Book Review: How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul

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I’ve spent the last week reading Ruth Soukup’s How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul (affiliate link). I probably could have read it in a day if it weren’t for the little ones, but her book is chock-full of information so I’m glad I read it in sections and had time to digest what I was learning.

For those of you who don’t know, Ruth blogs over at popular personal finance / family lifestyle blog Living Well Spending Less. She blogs on a variety of topics ranging from freezer cooking (something I’m hoping to get into in the coming weeks) to couponing to fun DIY projects you can do with the kids. Her blog is all-encompassing and she’s been at it since 2010, so she definitely knows a thing or two about blogging and how to profit from it.

Before I even started my blog, I read about ways to monetize it. From the get-go, I viewed blogging as more of a job than a hobby. If I’m being completely honest, I don’t really need a bunch of hobbies in my life right now. Life is busy with being married, having two little ones, freelance writing, keeping up the house and just living. I didn’t start this blog because I was bored, I started it as a way to launch and grow my freelance career. So far, it’s been working. I’ve been blogging for 4 months now and have gotten my foot in the door with personal finance freelance writing. If I wouldn’t have started this blog, I would never have gotten those opportunities.

Now, of course I also blog because I absolutely love writing (and I LOVE the friends I’ve made so far!!), which is one of the things Ruth hits on in her book. If you aren’t passionate about writing, you’re probably not going to make it as a blogger. I’m also extremely passionate about personal finance, money, earning money, saving money and helping others do the same. I love sharing my story here on the interwebs and hope people can use my story to grow, be encouraged and be inspired (and, of course, learn from my mistakes too!).

Getting a little off track here… (see, I love writing / talking!). Like I said before, I had read a good amount of information before I started my blog and I continue to read and learn all about blogging now that I’m actually doing it. Most of what I read is online and on other people’s blogs. I’m not normally one to pay for an e-book, but I had read other great reviews of her book and wanted to see exactly what all the hype was about.

So, let’s break it down.

What I liked about How to Blog for Profit

She has action plans for every single chapter. If you’re new to blogging or have been blogging for a while and aren’t quite sure how to take your blog to the next level, Ruth tells you exactly how to do that in step-by-step action plans at the end of every chapter. It’s also a great way for her to summarize the chapter and refresh your memory on what you read at the beginning.
She shares income information from her blog and other bloggers. This is very detailed – Ruth includes how many pageviews the blog receives along with how much money the blog is making per year. She breaks it down even further and shows where the blog’s income exactly is coming from. Not surprisingly, no two blogs make money the exact same way! *This was one of the most interesting parts for me!
She gives practical advice on growing your blog. For me, the most valuable chapter was PINTEREST! I’ve been using some of her tactics for only a few days and am already seeing an increase in my pageviews.
She goes into depth on the different ways to monetize your blog. If you’re not sure how you can make money from your blog, or if you know the various ways but don’t know how to use them, Ruth shows you.

What I didn’t like about How to Blog for Profit

Like I said above, I had already read a LOT of info on blogging, so some of the information I already knew. For example, I do already know the various ways to make money from a blog. Of course, if you’ve been blogging for a little while, this is completely understandable and expected.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul (affiliate link) to any blogger who wants to monetize! Even if you already know some (or most) of the information from her book, it’s a GREAT refresher and a huge motivator to put what you know (or are learning) into action. I would say her action plans are what separate her book from all other books on blogging. Her book has many, many takeaways, and even if you only apply ONE to your blog (for me, the big one has been Pinterest), it’s worth it!

