What I read this week – Episode #2
Part of the reason that I decided to start this blog was to learn more about what it took to run a website, a small ‘business’ operation and self-marketing. And WOW am I learning a huge amount about that, but what surprised me was what else I was going to learn…
I’ve got to admit, I didn’t think it would be too complicated to start a website- get a host, get a theme, type some stuff, add some people on Twitter and boom – done! Now, I guess that is kinda what my game plan has been so far, but little did I realize how much time I would spend learning about the technical stuff (SEO, debugging themes, getting backlinks) and marketing strategies.
Without realizing, I am spending as much (if not more) of my time working on this site than I have done on a full time job! I jump every time I get a new comment notification, or a mention on twitter, or a like on Facebook. My girlfriend is probably getting very fed up of me giving her hourly updates about my site traffic… Sorry… But I am finding this all amazingly exciting
By far though the best part has been connecting with people. Through Twitter, my newly created Facebook page and Comments I feel like I am learning more from others than anything else, and I’m really enjoying it.
Again, I read some really interesting and useful things this week and I just wanted to share the love with those who have really helped me on this crazy blogging journey!
- Jon
7Minute Entrepreneur – 2 Intelligent Ways to Invest $100 a Month
- real plain and simple advice!
Twitter – https://twitter.com/#!/7MEntrepreneur
SquawkFox – 10 Awesome gadgets worth the money. Maybe.
- because I know some of us are still looking for Christmas gifts!
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/squawkfox
Fearless Men – Scottish Bagpipe and Kilt | Do you think they’re manly? They got my vote.
- being from Scotland, I HAD to include my 2 cents on this one!
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/Fearless_Men
This That and the MBA - 3 Steps to Eliminate Procrastination I Actually Learned In School
- some useful tips about getting things done!
Twitter – http://twitter.com/thsthtandthemba
Living Debt Free Rocks - How Not to Lose Your Mind This Holiday Season
- thinking about travelling over the holidays – read this!
Twitter – http://twitter.com/livingDFrocks
Frugal Rules - Are you prepared for a financial emergency?
- everyone should give just a little bit of thought to this.
Twitter – http://twitter.com/frugalrules
Reach Financial Independence - Negotiate your bills and your debt
- it never hurts to ask, and here’s how to ask!
Twitter – http://twitter.com/RFindependence
The Outlier Model - Keep your passwords safe
- if it’s 1234 then you’re in trouble!
Twitter – http://twitter.com/OutlierModel
Unique Gifter - 400+ Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Adults!
- because just 300 gift ideas would have been too easy!
Twitter – http://twitter.com/UGifter
Money Beagle - Is our emergency fund redundant?
- a very interesting perspective on the old emergency fund bit
Twitter – http://twitter.com/moneybeagle
Well Kept Wallet - Why young people need to invest in the stock market
- come on, just do it already ya wimp…
Twitter – http://twitter.com/deaconhayes
Modest Money - Optimizing images for your blog
- every time I go to Modest Money I always spend 3+ hours afterwards tinkering with my blog
Twitter – http://twitter.com/modestmoney
Savvy Scot - A tragic tale
- something we all need to think about – me included!
Twitter – http://twitter.com/savvyscot
Financial Samurai - How Much Savings Should I Have Accumulated By Age?
- super useful chart to see if you’re on the right track!
Twitter – http://twitter.com/financialsamura/
Canadian Budget Binder - Dollar Store Home Pregnancy Tests-Do They Work?
- and would you use them?
Twitter – http://twitter.com/CanadianBudgetB
If I messed up a link please let me know!
Book image via
Thanks so much for the mention Jon! I agree with you 200%, I did not realize the time running a blog would take. But, then again, what that’s worthwhile does not take time?
John S @ Frugal Rules recently posted..November Blog Goals Update
It’s definitely worthwhile, but I think the main reason I feel like I can put in so much time is because I actually enjoy it. It doesn’t ‘feel’ like a job, but it works as a creative outlet, and I can see hard work paying off when people (such as yourself) come and visit my stuff, and enjoy/find useful the content I’m writing!
Jon recently posted..Free alternatives to cable TV
Hey Jon,
Keep up the awesome work! Thanks for including my post, keep it up! Connecting with new people is the best part!
Joe Cassandra recently posted..Use Less Energy to Automate Yourself to Success More Efficiently
No problem Joe – definitely enjoy connecting with people. I was sitting on my couch just tweeting away to other bloggers about random subjects outside of finance this week and it was just awesome! I’m definitely glad I decided to take the plunge and start this up!
Jon recently posted..Free alternatives to cable TV
Thanks for the mention mate!
Sam recently posted..Should I Use A Wealth Management Company Like Personal Capital?
Well there certainly is alot to learn about blogging and I learn something new every day. It takes a lot of work to move your blog to the next level but worth it, at least to me. When you can reach and touch someone, help someone that makes it worthwhile. Knowing that people are benefiting in some way makes me come back. I get emails now from fans and some post on my FB wall and when I read those posts it makes me smile, because it’s not often people come out to say, Thanks, I don’t know you, I’ve followed you and you’ve changed my life. That’s what blogging is to me. Keep at it mate! Cheers Mr.CBB
Canadianbudgetbinder recently posted..Bank Sales In Canada ….. Not The Same As Bank Foreclosures In The U.S.A
Thanks Mr. CBB – you’ve definitely introduced me to some great blogging concepts – I wouldn’t have started working with my Facebook page if you hadn’t mentioned it to me! So thanks a lot for the help.
It does seem weird sometimes that random strangers would just come over to my blog and actually spend time (according to analytics) reading the words that came randomly out of my head… pretty awesome too though!
Jon recently posted..What I read this week – Episode #2
Thanks so much for including me! When I was around 300 I thought that made for a really good number… but then the ideas just kept flowing!
Anne @ Unique Gifter recently posted..400+ Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Adults!
Thanks for the mention! Feel free to post a pic of you in your scottish kilt on our FB page.
John recently posted..Fearless Men’s Weekly Round-Up | December 6th, 2012
Thanks for including my post Jon. So what kind of private plane can we buy for $200? I’m thinking one made of lego…
K.K. @ Living Debt Free Rocks! recently posted..How Not To Lose Your Mind This Holiday Season
Hahaha. I would LOVE that! Just a box of $200 of Lego would make me happier than an actual plane!
Starting a blog definately takes a whole lot more time that I had thought as well. Researching key words and information for the post, actually writing it and networking take way more time than I thought it would. But like you it has been exciting. I made my first $2.00 off Amazon and you would have thought I hit a jackpot or something, I even woke my wife up to tell her.
I wish you luck with your site’s journey
Justin@TheFrugalPath recently posted..Credit Cards: Should I Blame Them for my Debt?
Congrats on the $2 Justin, I just hate to think what our hourly wages would look like haha
Thank you for the mention! it is exciting at the beginning to see all start to take shape. Don’t overdo it, many bloggers have a 6 months burn out!
Pauline recently posted..Friday recap, home alone and seven new friends!
Thanks for the advice Pauline – I definitely don’t want to burn out!
Jon recently posted..Free alternatives to cable TV
Thanks for the mention!
Deacon @ Well Kept Wallet recently posted..My First YouTube Appearance Ever. At Least That I Know of…
Hey Jon… Thanks a lot for the mention! Much appreciated!
Savvy Scot recently posted..Change Your Life – Step 8 Become Better with Money
Jon Thanks for the mention!!!! Hope you had a great weekend!!
Christopher @ This that and the MBA recently posted..Using Online Tools to Manage a Household Budget