Yesterday, I read this blog post “How an Alaskan Mom Brings Millions to Her Carpentry Blog” and knew I had to share it with you.
I highly recommend that you read this amazing success story from beginning to end, but here are some takeaways I knew I had to share with you.
- High Value Content – Always Free. Even though this blogging mom, Ana White, was determined to share her content (which contained step-by-step instructions) for free, she was also very serious about her business. She was committed to blogging frequently and always produced content worthy of sharing (i.e. not junk). The result: Her high value content kept readers coming back.
- Blogging is a Marathon, Not a Sprint. The first year of her blog, White admits that it was tough work. She spent many long days writing her content and making her designs – all while caring for her daughter. But in year two, “the payoff came.” Now the momentum is in place, and she is appearing in a number of home magazines and even has a book deal.
- Pinterest = Game Changer. For White, “Pinterest has taken over as the number-one source for traffic to her blog.” It is no longer Google or Facebook. Guys, your remodeling projects can end up on Pinterest, too, if you post them on your blog. If you aren’t familiar with this online rage called Pinterest, you need to be, because it is made for showcasing your types of projects. Women are clamoring for access to this new social media hangout. I waited a nearly a week for Pinterest to accept my request and when my patience for waiting failed, I actively sought out a friend who could invite me into this community – so the waiting would stop. (Thank you, Tammi for sending me an e-invite!)
Bottom Line: If you aren’t blogging, you need to be. If an Alaskan Mom can make headlines showing other moms how to build furniture, you, Mr. Contractor, can certainly generate buzz in your community showing off your fabulous work. And if you don’t know where and how to start, ask me.
