MLM Blog – Why?
A mlm blog that is branded to you is important.
There are many reasons why creating a mlm blog is something you should consider if you are serious about your mlm, network marketing opportunity or whatever it is you want to call it.
First of all, you get to invest in your own self and brand. You own your content and if the mlm flops (like KEO just did) then you can flip your site.
Hey! You know…instead of flip flop, you get to FLOP and FLIP!
Whoop!
YOU and you only get to own your content and your blog is all yours.
All the time and money you spent putting into your blog to promote your business opportunity is still able to be used any way you want.
Free blogs don’t allow you to do this.
Think about what happens when you leave a mlm if you used their free blog (The Empower Network and IPAS Kalatu Blog is an example of this). OR what if you only ever used YouTube or Facebook to promote the opportunity?
You leave. You lose.
This is not the case if you make your own blog and brand yourself.
Isn’t it smarter to develop your own following?
The last thing you want is to lose all our hardwork to a mlm that got shut down, closed or kicked you out for whatever reason.
This HAPPENS all the time.
Take the KEO business opportunity for example. (See Keo Review here) They have a platform where you can add to their site by putting in your own profile and photos.
If you spend all of your time setting this up and not putting anything towards your own entity, what do you have left if they shut down?
Nothing.
Empty pockets.
TIME is money. (Remember that)
So, all those people that spent money and time developing blogs or buying mlm traffic for their KEO website will end up empty handed because KEO is going from a network marketing platform to a commission based door to door sales type program.
Awesome.
Not.
People are out of money and at a loss because they wanted to be in that mlm.
It’s good that KEO figured this out before a bunch of people invested even more time though. (Unlike Vemma)
Don’t think for a second that any type of FREE BLOG service is safe. Free blogs could be shut down too, and then you have to start from square one all over again.
The second reason you want to have and own your own blog is to BE DIFFERENT.
Different is good in network marketing. It allows you to be YOU and people buy from you because they like you (assuming you don’t suck).
Think about all the motivational quotes and updates you give about your own success with the mlm as you grow.
If you make your own mlm blog, not only can you blog about your products and promote them, you can blog about your journey as an entrepreneur too (and that, my friends, is valuable)
Makes sense, right?
Finally, think about the opportunities that you can develop for yourself with your own blog.
Your blog can tap into affiliate products and services, amazon products, your own video series or your own online coaching program alongside your mlm opportunity.
(See what I did there? I linked an online coaching program in my writing.)
Each of those opportunities allow you to set up multiple streams of income for each month that will not happen unless you own your own blog. (and treat it like a business…)
So, how do you set up a blog?
MLM Blog – How to create your own MLM blog
A Million Dollar MLM Blog Setup
MLM Blog – Step 1:Hosting – Buy hosting and register a domain (buy it)
As far as hosting and registering domains, I have used a lot of different companies. As far as these companies go, there is a definite difference in performance and ease of use.
For one of the most trouble-free way to create your own network marketing website, I recommend HostGator.
They have great customer support and you can get things fixed pretty fast IF there ever is a problem or you are having a “stupid” moment.
Seriously.
The support is ALL THE TIME and EVERY DAY. They are extremely helpful so if you get stuck, these guys can help.
Yes, I’ve used BlueHost, Hostmonster and yes even the “hole in a wall hosts” like 1&1Domains and HostRipples.
Getting 25% off your order is easy:
Click here and use mlmblog to save 25%.
(See how I did that again? I placed an affiliate link in my blog post.)
After clicking my partner link, HostGator’s home page will open in a new window.
Click the “Get Started Button”
There are three plans to choose from.
The Hatchling plan works just fine, but if you think you will have more websites in the future, then go ahead and get the Baby Plan (it’s what I use).
The Baby plan has the option to add on domains. Adding more domains to hosting is cheap if you have the baby plan. If you have the hatchling plan, you will have to buy separate hosting each time. To keep it simple, I use the Baby plan.
Host Gator has the option for you to buy your domain from them once you choose you plan.
Personally, I think it’s easier to buy the domain and hosting all at one site. That way everything renews together and if something gets weird, HostGator’s awesome support can help you out and problem solve a LOT easier than if you were to register your domain elsewhere.
Of course, this is only a concern if you haven’t bought your domain yet. If you have already purchased a domain, then all you have to do is mark that down. It’s easy to point an already owned domain to HostGator if you already have one so don’t fret over that.
Once you choose a plan you will see this screen:
Click the left tab if you need to get a domain or click the left tab if you already have a domain.
(ps- The domain is the website address…like for this blog it’s www.marikinavalley.com)
Then you continue through the steps, choose the hosting you want and fill in your billing information.
(Make sure you enter the code mlmblog to get the best deal!)
Then, make sure you pick the billing cycle you want. If you pay in advance, you will save more money. Generally one year in hosting is a great idea if you’re starting out. You won’t have to worry about renew bills or anything like that. If you’re a true saver, just choose the plane that you desire.
You then select your username and if you want privacy and some other addons. I suggest the privacy if you’re making a blog for your business from home so you don’t have junk mail and more ads.
When you don’t select privacy it’s like putting your name in the yellowpages. People can find you and try to sell you more stuff that is relevant to your blog which is good or bad depending on how you look at it.
MLM Blog – Step 2: How to Install WordPress
You will get a welcome letter from HostGator and they will give you your “CPanel” information.
Creating the WordPress mlm blog is not as scary as may seem, so please, don’t run off! Stick with me and I’ll walk you through the process.
Write down your username and password and follow the cpanel link that Hostgater sends you.
OR
Log into your hostgator account and find the domain that you just bought. Click on the Identification number on the left.
