Tag: Blogging Tips

What Are Blogs With Benefits

We are about our business. Blogging is a business. So, let’s chat. If you have been following my blogging tips or Pinterest blog ideas board, you know I have been working to create an enjoyable and substantial experience here. One of the things I enjoy about blogging is the endless possibilities it can branch out to. From content series, collaborations, and expansions, there is always some experiment to tinker with and share. For example, I have been pushing myself to incorporate more visuals in all of my posts and I am enjoying the challenge of thinking outside of the box when I write.

With that being said, as lovely as all of this content is, we all would like to be paid for our brilliance. Understandable. As the blogosphere has evolved over the past few years, I have noticed a trend for uniform monetization. Advertisements, affiliate programs, and sponsored posts are level 1 and webinars, e-courses, and e-books are level 2. Additionally, if you are not interested in being a life coach, blog coach, or some coach, you can sell mugs or planners with cute quotes. Now, I salute all the bloggers out there who are providing these services or learning how to provide these services. You are changing the face of entrepreneurship and dissolving barriers.

There are a few things I am not too keen about with this monetization trend. I feel like some of us have lost sight of the bigger picture. There are too many empty blog posts being written today. Must every post lead to a semi-sales pitch for a newsletter? Must all readers be lured as aimless consumers? Must all of our social media accounts be engaged robots? I think we need to create a balance.

As big as the web is, it has become saturated. As content creators, we are always thinking of the best way to share our work to reach the biggest audience. Even with the automated services, pre-scheduling strategies, and hashtag practices, are we willing to sacrifice our substance?

I do not have advertisements on my site (except for the little ones WordPress keeps to persuade me to upgrade to premium). The links in my life or style posts are not affiliated. I genuinely share other products or content because I think it is cool and figure you might like it too. My preference in monetizing, which might be influenced by my experience as a freelance journalist, is based on content and community. I prefer getting paid to produce work that is authentic to enhance my community. A digital influencer should not only direct you towards what to buy. The purpose behind our gifts stretches beyond that. The challenge is recognizing that value.

Again, blogging is a business. I am excited to see all the innovation growing from it. Maybe we can also re-define what kind of business it is.

What do you think about monetizing blogs? Do you treat your blog as a business? How do you balance the value of your content with the value of your profit? Let me know in the comments below.

Let’s connect on Instagram and Twitter.

January 27, 2016
Why A Blogger Should Think Bigger

Beyond producing and curating content, adding skills to their DIY branding tool box, keeping up with trends and news, and interacting with followers and influencers, a blogger must find time to think bigger. What kind of impact could your blog make if it reached a bigger audience, was supported by bigger brands, and/or reached a higher potential? I started to ponder this idea more after participating in the twitter chat #confessionsofablackblogger hosted by Black Bloggers United.

My content is judged b4 reading it. My perspective could be helpful to all if given a chance. #ConfessionsofaBlackBlogger

— Dagny Zenovia (@DagnyZenovia) August 21, 2015

The growth in our online community says it all. We own it. No need to conform when we set the trends. #ConfessionsofaBlackBlogger

— Dagny Zenovia (@DagnyZenovia) August 21, 2015

In addition to noting the discrepancies in which bloggers receive endorsements and are awarded for their work, a bigger discussion about a bloggers potential ensued. Even though there has been an increase in blogger networks, from Facebook groups to brand connectors, many bloggers can still feel isolated from any online community.

If you have ever found yourself in this predicament, I want you to reflect on why you are blogging. What is your purpose? What is your goal?

I see a lot of talk about brand endorsements, income reports, and monetizing strategies that all bloggers are encouraged to achieve. I admire those who have excelled in those endeavors and am inspired by what their brands stand for. However, that is not what I envision for my blog.

Like my logo says, my blog is a place to be informed, amused, and motivated. I am more interested in collaborating or working on projects that enhance and impact society, education, public policy, the arts, history…the list could go on. The posts I write might not include a clear-cut solution, but I hope they help my readers think, wonder, dream, and act. As I add to the LookBooks on my blog, it is not only about where I bought my clothes and how I look in them, but also to encourage my readers to find comfort in their unique radiance and learn how to accentuate it with style. In return, I am creating my opportunity to improve and explore my storytelling and design skills and connect with other brilliant people. These are things I enjoy doing, but I also have a bigger picture in mind. The blog is part of the foundation. The prize evolves with what is built on that foundation.

“The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there. So here’s to all…the people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black.” – Viola Davis

Of course I was also inspired by the display of Excellence at the Emmy Awards. Viola Davis speech was on point and I applaud her, Regina King, and Uzo Aduba for being who they are and bringing us along for the journey. They created their opportunity and stuck to it not for an award but for the significance of their talent and presence in the arts and society.

I see bloggers (or freelancers or self-publishers or content creators) as people creating their own opportunities. When one of you win, we all win. Regardless of what your purpose is behind that opportunity, recognize its potential, not only for you, but for those you empower through your talent and presence.

What are you doing with your opportunity?

