your blog is waiting
Hello, my name is Emily. I am a wife and mom and I write a blog.
If you would have told me three years ago that I would introduce myself this way, I would have never believed it. Mostly because I didn’t know what a blog was {I was a little late to the party on this one.} And also because I had no idea that I could actually do it – limited tech skills, limited design skills, limited time and money and {at the time} three little ones to care for. But I was incredibly inspired by the blogs I had discovered and wanted a way to pursue passions outside of being a mommy {but not one that took me away from being with my babes} and so in January 2010, I started a blog.
I didn’t really know what I was doing; I sort of figured things out as I went. All I knew was that it provided opportunities to share fun projects, write about life – even the mundane, everyday joys and challenges, give fun stuff away and connect with women all over the globe that I never would have met otherwise.
In the two and a half years since, this is what I’ve discovered about blogging: it’s pretty much amazing.
Here are my top five reasons why:
1. Blogging provides a creative outlet
Where else can you create a space where you get to talk about what you love, share images that inspire you, do projects and just be you? It’s a semi-retreat from everyday life and a way to discover and nurture your creativity. My favorite part, by far.
2. Blogging offers a platform to share your voice
Each of us has something to offer, something to say. A blog gives us a place to share it.
3. Blogging is a way to connect with like-minded women, far beyond a physical location
Share a thought on your blog and you will probably find that there are many other women that feel just the same. Countless others that share similar passions, convictions, style or interests. It is so easy to feel alone in this big world – blogging makes it feel just a little smaller.
4. Blogging opens doors to pursue dreams
How many blogs have you read where the author was presented with an opportunity that she never thought possible? Publishing a book, being featured in a magazine, working with a national company – a blog allows us to showcase a talent and pursue dreams, big and small.
5. Blogging can be a means to earn extra income
Turning a hobby into a business has never been easier with a blog as the foundation. We all would rather buy from someone we know and like and blogging makes that possible.
What started for me as the simple desire to capture moments in our family’s young lives in the form of an online journal has turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling things I’ve ever done. I love blogging.
Over the course of the past two years, I have received the same questions over and over pertaining to blogging:
What platform do you use to blog on? {wordpress.org}
Who designed your blog? {me, I’m flattered you asked!}
What shopping cart program do you use {wazala – it’s great}
How do you start a blog/how do you grow readership/how do you make money from your blog? {how can I answer this briefly?!!}
I’m not sure why, but these types of questions kept finding their way to my email inbox. I tried to answer the best I could, but I always felt like I was never able to really be of help. I searched for a resource to recommend – something that would teach the basics of blogging: how to start, how to grow, how to design one. But I came up empty handed. It just didn’t exist.
And so I decided to create one myself.
I’m so excited to introduce this new blogging resource:
This online course is made up of 85 videos that walk you through how to start a blog, customize it to fit your style, add content to grow readership and monetize a WordPress blog using many tools we have found useful {most are free!}. We cover the basics with simple-to-follow videos that not only teach you the whys of blogging but more importantly, the hows of blogging.
If you’ve ever thought blogging would be fun …
If you want to create an online journal to document your life …
If you desire to connect with other like-minded women …
If you have a passion that you are excited about sharing with others …
If you are looking for a way to earn some extra income …
… The Blog Class is for you.
Do you already have a blog, but you’d like to improve it?
Do you want to move your existing blog to WordPress but not lose all of your content?
The Blog Class is for you too.
and watch a fun video while you’re at it.
Questions? Leave a comment below.
Kelly at Talk of the House
Can I just say how wonderful wonderful wonderful this is?! And how much work went into making all of this!
emily
Thank you Kelly, you are very kind. Yes, a lot of work went into it and I am excited to see where it will take us.
E Jones
Emily- thanks for being a strong encouragement in my life. Do you have any plans to sell blog templates? You have a classy (cheese word but true:)) and unique style. Thanks!
emily
Thanks for the nice compliment!
At this point, we are going to focus on the class, but I love the idea of developing blog templates. Perhaps someday off in the future …
Sarah B Design
I am really excited that you are sharing your tips with us! Your blog inspired me to start my own about a year ago and since then it has been such a great way for me to share ideas and grow as an interior designer. I am really excited to learn more from you.
Diane | An Extraordinary Day
Wow! You’ve come a long way girl!!!
