Have you always thought about starting a lot of your own? If you are doing it as a hobby, it can be a fun way to let your creativity shine, and maybe make a couple of extra dollars on the side. If you want to take things a bit further, it takes a lot more time and dedication to build up a following and really earn enough to break even.
Here are some of my recommended tools for the hobby and aspiring business blogger alike!
Blogging is such a fun way to explore your passions and even take it to a level where you are turning that passion into a thriving business. If you or someone you know has always dreamed about starting a blog, these tools are perfect for getting your started.
Nikon D5600
If you are just starting out, or only want to blog casually, you don't need a big, fancy camera, but you do need something that will at least give you control over how your photos look and give you better quality than what you can get from your phone. This camera is budget-friendly while still giving you some really great quality, and I highly recommend it.
Nikon D850
If you're serious about blogging, or want to take more professional-grade photos, you need to get a high-quality full-frame DSLR. This camera will give you the quality you need in any lighting situation. Some bloggers prefer to use Canon, but I've only used Nikon, and I absolutely love the quality I get from them.
35 mm fixed lens
I am a fan of using fixed lenses, and this 35mm lens is great for flatlays and many forms or outdoor photography.
50 mm lens
There's a reason this "nifty fifty" is a favorite among bloggers and photographers alike. It is great for just about any type of shoot. If you can only afford one lens, I recommend starting off with this one!
Tailwind
Regardless of the type of blogging you do, you'll need to engage with your audience on social media. I love Tailwind for scheduling for pinterest, and I know there are a ton of people who also love their instagram schedule as well. Tailwind is always adding new features that make blogging easier.
Plann
Personally, I use Plann for my Instagram scheduling. I love the features and analytics it offers. The hashtag research functionality is great and I love seeing what my account looks like when scheduling.
Composition Essentials
If you are interested in food blogging in particular, there is nothing better than this course to teach you how to compose an engaging food photo. What's great is the principles Rachel uses works for other areas of photography as well.
LIGHTROOM COURSE
Lightroom is essential for editing your photos and Lightroom Magic takes you through each step so you have a full understanding as to how to use each part of this powerful editing tool. Rachel focuses on food, but the principles can be applied to all forms of photograpgy
WPopt
There are free platforms for your blog, but I HIGHLY recommend creating a self-hosted website that you can fully control. There are a ton of great hosts, but I personally use WPOpt, and I love working with them. Their customer service is great, and their hosting is completely reliable.
The Blog Village Course
If you are completely lost as to how to even get a site up on the internet and need a guiding hand for every step of the way, a course like The Blog Village will tell you absolutely everything you need to know about starting and growing your site.
Bonus: Theory of Content
Technically, not something you can gift, BUT introducing yourself or an aspiring blogger you know to the Theory of Content podcast can be life-changing.
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