Hurricane Helene devastates southeastern US, millions without power | Weather Ne…
At least 63 are killed, and over 2.6 million people across 10 states go without electricity as Helene leaves a trail of destruction.
People across five states in the southeast United States have been left stranded, without shelter and awaiting rescue after devastating Hurricane Helene killed at least 63 people and caused massive power outages.
More than 2.6 million customers were still without electricity across 10 states from Florida in the southeast to Indiana in the Midwest as of the wee hours on Sunday, according to tracker poweroutage.us.
The National Weather Service said conditions would “continue to improve Sunday” as it warned of possible “long-duration power outages”.
Helene slammed into Florida on Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane and surged north, gradually weakening but leaving a trail of destruction: uprooted trees, downed power lines and homes damaged by mudslides.
The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) said on Saturday it granted emergency declarations in six states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee – “to assist these states with preparation and response efforts in the immediate aftermath of the storm”.
Search and rescue teams completed at least 600 rescues, FEMA said, adding that more than 3,200 of its staff had been deployed.
At least 24 people died in South Carolina, 17 in Georgia, 11 in Florida, 10 in North Carolina and one in Virginia, according to local authorities and media tallied by the AFP news agency.
Now classified as a “post-tropical cyclone”, the remnants of the storm are expected to continue inundating the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians through Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
In affected communities across the eastern coast and Midwest, storm victims and volunteers toting rubbish bags, mops and hammers tried to repair what they could and clean up the rest.
“There’s only a couple of businesses open. They have a limited supply. So I’m just worried about families that have kids and stuff like that, getting somewhere to stay and have something to eat,” Steven Mauro, a resident of Valdosta, Georgia, told AFP.
In a statement on Saturday, President Joe Biden called Helene’s devastation “overwhelming”.
‘It breaks my heart’
Helene blew into Florida’s northern gulf shore with powerful winds of 140mph (225kmph). Even as it weakened into a post-tropical cyclone, it wreaked havoc.
Record levels of flooding threatened to break several dams, but Tennessee emergency officials said on Saturday the Nolichucky Dam – which had been close to breaching – was no longer in danger of giving way and people downriver could return home.
Massive flooding was reported in Asheville, in western North Carolina. Governor Ray Cooper called it “one of the worst storms in modern history” to hit the state.
There were reports of remote towns in the Carolina mountains without power or cell service, their roads washed away or buried by mudslides.
In Cedar Key, an island city of 700 people off Florida’s Gulf Coast, several pastel-coloured wooden homes were destroyed by record storm surges and ferocious winds.
“I’ve lived here my whole life, and it breaks my heart to see it. We’ve not really been able to catch a break,” said Gabe Doty, a Cedar Key official, referring to two other hurricanes in the past year.
In South Carolina, the dead included two firefighters, officials said.
Georgia’s 17 deaths included an emergency responder, according to state officials.
In the Tennessee town of Erwin, more than 50 patients and staff trapped on a hospital roof by surging floodwaters had to be rescued by helicopters.
Հայաստանի և Թուրքիայի հարաբերություններում Ռուսաստան չպետք է…
Սոցիոլոգ, վերլուծաբան Կարեն Սարգսյան Ամբողջական քննարկումը` …
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The Promise Armenian Institute hosts event to raise awareness for destroyed art
This post was updated Feb. 13 at 10:16 p.m.
Students and faculty raised awareness for art stolen and destroyed during the Armenian genocide at a Saturday event hosted by the Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA.
The Armenian Genocide Research Program was created by the Promise Armenian Institute in 2022. Shortly after the formal recognition of the Armenian genocide by President Joe Biden in 2021, the AGRP led research initiatives and projects to raise awareness about the Armenian genocide. The Armenian Genocide Looted Art and Restitution event was held to honor Armenian history, while also initiating new discussions on the importance of peace and cultural preservation.
Taner Akçam, a historian and the inaugural director of the AGRP, said one of the goals of the AGRP is justice, specifically global recognition and remembrance of the Armenian genocide.
This year’s event followed the inaugural Armenian Genocide Restitution conference held last year. Akçam said the AGRP’s long-term goals are for the Turkish government to formally recognize its country’s role in the Armenian genocide and reach conditions of peace with the Armenian people.
“Mass atrocities, genocides, is still a very important problem in human life,” Akçam said. “Our major goal as educators is to bring awareness for the purpose to prevent these kinds of mass atrocities.”
Stuart Eizenstat, special representative of the United States Secretary of State on the Holocaust, spoke to attendees at the event regarding the significance of recognizing and memorializing the events that took place during the genocide.
