During my time away, I reflected on the purpose of the Flourish In Purpose blog. Since I began the blog in December of 2017, the vision has always been about God. The purpose of this blog is to encourage you to flourish in the purpose that God has for you. I've learned that to work in that mission fully; some changes need to occur.

Beginning in Januaray 2020, the Flourish In Purpose Blog will be a devotional based blog. A new devotional will be published every 1st and 3rd Sunday at 10 am! My prayer is that when you reflect and meditate on the scripture and text, God's word to speak to you and that word can resonate throughout the day, week and year. I can share a lot of things, but it is God's word that should change and shape our hearts. The devotionals will be challenging, encouraging, and a reminder of who God is and who he calls us to be.

Also new this year is a guest blogger feature, where you will get to see and connect with other faith-based content creators! I love that the blogging community provides a chance to meet new people all over, I've connected with some great writer friends, and my prayer is that with this new feature you will too! I am excited to introduce you to a variety of people from different backgrounds, with different stories but all sharing the same faith! So get ready. 

In addition to the blog, the Flourish In Purpose podcast will be back up and running. While my goal was to do weekly podcasts, I've realized that my schedule will not allow me too, and that is okay (grace)! So starting in Jan., we will be releasing new podcasts on the last Wednesday of each month! We will be gearing up for our first episode of the new year on Jan. 29th! So, if you have not already make sure to check out, rate and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and YouTube (linked below)! ​

Finally, a super exciting secret I have been keeping is that I will be releasing my very first book, YES you heard that right, my first book Closer to the King, a seven-day prayer devotional will release Spring of 2020. I have been working on this book over the last year, and it is almost ready to be released! The great news is that if you subscribe to my email list, you will get an inside look before it releases! So click here and subscribe so you get the first update!! My prayer is that this book will help encourage you in your prayer life, realizing not only the importance but the necessity of prayer as believers. I am so excited!!!

Welp...thats all that I have for now, I genuinely hope you are just as excited as I am for where the brand is going in 2020, I know and believe God will be doing big things! I am so excited for this journey! Stay tuned and be on the lookout for the first 2020 blog dropping on Jan. 5th, friends. I will see you then!

God bless!!
-Tamika

If you are anything like I was when I began my blog, you have great content to share, but you also have a BUDGET! Matter of fact your budget is F-R-E-E! When I began my blogging journey, I was certain I was going to have to spend a dime somewhere. And to my surprise, I didn't! I found innovative tips and tricks and was able to get my blog up and running for absolutely free. And guess what? You can too!

Today I want to share with you four of the resources I have discovered that has provided me an opportunity to promote my content, have great graphics, keep my audience connected, and to also create an income stream. No matter your category or niche, each of these things aspects are necessary for having and maintaining a successful blog. So enough chit-chat, let's begin...

As a blogger, it is essential to not only to create content but to stay connected to your audience. It is easy for blogs to get lost in the world of the Internet, so a simple way to stay connected to your people is by creating an email list. MailChimp is a tool that allows for content creators like you, to create an email list for FREE!

No, you do not need a tech degree, and no you don't need to be super creative because MailChimp provides plenty of tutorials and templates to help you get started. If that does not sound simple, I do not know what does. I have linked some great resources below to help you get started with Mail Chimp!
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Things to know

• Free up to first 2,000 subscribers​
• Can send 12,000 emails/month
• Ability to create & publish: email campaigns, landing pages, pop-up forums, & social media ads
• Live Chat & Email support for first 30 days only (Email Only)

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It does not matter what type of blog you have; images are a must have as a blogger. Pictures make it easier for the readers to place themselves within the content of your blog. While your content may be insightful, visuals help to grasp your readers' attention. Being visually appealing to your audience, allows readers to connect with your content while remaining interested.
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That is where websites like Pexels and Pixabay come into play! They allow you to find free images by completing a simple word search. Both websites are free of charge and copyright. Having sites like these helps you to take the guesswork out of whether or not your images need to be credited back to the original owner. Simple huh? Check out the resources below to help you make your site more visually appealing today. 