The next page will show your domain names and here you click on the “login” address as seen in the photo below:
This will take you to your cpanel which looks like this.
This is where you use the cpanel username and password that was emailed to you.
Once you are inside, you see this:
I know. I know.
It looks busy, but you really only need to worry about one thing.
That’s the WordPress Set Up which I highlighted for you.
After you set up wordpress, you will very rarely (if ever) use the cpanel again for a set up like this. So if it overwhelms you, know that it’s not a forever thing here. ;)
If you ever do get stuck, HostGator customer service ALWAYS offers good support. At the top of the page you will see that you are just a click away from Live support, Billing and emails stuff. There is also usually a pop up that will ask you if you need help when you first arrive at the cpanel.
Don’t be afraid to get help if you feel stuck. HostGator reps are good and can help you.
If you want to set up an email specifically for your blog you can do so by clicking on “Email Accounts” and go through the prompts.
If you’re going to use your own existing email, you don’t have to do this.
Once you click the install, you see this page.
Click on the arrow and select your domain name.
Then fill out the form information.
The Blog title is the name you want to appear at the top of your blog. For example, my blog title is MLM Reviews (see top left of this page).
You can make up your own Admin name and the install will make you a password which you will see on the next page.
Then you click install WordPress and you’re good to go!
If you come across a selection that says “Finish Installation” , go ahead and click it.
That’s it!
You’re live and you’ve made yourself a Blog!
Yippy!
So how do you logon?
Easy…you just go to http://www.yourblogname.com/wp-amin
You enter your username and password and off you go!
I keep my blog usernames and passwords in a little black book. Some people use an Excel spread sheet.
Make sure you write down your username and password because if you lose it, it take a little time to get your password and stuff back (which is annoying). So if you are forgetful (like me) take heed.
Everything you need to do now will be done through the WordPress, so kiss the cpanel bye bye and move on to the fun stuff.
Still with me?
Good, let’s talk about setting up your WordPress…
MLM Blog Step 3 – Optimize and customize WordPress
OK…so I’m not going to lie. WordPress can be intimidating at first glance, but once you do it a couple times, it’s not so bad.
WordPress already gives you a theme and has the bare minimum set up, and you can leave that, but what fun is that?
You want to make sure your blog is working at a high performance for you, so let’s get you to at least optimize it a little to help make things easier in the long run.
To get a basic blog optimization you basically make sure everything is set up and ready to go with as much information is needed.
Because it will be way easier to show you this on video, I’m going to go ahead and set up a nice video for you in a future post.
I’ll show you how to make the blog nicer looking, advise on some plug-ins and tell you a little bit about themes. (yes…with themes….size matters)
WordPress offers free themes, but I have found that purchasing a pro theme is the better way to go. They rank better and offer you more options in performance and converting your web traffic into leads and more sales.
If you want a clean cut blog, you can go with the Thesis Theme. It has a TON of options and some of the highest ranking bloggers out there I know are using it.
If you are looking for a workable and highly effective blog with a little more cost savings, go with the Genesis Framework. It’s lightweight (meaning it won’t bog down on you) and is easier to navigate if you’re a new blogger. It’s the theme I’m using with this blog.
I have Thesis on another blog, and although I like both. I use Genesis on this site because I’m a nerd and do scientific studies and data collection between the two of them.
Note: when you get Thesis after clicking my partner link above, I receive a small commission which I totally appreciate!
No worries, there is no extra charge to you.
When you buy through my link, I’ll certainly help you out with some great support and suggestions. Just comment below and off we will go!
OK…now….let’s get to that video!
Cool, so here’s the video by my friend Brad who you can learn about at the end of this post. (wink!)
MLM Blog (Optional Step 4) – Email Lists & Management
Once you get yourself situated with a killer optimized wordpress blog for your mlm, it’s time to get jiggy with your email list.
Although this may seem like something you can skip, DON’T!
Ideally you will have an opportunity for people to opt in to your email list each time they visit your site and possibly on every blogpost.
If you start it at the beginning, you will save yourself hours of having to go back and code or input for an email list later.
Action NOW is better in this case.
So, to make things easy, you should consider a great email management system.
I’ve tried two so far.
Mailchimp and Aweber.
AWeber, by far, is the master and costs just the same.
You want to be making passive income right?
Then you need a hands-free MLM business. To get that, set your blog to automatically capture leads and send automated follow up emails.
If you’d like to check out AWeber for UBER cheap, try out this $1 free trail for a month and then come back and tell me how awesome it was!
Once again, I’ve arranged for a $1 trial if you wanna test it out for a month.
Click my partner link here to try it for $1.
Once you get that all squared away, you can create really cool email capture forms and put them in our sidebar, at the bottom of your posts or even on landing or squeeze pages (more about those on a later post).
If you want to know more about email marketing and how it can help, I have a totally free guide for you!
(yes free!)
Just complete my email opt in here:
….and it will pop up and give you that free guide!
Awesome right?
Yuppers!
If you create a mlm blog (or any blog for that matter) with this tutorial, please comment below.
I can’t wait to see how you’re doing with your new skills!
Stay tuned for more MLM Coaching Tips!
Peace!
Oh wait!
Are you still wondering about Brad?
As promised…here you go:
Brad is a my millionaire mentor buddy.
He made over 20K/month with mlm blogs and mlms.
Want to find out how I got in his circle Amigas?
Creating a mlm blog is something I didn’t do and I paid for it because my mlm company shut down about a year after it started. Talk about frustrated. Make sure you OWN and brand your own blog people!
You’re not the first person I have heard say this. I hope this article helps people realize the importance of owning your own mlm blog or network marketing blog. Make sure it’s branded to you so you can change over if necessary. I actually just wrote about this again in my Flint River Ranch blogpost.