Become a Top Blogger By Laura Tong "Never underestimate the power of a simple tool." ~Craig BruceNOTE: This is the first in a 3 part series originally published as a single post. We had a lot of feedback from WDT readers asking us to separate out tools for bloggers, writers and vloggers into more manageable posts. So we've done just that...and more. The first installment has everything the smart blogger needs to crush it online in 2018 and beyond. Bloggers, maybe even more than writers need to work smart in 2018. Blogging today involves so much more than just starting another wordpress blog and hoping an audience will come. A smart blogger knows he or she needs tools and not just any tools.The right tools.The Write To Done team have included all their favorites, many of which they use on a daily basis. The list is not exhaustive, we'll add to it as we go.If you have a favorite tool not listed here, add it in the comments and if we can, we'll get hold of it and give it a test run. If it measures up, we'll add it to the next update.In the meantime help your fellow bloggers and share this resource around.Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.Read more: http://www.searchquotes.com/search/Sharpening_Your_Axe/#ixzz4zGbAqr5R Quick NavigationHEADLINE & TOPIC SUGGESTION TOOLSCoschedule Headline AnalyzerEmotional Marketing Value Headline AnalyzerLinkbait GeneratorHub Spot Blog Topic GeneratorPortent Title MakerSmartblogger Headline HacksLorum Ipsum generatorSEO TOOLSGoogle TrendsGoogle AdwordsLong Tail ProGoogle Webmaster ToolsSemRushSmall SEO ToolsSOCIAL SHARING TOOLSShare Link GeneratorClick To TweetBuzzsumo Social WarfareHootsuiteSocial OomphBufferWEBSITE TOOLS Down for Everyone or Just MeDOMAIN NAMESNamecheapCrazy DomainsHOSTINGSiteground BluehostHostgatorWORDPRESS THEMES & EDITORSThrive Themes (Membership)Thrive ArchitectEMAIL RESPONDERSMailchimpInfusionsoftWEBINARSWebinarjamPRODUCTIVITY/ PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLSAsanaMeistertaskHEADLINE & TOPIC SUGGESTION TOOLSWhat's the point in writing your blog post, sales page or book if no one reads it? Writing eye-catching headlines, offers and book titles is part art, part science. All of the tools below will help you with both.Coschedule Headline Analyzer FeaturesIt won’t tell you if your headline is creatively genius, but it will give you an idea if it’s along the right lines.https://coschedule.com/headline-analyzer (free with sign up)One of the best free tools out there to check whether your headline is likely to get clicked. It won’t tell you if your headline is creatively genius, but it will give you an idea if it’s along the right lines. ReviewOne of the best free tools out there to check whether your headline is likely to get clicked. FREE with sign upOnline tool Check Out Coschedule Emotional Marketing Value Headline AnalyzerEmotional Marketing Value Headline Analyzer FeaturesThis headline analyzer is really useful if you are trying to target a particular audience with your headline (which, of course, you should be) - it tries to analyze what type of person - intellectual/spiritual etc - your headline will appeal to. ReviewUsed in conjunction with coshcedule analyzer it can really help craft better headlines. FREEOnline tool Check Out Emotional Analyzer Linkbait GeneratorEmotional Marketing Value Headline Analyzer FeaturesOk, I'm not suggesting you go out and create linkbait articles 🙂 Use this simple, fun tool to generate ideas you might not have thought about and then craft your own compelling versions.Google Trends is a public web facility of Google Inc., based on Google Search, that shows how often a particular search-term is entered relative to the total search-volume across various regions of the world, and in various languages. ReviewDespite it name, this handy little tool can actually come up with some good building blocks. FREE Online tool Check Out Linkbait Generator Emotional Marketing Value Headline AnalyzerHub Spot Blog Topic Generator FeaturesThis tool is excellent if you just want to create a list of ideas you can spark off. And sometimes it will come up with exactly what you are looking for.Google Trends is a public web facility of Google Inc., based on Google Search, that shows how often a particular search-term is entered relative to the total search-volume across various regions of the world, and in various languages. ReviewUse this simple tool to generate ideas you might not have thought about and then craft your own compelling versions. FREE Online tool Check Out Topic Generator Portent