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You are here: Home / Social Media / Three Things You Need to Know About Bloggers

Three Things You Need to Know About Bloggers

December 8, 2013 By Donna Biroczky 10 Comments

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Bloggers are influencers. We’re community leaders. We are writers. We may not win a Pulitzer or make a Top 10 list, but we are growing in popularity and understanding and that’s only going to continue. If you’re interested in reaching our readers and growing your audience, I have a lot of tips I’d love to share. Today though, I’ll just focus on three of the most important things you need to know about bloggers.

1) We pay to have a blog.

Purchasing a blog domain name is approximately $10-20 per year. Hosting is $5+ up per month, and it grows as our readership grows, so the more traffic we get, the more it will cost per month once we reach a certain threshold. We purchase photo editing software. (And of course, we’ve purchased the computer we do it all on.) Those are just a few of the basics, but we pay for advertising and other things as well, so it adds up. **There are a couple of free blogging platforms, but the majority of bloggers use self-hosted versions that require monthly hosting in order to monetize our blogs or have the freedom of design, tweaking and personalization as well as a personal domain name.

2) We take our blog very seriously — it’s our business.

We don’t just spit out blog entries in seconds in between Lifetime movie commercials. We close the door on our distractions, lock ourselves away from our family and other obligations, and spend a lot of time to be sure what we write is thorough, accurate and fair. We research and fact-check and re-read a million times. We put a lot of time into taking photos that are appealing and if necessary, we run them through editing software to make sure the object is shown in the best possible light. Because we want our blog to not just survive, but thrive, we make sure that every word we put out there is the highest quality it can be, so if you want us to write about something, be it a review or an advertorial (basically, advertising that we write) we are going to put that same effort into it. Blogs are frequently how we earn a living, and people should get paid for their work, no matter what kind of work that is, so requests to write about things for absolutely nothing in return are usually frowned upon. Usually the people asking get paid for their work or are paying to advertise elsewhere. We are professionals and we value being professional towards everyone and everything; we like that same respect in return.

3) We want to work with you or get to know you.

Blogging doesn’t often make someone a millionaire — it’s a labor of love. One of the best parts of blogging is the relationships we make. I’m thankful I’ve met a lot of wonderful Public Relations representatives and experts, publishers and other business people. Like most other bloggers, I want to continue to meet more and more people, and it’s not nearly just a money thing: we like people and we believe in the value of online community.

In a few days, I’ll be publishing a piece on why people sometimes don’t want to work with bloggers, so stay tuned. Like any other profession, there’s always room for improvement!

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Filed Under: Social Media Tagged With: Blogging

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ann

    December 9, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    Let’s blanket the walls with this! Thank you for putting it in such clear, succinct words; hopefully, someone will listen?

    Reply
    • Dee B

      December 9, 2013 at 3:35 pm

      Ann, I have hopes we can make change, but I think we have to all do it together and they must be finding some bloggers out there who are doing this for free or they wouldn’t be writing. Free high-res photos or the opportunity to interview someone’s assistant’s assistant doesn’t help pay the mortgage. I’m so unsure as to how we’re supposed to combat this. I love opening my email each day to see what arrives, but more and more often, I’m wasting time reading through pitches that end up with “No, I don’t have the authority to pay you. That would be a bad business model…” or some other ridiculous response. I hope this makes a dent!

      Reply
  2. Dee B

    December 9, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    Phil, thanks for your post! I appreciate the compliment and check back in a few days for the next installment! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Christy Garrett @ Uplifting Families

    December 10, 2013 at 11:53 am

    I love this post and I treat my blog as my baby. I started it to help others and want to continue with that mission in mind. But like you said it costs me money each month for hosting, internet, and it takes time to write and share my thoughts. I don’t get as many sales as I would like too but such is life and I know one day it will pay off. Just hoping that day is sooner than later.

    Reply
    • Dee B

      December 11, 2013 at 4:06 pm

      It’ll happen, Christy! I have only been really blogging for about 18 mths or so with this blog — I started it a few months before I really published, learning more HTML and CSS behind-the-scenes, and I’m already making enough to fully cover my yearly costs in one month. I’ve done well by joining some groups and ad places, and there are days I get more requests for me to work for free (or for ‘high-res photos’) then paid, which is discouraging, or I find a bunch of other people got invited to something I didn’t, but it happens. It’s all upwards at least. Your blog is great!

