Sandra Hudson

Inspiring Women in Life & Business

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How to Start a Blog for Your Business

How to start a blog

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS MEANS THAT I MAY RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION SHOULD YOU PURCHASE THROUGH ONE OF THESE LINKS. I ONLY RECOMMEND PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT I PERSONALLY USE, KNOW, LIKE, AND TRUST.

 

So you may have heard the hype around blogging and how great it can be to upscale your business or get your message out there. ( If not, here are a few of my favorites: )

 

It brings in new eyes to your business!

It’s a great way to show up on the first page of Google!

It’s an incredible resource for your clients/customers!

It keeps readers coming back for more!

They’re great to share on your email list!

It’s a great place to get feedback on how we’re doing and where we can improve!

It’s a great place to share a journey and connect with others going through the same thing!

 

Yes, blogs can do absolute wonders for a business of any size.

 

But has anyone actually taught you how to start one?

 

Well, Congratulations! 

 

You’re about to learn the exact steps on how to go from “I have no blog whatsoever” to “Wow! My blog is bringing in thousands of views daily! I’m seeing more business than ever before!”

 

In this blog, we’ll hit the big topics of:

 

  • Naming your Blog (arguably the most fun part too)
  • Choosing a Platform
  • Using a Web Host
  • Picking a Blog Site Theme
 

Let’s dive into it, shall we?

 

For starters, let’s clarify exactly what’s considered a “blog” and how it will be most beneficial for your unique business.

 

While “blogging for business” seems like a totally different purpose than using a blog as an online diary/journal, the results are pretty much the same –

 

Blogs are a space to entertain, offer great information, tell stories, and share updates & secrets on what you’re up to.

 

… And if this is starting to sound like what you do on social media for your business, here are a few key differences:

 

  1. You own your blog. You can’t ever get “kicked off” or “blocked” or “thrown in blog jail.”
  2. There’s no text limit! FINALLY! A place where you can share your whole story with no limits or restrictions.
  3. Unlike posting on a platform where only 10% of your audience will see it, with blogs you’re guaranteed to be seen by every audience member – AND MORE!

 

Just like the reasons I mentioned at the start of this blog, blogging for business offers a huge opportunity for growth and expansion.

 

And just like your business, it can be as unique as you are!

 

Design it with your brand, your logos, your catchphrases, etc. Fill it with your unique stories of how you got started and where you’re headed.

 

(I’ll share more ideas for blog topics later.) In the meantime, please join my FREE community group where I coach you all about social media marketing & blogging strategies for small business owners. 

 

Now, instead of diving into all the technical details of understanding native character encoding support, RSS feed compatibility… etc.

 

I thought I’d leave you with my professional opinion on how to get your blog up and running so you can reap the benefits a.s.a.p.

 

Then if you have any questions you’re more than welcome to send them my way! (Or just leave a comment below and I’ll help you out.)

 

Let’s get started!

 

CHOOSING A NAME FOR YOUR BLOG

 

For those who already have a business… Tah Dah! That’s your blog name! However, if you’re in network marketing or anything like that, think outside the box and focus on branding yourself and not the company you represent. 

 

Or of course, you can always play off of it in a cute way, like if Chewy.com had a blog they could call it “Treat Reads.”

 

But for anyone who’s enjoying the sweet beginnings, here are a few tips to consider:

 

  • Choose a name that encompasses your brand, but is also easy to search for!
    • For example, if you have a business around gut health, a blog named “Healthy Gut Tips” may be more likely to show up on a google search than if it were called “Down the Gutter.”

 

  • Consider mentioning who you blog for so your readers know they’re in the right place and the message is for them.
    • “Mommy’s Guide” is clearly for mothers.

 

  • Use the name to “set the tone” of what’s going on here and what people can expect.
    • “Mindful Monday Mornings” lets the reader know what topics you’ll cover and even when to expect new posts.

 

Here are a couple of pro-tips:

 

  • DON’T misspell your blog name to be cute. You may think it’s “fun” or “clever,” but it’ll end up being confusing for the prospects who are trying to find you & your business. 
  • Use a domain search and start checking what is available out there. (If possible, a domain that has a .com is always the most popular if you can make that happen.)

 

Now let’s dive into the less-fun-but-still-very-important technical side of starting a blog.

