When Raubi Perilli was looking for somewhere to study, she was looking for places which offered courses with a writing component, such as journalism and English.
In the end, she found the University of Tampa which offered a B.A. in Writing.
The course helped her to learn about all the different aspects of writing, including fiction, screenplays, journalism, and some digital writing. This meant she could explore all of the different avenues to figure out what she wanted to do next.
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When she graduated and entered the job market, all of the traditional print publications were closing their doors or letting people go, and she wasn’t able to find a job.
Raubi found a full-time job as a legal secretary and started to blog on the side. Since then, she has created Simply Stated Media and helps bloggers who are just starting out. She helps them build solid foundations on which to grow, without making the same mistakes she made along the way.
So if you’re just starting your own blog, either a personal one or for your business, she is going to help you do just that.
Starting Out: Amateur Blogger To Business Owner
Like lots of people, Raubi has started many blogs over the years which never went anywhere. But with Dive In Tampa Bay, she found one which stuck.
On it she was writing about events, things to do and reviewing restaurants in the Tampa Bay, Florida. She was simply writing about the things she was doing anyway, whilst also fulfilling a gap in the market by providing a media presence for 20-somethings looking for stuff to do.
This was on the side of her full-time job, and at the time had no idea that she could ever turn it into a business, or even monetise it. It was simply an outlet for her writing, and hoped that it may help her get a job.
At the time, she knew nothing about SEO, post structure, or sharing posts. She was blindly going for it and learning as she went along. But it soon started to become popular.
Raubi had always wanted to be a writer, but thought she’d have to work as part of an organisation to do that. But as she has evolved, she has been able to create a freestyle lifestyle for herself.
Her blog ended up getting her noticed by a hiring manager at a content marketing company. There, she worked with freelance writers and teaching them how to grow their business.
A few years later, she set up Simply Stated Media, which helps people during the early stages of their blogs. She helps people like herself, giving the information she wish she’d know when she was starting out.
With her, people learn how to create and use their website, making an online presence for themselves and creating an email list to stay in touch with their engaged audience.
Why You Should Start Blogging
When people hear ‘blogging’ they think of online journals where people are sharing their diary online. But it is a way of showing what you know and what you’re good at. It gives you a chance to communicate with people who want to access your knowledge and skill set.
And what Raubi does is help people to create blogs which highlight what they’re good at so that people can find them.
If you’re looking to hire someone for a job, you’ll choose the person who writes a blog about the topic rather than someone with nothing to show they’re an expert.
People worry about giving way their secrets, but you just need to put up enough to show that you know your stuff. Then when they want to know more, they’ll contact you.
Besides, most people who are looking for solutions are also looking for someone who will do it for them.
For the most part, this is something which can work for every business. Everyone needs an online presence which is tied to their name or brand. Not only does it create a sense of authority around you, but people today expect you to be online.
When you go to hire someone, you look them up. You look at examples of their work and get a feel of what they do.
It’s not worth focusing on building something on social media, as that doesn’t belong to you and could change at any time. And that change could seriously harm you. So you instead need to use social media as a tool for getting people to find you in your own space.
Take Raubi’s Challenge
Anyone can create a blog, and in her 5-Day #GoPro Digital Branding Challenge, she will help you to do that.
People only think the process is overwhelming because they think it’s important to build something really big and fancy. The reality is, to get started you only need something simple. You need a solid foundation, and then you can start to build on it.
On the first day of the challenge, she gives an introduction and explains why it is important to have a blog.
Next she helps you to get the website started. It may seem like a big task but with WordPress it is easy and has the ability to expand in the future.
It’s important to not get overwhelmed with flashy design and functionality, but it does need to be clean and professional, and WordPress themes are cheap and well made.
Plus it doesn’t require any coding either. It’s as simple as using your word processing software.
The Importance Of Email Lists
The website needs to also be connected to an email service provider on which you can start building a list from the very beginning.
Like many others, Raubi’s biggest mistake with her own blog was to have it for four years with a decent amount without building any kind of list.
Social media platforms are great at communicating with people and to distribute your content, but they’re not a direct connection with your audience. Being in their email inbox is a personal and close connection.
The training also helps people to create ways for them to get their visitors to opt-in. This could be as simple as a printable PDF worksheet. It could even be repurposed from content you already have.
Of course, it is still important to have profiles set up on social media. You then should make sure that your links on these pages go to one of your opt-ins. Use these profiles as a way of collecting the emails of the people who follow you on Facebook and Twitter.
And the same goes with blog posts too. Everything should funnel into your email lists. When you give people a reason to visit your website, ensure you’re able to communicate with them even after they’ve left your website.
With your emails, give them value before asking for anything. So after they do receive the opt-in, they then receive further emails to give even more tips.
Aim for around five or six before you start pitching yourself to them. No-one likes being sold to, and people are more aware of it than before.
Instead, let them get to know you first. And when you do make the move, make sure it is still tied to what you have been teaching them during the previous emails.
With the website created, you then need to keep it updated with content to keep adding value and to give people a reason to visit again.
And when you’re in a crowded space on Google, SEO isn’t going to bring in massive returns. But the repeat customers from your email list may prove to be your most valuable source of custom.
And Finally
When Raubi Perilla has got your website started, she will then be able to help you with the other tactics now that you have the basics.
To find out more about what she has to offer, visit Simply Stated Media. That is where you’ll be able to join the free 5-Day #GoPro Digital Branding Challenge which she has discussed.
You may also find it helpful to check out her free do-it-yourself workshop to Start A WordPress Website. She takes you through buying hosting and installing a theme.
If you ever get stuck, feel free to also reach out to her with any questions or problems you have, and she’ll be able to help you out.
Plus, you can also check out the Dive In Tampa Bay blog which started her off in the content marketing world.
Connect with Raubi