I usually don’t post about the specifics of keeping up my blog. But I wanted to share some of the resources I use and love. I hope you’ll stay tuned for some future posts where I share what I’ve learned through blogging.
I read so many posts about how to make money blogging. But the truth is, it’s VERY HARD to make money blogging. I’ve invested quite a bit of time and money to improve my site and my skills.
So why do I do it? I love writing! Having a blog enables me to share my purpose and reason for living with the world and do what I love. There’s a huge mission field with blogging.
I’ve always felt like I communicate better through the written word than by speaking. I’ve been able to share my testimony with people all over the world. While my stats may not compare to another blogger, I feel so honored to be able to share the gospel with way more people than if I didn’t have a blog.
I want to help new bloggers discover how to spread their message by recommending some of the classes and tools I’ve used to grow my blog in order to reach more people for Christ.
*Affiliate links are mentioned. Please see my disclosure page.
Some of the resources I recommend are affiliate links. That means that if you decide to purchase something through my site a small portion will help support this blog. You can see my disclosure page here.
Please know these are my honest and sincere recommendations.
The bug-guy and the rat-guy have become some of my favorite people! I just added another fav– the best tech guy! He’s trustworthy, knowledgable, affordable and efficient. Grayson at IMarkineractive.com helped secure my site from http to https. He will also help you figure out technical issues and will even help you start a blog. His customer service went above and beyond!
BlueHost
In order to start a blog, you need to choose a domain name and then find a web hosting service. When I started I heard nothing but great reviews for Bluehost. I chose them and have been very happy! I found them to be very affordable and I haven’t had any problems with my site.
www.bluehost.com/track/cordof6
Whether you’re interested in starting a blog, you’re a new blogger or you just want to take your blog to the next level, I think EBA is a great way to learn all the skills necessary for your ministry or business. EBA is a comprehensive course with 4 modules that you can take at your own pace.
Click Here to Enroll in Elite Blog Academy!
Carmen’s ebook is an excellent resource for all bloggers! This e-book will help you in all areas of blogging. Carmen is very knowledgeable and knows what it takes to start a blog and all that’s involved in social media. I love how she helps others discover God’s plan and direction in the choices they make for their blog.
Christian Bloggers Bootcamp
The best decision I ever made was joining CBB. This course walked me through some of the basic essentials for having a blog. You’ll soon find out how important it is to find a community in blogging. This is the place to do it! The friendships I’ve made here are invaluable. The support is incredible! When I started my blog, I thought I would be all alone and described myself as one ship among a sea of many bloggers. But not for long. Bloggers are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. This group rallies around each other and helps you navigate the rough waters. If you would like to join you can get 10% off my entering the code Val10. Just click the image below to find out more!
Building a Framework
Pin In 21
The first place I went to in order to find readers was Pinterest. I created a business account and learned how to use Pinterest. The course Pin In 21 taught me how to use Pinterest effectively. When I started I had zero followers and now I have over 7,000.
Sovrn
Sovrn is an ad network where you are paid for the number of impressions an ad displays on your blog. It’s very simple. I copy an ad code and insert it into an Html/ad widget and Sovrn fills the ads. I’m VERY happy with Sovrn! The customer service is incredible! A representative contacted me in the first week to help me along to see if I had any questions. She even set up a phone consult. She keeps in contact with me on a regular basis. I love the fact that the ads are clean as well.
I love being a Hope Writer!
I had a hard time calling myself a writer at first. But God has shown me I don’t need to shrink back from calling myself a writer. In fact, I love being able to call myself a Hope Writer. That is my heart. I want to write about the hope I find in Christ. And being in community with those who have the same heart, means the world to me.
Interacting with other Hope Writers, bloggers and authors has been such a blessing. I feel like I have a backstage pass as I see other authors get published and learn the behind the scenes of a writer’s life. If you are a blogger or have any desire to write a book someday–this is the group to be a part of. I’ve had opportunities to be in small groups called a Hope Circles where I’ve learned about the process of writing a book proposal.
