Here are my top blogging tools and resources that I highly recommend to skyrocket your business.
All of the resources listed are used by me personally and I am extremely picky with which resources I use and promote.
This is not JUST a blogging binder. It’s a solution to SO many of your headaches!!! If you struggle with overwhelm, not knowing where to start, feeling stuck or in a rut, feeling like you’ve fallen off track, unfocused, scattered, or sick and tired of the trial and error game, this blogging binder is perfect for you! It’ll give you: clarity, focus, a fresh start, independence, a plan to improve your life, freedom, organization, success, a starting point, direction, confirmation that you’re good enough, that people want to hear what you have to say, a new way to make REAL money with integrity, and so much more!
With ConvertKit, I have successfully began adding 10,000+ monthly subscribers to my email list (from 600/month). ‘Nuff said! I cannot recommend them more! They have changed EVERYTHING for me. I LOVE ConverKit!
Get instant access to my Top 30+ Resource List by clicking below!
*All resources have been personally used by me for longer than 6 months. I never promote something that doesn’t have those qualifications.
Thanks for such a great list of resources. Very helpful.
You’re most welcome Amy. 🙂
I’ve got to bookmark this list! As my blog gets bigger I will probably need more of these. I already use Genesis and I love it!!
Very true. Glad you have and love Genesis. I do too. 🙂
Do you know of a blog with a store that on BlueHost/Wordpress that uses a Shopify Buy Button? I want a blog with a “store” tab (so that I can sell items out of my closet). I want superb security on the site, as well as the ability to have affiliate links (so that I can earn extra money). I have been searching for hours for a sample blog, but no real luck. I almost went with Shopify and Weebly, but I’m leaning towards BlueHost. Shopify does not allow you to earn money from other companies’ affiliate links. Weebly’s ecommerce store does automatically calculate shipping or offer other things that BlueHost/Wordpress seem to offer, although both Weebly and Shopify have some great success stories. Please, help! I need some direction and guidance and real world examples.
It’s really just a personal decision of where you want to go in your future. If you want to make money from your blog, I always suggest BlueHost/Wordpress. I’m not familiar with the Shopify Buy Button though.
What a great list of resources! Thank you! I’m definitely checking several of these out.
So glad you like it Christy. 🙂
I loved reading your posts for new bloggers! I’m currently in the process of starting my own blog because I’d love to stay home with my kids as well. I will definitely use this post as my go to for advice while I’m starting out!
That’s great Summer. All the best in your new endeavor! 🙂
Hi Sarah,
I read on a different post of yours that you said this:
“This entire past year, I’ve been working on Pinterest and my email list. Both are seeing incredible results, high above many others. Why? Because I’m just working on those two things, not 20 things at once.”
Can you explain what you mean by “working on Pinterest and my email list” and explain what you’re doing with them?
I am enjoying your posts. Thank you for providing such great insight.
Sincerely,
Paige
Paige, great questions. 🙂 It would be too much to try to fit it all in a comment though, so I’ll make note of your question to share as a future post. In the meantime, there are several Pinterest posts you can check out on the blog here.
As a very new blogger, thank you very much for these resources!!! They will prove invaluable, I’m sure…
Absolutely Lisa. 🙂
Hi Sarah! Just came across your site today, and so far, I’ve found the info about blogging very helpful. I have Blue Host. I also purchased a $39.00 w\WordPress theme. I am currently in the process of trying to figure it all out and get it up and running. I really want it looking good and running nicely before I make it live.
So, here are my questions for you. You’ve mentioned Genesis and a Child Theme. Will the theme I’ve already purchased be enough to get me started? I don’t mind upgrading- but I’ve already put money into this, and I’d like to try and make SOMETHING before I put more in on something I think is an upgraded version of what I’ve already purchased. Please, tell me if I am wrong.
Also- Can you please explain to me what a widget is? I’ve read descriptions, but I am still confused. And, finally, would you suggest an ad or plugin from the beginning or should I wait until I’ve got some traffic on my site.
Thank you so much for your help and insight. You truly are an inspiration, and I hope become as great at this as you are!
