Nicole Bianchi

Writing, Copywriting, & Marketing Strategies

7 Things I Wish I Knew When I First Started Blogging

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Computers on Desk | What I Wish I Knew When I First Started Blogging
Photo by Domenico Loia

The other day, a friend called me and asked if I could share advice about setting up a blog. She was now working from home and had a lot of extra time on her hands.

She wanted to devote some of that time to finally publishing her work and growing an audience online. Maybe, she thought, she could eventually turn the blog into a part-time income stream.

I imagine that there are many more people just like my friend who’ve been thinking about starting a blog and now are finally ready to take the leap.

So I decided to write up this post sharing the top seven tips I’d tell myself if I was starting a blog today.

I’m drawing on my experience from many years of blogging (I started my first blog when I was fourteen and have turned several of my blogs into income streams), and also my experience as a web designer and copywriter.

If you just want to blog as a hobby, this guide probably isn’t for you.

But if you’re interested in turning your blog into a business by building an audience and eventually promoting your own products and services or earning money through advertising, then these tips will help you get off to a running start.

Let’s dive in.

Please note: This blog post might contain affiliate links, but I only recommend services I think highly of and/or have personally used. Thanks for your support!

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A Look Back at January 2020

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Notebooks with words "Field Notes" on cover and compass

Hey, friends! Last August, I wrote up a recap of the month and thought it was a fun way to keep you updated on projects I’m working on as well as a way to share books I’ve recently read or movies I’ve watched that I thought you might enjoy.

Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to write any more monthly recaps in 2019, but I thought, “Why not try to revive it this year?” If you like this format and would like to see future posts like this, let me know in the comments.

Without further ado, here are some highlights of what I wrote, what I read, and what I watched this past month: [Read more…]

5 Exercises From Famous Authors That Will Sharpen Your Writing Skills

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Hand gripping sharpened pencil and writing in notebook | 5 Exercises From Famous Authors That Will Improve Your Writing
Photo by Thought Catalog

Pianists practice scales to strengthen their skills like rhythm and timing. Artists might sketch a hundred human hands until they’ve mastered drawing that body part realistically. Dancers will practice a dance move countless times until their footwork and technique are flawless.

Just like those other artists, writers can sharpen specific skills through deliberate practice.

Are you struggling to write vivid descriptions? Or craft concise sentences?

In today’s post, I’m sharing five powerful creative writing exercises from famous authors that will help you practice those essential skills and many more.

Let’s get started. [Read more…]

How to Write Captivating Headlines: A Powerful 5-Step Process

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Person working at computer | How to Write Captivating Headlines
Photo by Austin Distel
Want to connect with other writers? Make sure to get your invitation to my private writing community on Facebook!

You’ve spent hours pouring your heart and soul into a blog post.

You’re writing about an important topic that you’re sure will help readers, and you want to convey your message as effectively as possible.

So you’ve edited each paragraph until your eyes ached from staring at the computer screen. You’ve crafted a compelling introduction that will entice readers to keep reading, and your conclusion is powerful with a memorable final sentence.

Unfortunately, however, all of this time and effort will go to waste if no one reads your article.

Often, there’s only one way to get people to read: you must craft a headline that is so irresistible it draws people like a magnet to click on your piece.

People’s social media feeds are flooded with a constant stream of articles and online content. If you don’t have an attention-grabbing headline, your post won’t reach the potential readers it could help and inspire.

But don’t worry!

In today’s article, I’m sharing my five-step process that will help you write captivating headlines so your target audience reads your valuable blog posts.

Let’s dive in. [Read more…]

The Powerful Ingredient in ‘A Christmas Carol’ That Will Make Your Writing and Marketing Compelling

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Illustration of Scrooge and Marley's Ghost from the first edition of A Christmas Carol
Illustration from the first edition of A Christmas Carol | Scanned image by Philip V. Allingham via Victorianweb.org
Want to connect with other writers? Make sure to get your invitation to my private writing community on Facebook!

Every Christmas Eve, my whole family gathers around the TV to watch the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol. It’s one of our favorite traditions.

(If you haven’t seen this version, you can watch it on YouTube here — I believe it’s the best film adaptation of Charles Dickens’s classic story.)

No matter how many times I watch it, my heart is always touched by each scene. I feel the happiness of the crowd at Fezziwig’s party. Tears come to my eyes when Bob Cratchit cries over his poor Tiny Tim.

But, most of all, I love Alastair Sim’s wonderful performance as Scrooge — how he convincingly portrays Scrooge’s change from heartless and tightfisted to kind and joyous.

You watch with delight as the once grim man can’t stop laughing and smiling and stunning all with his kindness, even while muttering to himself, “I don’t deserve to be so happy.”

What makes stories like A Christmas Carol so enthralling? Why do we love watching movies like these year after year?

In today’s post, let’s look at one ingredient that makes stories like A Christmas Carol so powerful and emotionally compelling. It’s an ingredient you can use to make any type of writing captivate your readers, whether you’re working on a short story, a blog post, or even a sales page. [Read more…]