Ads 468x60px

Read 30 Pages of a Book Every Day - DailyBlogTips

Read 30 Pages of a Book Every Day - DailyBlogTips

Read 30 Pages of a Book Every Day

Posted: 23 Aug 2013 09:17 AM PDT

Scientia potentia est. It means “knowledge is power” in Latin. It also means people have known for a long time that the more you know about how the world works, the better off you will be. The more you know about something, the more you’ll be in control.

Now what’s the easiest way to absorb new knowledge? Reading books. Ergo if you want to be in control of your life and to be able to take it in one direction or another, you need to read books, and lots of them.

So far I think pretty much everyone will agree. The problem then becomes, how do we make sure we are reading enough?

I, for one, wasn’t happy with the amount of books I was reading in the previous years. The average was probably 6 to 8 books per year, which I find to be a low number.

Then six months ago or so I decided to try a new strategy: I fixed a number of pages, 30, and I would read that amount every day no matter what. One can read 30 pages in 30 minutes, so it’s something you can easily accommodate into your routine. The only exception was Sunday, which is my day off from all goals, obligations and what not.

I also made sure to always read at the same time (in my case it’s first thing in the morning), which helps to create a habit.

How is it working? Pretty well, as I’ve read 12 books in the past six months, putting the prediction for the whole year at 24 books.

As for what you’ll read I believe that is less important, as sooner or later you’ll come across books with information that will certainly affect your life. I like to mix personal development with technical books. That way I am always trying to improve both personally and professionally.

Bottom line: read those 30 pages every day. If you stick to that habit, in 5 or 10 years you’ll be in much better control of your life.

Wanna learn how to make more money with your website? Check the Online Profits training program!

Original Post: Read 30 Pages of a Book Every Day
0 comments

ProBlogger: The Truth about Food Blogging

ProBlogger: The Truth about Food Blogging

Link to @ProBlogger

The Truth about Food Blogging

Posted: 23 Aug 2013 08:20 AM PDT

This is a guest contribution by Amy Murnan, writer of TheFreshFresher. 

It is slim pickings in the world of food blogging.

I know this because, about a year ago, I had a bright idea. I said to myself – hey, don't worry about your lack of job prospects after graduating University! You like writing and you like cooking, so start a food blog – you're bound to get a book deal!

Needless to say, I was a tad naïve. In reality, the truth about food blogging is tougher than any other blogging niche. You may not want to believe it, but food blogging is no picnic.

I didn't want to believe it either, but the fact is that anyone who has ever tried food blogging knows that it is near impossible to get noticed. And why?

Because, these days, anyone can do it.

With the dawning of sites like Instagram, anyone can be a flash-food-blogger. We all know at least one foodie updating the world on every morsel they chew. So why would anyone want to see yet more food on the Internet when so many people are writing about it? And it isn't just the technology that has changed.

Simply being a good cook won't get you noticed.

Being (or knowing) a good photographer with a good camera is a standard requirement. You have to be able to transfer that taste – that smell – through the screen. You have to provide something enticing. After all, nobody is going to find my recipe for profiteroles when Good Housekeeping's looks tastier.

But the fact remains that it is only near impossible. So, how to make food blogging work? I am by no means an expert, but I have learned a few lessons on the subject and mainly from other food bloggers:

Go Niche

And I mean really niche. Diet blogs are slightly more viable, although even gluten-free and vegan sites are becoming more competitive.

Find a gap in the market (easier said than done, I know, but that's blogging for you) and fill it.

Go Luxurious

Live a jet-set lifestyle? Luckily for you, people love to read about glamorous lives, and glamorous food. Just take a look at The Londoner's blog. Unfortunately this option doesn't apply to many.

Go Somewhere

Travel-on-a-shoestring, travel around one city, travel to the middle of nowhere – as long as your posts are good, you'll have a chance. Food lovers love food culture, and if your blog reveals cultures and dishes they've never seen before, they'll like it. Take a look at The Road Forks.

Go Expert

If you work in catering, food prep or some other food-related profession and have other knowledge to pass on – industry insights, career tips and advice – you will gain an advantage. SugarHero is a great example – it is written by an ex-pastry chef with a book deal.

For me, food blogging was a huge learning curve, and still is. If you are ready to take on the blogosphere and make mouths water, be prepared to think, plan and work hard. But most importantly, be prepared to learn.

Amy Murnan is the writer of TheFreshFresher, a food blog aimed at students and young people craving fresh and flavourful food. 

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger
Build a Better Blog in 31 Days

The Truth about Food Blogging
0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)