Best Books for Bloggers
Written by Casey Botticello
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It takes a lot of hard work and time to get the best results as a blogger. Those who succeed tend to be the ones who try to learn as much as they can about the activity, and put what they have learned into practice. If you are looking to expand your knowledge in this area, picking up some books is among the best moves you can make. But what books should you be reading as a blogger?
There are plenty of titles suitable for bloggers, including books on how to write better content, how to improve your digital marketing skills, how to monetize your blog, and even books on personal development. In addition, there are books available for bloggers who are just starting out but not sure how to proceed, as well as for seasoned creators who want to transition their blogs into booming small businesses. Ready to get reading? Here are 13 of the best books for bloggers you can start reading now.
Best Books for Bloggers
1. How to Find a Profitable Blog Topic Idea by Steve Scott
For those who are just starting out, choosing a profitable blog topic niche can be one of the hardest things to do. There are many bloggers who find themselves struggling to gain traction in their markets because hardly anyone is interested in what they are writing about. Steve Scott’s handy guide is a quick read. Judging by the reviews and general feedback, it has proven to be a valuable resource for people looking to find the right blog idea that they are not only passionate about but also has a chance of being attractive and profitable. What’s more, it offers great amounts of insight for bloggers who want to have an idea on how to monetize their blogs, such as through affiliate marketing, selling e-books, etc.
2. Write Blog Posts Readers Love by Henri Junttila
One of the challenges of being a blogger is being able to consistently write blog posts that people actually want to read. Henri Junttila taps into his deep experience as a blogger and online entrepreneur to provide some useful tips any blogger can use to churn out high-quality content on demand. For instance, you can learn:
- How to create article outlines
- Making use of blog templates
- Quickly creating your first draft then editing later, and more.
The book is also easy to read and filled with encouraging thoughts that make the instructions simpler to grasp and digest. It’s a must-read for new bloggers, along with those who are struggling to generate content on a regular basis. Long time bloggers who have seemingly run out of ideas will also appreciate the ideas on offer.
3. Free Tools for Writers, Bloggers and Solopreneurs by Karen Banes
Blogging is one of those businesses that can be started with very little cash injection. But it can get wildly expensive in a short time, especially if you have to be investing in expensive software and online tools to keep your blog running. This guide by Karen Banes might just be the money-saver you are looking for if you are a blogger working with a shoestring budget. The short book offers a checklist of tools you can use to get the job done. It covers everything from content creation and publishing to marketing and even storage solutions. Sure, you will come across tools you already know of, but there are quite a few in there that you probably likely never heard about before that might prove useful.
4. The One Hour Content Plan by Meera Kothland
This is another helpful read for newbie bloggers and those who have hit a content brick wall. Successful blogging has a lot to do with good planning and this book does a great job of explaining what that looks like. But it’s not just about developing a content plan; the book goes deeper to explain how to be strategic with your content so you get the desired effect in terms of growing a dedicated audience and defining your brand. Meera Kothand has proven herself to be an expert in the field of email marketing and online entrepreneurship. Her experience is on full display throughout “The One Hour Content Plan,” allowing bloggers and other content marketers to devise useful strategies to get on the pathway to success.
5. One Million Followers: How I Built a Massive Social Following in 30 Days by Brendan Kane
Social media is an essential component in any blogging strategy. Done right, your brand can garner a strong social media presence that continuously boosts the reach and earning potential of your blog. “One Million Followers” by Brandon Kane happens to be one of the top pieces of literature on how bloggers and marketers can make the most of social media in as little as one month. From optimizing your profile on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to creating engaging content, the book is a treasure trove of information on how to maximize the benefits of social media. What’s more, the book contains a number of thorough interviews from well-known marketers and social media influencers, which lend to the high-quality of the message.
