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Blogging
1 Common Misbelief That Keeps You From Growing Your Blog
- May 19, 2020
- 0 comments
- by Jenny Rose Spaudo
Maybe you know starting a blog would be great for your business, but you just haven’t done it yet.

Maybe you already do blog, but you haven’t posted in weeks.

Or maybe you’re just going through the motions but have zero confidence that it can or will move the needle whatsoever in your business.

I get it. Been there.

There’s a common misbelief we content creators tend to fall for. And this misbelief could very possibly be one of the main things holding you back. (Another major one is that you just don’t have the time, which I talk more about here.)

If you continue to fuel this misbelief, you eventually give up on pushing forward. You fold your hands and sit down nicely—and miss out on what’s ahead for you.

And the most frustrating part of this misbelief is, as the name implies, it’s not even true!

So what is it? I won’t keep you in suspense. Simply put, it’s that you have nothing to offer.

Has anyone else struggled with this lie in their head? Or is it really just me?

Even just this past week, I was wrestling with that thought.

I have nothing to offer. What am I even doing? What could I possibly teach people about blogging or writing or content marketing that’s worth anything?

Wow.

Once I realized I was throwing myself a major—and rather embarrassing—pity party, I stopped what I was doing and took my thoughts captive as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Why Is This Misbelief So Prevalent?

From listening to a lot of other business owners, writers and content creators share their experiences, I know I’m not the only one to have struggled with these kinds of thoughts.

Chances are, somewhere along your entrepreneurial journey, you’ve thought it too. Maybe you’re struggling with feeling this way even now.

It’s easy to feel like a tiny guppy in a vast ocean. You’re trying to move forward, get the word out about your business, and serve the best you possibly can, and it’s hard.

I mean, face it. Growing your business, your ministry or even your personal blog isn’t easy. It’s hard work and sometimes it requires a lot of trying new and different things until you discover what really works for you.

It can be daunting and frustrating and confusing and overwhelming.

And in the midst of all that, we can tend to feel inadequate. We begin to think that we’re not strong enough to push our adventure forward. Or we don’t feel smart enough to strategize. Or we don’t feel outgoing enough to network. (That last one was definitely a thought I’ve had several times since I launched my business in January.)

And then that thought slips in: What do you really have to offer?

In essence, why are you even doing this?

At the heart of “What do I even have to offer?” is the fear that I’m not enough.

And, in a way, that fear is actually true. None of us are enough to produce anything good in our lives apart from Christ. Jesus makes that super clear in John 15:5b—“apart from Me, you can do nothing” (NASB, emphasis added).

So really, when we’re in that place of saying we have nothing to offer and we shouldn’t even be doing what we’re doing—we’re telling ourselves that God is not enough to produce something good out of us and our endeavor. That’s a bold statement.

If we give that misbelief ground in our minds, it works its way into our entire business. It corrupts every blog we write or every podcast we record. The words we use to help or teach people lack conviction. We shy away from telling someone about what we do, even if we know it could help them.

It causes us to shrink away from opportunities to grow, to put ourselves out there, to push forward toward the goal we believe God has put in our hearts.

That would be a huge mistake. A mistake I really don’t want you to make.

So How Do You Deal With This Misbelief?

Now that you know you’re dealing with this misbelief, it’s important you know how to deal with it. But how do you do that?

1. You have to recognize that it’s not true.

The same Paul who told us to take our thoughts captive also told us to think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

So if something isn’t true, should we really be wasting our time thinking about it? Obviously not.

And yet when we’re in that place of telling ourselves we have nothing to offer, it’s because some small (or big!) part of us truly does believe it.

That’s when we have to remind ourselves of what’s actually true.

For me, that might mean sketching out a quick list of what I actually do have to offer, why I’m in this business to begin with, and my motives for serving my audience.

Why am I writing about blogging, writing and content marketing?

Because in the last 5 ½ years of working for a Christian publishing and media company, I’ve written hundreds of articles and hosted hundreds of podcasts. In the process, I’ve learned the difference between an article that gets 100 clicks and an article that gets 100,000. It’s not an exact science, but I’ve experimented enough and written enough to know what it takes to write compelling content that people are eager to consume.

In that time, I’ve also seen dozens of writers struggling to know how to write content that speaks to their ideal audience or write headlines that catch the eye. I’ve been able to give them pointers along the way and, hopefully, equip them with better tools to improve their writing.

As soon as I remembered that, it was almost like an “Aha” moment. It snapped me out of my funk and back into reality. It was if my brain remembered, “Oh yeah, I actually do know how to write well and have experience teaching others to do the same. I can help people!”

What is it for you?

I want you to take a moment and write down what you have to offer.

What experience do you have? (It doesn’t have to be a job! Real-life experience is just as important as, if not more so than, corporate experience.)

What have you done or accomplished in your niche?

What lessons in your niche have you learned the hard way?

Write it down. And remember it.

2. Remember the people you serve.

Yes, it’s important to earn money and make a living. But ultimately, that’s not really why you’re doing what you’re doing.

Whether you’re writing for your business, your personal blog or your ministry, you’re ultimately not doing it for you. You’re doing it for the people you’re serving.

I remember one writer who really took to heart what I was suggesting as an editor. This person was submitting content for our online publication, but the articles just weren’t resonating with our audience. I talked to this person on the phone and just coached them a bit on how to write for our audience better and how to choose topics our readers care more about.