So, this third resources gives you a way to make MONEY! Yes, blogging is a way to share insightful content, but who says no to free money? Google Adsense makes it simple. With Google's ads, you'll get automated ads that are targeted based on the content on your site. While you do not want to have a website saturated in ads, you do want to have them evenly distributed. 

When people click on the ads on your page, you get paid. All you do is place ads, and Google does the rest for you. Simple huh? The only catch is, there are strict rules with the Adsense community, and if you break them you risk losing the change to make money from ads altogether. I have placed some tips below to help you maximize your Google Adsense experience.

My final, and favorite resource is the incredibly amazing Canva! Canva allows you to create designs for your blog, social media, business and more. Its simple, all you do is use the drag and drop feature, make a few edits and viola you created a graphic design! No graphic design experience needed. Canva has many pre-made designs as well as the option to create your own!

Canva also allows you to upload your images and load them onto their designs. When browsing the website do not be alarmed when you see templates associated with a cost. I can ensure you; there are plenty of free ones. A trick I found is that if you see a charge and you like the design try changing the image to one of your own, and it becomes free. I have linked some tips and tutorials below to help you get started.

And friends, those are my top 4 resources to help you get started in creating your blog for absolutely FREE! Many people never get started on great ideas because they do not have the financial means to do so! Do not allow money to stop you from getting started on your dreams! At Flourish In Purpose, we are focused on fulfilling our purpose by any means necessary. I hope these tips help you as much as they have helped me! Happy Blogging!

Mail Chimp

• Website: https://mailchimp.com
• Tutorial: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ESgzrNn6Rc
• Newsletter Tutorial: youtu.be/eHnWUICHyck
• Opt-In Tutorial: youtu.be/9OYF9angmNE

Images

• Websites: ​
  • https://pixabay.com
  • https://www.pexels.com

Ads

• Signup:
  • ​https://www.google.com/adsense/start/get-started/#/?modal_active=none
• Ways to make $$$: 
  • ​https://www.reliablesoft.net/10-adsense-tips-for-maximizing-your-earnings/
    
    

Canva

• Website: ​
  • https://www.canva.com
• ​Canna Tutorials
  • ​https://www.canva.com/learn/tutorials/

If you would have asked me a few months ago, how to have a successful blog, I would have told you, just make sure you are sharing useful information.

Well today I have a different answer!

You see blogging is so much more than content creation, blogging is an opportunity that you have to reach your audience and to connect with no matter who they are, or where they are at in life.

Blogging provides opportunity for education, connection, and transparency!

While everyone may be trying to reach the audience, not everyone is YOU! What you have to offer to people matters! In a world full of content creators fighting to get the attention of readers, you may wonder, how can I succeed, how can I build a blog that will be successful? Well today, let me share my top three tips to have a successful blog (& fyi! they may not be what you think!):
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In order for your audience to trust you, they have to know there is something to trust in! I don't know about you, but I can not stand when I go to subscribe to someones blog or YouTube page, only to discover they haven't added any new content in months! Non consistent content is often equal to no content at all. If you want your audience to stick around, you have to start by showing up!
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Now what consistency looks like for you and what it looks like for someone else may be totally different! But whatever your schedule may be, let your audience know! Let them know that you will show up, and how often you will show up!

Consistency is a form of communication, you are communicating to your audience, you are letting them know that you care about them! 

One of my favorite podcasts I listen to, uploads the first Tuesday of every month, and while that may not seem often, it seems committed. Every single first Tuesday, without a doubt, there is a new podcast filled with valuable and insightful content. While consistency may not be the same for everyone figure out what consistency  looks like for you, and do it! 

When you start by showing up consistently I guarantee the people will follow!
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Have you ever read something or heard someone speak and thought, hey I heard this somewhere before? Only to later realize some other guru said they same exact thing! Do you know why that happens so often? Because people do not take the time to establish their own voice. 

Gaining the attention of your audience starts by being you!! We have to stop trying to be someone else just because they have reached success! Your audience will connect with you best when you are true to who you are.

