When is The Last time You Level-Up'd?

Business Support, Lifestyle
by: Kel Amstutz

So, once upon a time... I started this blog, you know the one...Life at Gray Gables back in 2011. 

Sure, I was full of content but I wasn't really clear on 

• what I wanted to do
• who my audience was
• what my brand could be
• or even what mission I was on

It was, in my own words, my Hobby blog. 

It was not a business. 

It was something that I dedicated my heart and soul to, put my passion into, but I was putting my words on the computer screen, not really thinking about building anything...BIGGER than that.

I was not navigating my ship.

I was not being the captain. 


I was just a passenger, looking into the ocean for a landing spot...to see where I would end up...what kind of opportunities might...or might not happen.

I was extremely passive and taking an extremely passive approach.  In the end, I just floated around. I had high hopes of what I wanted my blog(s) to be...but trying to build them in order to build an income seems like it was a mirage.   

So, I started educating myself. I developed my professionalism, my business and my lifestyle goals.  

The biggest key for me was clarity.  

No, clarity is not always tied to implementation. Having a coach or mentor is extremely important. 

I decided to seek a coach, someone who would push me, hold me accountable, steer my course and let me be the captain to the ship I knew I needed to sail.  

What a difference, right!  

 Not only do I have huge ideas, but I am actually implementing new offerings that are extremely beneficial to all parties involved.  It has been a win-win situation for both myself and my clients.  

 
For those of you who ask...

'Is it really possible to make money doing what I love?'  

Well, YES!  

 

The fastest way to get there is to level up  YOURSELF.  
 

• You need to surround yourself with people who are doing what you want to be doing. 
• You need to arrange your role models in your circle and watch, look and listen. 

"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." 

~Jim Rohn  

Have you heard the saying "Two heads are better than one" ?  Hiring a captain to help navigate your ship could be the key for you to earn a couple dollars here and there or ACTUALLY earning a full-time income from home with a business that you had once only dreamed about. 

 

The difference that having a support system or coach can do for you is amazing. You will see and feel the changes taking place. 

Check out this video on leveling-up and be sure to let me know in the comments how you have experience up-leveling in your own business and/or life! 

 

Are you ready to level-up your income? Book a one-time breakthrough session with Kel! 

Love this article:

 

If you found this post interesting, I bet you’ll love checking out my other most popular posts:

• 3 Reasons Why You Really Need to Productize Your Knowledge 
• How to Make Your BLOG Go Viral
• What is Content Marketing and Why Does It Pay? 
• The Speaker's Guide to Productizing Your Expertise

• 99 Companies Offering Part-Time Work at Home Jobs
• List of 21+ Companies That Hire Frequently For Work at Home
• Top Companies that Offer Legitimate Data Entry Jobs
• Best 10 Work at Home Jobs for Teens (18 and under)

 

 Here is my most popular eBook! 

I strongly recommend my eBook, The Social Media Manager Kit by Kel (w/ bonus) in order to get you started. It will include templates for emailing potential clients or those you landed a completed job with, it will allow you to focus and challenge you to keep moving forward. 

This life, working at home, being financial free and with my family, is something that I used to dream about. 

Today...

• I am living it. 
• I am loving it. 
• I am making it my life! 

Need More Help?  

Check out my eBook, Make your Dream a Reality in 30 Days or Less! - a jump start guide with templates to get you ready, set and ROCKING this Social Media Manager gig! 

 

@KelleyAmstutz

/kel.amstutz

KAMSTUTZ09

44 Way to Get Massive Loads of Website Traffic and Readers

Lead Generation, Website Traffic
By: Kel Amstutz

 

I have truly been blessed with LOTS of website traffic. About four (4) months into my blogging adventure, I started to reach higher and higher volumes of readers, who have stayed with me throughout all my blog changes!

 
Not to sound overly-confident, but I know how to lovingly build an amazing community of blog readers. 

