I just returned from a "working vacation" which makes for a great example of just how important it is to choose the right niche for your blog...
If you want to be successful, make money AND have fun at it, that is. 😉
Every year Willie Crawford hosts a fun, casual Beach Meetup at The Crab Trap on Fort Walton Beach.
This was my third time attending, and it's great for networking and catching up with people you know & work with online. But it's also a great excuse to take a tax-deductible trip to the beach. 😀
As you know, I have two blogs. The one you're reading now where I share blogging & internet marketing tips from my 17 years experience in online business. And of course I have my low carb travel blog as well.
I also have a Personal Vlog (Video Blog) at LynnTerry.TV which I'm "bringing back" (yay!), which is where I ramble about anything & everything -lol.
This trip was great for all three blogs in regards to content ideas - and great photos, videos, blog posts & social media updates. It was also good for scouting brands to work with, discussing potential JV's, networking with other business owners & sharing ideas, and making some "travel connections" for my TLC blog.
That's Willie on the left in the picture above, me in the middle of course, and my friend Ricky on the right. It was an 8 hour road trip, which was tons of fun! - and made for some great #roadtrip updates along the way.
This is what being a (happy, successful!) professional blogger is all about!
I had a great time hanging out with friends, playing in the ocean, taking long beach walks, enjoying amazing seafood dishes, and all the great things a "beach trip" should be about.
But I was also "working" (which I just have to put in quotes for a reason!) throughout the trip: taking photos, jotting down notes & ideas, sharing pictures & "live" updates online, etc.
In this photo I'd just enjoyed a nice morning swim and a healthy breakfast, which I was sharing as social media updates along the way - but also documenting for a blog post on how to stay healthy on vacation.
Then I was taking photos of the grounds on my way back from the cafe, and before we did a little shopping, for my review of the beach resort.
Work. Yes. It's hard to call it that word. lol. 😉
This is what successful niche blogging is all about. Ideally it should fit into your lifestyle - your ideal lifestyle, that is - so that you're not "working to play"... but "playing to work"!!
There's a BIG difference.
It all boils down to quality of life. And done right, working online and being a successful blogger can give you that ideal lifestyle you most want. That's exactly what I teach in my Niche Success Blueprint. I discussed this too in my recent post about What I'm Working On, and how great it is to live life on your own terms!
It's not difficult to be successful at blogging and have that "laptop lifestyle" that I enjoy myself. There's nothing hard about it at all. It does take time to establish yourself and your business, and grow your following, but it's SO worth it! And while yes, it IS work, as you can see... it can be FUN work. 😀
It's all in choosing a niche that allows you to ENJOY every single second of it!
In addition to tons of content for my TravelingLowCarb.com blog, I shared updates for ClickNewz readers along the way as well. And ultimately wrote this blog post you're reading now. 😉 So as you can see, LOTS of content ideas and social media updates came out of this "working vacation" trip.
The updates on my low carb Facebook Page (plus Twitter & Instagram etc) got a lot of replies and engagement - and generated interest in my low carb challenge, so the trip was a big success in that regard.
Here are some of the updates I shared on my ClickNewz Facebook Page as an example too, which was a fun way to include everyone on my trip, and inspire people to achieve that coveted "laptop lifestyle"...
What's in the bag, you ask? 😀 First, it's an AmeriLeather Rainbow Mazy Tote (Rainbow)
- which I love! Inside is my Macbook, a printed copy of my Niche Success Blueprint, a notebook/journal and my favorite ink pen, my iPad, Android mobile phone, and chargers for each. That's it!
Since Ricky was driving, I took advantage of the 8 hours on the road (both ways) to do some writing and brainstorming. There's nothing like a change of scenery to spark tons of creative ideas! 😉
I shared this picture from the beach (above) when I got back in my home office on Monday morning, because after sharing everything I was doing & working on all weekend... I wanted to hear what everyone else was working on for the week.
Come leave a comment and share what you're working on! 😀
I absolutely love what I do for a living. This post (and the links I shared throughout) should give you a pretty good idea of what my life as a blogger is all about. I get to meet great people from all over the world, connect with companies and brands that I use and love, travel and have fun, and of course experience that true financial freedom & laptop lifestyle that goes along with being a successful blogger.