 

SETTING UP YOUR BLOG SITE

 

These days there are SO MANY CHOICES when it comes to staking out your space on the internet (aka making a blog site).

 

If by chance you’ve already got a website… good news!

 

You most likely already have a way to add a blog to your site!

 

For example, if you’ve got your website on Squarespace you can easily go to Support and find exactly how to add one.

 

But if your business is elsewhere (or maybe even not on the internet yet), then choosing a platform for your blog is going to be a very important step.

 

And guess what, reader?

 

I’ve done all the hard work and made all the mistakes for you, so you can get your blog started with ease & expertise.

 

How to Start a Blog

Part 1: The Blog Platform

 

Confession time…..

 

When I first launched my blog, I paid a lot of money for a custom site on Wix because I could not figure out WordPress to save my life. 

 

Eight months later…..I realized I made a huge mistake. 

 

Turns out it’s really difficult to monetize and personalize a blog using that platform! It felt like such a waste of time and money… 

 

So I went as far as to seek out a blog & branding coach who could help me tackle my fear of WordPress… 

 

and it was the best thing I have ever done. 

 

If you want to own your content and monetize for the long haul, save yourself all the hassle and choose WordPress.org (not .com). 

 

I’m not gonna lie, WordPress does take more work on the front-end of things, but there’s a reason every professional blogger uses this platform.

 

  • WordPress has all the integrations you could ever need (from your email, your social media, your payment plan, etc.)
  • WordPress is incredibly SEO friendly — *this is that fancy marketing term you may have heard that gets your blog on the front page of Google.
  • They have amazing community support. If I ever have an issue, I can pick up the phone or start an online chat, and someone is there to help me.

 

For anyone who still feels totally overwhelmed when it comes to tackling WordPress, my second choice would be to give Squarespace a try.

 

Both platforms have great Themes & Layouts to help you ease past the design phase and get straight to writing!

 

Part 2: Getting Hosting for Your Blog Site

 

Ever heard of Website Hosting?

 

Yeah, I hadn’t either.

 

Basically, it’s kind of like what The Cloud does for magically holding all of your saved files and documents.

 

It’s another one of those “website should-haves” to make sure your blog is visible to the right people.

 

A lot of web hosts also come with more than just “making sure you keep your zone of the internet secure.”

 

They’ll offer things like email systems (for when you’re ready to tackle email marketing), owning domains, etc.

 

Here’s the next big headache saver for you: try Bluehost.

 

  • Bluehost is perfectly compatible with WordPress
  • It is way TOO easy to use
  • Bluehost is also the cheapest at only $2.95 per month for the first 1-3 years. 
  • The customer service is spectacular and I could not be happier with them.

 

 

Part 3: Choosing a Theme

 

(Honestly, anyone with a website has already put in the hard work here, so good for you!)

 

When it comes to choosing a theme, luckily whatever Platform you choose is most likely going to have options for you to choose from.

 

(I know WordPress does.)

 

So instead of worrying about building your own, just pick whichever blog has the right look and functions for your brand!

 

Colors in business can often have different meanings, so if you don’t have your brand colors chosen yet be sure to take the time to research those!

 

(But we’ll save more on that topic for another day.)

 

Here are a few key things to consider when choosing a theme:

 

  • Look for functionality first. What do you want to be able to do with your blogs? Do you want to be able to sell things or have CTAs embedded in them? Where do you want to be able to share your blog?

 

  • Consider how the page flows, and how easy it is to search. Some themes will shrink a blog down to a “preview” size, others will only show the Name & Picture associated with that blog. How do you want your readers to be able to scroll through and find what they’re looking for?

 

  • Note how the blog connects or stands alone from your website. Is the blog just a “tab” on your website? Does it stand completely separate from its own site?

 

For now, that’s all I have for you!

 

We covered a lot of ground together, but I hope you’re feeling more comfortable and confident with getting started on your blog. Once it is up and running, you can start writing. And let’s face it, that is really the most fun part of this journey!!

 

Don’t forget to grab your FREE Blogger’s Checklist how to blog checklist


how to start a blog checklist

Have I inspired you to start your blog today? I sure hope so!!

Comment below or message me at thesandrahudson@gmail.com with any of your questions. 

