|
|
|
Average Customer Review
Share your thoughts with other customers
|
|
|
The most helpful favorable review
The most helpful critical review
190 of 194 people found the following review helpful:
Definitely in the top one or two
This is the 12th book I've read on blogging. The books I've read have run the gamut from marketing brochures clothed in the covers of a book to real sources of valued information. This book is clearly in the latter category and I would place it in the top one or two positions as my favorite so far.
I appreciated the author's very quick overvew of "what is a...
Published on May 1, 2008 by Tom Carpenter
|
› See more 5 star, 4 star reviews |
 |
52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
Well-written but mostly covers the basics
A great book and I was already a big fan of Darren Rowse and his blog. He is a very successful pro blogger, a fine example to follow and learn from and having the 2 perspectives - different backgrounds, both end up at pro blogging and both very successful - is very effective. The book is easy to follow, written for anyone who even hasn't the basics of technology down, and...
Published on June 24, 2008 by Farnoosh
|
› See more 3 star, 2 star, 1 star reviews |
|
|
190 of 194 people found the following review helpful:
Definitely in the top one or two, May 1, 2008
This review is from: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income (Paperback)
This is the 12th book I've read on blogging. The books I've read have run the gamut from marketing brochures clothed in the covers of a book to real sources of valued information. This book is clearly in the latter category and I would place it in the top one or two positions as my favorite so far.
I appreciated the author's very quick overvew of "what is a blog". Blogs are very easy to understand and the authors who have gone on for 20+ pages just describing a blog have obviously just been shooting for page count. This author gets into the real meat of the topic very quickly. The brief overvier of professional blogging as opposed to just blogging in chapter 1 was also helpful.
From the first chapter on, it's all about getting your game on. You have to realize that blogging your way to a six-figure income does not happen overnight just like building an email list (in a valid way) that has hundreds of thousands of opt-in emails doesn't happen overnight. This book holds your hand along this prolonged journey.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
144 of 146 people found the following review helpful:
Blogging for bucks is just another small business. Think it, plan it, do it, and benefit from it., May 20, 2008
This review is from: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income (Paperback)
I loved this book. It is the first one I have read that actually explains how blogging can be used to make money directly. Most books I have read, and what I have experienced, indicate that blogging is not something to be done to make money directly.
In this book the author explains that there are direct ways to make money from one's blog, and there are indirect ways.
Direct Monetization:
>>Advertising
>>Sponsorships
>>Affiliate commissions
>>Paid reviews
Indirect Monetization:
>>Freelance writing contracts
>>Book deals
>>Speaking engagements
>>Consulting opportunities
>>Service contracts
>>Sell your own products
After reading this book I am still a believer that blogs are not something to consider if you want to make money from them directly. However, it can be done! But probably not the way you would think. It's not done by creating a blog, i.e., one blog and making it popular online. It's done by creating many blogs. Creating an empire of blogs and getting well connected in the blogoshere does it. Writing on any topic that can generate advertisers, sponsorships, affiliate commissions, and paid reviews does it. One blog won't do it. Two blogs won't do it. But a lot of blogs creating little streams of income will do it.
The authors provide us with some lessons they have learned about blogging:
1. Blogging for income takes time
2. Take it one step at a time
3. It takes hard work and discipline
4. Follow your dreams
Does this sound familiar? It should if you regularly read books for entrepreneurs. Blogging for bucks is just another small business. Instead of writing content for an arsenal of magazines, you are writing an arsenal of content for various blogs. Instead of selling paper copies of writings, you are selling through Web 2.0. And you are using Web 2.0 strategies and tactics to make your blogs profitable.
If you have an interest in blogs, and you want two books on the subject that discuss blogs from completely different perspectives, then read this book and read "Blog Schmog" (ISBN: 078521576X). Both books are well written, organized, and sound. If you read both of these books, then you should have a pretty good idea of what blogs are all about, what you can do with them, and what you cannot do with them. 5 stars!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
75 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
Great Reference for Bloggers, April 30, 2008
This review is from: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income (Paperback)
I have been looking forward to reading this book, and I couldn't wait to tear into the package as soon as UPS brought it to my door.
"ProBlogger" does not disappoint. Each page includes useful tips and techniques for building a successful blog. The chapters include:
Blogging for Money
Niche Blogging
Setting Up Your Blog
Blog Writing
Blog Income and Earning Strategies
Buying and Selling Blogs
Blog Networks
Blog Promotion and Marketing
Secrets of Successful Blogs
Creating Something Worthwhile
Reading this book from cover to cover will give you a solid education in blogging. It is the most comprehensive and realistic book I have seen on blogging, but it is not overwhelming. It covers everything from choosing a blogging platform and a topic, through design, what (and how often) to post, monetization strategies, interacting with your readers, using social media and getting links, and much, much more.
I found several tips that will help me focus my efforts and produce a better blog.
Once you finish reading the book, keep it near your computer so you can reference it frequently. This is not just a book for beginners. Even experienced bloggers will learn things they can use to gain readership and increase profits.
If you are going to buy a book about blogging, make it this one.
Cathy Stucker, [...]
Author of Mystery Shopper's Manual, 6th Edition
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
Well-written but mostly covers the basics, June 24, 2008
This review is from: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income (Paperback)
A great book and I was already a big fan of Darren Rowse and his blog. He is a very successful pro blogger, a fine example to follow and learn from and having the 2 perspectives - different backgrounds, both end up at pro blogging and both very successful - is very effective. The book is easy to follow, written for anyone who even hasn't the basics of technology down, and has a reasonably good flow. I just wish it covered the tricks of the trade in much more depth, with examples, case studies, personal experience, and tips that you do not find anywhere else. It was a bit general for me. I am still glad I read it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
43 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
Good book for absolute beginners, boring read for existing bloggers, December 12, 2008
This review is from: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income (Paperback)
I've been blogging for a few years now casually and didn't find this book useful almost at all. The authors don't give away any of their "secrets" or point you at what they have had successes with personally, it's one giant introductory piece of writing that just tips you towards different things to try.
