Take Away Wednesday’s Confirmation
You will now start receiving blog updates in your inbox each Wednesday.
Check your email for details on downloading your sneak peek into Hooking for Cash: 10 Ways to Make Money with Your Crochet Business shortly.
Crochet Business Bloggers Next Steps:
1. Purchase a Domain Name and Get Hosting
To really ‘own’ your business I recommend taking the important step of moving from a free host company to a paid host company. You may or may not agree with all the ‘fear’ of deleting your free blog BUT it happened to me. I am adamant about it now. Don’t let price stop you, there are alternatives. (see my post about Tanya of Blogelina)
2. Setup Your Blog
Most people use WordPress software but there are more options out there. I choose WordPress because Google likes it which is good for search engine placement, it has super neat plugins which save me time, and it is well known. It does have its downsides though like the fact that it is so popular many ‘scrupulous’ people try to cause havoc with malware and security breaches. You can protect yourself and your business with proactive actions.
3. Setup Your email List
I am a big proponent of email lists. Did you know that email provided higher conversion rates over search and social? Plus, it also drives more traffic than social and search directly to your site.
4. Drive Traffic to Your email List
After you set everything up your next step is to build your mailing list. Sure you need to develop your products, set your prices, and develop a business and marketing plan but your first year online you should be spend about 90% of the time promoting your email list. Why? Email is where most sales happen. Email is also where you develop and grow the relationship between your reader/customer.
5. Blog and Promote
If 90% of your effort is going toward building your email list, where do you spend the other 10%? Blogging and promoting those blog posts. Contrary to what you may believe (I was misinformed too) your blog is NOT your business. It is a marketing tool for your business. Sure you may make money with it by utilizing ads and affiliate marketing but the heart of your business, the money maker will be products you make and sell.
6. Listen to the Crochet Buzz Podcast
A quick 15 minute podcast each Tuesday at 5:00am PDT (yes, this is the only time I can do this) about news and happenings in the crochet blogging and business world.
7. Read the Craft Fair Preparation Series
I came across a blog series about preparing for your first craft show. I found it to be very informative so I thought I would follow along. I learned so much and I’m sure you will too.
8. Learn about Keywords and Search Engine Optimization
In August of 2013 Karen Dennison stopped by to teach Keyword research and Search Engine Optimization. It is a great series about this very important topic.
But Wait, There’s More:
Before you go, why not schedule a 30-minute Pay What You Can brainstorm session. You will receive a questionnaire that will help you and I come up with a plan of action for you. (This will take you to my Virtual Assistant site: MyBlogAssistant.com)
Click to Schedule a Brainstorm Session