The next article I got from that person was a home run. The content exactly catered to our audience, and no surprise, it got a lot more views. That’s the power of coaching.

Being able to help that person reach the goal they were after was so encouraging.

So now it’s your turn. I want you to think of one person you’ve helped along the way. How did you help them reach their goal? Or if you sell books or products, how did those books/products impact them?

Great. Now think of another. And another.

That’s why you do what you do.

3. Fix your eyes on Jesus.

You know, this one really should’ve been first because it’s most important. But I wanted to save it for last because it’s the most precious to me.

When I’m struggling with the misbelief that I have nothing of value to offer, I can guarantee you I’m not thinking about Jesus. I’m thinking about myself.

I’m upset because I’m not enough or I’m not getting the results I want or I’m not like so-and-so.

That’s all about me.

But choosing to look at Jesus instead is a completely different experience. When I remember that my life is not about me at all but about the One who owns me and loved me enough to die for me, suddenly I gain a fresh perspective.

Suddenly, I remember that my business is not about getting the results I want. It’s about honoring my Master and my First Love. It’s about being faithful with what He’s given me.

If He has given me a talent for writing and coaching, you better believe I’ll use that talent for His glory.

If He has given you a gift for writing, for networking, for speaking, for ministering, for singing … do it for His glory! If He’s entrusted you with an idea that can help other people or a product that can change people’s lives, then pursue those for His honor.

Remember that He owes you nothing. And yet He’s given you everything.

Ephesians 1:3 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.”

Next time you find yourself thinking, What am I doing? What do I even have to offer?, I hope you remember these truths. And most of all, that you remember to look at Jesus.

Want to read more content from me? Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to chat with you about anything … especially if it’s about writing, blogging, business or Jesus!

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Blogging
Should You Blog About COVID-19?
- April 28, 2020
- 0 comments
- by Jenny Rose Spaudo
Well, there’s no getting around it. COVID-19 has flipped our world upside down. And some are saying there’s no going back. So how does this affect your content marketing strategy? Should you blog about COVID-19 or just ignore it and give your readers a sense of normalcy?
For the most part, my suggestion to you is to talk about it as long as you’re responsible with the information you share. There is so much misinformation spreading about COVID-19 that you should definitely not add yourself to that mix!
That said, this is the perfect opportunity to bring hope to someone. After all, the coronavirus has impacted practically every single person in the United States. (And if you live outside the U.S., chances are, it’s impacted every person in your country, too!)
Granted, there are some bloggers who probably shouldn’t blog about it because it’s simply not helpful to their readers in any way.
People who shouldn’t blog or podcast about COVID-19 include people whose followers are seeking an escape from the bad news of everyday life. Their readers follow them to be entertained or to learn more about a feel-good hobby.
But even that doesn’t mean all entertainers or hobby instructors should shy away from talking about COVID-19. The best way for you to know if you should stay quiet about the virus is to simply ask your audience.
If you’re still not sure which camp you should be in, email me at jennyrosespaudo@gmail.com or send me a Facebook message. I’d love to help you figure this out!
After all, it’s more than likely that you shouldn’t shy away from this ugly topic.
Why You Really Should Blog About COVID-19
I’m of the opinion that those who shouldn’t blog about COVID-19 are the exception, not the rule.
Why?
Because the virus has changed the way many of us live our daily lives. Our habits have changed. Many of us are starting to work from home full-time. Some are learning how to homeschool their public-schooled kids. Others are trying to figure out how to do things digitally that they’ve done in-person for decades. Raise your hand if you had to figure out Zoom in the last month.
It’s a weird time to be alive. And if one thing is certain, it’s that we’re all learning new things and trying to figure stuff out.
That’s why now, more than ever, your followers need to hear from you that everything is going to be OK.
If you’re a homeschool influencer, your followers need to know it’s going to be OK—they can protect their families, keep them healthy and still get their homeschool duties done.
In fact, now is a great time for homeschool influencers to expand their market and reach out to parents of public-schooled kids who desperately need advice for how to teach their children at home.
If you’re a nutritionist or fitness expert, your followers need to know it’s going to be OK—they can still eat healthy and work out faithfully even during quarantine. Look, those extra quarantine pounds are REAL, friend.
If you’re in ministry, your followers need to know it’s going to be OK—God is still with them. And He’s still the same yesterday, today and forever. He will get them through this crisis.
If you’re a financial expert, your followers REALLY need to know it’s going to be OK! With everyone freaking out about recession, now is the time to reinforce basic financial wisdom and remind people they don’t have to panic if they manage their money wisely.
It’s Time to Get Innovative
A crisis isn’t a time to shy back in fear. A crisis is a perfect opportunity to get creative.
Don’t think of it as taking advantage of the horrible situation. If that’s your motive, stop and get that right first.
What I’m talking about is an honest desire to help people with their newfound needs.
Look around you and think about it. How have people’s lives changed since the coronavirus hit? How have those changes created new needs, new concerns and new challenges?
Speak to those pain points. If you have a solution to their problem, offer it and don’t hold back.
I have to tip my hat to a lot of churches around the U.S. who have gotten creative in the midst of quarantines and stay-at-home orders.
Many churches have either live streamed their services (some for the first time!) or are even doing drive-in services. A drive-in service is pretty much what it sounds like. Congregants park in the church parking lot and listen while the pastor preaches, often from the church roof or a scissor lift. Sometimes they’ll honk their horns in place of a hearty “Amen!”
That’s a great example of getting creative to solve a problem and meet a need.
Now it’s your turn.
What need are you seeing that you can offer a creative solution to? That’s your next blog topic! And maybe your next product.
Need some help coming up with ideas for how to help your followers during the COVID-19 crisis? Connect with me and let’s talk about it!