I’m a new blogger…and except for the pretty design part and a few other tweaks, I managed to get this baby up. But, I could not have done it without the help of the gal who did the big “except for” part. I tried Gimp that you had suggested in a post, but for some reason, white on black background was an eye-killer when it came to reading the tutorials and I just gave up. (Golly why would a graphics group use white on black???) Fortunately I found someone to help me. But, I’m still looking for a free place to do some graphics. I use PicMonkey for photo editing and I’m pleased with it. Will your class have another ‘free’ suggestion other than Gimp? Will your class include Wazala?
This class is really impressive. I can’t even imagine all the hours you have put in to it. Congratulations and best wishes for much success with it.
Thanks Emily!
emily
In our design section, we do recommend another free design program. We want this to be accessible to everyone and I know that not everyone has fancy design programs.
And, yes, our class also walks you through how to set up a shop on your blog using wazala and paypal buttons. Again, we wanted to make the process simple and easy to achieve, so nothing too fancy here!
Kristin
Wow, this looks amazing! Do you have any plans for a version that is for more experienced bloggers? I’ve been blogging for 2+ years as well and have learned a lot but I would love to have the option of just the design aspect of the course.
emily
The class was written as one cohesive unit, so we’ll probably always keep it as a complete seven-step course. You are welcome to only work through the sections that interest you. I can assure you that even if you just did the design section, you would learn a lot and it is a great value.
Carol
This is so wonderful. I can’t imagine where you find the time to educate the rest of us. I am very interested and have a question. I want to sign-up today but don’t see a gap in my schedule until August, while we’re on vacation, to spend the time and gie it undivided attention (full time mom and business-owner too). Is is possible to sign-up and postpone the 100 days of support? Is it truly at-my-own-pace so I can start and pick-up when my schedule allows? Thank you so much for preparing this course, Emily.
emily
You are welcome to sign up today and then just let me know when you begin the class and we’ll start your support from that date. No problem at all!
And, yes, this is truly at your own pace and you can watch the videos any time you have the chance.
Sarah B Design
I am really interested in signing up for the blog class, but I work full time. How do the videos and “classes” work exactly? Will the videos be sing to me and then I can watch them when I have time? Since I work full time, I wouldn’t be able to log into a live-stream class during the day, how do we accede the classes each week?
emily
Once you sign up, you will get a member login and password to The Blog Class. The first two sections will be accessible and then for the next three weeks, new content will be released. After week four, each section will be available to you and you have access for life. No need to hurry through it!
The videos are online and you can watch them whenever you get the chance. We definitely wanted to make this easy for those who work full-time, too!
Kari
Emily, honestly, I almost cried when I read that you are offering this! It is the answer to my prayers. I’ve been wanting to start a blog for ages, but with three kids, I haven’t had the time to research all of the how-tos by myself. I just signed up and I can’t to get started! Thank you so much!
emily
Love it! You are exactly who we wrote this class for!
Scooper
I’m in awe. What a genius idea! I just contacted a blog design company because my own space has been in major need of a makeover for a long time. I’ve wanted to switch to wordpress but it’s pricey to have your content switched over, get a custom design, training, etc. So in the name of affordability, I’d decided to stay with blogger and get a redesign that has the look of wordpress but not the functionality. The Blog Class would do all of that but I have a couple of questions.
1. I’m super nervous about switching my content or about botching things in a way that I lose my precious posts. Is this process “botch-proof?”
2. About how much time should we expect to spend on the whole process? I realize it will vary from person to person and that there will be tweaks all along the way. I’d just like an idea so that I can determine whether I’m able to make the time investment.
Thanks so much! I love your blog. I read every post and have made more fabric flowers than I can count. : )
emily
Thanks!
To answer your questions:
1. it is scary to switch to a new blogging platform for fear that you will lose some of the content you’ve worked so hard on. We do show how to move from blogger to wordpress and it is a very simple process. As long as you follow the steps, your content should transfer just fine.
2. The time does vary from person to person, so it’s a little hard to give an estimated time. The actual installing and setting up the blog takes just minutes. Designing can be quick, or take longer depending on how much customization you are doing and whether you are designing your logo/header/graphics from scratch or already have them. Once your site is set up and designed, you can watch the videos at your leisure when they are applicable to the stage you are in.
Also, once you sign up, you have access for life. So if you find you are not able to work through it all right now – don’t worry. You can come back any time.
Kerry
Emily, God’s timing is perfect. I began blogging 3 months ago and decided to spend no $ on my blog until I knew I was committed. . I’ve been praying for 2 weeks that God would direct me to someone to help me improve my blog. Now here you are on our first day of summer vacation! Back to class for me!
emily
So fun. I love it when that happens.
