So guess what? Today marks one year since the official beginning of She Lives Free!
{Throws confettii} 
I thought the very best way to celebrate would be to talk all about one of my favorite subjects blogging – Ha! So If you are a blogger or have ever thought about blogging someday – this post is for you! Seriously though, my goal is to reflect on what has helped me along the way this past year while sparking some new ideas you may find useful too. I know we bloggers are always looking to streamline and make life a little easier, so I have linked all of my favorite blogging tools and resources for your viewing pleasure 😉
But if there is one thing I’ve learned this last year it is this: blogging is hard work! So please bear in mind that this list is not exhaustive and definitely not meant as one of those ultimate guides to blogging out there. Though there are no quick fixes or magic pills to ‘successful’ blogging, these are just a few of my favorite things I’ve found helpful enough to use myself or those which I’m just getting started with.
I’m quite sure I’ll add to this list over time, but here are a few of my favorite tools and resources I have discovered and used in my own blogging journey:
Apps and PlugIns:
Photo Editing Programs:
Websites for Support and Knowledge Building:
Support and Collaboration Groups:
- Inspired Bloggers Facebook Group
- Kid Blogger Facebook Group
- Christian Women Bloggers Facebook Group
- Christian Women Blogs Facebook Group
- Parenting, Marriage, Pregnancy, Natural Living Blogger Share Group on Facebook
- Blogging Homeschoolers Facebook Group
- Blogging on the Side Facebook Group
- Mommy Bloggers Share Facebook Group
- Home and Garden Share Facebook Group
Affiliate Networks and Programs:
- Pollinate Media
- Linqia
- Mom Central
- Mom’s Affiliate
- Clever Girls Collective
- Social Fabric Collective Bias
- IZEA
- Sverve
- Savings Blogger Network
- Pepper Jam Network
- Shareasale.com
- Advowire
Ad Networks:
WordPress themes:
- Restored 316 Designs – She Lives Free is running on the Restored 316 Sprinkle theme and I’m very happy with it! I also adore the owner Lauren and her super personable and prompt customer service – highly recommend checking out her beautiful designs if you’re in the market for a new WordPress theme.
- Angie Makes – I also love these themes and have already bought one for my business site, soon to come at www.shelivesfreecoaching.com
- BluChic – I hope to buy a theme I love from BluChic someday for a niche site I’m dreaming of down the line So many gorgeous options!
Books on Blogging:
- Building A Framework – This book is a treasure trove full of chapters with photo tutorials and detailed information broken down into small, manageable chunks. There are action steps in each chapter with actual strategies to put in place to grow your blog. At 170+ pages, and with a format that walks you through everything step-by-step, this book is a must-read for any blogger at any stage!
- How To Blog For Profit: Without Selling Your Soul
– Whether you have been blogging for years or just a few weeks, How to Blog For Profit (Without Selling Your Soul) offers solid advice and practical action plans for creating an authentic, successful, and profitable blog.
- Pinteresting – Pinterest Strategies for Brands and Bloggers
– Includes pictures from the new Pinterest format, new tools, and details about Pinterest Analytics.
- Pinterest Savvy: Strategies, Plans, and Tips to Grow Your Business with Pinterest
– Melissa Taylor, a top Pinterest influencer with over 1.4 million followers, shows how to get started, gain skills, and market your business using Pinterest. Pinterest Savvy is practical, easy-to-read, and applicable for anyone who is ready to get started or get better on Pinterest.
Looking for some more inspiration, ideas, and practical tips for blogging? Check out my FOUR blog related Pinterest boards!
Follow Sybil Brun @ shelivesfree.com’s board BLOGGER TO WORDPRESS on Pinterest.Follow Sybil Brun @ shelivesfree.com’s board BLOG TOOLS on Pinterest.
Follow Sybil Brun @ shelivesfree.com’s board BLOG PICS on Pinterest.Follow Sybil Brun @ shelivesfree.com’s board BASIC BLOG STUFF on Pinterest.
Sybil,
Ah! What a treat. Thanks so much for the feature. 🙂
You’re so welcome! What a treat for me that you stopped by to visit 🙂
Great informative information for bloggers!
Glad you found it helpful Trista, thanks for visiting!
What great offers and advice! Thank you! I’ve entered the giveaway. 🙂 🙂
Yay! Awesome Tawni! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this information.
You’re very welcome! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Hey Sybil!
Thanks for all the tools and tips! I have a question: I have been using Canva, but it seems to only provide a link to the picture that I create on their site. Is there a way to get JUST the picture Am I doing something wrong or is that just how it works?
Thanks again for the help!
Peace and Love,
Dara
http://www.living-story.weebly.com
I will play around with it, see if I can figure that out, and post again here if so! Either way, thanks for reaching out!
Thanks so much for all of these tips! I will be checking these out! 🙂
Awesome, glad you stopped by Becky!
I love that you shared so many wonderful tips. Thank you! This is a great resource.
Great to hear, thanks Theresa!
Thank you so much for sharing! Can’t wait to vamp up my blog! Xx
Love it! Thanks Aarielle 🙂
great great tips and tricks, I will put them to good use
Great to hear, thanks Terri!
Wow so much good stuff, Im Gonna have to come back again to look into it all. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on a successful year!
Awesome! Thanks so much 🙂
Very nice giveaway prizes. Someone will be blessed!
Yes, can’t wait! Thanks for your super sweet comment!
Thanks for all the tips! There is a lot to look at! Thanks for sharing the post!
You’re so welcome! Thanks for being here!
SUCH GREAT TIPS! And I’m super excited about your Pinterest boards – I followed each of them. 🙂 Thank you for this post!
Awesome! Thanks so much Tawni!
Wow– thanks so much for all the great resources!! Planning to come back later with more time and dig through them!
Awesome, thanks Courtney!
Oh so much good stuff here! I’m going to have to come back later when I have time to click through more of your links! 🙂
Thanks Jen!
This list is seriously so helpful, Sybil. Thank you for compiling and sharing!
So glad it was helpful Liz!