September 10, 2010

“How to Build a Successful Blog Business” by Collis Ta’ed Review Part 1 [Video]

Part 1.  How to Build a Successful Blog Business by Collis Ta’eed Review

Collis Cyan Ta'eed.jpg

Collis (How to Build a Successful Blog Business) and Cyan Ta’eed via The Weekly Review

Have you ever wondered what it REALLY takes to run a blog full time as a business? Well, you’re about to get the real secrets behind it through Envato founder, Collis Ta’eed’s book How to Build a Successful Blog Business.  (Avoid clicking the links for now until the very end!) You’re going to get proven techniques, methods and stories to help you make money, get people to your blog and write great, helpful articles.  You’ll find this book to be an amazing help even if:

(Remember to Avoid clicking the links for now until the very end!) Collis’ book has got you covered! If you fear jumping right into blogging as a full time job then you can take what you need from the book, use it for your current blog or Web site and/or enhance your current local or offline business.  Collis even gives you additional resources at the end of the book.

 

 

 

 

 

What is this book going to give you?

Show You How to Make Money Blogging (Realistically)


Collis will give you the down to earth, solid brick and mortar foundation for you to start making money with your blog.  Collis is totally realistic and gives you the honest truth — it’s going to take work just like anything else in life.  Of course there’s a ton more for you to learn that Collis (or I) will share in the future.  For now you can get your feet wet with the book.


 

How to Run Popular Blogs with Thousands of Visitors

Do you want to know what it’s like running some of the most popular blogs online with hundreds of thousands of visitors?  Collis tells you about using Google Analytics, social media, guest posts, keywords, give aways and basic “search engine optimization” (SEO) to give online searchers a way to find and connect with you.  Unsure how to do those?  Then it’s another reason why you need to read this book. 

 

Collis also gives you a powerful behind-the-scenes look using his top 3 sites as case studies:  Freelance Switch, Pdstuts+ and Appstorm (Mac/Web).  Collis gives you every detail and a realistic view about what it takes to start and run those sites and you will appreciate his honesty here as well. Collis covers long term strategies and throws in a “A Blog Basic Crash Course” that is just what you need if you’re a total beginner.


Of course, if you’ve had 3+ years to study this online already you’ll find few surprises including what it’s like to do blogging as a daily routine. (Remember to Avoid clicking the links for now until the very end!)

How to Write Well and Draw Readers

Getting great articles and information on your blog or Web site is the most important thing for a blog business.  As Jon Morrow, Senior Editor of Copyblogger recently said in his Guest Blogging Apprenticeship course,

Content is only as valuable as the connections it creates.

 

Remember that.  (Jon is amazing for the challenges he’s overcome to get where he is — truly an inspiration.  Connect with Jon Morrow, Associate Editor of Copyblogger on Twitter hereafter you get to the end…) Collis does an incredible job of getting you prepared for writing by giving you tips on web “style“, editing, working with writers and a head start on writing headlines.

 

Another awesome resource to enhance that is 10 Sure-Fire Headline Formulas That Work from Copyblogger.  (Just had to add that!  Remember, avoid link clicking until the end!) In fact, after you read Collis’ book you’ll want to read Jon Morrow’s piece on How to Be Interesting because writing interesting articles is so key for connecting with your tribe!


You Can Skip This Book At Your Peril

If you’re a novice blogger you could skip reading this book.  Except it offers you so many resources to help enhance your online business (or organization) especially if you like “doing it yourself” to save money.

If you need a few extra tips and tricks or plugin suggestions to get your blog running smoothly (or your Web site) then you’ll find this book handy even if you’re a novice.

Do you need suggestions for setting up membership, a job board or the “getting paid” system? Save yourself some searching time — Collis’ gives you the top options to get you out the gate guaranteed.

If Collis was working on a second edition I could suggest to him some new email and payment systems that’d help you future readers (except Collis may already know these).  So you’ll have to stay tuned.

Who is this Amazing Web Guy?

Collis Ta’eed and his wife, Cyan are some of the hardest working, most dedicated and inspiring entrepreneurs around.  You really see this as you read through it and how they had to save here and there, hire great writers and more.  In fact, the story of Collis and friends is what made it a pleasant read because you see the real life story behind the business.

 

Collis and his friends also run another business called Envato — a web design startup that began in a living room and says, “…work is about way more than just making money…”  In fact, their web design skills are top notch if you check out their web sites (definitely recommend them).  Envato put out a book, “How to be a RockStar WordPress Designer” (will be doing an upcoming review on it) that takes you through the steps of becoming a WordPress master designer (note:  CSS skill is handy).


Put Your Best Foot Forward

“How to Build a Successful Blog Business” by Collis Ta’eed is your surefire one stop reference to get blogging with proven techniques, methods and stories about what it takes to take a blog from zero to thousands.  Blogging as a business is definitely an interesting business model that I’d never have truly understood in full until Collis’ book (yes, I do business planning style work). 

