I had another post lined up for today, but I couldn't get my mind off of blogging; how to take my blog to the next level, what courses could I take that wouldn't cost me my firstborn child, what am I currently doing or not doing that isn't helping my cause to be a professional blogger...I must find the answers!!!
I researched lots of blogging courses today. The ones I'd actually be interested in taking are super expensive. I know that I would greatly benefit from taking a course or attending a conference; I hear these types of things are the turning point for many bloggers' careers, but I'm not quite ready to jump off that cliff. Or...I haven't figured out how to sneak up on my husband and push him off that cliff while I hang onto to his wallet.
A part of me believes that all the info that you can get in a course or at a conference is OUT THERE, it's just scattered and you have to find all the pieces and put it together yourself. In addition to finding info out there scattered on different blogs, I think there's great value in reading books by experienced bloggers. Sure, they may not be as interactive and personal as that blogger's eCourse, but a lot of books have all the same info in them that a course has, you just have to be self-motivated to learn and apply the information into your blog or business.
I spent a lot of time tonight going through the top blogging books on Amazon (and a few not). I'm a reviews whore - meaning I stalk the review section and try to filter out the fake reviews so I can read the real ones. I want lots of stars and lots of reviews! I know some newer books may not have that many reviews built up yet, so I also check out the table of contents in each book to see if it's worth my time. I'm not a beginning blogger, so while a lot of these books do have chapters on starting blogs, the ones I've picked out to read really expand on blogging more in depth, specifically time management, blog promotion and social media strategies, and detailed avenues of making money from you blog.
My plan for now is to try and gain some insight, knowledge and ideas from books (most of these are free on Kindle) and put it all together into something that works for me. So without further adieu, here are 10 blogging books I'm itching to read!
How to Make Money Blogging
Why I want to read this book - there are three things in the table of contents that caught my eye: 3 primary ways to earn money, how he increased Adsense earnings in 3 months, and 7 helpful tools that made it all possible.
Amazon - Paperback 3.99 / Kindle $0
Blog, Inc - Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community
Why I want to read this book - this book, written by the blogger of Oh Joy!, delves into pretty much everything I want to know or would love to talk about with another blogger. She goes into every faucet and aspect of blogging. She also has multiple chapters on turning your blog into a business and creating products to sell.
Amazon Paperback $11.30 / Kindle $9.99
How to Blog For Profit Without Selling Your Soul
Why I want to read this book - I'm actually about halfway through this book. Ruth has a blogging course, Elite Blog Academy, and while doing some research today on reviews of the course, I found that some bloggers believe most of the course information is actually in her book. So...yeah, I'll continue reading the book. It'll save me $400. And I like what I've read so far, she really goes into detail about what makes a blog successful before the money comes in.
Amazon - Paperback $14.39 / Kindle Unlimited $0
My Blog Traffic Sucks
Why I want to read this book - yes, the book cover is an eyesore, but the number of good reviews caught my eye. I checked out the table of contents and what appealed to me were these 4 things he covers in the book: a traffic plan that doesn't take much time a week to implement, 4 habits of highly effective bloggers, 7 step checklist to promote each blog post, and building a large Twitter audience in 30 minutes a day. My blog traffic is actually improving monthly, but I know I still have a lot to learn in the way of promotion. I also suck at Twitter so learning a few tricks would be nice.
Amazon Kindle $2.99 / Kindle Unlimited $0
Pro-Blogging Secrets - Strategies, Tips, and Answers You Need to Know to Grow Your Blog and Earn More Money
Why I want to read this book - Bob Lotich's second book on blogging, I really want to read this one because he discusses a lot of blogging concerns and questions I have, like dealing with hackers, dealing with the issue with putting your address in a newsletter, his top 10 must have plugins, an after-publish checklist and growing your Facebook and Pinterest following.
Amazon Paperback + Kindle $9.99 / Kindle Unlimited $0
The 15 Traits of Pro Bloggers - A proven roadmap to becoming a full-time blogger
Why I want to read this book - this book has 5 STARS! What grabbed my attention in the table of contents: the blogger's success pyramid, 4 keystone habits that full-time bloggers practice daily, and a 12 month plan.