Title MakerEmotional Marketing Value Headline Analyzer FeaturesA fun idea generator that might just come up with that oddball suggestion that you need.Google Trends is a public web facility of Google Inc., based on Google Search, that shows how often a particular search-term is entered relative to the total search-volume across various regions of the world, and in various languages. ReviewJust pop your keywords(s) in. Couldn't be simpler. FREE Online tool Check Out Title Maker Smartblogger Headline HacksEmotional Marketing Value Headline Analyzer FeaturesThe definitive list of headline 'formula' from one of the greatest headline writers of today - Jon Morrow. ReviewYou need to sign up for this resource, but it’s worth it. Jon is simply one of the most gifted headline creators around and this resource gives you simple templates that work time and time again. Invaluable! FREE with sign upOnline tool Check Out Headline Hacks Lorum Ipsum generatorLorum Ipsum generatorEmotional Marketing Value Headline Analyzer FeaturesIf you need some block text to see how an article will look or to build a new web page this tool will not only generate lorum ipsum block text for you, but also tells you all about the history. Fascinating!If you need some block text to see how an article will look or to build a new web page this tool will not only generate lorum ipsum block text for you, but also tells you all about the history. Fascinating!This tool will help you spot many readability issues you might otherwise miss. You don’t have to go with it’s suggestions, but it’s handy to be aware of them.Google Trends is a public web facility of Google Inc., based on Google Search, that shows how often a particular search-term is entered relative to the total search-volume across various regions of the world, and in various languages. ReviewI've actually used this tool numerous times when building web pages and sorting out the layout of a book. FREE Online tool Check out Lorum Ipsum generatorLorum Ipsum generator SEO TOOLSGoogle TrendsEmotional Marketing Value Headline Analyzer FeaturesGoogle Trends is an offshoot of Google Search. It shows how often a particular search-term is entered relative to the total search-volume across various regions of the world, and in various languages. Google Trends is a public web facility of Google Inc., based on Google Search, that shows how often a particular search-term is entered relative to the total search-volume across various regions of the world, and in various languages. ReviewThis can be really useful to find out what the latest 'hot' topic is. Or to find out if your topic is actually becoming less popular. FREE with Google accountOnline tool Check Out Google Trends Google AdwordsEmotional Marketing Value Headline Analyzer FeaturesAdwords is simply the ultimate go to tool for research on keywords. You need a google account but if you have gmail or a YouTube account, then you’re good to go! ReviewFinding keyword suggestions as well as volume and other data is fairly straightforward. FREE with Google accountOnline tool Get keyword suggestions Find out monthly search volumes for keywords Find out competition for keywords Set up campaigns Check Out Google Adwords Long Tail Pro FeaturesUse Longtail Pro’s step-by-step system to discover thousands of profitable, targeted keywords and calculate Keyword Competitiveness for almost any niche.Use Long Tail Pro’s step-by-step system to discover thousands of profitable, targeted keywords and calculate Keyword Competitiveness for almost any niche. ReviewsLongtailPro is a great way to find good keywords to get to the top of Google’s search pages. They’ve recently redesigned it and it works really well. I wasn’t always a great fan of Long Tail Pro but it’s now matured into a very useful tool. And it’s much better than any of the free tools I’ve come across! I suggest getting the free 7 day trial to test it.LongtailPro is a great way to find good keywords to get to the top of Google’s search pages. They’ve recently redesigned it and it works really well. I wasn’t always a great fan of Long Tail Pro but it’s now matured into a very useful tool. And it’s much better than any of the free tools I’ve come across! I suggest getting the free 7 day trial to test it. FREE trial then PAIDFree trial then:Starter Plan $25/monthPro plan : $45/month Score Keyword Competitiveness Custom Difficulty Targets Determine Metrics Calculate Keyword Profitablilty Check Out Long Tail Pro Google Webmaster Tools FeaturesLove it or hate it, SEO is essential if you want to rank your