This is a guest post by Stephanie Suesan Smith.
I am relatively new to blogging, having started seriously this spring. However, I have already been inundated with get rich quick schemes, all of which were rip-offs. Fortunately, I had mentors such as Gail from Growmap.com to steer me away from those people. She gives her expertise away for free.
This is why when she recommended the Income Blogging Guide Course by Andrew Rondeau and Joel Williams, I took notice. This is a 26 week course that starts with picking a host site for your blog and continues through all the things you need to do to make money. You get one lesson a week, so you do not get overwhelmed.
I had to think hard before signing up for this course. It is $97 a month for six months. That is a lot of money to me. I didn’t have anything to sell, and wasn’t sure I could really make money blogging about gardening. Besides, I had a blog, so thought this might be too elementary for me.
Well, the lessons are very clearly explained. However, the first lesson on how to tune the plugins on your blog was worth the $97 for the month. It made that much difference in how my blog worked. I would never have figured out all those check boxes and settings on my own.
I am on lesson 10 and have found something useful in every lesson. They are getting harder now because they deal with marketing, developing products and autoresponders — things I have little experience with. Still, things are clearly explained and I am not getting overwhelmed. Busy, but not overwhelmed.
If you would like to see part of what the course teaches, head over to my vegetable gardening blog and take a look. If you sign up for my mailing list, you can download my book, Preparing a Vegetable Garden From the Ground Up for free. If you are averse to mailing lists, the book is for sale for $2.99.
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Twitter: milindbawankar
November 22, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Twitter: @milindbawankar
I’ve been checking out this blog it’s very very helpful. I was just wasting the time by not knowing what I was doing. But your blog helped me a lot. Thank you very much and all the best in future.
Hey,
Thanks for a great post- will try to apply some of them in my practice.
A nice review of Income Blogging Guide Course, I will certainly be enrolling for this course if I have enough money to spare in the coming months
This is definitely some good tips for making money with blogging. And I can definitely agree with you that the income diary free course is good as well!
Twitter: bulleleven
November 21, 2010 at 11:43 am
Twitter: @bulleleven
Never heard of this course before, glad that I stopped by and found out about it.
John would love you to read ..How Everyone Can Take Advantage Of Keyword Ownership
It’s a great article. Thank you for sharing.
I am quite new at this blog stuff, so that should be in gr8 use 4 me.
Cheers
____________________________________
cheap calls to China
Twitter: cognitive46
November 21, 2010 at 6:09 am
Twitter: @cognitive46
This post is nothing other than a complete guidance and encouragement. The cost of $97 per month is nothing if we compare it with learning and training.
but I still confuse how and what thing I must write in the blog, but thanks for sharing..
Twitter: AwinaTours
November 20, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Twitter: @AwinaTours
This is the wonderful thing about the blogging community. People give the experience that they have had with a particular course and you can see if it is relevant for you. I find that I can usually spot if a review has been written by somone who really has done the course or whether it was simply written to try and make a quick buck as an affiliate.
The glowing referrals for the Income Blogging Guide Course are the real deal.
Twitter: happymakernowco
November 20, 2010 at 11:26 am
Twitter: @happymakernowco
Hi Stephanie,
Thought I would put in my two cents worth. I to have taken there course and other courses. As for cost, they are much more reasonable then others and you can always count on them to be there for you. Andrew and Joel really care about your success.
I did have the pleasure of meeting Andrew a few weeks ago and let me tell you he is the real deal. Knows what he is doing and the sweets caring person one could ever meet. I fill very blessed finding the course they have created and getting to know them. You can only come out a winner if you do what they teach with this course.
Andrew don’t want to make you blush, but bless you both for your hard work and helping people like you do.
If anyone wants to have a blogging bussiness and is really serious about it this course that you can’t allow yourself to miss.
That is my 2 cents worth and I am sticking to my true story. lol
Debbie
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 20, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
Well, both Joel and Andrew have been very helpful online. I have not had the pleasure of meeting them in person — Dallas doesn’t seem to be on anyone’s seminar list and that is the nearest big city to me. Glad to hear things worked for you, too.
