I thought I wrote a post like this last year, but it turns out, it was two years ago that I last shared the best investments I made in my blog and business. I know many of you are not bloggers, but those of you that are may find this post helpful. I am a firm believer that we are all in this together, and I hope that you might learn a thing or two from my journey, and that I might learn a thing or two from yours.
9 INVESTMENTS I MADE IN 2017 THAT HELPED MY BLOG GROW
All of Brene Brown’s Books
2017 was a year of growth not only for my business, but also for my faith and spirit. I spent countless hours listening to books on tape as I drove back and forth to Reno and Sonoma. I will forever be a fan of Brene Brown, and although her books aren’t focused on business, I believe that a healthier you will result in a healthier work life. If I only had $50 to invest in myself or my business this year, it’d be in Brene Brown’s books – audio preferably (The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, and The Power of Vulnerability are my favorites). I also loved Oprah’s new book The Wisdom of Sundays. On deck? The Untethered Soul.
A Full Frame Camera
Many people inquire as to what camera I use. I use a Nikon D750. I can’t remember if I got it this year, or last year, but it has definitely changed the way I approach photography. I started off with a crop frame camera, which was a great teacher to me. As I learned more and more about photography, I realized that to really improve, I would need a full frame camera. You might be wondering what the difference is?
A crop frame camera, or a crop sensor, captures a cropped image (meaning, only part of the image). While a full frame camera captures the entire image. Since the sensor is the most expensive part of a camera, full frame cameras are more expensive; however, they are worth the additional investment. A full frame camera will capture the entire image you see – giving you maximum area whereas a crop frame camera cannot capture the full image because the sensor is smaller.
For reference: a 35 mm lens on a cropped frame camera will capture about the same area as a 50 mm lens will on a full frame camera.
A Better Tri-Pod
While attending The Academy in France, I learned just how important a really good tripod is for capturing beautiful imagery. If you are a blog or business that primarily centers around interiors, food, or still life, a quality tripod will serve you well. The difference between photos taken with a tripod and without a tripod is astonishing.
without tripod (left), with tripod (right) – notice how crisp and clear the right photo is?
Photography Accessories: Light Boxes, Reflector, Tri-Pod
I mentioned this in my 2015 post, but I thought it was worth saying again. I love my light boxes, light reflectors, and wireless shutter release to help assist me when photographing interiors and still life. Although I will say that I am much less reliant on my light boxes now that I am comfortable with my tripod. I find that slowing down my shutter speed while using a tripod produces better photos than a faster shutter speed with faux light.
Attending a Conference or Workshop
I loved my time in France with Heather Bullard, and I always love my time in Sonoma at Oh So Inspired. I don’t think a conference makes or breaks your year, and honestly, it’s not the learning that I find so valuable, it’s the networking. I loved connecting with others that are interested in similar things that I am interested in. Search for conferences in your area or start attending a Tuesdays Together in your community!
Hiring Help
This year I was fortunate enough to find someone amazing to help assist me with everything behind the scenes. From photographing, bookkeeping, prepping…she does it all. It is not easy to find someone that you can trust, or that has the right aesthetic for your business. However, if you are able to find someone that fits into your little corner of the world, they are worth their weight in gold. Even though it is an expense to have help, think of all of the additional things you can accomplish. For example, Lori helps me create affiliate round up posts which generally generate income. So even though I am paying her to help me, the work she is doing has a direct return.
JAXXY
I have paid for JAXXY for two years now, and I have become very reliant on it when generating blog posts with specific keywords. I am not sure if I have made money back from the expense, but it has definitely helped me improve upon SEO on my site. It is so simple for me to check keywords with Jaxxy, and it is so simple to understand. Perhaps there’s a cheaper or better option out there, but for the ease of use, I happily pay for the service each year. Here is a good video showing how to use Jaxxy if you are interested.
Squarespace Commerce
If you have a commerce SS website, I recommend upgrading to the commerce plan on Squarespace. I like this feature because it allows for you to contact many abandoned checkout customers to recover sales. I recovered more than enough sales with this feature to cover the cost of the plan, and then some. I also enjoy the additional analytics it offers!