“Publicity is the most important way to put an ethical and moral spotlight on the need to find a just and fair solution,” Eizenstat said in his speech. “Historical facts can be covered up and suppressed for a very long time, but in the end, they have a way of bubbling up.”
Akçam added during the event that many of the struggles that relate to raising awareness about the Armenian genocide lie not only in the governments who refuse to recognize it but in the internal divide of the Armenian people. He said though Turkey is unlikely to ever recognize the genocide, he thinks Armenian communities around the world should fight for justice through a united front.
Nanor Hartounian, an AGRP program coordinator, said the event was held to recognize the cultural history and start a conversation about how a measure of justice can be reached concerning Armenian communities.
Hartounian added that the group hopes to locate and trace the origins of different artifacts and preserve the cultural identity of the Armenian people.
During the event, AGRP presented a documentary by Carla Garapedian, which highlighted the program’s research to uncover stolen and lost Armenian art. The goal of the Armenian Genocide Looted Art and Restitution Event is to use art – such as the film – as a way to remember the past and ensure these atrocities do not happen again, said Gassia Armenian, curatorial and research associate at the Fowler Museum, during the event.
Cat Washington, a second-year law student, said she conducted research for AGRP and chose to attend the event because it helps promote a campus culture of dialogue, discussion and learning.
“When we look at mass atrocity events or genocide, we understand the loss of human life and the horror that comes with that, but I think it’s a special type of pain and harm to see the destruction of culture,” Washington said.
Mischa Gureghian Hall, a third-year global studies student, said he chose to attend the event because of his Armenian background and interest in international law concerning cultural property.
Both Washington and Hall said they appreciated how the event tied the discussion of the Armenian genocide into current events. Hall added that the reason people talk about justice for historical events is a lack of intervention when the events actually occurred.
“Different communities can learn from each other’s efforts toward justice,” Hall said.
Hartounian said it takes a group effort to share history, especially history rooted in genocide. She added that she hopes the program can inspire, educate and encourage people to engage with others in raising awareness and fostering discussion.
Akçam said global universities, such as UCLA, have a crucial role to play in understanding the past, as they are a hub of different nations, cultures and ethnic groups. He added that in the context of the Armenian genocide, his goal is to create a space where people can come together and engage in peaceful conversation.
“Justice is a central human element, and without justice, we cannot establish a peaceful society,” Akçam said. “For all reasons, my purpose as director of this institute is to create a peaceful atmosphere, especially … between Turks and Armenians, so that they can come together and can live in peace together.”
6 surprising benefits of protein powder for women
Think protein powder is just for men? Think again: women can gain significant benefits in muscle tone, weight loss, post-workout recovery, and even bone strength with a good protein powder supplement.
Because protein powder supplies the raw building blocks for all of the key amino acids your body uses to build muscle and bone, the high protein content and low fat content of a protein powder designed for women can help you get lean, toned, and fit.
Here’s what our research team found when reviewing the scientific research on protein powder for women to find out how it benefits you and how to use it.
Protein powder for women benefits
1. Protein is not just for building body mass
Protein is vital if you want to tone the muscles you already have, and it’s even helpful at building bone mass and lowering your body fat content while preserving your muscle mass.
Protein is good for everyone, regardless of what your health goals are. It’s inexpensive, effective, and has no real side effects to speak of for almost everyone, making it an incredibly versatile supplement for women.
2. Just about every woman wants at least one of the things that women’s protein powder supplements can offer
Want to tone your muscles? Taking protein isn’t necessarily going to pack on pounds of muscle mass.
A 1999 study in the American Journal of Physiology tested the effects of protein supplementation in elderly men and women (1).
Even though the subjects in the study didn’t gain any muscle mass, their muscular strength increased and their rate of muscle protein synthesis increased as well. This shows that gaining weight isn’t necessary if you want to gain strength.
3. Protein can help preserve bone mass
A six-month long study by researchers in Japan studied the potential of soy protein to impact bone mass in female subjects (2).
The women in the study were given a soy protein rich in isoflavones, or a whey protein powder as a control. At the study’s conclusion, the authors compared how the women’s’ bone mass had changed over the course of the six-month intervention period. They found that soy protein was uniquely able to preserve bone mass better than whey protein. The authors hypothesized that the soy isoflavones affect bone metabolism in a beneficial way.
