The Blogger Genius Podcast

I've got my friend and Pinterest expert, Kate Ahl from Simple Pin Media, back on the show for her third appearance.

If you want to know what is working on Pinterest now, you will want to listen to this episode.

Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:

• The power of "Fresh Pins"
• How to schedule out your new pins
• Why relevancy matters
• Why you want to add your call-to-action directly to your pin
• Why you might want to experiment with Video Pins
• What Story Pins are and how you might use them

If Pinterest is important to your business, don't miss this episode!

• MiloTree
• Catch My Party
• The Blogger Genius Podcast
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• Simple Pin Media
• Simple Pin Podcast Story Pins
• Simple Pin Pinterest Strategy Facebook Group

Host 0:04 Welcome to the Blogger Genius Podcast brought to you by MiloTree. Here's your host, Jillian Leslie.

Jillian Leslie 0:11 Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the show. I wanted to start by saying that building a business on the internet is a journey.

So for example, David, my husband and I started our first business Catch My Party in 2009. And we grew it—and it's still growing—into the largest party ideas site on the web.

And then, because we needed to grow our own social media followers, David built MiloTree, the pop up that grows your followers on Pinterest, and Instagram, and YouTube and Facebook and your email list, and all of that. We built it for ourselves.

And then we rolled it out as a separate business because we thought other bloggers and online entrepreneurs could get value out of it. So boom, there we started our second business, and then to put a human face on MiloTree which looked like a cold app.

I started The Blogger Genius Podcast where I interview the best experts, online experts, successful entrepreneurs to really figure out what's working now in online business. And from this, David and I, given all of our experience, started coaching.

And so we have a Six Week Coaching Group, and we have a Membership. So once you finish the six weeks, you can join our Monthly Membership. And in the six week program, we get to know you so well, and we help you build your business in real time.

So we do live Zoom calls every week. We give homework every week and hold you accountable. Not only that, but we know all about your business. We know all about your website. We are constantly giving you personalized attention.

If that feels interesting or something you'd like to participate in. Please head to milotree.com/group and you can read all about it. Our new group is starting August 4, and I'd love to actually get on a call with you to talk to you about it. Just a free call to give you some insight.

I want you to send me your website so I can take a look, give you some pointers and see if it's a good fit. That's interesting to you. Please reach out to me at [email protected].

I've got one of my favorite guests on the show today. It is my friend Kate Ahl from Simple Pin Media. I've known Kate now for years.

This is her third appearance on the podcast. And what I love to do is to check in with Kate to talk about what is working on Pinterest right now. Pinterest is a huge traffic driver for all of us so this episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to drive traffic to their site.

If you are looking for ways to grow your community whether that be email whether that be social media, right now head to Milotree.com install the MiloTree app on your blog and it will do the work for yo...

Hello, creators and food enthusiasts! Today, I'm thrilled to share with you my recent interview with my friend, Megan Porta, the creative force behind Pip and Ebby and the Eat Blog Talk podcast. We dove into the evolving world of food blogging and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead in 2024.

As we step into the new year, the landscape of food blogging is shifting. With the rise of AI content and the impending phase-out of third-party cookies, it's clear that we need to adapt our strategies. My advice? Pivot towards selling your own digital products and services. This is where MiloTreeCart comes into play, offering a simple solution to set up memberships, digital downloads, workshops, coaching, and mini-courses in a snap.

And for our first thousand VIP customers, we're offering a lifetime deal at just $349 with no recurring fees. Plus, get a one-hour coaching call to strategize if you purchase by the end of January. Don't miss out on this chance to boost your income in 2024!

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Megan and I discussed the importance of creativity in the food blogging space. With challenges like AI and changes in search algorithms, food bloggers must think outside the box to monetize and drive traffic. From ebooks to cooking classes, the possibilities are endless. Megan's mastermind group is already buzzing with innovative ideas, proving that creativity is key to staying ahead.

Despite the frustrations many have with Pinterest, it remains a valuable platform for food bloggers. The visual nature of food content makes Pinterest a potential goldmine for traffic. Consistency and a long-term strategy are crucial, and if you notice a particular type of content performing well, such as videos, it's time to double down on that approach.

The removal of third-party cookies by Chrome in 2024 is a hot topic. While it may change how advertisers interact with ad networks, it's important not to approach this shift with fear. Instead, be curious and informed. Ad networks like Raptive are exploring new technologies to maintain ad relevance and value, ensuring that the right ads reach the right audience while respecting privacy.

One of the most powerful takeaways from our conversation is the significance of mindset. Rather than succumbing to fear about the future, embrace curiosity and excitement for the opportunities that change brings. AI, for instance, isn't something to be feared but a tool to be harnessed for idea generation, writing enhancement, and keyword research.

Megan and her colleague Melissa are organizing a summit specifically for advanced food bloggers, creating a space for collaboration and support. Using MiloTree Cart, they've set up an effortless payment and sales page system for the event, showcasing the ease with which digital products and services can be offered.

A...

Today I'm thrilled to share insights from my recent conversation with photographer and business coach, Chris Pieta on The Blogger Genius Podcast. Chris's story is not just inspiring; it's a roadmap for any creative looking to turn their passion into a profitable business.

Chris's journey began with a bold step away from the security of a corporate job to follow his passion for photography. Self-taught and determined, he mastered the art of capturing stunning visuals and landed his first client in product photography. This initial success was just the beginning, as he went on to collaborate with over 50 brands and built his reputation.