You see, when I started blogging, I did so with PASSION and HEART!

I honestly think that this is a key ingredient when you build a blog. 

Write about things that you TRULY care about. 

If you start a blog just for money, YOU WILL LIKELY FAIL. (that is a FACT)

People can smell a faker from a mile away.


For me, I revealed myself and what I believed in; which is this: 

 

Every woman on this earth deserves a flexible, stay at home job, where she can focus on her family and provide for her family financially. 

 

I am so very thankful for my blessings and I can not wait to share my tips with you so that you can put your own passion and heart into building a successful blog!  

• Some ADVICE: 
• Make Videos!
• Post videos on Youtube and Vimeo
• Guest post on other peoples blogs
• Have a FB party
• Comment on other peoples blogs
• Google other bloggers in your niche and make some friends!
• Use LinkedIn and the group pages
• Create a Facebook Fan Page
• Do LinkUp Parties on mommy blogs
• Use Pinterest Daily
• Post on Twitter
• Post older content on Facebook for new readers
• Use StumbleUpon daily
• Enter your articles into article directories
• Contact a local TV station to do a segment
• Use hashtags on Twitter
• Use LinkedIn and the group pages
• Use Scribd to re-post articles in PDF form
• Give away free printable
• Did I already say, USE PINTEREST
• Comment on a new blog everyday to expand your reach
• Edit your article titles to be catchy
• Use Rafflecopter for a contest
• Learn about SEO and make edits to your site
• Make sure your blog is listed on Google and Yahoo
• Do webinars and teach something
• Write "How To" Articles 
• Make sure each blog post has a picture
• Put personality into every single post! 
• Connect with your local newspaper
• Put your blog URL on your business cards
• Add your blog URL to all YOUTUBE videos
• Make sure your blog is mobile friendly
• Host an online party using Twitter
• Make sure to repeat keywords to get on Google
• Write posts with checklists
• Add your blog to your email signature
• Feature other bloggers on your blog
• Make a weekly theme like: "Foodie Fridays"
• Write about positive news 
• Give out advice that works, like this post!
• Contact a local radio station
• Curate examples of people doing something very well
• Inspire readers through your writing
• Send out blog posts via email marketing

 

If you found this post interesting, I bet you’ll love checking out my other most popular posts:

• 3 Reasons Why You Really Need to Productize Your Knowledge 
• How to Make Your BLOG Go Viral
• What is Content Marketing and Why Does It Pay? 
• The Speaker's Guide to Productizing Your Expertise

• 99 Companies Offering Part-Time Work at Home Jobs
• List of 21+ Companies That Hire Frequently For Work at Home
• Top Companies that Offer Legitimate Data Entry Jobs
• Best 10 Work at Home Jobs for Teens (18 and under)

 

 Here is my most popular eBook! 

I strongly recommend my eBook, The Social Media Manager Kit by Kel (w/ bonus) in order to get you started. It will include templates for emailing potential clients or those you landed a completed job with, it will allow you to focus and challenge you to keep moving forward. 

This life, working at home, being financial free and with my family, is something that I used to dream about. 

Today...

• I am living it. 
• I am loving it. 
• I am making it my life! 

Need More Help?  

Check out my eBook, Make your Dream a Reality in 30 Days or Less! - a jump start guide with templates to get you ready, set and ROCKING this Social Media Manager gig! 

 

@KelleyAmstutz

/kel.amstutz

KAMSTUTZ09

How To Make Your Blog Go Viral

Blogging, Lessons on working, Stay at Home Moms

by: Kel Amstutz

Last year, I posted a blog post that went viral. (much to MY surprise!)  


Today, I still see traffic in the thousands (on a daily basis) and from that one article! 

Since then, I have had a few more blog posts that are getting shared in the thousands.  The internet is filled with different niches that cater to different interests.  In today's internet landscape, it is a MUST as a blogger, that you formulate a strategy that CAN make your posts go VIRAL. 