Work and Play don't have to be separate. I encourage you to create a life you love, where living it... is profitable! 😉
Next, see: Want To Make More Money With Your Blog?
Best,
p.s. My Niche Success Blueprint is ideal if you'd like to achieve this same lifestyle for yourself. If you want hands-on help, I'd be happy to work with you personally too. And if you join my Private Brainstorming Group where I can work with you step-by-step, you'll get the Niche Success Blueprint for free! I give members lots of cool perks. 😉
Note: If you grab this 4-Module download of the Niche Success Blueprint, you'll get the opportunity to sign up for the entire course at a deep discount off the public rate. (Miss the crazy good discount before?? Grab it today!)
If you enroll in the course after checking out those four modules, I'll even refund your $29 purchase. How's that for fair? 🙂
About Lynn Terry
I love that you are having fun while 'working', AND using it for a tax deduction. You're a great inspiration.
I'm right behind you. (okay, not exactly right behind, more like a few miles behind...lol)
Thank you, Bo! You know... I always say embrace exactly where you are. We're all at different places, and there's always someone ahead of you and behind you. Get grounded in where you are, where you want to be, and take strategic action on getting from here to there. That's my own method - and it helps me keep my head straight, and focused on the "now" so I can work toward the goal. 😉 *cheers*
No worries. 🙂
You'll be there before you know it!
I loved this post! Looked like you were having a lot of fun 🙂
This sounds exactly like what I would love to do!
Two problems though:
1) I rarely get to travel
2) After starting several blogs and never making a dime, I always end up deserting them and dreading making another blog post.
I've just been earning a couple hundred dollars per month selling on eBay because it doesn't require me to be a "people person," which I think I've figured out I don't really enjoy interacting with people because I don't have a lot of self confidence.
Sharing my travelling and dining experiences though sounds like a lot of fun.
Does your course have ways for our blog to make money without being really "out there" a lot. I see a lot of people offering courses where they have all these clients. I don't want to be a leader and have clients. I think the word clients scares me. I just like to make money quietly in the background LOL!
Did any of that make a bit of sense???
Great post, once again, Lynn!
P.S. I just recently had my very first visit to the ocean, which was #1 on my bucket list! Yeah!
Awesome, Kristie - which beach did you go to? I love the ocean. Love, love, love it!! I always get so much creative inspiration on the beach. 😀
And yes - every bit of that made sense. lol. I totally get it. I'm actually an introvert myself. I used to be painfully shy, but finally came out of that shell in my 30's - but still a true introvert. That's what I love most about working online & working from home!! It doesn't require me to be "social" or constantly be in front of a crowd of people.
Because of that, my methods are very efficient and strategic. I get real clear on my objectives, then: get in, get it done, and get out. (lol). There's also the option of using a pen name / pseudonym for privacy purposes.
I did eBay for years (well over a decade ago). That's A LOT of work! Or I found it to be - between listings, communication, customer service, shipping, etc.
To be clear, you don't have to travel or have a travel blog - obviously. It could be something YOU love right in your own home - like RC Helicopters, crocheting unique items, or pretty much anything! Sticking it out is definitely key. How long did you have your blogs live before you let them go??
Hi, Lynn!
This post was very inspiring. I signed up for your Niche Success Blueprint course but I really need to be more proactive with it.
While reading your post you talked about blogging about the lifestyle you want. I would love to be able to travel with my 5 children to places like Disney World, Nicklodeon Resort, cruises, etc. and blog about my experiences there but cannot afford those types of trips. Is it possible to still talk about it until I can BE about it?
Hi Barbara! Absolutely. You might even go at it FROM that angle. Imagine how many other moms and families are in your shoes. 😉 You could share tips for saving up for the trips, how to get the best deals, contests to enter to win trips, money-saving travel ideas, things you can do for fun that cost nothing or very little, etc. There are tons of ideas!
G'day Lynn:
I enjoyed your encouraging post. It proved that getting serious about affiliate marketing as a business, can be a great way to establish a healthy work/life balance.
The Crab Trap sounds like a great place for a little work, rest and play.
I'm a retiree in my 60's, and thankfully don't need affiliate marketing as an income. I just do it as a challenging, fun hobby in a niche that was another hobby, in my younger days.
My retirement home is in a small town on the west coast of South Australia. It is isolated, but has great beaches and ocean views.