This finding was supported by additional research published by a group of scientists at Oklahoma State University (3). A yearlong soy protein supplementation program in female subjects increased markers of bone formation, through bone density was not affected (perhaps because their exercise program wasn’t sufficient to support bone formation).
In any case, it’s clear that if bone health is important for you, you should look for a protein supplement that has soy protein in it.
4. Protein can help women with weight loss too
It seems counterintuitive that protein intake can help you lose weight and gain muscle, but that seems to be the truth.
A 2003 research paper published in the Journal of Nutrition by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana found that increasing the ratio of protein to carbohydrates in the diet of a group of women attempting to lose weight had beneficial effects on both body composition and blood lipids (4).
Put more simply, increasing your protein intake and decreasing your carb intake helps you lose fat, gain muscle, and improve your risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
5. High dietary protein content seems to amplify the weight loss effects of exercise in women
Two years later, the same group of researchers in Illinois published another study which found that women who increased their dietary protein intake and increased their exercise levels experienced an additive effect, where the net benefits were greater than the individual sum of the parts (5).
You might call this a “health-multiplier” effect, and it’s one of the most powerful things in the health and fitness world: when two things work together synergistically to produce better results than each on its own, you can accomplish great things.
6. Protein can help older women improve their bone strength
As noted earlier, one of the unique attractions of protein powder for women is its ability to promote bone and muscle mass maintenance as you get older.
A recent scientific review article published in 2018 in the journal Nutrients argues that this effect can be amplified by combining protein supplementation with vitamin D supplementation and a regular exercise routine (6).
Citing multiple research paper, the authors of the article argue that vitamin D and exercise create hormonal conditions favorable for maintaining or even building bone mass and muscular strength in older women.
These outcomes have a direct influence on the risk for osteoporosis, falls, and frailty in old age. Vitamin D has plenty of benefits on its own, but in light of this recent work, adding vitamin D in conjunction with protein should be seriously considered for older women, especially if they know they are at risk for low bone density.
Protein powder for women side effects
For almost everyone, protein powder is super safe. One of the reasons why protein powder is such a great supplement is that there really aren’t any side effects directly related to the protein content of the supplement.
Protein alone is pretty much strictly beneficial; some hardcore paleo diet advocates get over half their nutritional energy from protein on a daily basis, so high protein alone isn’t going to have any acute health determinants.
Watch out for allergies or sensitivities to specific ingredients, like milk or soy. Now, there could be some negative side effects associated with the ingredients of your particular protein supplement. People who have a milk allergy, for example, are likely disqualified from taking most common protein supplements, because they are whey-protein based.
Note that this is not the same thing as being lactose-intolerant; milk allergies are much more rare. Someone with lactose intolerance can usually consume whey protein without any issues, because there is so little lactose that remains after the protein extraction process.
People with severe food allergies need to check the labels on protein supplements, because even allergen-free supplements are often produced in the same facilities as whey, soy, or other allergen-containing products.
You’ll have to go for a product with a more strictly-controlled manufacturing process if you have serious food allergies, but you probably know that already.
Very high doses of protein powders flavored with sugar alcohols, can cause GI problems. Finally, if you are taking high doses of flavored protein powders on a daily basis, you should watch the content of non-caloric sweeteners.
High doses of sugar alcohols like sorbitol can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and pain, so watch your ingredients if you are really pounding the protein (7).
Fortunately, it’s easy to find protein supplements for women that have minimal sweeteners, or use natural alternatives like Stevia.
High protein intake can hamper bone strength if your calcium intake is too low. Even though protein for women has benefits on muscular strength and bone mass, there is one paradoxical potential side effect. If your protein intake is too high, and your calcium intake is too low, you might actually lose bone mass.
That’s because high levels of protein induce calcium losses in your urine, and over the long term, if your supplemental protein intake is high and your calcium intake is low, you can end up losing bone mass instead of gaining it.
Fortunately, if you supplement with calcium and vitamin D, you can avoid this negative effect (8).
Protein powder for women dosage
For workout benefits, aim for 0.7-0.8 grams per pound of body weight. The nice thing about a well-studied dietary component like protein is that there are very clear guidelines for dosage.
When it comes to protein intake for building muscular strength and improving athletic performance, athletically-oriented women should aim for 0.7-0.8 grams of protein per day per pound of body weight (9).
So a 130 pound woman would want 91-104 grams of protein every day to achieve optimal athletic and sport performance.
Higher or lower doses of protein might be necessary for weight loss. As for weight loss, the high protein diets used in the weight loss research we discussed earlier used 125 grams of protein per day for all of the women in the study.