      Reply
  4. Leslie Jones

    December 11, 2013 at 12:04 am

    I started my blog about two years ago as a way to vent my frustrations about breast cancer and everything that can happen to you that you wouldn’t think would happen in a million years. I really enjoyed reading your blog. Like any other industry, writing is very competitive. I’ve been approached several times in sharing my story in a book, but let’s be honest, books aren’t easy to write or we would all write one. Blogging isn’t something anyone can do. I have learned so much just in the past two weeks on twitter alone. Who would of “thunk” twitter was a go to place for social media and networking?
    My dad, a business guru thinks I’m nuts for trying throwing money away on a website domain that may or may not get noticed. I’m 38 years old and the question remains is this something I really want to do the rest of my life?
    I just wanted to let you know, I so enjoyed your tips and will definitely keep in my memory blog keepsake box! 🙂

    Reply
    • Dee B

      December 11, 2013 at 4:20 pm

      Leslie, thank you! I appreciate it! There are days I wonder if my personal stuff is of any interest to anyone! 😉 I agree — blogging’s not for everyone, and it takes a dedication that people don’t realize until they’ve tried it. I think we never know until we try something if we’re going to enjoy it or not, but if you’re getting anything out of it, then hang onto it as long as you feel it’s worth it. Life does indeed bring some curveballs and you just never know. I’d love to read your blog if you’d like to share it with me?

      Reply
  5. Dee B

    December 11, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    Thank you! I hope you continue to read more!

    Reply
  6. Megan

    December 13, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    All 100% true! As a blogger and a brand working with fashion bloggers, I know how important it is that there is a mutual respect for the amount of work (and $$$) that goes into it!

    Reply
    • Dee B

      December 15, 2013 at 12:32 pm

      Megan, thanks for stopping by! Mutual respect — yes! If only everyone would remember that. Hope you post more! 🙂

      Reply

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I’m Donna, and I’m not a mommy blogger.
I’m a Gen X mom of four, a Marvel geek and creator of Dangerous Cupcake, a Southern California lifestyle blog dedicated to life after the kids grow up. As my kids enter different stages of their lives, I get to do the same, having fun, loving Disney, watching Marvel, and not letting my age define anything. Phase 2 of life is pretty amazing, and midlife isn’t a bad word. Join me in changing focus and enjoying life during our next adventure, without totally starting over. However you do it, life is short, live a little dangerously.
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Donna B. | Southern California Blogger
Out here in Rancho Cucamonga, there are a lot of h Out here in Rancho Cucamonga, there are a lot of hidden gems for foodies. One of them is the Haven City Market, and my favorite place to eat there is Belly & Snout. Not only were they on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, but they are a main stay of the market with their Filipino-inspired take on American comfort food. Their grilled cheese sandwiches are AH-mazing, but I prefer their bowls.

This pic shows you what my pork belly bowl looked like. Pork belly sits on a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, along with garlic chili aioli, red radishes, green onion and just the right amount of pickled red onion. The pork is perfectly cooked, with a bit of a crisp and rendering of the fat that melts in your mouth. I get it every time!

Steve got the pork belly grilled cheese, made of almost the same ingredients but sandwiched between bread and covered with pepper jack cheese. SO good. 

And of course, if you get spicy food of any realm, you need to get a drink from Native Son bar. The drink you see in this pic is the Rancho Water, made with tequila, passion fruit and citrus…and it’s just sparkly enough to be absolutely refreshing. (I easily drank more than one of these babies. They don’t taste strong, but drink responsibly; good bevs like this sneak up on you!) 

We love to try fancy new restaurants near and far, but sometimes, hanging around close to home is just what we need. Short car ride, casual clothes, fun environment we know we'll enjoy...it's perfect for the kind of weeks we've had lately. Whatever your mood, head over to the market, get your beverage, grab your food, and take it all outside amongst some trees on the green or on a table in the shade. We’ll be back for more….soon!

