E-Book Review – Building a Framework: Everything I Learned My First Year of Blogging

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It’s my one month blogiversary! Yay! I have had so much fun so far sharing my projects with you all, and I can’t wait to see where it will all go next from here. When I started Dwelling in Happiness a month ago, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. In fact, go back even a couple months before that, and I wasn’t even sure I could do it at all. Enter: Abby’s “Building a Framework: Everything I Learned My First Year of Blogging”, at Just a Girl and Her Blog.

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I was poking around on Pinterest one day, looking at all the pretty home binder printables to help get myself organized. I came across Abby’s beautiful printables, so I went to her blog to check them out. I happened to see her add on the right side of her page about this new e-book she had just published. I clicked on it and was reading what the book was about, and it was like it all just fell into my lap. I had always thought about blogging, as I’ve seen so many DIY amazing projects on Pinterest come from really awesome blogs. But, I had NO idea where to start or what to do. Like, at all. I didn’t even think I could  maintain a blog, and to be honest, I really didn’t think anyone would like or want to read about my little projects or ideas.

I decided to e-mail Abby and ask her a couple questions, not really expecting to hear back since she’s so popular and busy with a family. I was shocked that this amazing popular blogger responded a few days later! She was SO encouraging and sweet, and answered all my (silly) questions. So, I decided to try and give this blogging thing a “go.”  I bought and downloaded her book and went from there.

You guys, this book is SO incredibly helpful. I read it all within a few days, soaking up all the different aspects that I had no clue went along with blogging. Abby starts her book with the very basics, with which web hosting sites to use and how to choose a domain and a theme. She goes step-by-step with pictures and screen shots of how to go about everything, which was so great to have when I was getting everything set up. I didn’t even know there was a difference between wordpress.com and wordpress.org! I’m so glad I do now though, and made the best choice for myself (with her help!).

Blogging-at-Computer-453x680Abby really stresses building relationships with other bloggers in her book, which isn’t something I honestly thought I needed to do. In my mind I thought, “so, if I want to have a DIY blog, aren’t I in ‘competition’ with other DIY bloggers?” That’s honestly what my mindset was before I got started. But, after reading Abby’s book and actually getting into the blogging part, my mind has completely changed! Oh my goodness, the blogging community is AMAZING! We are in no way competitors, as I’m learning everyone has their own style and piece to bring to the “DIY blogging” table. Every single blogger I have connected with is so incredibly sweet and supportive. Abby talks about the importance of collaboration with other bloggers, as well as sharing contacts and connections, which has been extremely beneficial so far. Their success is my success, which I had never realized until I started!

Abby mentions connecting with other bloggers through social media, which has been how I’ve met almost all the bloggers I now follow. I never would have thought to go searching for Facebook groups that are about blogging, but they have helped me tremendously!! I also had no clue what a “link party” was before I read Abby’s book. Boy, if I hadn’t, I’m pretty sure my only reader would still be my husband. They really help to get your name and projects out to the “world.”

Another important aspect of her book is how to make money with a blog. Along with everything else I didn’t know, this was also news to me! Make money while blogging? Sounds too good to be true. I’m nowhere near ready for that, but Abby gives step by step instructions for not only setting up Google AdSense, but also how to work with different affiliates and brands. If I hadn’t read her book, I don’t think I’d even know that working with brands and affiliates was an option! She gives more step-by-step instructions with pictures in setting up Google AdSense. She breaks it all down for you, leaving no room for error, thank goodness!

If you’re thinking about starting a blog (or already have one!) and want to read more about Abby’s book or purchase it, you can do that at The Landing page on her blog Just a Girl and Her Blog. It’s super easy to download,  and she’s SO passionate about helping us all get started. I’m so glad too, because I really have her to thank for giving me the encouragement to get started. Her book is like a cheat sheet – she really gives you everything she has learned so we can get started and be ahead of the curve; even when she had to learn some things the hard way! Even for you veteran bloggers; this book has something for you, too!

A month later, I am so thankful for not only Abby and her amazing e-book, but also for all the other sweet and supportive bloggers I’ve met along the way. And yes, I know, it’s ONLY been a month. But still, I certainly would not have even come this far if it weren’t for all of them. I’m so excited each day to meet new bloggers and see all that they have offer. I’m always so inspired by their ideas, and love getting to see a little bit of who they are.

Here’s to many many more months of this wonderful little thing called blogging!

Have you read Abby’s book? How did it help you get started?