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Blogging
5 Tactics to Make Your Blog Easy to Read
- April 8, 2020
- 0 comments
- by Jenny Rose Spaudo
If you want your blog to attract new readers, maintain people’s attention until the end, and rank well on search engines … you need to make your blog easy to read.
Maybe that’s hard for you. If so, you’re in good company, my friend.
By the time I graduated college, I was pretty good at writing academic prose professors loved. I followed all the grammar rules, cited my sources meticulously, and explained my arguments and methods in excruciating detail.
But when I got hired at a Christian magazine, I quickly realized online readers didn’t want to read my thesis—or anything that resembled it.
They wanted to get to the good stuff. And they wanted it quickly.
If you struggle with clunky writing, here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way. These have greatly helped me in learning how to write in a way that makes people want to keep reading.
1. Write your blog like you talk.
“In conclusion, the writing method to which many of the most reputable online authors and content developers ascribe requires that one research how consumers of online publications verbalize their thoughts and emotions and subsequently write in a like manner.”
Stop it. You don’t talk like that.
Instead, try: “Many of the best bloggers write the way people talk.”
Write your blog like you’re talking to a friend. Granted, your writing should be a little cleaner since we tend to get pretty lazy with our grammar when we’re speaking.
But still. Make your blog easy to read by letting it feel like a genuine conversation.
2. Use headings often.
Headings (like the ones I’m using throughout this article) make the structure of your blog super easy to follow.
People don’t have to expend as much energy trying to figure out where your article is going when you have huge signposts (headings) to guide them.
They’re also helpful because people often skim an article before they actually read it word for word. If they like what they see in your headings, they are more likely to actually read your blog in its entirety.
And lastly, headings break up the monotony of gray in your blog. They add much-needed white space, giving your readers a chance to process what they read.
Here’s a great article about the importance of white space on your blog.
3. Write in short sentences and short paragraphs.
Speaking of white space, another way to get more of it is by keeping your sentences and paragraphs short. Sometimes that means your paragraphs are only one or two sentences long. Sometimes just a couple words.
The horror.
No, seriously. It was really hard for me to write short paragraphs at first because the grammar freak in me knew it broke the rules.
But that’s OK. Do it anyway.
4. Make it practical.
One of the major reasons people read blogs or look up articles online is because they want a solution to their problem.
Naturally, they’re looking for articles that can solve those problems with practical advice.
An easy way to make your writing more practical is to write with the readers’ pain point in mind. Then offer your solution.
Use examples while you’re teaching your solution. Help your readers visualize the step you’re telling them to take. Tell stories of people who did (or didn’t do) what you’re teaching.
5. End with a call to action.
You readers want to walk away from your blog with at least one thing they can do to improve their condition.
Make that one thing super clear.
You can also end with telling your reader to do something that will take them deeper into your brand. For instance, sometimes I end my blogs by asking readers to share the article. Or I direct them to my Facebook page and ask them to connect with me.
Blogs are an excellent way to nurture your relationship with your readers. Use it!
OK, now that you have five new steps to make your blogs easier to read, I want you to do something.
Go back to one of your blogs and check to make sure it follows the five steps I’ve outlined in this article. If it doesn’t, then revise it and read it out loud.
I guarantee it will be a great improvement.
Until next time!
P.S. Here are a few other articles I’ve written that will help you craft a blog that people will love to read:
Top 17 Grammar Errors Christian Writers Make
How Long Should My Blog Post Be?
3 Terrible Ways to Intro Your Blog