article or site. And Google Webmasters Tools is essential for anyone who is serious about SEO. ReviewsGoogle's webmaster tools aren't for the fainthearted. There is a scary amount of data and options, none of which is particularly intuitive. However, they have a lot of useful articles and videos on how to get started. FREE with Google accountMost people already have a Google account -gmail or YouTube for instance. Check Out Webmaster Tools SemRush FeaturesGet insights into your competitors’ strategies in display advertising, organic and paid search, and link building.Get insights into your competitors’ strategies in display advertising, organic and paid search, and link building. ReviewsSemRush is pretty much the industry standard for many serious bloggers. FREE Trial then PAIDFree 7 day trial then:Pro: $99Guru $199 See competitors’ best keywordsSee competitors’ best keywords Discover new organic competitors Observe position changes of domains Check Out SemRush Small SEO Tools FeaturesI've mentioned a couple of their online tools before. If you want your blog to rank in your niche, you need to know your competition. Small seo tools supply a few tools for free, all of them useful and easy to use.If you want your blog to rank in your niche, you need to know your competition. Small seo tools supply a few tools for free, all of them useful and easy to use. ReviewsThese tools are not as fully featured as some of the paid tools, but they'll get you started. FREEMost of these tools you can use online without an account. Check Out Small SEO Tools SOCIAL SHARING TOOLSShare Link Generator FeaturesIf you want people to share your article or new book then give them all the help you can. This cool tool creates shareable links to twitter/faceboook/google + and pinterest that you can send out in your emails. If you want people to share your article or new book then give them all the help you can. This cool tool creates shareable links to twitter/faceboook/google + and pinterest that you can send out in your emails. ReviewsI use this all the time to make it a no-brainer share my articles. It's one of the most useful free tools out there. FreeOnline tool Check Out Share Link Generator Click To Tweet FeaturesThe easiest way to promote, share & trackyour content on Twitter.The easiest way to promote, share & trackyour content on Twitter (and it's free)If you want people to share your article or new book then give them all the help you can. This cool tool creates shareable links to twitter/faceboook/google + and pinterest that you can send out in your emails. ReviewsI use this all the time to create click to tweet text and images like this one .https://goodlifezen.com/dream-of-a-new-start/ FreeOnline tool Check Out Click To Tweet Buzzsumo FeaturesIf you’re serious about your blogging career than buzzsumo is close to essential. Not only will it tell you the most popular posts/videos/interviews etc in any niche, but it will also tell you who shared those items.If you’re serious about your blogging career than buzzsumo is close to essential. Not only will it tell you the most popular posts/videos/interviews etc in any niche, but it will also teel you who shared those items.With this information you know not only WHAT is popular in your niche, but also WHO is sharing it! Pure gold! ReviewsWith this information you know not only WHAT is popular in your niche, but also WHO is sharing it!Some of the most successful (and high earning) bloggers use Buzzsumo. Indeed, at the moment, I don't know of any alternative that does the job. Pure gold! PriceAll this amazing information comes at a price. There’s a free 30 day version, but after that it’s $79 a month. Expensive? maybe.Worth it? Definitely!All this amazing information comes at a price. There’s a free 30 day version, but after that it’s $79 a month. Expensive? maybe.Worth it? Definitely! Check Out Buzzsumo Social Warfare FeaturesA WordPress plugin that adds beautiful, lightning-fast social share buttons to your website or blog.A WordPress plugin that adds beautiful, lightning-fast social share buttons to your website or blog. If you’re serious about your blogging career than buzzsumo is close to essential. Not only will it tell you the most popular posts/videos/interviews etc in any niche, but it will also teel you who shared those items.With this information you know not only WHAT is popular in your niche, but also WHO is sharing it! Pure gold! ReviewsI use the Social Warfare plugin on all my sites because it has a the best scrolling sharebar AND you can show the Twitter