@havencitymarket @nativesonie @bellynsnout #havencitymarket #ranchocucamonga #inlandempirefood #inlandempire #iefoodie #bellyandsnout #cocktails #porkbelly #filipinofood #comfortfood #ranchofoodies #nativeson #dinersdriveinsanddives @foodnetwork #foodnetwork @guyfieri @dinersdriveins #ranchwater #ranchowater #tequila #grilledcheese #ranchocucamongafoodie @gorestaurantwk #foodblogger #foodblog
The happiest place on earth is where I spend my bi The happiest place on earth is where I spend my birthday every year…as long as it falls on a weekday where everyone else is at work. It’s a magical day, full of food, beverages, shopping and of course, character photo opps. I’d been in line to see Loki, but he took a break and the lovely God of Thunder took his place. I was not unhappy….but he had a few things to say about my apparent fondness for his brother, the God of Mischief. I mean, the ears. I’d gotten my photo taken with Iron Man earlier in the day and he made me take them off.

Disneyland never disappoints, literally from the second I shared it was my birthday with the parking attendant. I ate lunch at Carthay Circle and had lobster nachos at Lamplight Lounge for dinner. My other favorite part of the day was watching the Halloween lights go on at Cars Land. If you haven’t seen it, be there around 630-ish, it’s so much fun!

I still hear the “Aren’t you a little old for Disney?” and it makes me laugh every single time. There is NO such thing. Disney is for all ages. Even in my midlife, I love it as much as I did when I was younger. Actually, maybe even more. As a Magic Key holder, I wander, enjoying the little things I may not have seen in my days of rushing to get it all done with the kids without one having a meltdown. I’ve already got a list of future reservations, all planned carefully around holidays and events…and of course, the food. Don’t miss the holiday menu! 

@disneyparks @disneyland #disney #disneyland #thor #loki #avengers #marvel #avengerscampus #disneycaliforniaadventure #disneycalifornia #disneyhalloween #disneyhalloweentime #halloweenatdisney #magickeyholder #godofthunder #godofmischief #marvelavengers #disneymom #disneycreator @marvel #carthaycircle #lokiears #mjolnir #purplehair @converse #midlife
This past weekend, we stayed in an AirBnB up in Pi This past weekend, we stayed in an AirBnB up in Pine Cove - Idyllwild to celebrate my birthday. Two nights of peaceful starry skies in the woods, with the only real noise being a random bird knocking on a tree or squirrel running through the huge back yard. We had coffee on the deck in the morning and wine on the deck at night, and in between, lots of relaxing jacuzzi time. We spent Saturday afternoon shopping in downtown Idyllwild, drinking fancy beers at OktoBEERfest sponsored by the Idyllwild Brew Pub and paying a ridiculous $18 per glass for an albeit amazing apple sangria at a wine bistro. 

Idyllwild is a haven. Kind people, a community away from the hustle and bustle that we have even here in the ‘burbs of North Fontana, nestled amongst the pines and beautiful views. Hiking trails, a child’s park that’s easily a place to spend a couple of hours, galleries, restaurants, coffee shops and more — it makes a fantastic place to escape for a family weekend or a romantic getaway. Aaaand if you like crystals and gemstones, you’re in luck. We spent triple-digits in adding to my collection at three different shops. I can’t wait to go back for more!

Our cabin was from New Spirit Vacation Homes but there are so many to choose from. (And we’d definitely stay in the same cabin again!) Prices change throughout the seasons, but it’s a relatively easy drive that took us about 35 minutes from the 10/60 freeways. If you go during the winter, you will need an appropriate vehicle and probably chains; check your cabin’s driveway, too, as some are precarious if you’re not used to it. We have an 4x4 and would love to see the city during the Christmas season!

Put Idyllwild on your list of places to check out for your next mini-vacation!