Depending on what your body weight is, this might be higher, lower, or about the same as the protein recommendation for athletes–keep your overall caloric intake goals in mind.
Calculate dose based on actual protein content. Do keep in mind that these recommendations are for the number of grams of protein, not protein powder. Even the most pure protein powders are only 80-90% protein by weight, so you’ll have to bump up the volume of protein powder by 10-20%.
Fortunately, it’s easy to figure out the precise protein content of your supplement simply from the nutrition label.
Protein powder for women benefits FAQ
Q: How many grams of protein does a woman need?
A: Most recommendations state that sedentary women need at least 0.7-0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight every day, but recommendations are higher for athletes.
Athletes need a bit more, but not much—1.0 grams per pound of body weight per day is adequate according to current recommendations. In most weight loss studies, in contrast, the prescription is usually a set amount of protein.
Research has used anywhere from 50 to 125 grams of supplemental protein per day—roughly speaking, that translates to two to four scoops of protein powder using a standard-sized protein scoop that you’d get in a tub of protein.
Q: Do older women need more protein?
A: Protein recommendations for older adults hover near what’s recommended for normal adults (0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day), but research indicates that higher intakes are beneficial for older women as long as they are also taking calcium and vitamin D.
Too much protein is bad news for older women if their calcium and vitamin D intake is not adequate, because of the calcium losses that can be induced by high protein intake.
Q: Will taking protein powder make me bulk up?
A: Protein powder can help make you gain muscle mass, but only if your diet includes an overall caloric surplus, and your training is targeted towards gaining muscle mass.
If you have a caloric surplus, and you are doing heavy lifting, you can expect to see gains in muscle mass thanks to protein powder, but if you are in caloric balance, and you swap out a less-healthy snack or meal with a protein shake, you won’t be gaining any fat–in fact, if anything you’re more likely to lose fat thanks to protein’s thermogenic effects.
Q: When should women take protein powder?
A: The right time to take a protein powder for women depends entirely on what purpose you are using your protein supplement for.
If you are taking protein powder to improve workout recovery, tone your muscles, and increase strength or power, you want to take protein within half an hour of finishing your workout, no matter what time of day you go to the gym.
That’s because working out creates a huge change in cellular signaling pathways, and if protein is in your system soon after these signaling pathways ramp up, your body can jump-start your recovery.
On the other hand, if your goal is weight loss, it’s far better to take protein powder in the morning, either with breakfast or as a mid-morning snack.
Taking protein early allows you to leverage both the thermogenic and the appetite suppressing effects of protein so you can increase your caloric expenditure and decrease your caloric intake later in the day.
Hopefully, taking protein early in the day will decrease how much food you eat at lunch and dinner.
Related: Our best protein powder for women picks
Summary
Despite its association with lifers and bodybuilders, protein powder is an excellent supplement for all kinds of women, even you have no interest in bulking up.
Taking a good protein powder for women, at a dose of about 0.7 to 0.8 grams per pound of body weight per day, is an excellent way for women to boost post-workout recovery, shed excess body fat, and even strengthen their bones.
Make sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D to support increases in bone strength, and spread out your protein dosage throughout the day if you want to make best use of its satiety-inducing effects for weight loss.
How to make / Yummy RUSSIAN BEET SALAD – By Ani
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING MY DEAR FRIENDS … Try out my recipes, the leave me your comments when you make it.
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Heart Healthy Kufteh (Armenian Stuffed Meatballs)
A healthier way to make Kufteh, Armenian stuffed meatballs, a dish traditionally made with lamb. This recipe uses lean ground …
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How to make Armenian egg-lemon soup
We show how to add a beaten egg to hot soup by tempering the mixture so the egg blends smoothly to give the soup a creamy …
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How To Start a Book Blog and Make Money
Do you want to learn how to start a book blog? Starting a blog changed my life. When I began Making Sense of Cents (the blog that you’re reading right now!), I had no idea that sharing my writing would lead to me being able to earn a full-time income doing what I love. Starting…
Do you want to learn how to start a book blog?
Starting a blog changed my life. When I began Making Sense of Cents (the blog that you’re reading right now!), I had no idea that sharing my writing would lead to me being able to earn a full-time income doing what I love.
Starting a book blog can be a great online business for you as well. By starting your own book blog, you can create a space to share book reviews, recommendations, and connect with a community.
The great thing is, starting your own book blog is more attainable than you might think. You don’t need to be a tech expert or have any special skills. With a little guidance from today’s article, you can set up your blog, choose your niche, and start creating content that reflects your unique voice as a reader.