share count numbers! Check out their free trialI use the Social Warfare plugin on all my sites because it has a the best scrolling sharebar AND you can show the Twitter share count numbers! Check out their free trial FREE Trial then PAID$29/yr (free trial)$29/yr (free trial)All this amazing information comes at a price. There’s a free 30 day version, but after that it’s $79 a month. Expensive? maybe.Worth it? Definitely! Check Out Social Warfare Hootsuite FeaturesHootsuite is a social media management platform. It supports social network integrations for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube, and many more.Hootsuite is a social media management platform, created by Ryan Holmes in 2008. The system's user interface takes the form of a dashboard, and supports social network integrations for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube, and many more.A WordPress plugin that adds beautiful, lightning-fast social share buttons to your website or blog. If you’re serious about your blogging career than buzzsumo is close to essential. Not only will it tell you the most popular posts/videos/interviews etc in any niche, but it will also teel you who shared those items.With this information you know not only WHAT is popular in your niche, but also WHO is sharing it! Pure gold! ReviewsMy editor, Laura, has used this fro many years and rates it highly.I use the Social Warfare plugin on all my sites because it has a the best scrolling sharebar AND you can show the Twitter share count numbers! Check out their free trial FREE Trial then PAID$16/month (free trial)$29/yr (free trial)All this amazing information comes at a price. There’s a free 30 day version, but after that it’s $79 a month. Expensive? maybe.Worth it? Definitely! Check Out Hootsuite Social Oomph FeaturesTo make the most out of Twitter, you need to have some of the best tools in your arsenal. One thing that could skyrocket your Twitter marketing efforts is the use of an automation tool. A WordPress plugin that adds beautiful, lightning-fast social share buttons to your website or blog. If you’re serious about your blogging career than buzzsumo is close to essential. Not only will it tell you the most popular posts/videos/interviews etc in any niche, but it will also teel you who shared those items.With this information you know not only WHAT is popular in your niche, but also WHO is sharing it! Pure gold! ReviewsSocial Oomph is a really useful social media tool. You can schedule Twitter and Facebook. I use the Social Warfare plugin on all my sites because it has a the best scrolling sharebar AND you can show the Twitter share count numbers! Check out their free trial FREE Trial then PAID$29/yr (free trial)$29/yr (free trial)All this amazing information comes at a price. There’s a free 30 day version, but after that it’s $79 a month. Expensive? maybe.Worth it? Definitely! Check Out Social Oomph Buffer FeaturesBuffer is a simpler and easier way to schedule posts, track the performance of your content, and manage all your accounts in one place.Buffer is a simpler and easier way to schedule posts, track the performance of your content, and manage all your accounts in one placeA WordPress plugin that adds beautiful, lightning-fast social share buttons to your website or blog. If you’re serious about your blogging career than buzzsumo is close to essential. Not only will it tell you the most popular posts/videos/interviews etc in any niche, but it will also teel you who shared those items.With this information you know not only WHAT is popular in your niche, but also WHO is sharing it! Pure gold! ReviewsBuffer automates your social media posting, saving you a load of time and work. And there's a free, if limited account.I use the Social Warfare plugin on all my sites because it has a the best scrolling sharebar AND you can show the Twitter share count numbers! Check out their free trial FREE and PAIDFree account available$10 for 'Awesome'$99 for 'Small'$29/yr (free trial)All this amazing information comes at a price. There’s a free 30 day version, but after that it’s $79 a month. Expensive? maybe.Worth it? Definitely! Check Out Buffer The MASTERCLASS SERIES for WritersThese three courses are a great selection of courses by experts. They are particularly valueable for those of us who want to learn to write for the screen, or TV or to learn dramatic writing. They’re beautifully produced with multiple videos with lifetime access. Click on any of these links to check them out (play the videos to get some hot tips straight awayWEBSITE