 

I link up at these fun parties, as well as Friday Favorites,

35 thoughts on “E-Book Review – Building a Framework: Everything I Learned My First Year of Blogging”

    1. Thank you so much, Abby!! It has been an invaluable tool that I refer back to several times a week! Thanks so much for the share, too! 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Lindsay!! I’m loving this blogging journey, too. I didn’t know it’d be THIS fun!! Thanks so much for following, looking forward to following you as well! Have an awesome day. 🙂

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  4. I had no idea you had only been blogging for a month! Go you! I loved her book as well and continue to use it as a resource for my blog! I had the chance to meet her last weekend when I was in Pittsburgh and she is the sweetest! I’m so glad we’ve connected and I can’t wait to follow along with you more! xo
    Breanna recently posted…A Wedding BuffetMy Profile

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    1. Thank you Bre! How fun that you got to meet her! I’m so glad we’ve connected too, I absolutely love seeing your furniture transformations. Can’t wait to see more! Thanks for stopping by today. 🙂

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    1. It’s such great info and so helpful to any blogger at any stage. I know I’ll be forever referring back to the book every so often! Thanks so much for stopping by, Jen! Have an awesome day. 🙂

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    1. Yay! Sounds like it was the perfect timing, too!! Can’t wait to see the new and updated blog! Hope it goes smoothly. 🙂 Thanks for visiting, have a great rest of the week, Amanda! 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much, Amy!! Abby’s tips are so handy, and super easy to do, too! Thank you for visiting today, and for following!! Glad you connected with me! Hope your day is great! 🙂

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  8. I’d been an off again on again blogger for years before reading Abby’s book. Her tips are so helpful and I’ve been blogging regularly for over 2 months now 🙂 I thought the same thing about being in competition with other DIY bloggers but they really are such an amazing group of women. I can’t wait to follow along with you and I’d love a follow back!

    ~Meaghan from DIYfaerie

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    1. Thank you, Meaghan! That’s so awesome! Goes to show that even a veteran blogger can put her great ideas to use! I agree, the DIY community is amazing, and all the women are so sweet! Thanks so much for following, looking forward to following you as well! Have a great rest of the week! 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Kristina!! It definitely helps give a push, doesn’t it? I don’t think it’s possible to read it and NOT want to start a blog, since she gives SO many great tips!! I love following you! Thanks so much for visiting today!! 🙂

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  10. Congrats Amanda on your one month blogiversary!! I must say that I have hemmed and hawed over starting a blog ever since I picked up Mom Inc. Needless to say, I over think things and think, “oh, the blogosphere is over saturated, is anyone going to want to read what I post, what should I call it?” and the list goes on… Recently, another blogger and I were exchanging ideas about a recipe and she invited me to do a guest post on her blog! YIKES & YAY!!! That’s what I’m thinking right now… I don’t even have a blog and this wonderful blogger wants me to be a guest on her established blog to share my story and recipe. I recently started following Abby’s page on FB and will definitely be getting this book to help me figure out where to go with this whole “mommy’s starting a blog” thing. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing your review!

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    1. Thank you so much!! Oh I totally over think EVERYTHING too, and definitely did too much over thinking before starting the blog. I think you just have to go for it and don’t leave to for yourself to over think! 🙂 That’s so great that you are going to be featured!! What blog is it? I’d love to read it! I hope you go for it and start your own blog though, sounds like you definitely would already have a following! Good luck! 🙂

      Reply

      1. Hi Amanda, we are still in the collaborative phase. Guest post wouldn’t be until October. I will definitely let you know when it’s done. In the meantime, feel free to visit Kirsten at Sweet Tea and Saving Grace. 🙂 I’m almost wondering if I shouldn’t give myself until October as a deadline to start my own blog. Lol I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for the reply and the encouragement!

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        1. Hi Roxana, I will definitely visit Kirsten! You just get your blog up when you’re comfortable and ready. It took my husband and I almost a month before I actually wrote and published my first post! We were doing a lot of behind-the-scene type work. You’ll do great! Have a great day 🙂

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  11. So glad to have “met” you too, Amanda thru this fabulous world of blogging! And yes, Abby’s book has been a lifesaver more than once for me! I can’t imagine how easy setting up a blog would’ve been, had the book been released back in Dec. oh well 🙂 So glad to have a resource that’s in one single book!
    Kendra @www.joyinourhome.com recently posted…Our Favorite Peach PieMy Profile

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    1. So glad we met too, Kendra!! We are totally lucky to be able to have her resources at our fingertips, aren’t we? 🙂 Thanks for reading, I hope you have an amazing weekend, friend! 🙂

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  16. I wish there was something like this available when I got started! Abby’s book is the perfect tool to get you started and to continue to refer back to as you grow. And you are right, she is SO super sweet! Great review. I too am totally impressed at how far you’ve come in only a month!!
    Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer recently posted…How to Turn a Headboard into a Coat Rack {& a Partyversary Giveaway!}My Profile

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    1. Thank you so much, Christy! I totally agree. I refer back to her book ALL THE TIME! (Like, last night when getting AdSense setup!) 🙂 Such a fabulous tool to have as a reference. Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! Hope you have an awesome weekend! 🙂

      Reply
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