#idyllwild #idyllwildcalifornia #pinecove #idyllwildca @idyllwildbrewpub #idyllwildbrewpub #oktoberfest @newspiritvacationhomes #travel #midlifetravel #midlife #travelblog #travelblogger #blogger #californiatravel #californiatrip #visitidyllwild #socaltravels #explorecalifornia #californiadestinations #hikecalifornia #sanjacintomountains #sanjacinto #shopidyllwild
Have you ever been to Haven City Market? Not only Have you ever been to Haven City Market? Not only do they have a huge variety of food vendors and restaurants, but they offer live music and shows on their back patio. On September 16, they co-hosted a Mexican Independence Day celebration, along with non-profit Unidos Por La Musica and Pomona business, Music Tree Schools. We watched singing, dancing and folklorico demonstrations with students of all ages….all while enjoying the delicious Rancho Water cocktail from Native Sons inside the market and eating from Belly & Snout. (More on those in another post.) Scroll for a few more photos and videos of the performers.

It’s a family-friendly venue with room to eat with your family while your kids can play in the grass, but if you’re there on a date or without the kids, there is adults-only seating in the bar area as well. They also host a lot of trivia nights during the week, so check out their calendar (via their Instagram, which I’ve linked below) and make some plans to go visit soon!

@havencitymarket @unidosporlamusica_ @musictreeschools #havencitymarket #havencity #mexicanindependenceday #nationalhispanicheritagemonth #balletfolklorico #mexicandance #ranchocucamonga #ranchocucamongafoodie #ranchofoodies #inlandempire #theie #ie #tequila @bellynsnout #bellyandsnout #cocktails #inlandempirefood
In the morning, I’ve gotta have my coffee. Once In the morning, I’ve gotta have my coffee. Once I’ve downed my two cups, I’m on to water. Drinking coffee is the easy part — but drinking water is not. If I don’t have it in front of me, in an easy to carry tumbler that’s also attractive and keeps it cold, it’s not going to happen. 

AND it also has to fit in my car cup holder. A tumbler that does all that can be a unicorn.

Enter zak!’s Sutton 2-in-1 tumbler! In the morning, it carries my coffee (which its double-wall vacuum insulation kept hot for hours), and after, my water, all without changing a lid. This 2-in-1 tumbler has a unique lid that works for both hot beverages and cold. Take your pick, it’s easy to choose which drinking option you want. Sip coffee from the hole on the top, and chug your water (like I do after yoga) or iced coffee from the straw. I takes seconds to switch from one to the other, and it’s also leakproof, so I threw it in my bag as I packed up and my bag remained dry. Bonus: it’s SO easy to clean, and is top-rack dishwasher safe. 

The Sutton tumblers you see in my reel are my new favorites! The 30 oz tumbler comes in several colors, but I chose Jade, and my 20 oz tumbler is Opera. Both are stainless steel and durable. Thanks to zak! for sending them to me! Try one out yourself and see how you don’t have to compromise or overload yourself with more than one tumbler! Be sure to stay hydrated! As we get older, it becomes even more important for our skin and health overall. 

#ZakPartner @zakdesigns #zakdesigns #StainlessSteel #Tumblers #Hydration #Coffee #CoffeeTumbler #StayHydrated #DrinkWater #Coffee #StayCaffeinated #Caffeine #tumbler #tumblersofinstagram #drinkcoffee #drinkcoffeedostuff #yoga #cupholder #togomug #togocup #everydaysmiles #midlifewomen #midlife #skincare #wellness
I saw Jack and Sally yesterday, so now it is offic I saw Jack and Sally yesterday, so now it is officially the Halloween season. The line was a little long, I had a Haunted Mansion Lightning Lane reservation at the same time but it was so worth the wait to see these two favorites! And I still made it on the ride…which had actually broken down and I had to wait but that’s what churros are for. The list of Halloween foods to try is long, but learn from my mistake and place your mobile order early. That pumpkin chai dessert will have to wait until I go again in two weeks. Bring on all the spooky stuff! 

@disneyland #disneyland #disney #halloween #jackandsally #jackskellington #nightmarebeforechristmas #disneyhalloween #magickeyholder #magickey #hauntedmansion #jackskellingtonandsally #disneyhalloweentime #disneycalifornia #disneygram #disneyfan #disneycreator #thisishalloween #mickeyears
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