TOOLS Down for Everyone or Just Me FeaturesHave you ever visited a site and found you couldn’t access it? Maybe it was your own site! Just pop the URL into the search box and this tool will tell you if the site is actually down for everyone, or if it’s your end that’s got the problem.Have you ever visited a site and found you couldn’t access it? Maybe it was your own site! Just pop the URL into the search box and this tool will tell you if the site is actually down for everyone, or if it’s your end that’s got the problem.TIP: If you find it’s only your end, it’s often a browser cache issue. Try clearing your cache. If that doesn’t work, try shutting everything down and then starting it uo again. ReviewsTIP: If you find it’s only your end, it’s often a browser cache issue. Try clearing your cache. If that doesn’t work, try shutting everything down and then starting it uo again. FREEOnline tool Check Out Down for Everyone DOMAIN NAMESNamecheap FeaturesCheap domain names. ReviewsThe name says it all 🙂They also do cheap hosting and other related services. FREE to searchIt's obviously free to search for the availability of a particular name but then you'll have to pay for that domain.Domains start at $0.48/year, but you'll probably have to pay a little more for something desirable. Check Out Namecheap Crazy Domains FeaturesAnother good cheap domain name source. ReviewsIn addition to NameCheap, I also use CrazyDomains, especially if I want a domain name that isn’t the usual .com, .net, etc. For example, I recently bought the domain writetodone.university for the courses we are producing.In addition to NameCheap, I also use CrazyDomains, especially if I want a domain name that isn’t the usual .com, .net, etc. For example, I recently bought the domain writetodone.university for the courses we are producing. Free to search.coms from around $2/year. Again you may have to pay more for something useable. Check Out Crazy Domains HOSTING Siteground FeaturesThis is an excellent hosting provider, especially if you want to create a bigger site, ReviewsYou get 1-click WordPress installs and free transfer. PaidFrom $3.95 per month One-click WordPress Installer Free Transfer Check Out Siteground Bluehost FeaturesThis is a good hosting company for small to medium size websites ReviewsI've used this hosting company for many different websites and I like their ease of use. An important tip is to get the free domain AND the hosting together. PriceFrom $3.95 per month Free Domain with hosting 1-click WordPress installer24/7 Support Check Out Bluehost Hostgator FeaturesMy editor, Laura, recommended Hostgator as a great hosting company if your just starting out. ReviewsHostgator are affordable and have great customer service. Since Laura used them they have been taken over but still definitely worth a look if PAIDFrom $2.78 per month for their 'hatchling' plan, $3.98 for their 'baby' plan and $5.98 a month for their 'business' plan. Free Domain with hosting 1-click WordPress installer24/7 Support Check Out Hostgator WORDPRESS THEMES & EDITORS Thrive Themes (Membership) FeaturesThrive Themes is state-of-the-art bundle of WordPress themes and plugins which are all focused on Conversion. Of especial interest is Thrive Architect, a page builder which allows you to design a page or blog post in many different ways. For example, this page is built with Thrive Architect. ReviewsI'm a total fan of Thrive Themes. They are continually developing new plugins and their training is world-class. I suggest joining as a member, instead of buying individual themes or plugins. Every new addition to their stable of products is then free for you. Plus, you get their special training, PriceMembership fee is $19 per month Includes all plugins, including Thrive Architect, Thrive Themes, Thrive Leads, Thrive Quiz Builder, etc. All new plugins or themes that ThriveThemes develop are free for membersAccess to members-only training Check Out Membership Thrive Architect FeaturesIf you want to stay with your website theme but want to rev up the look of your post, check out Thrive Architect (this post is built with Thrive Architect). It’s one of their plugins. If you want to stay with your website theme but want to rev up the look of your post, check out Thrive Architect (this post is built with Thrive Architect). It’s one of their plugins. But, as I said before, I suggest getting the membership instead of just a single plugin. ReviewsIf you are use to the WordPress editor then you are in for a shock. Thrive Architect simply allows you to build almost