6. How to Blog for Profit: Without Selling Your Soul by Ruth Soukup
Widely regarded as one of the best books for bloggers, “How To Blog For Profit” is a valuable guide for beginner and intermediate bloggers who want to turn their blogs into viable income-earning brands. Everything, from creating winning content and building traffic to going viral on social media and blog monetization, is laid out in easy to understand language and examples. As a New York Times bestseller and founder of an online media empire, Soukup does a good job of outlining the strategies that work. Even if you have already built up a solid career as a blogger, there is a great chance that you can still learn something new from this book.
7. Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller
While this book is not directly addressed to bloggers, many of the core concepts discussed can be applied to the field of blogging. How do you set your blog apart from the competition? Why should readers listen to you? How do you define the service you are offering? Bloggers need to answer these questions just as much as any corporate business owner or marketer, and “Building a StoryBrand” provides the answers. It speaks to how brands need to have a cohesive and comprehensive message in order to better connect with their target audiences. It focuses on the power of storytelling to create compelling brand stories, a strategy that bloggers need to have as well. As a bestselling author, Donald Miller’s work is held in high regard. He has helped thousands of businesses clarify their brand story, and much of that expertise is on display in this book.
8. How to Get to The Top of Google in 2021 by Tim Cameron-Kitchen
First published in 2020, “How To Get To The Top Of Google in 2021” has quickly carved out a loyal following among regular business owners, marketers, and of course, bloggers, who want to master SEO. It is no secret that Google holds a lot of influence over how well brands are able to reach their target audiences. Bloggers that hope to be successful must, therefore, have at least a basic grasp of optimizing their blogs and content for the search engine. As a renowned SEO strategist, online marketer, and CEO of Exposure Ninja, Tim Cameron-Kitchen is able to encapsulate his vast knowledge into a publication teeming with valuable info and actionable tips. It is one of those books users will keep going back to while following all the steps to rank better on Google and improve web traffic.
9. The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
“The 4-Hour Work Week” is probably one of the most popular self-help books to have come out in the last decade or so, and there are plenty of reasons why. It is chock-full of ideas and examples of how to work smarter instead of harder. At the same time, it offers an alternative mindset to the 9-5 grind, which more and more people have been turning away from with the rise of remote work and the passion economy. Although directed to entrepreneurs in general, bloggers can learn quite a bit about topics such as outsourcing, earning passive income, and turning ideas into viable businesses. And the updated edition comes with even more real-world solutions to build a life that is both rewarding and fulfilling.
10. HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites by Jon Duckett
Most blogs and websites are powered by WordPress, with other content management systems thrown in the mix. These platforms make it easy for a blogger without any web programming or design skills to create a fully functional blog with just some mouse clicks. But getting the most out of your blog often means having some knowledge of HTML and CSS. Of course, you can hire a web developer to make the modifications you want, but this can be costly. Jon Duckett’s “HTML and CSS” book is a fun and easy way to learn about the basics of these web building tools, which you can use to make your blog stand out.
11. ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six Figure Income by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett
ProBlogger is among the most successful blogs in existence, so it is no coincidence that there are two books on this list that are linked to it. Authored by two iconic names in the blogosphere, this book is simply about starting a blog and making money from it. There is great content for everyone within its covers, whether you want to start from scratch with setting up your blog, thinking about ways to increase traffic, or wondering how to monetize your blog. “Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income” is now in its third edition, updated for relevancy to match the current trends in the blogging world.
12. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Success in your life or career is difficult when the right attitude is missing. Growing as a blogger requires the right mindset, patience, and daily practicing the necessary habits to reap the intended benefits. Unfortunately, this seemingly simple equation is difficult for many people, which is one of the reasons why so many bloggers end up failing. James Clear’s wildly popular book explores the power of implementing small habits to bring about growth, productivity and, ultimately, success. Filled with insightful tips, life-changing hacks, and inspiring stories, it is a book that has the power to literally change your life, as well as your attitude towards blogging as a career.
Conclusion
Blogging has evolved to become more than just something people do as a hobby or simply to share thoughts with friends. It is now a legitimate business model, whether as a side hustle for those looking to supplement their regular salary, or as a full time income earning opportunity. With that said, it makes sense to boost your knowledge on blogging if you plan to reap its benefits.