Find out how to to increase your blog traffic from the woman who tripled, even quadrupled hers!

Here at Secret Blogger’s Business we love nothing more than singing the praises of our amazing bloggers.

After all, your success means we’re doing something right!

So what could be better than sitting down (virtually of course) for an interview with our very first blogger of the month for 2017!

The reason this amazing blogger babe was selected as our BOM is because she’s continuously amazing us with her blog’s growth in traffic, social media followers and her willingness to help anyone in need.

So enjoy diving straight into our interview with none other than Amanda Bartlett aka Scottie Mom.

Through this interview we will learn how she went about doubling her Facebook followers and more than tripling her blog traffic in just a few short months!

Tell us a little bit about your successful blog!

A proud rescue dog mom, I write about Scottish Terrier rescue efforts and breed-specific health issues. I also write to entertain. Sharing the tales and adventures of my Scottie crew and in turn, spreading a little Scottie love to the world.

What’s your story – what or who inspired you to become a blogger?

It was my first day at a new job. I came home to find my dog Mr. K pretty lethargic. I don’t think I was home for more than an hour before I drove him straight to the emergency vet. I knew something was wrong. When we arrived, I was told he barely had a pulse.

After about a week in the hospital, Mr. K came home to me healthy as ever but with no explanation whatsoever as to why he was so sick. I wanted answers. Three months to the day later, a similar incident occurred with my other rescue Scottish Terrier Heather. Like Mr. K, she recovered fully after a stay in the hospital but I still didn’t have answers as to what happened, why and how I could prevent it from happening again.

So, I turned to blogging in hopes of connecting with other Scottie Moms and Dads who might be able to offer some advice or input. What was supposed to be a personal quest for answers has evolved into a passionate community of Scottie dog lovers who really do want what’s best for our fur kids.

Do you remember having a sort of ‘oh damn, I really can do this’ moment?

I always dreamed of becoming a full-time Scottie Mom where I could earn a modest living to support myself and the dogs chronicling their every move but up until recently, I thought it was just that: a dream. So, I have been climbing the corporate ladder during the day and fitting in Scottie Mom activities when I’m not completely wiped out from my 9-to-5.

As I approached my fourth year blogging, I decided it was time to go big or go home for Scottie Mom. I gave myself a deadline to turn Scottie Mom into something more than a hobby by my fifth blog anniversary. Around that same time, I discovered Kate McKibbin and Secret Bloggers’ Business. When I signed up for one of her free webinars, a light bulb went off. I had been doing everything backwards and making life so much harder on myself. I adopted some of her suggestions and that same month, I quadrupled my traffic.

The next month, I tripled the previous month’s traffic. And the month after that, I reached nearly 45,000 views. It was then that I knew I really could do this if I worked smarter, not harder.

What is the best blogging advice you have ever received?

Consistency really is key. Kate’s webinars taught me that.

What do you find to be your biggest challenge, and what’s something that has really worked for you in creating a successful blog?

The challenge:

My biggest challenge has been to figure out how to turn my dream into a reality and get Scottie Mom to the point where it could support me financially. Knowing my late Heather was at home battling cancer while I was at work every day really got to me. I’d like to think I’ve always known what’s important in life but those months showed me why making Scottie Mom a success was so important to me.  Those hours I could have been with her at home is valuable time that is now lost to me and I want to do everything in my power to make sure I’m here as my darling Mr. K ages. He’ll be 11 this year!

What’s worked:

When I looked back and tried to figure out what I had done differently in recent months as compared to years past that allowed me to finally break through and shatter traffic and engagement goals, I determined there really only was one change in what I was doing. It wasn’t the content. I hadn’t refreshed it with new graphics or anything like that. It wasn’t marketing. Everything I’ve earned to date has been earned organically. It simply was consistency. Now, I’m taking consistency a step further and making time to plan out content so it all makes sense.

What is the thing you are most proud of in regards your blog or something amazing that has happened because of blogging?

What I love most is Scottie Mom‘s community. We’re a passionate bunch! I’m amazed every day to see the thousands of strangers from around the world band together over our love of a rather iconic (but still relatively uncommon) breed. Some of my biggest moments have been shared with thousands of people I’ve never even met. And yet, it doesn’t feel at all weird.

Any tips for other bloggers who want to build a successful blog of their own?

Listen to your readers. Watch what they ‘like’ and they don’t. Ask what it is they’d like to see more of. And then give them exactly what it is they’ve asked to see.

Be patient and don’t expect to grow overnight. It isn’t about the number of followers you have as much as it is about building a loyal, engaged community.

If you could blog from anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Anywhere my Scottie dogs can be nearby – preferably somewhere with a large, fenced-in yard. 🙂

What was it that made you decide to join the Blog Squad / Boss Squad community?

I achieved so much by participating in Kate’s free webinars that I’m convinced Boss Squad will help me take that next step toward achieving my goal of becoming a full-time Scottie Mom.

How would you describe the Blog Squad / Boss Squad community to a friend?

I would describe it as a community of like-minded and supportive individuals.

Moving forward, what’s next for you and your blog?

I have been working on a special project in the wake of my dog Heather’s passing that will be unveiled in phases.

My goal is simple: to help other Scottie Moms and Dads who are facing or who will face canine cancer and other conditions that affect this breed more than others by providing easily digestible information and a level of support not currently available in one space.
We love seeing the success of our students and fellow bloggers, so please make sure you check out Scottie Mom and prepare for an overload of cuteness with rescue Scotties wearing sunglasses and cute scarves getting ready to be adopted!

Maybe you’d like to follow in Amanda’s footsteps but maybe don’t know quite where to begin. If so, check out our FREE – Blog 2 Profit workshop, for details click below!