The document provides information on how to start and monetize a successful blog, including becoming a full-time blogger. It recommends choosing a topic you're passionate about, posting regularly, and promoting through social media. The document also discusses direct monetization methods like ads, sponsorships, and affiliates, as well as indirect options like consulting, speaking, or writing for other sites. Finally, it advises that you're ready to blog full-time when your blog generates enough advertising income to replace your job, and when opportunities are coming to you rather than seeking them out.

1. Blogging Basics, Monetization and How to Become a Full-time BloggerMolly FordIndie Biz Chicks Conference

2. PART ONE:MY BACKGROUND

3. Smart Pretty and Awkward OverviewSmartPrettyandAwkward.com

4. Started in December 2008

5. 250,000 page views/month

6. Utilize Facebook, Twitter, Blog Comments, BlogLovin’, StumbleUponSite MapHomepageThe homepage links to the four site pages below.Who Writes This? Who Reads This? Press Page More!

7. Importance of Knowing Your ReadersIn Summer 2010, I did a readership survey of my readers to provide my sponsors with more information about my readership.

8. Used SurveyMonkey to create, collect, and analyze the results

9. The survey page was linked to my homepage; I collected just under 900 responses. Survey Survey ResultsMost significant readership data:98% female

10. 95% US-based

11. 82% between 19 and 25 years old to your site (numbers according to a January 2010 readership survey of 800 daily readers).

12. 91% have or are in process of obtaining college degree

13. 47% check Smart Pretty and Awkward daily Analytics and Legal OwnershipAnalyticsI track my analytics through Wordpress’ Analytics model, which comes free with my self-hosted Wordpress blog. I used to use Google Analytics, then switched to OneStat, and am now happy with the current embedded program. Legal OwnershipI own the domain name for ten years and all relevant variations, which all redirect to my site. Because I sell merchandise under the label “Smart Pretty and Awkward,” I have both a state business license, and the name Smart Pretty and Awkward trademarked from the U.S. Patent Office.

14. PART TWO:BLOGGING BASICS

15. So, You Want to Start a Blog. What Should Your Write About?Write about a topic you like

16. Not trendy topic

17. Stuck? Ask yourself: What do you like to read?

18. Want topic to be broad enough that you can mold it to what your readers are responding to, but themed enough to be cohensive

19. Examples: CupcakesandCashmere.com, ThePioneerWoman.com, OhSheGlows.comHow Often Should You Write?Quality vs. Quantity

20. Write when you have something to say, balance between quality content and readers relying on you

21. This changes when you are full-time bloggerHow Transparent Should You Be?Hard to be truly anonymous

22. Different levels of transparencyHow Genuine Should You Be?Be YOU

23. Same person online as person offline