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Promotion
Practical Tips to Get Your Article Published in Major Magazines
- March 24, 2020
- 0 comments
- by Jenny Rose Spaudo
You probably already know that getting your name published in major magazines is important for building credibility for your brand.
But do you know how to make that happen?
If you’re like most authors, business owners and ministers, the answer is most likely no.
If you know me or have read many of my blogs, you already know that I used to work for a Chrisitian magazine. In my role as online news director, I received hundreds of submissions every week from people who want to get published in our online magazines.
But I couldn’t publish all of them.
So what separated those who got published from those who didn’t? The answer is multifaceted, but here are several tips to help you best position yourself to get published online.
Tip #1: Submit your articles to magazines that align with your niche.
This one is simple. If your article isn’t faith-focused, don’t submit it to a Christian magazine. If your primary target audience is believers in business, don’t submit it to a parenting magazine.
Make sure your article would contribute to the magazine’s main purpose before you submit it.
The reason for this is that magazine editors receive so many submissions that only the best ones get published. And if your content isn’t a great fit, your email may be quickly deleted.
Speaking of which, try to find the name and email address of the correct person you should submit your article to. If someone sends an article to our generic customer service email, I most likely won’t see it. It helps immensely when authors submit their articles directly to me.
(Hint: Start by asking your followers what magazines and online publications they read.)
Tip #2: Give the editor a little space.
OK, I might be saying this because I’ve lived it. But it’s still true.
Editors get so many submissions that they can’t possibly keep up if every author is demanding special treatment. That might include sending multiple emails in a row asking if the editor received your submission or requesting multiple changes to the article once it’s online.
Sometimes the editor can’t get back to you right away because they’re juggling so many priorities.
I have to be honest right now. When I see an author email me three times in a row about an article they’re submitting to me, and then email me again three hours later to see if I got their previous emails … it makes me not want to publish their stuff at all.
Also, keep in mind that the editor’s job is not to promote you—it’s to do what’s best for their magazine.
I really don’t mean that to sound harsh at all. It’s just how it is.
As an editor, I truly want what’s best for our writers. I want their names to get out there and for their businesses or ministries to grow.
But my first business priority has to be to protect and promote the magazine I work for. If your article doesn’t help me do those two things, please understand when I can’t use it.
Tip #3: Don’t send a million articles all at once.
I understand that sometimes writers get time to write in infrequent bursts. But if you submit five articles within a week’s span, don’t expect the editor to use all of them … or even more than one.
If you really want to be published in major magazines, space out your submissions. Unless you’re using the strategy of “Here are five submissions, so hopefully one of them works for you!”
But that sounds like a lot of energy for little return.
Tip #4: Be careful not to come across as pushy, entitled or “all that.”
Gross.
At risk of sounding negative, I do have to admit I have come across many ministry leaders who want to be published in our online magazine who acted entitled.
They write their emails as if they’re doing me a favor when I publish their article.
Nuh-uh.
Don’t do that. When your article gets published in major magazines, they’re helping you out. They’re promoting your name and brand to their audience. That’s huge.
Don’t let the size of your ministry or the number of your followers cause you to become entitled and treat others badly.
Always be a servant. Always be humble. I promise it will make editors actually want to publish your work.
Your character speaks volumes.
Tip #5: Edit, edit, edit!
This one is so huge.
If you want to submit an article to a major magazine, make sure it’s good!
Make sure you have a main point, solid takeaways, and an easy-to-follow structure. Pare your article down so it’s an ideal length.
Check your grammar and make sure your syntax, spelling and overall flow is clean.
I have received so many articles that matched our audience, but I couldn’t use them because the writing was so bad.
If you are a thought leader who can’t write to save your life, then hire someone. Ask them to edit an excerpt from your book or write an article based on one of your teachings or sermons.
But don’t turn in a half-baked article and expect the editor to publish it. Again, their job is to protect their magazine, and that includes from bad writing.
Tip #6: Make your article relevant and tell a story.
I’ve turned down countless press releases because all they did was promote the business, ministry or author.
But when I see a press release that actually tells a story or comments on a hot current event, I’m all over it.
Magazines publish stories. They publish commentary on relevant current events. Practical advice that pertains to their target audience.
They won’t publish your one-sheet or your promo piece. Give them a story that their readers will actually care about.
Here’s an example: When Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter died in an unexpected helicopter crash, it broke the news. Everyone was talking about it because it was so tragic and so shocking.
For about two weeks after that horrible incident, I published multiple articles about it. Some of the writers were counselors or psychologists. Others were pastors. And still others were just cultural commentators.
But they all had something unique to say that I knew our readers would care about.
Keep your eye on the news and cultural trends. Be ready to write an article when something happens that you have the knowledge and expertise to comment on. Then submit it as soon as you can.
(Hint: Always remember that hot news items involve real human beings. Don’t trash someone after a tragedy. Be respectful and gracious in your writing, even when expressing a controversial opinion.)
And there you have it. Six practical tips to help you get your article published in major magazines.
Still have questions about this? Email me at jennyrosespaudo@gmail.com and let’s chat!

