5 Awesome Resources for Bloggers

Professional blogging is increasingly on the rise. Even though the career path is relatively new, there are many resources and tools that can launch a blogger's career.

1. Wordpress
   Wordpress is increasingly becoming the blogging platform for bloggers. Unlike Wordpress.com, the free version of Wordpress, Wordpress.org gives bloggers complete control over their content. Wordpress is built with a number of clean themes, widgets and plugins to enhance the blogging experience. Bloggers can also have a number of pages on their site, unlike other platforms, e.g. Blogger. Wordpress is also known to be an intuitive platform. Many professional bloggers and popular blogs exclusively use Wordpress; for instance, Copyblogger and Make a living writing using Content Management Systems (CMS) like Wordpress, Drupal and Joomla. Wordpress has marketing advantages for bloggers too. Sunil of The Extra Money Blog, explained how the Thesis Wordpress theme is one of his top SEO marketing strategies ; Sunil has appeared on Pat Flynn's Smart Passive Income blog and guest posted on Pro Blogger.
2. ProBlogger
   ProBlogger is one of the top resources for bloggers. Darren Rowse, the creator of ProBlogger, has built a community for bloggers. Many bloggers are introduced to the site through the job forum on the site. ProBlogger has information for beginning bloggers and ideas and strategies to monetize a blog. ProBlogger also delivers valuable content in the form of webinars, podcasts, workbooks and other media. It is also a site with an active forum that can benefit beginning and established bloggers alike.
3. Copyblogger
   Copyblogger is another go-to resource for bloggers. Copyblogger was founded by Brian Clark in 2006. The site has a team of renowned copywriting and blogging authority leaders and thinkers; Jon Morrow is currently the associate editor of Copyblogger, and he is one of the best paid bloggers in the industry. Copyblogger specializes in content marketing solutions that create a better website design, drive more traffic to a site, generate more relevant conversions and, ultimately, grow revenue and profits; they give bloggers, copywriters, website owners and entrepreneurs content marketing advice, strategies and solutions. With over 170,000 subscribers, Copyblogger is a community for bloggers to learn, get advice and grow as professionals.
4. Blogpreneur
   Blogpreneur is a site dedicated to helping bloggers succeed. Matthew Toren and Adam Toren are the minds behind Blogpreneur. Both brothers have extensive backgrounds related to marketing, branding and entrepreneurship. Blogpreneur caters to bloggers and small business owners who need to blog for their brand. The brothers give bloggers and small business owners resources and advice related to blogging, entrepreneurship, making money, the power of social media and the necessary personal development changes needed to make it as a blogger. Blogpreneur delves into the intricacies of building a business around a blog. The site also lists job opportunities that are applicable.
5. About.com
   While About.com is one of the most popular sites for the general public, it is a useful tool for bloggers. Since 1996, About.com is a site that offers expert and quality advice on over 900 topic sites; they also “cover more than 88,000 topics and adds more than 1,600 pieces of new content each week.” The company is also partially owned by The New York Times Company. About.com hires experts, known as Guides, that are screened through an intensive process. Unlike other popular sites, like Wikipedia, the information on About.com comes from experts with extensive knowledge. Bloggers can use About.com to be inspired, learn information and connect with experts.