So excited to have you part of the class!
Emily @ Peck Life
This is such a wonderful idea and a great place for bloggers to start! Somehow, the web link doesn’t open for me but i’m excited to read all about it. I’ve been blogging since 2008 so i’m not sure how advanced it is but i’m sure I would learn something new (I always do everytime I take a class)! Thanks for being an inspiration to me and my own blog.
Julie D.
Emily, this is so awesome. I’ve written a running blog just as my own ‘space’ and journal and never really wanted it or aspired for it to be a high traffic, money making blog. I still don’t want running to be that for me (the pressure takes the joy out of it) but I do think there might be another ‘theme’ or direction I could take a different kind of blog. I’ve never really thought much about it because of all the details in making it ‘pretty’ and successful but sounds like you are laying it out there for us. Wow. what a project you guys have worked on. Congrats on launching this piece of your business. Can we buy the class at any time or is there a window that it is open for?
emily
Thanks Julie! You have a great point: not all blogs are started for the purpose of making money. And sometimes that pressure to grow and monetize can take the joy out of it. You certainly don’t have to follow any of the monetizing steps in order to have a successful blog – success is defined in so many different ways. We just wanted to make sure we addressed the money part to create a comprehensive course. You are welcome to work through only the sections that interest you and even if you do skip over some, I can assure you that the value is still great.
And, yes, the course will be available any time. So start brainstorming a great new blog idea and I can’t wait to help you!
Pippa Griffin
Is it possible to sign up for this in mid August? I’d love to do the course, but the timing is a bit off for me, plus I need to save for it. Think with all you include, the course is a great price and I’ve always loved and admired your blog tremendously!
Thanks! Pippa Griffin
emily
Yes, of course. I’ll post more about it in the weeks and months ahead, so you can join when you have the chance!
Christie
I was so excited about this when a friend told me you were doing something like this. It is something that I am really wanting to do to take my blog to the next level as I feel like I have just sorta made it through. I hate to ask this, but we are on a pretty fixed budget and the tuition would be a pretty big commitment. I am NO WAY saying that your content is not worth every penny and more…is there any sort of return on investment that you can determine from the price invested?
emily
Great question. I know it is an investment and I want more than anything to make this class accessible to everyone. I will be offering full-tuition giveaways in the weeks to come, so definitely sign up for that. As far as a return on investment – we can not make guarantees, and I know each blog grows at its own rate and has its own style/function/purpose so each case will be very different. I can say that we have put as much value into the class as we can {$200 theme for free, tons of free graphics, resources, etc} to make it worth every penny you spend.
Just keep saving and we’d love to have you in the class when it works for you!
Christi @ the brown shed
Wow, Emily… this looks great. I can’t even imagine all the time and effort you must have poured into this. What a fabulous resource!
xo
Christi
nicole
Hi Emily…Your blog is the first blog that opened up my eyes to what blogging even is. Since then, I have gathered a few other blogs I enjoy but I DO NOT miss an “emily” post! I am a Marriage and Family Therapist and am also a young woman in my twenties and have a lot of thoughts to share about this stage of life and all the relationship and identity issues it can bring. I have been taking notes on my “future” blog for over a year, I’ve read “Blogging for Dummies” cover to cover, but I still have not gotten started. I recently moved from the West Coast to the East Coast and I had hoped that this might be my project and my outlet in the midst of the transition and it hasn’t happened yet! I have become very overwhelmed by the resources out there so your class seems just perfect. My one concern is that while I do enjoy doing projects and I love design as a hobby, I would want my blog to reflect more of my thoughts as a therapist with some personal stuff in there too. Do you think the class is appropriate for me too? Thanks Emily!
emily
Absolutely! There is no one type of blog and I think that is the best part about it. You can write about anything that interests you and surely there are others out there who are also interested in your passions. I think a blog that can help marriages and families is a great idea {let me know when it’s up and I’ll gladly read!}.
nicole
Thanks Emily! I’m definitely going to sign up for the class…here I go (thanks to you
) It’s the perfect summer project!
kimber
This sounds amazing, but I don’t have the up-front resources right now. I may be able to swing it later in the summer.
Will this offer be around for long?
Thanks and it sounds awesome. Just unsure of the expense factor.
Well, that and the need to be heard.
I’ve been struggling alot lately about my desire to be heard, so know that the first words out of your mouth were very encouraging to my heart.
