace Designs
Your choice of one of Miss Breezy's whimsical prints
Purple ipod case from Simply Vintagegirl
A free subscription to LoobaLee , a place to buy and sell kids
Your choice of a Kimbamade pin
Free membership to List Plan It
Beautiful bracelet from Life Verse Jewelry (custom made)
ADORABLE earrings from Our Daily Chocolate
The devotional book Rain on Me by Holley Gerth from Day Spring
Very cool necklace and earring set from Mattieleas
Passport 2 Purity and So You're About To Be A Teenager
Full Prize list and details about entering here! (Comment, promote, subscribe! The more you do, the better your chances of winning! Leave a separate comment for each entry!)

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