Quick note: I have a free How To Start A Blog FREE Course you can click here to join. Over 80,000 people have already taken the course. In this free course, I show you how to create a blog from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers.
My background with blogging
More than 10 years ago, I decided to start my blog, Making Sense of Cents, on a whim. I had come across an article about a blog, and it sparked an idea to share my own experiences. In the beginning, blogging was just something I did for fun.
At the time, I had no clue that blogging could actually bring in money. About six months in, a fellow blogger introduced me to an advertiser, and that was when I earned my first $100.
At that point, I realized how much I loved blogging, and it felt amazing that I could actually make money blogging.
Since then, the blog has grown in ways I never imagined, and I’ve made over $5,000,000 through blogging. It completely changed my life, giving me financial freedom and the chance to work from anywhere.And today, I want to help you start your own successful book blog.
What is a book blog?
A book blog is a website where people share their thoughts about books. Book lovers read books and then write reviews about them on their blogs. They also talk about book-related topics, like author interviews or upcoming releases.
A book blog can focus on a single genre, like mystery or romance, or cover a wide range of genres. You can choose what you want to write about based on your interests and passions.
Some examples of topics that a book blog may cover include:
- Book reviews – In-depth reviews of the latest books or classic favorites
- Book lists – Listing book recommendations such as “Best Money Books of the Year” or “Top 10 Mystery Novels”
- Author interviews – Conversations with authors about their writing process, inspiration, and upcoming projects
- Book vs. movie comparisons – Reviews of how well a book was adapted into a film or series
- Reading challenges – Hosting or participating in challenges like “Read 50 Books in a Year”
- Upcoming releases – Highlighting new or upcoming book releases that readers should look out for
- Book club discussions – Starting or participating in discussions for book clubs, with questions and analyses on books
- Book merchandise – Reviewing or sharing book-related merchandise, such as bookshelves, bookmarks, book-themed clothing, posters, stickers, and tote bags
Recommended reading: What Is A Blog, How Do Blogs Make Money, & More
Why should you start a book blog?
Starting a book blog is a great idea for many reasons.
You can share your love for reading and connect with others who enjoy books too. This can lead to new friendships and interesting discussions about your favorite stories.
Other positives of starting a book blog include:
- Make money – If your book blog becomes popular, there are ways to make money. You can earn through ads, sponsored posts, or affiliate links. Some bloggers even get paid to review books!
- Creative outlet – Your book blog is a space to express yourself. You can write reviews, share reading challenges, and even post creative content like fan fiction or author interviews.
- Helps authors – By reviewing and promoting books, you support authors and help them reach a wider audience. Your review might be what convinces someone to pick up a book they otherwise wouldn’t have read.
For me, I am so happy that I started my blog as it has led to so many good things in my life!
How To Start a Book Blog
Below is how to start a book blog and make money, step by step!
1. Choose your book blog niche
The first step in learning how to start a book blog is to decide what you want to write about.
Picking a niche for your book blog will help you stand out and attract readers. It’s important to find a specific area of focus that you are passionate about.
Choosing a niche helps narrow down your audience. Instead of trying to please everyone, you can focus on a specific group of readers who share your interests.
A niche also makes it easier to create content. When you know your focus, ideas for blog posts come naturally.
Plus, specializing in a niche can establish you as an expert. Readers will trust your opinions and keep coming back.
There are many popular niches in book blogging, these include:
- Young adult fiction
- Mystery and thriller novels
- Romance novels
- Fantasy
- Science fiction
- Historical fiction
- Children’s books
- Biographies
- Books that have been turned into movies
And more!
2. Start a self-hosted WordPress blog
To start your book blog, I recommend that you use a self-hosted WordPress site for your blogging platform. This means you will own your blog and its content, unlike free platforms.
WordPress is where you write and manage your blog posts. Think of it as your blog’s home base. You can log in, create new posts, add pictures and links, and publish them for your readers. It’s a simple tool that helps you control everything, from writing to how your blog looks.
WordPress is great because you don’t need to know how to code to build your blog or website. It’s easy to use and has lots of options to customize your site.
I use WordPress for my blog, Making Sense of Cents, too!
Here are the steps to start a self-hosted WordPress blog:
- Get a web hosting service. A popular choice for new bloggers is Bluehost.
- Install WordPress. Most web hosts offer a one-click installation. It’s quick and easy.
You can see my full tutorial for this at How To Start A WordPress Blog On Bluehost. There are step-by-step directions if you want more detail and/or want to see screenshots of the exact things you should click on.
