I’m not big on reading “how-to” books, but when talented bloggers like Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett put together a guide about earning a six-figure income with a blog, it’s hard to overlook.
If you haven’t gotten Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six Figure Income you’re missing a treat.
First of all, it’s an easy read so getting through the 211 pages is a breeze.
In fact, it made my plane ride to Detroit feel like a 10-minute trip. That’s how engrossed I was. 🙂
Who Is This Book For?
One great thing about this book is that there’s something for everyone.
New and soon-to-be bloggers will appreciate the early chapters that talk about setting up a blog.
Chris and Darren go as far as providing specific steps for installing WordPress on a web host. It’s very detailed.
If you’ve passed that step in your blogging journey, have no fear. There’s plenty of golden information on blog writing, promotion, marketing and even a chapter on buying and selling blogs.
Focus on Chapter 2
One of my favorite chapters is “Niche Blogging”. There’s very good advice here.
I don’t think people spend enough time narrowing their niche when creating their first blog so they end up re-inventing the wheel and publishing content that’s already out here.
If you follow Chris and Darren’s advice in this chapter, you’ll have a better chance at choosing the most appropriate topic and will hopefully avoid many of the common mistakes new bloggers make.
They encourage you to ask some good questions and visit useful websites that will help you land the right topic.
Just like creating websites, people often rush the topic selection process for blogs. This book definitely emphasizes the importance of getting it right and how to go about it.
Free Self Promo Opportunity at ProBlogger.net
If you buy the book, Darren is giving you the opportunity to display your picture along with your blog address. He is making a collage with all the book owners and will display it on his site. Details here.
Another brilliant marketing tactic by Mr. Rowse. 😉
Should You Get the Book?
If you’ve already started a blog and keep running into a brick wall, the early chapters may help you understand why. As I said before, the chapter on finding the right niche is quite useful.
Or if you’re thinking of starting a blog, but not quite sure which platform is best and how to get started, then you’ll appreciate the book as well.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a quick way to make money with a blog then please don’t buy this book.
The authors take their time in the first chapter explaining how much work is involved when it comes to building a successful blog.
Neither Chris or Darren made money overnight and I really appreciate how they make that point very early.
Blogging is often perceived as a quick route to making money online (compared to a website). That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Yes, publishing a blog is typically easier than publishing a website, but that doesn’t mean it’s easier to generate a profit. Darren and Chris do a great job of setting realistic expectations from the start.
Other than the typo on page 78 (oops!), it’s hard to find anything negative about this book.
It’s a comprehensive guide to blogging for all experience levels, and the authors effectively use their own blogs to illustrate examples and make points.
very good info! i just started reading your blog and its fab – i wish i could nominate you for something. love your candor and approachable style, keep up the great work.
as i’m new around here i have to leave now to get to more reading. just wonderful work, thank you!
oh – i took the tip from your post about leaving better comments that said commenters should try leaving something else besides our name for our comment name but i’m not sure i did it correctly. still learning how to work with keywords.
I’m always up late 🙂
You’re welcome! I actually remember reading your review a while ago. When I decided to buy the book tonight, I did a quick search for it on here 🙂
I see you’re up late too, Sherif! lol THANK YOU SOOOOOO much. That means a lot that you went all the way through my blog to find my affiliate link to purchase. Wow, talking about loyalty! Thanks again.
Hey Lisa,
Just thought I would let you know that I started a new blog-based website, so I looked up this post in your blog, clicked on the link, and bought Rowse’s book 😉
Lisa, I’ve always looked up to Darren and Chris for as long as I can remember. I’m sure I’d be just as immersed into that book if I had it in my hands also, however I don’t see how on earth I’d have time for blogging right now. But the info is still something I’d love to gobble and read up in one go. There would have to be at least a few factors that one could glean from this book and use it on their website(s) no?
It’s amazing when I perceive someone to be an expert and they make a suggestion, something in me says,” I need to get that book.”Great demonstration of how to make a few dollars with your blog post. Unfortunately, my funds are a bit low at the present time. When I do have the money though to buy the book, I know where to find it! So many times I have been hooked by a simple phrase like “free ebook” and when it was all said and done, I purchased something when I followed the link. The materials I purchased have proved to be of great value though, I am not complaining.
Thanks for another great topic Lisa
Jordy
Nice review Lisa. I ordered my copy last month from Amazon UK but it’s not arrived as yet. Amazon have given me a delivery date of 21st or 22nd of May which is a pain because they stated that it was being released on 9 May 2008.
Wow…Didn’t think of it like way. Thanks for sharin’ Darren. Sorry if I offended in any way.:)
Lisa-That makes sense. Even Bill Gates said luck had a little to do with it.:)
You sold me, and I just completed my order on Amazon. Thanks for this review, Lisa.
Just read your post about Darren and Chris’s book on blogging. I just ordered the book and should have it by Friday. I will spend some time reading it this weekend and will let you know my thoughts… Thanks!
You’re welcome, Darren. And I have a luck story myself. I started with SEO and affiliate marketing back in 1998 when this was all very new and there was much less competition. Had I started years later I may have given up due to all the saturation, lack of patience, etc. So finding this “Internet stuff” early one was definitely an integral part of my success.
That extra semester I had to spend in college turned out to be a blessing in disguise because that’s what gave me the time to get started with affiliate marketing. So yes, luck plays a part in everyone’s story to some extent, but I believe it’s a very small role.
thanks for the review Lisa – I do appreciate it.
Webman – I’m sorry that the ‘luck’ factor put you off. By no means was I saying that luck was the only factor but I’d be lying if I didn’t include it in the list because combined with a lot of very hard work luck plays a part in the rise of most blogs. This doesn’t mean that it is impossible to build a successful blog without it but it helps. I think if you ask most business people who have success you’ll find that most of them have a ‘luck’ element in their success. It’s one common factor for many.
Thanks Webman! I wasn’t aware of the luck story. In the book he talks about getting his start by creating personal blogs for his church, fun, etc. Then later he developed a niche blog on photography… which helped bloom ProBlogger.net and his Blog Network. So I’m not sure what you mean by luck.
Anywho, I believe a little bit of luck is involved in almost everyone’s success but I think talent, hard work and dedication are the main drivers.
Great review Lisa!
I like Daron Rowe myself. But one post he did about why he made it to the top.
Right smack on top was luck. Which sorta turned me off. Maybe I misinterpreted. But I refuse to believe some are doomed to failure despite doing everything right(smile).
But I’m sure all he meant was being at the right place at the right time. Which I know is not how most people succeed but there are exceptions(wink).