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..Chiggers
Twitter: andrewrondeau
November 21, 2010 at 5:10 am
Twitter: @andrewrondeau
Stephanie
I’m from the UK and Debbie came all the way ‘over the pond’ to see me!
We had such a fun time.
Andrew
Andrew would love you to read ..Blog Statistics- Pro Blog Stats WordPress Plugin Update
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 21, 2010 at 5:33 am
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
I went over to the England once, but would rather catch you when you are in the United States. Do you have plans for seminars over here that are listed somewhere on the website? I didn’t see a calendar.
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..Lark Hill Countryside
Twitter: andrewrondeau
November 21, 2010 at 6:01 am
Twitter: @andrewrondeau
Stephanie
No plans!
Too many other priorities at the moment but something I need to plan for 2011.
Andrew
Andrew would love you to read ..Blog Statistics- Pro Blog Stats WordPress Plugin Update
Twitter: andrewrondeau
November 21, 2010 at 5:09 am
Twitter: @andrewrondeau
Debbie,
There is one statement that jumps out in your comment:
“You can only come out a winner if you do what they teach with this course.”
We (or any one else) can have the best blogging course in the world but the buyer has to take action.
Joel and I come out and say blogging is hard work…it does take passion, determination, persistence…AND ACTION.
By saying that we may lose a few buyers but we would rather be honest and manage expectations.
Andrew
P.S. You are making me blush!
Andrew would love you to read ..Blog Statistics- Pro Blog Stats WordPress Plugin Update
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 21, 2010 at 5:29 am
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
I discovered that blogging was work when participating in the 2010 WordCount Blogathon. Up until then, I did not realize how much planning and time a good blog took. I am learning now that affiliate sales are work, too. The good thing about the Income Blogging Guide is that I am not flying blind, but have a roadmap to keep me from making so many mistakes.
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..Stonehenge
Twitter: lavenderuses
November 20, 2010 at 5:37 am
Twitter: @lavenderuses
Hi all (Gail, Stephanie,Andrew and Joel)
I tried to come over and comment yesterday but it was taking too long to load! I am your original technophobe (just ask Andrew lol) and I had been scammed several times by so called “internet marketing coaches”!!! So I certainly wasn’t going to part with my money to any course out there.
So when I came across this course I read the free one first. Liked what I read and took the plunge. I still don’t find the techie stuff easy but I understand so much more than I did before. Also the amazing thing with this course is that when Andrew and Joel say they continue to give support they actually do
In fact I just put up a store (correction a web designer did it for me lol) and I only had the Etsy button on my site. Andrew noticed this and offered to put up a tag with Lavender Products on it for me. I reckon he figured it was quicker than explaining it to me so he did it. That’s support wouldn’t you say??!! These guys are the real deal and I am so glad I bumped into them and their course in the blogosphere.
Just remembered one more thing. I sometimes read things on other blogs about what to do about different areas of blogging. I check and see I’m already doing it cos it was in the course….yay. These guys rock.
BTW Stephanie congrats on your guest post. Excellent post and thanks for sharing.
Patricia Perth Australia
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 20, 2010 at 7:52 am
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
Thank you, Patricia. I am not a technophobe, but am having to learn a new subculture with blogging. It sure makes it easier to have a guide when doing so, doesn’t it?
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..German Waterfall in a Forest
Twitter: andrewrondeau
November 21, 2010 at 5:13 am
Twitter: @andrewrondeau
Patricia,
We all have different strengths.
Yours may not be technical…but what you have achieved in such a short space of time when it comes to relationship building is brilliant!
Andrew
P.S. Your kind words have made my Sunday!
Andrew would love you to read ..Blog Statistics- Pro Blog Stats WordPress Plugin Update
Twitter: cprcourse
November 19, 2010 at 10:55 am
Twitter: @cprcourse
A very useful review, thank you.
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 19, 2010 at 11:39 am
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
Glad to help. Hope to see you again.
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..German Waterfall in a Forest
Thanks Stephanie for this very useful and informative post. Actually, there are so many out there in the web world all claiming to make us get rich overnight ! I frequently visit Gail’s blog Growmap. I have gathered some very useful and effective tips about blogging and other plugins from this blog. I also have a personal blog apart from my company blog. I am inspired by the way you are finding success in blogging gradually with this course by not being overwhelmed as you say. In due course I might take up this course as well.
