It’s been a long time since my last Ask Me Anything here on Making Sense of Cents.
Ask Me Anything is literally that – you can ask me anything. If you’re struggling to figure out what to ask, here are a few of the topics you may want to know more about:
- Personal finance
- Blogging
- My life
- Travel
- RVing
- Sailing
- Being location independent
- Business
- Making extra money
- Questions about my dogs
And so on, and so on.
Seriously, ask me anything in the comments below, and I will take the time to answer every single one. Of course, please nothing inappropriate or creepy. I’ll let you be the judge of what is creepy, I guess, haha!
All right, go for it, ask away!
P.S. If you’re looking to see all of the comments and questions, make sure to hit “Older Comments” or “Newer Comments” below. The comments break apart in pages once there are over 50 comments.
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Hi Michelle! Thanks for taking questions… mine are:
1. How long were you blogging at MSofC before you moved into creating courses on teaching blogging?
2. Which side is more lucrative, the blog or the sale of courses?
Thanks 🙂
Hello!
1) I started this blog in 2011 and created my first course in 2016.
2) The blog.
Hi Michelle, thank you so much for your work and for sharing your story/tips with us! You inspire me to keep going and achieve my dreams with my blog and life! So, thank you!
1. I want to ask if you think it is possible for personal development to be a good niche on a blog? 2. And do you think to start with a “lifestyle” blog in which includes; personal development/finance/travelling/health and fitness is possible and a good idea – for it to be a profitable blog when starting out in the first months?
Thank you so much!
Hey Daniela!
Thanks for being a reader 🙂
1) Yes, definitely. I don’t see why not?
2) I think it can be possible, but you want to be careful with having so many niches. You’ll want to find a way to connect them all, such as it being about your personal life and experiences.
Hey Michelle! What is something you tried with your blog that didn’t work well for you, or didn’t work as quickly as you would have liked?
Hmmmm SEO took me awhile to get the hang of. Probably years for me to see any traction because I had no idea what I was doing!
I tend to connect people with other people, information and resources … which I love to do. However, I’ve been volunteering this time basically helping other people make money for many, many years. What is the best option to start making some income from the content I provide?
My favorite way is affiliate marketing, but there is also sponsorships, display advertising, and creating your own product. I talk more in detail here – https://fund-rise.live/2019/04/how-to-earn-money-blogging.html%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Hi Michelle,
I’m interested in starting a blog, and have been getting your emails for some time now, but just haven’t gotten around to it. I recall that you have a post, or series of posts, on how to start a blog. Could you please point me to that?
Is it a faux pas to use the word “blog” in the name or URL of a blog?
Lastly, I’m curious as to just how much money it’s possible to bring in just from affiliate marketing alone?
Thank you!
Hey Ethan!
1) You can find the free course here – https://fund-rise.live/freecourse%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> 2) I’d probably not include it just to make it shorter, but I don’t think it’s a faux pas.
3) There’s no limit so this isn’t a question that can be easily answered.
Hi Michelle!
So love reading your blog, I’m such a cheerleader for all that you’ve been able to do!
I am curious what your first step towards monetizing your blog was, after you created your content. I’ve read a lot of your helpful “How To Blog” articles, but I’m not sure what my next steps should be after I create my website and publish articles.
Thanks so much!
Thank you Kiersten!
You can read about my beginning here – https://fund-rise.live/2019/02/how-ive-made-over-1000000-from-my-first-online-course.html%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I didn’t start my blog to make money, and I didn’t know that blogs could even make money. So, my start isn’t really something that I’d recommend because I had no idea what I was doing. I wish I would have started with affiliate marketing from the very beginning, as well as created an email list.
Thank you for the question. I was curious about that too.
Hi Michelle,
I have been following you for a two years. I wanted to know should someone that looking to blog as a career blog can you blog using personal experience and still have it be successful? I have heard that you shouldn’t make your post too personal. My blog is a mommy blog.
Thanks
I like blogs about personal experiences for the most part. Who is saying that you shouldn’t make your blog personal?
Hi Michelle,
I’m about to quit my job, but now I fully want to focus on my website.
What in your opinion should I focus on most know that I have a lot of time on my hands.
I really need to grow the blog/website more!
Thanks,
Vincent
There are lots of things to focus on such as:
1) high quality content
2) social media strategies
3) building an email list
Hello Michelle,
Thank you so much for allowing us to ask anything on your platform.
I have a personal finance and lifestyle blog and I have been blogging for 7months now. I want to check what is the best way to start affiliate marketing. What is the best affiliate program for the beginner?
Hey Mina!
