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New idea, but getting hung up on the “hows”
Hey everyone! Just needing a little feedback.
Starting a new project and I would love for my main content (Blog and YouTube Channel) to be focused on books and reading – a passion of mine :)
I just purchased a domain called This Mama’s Booked where I would do book reviews, recommendations, hauls, TBR lists, and possibly a book club in the future.
I know I’m getting caught up in the “how’s” but I have no idea how I can make any money doing this.
I would love to do digital courses and maybe even a membership in the future but I’m drawing a blank on where to begin or if it’s even possible to make a decent income just by sharing my love of books 🙂
Has anyone done this or know of someone who has been successful in the book/reading world? Or does this idea seem like a flop? LOL
Starting from scratch.
Thank you!! -
21 Replies
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I love your idea Kristin! And, starting with something you love is always a good place to begin. Rather than getting too caught up with the how-tos right now, since you’re starting from scratch anyway I would start with taking the first action step you can.
One step I would recommend is looking at the book and reading sites you like hanging out at. Ask yourself what attracted you to them and keeps you coming back, what do they offer, what’s their revenue model and what unique twist could you add? I’m sure affiliate marketing is going to factor big as a revenue source, but you may be surprised at how many other ways there may be to make money here.
If you don’t know of any reading/book sites, then your first step is a little research to find some. They definitely exist. Sites like Good Reads and Medium are both all about reading good stuff, although only one is for books.
My real point is, don’t let not knowing all the answers be your tripping point. Just take your next best step . . . and then your next.
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I’m thinking about Brian and his PhilosophersNotes – that has certainly built a mailing list and allowed him to craft a massive membership site. It’s a stand out example of what can happen when someone marries their passions and excellence and marketing.
You haven’t asked for feedback on the domain – but I’ll give one. It feels awkward. I’m not sure what it means? Are you positive you want to connect based on being a mom? Totally fine if it is.
I know domains are hella hard to nail down – but I always love a domain that I’m excited to say and if I want it to turn into a community, if the domain has an ‘us’ feel about it, that’s amazeballs.
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Thank you Pam!! That’s a great idea! I’m diving in to some reading sites, YouTube channels, and blogs that I love today.
You’re totally right, it’s all about taking action and then figuring it out from there. Thanks so much!
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Philosopher notes sounds intriguing! Will check him out today :)
Regarding the domain name, I hadn’t thought of it that way but I’m glad you mentioned it. I’m not sure! I guess I was initially thought I’d like to build a community and connect with moms who love books and want to make reading a part of their daily routine again (like myself lol). However, I don’t necessarily want to be selective of just moms either.
I’ll think on that! Thank you so much Kelly!!
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Kristin, let me know if you’d like to do some domain brainstorming – I LOVE that stuff.
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I would LOVE help with brainstorming! I get so hung up on that stuff LOL Thanks Kelly!
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Ooooh, let’s stream the brainstorming process. I wanted to test MelonApp – this would be perfect. What times do you have available – any evening opps?
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As someone who has a grad degree as a librarian and still runs a consulting biz in that field and a nonprofit there too .. I love books and reading and support those who encourage! Go book nerds! 📚📚
But I also have to be honest that with the many over-degreed, over-worked, and very very underpaid and underfunded folks in the book, literacy, library world – this could be a hard niche for money-making – esp if you’re just sharing books you love, encouraging group reads, etc. And with book talks, book clubs etc being promoted by libraries and the expectation of ‘free’ that comes with that – could be tough competition.
What WILL lit-loving folks pay for? What do they want and can’t get from free library groups, or GoodReads, or StoryGraph? What specifically would you love teaching on? Are there are affiliate product opportunities? Will they buy printable book journals, book marks?
If it’s geared to mamas – is it about them finding time to read? their reading, reading choices? or also them reading to kids and early childhood literacy?Not gonna say it’s a flop topic – just could be tough. So look around at what readers are already paying for.
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Sounds great Kelly!! Tonight and tomorrow are a little crazy for me but any evening next week works perfect! Let me know your thoughts! Thank you!
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Thanks Jennifer! I totally agree about it being a tough market to pull in the moo-lah..that’s what I was concerned about LOL
You’ve given me some great questions to think about though. Affiliate marketing is a definite avenue I’d like to pursue but I would love to create more digital products in the future. Love the idea of bookmarks and/or book journals. That’s something that hadn’t even crossed my mind.
I’ve also thought about going at it from the angle of helping moms find more time to read (whether as a form of self-care or just down time) and showing how reading can help them find a piece of themselves that they may have lost in the chaos of mom life (if that makes any sense LOL).
Thanks for your feedback!!
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Next week Monday during the day? I could so 11am or 1pm?
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1 pm works great on Monday!! :)
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Wahoo! I’m so jazzed! I’ll send you a link that day to join me :)
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Sounds good!! Thank you again!
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Hey Kelly! Any chance your 11 am is still open? I have to pick my nephew up around 1:40 now so would have to cut out a little early :) If not, totally no worries! So appreciate you taking the time either way!
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I just sent you a link via email :)
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Been thinking about Book Addicts.
What if you accepted fellow Book Addicts as content partners of some kind?
I think it’d be cool to be able to write up book reviews of my all time favorites and submit them to your site for publication – if I can have a author info space and live link to my site, that’s coolio.
Book Addicts Partner
Book Addicts Contributor
Book Addicts Mentor
… something like that – it has to be something fun to be able to say about myself, you know?
You get more content, your site gets promoted by more people.
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Ohhhh I love that idea!!
Book Addicts…
Partner or Partner (in crime LOL) This probably wouldn’t work because I’m not solely focused on mysteries/thrillers)
Bibliophile (I had to look this one up though so maybe not LOL)
VIP
Accomplice
Cohort
Supporter
I’m so stoked! I just installed WordPress yesterday and getting the rest of it set up tonight :) Know anyone who does a simple website header? Does Samantha Angel still do that stuff?
Thanks Kelly!!
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Book Addicts jumps out at me & made me excited lol (probably because I’m a book addict).
Backing up a sec – love this new idea you’re leaning into Kristin!
For me personally, if it was branded as something for moms I probably wouldn’t be interested just because my son is an adult now and I don’t find myself connecting with moms who have younger kids (well except for you because I LOOOOVE the craziness you share about your twins! lol). Of course, that’s not to say that it would only draw in moms of young kids.
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Yep, Sam still does that :) Hurray for progress!