Why is vitality or contagious content important today?  

Social media has become a staple in the attitude of online users. What this means is that with more shares and likes, more people can get to see your blog and be exposed to your brand. 

So how do you go about doing this? 


Know your Niche if You Want to to VIRAL

One of the best ways to turn a blog post viral is to know your audience, know their interests and their likes. You may even go the extra mile and create a really curious headline or talk about hated topics to get your audience to click through, out of curiosity. 

Research Contagious & Mass Appeal Topics

What are the things that let's say, many Moms want to know or read? Do they find it difficult to balance their time with work schedules? See, there are a lot of topics that can suddenly get a readers attention and it all depends on current lifestyles and circumstances, which fall within your niche.

Be Unique With Your Presentation

Can you be satirical with some of your comments when making a point? Do you have numbers that back up claims you have made on info-graphic style pieces?  These are different approaches on how you can get the attention of your readers. 

In fact, if you are simply following a generic line of thought, it is hard to be remembered especially now, where there are like, millions of bloggers who are throwing similar content to readers alike. 

Utilize Different Internet Marketing Strategies

Are you like most people and have multiple social media accounts? 

These are some of the best ways to promote your posts to an audience. Remember to always honor the platform that you are using. The same message won't work on EVERY social media site. You need to build a solid social media marketing strategy in order to increase your traffic exponentially to your blog. 

Find Your Voice

The right voice is important for ANY TYPE OF BLOG. Without a good voice, it is possible that you are NOT going to connect with your niche the way that you desire.  Though it takes practice, it is a skill that can be readily honed. It will NOT happen overnight, but with enough writing YOU WILL GET THERE! 

Be Consistent

Last, but certainly NOT least, you need to keep the content coming. You want to make it a habit for your readers to look at your posts and GET EXCITED! 

That can not happen without your commitment and consistency. 
 

 Here is my most popular eBook! 

I strongly recommend my eBook, The Social Media Manager Kit by Kel (w/ bonus) in order to get you started. It will include templates for emailing potential clients or those you landed a completed job with, it will allow you to focus and challenge you to keep moving forward. 



This life, working at home, being financial free and with my family, is something that I used to dream about. 



Today...

• I am living it. 
• I am loving it. 
• I am making it my life! 

Need More Help?  



Check out my eBook, Make your Dream a Reality in 30 Days or Less! - a jump start guide with templates to get you ready, set and ROCKING this Social Media Manager gig! 

 

@KelleyAmstutz

/kel.amstutz

KAMSTUTZ09

5 Ways to Shine at Sponsored Posts

Making Money

5 Ways to Shine at Sponsored Posts

August 01, 2016
by: Kel Amstutz

If you’re working with brands (or hoping to), at some point you’ll write a sponsored post. But how do you make a blog post about a brand not one big buzzword-filled snoozefest?

Well, keep it true to your style and voice for starters.

You’ll not only make the brand happy; your readers won’t hit the back button either.

These five tips will give you a fresh twist for your next sponsored post.

Plus, check out the examples from bloggers who know how to write for brands in a way that’s both authentic and informative.

Just Be Real… Even if that means at Your Own Expense

You don’t have to sound like you’re spouting marketing-babble when you write a sponsored post.

Brands want to see you being you so keep it real, even if that means showing a less-than-perfect day or poking a little fun at yourself.

Shining Example: Anne from AnneHogan.net did a great sponsored post for Kohl’s Wink of Pink Giveaway. Is pink her favorite color? Not at all. But she took on the challenge of working in pink clothes into her wardrobe, which makes a believer out of any pink skeptic. Not only that, Anne wasn’t afraid to poke a little fun at herself.

 

Every time I see this picture, I crack up. That would TOTALLY be me.

 

It all starts with a Compelling Headline

If you want to bore someone into never clicking on your blog post, then start off with a really boring blog post title. 

Who wants to click the link that says “NEW POST: Free React Mobile App”? Zzzzzzz. 

