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In the Blog to Business Success Stories series, I highlight one blogger that has successfully turned their blog into a profitable business. My hope is that these stories will inspire you and make you think “If they can do it, I can do it too!” I hope you get ideas about how you can turn your blog into a business that serves others, makes money, and lets you live a life of freedom!
In this interview, I am sharing my friend Suzi Whitford’s story. In January of 2016 Suzi founded her blog Start a Mom Blog. By the end of the year she had thousands of followers, an ebook, and a course all of which helped propel her blog to success. Suzi went from making zero dollars to over $9,000 a month by the end of December that same year. Suzi and I “met” online in the spring of 2016 and she is a dear friend. I am excited to bring you her story and share her tips on becoming a successful blog to business owner!
Where you can connect with Suzi:
- 12 Month Blog Plan: https://www.startamomblog.com/start-blog-2017-right-way/
- Blog by Number Course: www.startablogbynumber.com
- Start a Mom Blog: www.startamomblog.com
What is your blog and/or business about?
I aim to help busy moms start successful blogs, build an audience and make an income!
How long have you been in business?
My blog was launched on January 18th 2016, three weeks before the birth of my second daughter.
What was your dream when you started?
My dream was to build my self esteem again. Motherhood was amazing, but I felt I lost myself. So I wanted to start a flexible online business I could do while the babies slept. I wanted to help other moms do the same too!
If you were a blogger first, when did you realize you had more than a blog and had a business?
When my husband suggested we make the blog an LLC. Things became very real then. I’ve always thought of my blog as a business, but it didn’t become real until about 9 months after launching.
If you were a blogger first, what steps did you take to turn your blog into a business?
My husband and I turned the blog into an LLC and used Personal Capital and Quickbooks to manage the finances.
What is your favorite thing about what you do?
I absolutely love having a business that helps other moms. My blog is also extremely flexible. I can work when I want to. And making goals are exciting because I get to determine what is best for my audience. I also love creating printables, connecting with my audience through email and social media, and seeing my students succeed!
What is your least favorite thing about what you do?
Having 400+ unread emails after not sleeping well and having my two girls wake me up at 4:30 am.
What do you do to consistently make money every month from your business?
Email my list. Every time I send out my weekly newsletters new sales come flooding in. So it’s always a continuous focus to keep my list growing and engaged.
What is one tip you would share with bloggers that want to turn their blogs into profitable businesses?
There are a lot of steps involved in this simple advice, but basically it comes down to: Grow your email list and offer them a valuable product. It can either be your own product or one that you’re an affiliate for. There are other methods of monetizing your blog, but the above advice is what has worked very well for me.
Tell us one time you had to overcome a mindset issue like fear, imposter syndrome, etc.?
I frequently feel down and not good enough. It mostly happens when I read about other’s amazing success. Sometimes it inspires me to work harder, sometimes it makes me fall into a pit. What continuously helps me overcome this set back is to talk to my husband about it. He is my constant rock and support. We all need that one positive influence in our lives lifting us up. So make sure to get yours and use it when you feel down.
Final thoughts from Suzi
Starting your blog today is easier than ever, and there are so many strategies you can use to monetize your blog and turn it into a business. Set realistic goals for yourself. Start with writing 2 posts each week. Then growing your email list to 100. Then making your first $100. Stay consistent with small and achievable goals, and just grow from there!
Thank you Suzi for sharing your amazing tips and strategies with us! You are an inspiration to me and I hope for anyone that reads this interview. You really have shown us what is possible when you focus on serving others and growing your blog into a profitable business!
Suzi is a mommy of two little girls and one boy coming in October 2017. She studied Industrial Engineering and became a stay at home mom after a few years in the corporate world. She uses her time management and Lean Six Sigma skills to help other moms start successful blogs while raising beautiful families. Here is her FREE step by step plan to grow your blog from $0 to $9,000 per month: https://www.startamomblog.com/start-blog-2017-right-way
What did you think of Suzi’s story? Where can you relate? What tips did you pick up that will help you grow your own blog into a business? Please share with us in the comments below!
Did this post help you? Yay! I would love it if you pinned it to Pinterest to check out later and help other bloggers too. Thank you!
7 comments
Suzi’s story was wonderful and inspiring! Having a supporter that let you know when you’re falling off track while simultaneously expressing how amazing you are is the key to success. I can relate to Suzi’s courageous risk of putting herself out there to the world, not giving up and says she still have challenges and insecurities but is pushing through it all. As I prepare to launch my website (between Sept-OCT hopefully) and share on my personal blog my life experiences living with depression, I hope to find that supporter just like Suzi.
Thank you for your kind words, Teressa! I’m so glad you were also inspired by Suzi’s story. Having a supporter that lets you know when you are falling off track yet raises you up is invaluable. It takes a LOT of courage to put yourself out there as well as face insecurities.
It sounds like an exciting time for you with your pending launch! I wish you the best of luck and please know that if you have any questions, I’m here to help. Thank you for commenting!
I found Suzi on Youtube a few weeks ago. Very inspiring but very intimidating too! She was able to accomplish SO much in just a year.
I often think, ‘what valuable product can I possibly offer that people will want to pay money for??’ And then my own husband (Suzi is right, husbands can be GREAT supports) reminds me of all the things he admires in me and that I have a lot to offer.
She may have covered this and I just missed it, but what platforms did she use to get traffic to her site?? You can have the best product in the world but if no one knows you’re there it doesn’t matter.
First of all, Jen, thank you for featuring me on your beautiful blog!
Rebecca, I get most of my traffic from Pinterest, SEO and Facebook. Here is the exact Pinterest strategy I use still today! https://www.startamomblog.com/pinterest-strategy-business-loop-pins-tailwind/
Thank you so much for the sweet words, I truly appreciate them!
xxx
Suzi
You’re so welcome, Suzi!
Suzi’s story is such an inspiration and a huge motivation. Been working with my blogs and could see them growing and I must say the suggestion about email list is a must-try. Thanks for sharing this experience and this helpful tips!
Lily Kate Myers recently posted…True Review – Background Security Checks
You’re so welcome Lily! Suzi’s story is very inspiring! I’m glad you found this post helpful and hope to hear how you see your blogs grow. Thank you for commenting!