 

the sandra hudson blog

 

 

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Farmasi is Launching in Canada and Mexico September 1, 2021

I am so excited to announce that Farmasi is launching in Canada and Mexico on September 1, 2021!!! We initially thought that this North America take-over would happen earlier in 2021, but the official release from Corporate has given us the September 1, 2021 date. 

 

farmasi canada farmasi mexico

 

Farmasi is a cosmetics and personal care company that follows European standards. Canada and Mexico are opening this year and  I am looking for potential founders in these countries to join our team.

 

I can not imagine being one of the very first beauty influencers in the countries of Canada and Mexico helping launch this beauty brand, and reaping the rewards from it. I know so many of my Canadian and Mexican friends are ecstatic about being one of the first people in their country to introduce others to Farmasi products and to the opportunity. It is seriously a HUGE deal!

Here are a few reasons why you should consider Farmasi if you are in Canada or Mexico and why you should partner with our team and me as your mentor:

There are plenty of opportunities out there but why FARMASi? I have yet to find another opportunity that gives you:

  • 50% commission on all of your sales
  • 50% discounts on the product for yourself
  • No website fees
  • No Auto-ship
  • Low Investment. It’s only $19.99 USD to start your business or to unlock the discount
  • A wide variety of products and colors to choose from (with more coming)
  • EU approved products at LOW prices
  • GROUND FLOOR OPPORTUNITY
  • Unique opportunity to build a legacy for your family and capitalize on utilizing a rapidly expanding company with 70+ years of experience
 
You can expect individual coaching, group coaching, customized plans to help you reach your goals. We are a supportive team, and many different training methods to be sure we meet your needs. We meet you where you are in your journey.
 
 

PRE-REGISTER FOR YOUR COUNTRY HERE!  

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Confessions From a Recovering Stay at Home Mom

recovering stay at home mom
 

I am a Recovering Stay-at-Home-Mom

It’s hard to believe that 5 years ago, I was a “stay-at-home-mom” who lived her life at home with the kids, recovering from post-partum depression for the second time, and slowly losing my identity, confidence, and purpose. (Read more about my story here)
 
I do not want to seem ungrateful for being blessed with this opportunity. I know how blessed and privileged I was to have the opportunity to stay home with Stella, my youngest after she was born. We tried for two years to have another baby and suffered through 3 back to back miscarriages along the way. I savored every moment with my rainbow baby. But anyone who has left a competitive workforce before to take care of the kids and home knows how challenging this can be. There is another side to this “job” that many will never see or understand unless you’ve done it.
 
You know, the no-makeup days, workout clothes or leggings for days on end, days without showers, TV binges and emotional eating…just me? Maybe so…
 
I’m not here to say being a SAHM is easier or harder than working outside of the home, I’m just here to shed light on the struggles that do come with the job that people may not understand.
 
Loneliness, depression, feeling unworthy, feeling useless, and that I could not manage anything well. When I would go to social events, and others asked me what I did for a living, I would feel embarrassed to say that I was“a stay at home mom.” People would smile, say, “oh that’s so nice…” then the conversation would go nowhere because we lived different worlds and had nothing in common. I began to forget how to speak to adults. “Toddler” was my main language.
 
I love my role as a mom…most days. Let’s face it, I’m a crappy housewife. I love to cook but I hate to clean. Let’s not even get started with the laundry situation… I’m not good at it…or rather, I just hate it. Does hating those things make me a bad MOM? Or a bad wife?
 
 

Finding Myself

So…cue my introduction to direct sales.
 
Yes, I know that this industry gets so much backlash because people don’t understand how to market and work their business. So many people are doing it all wrong!!! Heck, even I had my stigmas but do you know what I learned in the 5 years that I’ve been in this industry?
 
Giving a woman the power to find her voice again with this type of platform can be so incredibly empowering for her. This industry allowed me to be creative, which I NEED. This industry gave me the ability to have my OWN accomplishments to be celebrated. It gave me my confidence back and a purpose outside of a rotating laundry and carpool schedule. It gave me financial independence and the ability to contribute back to my family in a way that personally made me happy to do. Maybe that’s not everyone’s mission as a SAHM but it was something I wanted.
 
