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It was May 2018 is when Ssouthernlifestyle.com was first introduced to the world. I took a leap of faith to follow my dreams by enrolling in a free blogging course to get me started. There were several other tools I have used along the way and below I give you a review of 2018 for Ssouthernlifestyle.com and a future forecast for 2019.
Blogging Courses & Groups:
Of course I needed some instruction on how to get started and once I was started I need to know where to go for support. I joined groups to learn how to improve and to support other bloggers along the way.
- 5-day Blogging Crash Course
- Blogging for New Bloggers Fast Track Course
- Facebook groups that I joined for support: Start a Money Making Blog, Blogging for New Bloggers, Blogger Babes Collective, Social Media Network Group, Blog Support Group, WP Blastoff, Twitter Marketing Group, Pretty Good Bloggers Club and Recipe Exchange.
- I also took other free courses that were offered about Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. You can find courses all over the internet if you look. I also use sites like HubSpot. If it’s free, I will usually sign up to see what I can add to my blogging toolbox.
Social Media Milestones:
It is important to celebrate the fact that in less than a year Ssouthernlifestyle.com has went from zero on all social media to where it is today. I did boost 3 Facebook posts to help me gain followers but it was the only thing I did that I literally paid for. All other followers came through joining blogging groups, participating in blogger threads on various social media accounts or someone just liked my stories. I will always appreciate every subscriber and follower because without you, I don’t know who I would be writing to.
- Ssouthernlifestyle.com website email subscribers: May = 0 / December = 45 subscribers
- Facebook Page (@ssouthernlife): May = 0 / December = 1,812 followers
- Instagram (ssouthernlifestyle): May = 0 / December = 321 followers
- Twitter (@ssouthernlife): May = 0 / December = 564 followers
- Pinterest (ssouthernlifestyle): May = 0 / December = 449 followers
- YouTube (Shannon Rhymer): May = 0 / December = 12 subscribers
- Mix.com (@ssouthernlife): May = 0 / December = 14 followers
- Bloglovin’ (ssouthernlifestyle.com): Just started this account so I don’t have any followers yet.
I use my Google+ (Shannon Rhymer), Pinterest and Mix accounts not only to get my posts out into the world but to promote other bloggers’ posts that I really like. Helping others is part of this great journey.
Affiliate Accounts & Profits:
To keep my website up and running, of course I need some type of income and this is where I have to find unique ways to support the website. Being new to the blogging scene, I am still learning about the affiliate world and how to best use it to my advantage but below is a list of sites that I currently use to bring in revenue:
It’s a Lovely Life blogging courses (I did not include the Blogging Blastoff course because the link changes every month):
5-day Blogging Crash Course
WordPress Blastoff
FabFitFun: Treat yourself here! I believe it is important to do something for yourself and this is one way to do that. Once I get the email that my box has shipped, I become like a kid waiting for Santa. It’s something just for me!
SmileDirectClub: Get your new smile today! I have been wearing invisible aligners for almost 2 months and most people can’t tell I have them in and I can see the difference already.
Amazon: (Profit made this year – $3.85)
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Bluehost:
UserTesting: (Profit made this year – $40.00) See if you are qualified to become a tester at https://www.usertesting.com. You can do it on your computer if you have a mic or your phone. The hardest thing about it for me is making sure my environment is quiet enough to take the test.
Selling homemade soy candles: $25.00 (I used a lot of the candles I made this year for prizes, promotions and for testing purposes.)
Blogging:
Why did I start Ssouthernlifestyle.com? Because I love to write. I have so many life experiences to share that I just can’t contain them all to myself. I also love helping people so blogging is one of the ways that I can contribute to the world. Right now I have published over 50 posts and being that I am currently working a full time job, I am proud of how much I have accomplished!
I have found that I may not be making a lot of money yet but I have been receiving other types of offers to blog about like free products and books. This gives me a chance to improve my posts and bring fresh new material to you. One day it will lead to paid sponsored posts but for now I am just going to enjoy the journey.
Future forecast:
After celebrating how far Ssouthernlifestyle has come, I also want to take a minute to let you know where it’s heading. Below is a list of some of the things you can expect to see in 2019:
- More travel and event coverage – Still working on the details of when and where for 2019 but there is a lot more planned than there was for 2018, just saying….
- “The Wedding Corner” Series – Over the years I have helped with so many weddings that I have learned a thing or two that I want to share. This includes planning, crafting and decorating ideas.
- Working on more inspirational posts because we all can use some positive reinforcement in our lives. This will include more about God, relationships, stress relief, law of attraction and love.
- Continuation of the Angel Card Oracle readings on my YouTube channel with a little more explanation of the difference between Angel card readings verses tarot card readings. I only do Angel card readings and people need to understand the difference.
- New book and product reviews that will also include some new cook books with recipes that I will post about.
- Other: guest posts, Ssouthernlifestyle’s 1-year celebration along with prizes and another 30-day writing challenge.
Now that you have had a sneak peek of what’s in store for 2019, I hope you continue on this journey with me. I am really excited about what’s to come and I am so thankful for where I am right now!
It’s time to celebrate the ending of 2018!
****Welcome the new year ~ 2019!****
Please leave any comments or questions below because I would love to hear from you. Don’t forget to sign up for my weekly email if you haven’t already and as always have a blessed day!
