Before you continue reading about my favorite investment thus far for my Christian blog, I first want to specify I am NOT writing a sponsor post. I am not getting paid from anyone to sponsor this post. This is truly my honest opinion about a small investment that I believe any new Christian Blogger should make.
Now that I cleared that up, onto my recommendation……
When I started blogging I felt a little out of place. Most bloggers I tried to learn from would give tips of how to start a blog, how to find your niche. Making money with a blog, technical support, social media tips. Tips of how to balance blogging and motherhood and so much more. I felt left out because a lot of the advice was sometimes from a standpoint that I could not relate to.
I could not relate to majority of posts out there in regards of starting a blog because my niche is
Christian Blogging.
Don’t get me wrong, I follow quite a few bloggers and entrepreneurs that offer amazing blogging tips and tools that are not in the Christian niche. One of my faves for example is Melyssa Griffin at Melyssagriffin.com.
Just because people are not in the same niche as you does not mean they do not have a lot to offer to help you.
From following Melyssa, I have learned how to start an Instagram, how to build a newsletter from mail chimp, and have gained encouragement from her as a entrepreneur.
But as a Christian Blogger, I had so many questions and felt like I was missing out on answers. I wanted an understanding from a Christian point of view.
For example; Is it ok to make money from a blog that I use as a tool to spread the gospel?
Is it ok to use social media when I as a Christian is not generally in favor of it?
I was constantly wondering if there were bloggers out there that could understand I needed some tips on learning how to balance blogging and family from a godly point of view. How do other Christian Bloggers balance marriage, kids, ministry, and writing?
My first month of blogging I was looking pretty hard for the answers to these questions and many more.
At a point I came across a few Christian based courses and private groups that had high ratings for their support and encouragement but as someone that had only been blogging a few weeks I was a skeptic to investing a large amount of money into any course. Not because I didn’t believe in them or their product but because I did not want to loose the little money I had towards something that I did not know yet if it was a hobby or soon to be a full time endeavor.
I understand and agree in the concept that if you want to grow than it will take investment. But I am also someone that believes in giving as much time and research that you can as an investment before monetary investment becomes a choice.
At the time I didn’t have enough confidence as a Christian blogger to monetize. The last thing I wanted to do was compromise my character or beliefs over money; so finding out as much as I could about blogging from a Christian perspective became very important to me. On top of that I wasn’t even sure it was something that I could invest much time into. Blogging was brand new and a big change for me and my family.
(To fast forward you to just a few weeks later into blogging, I then found out how much I truly loved blogging. I created a daily plan to make sure I am able to give more time to Married by His Grace. I now wish I had started blogging a long time ago. But God knows why and what timing is perfect to start any new adventure.)
As I kept striving to look for answers from a godly perspective, I came across Carlie Kercheval blog at Todaysfrugalmom.com. I clicked on the blogging tab. I read all of the posts about blogging and fell in love with her perceptive of blogging.
Carlie is a military wife and mom of three. She was a stay at home homeschooling mom that started blogging in 2011 as an outlet. Carlie never imagined her blog was going to grow as much as it has. She blogs about her faith, homeschooling, frugal tips, and just about anything that has to do about home life with a husband and kids.
With all the years of blogging under her belt, she eventually ended up collaborating with other bloggers and wrote a few chapters in the iBlog: Everything you need to know about blogging from 30 top bloggers. Long title, I know! But straight to the point!
As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, by no means am I writing this post as a sponsor. I am writing this post because I was someone that intentionally started a blog as a Christian writer and wanted to get as much of a Christian perspective about blogging as I could.
The iBlog book was captivating to me starting from the very first page. It answered so many questions for me in the Christian perspective I was looking for. There are a total of 52 short chapters. Each chapter is just a few pages long. The subjects are broken down into straight forward detail. Carlie wrote just a few chapters. The chapters are about starting a vision and about balancing blogging and marriage. Twenty-nine other bloggers were able to also write according to their expertise.
Every chapter is jammed packed with experience and tips about everything and anything from starting the blog, to photography, stock images, vision, mission statements, how to build a site from WordPress, how to balance home life and blog, balance marriage and blog, balance homeschooling and blog, how to create freebies, information about blogging conferences, advertising, affiliate marketing, and how to monetize by selling your own products. The list goes on and on.
If you questioned it, it’s most likely there.
I highly recommend the iBlog book and truly hope you decide to take this book as one of your fave investment into your blog.
Related Links:
By His Grace We Blog – The Perfect Resource for the Christian Blogger
Step by Step, How to start a Blog.
The Batch Bundle – 5 Printables that will help your blog grow.
Please share any post or books you find helpful for Christian bloggers!
(Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy )
Rachel says
Thank you, dear! I will definitely check out these resources. I’m starting a brand new chapter in my blogging career because I accidentally wiped my entire blog when attempting to reinstall WordPress (very newbie of me, I know). I had about 2 years under my belt of blogging once every 5-6 months so I’m treating this wipe as a fresh start. God might have a reason for this happening to me because I definitely feel revived from the experience and ready to give my all into it this time. Looking forward to checking out these resources and building my blog up this time around rather than leaving it sit there without a God given purpose for it.
[email protected] says
Wow, Rachel! So sorry to hear about all your posts being wiped out. You sound so calm about it compared to how I would be lol. 2 years worth of blogging is a lot of work but I am so blessed and encouraged to see how you are preserving and getting ready to blog again! Many blessings to you and your new journey!
Julian says
Thank you for this post!!! I’ve had many of the same reservations about starting a blog. I’m excited to read the book and get started! Blessings!
[email protected] says
Awesome! So glad you found something that will encourage you to start a new Christian blog. I absolutely love this book and it has encouraged me many times!
Hannah says
I follow Melyssa too! Are you in her FB group?
marriedbyhisgrace@gmail.com says
No, I’m not. I will check it out! = ) Thank you!
Debbie says
I love this. I’ve been blogging several years but still don’t have a different niche other than blogging to share Him with others and leave a legacy for others. I’ve had so many of the same feelings as you do.
marriedbyhisgrace@gmail.com says
Wow, Debbie, God is good! Sometimes we wonder if we are alone or not wither certain things but God always reveals Himself by showing we are not alone. Thank you for the encouragement!
Erika says
This is so helpful! Thank you so much. I agree with everything you said about being a Christian Blogger. It’s hard to find guides in this niche. (I follow Melyssa and she is awesome) I will check out your resources and definitely the book! Thank you for sharing, Carmen! ?
marriedbyhisgrace@gmail.com says
I am so glad you found the post helpful! I have been blessed by this book so much and I truly hope it blesses many others too!