The internet connection is not great, but good enough to earn a little spending money with my couple of affiliate sites.
Your posts always give me a kick along when I start getting a bit slack with my own posting.
Keep up the good work.
True that working online is a great way to achieve that healthy work/life balance. For me personally it was a real save. As a single parent, it allowed me to still be at home full time while also pursuing a rewarding career (which was also our only source of income).
Your location sounds lovely! 😀 I've been to Australia five times now, but I've only been between Metung and Portsea (mainly Melbourne and down the Mornington Peninsula). I'd love to see more of the beaches!
It's great that you're really enjoying your sites as a FUN hobby and that you're meeting your goals with them. That's the key. 😉 Thank you for your kind words too, I'm glad you're enjoying ClickNewz! *cheers*
Hello Lynn!
This is absolutely one of my favorite posts of yours.. of all times!
Why?
Because you share (and inspire) the beauty of an online business, but I also like the way you framed the importance of niche selection.
We all know we "should" blog about what we know and love.. yes.. However, when you say that it's a lifestyle choice and can be interwoven into how we want to live our lives.. well, that just adds a new dimension to the importance of what we blog about.
darlene 🙂
p.s. You're darn right you have a handsome fellow!
LOL - he's awesome. 😉 I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. It was fun to share the "behind the scenes" of my trip. And yes, "niche selection" is absolutely the key to achieving that lifestyle people really want. There are so many amazing options with an online business compared to being a "traditional business owner" (I used to be one!).
When people ask me what I do for a living, I say (with a smile): "I get paid to eat. What do you do?" 😀
As much of our adult lives we spend working, it might as well be something you REALLY enjoy!!
Well Lynn, I live in Oklahoma and everyone always said, "Just run down to Texas to see the ocean" so that's what I did. We ended up at Padre Island. It wasn't my idea of the picturesque coastline I had in mind, but at least now I can say I got in the ocean!
We have just recently started traveling a few times a year and I think I would actually love to blog about it and share photos and reviews. I just don't know if a full blown travel blog would be the thing. I've got a blog for seniors, a homesteading blog, a cooking sort of blog, and had a longstanding blog about happiness after difficult and painful times but had to take it down because it got hacked. The crazy thing is I get signups for the seniors blog several times a week but they would never show up in my autoresponder so I cancelled it. I just get an email saying I have a new signup. It isn't from the autoresponder.
I just recently made a post over at http://www.seniorhealthtips101.com, but to be honest, I have let all my blogs sit for quite awhile. When nobody seems interested in what you're posting it gets harder and harder to post. I don't really have that much interest in senior issues now enough to really blog about it, but I had collected a lot of info to share so still feel obligated to add to it once in awhile.
I am looking at your course and it seems like something I might be interested in. I just have to decide if I want to give blogging another try or not or just stick with my eBay, which is actually making me money where blogging didn't even get me a following. I would need to get clear on exactly what I would be offering people.
Love the comments everyone! It is interesting to see we are all at different stages.
I actually address "talking to yourself" with your blog content and social profiles in the Niche Success Blueprint - and why you should (anyway)! 😀 That's very common, by the way. Everyone goes through that starting out and getting established.
I "hear crickets" now and then myself, even with established blogs. And when I do... I learn something new about my targeting, the post style, my readership or market in general, so I consider that a positive!
There's no reason you can't do both. Obviously you can continue to sell on eBay while deciding on ONE site or blog to work on and getting it set up and established. It's just a matter of working in strategic Time Blocks to get things moving consistently. I have members doing it "on the side" with a full time job, and that's the best method (micro-tasking in Time Blocks) to grow it consistently and strategically.
Put some thought into it. Feel free to get in touch with me if you have any more questions! The forum is a great place to come do a little brainstorming: ClickNewz Forum. The main forum is free and open to the public. 😉
p.s. I'll shoot you an email here in a bit. I'm limited on time at the moment as Molly is in surgery today and I have to go get her shortly. See you there!
Hey Lynn,
Great post! It's nice to hear so much passion about what you do. It's also a good reminder that one of the cornerstones of success in any career is to have a passion for what you do. What an irony it is that many people want to leave their job and create an independent lifestyle, and yet never succeed because they choose something for which they have no passion. Why trade one "drudge" for another? Do what you love!