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Blogging
Top 17 Grammar Errors Christian Writers Make
- March 10, 2020
- 1 Comment
- by Jenny Rose Spaudo
If you’re prone to making grammar errors, I promise you’re not alone.
In fact, that’s the very reason copy editors have jobs! Five years ago, I started my work at a Christian magazine as a copy editor. It was tedious, for sure, but I learned tons of great lessons along the way.
One of the perks of being a copy editor for a couple years was I had the privilege of seeing many of the grammar errors Christian writers tend to make.
And yes, some of them are distinct to Christian writers.
I don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news, but I need to tell you something really important:
The success of your business—or at least of your content marketing—hinges on the quality of your writing.
One way to up the quality of your writing is to make your grammar as error-free as possible.
With that in mind, here’s a list of the most common or unusual grammar errors I’ve seen over the years. Some of them make me laugh—others make me want to cry.
I’ll let you choose how you want to respond (hopefully by avoiding them).
‘Welch Revival‘
You may have already guessed that it should be the Welsh Revival, indicating the awakening that occurred in Wales between 1904 and 1905.
The first time I saw this mistake, I thought it was just a fluke. The second time, I thought it was a weird coincidence. The third time, I began to wonder if people viewed an abundance of grape juice as a genuine spiritual awakening.
Thomas Bramwell Welch must be very pleased with himself from the grave. Or not.
‘The whole council of God‘
The correct word here is “counsel.”
A council is a group of people who help make decisions, often in the form of a legislative or advisory body.
Counsel is the advice your pastor gives you. (Hence the word “counselor” as someone who offers counsel.)
‘The Holy Spirt’ or ‘the Holy Sprit‘
Poor Holy Spirit—His name gets misspelled all the time.
Oddly enough, I see this one a lot. It’s most likely just a slip of the finger on the keyboard.
But every time it comes up in an article, I picture a stone fountain with a little cherub squirting water out of its mouth. I don’t know why.
Its vs. it’s
I know this one is confusing. That’s English for you. “Its” is possessive, as in “When Joe joined the company, he abided by its rules.”
“It’s,” on the other hand, is a contraction of “it is.” As in, “It’s cold outside.” Or “It’s time to stop using ‘it’s’ as possessive.”
Your vs. you’re
Another common one.
“Your” is possessive. “Your shoes, your car, your clothes, your grammar error.”
Meanwhile, “you’re” is a contraction of “you are.” “You’re not coming in your ugly old boots, are you?”
Their, there, they’re
Glory hallelujah amen. This. One.
I can’t judge, though. I get it wrong sometimes, especially when I’m flying through a text.
“Their” is possessive. “Their land, their hearts, their awkward smile.”
“There” indicates position. “Put it over there.”
And “they’re” is a contraction of “they are.” “They’re not coming over again, are they?”
Em-dashes are not commas. Or periods. Or spaces.
Sorry, I just had to get that one off my chest. Em-dashes (this little guy: —) are very versatile and in some cases, they can take the place of commas, periods or spaces, but only for a very specific effect.
I remember one writer who must have been obsessed with em-dashes. He used them at least five times per paragraph (and his paragraphs were short). I dreaded editing his stuff.
Two em-dashes within a sentence close off information that isn’t vital to the sentence, like this:
“Jesus looked over at His disciples—who, despite hearing the same message three times, still didn’t get it—and smiled.”
You can also use an em-dash to give an abrupt halt in your sentence. For example:
“Stories like hers prove that Christ’s love truly is as strong as death, His jealousy unyielding as the grave—and not even addiction is strong enough to break it.”
Capitalizing everything
OK, why is this a Christian thing? I don’t understand.
Is it because of certain capitalization in the New King James version of the Bible, and that’s just been culturally passed down through Christian culture?
Or maybe we think we’re still in the 1700s.
I’m not really sure, but I know that for some reason Christian writers love to Capitalize random Words in the Sentence in a Way that doesn’t seem to Make Sense.
No shade here, though.
Ellipses after every other word
For a blog or email, ellipses (…) are OK every once in a while. But if you’re writing for a publication, ellipses aren’t the best way to try to get the feel of your content across.
The reason for that is ellipses aren’t a professional way to indicate a pause. Again, if you’re using them in your blog, go for it. But if you’re submitting an article to a magazine or online news medium, skip them. Let your words speak for themselves.
I will say this, though: Ellipses are the proper way to indicate that content has been removed from a quote. So in the following sentence, the ellipses indicates that I took part of the guy’s quote out because it wasn’t relevant or vital to get the point across.
“I wasn’t sure why he was so angry at me,” Charles said. “He didn’t seem like he was stressed or anything. … I guess I should’ve seen the signs.”
Changing tense in the middle of a sentence or paragraph
We all know that doing this is bad for your writing. 😉
But seriously, if you start out a paragraph addressing “you,” then keep using the second person. Don’t switch to we or they.
Stay consistent.
Not citing direct quotes or Bible verses
Y’all, this is a big no-no.
Cite your sources, and if possible, link directly to them (especially if it’s another person’s blog or a news article that you’re referencing for info).
Than vs. then
Again, another sneaky one. Tricksy hobbitses.
“Than” indicates a comparison. For instance: “She was taller than he was.” “I’m more of an extravert than an introvert.”
“Then” points to a moment in time. Example: “I gobbled my cereal, then ran upstairs to play video games.” “Then I heard a knock at the door.”
‘Publically’
The correct spelling is “publicly.” Full disclosure, I mess this one up every once in a while.
Prophecy vs prophesy
Prophecy is a noun. “Isaiah gave a stern prophecy to the people of Israel.”
Prophesy is a verb. “Isaiah prophesied judgment on God’s people if they didn’t repent.”
Run-on sentences
It’s one thing to have a super long sentence. It’s another thing to confuse commas with periods for four sentences in a row.
Angel vs. angle
This is an easy one to make. Again, it’s usually because your finger slips on the keyboard.
But, I have to warn you—people will get pretty confused if you try to talk about guardian angles.
Public
The king of all grammar errors.
I wrestled with whether or not to include this one because my heart is not to be inappropriate at all!
But since I see so many authors misspell this and forget the L, I thought it was important to remind you: Please spell this right. Please.
Again, I promise I’m not trying to be crude. Every time I catch this error while editing someone’s work, I breathe a prayer of gratitude to God that it didn’t slip past me.
I hope this list helps you next time you sit down to write your faith-based article. If you have seen any other common grammar errors we Christian writers make, share them in the comments below!