Professional Email Template & Convertkit
Over the years I have been fortunate enough to gather a really wonderful group of subscribers. However it wasn’t until this year that I decided to start contacting them. I had read time and time again about how important email subscribers are, so I kept a file of them, but I hadn’t ever been diligent about sending out emails. I haven’t had a return on this investment yet – but I made the jump from MailChimp to Convertkit, and asked Magnolia House Creative to design a beautiful email template for me (which far exceeded my expectations!). I am ready to tackle this goal in 2018 as I move more towards commerce. Convert kit is about the same cost as MailChimp but focuses more on segmenting subscribers so that you know exactly who your all-star customers or readers are.
I hope that some of these ideas might help you grow your blog and business this year! I would love to know some of your favorite apps or websites that you rely on to keep you organized and productive during the work day. Staying productive and free of distraction is my biggest weakness, I need all the tips!
Great article! Love these tips. Especially hiring help. That’s one that I’ve held back on but I’m starting to see how much more I can accomplish if I let others do the busy work. I’ll have to check out some of the books you’ve suggested. That’s one of my goals this year … one book a month! Thanks Chloe!
Hiring help is scary, I admit it! It’s been incredibly helpful in all areas of this business though, someone who believes in the goals of your company is worth their weight in gold!
Chloe, thank you for all the details! Very helpful! FYI, a great gardening symposia is held at Great Dixter in the UK. I highly recommend the symposia that includes taking you to the Chelsea Flower show. Fabulous learning experience. Cheers to 2018! Cat
Oh the Chelsea Flower Show! What a dream!!!! Thank you my friend!
tabota asd rabota
Hi there. Looking to automate my industrial production I purchased the ALPHA SERVO MODULE. This module. I am using it in my industrial control system and it allows me to control the automation processes accurately and quickly. One of the main advantages of this module is its high speed and accuracy.
In the sprawling banquet of the investment world, blockchain gaming is the new, spicy delicacy that’s got everyone talking. And what better way to understand this gourmet feast than with http://www.blamelessgame.com, a Michelin-star guide in the realm of digital culinary discovery? This site serves up the juiciest insights and reviews on blockchain games, from the rich, layered experiences of Decentraland to the intricate, savory strategy of Gods Unchained. Picture each game as a dish, meticulously prepared with the finest ingredients of technology and innovation. Blockchain gaming offers a complex flavor profile where the aftertaste is not just entertainment, but potential profit. Imagine diving fork-first into The Sandbox, savoring each pixelated morsel, knowing with each bite you’re exploring new investment landscapes. Blameless Game turns you from a casual diner into a connoisseur of the blockchain gaming cuisine. With each review, you’re equipped to discern not just the taste but the potential value of each dish. Bon Appétit!
When it came time to replace my old car, my friend advised me to look into car leasing https://vidi-leasing.com.ua/ . He says that it is very convenient and that I won’t have to spend a lot of money at one time. I listened to him and decided to lease a new car. I was pleased that the company takes responsibility for insuring and maintaining the car, and I just pay the money and drive it.
Review of the best movie review writing service was incredibly insightful. It thoroughly examined top services, highlighting their strengths and specializations. This review made it easy to choose a reliable service that delivers high-quality, well-crafted movie reviews. The detailed comparisons and honest feedback on each service were invaluable. If you need expert help with writing movie reviews, this review is a great resource for finding a service that meets your needs and expectations!
During the session, this https://do-my-math.com/ team is a lifesaver! They complete tasks quickly, which allows you to focus on preparing for exams.
In the fast-paced world of academia, students often find themselves overwhelmed with assignments, deadlines, and other academic responsibilities. Amidst these challenges, one aspect that can significantly impact a student’s performance is the quality of their written papers. Whether it’s an essay, research paper, or dissertation, the ability to articulate thoughts and ideas effectively is crucial for academic success. However, not every student possesses the necessary writing skills or the time to dedicate to crafting high-quality papers. This is where professional paper writing services https://trabajosuniversitarioshechos.com/ come into play.