So, my #1 goal in my network marketing career will always be to crush stigmas. (When you know better, you do better.) I have truly discovered a passion of mine is to lead and coach other women to build an income and an influence by showing them first hand the things I have learned along the way to be successful.
 
 
maya angelou quote
 
 

It’s Not for Everyone

Network Marketing cannot be for everyone. That’s impossible. However, it CAN be everything to so many. It can mean the difference in someone’s self-esteem, purpose, and self-worth.
 
Let’s lift up other women trying to be greater. This business saved me and I continue to strive to help other women find this outlet for themselves every day.
If you’re ready to make a change, I would be honored to chat with you about it.
 
sandra hudson blog
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you’re looking to connect with a community of supportive women, I want to personally invite you to join our Facebook Community Group called Inspiring Beauty Society. 
 

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How to Get Unstuck When You are Burnt Out

If you find yourself stuck or maybe even burn out, perhaps it’s time to explore the reasons why. With some simple self-exploration, you can pinpoint the areas of your life that require change. It may require you to leave your comfort zone, but in the end, you’ll likely find that it was all worth it! Let’s talk about how you to get unstuck when you are burnt out.

 

It’s also important for you to build an action plan. If you stay organized and follow a simple plan of action step by step, there will be nothing that can stop you from achieving your goals.

Here are some ideas that can get you on your way to getting unstuck:

Set Up Accountability. When you hold yourself accountable and keep a close eye on your goals, you’ll be better able to identify when you’re stuck in a rut. The first step is to really figure out why you’re feeling stuck in the first place. I think it’s important to note that even if you are a stay-at-home mom, it is super easy to fall into a rut. (Check out this article about overcoming the mom burnout.)

Set A Time Goal. You’re stuck and you’d like to be unstuck, but chances are you’ve been putting off working toward your goal. You’ve already decided to make yourself accountable and now it’s time to give yourself a time limit – so do it! This can even be a small, attainable goal also to get you moving in the right direction.

Be Not Afraid. Being afraid of change is one of the biggest reasons why you get stuck in the first place. Perhaps you’re feeling trapped in your job and, in order to get the job you’d like, you have to go back to college. You need to get over your fear and see what you need to do to apply. You’ll be happy you did when you land your dream job someday.

Look For Role Models. Find someone who has been through your situation or something similar and see how he or she was able to overcome obstacles. If possible, ask this person questions.

Change Your Thinking. It’s true: your actions first start as thoughts. When you think positive and brave thoughts, you’ll be motivated into action!

Take Time. Remember to take some time for yourself to collect your thoughts. You may discover some insight into how to solve your challenges. Make sure you’re completely alone with your thoughts without any distractions.

Taking Action

It’s easy to remain in your “stuck” situation because it’s familiar and you know what’s going to happen. You might even feel safe. However, eventually, the dissatisfaction you feel will take over and you’ll realize that the only way to get “unstuck” is to take immediate action to change.

Make the Change

Once you choose your timetable, you’ll want to break down your changes into small steps. Track your progress and tweak your system to make sure your changes are making a difference. For example, if you’re feeling stuck in a relationship, you’ll first evaluate where you think the concern lies. Perhaps you aren’t communicating effectively. If so, you can set a timetable of three months to overcome this challenge. You can then break down the problem into smaller steps by reading a book on communication, talking about it with your partner, or attempting counseling sessions. As you go through these actions, you’re constantly keeping a close eye on how it affects your relationship. In the end, you have a firm decision about your relationship’s progress and you no longer feel stuck. If you hadn’t taken action, it’d be impossible to improve!

Repeat the Process

Once you’ve applied this system to one aspect of your life, you can use the same strategies whenever you’re feeling stuck. Whether large or small, there are always actions you can take to break through barriers! 

 

 

We all go through these trying times and it is hard to recover. Hopefully, these practical tips will get you back on track. Have something to add to the list, would love to have your comments listed below.

 

If you love these tips, be sure to check out this post.

xoxo-Sandra

Tavala Trim for Weight Loss

  BOOST YOUR WEIGHT LOSS WITH TAVALA TRIM What if I told you that you could drink a supplement called Tavala Trim only one time per day and lose weight, increase your natural energy and suppress your appetite?   I’m not going to lie……I was very skeptical of this product working. As a busy, tired […]