anything beautifully, responsively. All this comes with quite a steep learning curve, but when you get the hang of it, you may never want to go back to your WordPress editor again. PAID$67But as I said before, I suggest getting the membership instead of just a single plugin. Check Out Thrive Architect EMAIL RESPONDERS Mailchimp FeaturesMailChimp is a marketing automation platform and an email marketing serviceMailChimp is a marketing automation platform and an email marketing service ReviewsMy editor, Laura started out on Mailchimp and couldn't praise it enough. Simple to use, with great customer service. And they have a free plan. The only drawback is it's perhaps not as flexible or sophisticated fo power users. FREE & PAIDFree: Up to 2,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month. Once your email list grows and you want to send out unlimited emails, you can upgrade from $25 a month upwards.Free: Up to 2,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month. Once your email list grows and you want to send out unlimited emails, you can upgrade from $25 a month upwards. Free account up to 2000 subscribers Segment using tagging Integrates with many ecommerce platforms 24/7 support Check Out Mailchimp Infusionsoft FeaturesInfusionsoft offers an e-mail marketing and sales platform for small businesses, including products to streamline the customer life cycle, customer relationship management, marketing automation, lead capture, and e-commerceInfusionsoft is a private company that offers an e-mail marketing and sales platform for small businesses, including products to streamline the customer lifecycle, customer relationship management, marketing automation, lead capture, and e-commerce ReviewsThis is the solution I use. Infusionsoft has all the bells and whistles you could wish for. It’s not cheap but it’s a mean tool!This is the solution I use. Infusionsoft has all the bells and whistles you could wish for. It’s not cheap but it’s a mean tool! PAIDStarter: $99 Essentials: $199 Complete: $299 Starter: $99 Essentials: $199 Complete: $299 Free user onboarding Contact Management Marketing Automation Check out Infusionsoft WEBINARS Webinarjam FeaturesWebinarjam is a webinar hosting platform that allows you to host as many attendees as you want, basically using Google Hangouts. ReviewsOffering webinars is a great way to educate your audience and to sell books or courses. Let me say straight away: webinars can be a nightmare! However, Webinarjam makes it easy. It's awesome. Offering webinars is a great way to educate your audience and to sell books or courses. Let me say straight away: webinars can be a nightmare! However, there is a software program that makes it easy. Webinar Jam is awesome. (Click the link below to see more about it) Price$479/year or 3 installments of $189 Stream to Facebook Live, YouTube Live, or our private JamCast broadcasterStream to Facebook Live, YouTube Live, or our private JamCast broadcaster Secure webinar rooms with password protectionSecure webinar rooms with password protection Engage with a virtual whiteboard, polls and live chatEngage with a virtual whiteboard, polls and live chat Customize your pages for brand consistencyCustomize your pages for brand consistency Check Out The Webinarjam PRODUCTIVITY/ PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLSPRODUCTIVITY/ PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS Asana FeaturesThis is a tool that helps individual and teams to manage Editorial Calenders and projects. ReviewsWe use it at WritetoDone and it’s extremely helpful. I suggest using the free account. FREE and PAIDFree account$9.99/month for their premium account Check Out Asana Meistertask FeaturesMeisterTask is an intuitive online task manager that uses smart integrations and task automations to make your team more productive. MeisterTask is an incredibly intuitive online task manager that uses smart integrations and task automations to make your team more productive. ReviewsThis is a newcomer among the project management apps. I’ve had a paly around with it. but haven’t used it seriously yet. It was developed by the MindMeister team and looks excellent. The free version will give you everything you need. This is a newcomer among the project management apps. I’ve had a paly around with it. but haven’t used it seriously yet. It was developed by the MindMeister team and looks excellent. The free version will give you everything you need. PriceFree account$8.49/month for upgraded account Check Out Meistertask Tweet130Share71201 Shares