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Blogging
How Long Should My Blog Post Be?
- March 3, 2020
- 0 comments
- by Jenny Rose Spaudo
“So … how long should my blog post be?”
That was my primary question when I sat down to write my first blog for my new content marketing business.
In my time as an online editor and news director, I’ve written articles as short as 150 words and as long as 5,000. But what is the ideal length for a blog post?
Well, the answer is multifaceted depending on what your goal is. But with all the factors combined, I would say the length of your average blog post should be about 700 to 1,000 words long.
Why do I say that? Let’s dive in.
1. Shorter is usually better.
The trend is clear: People’s attention spans, especially online, are getting shorter.
We simply don’t have the patience to scroll through an endless sea of words on the screen. Even those who love their lengthy books will find they don’t have the same giddiness reading a blog post that has thousands and thousands of words.
I’ve seen this time and again in my job as a news director. People often don’t reach the end of articles before forming their opinions and moving on—gracious, they sometimes only read the headline before sharing it on their social media.
Because of this, when receiving submissions as a news director, I always encourage writers to try to keep their articles to 1,000 words or less.
Doing so increases the likelihood of readers actually consuming the bulk of the article.
2. Blogs should be at least 300 words long for SEO.
If you want your blog to be easy to find online, SEO is crucial to keep in mind when writing blog posts. Yoast recommends blogs being at least 300 words in order to rank better on search engines.
One of the first things I did when I started my blog was install the Yoast SEO plugin for my website. The basic plugin is free, although they do have a premium version you could purchase if you feel you need to. The free plugin allows you to optimize pages and blog posts for a single keyword and for readability. It also alerts you when there’s a major SEO error on your site.
Hint: Don’t forget to fill out your meta description at the bottom of the blog post. I’m not even going to say how long it took me to figure that one out. Embarrassing.
3. Have a few extra-long posts on your site to help with your organic traffic.
So… remember how I just told you that people’s attention spans won’t tolerate articles longer than 1,000 words?
Well, forget I said that. At least sometimes.
Although I’ve seen people overall have a shorter attention span when it comes to online articles, I’ve been shocked every once in a while when an extra-long article does fantastic numbers-wise.
I remember one instance in particular when a cultural commentator submitted an article for publication that was at least 4,000 words long. It was a bear to edit. The content was a good fit for our audience, but I thought the length would keep the article from really going anywhere.
I was dead wrong. It got tens of thousands of page views.
Did every one of those viewers read until the very end? Probably not. But I’ve seen this happen enough to form my own theory: Long posts build credibility with readers.
Someone may not read every single word of your super long blog post, but they will be able to tell if it’s packed with meaty insights and quality research.
On top of that, longer posts tend to rank better for SEO. By “long,” I mean about 2,000 words or more.
As long as they’re easy to read and broken up with enough white space and clear headings, long blog posts can provide a lot of rich content to make the search engine bots happy.
If you’re still not convinced, check out this Forbes article to learn how long posts can dramatically affect your blog’s SEO and validity online.
Do What Works for YOU
Every blog is different. Maybe your topic or audience lends itself to short and sweet blog posts. They want the info, they digest it easily and quickly, and they’re out.
Perfect. Do it.
Or maybe your niche requires a lot more explanation and research. Maybe people come to you because they want deep, meaty content they won’t find elsewhere.
Again, perfect. Go for it.
The real answer to “How long should my blog post be?” is simply to allow your blog—and its length—to be as unique as your business is.
And, for the record, this blog post is 810 words long. 😉
Hey real quick before you leave … have we connected on Facebook yet? If not, take just two seconds to like and follow my Facebook page!