 

 

how to build successful blog business

Get the “How to Build a Successful Blog Business” eBook by Collis Ta’eed here so you can beat me to the finish line.  (Yes, you can click the link now if you want and every other link after the intro).

 

Stay tuned to the Part 2 of the review on planning, researching, branding and getting people to run your blog.  It’s the “getting people” part that’s most interesting for me anyway.

 

PS.  You can connect with Collis Ta’eed on LinkedIn.  Read more about Envato and Collis in this article at The Weekly Review.

 

PPS.  You can read the reviews of How to Build a Successful Blog Business” eBook by Collis Ta’eed here (at the bottom of the page).

 

PPPS.  You will be helping me bring you more useful tips and tricks by buying the books mentioned because I’m an affiliate for Envato.  Thank you for your support!

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    The dictionary definition of “passion” is “an intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something.

    Lots of friends come to me and ask for advice on career directions.  One of the first things I ask them is, “What do you want out of life?”  Surprisingly very few of them can give me a straight answer because they never really thought of it — even in these trying times.  In the aftermath of the recent recession, it’s more important than ever to know what you want in the short and long term and focus on getting there because life has only gotten tougher — being aimless is no longer possible.  Nothing can help you if you are clueless about what you want — whether it’s job hunting or creating your own business or organization.

    You will find it hard to finish a race if the finish line is missing (or you don’t have one in sight).

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    Power of Desire

    A passion map is about you throwing open your heart onto the paper or mind map — it’s the start of the detective work into who you are and what you want.

    Being passionate is vital because it’s what drives you forward like nothing else can.  It’s what makes you wake up early in the morning looking forward to the rest of the day (and if you are missing that feeling then it’s time for some soul searching).  Passion inspires others and can rub off on them.

    Passion is a major factor between life and death or success and failure.  In the SAS Survival Guide (Special Air Serviceselite British military commandos), the number one thing about staying alive is the ability to stay motivated and maintain the will to live.  In today’s difficult times, survival thinking is vital.

    Without motivation, without passion you might as well be like the walking dead.  Mind you I hate zombie movies with a passion.

    How to Unleash the Passion

    Using a pen and piece of paper or a mind mapping/brainstorming program, brainstorm and write down 5-10 things you’re passionate about.  These are things you love doing – even voluntarily.

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    Here are some mind mapping programs to get you started:

    Piece of paper and a pen/pencil — The most flexible and easy way to create a passion map; the most commonly used mind mapping program.

    Mindmeister – An online mind mapping program you can use anywhere you have access to a computer and the Internet, which includes the public library.  (http://www.mindmeister.com/)

    Mindnode Pro – One of my favourite mind mapping programs for the Mac.  It’s fast, smooth and syncs to the iPad.  (http://www.mindnode.com/mindnode/professional/)

    Omnioutliner – I use it for outlining, research, project management and brainstorming.  Works for passion mapping.  (http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnioutliner/)

    Mindjet Mindmanager – A business level program that includes alot of features.  I use it less often nowadays because it lacks the smooth “Mac”-style graphics that Mindnode has and its iPhone/iPad version is lacking visually.  (http://www.mindjet.com/)

    Freemind – A free mind mapping program with over 4000 downloads per day.  Free goes so far because its hot keys leave something to be desired.  (http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page)

    Novamind Pro – Another strong mind mapping program for power users.

    Omnigraffle – The most beautiful mind mapping and outlining program you can use.  It might be too much just for a passion map.    (http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnigraffle/)

    You could plan your whole life and all your projects just with mind mapping if you wanted.

    Desires Are Your Starting Point

    Passion maps give you a starting point to making your passions and desires a reality.  For example:

    • You can aim for the jobs you really want and are good at
    • You can start a business that you’re passionate about
    • You could run a course about one of your passions
    • You could write a book on one of your passionate subjects
    • You could take courses to become an expert at one of your passions

    The possibilities are endless.

    Still unsure what you’re passionate about?

    Ask a career counsellor or start volunteering for things you’ve brainstormed in your passion map and are unsure of.  Start doing more research about the things you are passionate about.

     

    In addition, in the upcoming job search ebook, “A Shinobi Guide to Job Hunting 3.0” you’ll get more information about how to make a mind map of desires your key to a successful job hunt.  You can sign up for the Priority Notification List about it (click here).

    In Summary…

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    Disclaimer:  Just to let you know the phrase “passion map” has been trademarked by passionmaps.com.  What is being used in this case is simply a one time, generated mind map outlining your areas of skills and your desires.  This concept is common sense.

    There are other web sites that have also discussed using mind mapping about what you’re passionate about, roles and goals.

    These include:

    Mind Map Tutor:  Passion makes perfect

    The Lost One:  Discover Your Passion with Mind-Mapping

    Mind Mapping Your Roles and Goals

    the mindmapping software blog:  How mind mapping software can help you to reach “escape velocity” on your dreams

    How to Use a Genius Tool for Writers: Mind Maps

    IQMatrix:  Pursuit of Happiness: 32 Keys to Fulfillment

    Design for LIfe – Create Your Passion Map (TM)

     

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