how to become a blogger

Are You Sacrificing Your Brand?

The word “brand” is thrown around a lot, especially if there is something at stake.  However, at times I feel like it’s such a common term that its importance gets lost in translation and not enough people treat it with care.  For me, brand recognition is major!  I see logos and names and images that are associated with huge companies like Nike, Pepsi, Sony, even Target, and I realize how much success can come when a consumer recognizes you! Keeping this in mind, how do you know if a business move will help or hurt your brand?  I haven’t started mass branding my logo yet (shirts, bags, business cards, etc.), but when I do, I’ll be careful where I attach myself.  For example, I won’t want to put my logo in the NRA monthly news letter, but I may want to buy some ad space with VIBE Magazine.   Here are a few things that I will look for:

1. Does it represent DANItheDreamgirl in the best light?

2. Will I be reaching out to my target demographic?

3.  Will I see a return on my investment (followers, hits, etc.)

What things do you keep in mind when attaching your brand to things?

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Write About What’s Hot! Or Not? ~Become a Blogger Mondays!

I often struggle with the decision to write about current events on my site because I don’t want it to ever become a gossip site.  I don’t knock gossip sites, but the purpose of Danithedreamgirl.com is to inspire others to follow their dreams.  So, where do current events fit in, in the Dreamworld?  I have asked myself this question at least a hundred times!  The conclusion that I’ve come up with is, they fit in wherever I want them to.  I have to keep reminding myself that this is my site and what I choose to put out there is solely my decision.  However, there is also a healthy balance in being true to the people that follow my blog.  So, here is what I do when I have the urge to say how happy I am about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West having a baby (for example):

1. I hone in on why the particular event is important enough for me to write about, i.e. what moves me, what makes it important, how will it encourage my readers.

2. I stay true to myself first and foremost, then I stay true to my readers.

I learned from Angel’s Laws of Blogging that if you don’t have anything to write about, it’s better to not write anything at all!  Basically, I write what I want and I don’t force it.

3.  I do my research.

It’s so important to pay attention to what’s “poppin” out there.  I don’t want my site to become an open journal for the world to see, filled with a ton of things that nobody cares about reading.  Instead, I want it to be a place where people can read about examples of others following their dreams, as well as, highlighting the exciting events taking place around us all.

Find the balance and the rest will fall into place!  Happy Blogging!

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What Should You Do When Life Takes Over?- B.B.M.

Hello, world!  Welcome to another installment of Become a Blogger Mondays!  I’ve noticed that some of the main blogs I follow seem to never stop.  It’s as if the person’s site is operating 24 hours and no beats are skipped.  Naturally, that makes me go “YIKES!” because, as you all know, I don’t blog 24 hours a day.  I’m still learning the ropes, therefore I notice major details like this and I wonder what makes the popular sites so popular!  I’ve come to a couple of conclusions and one of them being that you can never tell when “life” takes over.  I’ve got to be better at posting even when I have SO much going on (I’m slapping my own hand right now).  The other conclusion that I came to is that they must be so successful that they have a staff of writers to help them out.  They must be on a “life” schedule so that when “it” happens, someone else is there to pick up the slack.  So, in ultimate conclusion, I don’t feel that bad anymore lol.  When LIFE happens, just go with the flow and hope that a ghost writer shows up to help you soon (hee hee)!  Happy Monday folks!

Daniella Sig

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Is it a Dream or is it Jockin’? – B.B.M.

Well helloooooooooo, world!  No, I haven’t totally gotten rid of my Become a Blogger Mondays series, but you all know that I won’t write if I’m not feeling it.  With that said, we can all assume that there must be SOMEthing that I’m feeling!  I’ve sat back and watched and observed and pondered and…OK you get the point!  I’ve just been taking note of all the brains going a million miles a minute.  I’ve paid attention to those around me who are pursuing their dreams and it’s so great to see the creative wheels turning…it’s a source of inspiration for everyone when this happens.

However, I think for some it’s just a fad.  Like, do you get the impression that everyone has a blog? Or a clothing line? Or they make jewelry?  Or they rap? Or they sing?  That kind of annoys me.  It makes me wonder, are you doing this for you? Or are you doing this just because you want to be like everybody else?  Or because you THINK this is how you can get rich?  If it’s coming from the heart and it’s something that you genuinely love to do or you take seriously, I 100% support it, but if I get the feeling that you’re just doing it “just because” then I may give you that “look”.  Follow your dreams and passions, but make them your own…add your own spin to it…be original and even when it gets hard, KEEP going…that’s how I can tell if you’re really about business or just herding with the masses.

Let others inspire you, but don’t become them!  BE YOU!

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Become a Blogger Mondays: It’s Time to Piggyback!

Sooooo, remember that whole segment I did about getting yourself out there when you’re a new blogger?  About how it’s important to grow your brand and network?  REMEMBER? No?  Ok, well, this is where I told you that it’s important to SPREAD YOUR WINGS!  I’m going to piggyback off of that post and share an example of what I do to get out there on occasion.  I like to cover events that are happening in the DC area and recently I’ve been volunteering for Lazy Panda!  Don’t remember who they are?  Well, go back to my post about being at Trillectro because I was hanging with them there also!

