I started blogging with the intention of monetizing. I went in with a objective of making money blogging  and had no interest in following the “rules”.

I had previous experience in digital marketing, networking and writing.

I pounced.

When it came down to it, my success, and ability to turn a penny on my digital assets, came down to just a few key things.

1. Be Nice

The catty co-worker around the water cooler rarely gets the promotion, ditto with the crabby blogger. Be a nice person in whatever industry you are in. Be kind, and helpful, but don’t be a pushover.  Being nice isn’t about being a doormat, it is about being respectful, even if you disagree, being willing to listen and support as needed and appropriate, and supporting others in their success. Kindness goes a long way in ANY industry, especially in digital marketing.

2. Be Professional

I say it again, and again. Be on time. Do what you have committed to. Follow up. Make things easy for other people. Professionalism is the EASIEST thing to offer to your clients and other industry professionals.  Support messages, offer tips, be clear and concise in your dealings and be straight up about what you expect and what you will deliver.

3. Be confident.

Or, if you don’t have confidence, have courage.  Just try for a week to step out of your comfort zone and R-E-A-C-H for something that you may think is out of your range.  Everyone is a little bit scared, and nervous about challenges, the successful ones just don’t let that stop them from trying.  You will fail, again and again, (and probably a few more times) but that just makes your success even more well earned.  Grow some big ovaries (or for the daddy bloggers. . . balls) and charge ahead after what you want. Never, ever think “I don’t deserve to try”  We all deserve to try for opportunities and you never know when your chance will come.

4. Write

Write, again and again and again.
Never copy-paste. WRITE.  Like really write.  Write about you, about them, about us.  And then continue writing about that, and this and there.  Never, ever stop writing.  Always create stories, and share ideas and spread messages.
And if you can’t write, talk. Speak messages, share your words verbally.   As an influencer and a blogger THAT is your value: your ability to communicate a message.
So, communicate. All the time.

5. Be Different

Look at how everyone else is doing things.

Don’t do that.

6. Work Hard

Pitch, sell, repeat. Write, share, repeat. Every day decide to work hard. If you are selling, than TRY TO SELL.  If no one is visiting your site, then START WRITING AND SHARING.  There is always something you can do to further your business, so find out what it is and do it.

7. Network

Meet people, attend events and conferences, grow, explore and expand your knowledge.  The bigger your network, the more opportunity you have to support people, and the more chance you have of getting support back.  Build an industry network, a team, that will help you through the rough days and celebrate with you on the great ones! As an influencer your strength is in your numbers, so grow them authentically through relationships.

8. Find your genius

We are all amazing at SOMETHING.  Find it. And do it.  Spend your time doing what you are a genius at, and do less of the other stuff.  By doing what you rock at, you will find success coming easier.  (and tip, your genius is what fills your soul and energizes you when you do it)

9. Learn

No matter WHAT job you do, or career you are in, you NEVER STOP LEARNING.
As a blogger, somehow people forget that.  If you WANT to do this (for reals!) you need to invest in education.  Find it where you will, but make it happen.  Learn. Ask questions. Participate.

10. Turn off

We can live and breath this industry, but that is never healthy.  To blog and write well, you need to have a life.  Turn off your laptop, and shut down your social feeds and go out and LIVE.  Re-charge your soul, and recognize that no one can work a business 24/7 and survive. . . have down time and make sure you use it well.

This is a beautiful and rewarding business to have, and the blogging industry can be fabulous, but enter into with a plan, and a business mindset.  Things won’t just “happen” you do need to work hard, and make choices to further your brand and business, but by doing so, you will have success.

Check out my digital marketing Facebook group for more opportunities to learn the art of digital marketing (i.e. being a professional blogger)