September 22, 2015
How I Got My Blog Groove Back

Details on my hiatus, new found inspiration, and coming back to enjoy my blog & brand.

The feeling you get when you are working towards a goal can be addictive. The excitement that comes with imagining how great your project will be and how it will help others. The enthusiasm for creating your niche with the dream of working for what you love. When I started my blog in 2010, I just wanted to practice my writing and explore potential possibilities. I wanted a place to share my creations and possibly find others who could relate to it.

Last year I found myself disenchanted by Dagny Zenovia. A few times I almost convinced myself to pull the plug on the whole blog and brand. I felt I had outgrown what I had created and could not see what direction to take it. So, I took a hiatus for about a year. I felt my blog was isolated with no community to serve.

Earlier this year I came across a few twitter chats that helped me rediscover the inspiration for my blog. It first started with GG Renee’s 30Layers30Days twitter challenge. The prompts and interactions with other writers made me realize I still had something to offer to my readers. I was then lead to Brown Girl Bloggers. It was so refreshing to virtually meet other bloggers with a variety of expertise and interests with similar challenges and aspirations. Then I connected with MY+CC’s #blkcreatives on twitter and met others who are working to make an impact and recognize the importance of their history and future. Through these chats I felt like my opinion mattered.

Through twitter and pinterest I started following brand and blogging experts. I read through many posts about finding your niche, producing content, and organizing posts and downloaded a few free e-books on branding and blogging. While doing this I envisioned how Dagny Zenovia could not only produce useful content but also start providing a service. I am still working behind the scenes with research, designing, and analytics to improve my brand, but I wanted to share with you the resources that helped me get to this point.

How To Get Your Blog Groove Back

1. Build a Community

When I started blogging I found it difficult to find other blogs that I enjoyed to revisit. Just like any industry, if you want to be a successful blogger, you have to read and engage with many blogs. Not only to find some inspiration but to also start building your community. Twitter has been my main resource to find blogs that I enjoy. I suggest creating “lists” to keep up with what is posted and interact with content that interests you. Join twitter chats to learn from others and share your experiences and opinions. Subscribe to newsletters, comment on posts, share other’s work. I believe supporting and building a community is more valuable then chasing followers and subscribers. Keep this in mind as you reach out to others to follow or possibly collaborate with later.

2. Research and Develop

The spectrum for what you study can vary from general tips to specific niche guidelines. I found the following bloggers/coaches very helpful:

byRegina.com – her free e-book on how to love your brand was so insightful and enjoyable. It makes you think outside of the box to envision your potential.

Maya Elious – her branding tips are always on point. She hosted an e-mail course on branding and blogging that I enjoyed.

The Nectar Collective – from blogging to business to fun tips, this site has a lot of content to learn from.

The Feisty House – her website design should be inducted into a design hall of fame. She also provides great blogging and lifestyle tips plus neat dream job interviews.

The Alisha Nicole – her guidance on branching out into business is motivational and realistic.

3. Design and Produce

Depending on what your blog or project is, this part can vary. I decided to focus more on having a cohesive and polished design to make Dagny Zenovia more of a brand rather than just a pen name. I wanted it minimalistic with pops of color to have a crisp but still funky feel. I like to blog about a lot of things, so I narrowed my content down to three categories – culture, news, and style – that can grow with me. I did some back end work to move my site from self-hosted to wordpress.com because the amount of maintenance required was taking time away from producing content. I also reached out to a photographer to create my personal brand photos. It was my first photo shoot ever and was so much fun!

I organized all of these ideas in two places – one: a style guide I downloaded from byRegina.com and a private pinterest board. From start to finish, this part took about three months to implement. I would suggest to not rush through this part. This is where the blue print for your master piece comes alive and goes through many drafts and versions. Enjoy it.

4. Clarify the Goal

This one is a big factor. You can have the sharpest site with the most brilliant content, but if your mindset is not right, you will not be satisfied. I think this links back full circle to your community. Like many others might ask, “why are you doing this?” This was one of my biggest challenges. Since I initially started blogging to build my portfolio, with the hope that it would lead to something-not-sure-what-but-something, I was really just creating content with no target agenda. It took a while for me to feel comfortable with the idea that the answer to this question can change as I evolve. It does not mean my previous attempt failed, it is just getting upgraded. I also had to redefine what a successful blog and brand means to me. Is it traffic numbers? Is it comments? Is it endorsements and collaborations? Be clear on what you want without comparing yourself to your favorite blogger. Timing is key. Everyone blossoms at their own pace. Just make sure you run your best race.

While working on this relaunch, I felt excited about logging in again. I am still exploring potential possibilities of where this could lead. I still have a few treats up my sleeve, including new content for my YouTube channel and SoundCloud account.

I have also have a few questions for you to help me serve you. I want to know who you are, how we can connect, and what I can help you with. If you have a moment, I would really appreciate it if you could answer my survey.

I hope you found these details helpful. Are you planning a relaunch for your site or business? What did you find helpful? How did you find your blog groove?

August 1, 2015