Regards,
Robert
Appointment Setter would love you to read ..New Client Promo – First 5 Clients Week of 11-14-10
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 19, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
No, this isn’t overnight success. This takes hard work and some time in the trenches. But it seems to be more lasting, not just a flash in the pan.
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..Scarlet Pimpernil
Stephanie you hit the nail right on the head with that statement “not just a flash in the pan” so many people including myself have fallen for some online get rich quick schemes, sure they “MIGHT” make you some quick money, but they fade quickly. Doing it the proper way will build a residual income for the LONG run and stick around much longer.
I thank you as well Gail for bringing the Growmap, I have taken so much GREAT information from this site, maybe I myself will get on track to make some money to.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
November 21, 2010 at 5:17 am
Twitter: @andrewrondeau
Mere,
What Joel and I are trying to show people is to build their own on-line business around blogging…as you say a long term thing.
We want people to have the opportunity to give up the 9-5 and get some freedom back by owning and running their own on-line business and they can…but not overnight.
All of the big famous bloggers out there will tell you it has taken them years of hard work to get where they are.
Andrew
Andrew would love you to read ..Blog Statistics- Pro Blog Stats WordPress Plugin Update
That’s very true Andrew, I plan on looking into your program because I am struggling in some point’s. Long term to me is having your pages indexed and staying there for some time instead of there today gone tomorrow. I have fallen prey to so much garbage online, “do this for instant success” sure you can make a quick couple bucks, but “IT WILL NOT LAST” I am totally convinced that these people that are having success with these sites are building hundreds to thousands of them. That is not the business model that i want to follow, I would rather pick a niche or two and focus on creating a brand(name) for myself for the “LONG” run so that i can leave my 9-5 job.
From what i see, that is what you guys seem to be doing, I have wasted to much money and time (about 10yrs) now and I still work my day job, so I understand I am doing something wrong. Once i get my budget in place and can allocate $97 a month I will be over to check you guy’s out.
Teddy would love you to read ..Extreme Whitener Tooth Whitening Pen- Turn Your Life Around!
I got your point. Yes, it is very important that it shouldn’t be a flash in the pane but a more lasting thing. And also blogging takes some time to find success.
Robert would love you to read ..New Client Promo – First 5 Clients Week of 11-23-10
Twitter: andrewrondeau
November 24, 2010 at 2:36 am
Twitter: @andrewrondeau
Teddy
We are certainly not promoting the building of thousands of sites. I’m sure that works for some but it is not our approach or style.
Andrew
Andrew would love you to read ..How Sushi Restaurants Taught Me About Website Design
I have actually heard about this course through an email I received, but I didn’t look too much into it. The cost definitely sounds a little pricey but if it is half as good as you say it is then I’m sure it’s worth every penny.
I too have been overwhelmed with all the rip-off get rich schemes out there right now. It’s good to know that there are still some meritorious products out there that actually help you.
Kerry would love you to read ..Tips That Can Definitely Help Save Your Marriage
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 18, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
Well, it has helped me. And I don’t spend money lightly, so am really glad it has.
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..Mute Swan Cygnus olor
I actually have read about the course you are taking before. It’s good to know it’s working well for you. Maybe now I’ll check it out for my blog, I’m still a bit confused about some plugins.
Thanks!
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 18, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
It really made a difference knowing what to put in there and what values to set things at. It took me a couple of hours, but well worth it.
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..The Texans Irish Bride by Caroline Clemmons
Twitter: blogtechguy
November 18, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Twitter: @blogtechguy
Thanks for the review Stephanie. I’m glad you’ve found it useful so far. We’re here to help if you need us.
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 18, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
Thank you, Joel. I imagine you and Andrew can tell when I receive a new lesson by the new questions I post in the forum. You are both very helpful about explaining how to fix the weird things I accidentally do to my blog.
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..Free Report: Preparing a Garden From The Ground Up
Twitter: andrewrondeau
November 18, 2010 at 4:35 am
Twitter: @andrewrondeau
Stephanie
Thanks for those kind words.
I am pleased you have found something useful in each of the lessons so far and the investment has been worthwhile.