Plus, if you use my tutorial, you can get the lowest pricing as well as a free domain name!
3. Pick a blog name and buy the domain
Choosing a name for your book blog can feel tough. Don’t let this stop you from starting, though.
Here are some tips for figuring out your book blog name:
- Keep it simple. Make sure your blog name is easy to spell and remember. Avoid long or complicated words. You want people to find your blog with no trouble.
- Think about your blog’s content. What will you write about? Who will read it? Write down words that describe your blog’s focus. This brainstorm can help you come up with a good name.
- If you find it hard to think of names, use a thesaurus. This can give you new ideas and similar words that might work better.
- To make your blog name stand out, try something catchy. Use humor, rhymes, or alliteration. A memorable name can help attract readers.
- If you’re still stuck, consider using your own name. It’s easy and many bloggers do it successfully.
- I highly recommend using “.com” for your domain and not any of the others. This is simply because most people are used to typing in “.com,” so it is easier to remember.
Once you have a blog name, you need to buy the domain. A domain is the web address people will use to find your blog.
By the way, your domain name (or blog name) is free when you sign up for Bluehost! Just click here to get your free domain name.
4. Design your blog layout
After you pay for your blog, the next thing you’ll want to do is design your site. Your site design is what readers see when they read your blog posts, and it is important.
You have three things you can do when it comes to designing your book blog:
- Designing your book blog yourself (this can be hard to learn but is definitely doable as there are free WordPress themes).
- Paying a web designer for a custom design (this can be expensive, though).
- Getting a premade blog layout – this is what I recommend new bloggers do!
My favorite option is getting a premade design.
They are more affordable than a custom design and look great. The premade blog design site that I recommend is Restored 316. Going the premade blog design route saves you a TON of time and lets you move on to the next step of making money blogging, which I highly recommend.
Lastly, make sure your blog is mobile-friendly (the blog designs sold on Restored 316 are usually mobile-friendly!). Many readers will visit your site from their phones, so test your layout on different devices.
Please click here if you’d like to go the easy way and get an affordable premade blog design (this is what I recommend).
5. Make important pages for your blog
To make your book blog successful, start by setting up your important pages.
These pages are important because they help your readers navigate your site easily and find the content they’re looking for.
Your key pages should include:
- Homepage – Your homepage is the first impression visitors get of your blog. A clear and organized homepage helps readers quickly understand what your blog is about and gets them to explore your blog further. This should be welcoming and easy to navigate. Make it clear that your blog focuses on books, and include links to your main sections, such as book reviews, recommendations, or author interviews.
- About page – This is where you tell your story. Share information about yourself, why you started your book blog, your favorite genres, and what your readers can read on your blog. This helps build a personal connection with your audience.
- Contact page – Make it easy for readers to reach you by listing your email address. This allows readers, authors, and potential partners to contact you.
- Privacy Policy page – Explain how you use data on your site. This is important for building trust and complying with legal requirements. For legal templates, you can search for these online or buy a premade privacy policy here.
- Disclosure page – If you earn money through affiliate links, book promotions, or sponsored posts, let your readers know. This keeps your blog transparent and trustworthy.
6. Start social media accounts for your book blog
Creating social media accounts can help your book blog grow by making it easier for more people to find your book reviews and recommendations.
The social media platforms you can start with include:
- TikTok
You don’t need to be active on all of these platforms, but it’s a good idea to claim your blog name on each so no one else can use your name on them.
Once your social media accounts are set up, add the links to your blog’s homepage so your readers can easily follow you and stay updated on your latest book reviews, recommendations, and bookish content.
7. Create a blog post plan
A blog content plan is a way to organize and plan what you’ll write and publish on your blog. It helps you stay on track and makes sure your posts support your goals, like getting more readers.
A good content plan usually has a list of topics, post titles, when you’ll publish each post, and the purpose of each post (like promoting something or solving a problem for your readers).
It can also include SEO keywords, image ideas, and how you’ll promote the posts.
Overall, it’s like a road map to keep your blog organized and productive.
You don’t need to make your blog content plan complicated. It can be as simple as a list of blog posts you want to write – it’s really up to how organized you want to be. For example, you can just write down the blog post ideas you have, like this:
- 10 Must-Read Books for Summer
- How To Start a Reading Habit and Stick To It
- My Top 5 Favorite Fictional Characters of All Time
- Beginner’s Guide To Starting a Book Club
- How To Read More Books on a Busy Schedule
- 10 Books That Changed My Life
- Book Review: [Insert Book Title]
- How To Organize Your Bookshelf Like a Pro
- Top 5 Audiobooks for Long Road Trips
- How To Get Free Books: A Guide to Book Swaps and Libraries
- 10 Underrated Books You Need To Read
- Books vs. Movies: Which Is Better?