For someone that has a brand new blog and has never done it before, this is a good intro.
For someone looking to take their blogging to the next level, this book is a boring read and won't say anything you can't get online by Googling.
I'd also point out that this book is written exactly like the ProBlogger articles are written -- it gives you just enough to peak your interest in a subject, then never *actually* addresses the question conclusively. Their articles online are very much the same way except every one of those articles point you at buying their book.
Also don't expect to see any monetary numbers in this book either, they far away from giving indications of how much they make, made, could make or should make... you're on your own there if you are trying to get a feel for your site's value as well (trying to price CPM and such).
I'd suggest renaming the book to "ProBlogger: Getting Started with Blogging", this book is not full of secrets or any specifics that would indicate how you get a six-figure income.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
The best place to start in Internet Business and Blogging, January 21, 2009
This review is from: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income (Paperback)
Length:: 1:32 Mins
If you think you'd like to create an online presence through blogging to achieve any number of goals, this is the best place to start.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
A Great Beginner's Guide to the Field, August 23, 2008
This review is from: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income (Paperback)
Are you thinking about starting up a blog and using it as a means of supplementing your income? Then this is a must-have book. It goes through every step of the blogging process. Some the topics covered are how to choose a niche topic, how to find a host, how to write for blogs, how to introduce advertisements to your blog, and how to promote your blog. It even gets into the topic of buying and selling blogs for those who are interested in getting into the digital real estate market.
What I found to be really useful is that the authors introduce a lot of sites that are beneficial for bloggers. You'll learn where bloggers gather to share ideas about how to run their sites and also sites with useful tools for bloggers are also introduced.
The authors have a lot of experience with blogging and it shows in this book. I learned a great deal and I'm really glad that I read it. I recommend this to anyone who is thinking of starting up a blog. Also people who have a blog, but haven't been making any money with it, might find this to be a really interesting book as well.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Good Reference for Beginners and Intermediate, June 8, 2008
This review is from: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income (Paperback)
The authors Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett are people who not just talk the talk but also walk the walk, meaning that they know from first hand experience what they are talking about.
The only 200 pages length had me worried for a second, considering the size of the covered subject, but it was unjustified. It covers a lot of ground, but does so in reference style manner. This means that the book is not designed to be read from start to finish. You pick it up and read some sub chapters and maybe one of the ten main chapters, but then close it to apply what you just read in practice.
Although they provide a lot of references and list of tools in most cases, did they fail to provide multiple options in some instances, which is either because of strong personal preference, lack of information or because of an advertising deal. It is hard to tell for sure.
It is a useful and practical reference for newbies who think about starting a blog, but also for folks who already have a blog, but struggle with one or more aspects of the real world blogging realities.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
Detailed, Thorough and Realistic Guide to Making Money Blogging, July 24, 2008
This review is from: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income (Paperback)
Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett have written a book that you should read if you're interested in blogging.
"Problogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income" is based on Darren's (and his partner Chris') personal experience building blog businesses to make $100,000/year or more.
Like Darren's popular Problogger blog, the book is casual, informative, supportive, and offers lots of specific strategies. It starts with the personal stories of how the 2 authors became successful bloggers. (Spoiler: They were not overnight successes and not everybody is going to make $100k!) This realistic approach continues throughout the book.
The Problogger book pays excellent attention to the business side of blogging. It helps the reader evaluate his/her own interests and potential approaches that may lead to lucrative blogging for that individual. The authors help you determine content niches appropriate to your expertise, select a software platform, and provide plenty of details on profitable writing strategies. (This includes screen shots and even details on getting paid by blogging for others instead of necessarily starting your own blog.)
Other business topics include marketing, SEO, and even buying and selling blog properties - much of which may be new to readers who are not already professional bloggers.
The book closes with heartfelt guidance to "Create Something Worthwhile". As blogging success stories themselves, Darren and Chris' argument to focus on continuously creating value for readers as a way to build your business is a positive and accurate message.
All of this practical, supportive detail combined with some inspirational support, make Problogger similar to my book Internet Riches: The Simple Money-Making Secrets of Online Millionaires, but focused specifically on how you can best make money by blogging.
The thorough review that Darren and Chris provide of different strategies behind starting a successful blog make a valuable contribution to the emerging library of e-business texts.
Highly recommended - especially if you are new to the "business" of blogging. The Problogger book could be the virtual mentor you need to make it big as a blogger.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Killer resource for anyone looking to actually generate income from blogging, May 8, 2008
This review is from: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income (Paperback)
What makes this book different from other books on blogging is it's unique focus on actually turning a blog into a vehicle for revenue.
So, for example, when it talks about choosing a topic, the focus is not just on figuring what you love to write about, but on find and choosing a niche to blog about that will give you the greatest possible chance to make money by serving a market with a strong demand for information and insight.
When Darren and Chris talk about the types of posts you can include in your blog, they focus on what readers most want to read and what is most likely to get passed around or go viral, like list and resource posts.
And, because traffic is the holy grail for monetization, they talk about blog promotion and marketing, from creating strong relationships to figuring out social-media to generating link-bait. It has one of the most detailed marketing and promotion sections I've found in any book on blogging.
There are many really good books on blogging, but this one sets the bar for blogging for income. Highly recommended.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