Amazon Paperback $12.95 / Kindle $2.99 / Kindle Unlimited $0
You Are a Writer (so start acting like one)
Why I want to read this book - first of all, holy reviews. 463 people gave this book 4.5 stars. Second of all, I need this book so badly. I think most writers don't consider themselves writers. Chapters in the table of contents that drew me in: Claiming the Title, The Myth of Good, It Gets Tough, Three Tools Every Writer Needs, and Before Your First Book. Yes, totally going to devour this book.
Amazon Paperback $7.99 / Kindle $0.99 / Kindle Unlimited $0
Building a Framework: The Ultimate Blogging Handbook
Why I want to read this book - confession, I already read this book. Devoured it in one weekend. Abby proves that you don't have to have been around in the blogging world for a long time in order to make money. She now shares her income reports, and last month she made eleven G's!! She's a different niche than me, but the two main parts of her book that I loved were her social media strategies and the sections where her husband shared his method for how he set up Adsense ads on her blog. She's with a blogging network now I believe but his advice was so helpful. Abby, you are lucky to have your husband helping on the technical side of blogging! I'm jelly.
UPDATE: Abby has MAJORLY updated this book and has all of these amazing add-ons now. There's 3 packages, which comes with 20 blogging video tutorials and 15 blogger interview videos...honestly overwhelming how much info there is! Seriously, if you're interested in a blogging course but don't want to shell out the money, this is the NEXT BEST THING.
Just A Girl and Her Blog eBook Starter Package $25
Blogging on the Side - Where Passion and Profit Meet
Why I want to read this book - basically because Becky and Paula are hustlers and so successful. Have you seen Becky's income reports? Homegirl makes close to 30 THOUSAND a month. I can't even wrap my brain around that. So yeah, I think these two know something I don't and I could definitely learn a thing or two. I like that they're both moms who put family first and don't spend their days blogging (hence their blog title). Becky says she blogs for 4 hours a night after her kids are in bed. Their book really goes into all kinds of details about blogging, any and everything you would need to know. I can't wait to read this one.
Blogging on the Side eBook $19.99
Epic Blog - One Year Editorial Planner
Why I want to read this book - okay, it's not a book but it's a super intense blog planner. No one does it better than Regina in the creative planning department; check out her blog and be blown away. She shares so much helpful info on blogging and entrepreneurism. This planner is like half workbook to help you figure out where you're going with your blog, what kind of products you want to sell, etc. There weren't many pics on Amazon for me to see so I found this tutorial by Regina on YouTube showing the different pages and how to use them. Totally itching to get this just for the workbook sections (the calendar and weekly planning section is amazing too).
Amazon Paperback $14.95
So there ya have it, my own personal course of books I want to check out in lieu of paying for a blogging course. If you don't have Kindle Unlimited, you seriously need to get on that! It's $10 a month and you can read your heart out. If you have any blogging book recommendations that I didn't list here, please let me know! I know a lot of bloggers sell them from their site only so I'm sure there's plenty more out there waiting to be discovered!
Chelsea
I just got How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul! I started reading it before we moved and only got like two chapters in, but I LOVE it. I can't wait to get into the rest of it. It already has tons of great ideas that actually really helped me when I redesigned my site. I haven't heard of a lot of these other ones, but I will have to check them out next!! I sort of feel like I have stalled with my blog and want to take it to the next level, too!!
Jessica Dimas
Yes, that one is SO good. I'm more than halfway through that one, probably like two thirds done. Awesome read. I totally see you taking your blog to the next level, your blog is already so awesome and on another level!! Can't wait to see where you go with it!
Chelsea
Thanks! I feel like I still have a long ways to go, so that means a lot!
Tiffany @ A Touch of Grace
Ok I almost read Blog, Inc. Now maybe I will. And I'm super curious about the first book. I need to up my AdSense big time.
And I have to admit I haven't fully finished Abby's book yet, but love all her tips. She has done an awesome job and I too am jealous her husband helps on the technical side. I get no love in that department.
Jessica Dimas
I want to read that one so bad!! It looks like a good one for our blogging niche, more female oriented in nature and all that. I just switched my Adsense ads to responsive and OMG huge difference in revenue. Look into that if you haven't already!
Ashley Mullen
Did you read my mind?! I was just Google-ing yesterday which blog books I should be reading and bought How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul. I have a few others on my Kindle but haven't read them yet. We're planning a vacation to BC (driving) so I'll be doing a lot of my reading then. Enjoy!
Jessica Dimas
Oooh nice!! You'll get lots of reading done hopefully! That's funny that we've both been Google-ing blog books lol, glad I posted this when I did 🙂
Sonya
I have to check these out!