I attended the most recent H Street festival and not only volunteered with helping Lazy Panda out, but I got to snap some pretty cool pics also!  Check out my skills:

Tabi Bonney

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Become a Blogger Mondays: Spread Your Wings!!!

spreading-my-wings-butterfly-maria-martinez

Source: Fine Arts America, Maria Martinez

Hello, Dreamworld!  Welcome back for another segment of Become a Blogger Mondays!  As you know, I like to share my experiences and advice about what I’ve learned within the blogging realm, thus far.  By now, the new bloggers who began on this journey with me are not so new anymore!  They have a little bit of experience under their belt and are trying to boost their brand, their reach and their content.  I can’t stress enough how important expansion is for your site.  A couple of weeks ago I discussed consistency in posting, but once you’ve developed your consistency, it’s time to take it to the next level.  Here are some tips on how to SPREAD YOUR WINGS:

1.  You don’t just want to tap into your regular following.

It’s extremely imperative that you are dipping into unique pools of visitors, followers, readers, etc.  Gaining momentum is all about expanding past that group and making “new” people aware of what you have going on.

2.  So how in the heck do you do this? Well, social media will be your new BFF!

Writers, journalists, artists, etc. all have a distinct advantage in 2012.  We have the world at our finger tips.  Use what resources you can…that’s what I call the “low hanging fruit!”.  Don’t be afraid to post your links/articles on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc.  As you know, word of mouth is POWERFUL!!! So a friend can pass along your site link to their friends and it creates a domino effect and before you know it, there are people you don’t even know reading your stuff.

3.  It’s not just a virtual world…get back to the basics.

There’s something to be said about people who still have the ability to speak in-person and network.  Sure, social sites are amazing, but be sure that you are still MEETING people and giving that good ol’ firm hand shake.  What do I do? I go to events, I volunteer, I work with other bloggers, I sign up for media coverage at events…there’s so many things that you can do to physically be in someone’s presence.  I must say, sometimes that can leave more of a lasting impression than just forwarding a link along.

4.  Don’t be afraid!

It’s hard to just put yourself out there and share your mind with the world, but don’t let that stop you.  Fight past the nerves and be open!  What’s the worse that can happen? Someone doesn’t like what you write? So what! You write for you and followers are just a bonus.  Be confident and don’t psyche yourself out.

I hope this has helped you on your blogging journey!  Feel free to ask any questions and/or add your own tips!  Thanks for visiting Danithedreamgirl!

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Become a Blogger Mondays: Be Consistent!

 

 

Hello Everyone!  Thank you for visiting my world for another edition of “Become a Blogger Mondays!”  As you know, there are many benefits of having a blog site, but in order to keep reaping those benefits, you must be diligent in posting regularly.  Everything is pretty much tied to how often you post, when you post, the things you post about etc., so it is important to remain consistent in staying true to your readers and build a rapport with the virtual world.  Here are some tips and examples of what has helped me remain consistent with posting:

 

1. Create set days for posting.

 

It took some time for me to realize that this was key, but with some guidance and following successful blogs, it was clear that setting a schedule for myself would really help with creating posts on a weekly basis.  For example, I block out Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays for definite posts, so anything that I may feel the need to post in between those days, is strictly at my leisure (i.e. no pressure).

 

2.  Keep a personal “life schedule”.

 

No matter what I have going on or no matter how busy I am throughout the day, I always set at least a half an hour aside to work on my site (sometimes more).  This time can be used for anything (writing, maintenance, design, etc.).

 

3.  I stick to my blog’s overall theme, but throw a curveball every once in a while.

 

I think it’s important to give the readers what you say you are going to give them.  My whole blog is based around chasing your dreams, living outside of the box, inspiring others to follow their dreams by interviewing people who have made it or are on their way, etc.  But every once in  while, I like to have fun with my posts and tap into a unique visitor pool.  I manage to remain consistently inconsistent (lol).

 

4.  I put it in perspective.

 

When all else fails, I force myself to maintain my site.  In order for me to achieve the goals I’ve set forth for, danithedreamgirl.com, I need to stay on top of what I do.

 

 

As always, I hope this helps and feel free to add your tips in the “Comments” section.  Happy blogging and I will see you next week!

 

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They Want ME? Yes, They Do!

Bloggers have different goals for their sites.  Some do it just for the fun of it and others use it as an outlet to branch into other things like: blogging for other sites, to make money, to build their brand, etc.  I, myself, am open to any and every door that opens up for Danithedreamgirl.com.  With that said, I’m blessed to be able to say that I’m taking major steps in the right direction!  I’m officially part of a growing team at MuzikTalk.com.  They are a brand new site that is launching this winter and will be a great resource for EVERYTHING MUSIC!  You’ll be able to get information on current events within the music world, updates on new music and it will also be an amazing tool for all music artists.  Up-and-coming artists, or established ones, will be able to promote their projects and their skills with MuzikTalk and of course, I will be one of the selected bloggers bringing you interviews and highlights from around the music industry.  My main focus will be to cover the genre of R&B, but if you know someone who is looking to break into the industry (within any genre), send them my way!

If you would like to submit information/tracks from your current or upcoming project(s), email info@muziktalk.com and become part of a community that is going to help promote you!

This is an amazing opportunity and I’m definitely looking forward to this new piece of my journey!  My dreams are becoming a reality; I hope you are all paying attention!

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