Instead, create a snazzy headline that makes readers curious. The only caveat? You MUST follow-through with an awesome post!

Shining Example: Dani from Cloudy with a Chance of Wine does this brilliantly, both the headline and the post. Instead of calling her blog post “Free React Mobile App,” her post is titled “Why I Never Left College Parties by Myself.”

Now THAT’s a post I want to read. She doesn’t disappoint, using her college mishap to explain why this app is such a good idea.

 

Add a Dash of Video

Do you like creating videos? 

Well, no one says your sponsored post has to just be written words. Adding video to your posts helps readers really get a sense of the product being talked about (not to mention, get to “know” you a little better by seeing more than a little headshot in your sidebar.)

Shining Example: Fadra from All Thing’s Fadra is always the first person who comes to mind when I think of great sponsored posts with videos. Her post for Kia about Life in a Small Car takes a humorous look of a luxury chick trying out the Kia Forte LX. She saves some of the car’s features for the text, but in the video she shows herself using the car for a little trip to a blogger meetup. She takes the car for a spin, drops cookies, and her camera falls. While the latter two might not relate to the car, the video is memorable and fun… just what Kia wants.

Give Readers a Benefit that Clicks

A rookie marketing mistake is to only talk about a product’s features. Typically, benefits are what seals the deal in a consumer’s mind. Using __ product will make me ___. So, when writing about a brand’s product or service, consider your audience. How can that “thing” make them healthier? Improve their life? Simplify their day? Solve a problem?

Shining Example: Anna from My Life and Kids didn’t just create a green smoothie recipe to promote Silk Coconutmilk. She tapped into a feeling most parents have: feeling tired. Her solution is an energizing smoothie for tired parents all over. (Must try this!)

With three little kids, a growing business and an endless pile of laundry – I don’t have time to be tired. No – seriously. I don’t have time to spend my afternoons yawning or unfocused. I don’t have time to spend my mornings in a foggy, half-awake state while I try to get one kid on the bus, another kid dressed for preschool and keep another kid from playing in the toilet.

Be Relate-able

Brands work with bloggers because they’re “just like you and me.” A brand talking about their own product, service, or cause is one thing, but hearing it from someone we can already relate to? That’s even more convincing. When you start off a sponsored post with something everyone can relate to (like nostalgia), you get your audience nodding their head… and reading your content.

Shining Example: Roo from Neon Fresh knows how to pull readers in with a relate-able, humorous style. And her sponsored post about eBay’s Curate a Collection for a Cause is no different. She gets you all nostalgic for the 90s (even as a child of the 80s, I can still relate to playing Oregon Trail, yo), which is the perfect set up to talking about eBay, isn’t it? She makes me WANT to put together a curate a collection…maybe one in which I curate bits and pieces of the 80s (Rainbow Brite anyone?).

 

 

If you found this post interesting, I bet you’ll love checking out my other most popular posts:

• 99 Companies Offering Part-Time Work at Home Jobs
• List of 21+ Companies That Hire Frequently For Work at Home
• Top Companies that Offer Legitimate Data Entry Jobs
• Best 10 Work at Home Jobs for Teens (18 and under)
• 5 Ways to Earn an Extra $2,000 a Month by Blogging

 Here is my most popular eBook! 

I strongly recommend my eBook, The Social Media Manager Kit by Kel (w/ bonus) in order to get you started. It will include templates for emailing potential clients or those you landed a completed job with, it will allow you to focus and challenge you to keep moving forward. 

This life, working at home, being financial free and with my family, is something that I used to dream about. 

Today...

• I am living it. 
• I am loving it. 
• I am making it my life! 

Need More Help?  

Check out my eBook, Make your Dream a Reality in 30 Days or Less! - a jump start guide with templates to get you ready, set and ROCKING this Social Media Manager gig! 

 

 

 

@KelleyAmstutz

/kel.amstutz

 KAMSTUTZ09