I’ve received opportunities to be on book launch teams where I’ve learned so much. The FB group is always active and the founders very involved and helpful. I’m pretty picky about where I spend my money, but this group is honestly a no-brainer for me.
Canva
I love Canva for making images. There are some great interactive tutorials to help you learn how to use it!
Are you interested in starting a blog? If you already have one, what are your favorite resources? Let us know in the comment section below.
Subscribe to the newsletter here!
Get free access to a library of printables.
Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
Valerie,
I’m visiting from Sitting Among Friends and what a great post! This is awesome. You gave me so many ideas and things to consider, I’m so grateful you took the time to do this! Thanks so much for all the info and you can tell you have put a lot of work into your blog. Congrats on your one year my friend!
Congrats on your first year, Valerie! I used many of the same tools and am looking forward to collaborating with Arabah Joy in the near future!
We are in the same boat. You seem to have done a great job of growing your blog effectively over the past year. I think that my next assignment is growing my blog so I’m working it but by bit. Thanks for the tips! Have a great day!
It’s definitely a slow process, but well worth it. Good for you for working at it bit by bit Brittany! Sometimes our lives are so busy we just have to do what we can so that we keep our lives in balance.
Valuable content here, Valerie, thanks so much for sharing! My blog is a passion too but learning additional ins/outs is helpful-thanks again!
Yes, it seems that there is always something to learn. But I think that’s part of why I love it. I love learning how to do things. Especially discovering that often times something seems way beyond my learning curve but I eventually figure it out with the help of great resources.
Thanks for sharing the info you have learned. It is so interesting to see what everyone uses to run their blog. Congrats on the first year!
I know what you mean Debbie, I love to see what people use as well.
I use Canva for almost every post! I’ve found it easier (and more versatile than PicMonkey). Pairing that with the amazing free images on Unsplash has been fantastic!
I love unsplash too! Canva is great because it saves your work so you can change it later. I”m always coming back to my images to make changes and that’s why picmonkey is harder for me to use.
It is difficult to fit blogging into our lives and to try to make any form of money from it. I’ve been at this (with many interruptions) for 3 years, but I keep going because I really do enjoy it! And….Congrats on your first year! 🙂
Hi Kendall,
I know what you mean. It takes SO much time. Sometimes I need to give myself a break until the passion comes back. Usually it’s just a week or so and then I realize that I just love having a blog but just sometimes need a break to give myself some time to think and make sure I’m balancing my time wisely
Thank you for being honest about the “making money” part of blogging. I just started blogging and would like to make money at some point but that is not my focus or reason for blogging. However, it is hard to see some blogs making A LOT of money and automatically think that will be you. Too much pressure! 🙂
Hi Melanie,
It would be nice to cover the expenses of keeping up a blog. I feel the same when I read about how someone made thousands of dollars in one month. But they are mostly the blogs that are helping other bloggers with design and have courses or they have a great business sense. I think it always helps to get back to our reason for writing and it’s then I realize I do it because I love to write and I’d be sad if I didn’t.
I so appreciate your saying, “It’s very hard to make money blogging.” People all over the internet continually tell me that it’s easy to make money with a blog, but I’ve been blogging steadily for nearly a year now and haven’t made anything yet. I’m okay with that; my blog is my mission field first and an income generator far second.
Thank you for sharing some great resources here! And congrats on being a part of the 40-Day Prayer Challenge! I’m all signed up!
Hi Julie,
It’s so nice to meet you. I’m with you, since my blog is a ministry and passion —generating an income to pay for it is far second on my list.
I’m so glad you signed up for the 40-Day Prayer challenge!
Blessings to you!
Hi Valerie. Great post! I love learning what other bloggers recommend for success. Thank you for sharing.
I have been at this blogging thing for about a year too. Where did the time go? But I’ve had to do things very differently. Due to financial concerns and blogging by phone, I’ve been unable to implement any of your favorite tools. (Yet!).
It may take me a little longer, but patience IS my word of the year.
Have a great day, my friend.
Gleniece, you amaze me! I’m so glad that you have been able to keep blogging by phone. That tells me you must be a very patient person!! Congrats on blogging for one year. It’s an honor to serve beside you and call you friend!