8. Write your first blog post
Your first blog post is important. It’s your chance to introduce yourself and set the tone for your blog.
You can start with a catchy title. Something like, “Welcome to My Book Blog” or “Why I Love Reading” can work well.
Next, tell readers a bit about yourself. Share why you love books and why you started this blog. This helps readers connect with you.
Then, outline what your blog will cover. Will you review books? Share reading tips? Let readers know what to expect.
Wrap up your post with a call to action, such as by encouraging your readers to leave a comment or follow your blog.
9. Find ways to make money with your book blog
You can make money from your book blog by displaying ads, promoting affiliate products, writing book reviews, and selling your own products.
Each method can help you earn extra income (or even a full-time income one day!) while sharing your love for books.
Here’s more information on each way to make money with a book blog:
- Display advertising – One way to make money is by placing display ads on your blog. You can sign up with ad networks like Google AdSense to place ads on your site. You get paid when visitors see or click on these ads. The more visitors you have, the more you can earn.
- Affiliate marketing – Another way to earn is through affiliate marketing. You can sign up for programs like Amazon Associates. When you mention a book, you can use a referral link. If someone buys through that link, you get a commission. It’s a good way to earn by recommending books you love. I have a free ebook to learn more – Affiliate Marketing Tips For Bloggers.
- Book reviews – Writing book reviews can also bring in money. Authors and publishers may pay you to review their books. You can learn about the best places to get paid to write book reviews at 16 Best Ways To Get Paid To Read Books.
- Selling products – You can also create and sell your own products. Think about items that book lovers would enjoy. You could sell bookmarks, book-themed mugs, or even your own writing.
Recommended reading: 13 Ways To Get Free Books Online and Sent to You
10. How to grow a book blog
To get readers to your book blog, you need to share it so that people can find it.
Below are some ways to grow your pageviews:
- Share your book reviews and blog posts on social media platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. For example, I make a pin image for Pinterest for every single one of my blog posts, and it’s a great way to get new readers to my blog.
- Write guest posts for other book blogs or websites. This can introduce you to new readers who are interested in books.
- Email marketing is another great option. I recommend that you find ways to persuade your readers to subscribe to your newsletter and send them updates with new book reviews and recommendations. If you are looking for a way to send newsletters or emails to your readers, I recommend Convertkit.
- Respond to comments and emails from your readers. Building a relationship with them can encourage them to share your blog with others. I always respond to emails and comments because I know that I would like it if my comments/emails were replied to as well.
- Use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to help your blog appear in search results when people look for book reviews or related book topics.
My favorite guide that goes over many different strategies to grow a blog is 21 Strategies I Used to Increase My Monthly Page Views from 17k to 400k+ in 10 Months. This guide by my friend Lena is full of great information on how to increase your blog’s pageviews. If you are feeling stuck or if you are a new blogger, check out this resource! Lena went from 17,000 monthly pageviews to 400,000 and shares all of her best tips in this resource.
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting a book blog can be fun and rewarding. Below are some common questions people have about becoming a book blogger.
Do book blogs make money?
Yes, book bloggers can make money. You can earn through ads, affiliate links, and sponsored posts. Some bloggers also sell their own books or services like editing and consulting.
How to make a book blog for free?
You can start a book blog for free using platforms like WordPress.com, Blogger, or Wix. These platforms have free templates and hosting. You only need to sign up and start writing. But, if you want to make money with your book blog, I highly recommend that you do not use a free platform – I recommend that you use self-hosted WordPress.
What are some book blog examples?
Examples of book blogs include That Artsy Reader Girl, Pretty Little Memoirs, She Reads Romance Books, The Uncorked Librarian, Traveling Book Junkie, and Everyday Reading.
What’s the best way to use Instagram for sharing my book blog posts?
Instagram is a great place to share your book blog posts. You can do this by sharing pictures of books, reading nooks, or book quotes. Also, using popular hashtags like #Bookstagram to reach a wider audience can help a lot. You can also engage with other book lovers through comments and likes.
What makes a book blog interesting and how do I set mine up that way?
An interesting book blog has a unique voice and perspective. They typically share personal stories or insights about the books they’ve read, and they also engage with their readers by asking questions.