Niki, for the question about the WordPress theme, I have no idea which one you have??? But I can say that I would go with Genesis or Thesis and a child theme. Genesis is THE best in my opinion and worth every penny, especially in the way of SEO. A widget is basically your sidebar.
I followed your directions on how to start and set up. I am having problems getting back in finding my dashboard. Any suggestions on what I may have done wrong or where to go for help?
Kim, here’s the link: http://www.domain.com/wp-login.php (switch out the word “domain” with your own URL you signed up with).
Thank you so much for the information that you provide here! This post has been a life saver! I have been reading your ebook and I am trying to put all of your recommendations into practice. I just got the Genesis Framework with the Lifestyle Pro theme and I am having a rough time customizing the header. I am totally self taught and I have figured out a lot, but I cannot get my logo to shift to the left. It stays right in the middle on top of a photo. It is also not responsive. You cannot see the full image on a mobile device. Any suggestions for this? Every time I think I am on a roll and ‘set’ I hit a road block. Thanks!
That’s great Jessica. With the error, I’m not sure without actually logging in and seeing the problem. It may have to be custom coded by a technician to have the picture AND the title there. That theme may only want you to have one at a time. Again, not sure.
Dear Sarah, you are awesome! I admire you and just love you. Thank you so very much for ALL this. I am just starting my blog. No posts yet. Trying to figure it out. Thank you! You rock!
Glad it is helping you Edi. <3
I posted last night but I don’t think it went through. I’m sorry if this is the 2nd post. I work full time in the retail field and have for 20 plus years. My husband just retired and I would love to retire and travel. I am 55 years old, have 3 grown children all married and one grandson that is my life, being 5 years old and full of energy gives me so much joy. Almost 2 years ago I started as a part time Travel Consultant and I love what I’m doing but I cant help thinking that with a blog I could help other people realize that you don’t have to be rich to travel and enjoy life. There are so many beautiful places out there to see. Reading all your blogging info is so helpful to me and a lot to consume but in the long run is so rewarding helping people. I want to thank you so much and I will continue to follow you. I hope to be up and running very soon. Thank you for all the help you give myself along with so many people.
I think with a website, you could promote your own travel consultant services/site, but also expand and reach out past that. You could do posts on your grandchildren and traveling, like a lifestyle blog and it would fit in well with what you’re already doing and leave a legacy for future generations to see. 🙂
Thank you so much for the great content. I am sure that I will come back regularly to check this out.
So glad you like it Beth. 🙂
Thank you for your resources. I have all your ebooks on blogging, and they are great resources. My question is: “Is it safe to use a plug-in that hasn’t been updated to the most current WordPress. Specifically, Fancier Author Box has only been updated through 4.2.11 but WordPress is on 4.7? Appreciate your wisdom. I still haven’t had my website designed and keep it in Maintenance Mode because I’m so afraid of messing up.
It is safe, however, it is ideal to use plug ins that have been recently updated if possible.
I cannot thank you enough for this post. I feel like I’m not making ANY progress on my blog because every time I do research for a certain aspect that I’m trying to improve, I am overwhelmed by information. It’s so frustrating! Now I have a wealth of information in one tidy post. You ROCK!
Absolutely my motivation for this post Meagan. Glad you liked it. 🙂
Thank you for this post Sarah! Can’t wait to invest on those things one day as my blog progresses. I have to bookmark it for future references. Do you have any tips on how to start a newsletter? What should I write about it? What is it that I should include? How different that would be from my blog post? Could I write a newsletter with the same subject of a post just to drag people to my read my posts? What is even the real purpose of a newsletter?
Thank you!
Great questions Edi. I put them on my questions to answer in a future blog topic. I plan to cover newsletters after I get a few projects completed. 🙂
Awesome Sarah! I’ll be on it when you publish. Thanks!
Hello Sarah, I’m in the process of writing my blog post and getting everything ready before I actually start the blog. My question is what software do you use to do your printables? I just recently purchased a Mac book Pro so I’m hoping it is something that I can use on it. Thank so much!