As in why the heck to I blog, who cares about what I have to say and how can I blog so my 21 year old daughter doesn’t have to file to be adopted by someone else?
Yeah, did I mention I’m struggling
emily
Kimber – This class will be offered continually, so you are welcome to join when you are able. We ALL want to be heard and I’m so with you. Praying for peace in your life tonight, sweet friend.
Kindrel
Dear Emily, this is EXACTLY what I have been needing and waiting for! I have been writing a blog off and on for about 2 years now but have made the decision to jump in with both feet and take it on full time. Your blog was actually the first one that I came across that opened my eyes to the blogging world and really inspired me to thinking “I can do this, this is totally me!”. I have a strong love for creativity, hospitality and doing things with excellence but have found it very challenging to I am happy with myself for what I HAVE been able to figure out but still not satisfied with how my blog looks and functions. I am SO excited about this opportunity that you are presenting us with!
Thank you for all of the hard work you and your team have put into this-talk about doing life with excellence.
Blessings,
Kindrel
Kindrel
*Oops a bit of a typo
I meant to say that I have found it very challenging to execute excellence into the look of my blog due to my lack of graphic design training.
Kasey @ http://momjeansandlovinit.blogspot.com/
Oh I wish you would have done the tutorial with blogger. I recently started a blog and could use some help making it up to par
Very nice of you to share your expertise either way!!
Heidi
Hi Emily!
I remember a while back you offered something similar, the Be Inspired Workshop. I don’t think you ever talked about it on your blog and I’m curious to how that went and turned out for everyone. I’m considering joining The Blog Class and would love to hear some reviews and feedback from anyone who participated in the Be Inspired Workshop.
Thanks!
Heidi
emily
The Be Inspired Workshop was great – it was more geared toward starting a small business and was created at the very beginning of my blogging experience. I realized through that that my passion is less about helping others start small businesses {although I think starting a business is great and support anyone who wants to do it!} and more toward the blogging aspects of running a business. I have fallen in love with what blogging offers and wanted to help others meet their blog goals as well. Hope that answers your question.
Jessie
I have just started a blog myself and your hardwork will help me greatly. Thank you so much for all of your hardwork. I really enjoy reading your blog and seeing all the interesting and fun designs. Thanks again!!
Francisca
I’m SOOOOOO HAPPPYYYY that I found your blog! It made my day!
pve
What I love most about blogging is feeling like I learn something new everyday.
I would love a class….
I admire your blog and how you juggle family life and smile.
Thanks for sharing!
pve
Meg
I am so excited! Just signed up for blog class – I have always wanted to start a blog to chronicle all of my crafty exploits and other fun and this is exactly what I need to get started! Thanks!!
Amy
I’m excited by this…but here’s my question – do you think this course is worthwhile if I don’t know exactly what niche my blog fits in to? I feel like I’m a “jack of all trades, master of none”.
I like to cook, decorate, craft and all of those things you usually see as the subject of blogs. I’m not an expert or even overly proficient at any one.
I’m just wondering if I need to have a more narrow focus before taking the course or if you have any guidance on that. Thanks so much for your time!
Shalini Rajkumar
Thank you Emily. I just signed up for the class and am very excited! I started a blog less than a month ago and was feeling very lost about a lot of things including moving it to wordpress, so happy that all my questions will be answered through this.
Holly
Oh Emily you are such a talented woman! Great idea, great job putting so much time and energy into it and good luck (you definitely don’t need it though). Wishing you continued success,
Holly
xoxo
emily
Thanks Holly! You’re blog is in one of the videos
valerie
Emily….WOW! I am so excited for the possibilities! I have been following your blog for a while now and even purchased prints from you…..and to see your video….wow….I am swimming in my thoughts! Thank you for allowing us to have a learning platform….to us new bloggers! Valerie
missy
This is great! I’ll be signing up in a few days. Thanks so much for doing this!
Jenni
Yay! So happy for you and can’t wait to send people over!
emily
Thanks Jennifer!
amber
I am so excited & hope to take this course! I just took Jeanne Oliver’s Creatively Made Business E-Course & blog design was a hot topic- so I gave you & this course a shout out over there! Looking forward to learning!:)
Tiffany A. Nelson
Congratulations, this is great news. Well thought out.
stacey
I have a question for you, Did you ever become discouraged over your blog?
julie
Emily, you are such a trailblazer–you inspire me and so many others. Thanks for including some of my journey. Best wishes, Julie