If you’ve been around here anytime at all you’ve seen the banners, and maybe even a post or two about Beyond Blogging, the hot new book by Mike Cliffe Jones and Nathan Hangen. Call it my current promotion if you will. I’ve believed in this project, and looked forward to the release of the book since the guys first started talking about it on their individual blogs. I even broke my own rule of becoming an affiliate and marketing the book before I had a chance to read the whole thing!
I knew Beyond Blogging would be a good read… good enough to wait for the hard copy. And, I was right! I’ve just finished reading it and I’m already trying to decide… do I read it again, put it on the shelf to read again later, or pass it on to someone who would really benefit from it? Putting it on a shelf seems like a waste. I’d rather see it passed around and enjoyed over and over…
The Best Blogging Book I’ve Read…
Beyond Blogging sheds light on the sheer amount of work, passion, and focus it’s featurees (is that a word?) put into their blogging businesses. None of them were overnight successes. Sure, maybe their 14th blog, the one that’s popular now, gained speed quickly, but what were they doing before? How many blogs did they start and scrap before they got to where they are now? Does their blog support their business and has grown from there, or is the blog alone their business?
I also really enjoyed the last chapter of the book, The Six Figure Blogging Blueprint, which summarized the things successful bloggers do, and why it’s important to start out doing these things instead of ‘waiting till we’re popular.’ Having a good design, branding, building a community, and engaging on social media are all things one should be doing from the very beginning.
In reference to design/branding the guys say this:
…your blog is the pulpit from which you preach. If it looks like garbage , then you’ll have a hard time building an audience, no matter how great the content might be.
Beyond Blogging is for you if…
- You’ve ever wondered how the A-listers like Darren Rowse, Copyblogger, Pete Cashmore, Penelope Trunk, and others made their way to the top.
- You are ready to turn your hobby blog into a business.
- You’re just getting started and you need some direction, a coach if you will, to show you where to start.
Are you ready to go Beyond Blogging?
Cool suggestion – I'm going to get myself a copy.
Much appreciated
As both a blogger, and a book reviewer, you'll love it!
Wow, thanks so much for the review…really glad you liked it!
Great review, Erica and I could not agree more. Fantastic book.
Nice review Erica. Couldn't agree more. Just finished my second read through. It's the type of book you can read over and over and still pick up some good tips. I'm in the “just getting started” camp. The book gave me great ideas to get my blog going.
Tim,
Did you hear about/sign up for the Beyond Blogging Project? Looks like the guys are going to have a fantastic first round (only 50 participants at a time) of mentoring.
I've never heard of it but it looks great. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley
Beauty4Moms.blogspot.com
Yes, I joined… just started today. I can tell already it's going to be a blast!