A lot of people think it is just a blogging course but it covers so much more. Perhaps we need to change it’s name? What do you think?
Andrew
Andrew would love you to read ..Blog Expert Series- Making Your Killer Product
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 18, 2010 at 8:24 am
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
I think if you change the name you will scare newbies like myself away. Information overload is a real problem and you manage that very well in this course. A different title might give the wrong impression.
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..Growing Irish Potatoes
Twitter: andrewrondeau
November 19, 2010 at 3:08 am
Twitter: @andrewrondeau
Stephanie
You make a good point about information overload.
When we carried out research before we created the course we asked our existing visitors what they wanted from such a course. Two things jumped out from the replies:
1. Not to be overwhelmed.
So we decided to go into detail on each step. Plus each next step follows on from the previous. Do each step in order and you end up with your own on-line business.
2. Support.
This was a big issue for many. They buy a course and are then alone. No one to turn to. At first we wasn’t going to add any post purchase support but after the feedback we did…the forum and the live teleconferences.
The only thing now is possibly the word ‘guide’ might give the impression that is it just an e-book when you know it is a lot more.
So perhaps…The Income Blogging Course?
Andrew
Andrew would love you to read ..Blog Expert Series- Making Your Killer Product
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 19, 2010 at 11:28 am
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
The Income Blogging Course is a better title. Yes, it is a guide, but it is more than that. And, as I mentioned, I use the support forum a lot. As I follow along in the course I often find ways to cause errors, such as trying to upload photos that are too big through the browser instead of ftping them. Oops.
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..Free Report: Preparing a Garden From The Ground Up
By reading this post , I have made my mind to get this course but at the present cost is the issue.
Twitter: kaiserthesage
November 18, 2010 at 2:17 am
Twitter: @kaiserthesage
I’ve also started blogging a few months ago (last week of June this year), and I can really say that by just following Andrew and Gail’s blog allowed me to learn a lot of things about blogging. I’m pretty excited to see what you have learned so far through your book and it’s obvious that you have done very well with what you are doing now
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 19, 2010 at 11:30 am
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
Thank you. I am working to have the best blog on vegetable gardening available. Glad you checked out my site.
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..Growing English Peas P sativum
Twitter: indblog
November 17, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Twitter: @indblog
You might find the free course by Michael Dunlop, from incomediary.com helpful as well.
http://www.incomediary.com/create-a-profitable-blog/
Dean Saliba would love you to read ..Add Some Personality To Your Blog
Twitter: lambdakennels1
November 18, 2010 at 8:26 am
Twitter: @lambdakennels1
Andrew and Joel have a free blogging course, too, it is just not as comprehensive as the one I am taking.
Stephanie Suesan Smith would love you to read ..Growing Beans
Twitter: GrowMap
November 19, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Twitter: @GrowMap
I encouraged Stephanie to write this guest post because her experiences taking it will provide valuable insights to others considering making money blogging and this course in particular.
This is the ONLY paid Making Money Blogging course I have ever recommended online and the reason is that it has the details. Most courses tell you WHAT to do but leave you with no idea HOW to do it.
There are two things that make this course different:
1) They tell you step-by-step HOW to accomplish each task.
2) They are available to answer your questions and even help you get it done. That is why the cost is $97 a month and worth it.
Expert advice at the level that Andrew and Joel provide is rare at any price.
growmap would love you to read ..Best of GrowMap – Our Most Important Posts All in One Place
Twitter: andrewrondeau
November 20, 2010 at 1:50 am
Twitter: @andrewrondeau
Gail,
Stop it! You are making me blush!
Andrew
P.S. Seriously, thank YOU for such kind words. Joel and I love helping people and see people like Stephanie take action and progress.
Andrew would love you to read ..Blog Statistics- Pro Blog Stats WordPress Plugin Update
Twitter: blogtechguy
November 21, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Twitter: @blogtechguy
Thanks for the recommendation again! We try to help all our members as much as possible and support them wherever we can. Support is the #1 thing missing from most online courses, not just in blogging or internet marketing. That’s why we have three ways to get support – teleconferences; support forum; and direct email.
Nothing makes us happier than seeing others succeed!
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