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Recognizing the power of social media, Chris expanded his reach by creating content on YouTube and Instagram. His goal was to join YouTube's partner program, but it was his dedication to consistently posting valuable content weekly that truly expanded his influence.

On Instagram, he took a personal approach, engaging with followers to understand their needs and preferences, which helped him tailor his content strategy effectively.

Chris acknowledges the challenges creatives face when balancing their art with the business side of things. He encourages focusing on business aspects without losing the creative spark. His advice is to leverage creative expertise to increase income, which is a golden nugget for any entrepreneur.

During our conversation, Chris outlined two primary routes for monetizing a creative business: brand partnerships and selling digital products or coaching. He stressed the importance of being an expert and qualified to offer these services. Chris's own experience of growing his photography business while building a YouTube channel on the side is a testament to this approach which lead to his business growth and diversification.

Pitching to brands is an art, and Chris shares his personalized email sequence strategy. The focus is on capturing attention, establishing credibility, and providing a clear call to action. He also highlights the importance of understanding a brand's needs and offering solutions, which is crucial for building lasting relationships.

Chris emphasizes selling implementation over information. The transformation should happen at the transaction, meaning that digital products should enable businesses to apply the knowledge effectively. He also believes in the power of trust and standing by your products, which is why he recommends offering a money-back guarantee.

We both agreed on the importance of trust and standing by what you create. There's a sense of internet karma where putting out good stuff and being trustworthy leads to success. This philosophy is central to Chris's approach and Jillian's approach with MIloTreeCart, and something all online entrepreneurs should take to heart.

Chris shares his thoughts on pricing digital products, advocating for different pricing tiers to accommodate various budgets and levels of interest...

In today's episode of The Blogger Genius Podcast, Jillian Leslie digs into the fascinating story of gluten-free sourdough baker and food blogger, Natasha Levai, creator of Natasha's Home, on how she made $1.5k in her first month selling ebooks and workshops.

Before diving dive into Natasha's story, Jillian want to share a tool that has been a game-changer for so many non-techies. It's called MiloTreeCart, a platform that simplifies the process of selling digital products. It's currently available for a lifetime deal of $349 or three easy installments.

And guess what? If you purchase the tool by September 15th, you'll receive a Customized Product Action Plan for FrREE that gives you the step-by-step instructions on how to create your first 3 digital products! Jillian usually charges $250 for this service, but it's free until September 15th, so act now.

• MiloTreeCart
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• MiloTree Pop-Up App
• Natasha's Home
• Eat Blog Talk Podcast
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Natasha, who is based in Hungary, was inspired by the podcast episode of Eat Blog Talk, where Jillian discussed with the host, Megan Porta, the ease of selling digital products. Natasha felt that as a blogger, she should have a digital product to sell.

Despite her limited time, Natasha quickly created an ebook by compiling her blog recipes and styling it using Canva. She kept it simple, with sixteen recipes and notes, and priced it at $9.

Natasha promoted her ebook to her Facebook group, which boasts over 22,000 members and is highly engaged due to its niche focus on gluten-free sourdough. She believes that the group's engagement has contributed to its rapid growth.

They discussed the importance of finding a niche and how it has contributed to Natasha's success. She shared her initial hesitation about narrowing down her focus to gluten-free baking, but ultimately found that it simplified her life and allowed her to become an expert in a specific area.

Initially skeptical, Natasha was pleasantly surprised when people started buying the ebook. She also tried selling the ebook on her website, but most of the sales came from her Facebook group.

Natasha reached out to Jillian for advice on other platforms to sell her ebook. She had heard about Gumroad but was concerned about the percentage they would take from her sales. After discovering that MiloTreeCart didn't take a cut from sales, Natasha became interested in our lifetime membership offer.

Jillian believes in the concept of karma on the internet, where putting out good content leads to receiving good things in return. She wants to help my audience grow their businesses because it brings her happiness and contributes to the growth of her own business.

Natasha shares her positive experience with Mi...

I'm Jillian Leslie, the host of The Blogger Genius Podcast and the founder of MiloTree. In my latest episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredibly talented Madison Wetherill, a food blogger, web designer, and podcaster at Grace + Vine Studios.

Today, we're talking about the essential traffic strategies food bloggers (and other niche bloggers) need to know to compete in today's market.

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One of the key takeaways from our discussion is the significance of finding your niche. Madison emphasizes that by niching down, food bloggers can establish themselves as experts and cultivate a dedicated audience. Personal branding goes hand in hand with this, as it's crucial to connect with your audience on a personal level. By showcasing your human side and creating relatable content, you forge a stronger bond with your readers.

We delve into the concerns that come with shifts in ad networks, Google algorithms, and the advent of AI technology. Madison's advice? Focus on building personal connections and optimize your website for E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). This not only helps in establishing credibility but also in gaining the trust of your audience.

Your "About page" is more than just a biography; it's a strategic tool to convey authority and trustworthiness. Madison highlights the importance of including a personal photo and linking to a well-crafted about page. This balance showcases your expertise while also addressing your audience's needs and interests.

The conversation also covers monetization strategies for food bloggers. We discuss the potential of diversifying income streams through digital products like paid meal plans, newsletters, and ebooks. The goal is to provide specific and valuable content that solves your audience's problems, thereby building a community of loyal supporters.

Madison shares her favorite tools, which include Ahrefs for SEO and keyword research, Airtable for project management, and the Kadence framework for website customization. I also chimed in with the mention of ChatGPT and Canva as indispensable tools for bloggers.

Our discussion highlightsthe shift from relying solely on ad revenue to creating valuable digital products and nurturing a strong community. The key i...