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Comments

Emily @ Simple Cheap Mom says
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I’ve been thinking of getting this ebook for a while. As a stay at home mom I would like my blog to be able to contribute to the family finances. But, I also don’t want my blog to turn into one big advertisement.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  I completely agree! Most of her book is on how to grow your blog, which has to be done in order to monetize in any way, not just ads. I was like you – it took me a few months to actually buy the book but I’m happy I did! I plan on referring back to it when I get into blogging slumps haha.
Christina @ Embracing Simple says
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What timing, I actually bought this book and started reading it yesterday! I made it about halfway through and then had to stop to give myself a chance to digest all of the new information before I continue. Definitely full of actionable tips I’m excited to eventually put to play. I don’t think I’m ready to truly start monetizing my blog yet, but I’m really enjoying reading about it for when the time does come!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  That’s awesome!! If you do plan on monetizing, it’s a great idea to learn as much as possible NOW that way when your blog grows or you decide to monetize, there won’t be a huge learning curve. Best of luck to you!!
  - Christina @ Embracing Simple says
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    Thanks so much Sarah, same to you!!
Ben Luthi says
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I think I remember seeing this book, or something like it, at FinCon last year. I’m always tempted, but there are just so many e-books like this out there that I’m never sure if it will be worth the $10 or it will all just be info I already know. Ya know? Haha
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Exactly! I was thinking the same thing, and like I said…there was a lot of info in there I already knew, but it was a great refresher/motivator for me. It’s sometimes nice to have all the info in one place as opposed to a million tabs on my internet screen (which is usually what ends up happening to me lol).
  - Ben Luthi says
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    Haha that’s exactly how it goes for me too. Although I’ve heard Microsoft’s new Spartan browser they’re unveiling soon is supposed to help with that million tabs thing.
Melissa @ Sunburnt Saver says
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I love that book! Did you see she has an Elite Blogging Academy too? I don’t think it opens up again until the spring… hey, if you sign up for it, let me know! It would be fun to have a buddy to do the exercises with! 🙂
Also, did you see FinCon might be in NC this year?!?! You’re so lucky!! You’ll save so much money living close by 🙂 Do you think you’ll go this year? I don’t know dates yet, only saw the unconfirmed rumor it’s in NC 🙂
- Sarah Brooks says
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  I will totally let you know if I sign up!! I’m highly debating it..but haven’t quite decided yet haha. Are you doing it?!
  I heard a while back that FinCon was looking into NC!! Where did you recently hear it was going to be here?! If it’s here, I will definitely be going!! Are you planning on going?!
Chonce says
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Great review and perfect timing! I’ve heard nothing but great feedback about this book and I’m definitely interested in learning more about how to monetize my blog. Im very passionate about writing and the PF niche, but like you said, I didn’t start this blog because I was bored. I asked my bf to order this book for me for my birthday and I’m excited to get started on reading it. If he hasn’t ordered it yet we’ll be sure to use your link 🙂
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Haha thanks!! Appreciate that! 🙂 If you’re hoping to get into PF writing, the blog makes for a GREAT resume! That’s one of the reasons I started it, too 🙂
Dee @ Color Me Frugal says
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I have not read this book, but I heard Ruth speak at FinCon last year about using Pinterest and her tips are spot on. My traffic has increased significantly since I started using Pinterest the way Ruth does. It’s pretty amazing because I’m publishing less than I used to, but getting much better traffic and making more money. Win-win!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  That’s wonderful!!! I agree – her Pinterest tips are incredible. My traffic has increased since reading her book by almost double and it’s all because of Pinterest!
Fig @ Figuring Money Out says
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Great review! I actually really liked this book. I wish I had started out like you viewing blogging as a job. It was just a hobby for fun for a long time because I enjoy writing and blogging, but now that I want it to be more profitable I’m finding the switch a bit hard. Hopefully I can make it happen and profit without losing all the joy. 🙂
- Sarah Brooks says
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  You’ll do great!! Currently my blog is a job that I’m doing for free LOL since I haven’t really made anything substantial yet. I have plans in place though and hope that they will pay off. It’s definitely the “fun” job I’ve ever had. I love it!!
Kristin says
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I have been thinking about getting this book and so glad you wrote such a thorough review. I am off to check it out!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Awesome!! Let me know what you think!! Like I said, my pageviews have increased since I’ve read her book and I do not think it’s a coincidence!! Best of luck to you!
Natalie @ Financegirl says
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I took my page views from 150 / day to 1,500 / day from reading this book. Can’t recommend it highly enough.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Wow!! Congrats Natalie!! That’s awesome!! Mine have grown but not to 1500 yet!! Currently I’m sitting between 300-400 a day up from 150-200!
diane @smartmoneysimplelife says
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I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of Ruth’s incredibly informative book.
I, too, am new to blogging and like you, I’m creating not just an outlet for my passion but a portfolio for breaking into the freelance writing world. So, yes, it’s a job and one that I expect to produce an income.
This book is packed with information. You really do need to either take it slow to let all the information settle in or give it a quick read initially, then review it chapter by chapter. I’ve read a few publications on blogging and Ruth’s is, by a country mile, the one I’d recommend for newbies.
Now the trick is to APPLY the knowledge gained from Ruth’s book!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Exactly!! It’s easy to read through the book – putting the words into actions is a whole new ballgame! I definitely plan on reading through it more times than one! Thanks for the comment – best of luck in your freelancing journey!!
Anne @ Money Propeller says
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I’ve been meaning to get to this book for a little while now. I keep hearing good things! It’s nice to hear that, despite blogging for awhile, that you found it worthwhile. That has been one of my fears… that too much of the book would be things that I already know.
Perhaps this weekend I will bite the bullet!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  If you’ve been blogging for a while then a lot of the information you will know, but she does have a LOT of useful tips and tricks you may never have thought of, or you may have forgotten about! Thanks for the comment! Best of luck to you!!
Holly@ClubThrifty says
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Sounds like a book I would love to check out. I’ve been blogging for profit for a few years now, but I love learning new tips and tricks.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Thanks Holly!! Yeah I’ve been reading a ton on blogging for profit lately and Ruth’s book is one of the best! I consider myself someone who blogs for profit…I just have yet to see any of those profits LOL. One day…!
Kayla @ Shoeaholicnomore says
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I’d never heard of this book, but now I feel like I NEED to check it out. Thanks for sharing! It sounds really helpful.