Remember that you too have something to offer! You do not have to be the most educated or even have the best words! All you have to do is be YOU! Be who you are and share your message how YOU choose! Do not spend your time walking in another persons shadow!

People can spot fake a mile away! And the truth is, when you are not real you WILL lose people!

Stay true to your core, stay true to your values and know that what you have to offer, is enough! 

​No it is not a typo sorry! HA! 

Whether your audience has 1 person or 1 million people, speak to your audience the same!

In the beginning stages of building a blog, your audience is often small. It is easy to lessen you abilities based on size. Learn to speak as though you have 1 million+ people reading your blog, even though you may only have 1! Be confident in your content and be confident in your voice!

When we have more people looking at our work, we are often tempted to display our best. Instead of waiting for the numbers to display your best, do your best even without the numbers!
Starting now speak to your audience as if they are many, even though they may only be few. 

​Well guys there you have it! My three ways to be a successful blogger! It is not about the best content or the greatest number of posts, its about showing up for your audience and being the best you that you can be! I wish you all in your blogging journey, and remember if you can only reach one, that is enough.

Until next time,

Tamika

On December 31st 2017, I did something insane. After going back and forth on when I should start my blog, I hit publish and let my post hit the internet. Here I am three months later and wow what I ride these three months have been!

While I started nervous and scared (and sometimes still am), I can say it was the best decision I have ever made. Blogging to me is more than just typing words week after week. Its more than just sharing information. To me blogging is an opportunity to make an impact, a chance to help people all around the world. 

No matter who you are or where you come from, you too have the opportunity to impact someone. While it may seem scary and unknown, today I dare you to get out there are share with the world. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be perfect. Effort, dedication and consistency are the only three things you need to start, and I guarantee you, everything else will fall into place.

In honor of my first three months of blogging, today I want to share 3 lessons I've learned in my first three months of blogging.

Planning is key in blogging! When you do not have a plan you will find yourself scrambling and putting out mediocre content. One thing I have learned is to plan my content weeks ahead of time. Right now it is the end of March and I have already planned a tentative schedule for every week until the end of quarter 2.

Blogging is so much more than just typing content, especially if you want quality content. You must take time to research blog content, to determine SEO strategies and to type and edit your blog. 

When I first created my blog, I will admit I didn't have much of a plan, but as I've produced content over the last three months while working a full time job, I have learned the importance of planning. I have learned the importance in productively managing my time. Planning out the time that I am not at my 9-5 and effectively using that time to work on my blog has helped me to blog effectively and consistently!
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Secondly, I've learned that creating balance is vital. It is so easy to get so caught up pouring into everyone else that you forget to pour into yourself.

I've learned that serving your audience is important but you have to take time to unplug and serve yourself.

While I love to blog, blogging isn't my life. Personal time is now a priority to me!! 

Creating balance to me is taking time to connect with my hubby, taking time to relax and have me time. When I first started blogging I would come home after working an 8 hour day and get straight to working. Lately, I have learned to take about 1 hour to unwind, even if it means I have less time to work on content.

Its better to do one thing well than to do it from a place of empty. I have learned first hand that you can quickly get burned out when you don't take the time to connect with yourself on a personal level. Creating balance is necessary!
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Finally, I've learned the importance of not focusing on the numbers! Wow this is a big one! When I started this blog, I slowly started looking into more and more ways to get my posts in front of people. While this is important to me I have realized it is not about numbers to me.

I created a Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. And guess what, I deleted them all! Well not Pinterest because I mean inspiration right!!?? Haha! Instead of focusing on chasing after an audience, I have learned the importance in effectively producing content.

No matter who you are trying to reach or what you are trying to put out, it should never be about the numbers!

Learn that if you only reach one person and reach them well, that is enough. Not focusing on the numbers have provided me clarity in my mind allowing me to focus on my content. 

I know in due time the people will come, and all I have to do is keep showing up, and you do too!!

​Well there you have it, the three things that I have learned in my first three months of blogging. If you are a blogger, whats the biggest lesson you have learned during your blogging journey and how has it impacted you?

Until next time,

Tamika