Blog, Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community

by Joy Deangdeelert Cho, Grace Bonney (Foreword by), Meg Mateo Ilasco (Editor)

Overview

With roughly 95,000 blogs launched worldwide every 24 hours (BlogPulse), making a fledgling site stand out isn't easy. This authoritative handbook gives creative hopefuls a leg up. Joy Cho, of the award-winning Oh Joy!, offers expert advice on starting and growing a blog, from design and finance to overcoming blogger's block, attracting readers, and more. With a foreword from Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge plus expert interviews, this book will fine-tune what the next generation of bloggers shares with the world.

Learn how to: - Design your site
- Choose the right platform
- Attract a fan base
- Finance your blog
- Maintain work/life balance
- Manage comments
- Find content inspiration
- Overcome blogger's block
- Choose the right ads
- Develop a voice
- Protect your work
- Create a media kit
- Leverage your social network
- Take better photographs
- Set up an affiliate program
- Partner with sponsors
- Build community
- Go full-time with your blog
- And more!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452107202
Publisher:	Chronicle Books
Publication date:	09/19/2012
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Joy Deangdeelert Cho is a graphic designer, blogger, food enthusiast, and coauthor of Creative, Inc. She worked with numerous fashion clients in New York before launching her own design business and beloved blog, Oh Joy!, in 2005. In addition to running her blog, she now designs textiles, packaging, and branding for clients in the fashion and food industries, consults other creative businesses through her Rx program, and has a product line of stationery and wallpaper. Joy lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, and three cats.

Grace Bonney is the creator of Design*Sponge, the award-winning home and product design Web site. She founded the Design*Sponge Biz Ladies series, a traveling event designed to connect women running their own design-based businesses. Grace lives in Brooklyn.

Meg Mateo Ilasco is a designer, illustrator, and writer. A serial entrepreneur, she launched her first business in 1999, and is the author of three books on the topic: Craft, Inc., Creative, Inc., and Mom, Inc. Meg lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Table of Contents

Foreword 6

Introduction 8

Chapter 01 Introduction to Blogging 11

Blog Basics

Why Blog?

