I’ve put together a list of the blogging resources that I personally use. There are essential and great to have Blogging Resources.
Don’t waste money on things you really don’t need. You actually don’t need very much.
Get your essentials in place and then build some money up and gradually invest back into your blog.
As a new blogger, it’s so easy to think you need every blogging resource going and that’s simply not true.
There are always people who will tell you that you must have their product if you want to make any money blogging or you must buy their course, etc.
I want to tell you straight up that I do not have a product or service to sell you. I do link to products and services that I use myself and this does earn me an affiliate commission if you choose to buy using my links.
I wasted so much money on things I really didn’t need and I want to help you avoid those same money drains and instead, focus on making money from your blog.
Even with 4 active blogs, I really don’t spend very much money ongoing. I’ll list free resources and paid resources below and I hope you find them super helpful.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: I’ve included affiliate links in this post. I only recommend services/products I believe in and know well. If you click on my link and purchase something, I may receive a commission as a thank you. You’ll never pay more and this helps me keep running this blog. Thank you.
Check out all of my BLOGGING posts for tips and useful information from my years of blogging experience
ESSENTIAL BLOGGING RESOURCES
There are very few things that most bloggers must have the only essentials in my opinion are EXCELLENT HOSTING and your own DOMAIN.
Lyrical Host
Blog Hosting and Domains with EXCEPTIONAL SUPPORT and BLOGGING COMMUNITY – Read my Lyrical Host REVIEW
Use LHWENDY at checkout to receive 10% discount off your 1st hosting plan.
I genuinely love working with this company.
Very Highly Recommended Resources for Bloggers
Invest in a good blog theme
I personally use Genesis by StudioPress and TRELLIS by Mediavine.
You want a clean, responsive and fast theme.
A bad theme can leave your site vulnerable and very slow so if at all possible please start off with a great theme.
Helpful but not essential blogging resources
These are resources that I find extremely useful and help me as a blogger. They’re not essentials but they are well worth a small investment when you can.
Tailwind Pinterest Scheduling
Tailwind is an official service to schedule on Pinterest and Instagram. Do not be tempted to go with other services as they may get you blocked. I’ve tried not using Tailwind but it’s so time-consuming to keep your Pinterest boards active. This is money well spent.
Canva
Create all your images and videos for social media and your blog – Create workbooks, guides and much more.
The free version is very good, but the pro version gives you much more choice- Try Canva
Build your email list
I love Substack. It’s Free to run a free newsletter, you only pay if you offer a paid newsletter and then they take a cut of your profits.
The reason I love Substack so much is that it feels like much more than just a newsletter. It’s more like a special membership site.
Check out mine here – Wendy’s Positive Mindset Newsletter
Keyword Chef
Absolutely brilliant service designed by bloggers for bloggers. No expensive monthly fees.
Find low-competition keywords to target.
Try KEYWORD CHEF
BEACON – Create workbooks & guides
For creating workbooks and guides I love Beacon I find Beacon easier than Canva for bigger projects.
Tip: Create your product in the free version then pay for a month when you’re ready to download it. You’ll then have time to create more in your paid month.
I tend to use Canva these days to create guides and workbooks for my ETSY SHOP but if you find creating things like this difficult, Becon is amazing.
SELL YOUR DOWNLOADS
ETSY Shop
ETSY is a great place to sell downloads.
Check out my Coaching ETSY shop to see what sort of thing I’m selling.
There are some fees but I think they’re very low for what you get.
Gumroad
I love Gumroad. It’s not as professional looking as ETSY but I use it specifically to offer PAY WHAT YOU WANT downloads.
This gives my readers the option to pay me as a thank you or download for free. It works really well.
Check out my current GUMROAD DOWNLOADS.
FREE BLOGGING RESOURCES
Simple Pin Media
These are in my opinion the Pinterest experts.
The free podcast is amazing. There are paid services but I can’t personally recommend them as I haven’t used them.
Check out Simple Pin Media
More Fantastic Blogging Resources
I do want to say that these are the services and products I personally recommend. There will be more fantastic blogging resources out there.
My aim with this post is to share the fantastic resources I personally use and get you to really think about what’s going to help you as a blogger.
I encourage you to really think about what you want as a blogger and the areas you want to focus on. Read my blog post: 3-MONTH BLOGGING BUSINESS PLAN. This will help you work out what you want to focus on.
Here’s an example of what I mean. If you plan to spend the next 3 months focusing on learning how to drive traffic to your blog using Pinterest, don’t get sidetracked during that time and buy a Facebook groups course.
A note about different blogging styles
One thing you do need to think about when thinking of blogging expenses is that not all bloggers need the same thing.
For example, If you need to take your own images for your blog, for example, if you’re a travel blogger or food blogger, you may need to invest in great equipment and software.
The same goes if you’re heavily into video. You may need to invest in good quality equipment and editing software.
Words of wisdom
I didn’t really know anyone who was making a living from blogging when I started my own journey to be a full-time blogger. So, I hope I can give you a little bit of advice that will help.
Apart from the HOSTING, DOMAIN and a good theme – You really don’t need anything else.
There are definitely people who will tell you that you do need their product (or a product they’ll get a commission from). But you don’t.
There are definitely things that will help you be much more efficient – For me, that’s Tailwind and Canva.
YOU WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR BEST RESOURCE
Coach Wendy Tomlinson
Above anything, it’s you that will determine how successful your blog becomes. Even after years of blogging, I am still always seeking ways to improve my blogging skills. Things change all the time so you will need to keep learning, it’s all worth it.
I wish you every success with your blogging journey.
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