Millions of people are searching for tattoo ideas and designs every day on Google. With such demand for this market, creating a blog with resources, pictures and advice is a great way to grow a following in this space. Whether you are a tattoo artist or simply passionate about getting ink, tattoo blogs are in hot demand right now.
In this latest edition of Meet the Bloggers, we will be discussing tattoo blogging with Katy Manniche, who has quite the tattoo blog of her own. Be sure to read through her story below, check out her blog and also see how you can implement some of her best tips in your site and blogging efforts today.
1.) Please tell us about yourself and how you got into blogging?
Being a creative person as I am I’ve been inclined to reading, drawing, painting and writing since forever. Growing up I had my diaries so it was no wonder that when I found out about blogs I decided to give it a go.
Consistent work on my first blog (which went live in 2012) allowed me to become a more experienced writer. Since I was still in school and needed some extra money, I began looking for a few freelance writing gigs.
I got my first clients and, before long, I was working as a full-time freelance writer and earning enough to sustain myself.
Both my blogging for hire experience and my understanding of my clients’ needs and problems in regards to their websites and businesses taught me a great deal about blogging, SEO, internet marketing and online business.
So there it was — right before my eyes — the perfect opportunity to move on to the next level. I took it with both of my hands and set myself to gradually learn another set of skills which led me to the start of my career as an internet marketer.
2.) What is the focus of your blog and why did you choose that niche?
As I referred above, my decisions in life are very much influenced by my artistic side.
I told you before that, besides writing, drawing is one of my passions. That’s why drawing in the form of body art and tattoos is the main focus of my latest blog titled TattooOy.com.
There I talk about tattoo designs, tattooing best practices, best tattoo shops and parlors and that sort of thematic.
I want to be of assistance both for tattooists and people getting their first (or a new) tattoo on their skin.
The mission and goal for this blog of mine is to become the go-to online resource for everything tattoo related and maybe even help those who are somehow against tattoos understand the immense beauty of this ancient form of art.
3.) How are you currently monetizing your blog traffic?
TattooOy is currently only being monetized through affiliate marketing but I’m planning to be selling ad space in the coming months for extra profit. There could be some interesting sponsored articles deals being offered too. I plan to write, promote and sell eBooks for that niche further along the way, as well.
At the same time, I’ll be paying attention to any good opportunities that come my way. Good money making strategies usually show up when you least expect them. You just have to be open to them and put yourself out there (i.e., include a way to be contacted or search for them yourself).
For my other websites and businesses, I also monetize them through affiliate marketing plus paid ads, Google AdSense, freelance writing (a bit less now) and one-on-one consulting as well.
4.) What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started blogging?
I can’t really say something specific I wish I knew when I first started blogging for several reasons.
First, I jumped right in the moment I first heard about blogs and blogging.
Second, I took every opportunity that presented itself to me with both of my hands.
Third, I believe you cannot know what you haven’t been taught about before actually… being taught about it so it’s useless to waste your most precious asset (which is time) whining and complaining.
Fourth, life will always make sure to place roadblocks and ordeals on your path to test and see if you’re ready to move on to the next stage. You just have to overcome all your fears and hurdles to grow stronger, be more confident and finally reach success.
5.) What are three blogs that you visit almost daily?
I wish I had more time to read other people’s blog nowadays! It’s hard — and becoming even harder as we speak — to find the time to do it.
Nevertheless, let me share some of the bloggers I used to follow regularly with you guys. (I still read them every now and then or when I need a break).
- Sue Dunlevie from SuccessfulBlogging.com is a really nice lady who likes helping bloggers reach success in their line of work and turn their blogs into profit machines.
- Pat Flynn from SmartPassiveIncome.com (who doesn’t know Pat?!) teaches people how to build legit and profitable online businesses that earn you passive income streams (it’s really all about “working how now to reap the benefits later”).
- Glen Allsopp from ViperChill.com who reveals his amazing SEO and online business strategies. Totally recommended and really impressive insight he’s willing to share with everybody.
6.) Can you give us three recommended tools/services that you use with your blogging?
I’ve used a ton of tools across all my years as a blogger and marketer.
These are my top three tools and services that I use for my blogging activities:
- Content Samurai for creating quick and presentation slides-like videos that are perfect to illustrate your posts.
- JustRetweet that I use to promote my articles on Twitter.
- LongTailPro for keyword and market research.
7.) What advice would you have for someone who is just starting with their first blog?
My best advice for someone just starting out is to have fun!
No doubt that blogging can become your real business or main income source. However, you need to take it easy at the same time! Just have fun learning all that you need to learn and trying things out.
Do it bit by bit, one step at a time, so you don’t get overwhelmed and figure out things as you go along.
As long as you are yourself and let your personality emerge, you’ll be totally fine. In fact, being yourself is what will make you be different and stand out from the rest.
8.) What’s the best advice or tip you’ve discovered about blogging since getting started?
I discovered that grabbing the opportunities life puts before your eyes (before it’s too late) is of monumental importance.
At the same time, considering how rapidly things change these days, I believe that learning every day is crucial in this line of work.
It will require a lot of work and honest commitement from anyone who wishes to become a professional blogger but, let’s face it, nothing in life comes easy.
9.) If you only had $100 to start a new blog, how would you use it?
I would buy a really good book on blogging like “The Million Dollar Blog” by Natasha Courtenay Smith, read it, take notes and learn everything that I could.
Next, I would sit down and plan my next move. I would do some market and niche research to answer the following questions:
- What niche should I choose?
- How competitive is this niche I’m considering?
- What to write about?
- What keywords should I target on my posts?
Then I would set out my content plan and content calendar and go from there.
To accomplish all of this I would need to get a good keyword research tool (or try something free), a domain name and a hosting account.
That’s how I would spend my $100 dollars (well, maybe I would need more than just 100 bucks).
10.) How can readers of the blog get in touch with you?
Readers of your blog can get in touch with my through my social places:
And, of course, I’m available on my website TattooOy.com.
Also, check my contact page there to learn how you can get in touch.
Thanks again Katy for taking the time to share her 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.