Is it worth starting a book blog?
Yes, it is worth it to start a book blog if you love books and want to share your thoughts on your favorite books. It can be a creative outlet and connect you with a community of fellow book lovers.
How To Start a Book Blog – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to start a book blog and make money.
I’ve been running this blog that you’re reading for quite some time now, and it’s one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made.
Starting a book blog is a great way to share your love of reading with others and connect with a community of fellow book lovers. With just a bit of guidance, you can create your own book blog, share reviews, and build a platform that reflects your unique voice as a reader.
Reminder: I have a free How To Start A Blog FREE Course you can click here to join. Over 80,000 people have already taken the course. In this free course, I show you how to create a blog from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers.
Do you want to learn how to start a book blog?
Recommended reading:
How can I lower my energy bills and what help is there for me?
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Households across Britain are facing increasing energy costs this winter after the regulator raised its price cap from October.
Ofgem’s price cap is rising by £149 from the current £1,568 a year for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales to £1,717.
Here, the PA news agency looks at why the price cap is going up and what people can do to mitigate the cost of their energy bills.
– What is Ofgem’s price cap?
The energy price cap sets a maximum price that energy suppliers can charge consumers in England, Scotland and Wales for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy they use.
The figures provided by Ofgem indicate what a household using gas and electricity, and paying by direct debit, can expect to pay if their energy consumption is typical.
It is important to note that it does not limit a home’s total bills because people still pay for the amount of energy they use – so if it is above the average they will pay more, and if it is below they will pay less.
Energy is regulated separately in Northern Ireland.
I’d encourage people to shop around and consider fixing if there is a tariff that’s right for you
Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem’s chief executive
– Why is the price cap rising?
Ofgem said the main reason why it has decided to increase the cap is because of rising wholesale prices in the international energy market, which have been caused by heightened geopolitical tensions and extreme weather events.
Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem’s chief executive, said “international gas prices – the gas that we buy to heat our homes and to make sure we have the electricity we need – has gone up, and that’s feeding through to our bills”.
“Ultimately, while we are dependent on gas, we will be in this situation where prices go up and down,” he told Sky News.
– What can I do to lower my bills?
Mr Brearley said he was encouraging people to “shop around” to see if they can get a better deal on their energy tariff.
“For the first time in a long time, we are seeing some good value deals emerge,” he said.
“I’d encourage people to shop around and consider fixing if there is a tariff that’s right for you – there are options available that could save you money, while also offering the security of a rate that won’t change for a fixed period.”
As a rule of thumb, we’d recommend looking for deals around the price of the current price cap, not longer than 12 months and without significant exit fees
Emily Seymour, Which? energy editor
Martin Lewis, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, said people “can and should save by switching” their energy supplier, and consider a fixed-price energy tariff.
“The cheapest year-long fixes on the market right now are about 7% less than the new October price cap, but they might not be around long,” he cautioned.
Mr Lewis suggested that people look for the cheapest option for their use and location, and they can use comparison sites to find and compare deals.
Emily Seymour, energy editor at Which?, said: “Unfortunately, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to fixing an energy deal as it will all depend on your individual circumstances.
“You should compare what your monthly payments would be on a fixed deal with what you’d expect them to be if you remain with the price-capped variable tariff to see what the best option is for you.
“As a rule of thumb, we’d recommend looking for deals around the price of the current price cap, not longer than 12 months and without significant exit fees.”
– What support is available for me?
Ofgem urged people to make the most of any state benefits they are entitled to, which could help with paying energy bills as well as the wider cost of living.
Around 1.4 million pensioners are already receiving pension credit, but the Government estimates up to 880,000 further households are eligible for the support for those with a low income.
People receiving pension credit qualify for the winter fuel payment worth up to £300, to help with bills.
Previously, anyone over state pension age could receive the payment, but this was changed by the new Government, meaning about 10 million pensioners will miss out this year.
– I think I’m going to struggle to pay my bills, what can I do?
People are encouraged to contact their energy supplier if they are worried about paying their bills.
Energy companies are required to work with customers to agree on a payment plan they can afford, which could mean more flexibility over how and at what time people pay.
They should take into account people’s income and outgoings, debts and personal circumstances, and an estimate of how much energy will be used in future, for which regular meter readings can help build a more accurate picture.
Richard Lane, of debt charity StepChange, said it was a “worry that a rise in the price cap may tip struggling households into deeper debt”.
He urged the Government to introduce targeted support for those who are struggling the most.
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