Jessica Dimas
Yes, me too! 🙂
Keri
ah so glad you shared these! I have been thinking the same thing- I want to learn more and take it to the next level but don't want to spend loads of money! So these books look amazing- I have read Abbys and found the tips really helpful! Excited to check out the others- ESP the kindle free ones- I'm way too cheap!
Jessica Dimas
Yes, how can you go wrong with free Kindle books?! I'm honestly shocked that I even bought Abby's book being priced what it was, I usually won't pay more than $10 for a book and it has to come with a lot of reviews! I hope you get the chance to check some of these out 🙂
Echo
This is such a fantastic list, Jessica! Thank you for putting it together. I am pinning this to my blogging board!
Jessica Dimas
Thank you Echo!! xo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom
Ooooh, so many of these books sound GREAT! I love "how to" books and I love blogging - so this is awesome.
I have been eye-balling the Ruth Soukup book for a long time now. I don't know why that one have been calling to me for so long. That one in your sidebar has been beckoning me too but $25?! Eeep - that's a little more than what I would pay for any book.
Blogging on the Side looks fabulous too. Heck... you did a great round-up here.
Pinning to my Deliberate BLOGGING board!
Wishing you a lovely evening.
xoxo
Jessica Dimas
Yeah, I totally didn't like the $25 price tag on that. I hovered over it for a few weeks before I dove in and got it. She does have sales every now and then. But the Ruth book I got for free on Kindle Unlimited, and that one is totally worth it, you should get it!
Monica
I love reading books about blogs! Unfortunately my "to read" list is HUGE and won't get accomplished until with a.) I get super ahead on my blog schedule or b.) both kids are in school at least part time... so maybe 2-3 years??!
I did read a couple blog related books in the past though. They are SUPER motivating. It wasn't anything you mentioned here though, I have no clue what it was called. I am pinning this for future reference, when I get to my beloved reading time. 😀
Jessica Dimas
LOL I totally feel you. My book list actually stresses me out. I have soooo many books I want to read.
Chastity
Wow, great list! Now I just need to decide on which one to read first...
Jessica Dimas
I know, my current problem!
Beth
I too have been researching blogging courses and did sign up for an ongoing program that I pay a monthly fee but have yet to even look at any of the online content and resources. I think the problem is two fold...
1) I already spend way too much time online and really don't think turning to it for ongoing education matches my learning personality. I either need to be in a classroom/conference setting or simply holding a book.
2) I really need to transfer my blog away from WordPress hosting and until I do that, I am just wasting my time if I want to truly optimize and monetize.
Thanks for the great list...I am definitely going to get Ruth Soukup's book. I have heard it is great and considered her course but, like you, read a lot of reviews that suggested to make the $10 investment first.
Jessica Dimas
I totally agree with your points!! And I hope you get a chance to get out Ruth's book, it's a good one and another one of my blogging buddies said she loved that book too. Lots of good info and strategies in there.
Nina
Saw your title on Twitter and just had to click! I'm actually taking the EBAY course right now. I'll let you know how it goes, but so far so good. It's inspired me to make huge changes to my blog that I'm hoping will have an equally big impact. I'll let you know if it was worth it down the line lol.
I also like regina's design style.
Jessica Dimas
Ooooh yes, I'd love to hear if you thought it was worth it down the line!! And yes, I love pretty much anything from Regina, she is amazing. I know one of these days I'll take a course from someone, that personal feedback and accountability is invaluable, I'm sure.
Kelli {A Deeper Joy}
I wouldn't even know where to start with blogging books so this is perfect. I'm interested in the Blogging on the Side book. Sounds awesome!
Jessica Dimas
I want to read that one too!! Mainly because I know what hustlers the two women who wrote it are. They're so organized and successful at the same time. Very motivating 🙂
Crista
oh, I've read Blog Inc. - SO GOOD, it's an easy, quick read - I think I need to read it AGAIN actually....
Jessica Dimas
Have you? Ah that's so good to hear, I'm totally gonna make that my next blogging book to read then!
Ruth
I'm a total Regina fan 🙂 wish I had a spare $300 to do her course!! Looks amaze balls.
Must finish Abby's book. It has been super useful. Like one of the other comments said, I need to transfer off wordpress.com to make the most of blogging though.
Oh to have more time!!