Joel Henriques, Made by Joel

Types of Blogs

Anatomy of a Blog

Lauren Willhite, Color Collective

Chapter 02 Finding Your Voice and Niche 27

Your Blog's Personality and Niche

Your Blog's Aesthetic

Jay B Sauceda, Public School

Naming Your Blog

Joelle Hoverson, The Purl Bee

Being Authentic

Blog Writing and Voice

Naomi Davis, Rockstar Diaries

Unique Content

Chapter 3 Powering Your Blog 47

Choosing a Platform

Domain Names

Designing Your Blog

Jamie Beck, From Me to You

Writing a Compelling Bio

What to Post

Adding Images to Your Post

Come on, Get Snappy

Amy Cao, Amy Blogs Chow

Frequency of Posts

Planning Ahead and Blogging from Afar

Establishing a Creative Workspace

Chapter 4 Blogging Community Etiquette 73

Be Active Online

Contact Your Fellow Bloggers

Contribute to Other Blogs

Geninne D. Zlatkis, Geninne's Art Blog

Initiate a Local Blogger Meet-Up

Prepare Your Cocktail Party Spiel

The Social Network

Cecilia Liu, kate spade new york

Conferences

Gabrielle Blair, Altitude Design Summit

Accepting Submissions

Giving Credit

Wendy Withers, Girl Crush

Commenting 101

Chapter 5 Making Your Blog a Business 103

Business Essentials

Protecting Your Work

Caitlin McGauley, Caitlin McGauley

Financing Your Blog Business

Record Keeping and Taxes

Emily Henderson, Emily Henderson

Creating a Business Plan

Chapter 6 Monetizing Your Blog 119

Measuring Traffic and Understanding Analytics

The ABCs of SEO

Emily Schuman, Cupcakes and Cashmere

Getting Sponsors

Types of Banner Ads

What to Charge

April Winchell, Regretsy

Your Media Kit

Joining a Blog Ad Network

Julieta Alvarado, Glam Media

How to Place an Ad on Your Blog

Renewals

The Sponsored Life

Affiliate Programs

Full Disclosure

Chapter 7 The Next Stage of Blogging Growth 153

Updating Your Blog's Design

Going Full-Time

Blogger's Block

Expanding beyond Being a Solo Author

Emily Newman, Once Wed

Dealing with Copycats

Finding a Blog/Life Balance

Using Your Blogging Skills for Others

Getting Published

Grace Bonney, Design*Sponge

Selling Products

Your Blog's Future

Resources 180

Index 182

Acknowledgments 184

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Blog, Inc. really reads like an inspiring conversation with a great friend who is offering you her best advice over a good cup of coffee. Packed with insights for everyone from seasoned bloggers to those just starting out, Joy offers wisdom on how to create community while translating your passions into an inspiring online presence."
-Sarah Walker, The Curated House blog

"This book will be your new best friend and number-one resource-a true modern-day business school for blogging! Joy's advice, tips, and personal blog insight is phenomenal!"
- Erica Domesek, P.S. I Made This...

"If the physical world of blogging is about fostering a sense of community, then Blog, Inc. is its new manifesto."
-The Glitter Guide

"If starting a blog was like embarking on a safari expedition, Joy Cho is the knowledgeable tour guide we'd want by our side."
-Taylor Combs, Martha Stewart Living

"Good for both newbies and those who want to take their site to the next level."
- Dorkys Ramos, Dry As Toast blog

Editorial Reviews

"Blog, Inc. really reads like an inspiring conversation with a great friend who is offering you her best advice over a good cup of coffee. Packed with insights for everyone from seasoned bloggers to those just starting out, Joy offers wisdom on how to create community while translating your passions into an inspiring online presence."
-Sarah Walker, The Curated House blog

"Blog, Inc. really reads like an inspiring conversation with a great friend who is offering you her best advice over a good cup of coffee. Packed with insights for everyone from seasoned bloggers to those just starting out, Joy offers wisdom on how to create community while translating your passions into an inspiring online presence."
-Sarah Walker, The Curated House blog

"Blog, Inc. really reads like an inspiring conversation with a great friend who is offering you her best advice over a good cup of coffee. Packed with insights for everyone from seasoned bloggers to those just starting out, Joy offers wisdom on how to create community while translating your passions into an inspiring online presence."
-Sarah Walker, The Curated House blog

"This book will be your new best friend and number-one resource-a true modern-day business school for blogging! Joy's advice, tips, and personal blog insight is phenomenal!"
- Erica Domesek, P.S. I Made This...

"This book will be your new best friend and number-one resource-a true modern-day business school for blogging! Joy's advice, tips, and personal blog insight is phenomenal!"
- Erica Domesek, P.S. I Made This...

"If starting a blog was like embarking on a safari expedition, Joy Cho is the knowledgeable tour guide we'd want by our side."
-Taylor Combs, Martha Stewart Living

"This book will be your new best friend and number-one resource-a true modern-day business school for blogging! Joy's advice, tips, and personal blog insight is phenomenal!"
- Erica Domesek, P.S. I Made This...

"If the physical world of blogging is about fostering a sense of community, then Blog, Inc. is its new manifesto."
-The Glitter Guide

"If the physical world of blogging is about fostering a sense of community, then Blog, Inc. is its new manifesto."
-The Glitter Guide

"Good for both newbies and those who want to take their site to the next level."
- Dorkys Ramos, Dry As Toast blog

"Good for both newbies and those who want to take their site to the next level."
- Dorkys Ramos, Dry As Toast blog

"If the physical world of blogging is about fostering a sense of community, then Blog, Inc. is its new manifesto."
-The Glitter Guide

"Good for both newbies and those who want to take their site to the next level."
- Dorkys Ramos, Dry As Toast blog

"If starting a blog was like embarking on a safari expedition, Joy Cho is the knowledgeable tour guide we'd want by our side."
-Taylor Combs, Martha Stewart Living

"If starting a blog was like embarking on a safari expedition, Joy Cho is the knowledgeable tour guide we'd want by our side."
-Taylor Combs, Martha Stewart Living

From the Publisher