Because I often have clients and readers asking some of the same questions, I decided to answer some FAQ here. It’s an easy way for me to answer some of the most commonly asked questions that I receive on a regular basis. If you don’t see the answer to your question here, contact me and I’ll be happy to help you out!
About Rachel
How long have you been blogging? How did you get to where you are now?
I started blogging back in 2009. Back then, I was a fashion blogger, which is quite different from the work I do currently. While I enjoyed being a fashion blogger, I ultimately decided I wanted to do something more. I frequently received emails from people asking how to get started with blogging and seeking my advice. As a result, the website you see today was born. Being able to help others build their blogs and create successful online businesses is such fulfilling work and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Since then, this business has naturally progressed to include more mindset and manifestation topics, as they play a huge role in my life.
How can you help me build my online business?
If you’re ready to build a thriving online business, there are a few options you’ll find here. Currently, I offer one-on-one coaching for anyone who would like to work with me privately. This gives you the chance to receive advice that’s tailor-made for you, plus you’ll have my support as you work on your business and mindset. Alternatively, you can check out the content on the blog for free advice. And of course, there are courses and workshops on my Teachable school.
Getting Started Online
I need help creating my website. How can I get started?
My recommendation is to build a website on WordPress.org because you have more control over your site. WordPress.org (not the .com version) means you’ll need to purchase your own web hosting. Of course, this can seem quite intimidating at first, especially if you’ve never used WordPress before. However, I can assure you that it’s not as scary as it seems. With a little Googling, I was able to set up my very first WordPress site in 2013 and it was easier than I ever could have imagined.
To help you out, here are some recommendations that will assist you in building a great site:
- For web hosting, I adore DreamHost*. I’ve been with them since early 2013 and I’ve never had an issue or experienced unexpected down time. Whenever I’ve had questions about anything with my site, they’ve been very helpful. In fact, they quickly came to the rescue when a plugin crashed my site and I had no clue how to fix it. To be totally cheesy, using them for web hosting has been an absolute dream and I highly recommend them.
- If you want to keep your site running smoothly, I suggest investing in the Genesis Framework* from StudioPress. Your site will be fast and secure and you’ll be able to eliminate any worry about what’s going on in the back end of your site.
- And once you’re running Genesis, you’ll be in need of a great child theme to ensure your site looks gorgeous and is easy to use! My favorite ladies to purchase themes from are Restored 316 Designs*. They have great options to choose from that are simple to install yourself.
I want to get started with an email list. Which platform is best?
For many people who are just starting out, they’ll be fine using a platform like MailChimp. However, if you’re ready to get serious about email marketing, I’d recommend going with something more robust. Personally, I use ConvertKit* because their platform makes it so easy to segment subscribers and to deliver content upgrades. It’s more powerful than the cheaper email marketing options and they keep their prices affordable. If you know email marketing is going to be a huge part of your online presence, I think it’s best to do it right from the very start.
Miscellaneous
What kind of camera do you use for photos and videos?
For the majority of my Instagram photos, I use my iPhone XS Max. However, I also use a Canon Rebel T5i* to take photos for blog posts. It’s affordable when compared to other models, but still gets the job done. It’s great for taking quality photos. Plus, this camera is also nice for filming videos because it has a flip-out screen, autofocus, and it records in 1080p. Great for anyone looking to start creating YouTube videos as well.
Which tools do you rely on to run your business?
- For service-based businesses, Dubsado* is an absolute must. I’m able to automate a majority of my onboarding process when clients book my services, which saves me a lot of time. This tool allows me to present potential clients with a questionnaire so I can get to know them better upon reaching out. It also handles contracts, invoices, and scheduling.
- To host all of my courses and workshops, I rely on Teachable* to get the job done. It’s user-friendly for both course creators and students. Plus, it allows you to create some really nice looking sales pages as well.
- Social Warfare* provides the social media sharing buttons you see on each of my blog posts. The reason I use this tool is because it allows me to customize the images and text that appears when someone shares my content so I can be sure the correct graphics are being displayed.
- If you’re like me and you’re not skilled with Photoshop, a tool like PicMonkey* is incredibly helpful when creating graphics for your website and social media. It’s so easy to use and your graphics will look professionally designed.
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