LifeTime movie network, or for those of you “in the know,” LMN is television for women. What I can’t understand, is most of the movies show women being abused, cheated on, made fools of…so how is it really television for women?! But I digress…
The LifeTime Hook
If you have ever watched LMN, then you know the routine. A movie comes on, your eyes are glued to the TV, you have to go to the bathroom, you’re hungry, but you not dare move. Okay, the movie ends and you feel relief in sight. A break is on the way.
WRONG! Before you can even say, hoo ha great movie, another movie is already beginning. BAM! just like that, no break, no interruption…just the next visual assault on your eyeballs. And 9/10 hooks you immediately.
Blogging Goals
Since I am 24/7 thinking about my blog, this made me think even harder. It made me reconsider some things here and changes I want to implement. Like, LMN, I have developed loyal readers and I have met some fantastic people through this blog.
But one thing I have been considering lately, as it appears many bloggers have been, is where am I going with this? Have I strayed from my initial goals? The short answer is yes, I have. So what to do?
First, I needed to reevaluate my intent. I started this blog to build a brand and to build a business. There are so many different ways to make money blogging, but if you don’t implement the necessary strategies, you are only building a social forum.
While that is not altogether bad, that is not the goal of all blogs. Some of you may have that as your sole purpose and I think it’s great. But for those of you looking to seriously monetize your blogs, that will not benefit you. Why? Because of the simple fact that you do not want to market or sell to your loyal readers.
The Target Market
Sure, some of your readers will try a product based on your recommendations, but your loyal readers are not your target market. Your target market is the people who are finding you based on whatever problem they have. For more information on your target market, read this:
I don’t want to drone on and on, so let me just try and summarize my point here. I have been conducting this blog more as a social forum than a business. I removed all of my ads, took out all affiliate links and did nothing to increase my opt ins. All in the hopes that building up the social aspect would create success.
I realized that my loyal readers are what make me smile and make me feel appreciated. They are the people who share my posts and encourage interaction….every blogger needs that. Without this aspect of blogging, you will fail. You may think otherwise, but you can not escape social proof.
But this alone will not secure success or build your business for you. Imagine if Target or Apple did not advertise? Imagine if they had no email contact with people? In today’s world, advertising is how brands get the word out. Whether it be giving away freebies in exchange for an email contact, or creating a genius marketing campaign. Don’t you all wish you were the Geico gecko?!
Back to LifeTime….they give you no rest, no break in between their offerings. Now, do I think blogs should operate this way? Not particularly. However, if you don’t show your offerings, advertise your brand, ask for the sale/opt in, promote your products, then how will anyone see them?
How will you make your business successful? Don’t get me wrong, I love the social vibe with my readers. I love their feedback, their opinions and everything in between. This blog would be nowhere near what it is today without them.
So, to get to the basic premise of what I’m talking about here…you will notice some changes here at The Friendly Blogger. I have reinstated some banner ads, and revved up my list building strategies. I am not implementing these changes to annoy anyone or bug the heck out of people. Rather it is a necessary step in getting my blog back in line with my business objectives.
I hope to keep all of my readers and continue gaining new ones. I will continue to try and bring improvements to this blog and be of assistance to anyone needing help. I will also never recommend products or people whom I don’t personally feel bring value to your ultimate goals.
The Bottom Line
You know I always like to give you the bottom line of every post. I love my blog, it is my baby. Building this blog into a successful business has been the goal from the very beginning and I think I was losing site of that.
I believe that you can have a business AND social proof. They go hand in hand, so why shy away from either? It’s like bread and butter, or Lady GaGa and weird.
I would really love your opinion on this and would also appreciate your sharing or linking to this post!
I agree with Eugene, the first paragraph certainly caught my attention. And what’s more, that comment on LMN got my eyes peeled.
I really idolize people who are on this path on blogging. I’ve tried to venture into this business but I never really got around to building it since I tended to put my blog writing on hold and other priorities came up.