I agree, Mark. As I mentioned above, I left my last job (in 1996) to start a traditional offline business. I was working A LOT more hours, with a lot more responsibility, lol. Ack! It was busy nonstop, and "real work". I loved it, and it was a fun challenge, but I definitely prefer the lifestyle I have now. 😉
Hey Barbara...don't mean to butt in but I had a thought...apart from the great advice given by Lynn, why not become a - for lack of a better term - "brand ambassador" of your home town or area where you now reside.
I live in Montreal, Canada and could write a gazillion posts on what makes this city so awesome if I were so inclined to do so. Maybe you could do something similar that could generate income from ad space of local businesses, Google adsense and other perks that you may encounter along the way. Just a thought 🙂
Take care and all the best.
Lyle
Great ideas, Lyle! 😉
Hi Lynn,
I too share your love for the beaches! As a Central Florida native, going to the beach is almost second nature. I have planned for my future to include me, a laptop, a cocktail, and a beach-house, unfortunately I have a couple of years before I plan to arrive at this marvelous spot in my life. Fortunately, I began the Niche Success Blueprint this year and feel as though I am miles and miles ahead of where I would be had I not had the NSB and your advice. I have learned so much from your modules and teachings, that my website http://www.productreviewqueen.com has come alive before my eyes. Though it is still a work in progress, I could not imagine where I would be without it. I have learned so much from you, your experiences, and the NSB that I feel like turning back or quitting would be suicide of my future. I rush home to work on my site and dread shutting down at night to refuel for another day. This was the missing link and I could not have made that leap without your help!
Thanks for everything Lynn!
Kendria A. a.k.a.
Product Review Queen
http://www.productreviewqueen.com
It was so great to see you in Brainstorming Hour this week, Kendria! 😀 I'm glad to hear you're enjoying Niche Success Blueprint. I really enjoyed brainstorming with you in the private group, and look forward to the next step with your project (your site review)!
Being a couple of years out from your ideal lifestyle isn't bad at all. And I can tell you from personal experience that 1) time flies!, and 2) you'll enjoy every step of the process along the way as you work toward that goal. 😉
When I started over about 13 years ago (after my divorce, and my son getting sick) I felt like I was *forever* away from my goal - my ideal lifestyle. I sat down and wrote out a TEN year plan, and having that clear vision of where and who I wanted to be was a serious driving force. Of course I experienced various levels of success on the way, and reached my goal early, but that's life for you - it has lots of twists and turns! Stay focused, keep at it, and most of all... have fun with it!!
Love the laptop lifestyle! I work from home too myself, I think the best part of it is you can take your work anywhere. Coffee shops are always a favorite for me. Maybe I should try taking it to the beach some time. Lovely blog you have here!
Thank you Alexis! 😀 I agree, I really love being mobile - whether I'm working from my back deck enjoying my coffee, or on a creative writing streak during a 14 hour flight to Australia. The freedom to work from anywhere is awesome!!
I recently scouted out all the local places that have a patio and wi-fi, for the days I want to get out of the house and enjoy a change of scenery. And sometimes I like to "unplug" and just go down to the dam (where the sound of the water drowns out everything else!) and write with good old fashioned pen & paper. 😉
I am loving the ClickNewz membership. And now that I also am following the Niche Success Blueprint, it really brings everything together for me. I am getting more out the membership site when I use it along-side the Blueprint. Really great stuff!
As I shared with you in Brainstorming Hour, I can now fully work out of my computer bag, which means I can go sailing and traveling to see family and can keep my business running too. Now that my daughter is heading to college and I am an empty-nester, it means I am super flexible as far as where I can spend my time. I am loving it!
That's awesome, Deborah! My daughter (she's my youngest) is heading off to college as well. Of course my "nest" is now full of Great Danes. 😉 lol. I'm so glad you're enjoying the Private Brainstorming Group and NSB. They really are a great combination, and I know a lot of members are benefiting from and using the weekly training modules.