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7 Easy Ways to Jumpstart Your Creativity When It’s Just Not Flowing
- February 5, 2020
- 0 comments
- by Jenny Rose Spaudo
I still remember the deep frustration I felt that day.
I sat down to write, with my interview transcript in front me and … I didn’t know where to start.
I had just had the hour-long interview with a delightful Christian influencer. I got plenty of great quotes. I knew the basic story that needed to be told but …
I didn’t know what to write in that moment. There was just no creativity flowing whatsoever.
In an earlier post, I explained the ultimate cure for writer’s block. I stand behind that article 100%.
However, there are times we know what we need to say; we’re just struggling to know how to say it. We lack the creative energy we need to put into words what we know we need to write.
In those cases, try these strategies:
1. Pray for creativity.
This is my go-to strategy for creativity, and I must say, it works really well.
God always knows what I need to write better than I do. (Which is why it’s a good idea to pray over what you write, even if you don’t have writer’s block!)
When you’re struggling to craft the right words for your blog or podcast script, it’s always a good idea to bring it before the Lord and simply ask for help.
Confess your weakness to Him. (He knows how much you need Him anyway!) Be vulnerable with Him.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stepped aside from my cubicle just to steal away for five minutes alone with Jesus before diving back into a difficult article.
Because prayer works.
2. Do a creativity brain dump.
Write down every idea you might want to include in your article. The ideas don’t have to be in order. They don’t even have to be connected. Just dump them.
Once you have all those pieces out of your head and onto paper (or on your computer), it’s much easier to recognize where all the pieces should go.
After a brain dump, start creating an order and eliminate the pieces you don’t actually need.
3. Do something physical or rote.
Sometimes when your creativity doesn’t want to play along, it helps to do something that lets your brain go into autopilot while your hands do all the work.
For me, that might mean promoting articles on social media or scheduling things on my calendar.
Even better, I try to do something rote AND physical, like washing dishes or doing laundry or organizing files.
4. Make an outline.
Your outline doesn’t have to be detailed or complicated. Just get a rough idea of where you want to go in your article.
If you already did a brain dump and got a rough order for the pieces, this step should be a lot easier.
How do you want to hook your reader?
Write it down.
What are the main points you want to make?
Write it down.
How do you want to close? What action will you call your readers to take?
Again, write it down.
5. Talk to a friend to get your creativity flowing.
Sometimes this works for me and sometimes it doesn’t. It depends on which stage of processing the data I’m in.
In the early stages, my brain just needs time to soak in all the information. Later on, it will suddenly “Ding!” and tell me which order the info needs to go in.
At that point, if I’m still struggling, talking to someone else helps.
But not everyone’s brain is like this.
Some need to talk it out before the information can even make sense.
Is that you? If so, grab a trusted friend and talk them through the idea you’re thinking about.
Ask for feedback and actually listen to what they say. (Don’t let pride hold you back from listening to their advice or answering their questions.)
6. Sleep.
Again, this goes back to the whole “letting your brain subconsciously put the pieces together.”
Several amazing things happen when you sleep.
One study revealed that you can process complex information when you sleep. Even while unconscious, your brain can process and organize detailed data.
Research also shows that when you’re sleeping, you’re actually forming new memories and consolidating old ones. (This is why sleep is so crucial when you’re learning.)
This is helpful because sleeping can bring a connection or a point to mind about your article that you didn’t think of before.
And, what I find most interesting, your brain actually makes creative connections when you’re asleep.
When you’re sleeping, your imagination has pretty much zero inhibitions. (As I’m sure you can tell by your strange dreams!)
But sometimes, those obscure connections can be exactly what you need to boost your writing creativity.
So go ahead and take a nap. Research encourages it!
7. Take a shower.
I’ve heard it said that the ions in the shower actually release creativity.
I have yet to see any scientific study about this (if you know of one, comment with a link to it below!).
But I can personally attest to getting some of my most creative ideas while in the shower.
I’m sure you’ve experienced it too.
This is likely because you’re more relaxed in the shower, which releases dopamine in your brain.
That handy-dandy dopamine allows your brain to meander wherever it wants, often cracking open that creative block.
Hence, why this little doo-dad that lets you take waterproof notes actually sells.
This is obviously one trick that I can’t do at my 9-5 job, but I can certainly practice it at home!
Creativity Bonus Tip
I hope these seven tips help you when you’re facing a serious bout of creativity block.
But before I close, let me offer one more bonus tip:
Write every day.
Often when you’re facing writer’s block, it feels like a short-term problem that requires a short-term solution.
But that’s so far from true.
If you’re like me, your real creative growth is long-term.
Get your brain and your hands into the habit of creating words that work well together every day.
It will soon become easier and easier. And your writer’s block will pop up less and less.
If you’ve tried these writer’s block tips and they worked for you, share this article on your social media.
It may just be what a fellow creative writer needs to read!

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Blog vs. Podcast: Which Is Better for Your Business?
- January 29, 2020
- 0 comments
- by Jenny Rose Spaudo
Blog or podcast? When it comes to your content marketing strategy, it’s crucial that you have just that—a strategy.

Too often entrepreneurs who use content marketing to drive their business traffic aren’t clear enough on their strategy.

They might post a blog one week and a podcast the next and then two weeks later, a video.

Bottom line, they’re inconsistent.

This can be a huge problem that impacts their overall brand and, as a result, their sales.

After all, the goal of content marketing is that you build a loyal fan base that knows what to expect from you.

If you look at the biggest online entrepreneurs who use content marketing—think Amy Porterfield, Michael Hyatt, or Pat Flynn—they have a consistent strategy that allows their followers to know exactly what to expect from them.

Their followers expect a certain type of content from them each week, and they get it!

So my question to you today is: What’s your content strategy?

Not clear on it yet?

No worries! My goal is that by the time you’re done reading this blog post, you’ll feel 100% confident in your new content strategy.

So let’s dive in!

Blog or Podcast?

Basically, there are three different ways you can offer free weekly content on your site: a blog, a podcast, or a video.

Since most of my experience is with writing and podcasting, I don’t dive very deep into video. If you have a weekly video and want a good example of what that should look like, check out Marie Forleo.

But if weekly video is a bit too advanced for you right now and a blog or podcast is more your cup of tea, then stay with me, because I have SO MUCH for you to learn and apply.

First of all, what’s the difference between a blog and a podcast on a practical level?

Let’s compare.

1. Blogs have a lower start-up cost.

Whether you’re using a blog or podcast as your weekly content, you need to set up a website to host the content. And once you have your website set up, there’s virtually no extra cost to creating a blog on it.

Perhaps you could spend money on high-end SEO plugins or purchase a stock image subscription, but you could technically start a blog without those. (Especially if you use one of the nine sites I recommended for copyright-free photos.)

Podcasts, on the other hand, require a bit of money to get started. Here are some of the basic costs:

Microphone you can plug directly into the computer. (One of my friends has used the Blue Snowball iCE USB Mic for podcasts, and it has a decent sound. It costs $49.99 on Amazon.)

If you find the sound still isn’t high enough quality, Amy Porterfield recommends the Heil PR-40 Dynamic Studio Microphone for $329 and the Focusrite Scarlett Solo preamp for $109.

If you need some soundproofing for your microphone, the Pyle Sound Isolation Recording Booth Shield works pretty well and costs $60.99.

You also need a podcast host. One of the most popular hosts is Lybsyn, which offers plans starting $5/month. BuzzSprout has a free plan that allows you to upload two hours’ worth of audio per month. (I don’t recommend this if your episodes are longer than 30 minutes since you’ll want to upload a new episode each week.)