Hi Lisa, you did a great job on here. Actually, targeted audience would be more important in the blog because they will expect more information from our side, so we have to give updated news for those people also. So, its very hard to maintain the customer. Thanks a lot for given here.
I think these day people almost expect to see an ad or two on blogs- whether a Google ad or one for someone else.
As long as you are being yourself and not trying to sell only, you’re a-ok.
You want people to get to know YOU, to connect. People generally buy from someone they “know” online rather than from a stranger or a totally “for profit” blog.
I have a few blogs- check out one or check them all out 🙂
The Blogging Biz Mom
While there, feel free to subscribe to my newsletter and join the Blogging Buddies group
Working at home advice
Come on home – mom blog
Have a great day!
Hi Carolee:
I appreciate your feedback and will certainly check out your blogs!
Welcome to my humble abode 🙂
Lisa
Hi Lisa!
Kudos to you for taking a step back and re-evaluating! It’s not always an easy thing to do as we get caught up in all the everyday stuff it takes to run a blog or business.
As a new blogger, I feel like I’m learning from your experience here as well as the comments of others. I will definitely keep reading your blog and I look forward to the changes!
No it’s not, but I think it;s going to be better in the long run! I appreciate your support!
Cheers,
Lisa
You only need to read about 3 or 4 sentences of yours to determine that you’re a genuine, heart-felt and love guided person.
And those same 3 or 4 sentences also show you’re an intelligent business woman, running a blog. So the ads, to me are an expectation! This is a business. That’s not a dirty word – business.
That will never diminish the light you shine for others. It is indeed, Lisa’s business.
You’re such an uplifting soul Gibby! I truly appreciate the kind words and the support you give to my blog. People like you make it all worth it.
Always a pleasure,
Lisa
Hi Lisa, I agree with you, quite a few of us have been re-evaluating our reasons for starting a blog. The problem is that there are so much content w.r.t products, ads, you name it that it takes real focus to stay on track. Perhaps you should as some of your loyal readers to help with your blog’s revamp. You might just get some great ideas.
You are quite right Anne. The more the merrier, right??
Lisa,
There is never anything wrong with trying to make a buck here and there as long as your blog is not the type that making a buck is ALL it is about (which I know it would NEVER be).
Offering lots of free and valuable information is great and altruistic, but there should be some sort of a payday for the all the time and effort. I applaud your taking a new look at monetization.
Steve:
Thank you for the support….if anyone knows how to do it the RIGHT way…it’s you. That’s why I am so glad I stumbled upon your site. I appreciate all the fantastic info you provide. 🙂
Hey Lisa,
I don’t see anything wrong with trying to put in a few ads or generate some affiliate sales.
You have good information that’s written in an interesting, indeed “friendly” way and you’re obviously not a cutthroat marketer so I think you should benefit from the free info you provide.
I think you’ve definitely built something good here so I wouldn’t start over. Keep building it up, you’re on the right track 🙂
John:
That really meant a lot to me! I dont try to be cutthroat and I dont want to be, I appreciate the way you put that!
I also appreciate the kind words in regards to the work I have put in here.
Cheers,
Lisa
It’s really easy to stray and lollygag. Having a daily process to refocus and recommit to goals/dream can’t hurt.. I have on the back of my bathroom door a large piece of corkboard for all kinds of inspirational goodies. One question that I do ask myself every morning is: what is the one thing I can do today to further my dream? And instead of just thinking “that’s nice” I actually answer it, try my best to do it and hold myself accountable at night by reviewing my actions in regard to that question.
Riley
Riley:
You are dead on! Someone else gave me the same advice…”what one thing can I do today?” I think that is what is important. Taking it day by day and capitalizing on baby steps!
Thanks for visiting me,
Lisa
It’s really easy to stray and lollygag. Having a daily process to refocus and recommit to goals/dream can’t hurt.. I have on the back of my bathroom door a large piece of corkboard for all kinds of inspirational goodies. One question that I do ask myself every morning is: what is the one thing I can do today to further my dreams? And instead of just thinking “that’s nice” I actually answer it, try my best to do it and hold myself accountable at night by reviewing my actions in regard to that question.