Enjoy your sailing trip!! 😀
Looking - again - into this way of making a life and a living suddenly became very interesting and important as I just got fired 🙁
Oh wow - I'm sorry to hear that, Henrik! Hopefully it will be a blessing in disguise, and take you in a direction with more freedom and less stress - and a lifestyle you really enjoy. That's definitely the key. Sending good wishes across the pond! 😉
What a great post Lynn. Very inspiring. You are really smart about the way you do this blogging thing 🙂
After a few months out with some major home issues, I now have a house sit for 4 months and then will find a place of my own again after that. Back in Sydney though which I love, with lots of great beaches just down the street!! I too get loads of inspiration at the beach.
I am now re-energised to get going again and really commit to my blog and getting it monetized.
Thanks for the continued positive energy that you put into all that you do online. Even when I am not engaged, it still really helps to see what you are doing.
I look forward to coming back to brainstorming hour again next week.
It's great to hear from you Lisa. I wondered why I hadn't seen you lately. 😉 I look forward to seeing you back in Brainstorming Hour!
I appreciate your kind words. I really do *enjoy* what I do. I think that's the key, especially if you're going to stick it out more than 17 years, lol. I look forward to seeing you reach your goals - and helping you along the way! I still haven't visited Sydney in all five of my trips "down under" - I'd love to come see those beaches!! And get together for coffee & brainstorming of course. 😉
You are very well suited to both niches, Lynn. When you write or talk about either one (video, webinars), you are filled with so much energy and passion. It just emanates from you. I have a long way to go with my business, but I've learned so many valuable things from you through coaching, our 2 weekly Mastermind calls, and your 2 courses.
BTW - I do love my niche. Although, I'm not able to travel yet; I never run out of things to write about. It is fun when you genuinely like the topic/niche. 🙂
Thank you Lauri! 😀 I truly LOVE what I do. It's great to hear you feel the same, and you're having FUN with it!! 😉 *cheers*
Good stuff, and thanks for sharing your experience Lynn. I've got the 5 blogs but don't make money off them. Actually, I've only ever really tried to make money off one of my blogs but certainly not a livable income. I'm lucky to be an independent consultant where I travel to many different places, though I'd love to be able to do more of what you do, being able to go to many more different places while getting paid for it.
And of course one day I'm going to make it to Nashville... if I can think of a 3rd thing to do after hopefully meeting you and driving by the Grand Olde Opry, the only thing I know that's in Nashville; isn't that a shame? lol
Hi Mitch! I actually don't make it to Nashville that often either, and I'm only 90 minutes out, lol. The downtown scene is nice if you like music. I've done that a few times. And of course there are always concerts and events going on.
I'm curious HOW you run five blogs (period, lol) without monetizing them?? That's a lot of work. 😉 I do good to keep up with my two main blogs, and am really itching to get my personal vlog back up & running too.
Two of them are business blogs, or at least I consider them that way. So it's more for highlighting expertise, although I do have my products on them. The blog I highlighted here is more of a way for me to blow off steam, try to help people, etc; it keeps my mind stable. I have a local blog which, since I've been traveling so much, I haven't been able to devote as much time to.
The only blog that was making money was my finance blog, and it was all through advertising (well, I might have made 50 cents a month via Adsense lol). But once I ended guest posts (ugh, what a hassle that was) advertising stopped, although it had already started dwindling, though it was highly ranked, because advertisers were scared of Panda, Penguin, Donald Duck and gremlins. lol
By the way, that's just my blogs. I write another blog for my accountant but I get my accounting services for free (bartering; love it...) and another one for an organization I'm a part of (free membership; bartering again). All that and I'm trying to finish editing my 2nd book... no wonder I'm tired! 😉
LOL I can understand why - that would wear me out too. :p haha Have you considered downsizing or minimizing some of your obligations??
Downsizing, not really because I'm not sure what to downsize. I've been thinking about possibly downsizing my SEO blog because in general those same types of articles end up on IJS. I'm thinking about backing out of the organizational blog as I contemplate whether I want to stay with the group or not. And my local blog... that one has been minimized because I'm out of town so much these days, but when I'm eventually more centered at home it'll make its comeback.
Thanks for sharing your personal story lynn, It is always good to hear what is really working for other bloggers. Hope you got some well deserved rest and relaxation.
Glad to read your story, Lynn. 🙂
Looks like you had an awesome time on your "working vacation".
I'm on a little working vacation myself now.
But it's back to work in a few days. :O
Wonderful idea get paid to take a beach vacation with write offs etc. Great idea especially if you live in a cold climate.