The best affiliate program for a beginner really depends on the audience, the blogger, and the blog. Amazon can be a good place to start as there are so many products that you can promote, but usually going direct to the company if they have their own affiliate program is better.
What is the best way to monitize a food blog? I have and love your affiliate marketing course, but I feel that people visit for recipes and not really to buy something, as with other blog topics. Any tips?
For a food blog, there are many things other than affiliate marketing, such as display ads, sponsorships, and even selling your own products.
Thank you!
Hi Michelle, can you recommend any good apps that handle sales taxes across platforms such as SendOwl and Teachable (for selling digital products internationally and within different US states)?
I’m not super familiar with this topic as I only sell courses (my ebooks, printables, etc, are all free).
No worries, I knew it was a long shot but thought I’d ask 🙂
Hi, Michelle! Thank you for doing this little AMA Q&A session, it’s so appreciated. I just have a question about how to write a blog post. I already know exactly what I want to write about and have for almost a year now. I bought hosting from Bluehost last August and everything yet I haven’t launched my blog yet because I’m a perfectionist and can’t seem to complete a blog post. I already have a list of over 100 blog post topics so I know exactly what to write about, but due to procrastination and perfectionism, I can’t seem to ever complete anything or be satisfied with it. It sucks because I really want to launch my blog but can’t seem to get past this. Is there a strategy or template that you always use to write your blog posts? I used to be so passionate about starting this but it’s just become a cloud hanging over me that I can’t seem to complete a post.
Here’s something that my editor (and sister-in-law) wrote about this topic that you may find helpful – https://fund-rise.live/2018/05/editing-and-writing-strategies-that-will-take-your-content-to-the-next-level.html%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Also, you just have to start MJ! This is something that I always hear from bloggers and you’re simply holding yourself back. You just have to start and work out the kinks from there.
Hello Michelle! I think it’s amazing what you have done. Lately, I feel like I have way more potential than the life I have been living. What are some ways that I can work on growing my presence and business online, to reach out and help others? Your feedback would mean the world! Thank you for the opportunity.
Hey Summer!
Are you looking for traffic building tips?
Traffic is a question that I’ve gone over a lot, so I hope you don’t mind that this will be the same as what I’ve said to others (as it doesn’t really vary much anyways).
There are so many ways to grow traffic such as:
1) SEO
2) Pinterest
3) Facebook
4) Guest posting
5) Instagram
6) Starting a Youtube channel or podcast and so much more!
I recommend reading this for more info: https://fund-rise.live/2019/04/how-to-earn-money-blogging.html%3C/p%3E
Hey Michelle,
I love your blog and how you have helped me change my thinking about money and get on track financially. I’ve just paid off my mortgage and it feels awesome!!!
I’ve been thinking about an online side hustle for some time, but it’s scary because I’m not sure what to go for. I’m actually a translator, but I don’t like writing from scratch. It’s like pulling teeth trying to think what to write about and even worse to write it, so I don’t think blogging is right for me. Any other suggestions?
Thanks!
Hey Maggie!
Congrats on paying off your mortgage. That is amazing.
I recommend checking this out to start with – https://fund-rise.live/2020/04/work-from-home-jobs.html%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Thank you Michelle!
I also downloaded your e-book on 80 ideas.
Hi Michelle, I was wondering with so many good thoughts that cross your mind on making extra cash, how do you narrow it down to manageable tasks? I get so many ideas and I’ve been trying to move myself and my husband away from regular (work for others) jobs to where we work for ourselves and can even be mobile. The problem is, my husband says I have too many ideas, and I can’t narrow them down. This keeps me from starting my own business and always locked into the repetitive thought process but no action. Also, fear plays a role in that. How do you narrow down your good ideas and make them work for you? Thank you so much for your wisdom and willingness to share it.
Hey Jessica!
Maybe make a pros and cons list to each to see which one you are most interested in? I do this a lot and it helps me to write out my feelings and dial it in better.
Hi Michelle
I want to ask you more details about making money with blogging and extra money as side hustle and also being location independent .
Awaiting for your reply
Raghav
What questions do you have?
Hi Michelle. I am a senior at 71 yrs old…but I still am groping for the right guidance regarding my personal finance situation. I want to work, still, and earn just enough and substantial to have financial freedom.
I am a retiree and most of my work experiences were doing Administrative and clerical tasks. I tried MLM…failed. Buy and sell! Does not go farther from “simple jumpstart”.
I am an adept encoder, a researcher. Do you think there is still money in these?
Please help me.
THANKS.
Hello Honoria,
I’m not familiar with that field of work so I don’t think I’m the best person to ask about that. So sorry! I wish I could help. I’m sure there is something that you could try, though?