Riley
Hi Lisa, I don’t see anything wrong with wanting to make a business from your blog. In all honesty I would say 90% of all bloggers have this opinion and goal.
If you can target your ads to meet your readers this would be the ideals business and some could even say perfect. What you have to do is make sure you don’t sell out and start posting things that are not relevant. Pay attention troy our readers and learn what they like and don’t like.
If you have a lot of bloggers read your blogs maybe the Affiliate Lights Blog Engage RSS Service is something you could sell.
Brian:
I just read about the RSS aff program over at DragonBlogger.com I am seriously looking fed to checking this program out! Kudos to you for developing this.
Thanks for visiting,
Lisa
It’s hard work – this blogging thing. So many people see the success of blogs and think it’ll take them a week to reach that kind of success. I’ve had Spin Sucks for four years and it didn’t start generating leads for the core business until late last year. It takes a long time and it’s not easy. But it works.
I’ve never had ads. Sometimes I do affiliate links, which garners me maybe $20 a month (and I spend more than that on Amazon so it’s not even a wash). Sometimes I blog about our other offerings (webinars and books). But mainly it’s a tool to generate awareness, gain credibility, and develop trust.
So I don’t think there is anything wrong with the blog being “social” because people buy from people they like. And, as long as they know how you can help them, they will call you. Every time.
I agree Gini….and my though process is that we should be able to find a balance between the social and business. You are a perfect example of a blog driving leads to your outside business. You have a HUGE social personality and your blog compliments your business. For those who are only running a blog as a business, I think there has to be a way to even it out.
You now have 9 more comments to make before $$ is returned Gini!!! :))))
Screw the money. I want wine and cupcakes!
How about a wine infused cupcake??!!!
One of my blogs I do run as a business (ads and what not) but my other blogs are used strictly as a way to promote my services which leads to paid opportunities in “real life”.
Now, I do use Amazon aff links on my blog just because…well, theres no sense in not doing it 🙂
So I guess what Im saying is, why not make money from your blog indirectly? …through the side door as it were 🙂
Pingback: Can LifeTime Movie Network Help Your Blog? – The Friendly Blogger « N4MG Themes Scripts and Webmaster
Hey Lisa,
Boy can I sympathize with you. I have 2 blogs at the moment. My main blog I write info to help people learn and am building a list but not really trying to “sell” them on any one particular thing. I also have a free training site so I do encourage those who need more help to visit that site. Am getting commissions there from people who need certain services so it is paying off.
But my other young blog I am actually making sales with. I have also built up some regular followers but like you said, they aren’t my customers. I am getting those through other sources. But you do have to have a plan and know the direction you are headed. For some of us, it just takes awhile to figure this all out.
I know you are on the right track and I do love visiting your blog. Like me, you tell it like it is. People either love it or hate it! 🙂 I know you will do well. I think your blog looks awesome.
Keep up the great work!
Adrienne
Adrienne:
Your comment could not have come at a better time! I have seriously been thinking about scrapping the whole thing and starting over….ugh, the thought of all that hard work!!
I appreciate your kind words and the feedback, especially on your sites. It seems several bloggers are going through this same growing pain as of late.
We will figure it out!!
Cheers,
Lisa
Haha. Speaking of great writing style…
Your first paragraph absolutely got me. Funny stuff. But you just admitted that it drags you in, so looks like LMN knows who they’re targeting. Maybe women just like to look at other women’s problems and think “ha! that’s not me!” …maybe I’m stretching for reasoning here?
On a more serious note… You should definitely do everything to try to optimize the monetization on this blog. If you put forth so much effort (which clearly you do) towards making it a success you should reap some sort of reward for it. The bills still need to be paid, hard to keep working hard on something that won’t keep the heat on.
LOL Eugene! You are absolutely right!
Glad you enjoyed the LMN references! 🙂
Appreciate you stopping by my blog.
Lisa
You’re clearly talented at giving the people what they want, much in the manner of Lifetime 😉
Thank you! 🙂