When one starts blogging, one often doesn’t think about the tactics of SEO and how to rank in the search results. This is often something that comes with time and that we all learn as bloggers together. This process is actually a lot easier, thanks to all of the great resources and blogs already out there.
In this latest edition of Meet the Bloggers, we chat with David James, who has become quite the expert at SEO and online marketing himself. Be sure to read through his interview and story below to learn more about mastering the art of blogging and online marketing.
1.) Please tell us about yourself and how you got into blogging?
I’m the founder of the digital marketing agency ‘Business Growth Digital Marketing’ and I blog on the site about digital marketing strategies and tactics. I got into blogging because I wanted to share the insight that I gained from running campaigns. I wanted to show what worked and also what didn’t. But also, the learnings that I gained from running the campaigns.
2.) What is the focus of your blog and why did you choose that niche?
The main blog that I have is my SEO and digital marketing blog. I’ve been in the industry for many years and I wanted to have a platform where I can share the insights and case studies from the campaigns that I’ve run in the past.
3.) How are you currently monetizing your blog traffic?
80% of the revenue comes from consultancy services as a result of blogging and publishing content. The rest of the income is divided between Adsense, affiliate marketing and the sale of information products.
4.) What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started blogging?
Knowing how to target and build an audience that’s scalable.
5.) What are three blogs that you visit almost daily?
One of my favourite blogs is The Write Practice. Something that I’ve been focusing on more is learning how to improve my storytelling through the publications that I write. This blog is great as it provides insightful and actionable steps. It’s a blog that I visit frequently.
I visit Kaiser the Sage regularly as I like the content that’s published on there. It makes me think of new strategic angles and I genuinely like the content.
I will also go to Bill Slawski’s SEO by the Sea regularly. I love what he does with the in-depth information and insight that he shares.
6.) Can you give us three recommended tools/services that you use with your blogging?
I use SEMRush to find keyword opportunities. I also use Google’s Keyword Planner and suggested search terms on Google. I also try to find data such as social shares, comments or anything that can demonstrate the engagement or traffic opportunity if I decide to create and publish a new piece of content. I usually look into the analytics of Facebook and Google for this.
7.) What advice would you have for someone who is just starting with their first blog?
I would recommend the following. Focus on building your audience. And make sure that you target an audience that is scalable. There are several different niches that are available to bloggers, but if you can blog in a niche where you can increase your audience to over 10,000, that would be ideal and you should be able to earn a good income from your blogging activities over the long-term.
8.) What’s the best advice or tip you’ve discovered about blogging since getting started?
Focusing on micro-niches and focusing on building an online audience in a scalable market. Knowing that you have alot of people interested in what you have to say or publish is promising. So my team and I always focus on targeting and building a scalable audience.
9.) If you only had $100 to start a new blog, how would you use it?
I’d invest in a good theme (I use the Genesis Framework from Studiopress) and compelling content. I would promote the content via a Facebook boost post if needed to reach my initial audience. The main thing would be to start publishing on the blog and grow the web traffic.
10.) How can readers of the blog get in touch with you?
You’re welcome to follow me on my SEO & Business Blog
I am also on Twitter – @BGD_Marketing
And Pinterest, YouTube, Google +
You can also follow my other blogs here– This blog shows people how they can travel around the world while earning an income.
The other is HighJump.club. It’s a site that shares advice about doing high jump (I used to be a high jumper when I was younger)
Thanks again David for taking the time to share your advice and story with the Blogging Tips community. If you would like to learn about other bloggers and how they are finding success online, be sure to read through our blogger interview series.