8 Things Newbie Bloggers Must Learn How to Break Free like a PRO

Have you ever been in a situation wherein you feel like you know what you must do, but still can’t do it?


Or maybe you are afraid to do it, or always having second thoughts?

As a newbie blogger (travel, lifestyle, beauty, fashion or whatever niche you are) you always aim to be successful AF like a lightning bolt, and as shine as the diamond that you’ve been spotting on the window’s shop, however everything are not been handover to you easily.

You need to work your ass on everything.

Starting from writing your own post, taking your own photographs, research for the good topic for the day or week, etc.

Yeah it’s a touch work, and if you are too lazy to do it – you can’t survive on the pressure of reality and also your own self pressure.

Breaking free always a nice feeling. But it isn’t just easy just like breaking a twig – you need a lot of work in order to truly BREAK FREE.

Blogging is a lucrative freelance job and when you do it right, you will definitely enjoy the benefits of BREAK FREE life. Though this book written by Don Soriano talks about more of personal finance, I believe that blogging and personal finance can go hand-in-hand like your favourite Korean baes.

This book, which landed to my doorstep a month ago will help you guide on what you aim for. Am giving you a REAL TALK advice on how to survive and make it to the blogging world.

1. Don’t Quit Your Job

And when you do, am telling you it’s the stupidest thing you’ll ever done. Cutting your sole source of funding will make you die. You’ll ended up staring at nowhere and just depending on your parents (or maybe your wife!) for you to be fed. And that is effin depressing.

You have a full time (boring AF) job now and you also a newbie blogger, it is wise not to quit your job. Blogging is lucrative when you reach that stage of maturity, however a newbie blogger needs further and constant learning like pros do.

Constantly educate yourself online, and use your workplace’s facilities (just do it after your shift). If you are a newbie blogger, you can take advantage of your workplace’s free
internet access, a nice space for writing, good lighting, and free snacks. Isn’t that amazing?!

2. Make the Best Investment

Okay, instead of buying yourself your daily smoothie or those Starbucks unicorn frappucino (geez if only you know how much fat it will give you!) better save those bucks on your first blogging investment – your own laptop. Doesn’t need to be the latest Mac PRO, a cheaper ASUS laptop will do ( or if you could get a second hand deal then that’s better!).

Take advantage of your free lunch time by watching those e-learnings online. Facebook has tons of learning materials that you can get. Don’t be a lazy cat, and start reading those free ebooks online, and constantly read. You might be just sitting or standing while reading and learning, but your mind has been travelling to everywhere.

3. Money Management

You’ve just got your salary this week, yey!
Allocate a certain small portion of your day-job salary for your blogging career. Since you are not yet earning from you’re a-week-old-blog, better save a little that will fund your occasional transportation expenses when you get inviting for an event.

Rule of the thumb: When you got invited for an event, never assumes that because you are a blogger then the host will take charge for your head cost (unless the host informs you that she would!).

When your blog reaches the maturity age of 3 to 4 months, and will lots of valuable contents, then applying as a Google adsense partner and getting approved is a lot more easier. Take advantage also on some online affiliate programs from various brands, because every cents counts!

4. Power of Leverage

We are talking about how you can manage your resources properly no matter how little it is. You want to review this make-up palette you’ve been eyeing for days but don’t have money to buy it (and sometimes its impractical to buy it just for review) then approach the brand manager via email and ask for some samples. Most brand managers are happy to send you free samples and most of the time, they will send you more than you’ve asked for (thank you!).

Most professional beauty bloggers have been receiving boxes and boxes of beauty products in the hope that it will be featured to their blogs, and some really don’t. You also asked these professional beauty bloggers for some samples for you to try and write too.

Or if you have an awesome invitation from this Korean restaurant, however you have a deadline to meet from your day-job, then asked your other blogger bestie to attend in behalf of you (just make sure to make a prior arrangement first with your host) and collaborate for the post and photos.

Blogging doesn’t need to shell-out all your resources. Look for someone who have substantial resources, and politely ask for their help.

It never hurts to ask politely.

5. Learn to Market Yourself.

Don Soriano’s book is telling us that the first step to business is SALES.

And as a newbie blogger, you don’t have a physical product to sell, right? So how can you do it?

Your writing skills will help you on that. Learn the art of pitching your ideas to your target partners.
First, make your blog credible as much as possible. Write some valuable posts that are engaging both from your increasing followers and readers, and also engaging for the brands/clients. Also make yourself marketable by looking presentable physically and mentally – and that includes a proper grooming no matter how much no sleep you have. In blogging, you don’t only market or sell your blog per se, you are also primarily selling yourself as your own brand. Learn to create your own self brand, and the rest will follow.

6. Law of Association

You want to be a successful blogger? Then associated yourself to bloggers and also to brand managers and owners if possible. Learn the art of networking, and always be nice.

Blogging networking could be both online and non-online so better take advantage those two. Join on some Facebook bloggers group, both locally and internationally. Engage with them via online forum, or chatting with them asking questions by crowdsourcing because believe me, there are tons of bloggers out there who are willing to help you for free.

Learn to choose your association wisely. If you are into beauty blogging then join the beauty bloggers group. If you are an aspiring travel blogger, then join the travel junkies group, have fun and maybe join them on their next sojourn out-of-town.

Be resourceful and your form your circle right.

7. Understanding Financial Freedom

Alas, you’ve got your circle perfectly, now gaining lots of loyal followers and even managed to create your own online tribe, got lots of brands collaborations and sponsorships, and your Adsense partnership is giving you a substantial earnings – You are there! You are almost living the dream.

But the question is – until when?


Blogging is considered a passive income, and you can’t keep feeling comfortable because things are fast changing. So when you are earning lots now, that’s the time you save a lot, and learn to manage your resources, as if you have none.

IT is wise to open a separate account for your blog earnings so you can easily monitor its progress. Also be not like a one-day millionaire attitude – the more you earn the more you should save for your future.

Getting invited to fancy parties is already a reward for your hardwork, so no need to shop and flaunt the streets like a Chinese tuhao.

8. Success is only 20% Skills

And you just don’t rely on your skills. Experience is your most trusted asset for success. Your blogging skills are only your guide, your foundation. But the additional learnings and experiences, including your flaws will help you to reach your desired success.

And here’s my additional practical advices:

9. Always be patient

You might not earning large now, and you feel so exhausted and tired of this mundane boredom. You feel like you want to quit, and am telling you that quitting now is bullshit. Be thankful of what you feel now, and you will feel ease and relief. If you are tired, then relaxed and reward yourself. And when you gain back your energy, then go back in your work desk and start writing again.

Quitting is never an option. To be a successful blogger is what you aim for right? So don’t quit. Have tons of patience in your pocket.

10. Learn to say NO

And this is something that most of us are having a difficulty to express (well I’ve learned my ways and this area is not a problem to me).

Whenever you feel there is something off, don’t hesitate to negotiate. And if you feel that it won’t go anywhere then don’t hesitate to say NO. No matter how huge it could be. Learning this area, not only will exercise your judgment, but also will gain you respect from someone and respect for the crafts you are working on.

Learn to compromise is possible, but if you need to stop the say NO.





And if you are into personal finance blogging then you might want to check out Don Soriano’s BREAK FREE book.

Contact Don Soriano through his Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/iamdonsoriano for more information and tips!


xoxo, Blair