There’s also the potential cost of editing if you don’t already have someone on your team to do it for you. You could hire out the editing tasks on Fiverr if you need.

2. Blogs can more easily incorporate SEO.

Google search bots analyze the written content on your site for keywords. If you use a good amount of those keywords and offer quality content that people care about, you’ll typically rank higher on search engines.

This is obviously a lot easier to do with blogs.

You can also use more internal links (links to pages on your own site) and outbound links (links to pages outside your site). Both these help with your SEO.

If you do want to do a podcast, though, there are two things you can do to help with SEO: 1) Transcribe the episode and put it on its own separate page and 2) create a page for show notes that includes links to articles, products or freebies you mention in the show.

This is, of course, a lot more work. But it your heart is set on a podcast, I think these are two steps you really need.

You might think blogs are the easy winner in this debate. But that’s not the whole story.

3. Podcasts let your personality shine and build a more personal connection with your audience.

It’s much easier to have a conversational feel to your podcast and let your personality really show than it is with a blog.

It’s the same reason you want to have a tough conversation in person or over the phone rather than through email or texting.

There are some emotions that writing simply can’t convey as easily.

(How many fights have you gotten in with your husband because his text to you came across rude?)

With audio (and even more so with video), people can comprehend the inflection of your voice, the sarcastic comment that’s meant to be a joke, the cute laughter that your husband teases you about.

And as a result, your listeners feel more connected to you than they would if they simply read one of your blogs.

So if your personality is a big attractor to people who follow you, I would consider going with a podcast.

This doesn’t mean at all that your personality can’t shine through blogs! It’s just that it’s easier to make your audience feel that personal connection with you through a podcast.

(Plus, some people just find writing tedious. In that case, it’s podcasting all the way, my friend!)

4. Podcasting attracts a younger audience.

That’s why Millennials are more likely to use podcasting to build their personal brand rather than blogging.

This is likely because podcasting can have a more authentic feel to it (for the exact reason I mentioned above). Plus, it’s a lot easier to collaborate and invite leaders in your niche onto your podcast.

With a blog, you can still have someone write a guest post, but it’s not the same. Listeners love hearing the rapport of conversation around their favorite topics.

But what if, after reading these four points, you’re still undecided?

Can You Use a Blog AND a Podcast?

The short answer is yes.

But it’s really not that simple.

There are several entrepreneurs who do both regularly and it works well for them.

You have to know your audience really well and what they expect with each medium. Plus you have to know how to integrate the two.

That can be a bit tricky.

For that reason, I would encourage you to start with one.

Get really consistent with your one medium and then, if your audience seems to want more, add another!

Two entrepreneurs who do this well are Jenna Kutcher and Michael Hyatt.

I find Michael’s content strategy especially interesting because he has a blog for every single podcast episode. The blogs, in those cases, serve as show notes.

But he also publishes extra blogs that are definitely for the readers among his tribe.

I can’t help but wonder if it’s because his audience contains both types of people: Some who listen and some who read.

In fact, that’s the main question that should drive the decision you make about whether to do a blog or a podcast.

What do your readers prefer?

Are they hungry for podcasts and the authentic communication it offers? Or are they avid readers who love to deep dive into your blogs?

Here’s the first step to finding out: Ask!

Speaking of which, I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on the matter.

Which do you prefer to consume? Blogs or podcasts?

Tell me in the comments below!
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3 Terrible Ways to Intro Your Blog
- January 22, 2020
- 0 comments
- by Jenny Rose Spaudo
As an online magazine editor, there is one massive mistake I see writers make with their blog over and over.

Sadly, this mistake often costs them. A lot.

That terrible mistake is called, simply put, “writing bad intros.”

People might click on their blogs because of crazy amazing headlines, but if what they read next doesn’t pull them in … see ya later.

And as you know, the quicker your reader leaves your site after clicking, the higher your bounce rate. (That’s not good!)

And still, for some reason, many of us love to write intros that dance around the topic for a long time before jumping in to the meat of the story. This might mean telling an unrelated personal tale, writing about how bad your day was yesterday to get it off your chest, or simply rambling.

If that’s you, don’t feel bad. We’ve all done it!

Instead of beating yourself up, though, let’s talk through this.

Why do we write bad intros? Maybe it’s because we’re trying to figure out how to word our main point.

Maybe we’re trying to “set the stage.” Instead, we lead our readers down a rabbit trail that even Alice can’t find her way out of.

You see, blog intros have a specific purpose: Hook the reader.

This is especially true of online articles, where you don’t have much time to grab people’s attention.

A bad intro completely defeats the purpose of an irresistible headline. When you start your article with something that’s not actually relevant to your main point, you lose the reader.

Let me show you what I mean.

3 Downright Awful Blog Intros

These are NOT good opening strategies:

1. Spend 6 paragraphs telling a personal story that has little connection to your main point.

No lie, I one time edited an article in which the author spent three pages talking about the death of his family pet rodent.

His main point (which I don’t even remember anymore but had a spiritual tone to it) didn’t come up until the final two paragraphs of the article.

After first reading that article, I stared at it with my mouth hanging open for a good two minutes. I was a wee bit horrified.

I cannot emphasize this enough: Blogs for other people are not an opportunity for you to indulge yourself.

If you’re using a blog to build a loyal following for your business, your writing has to be about your readers.

(Unless the reason people are following you is because they deeply relate to your personal stories. And in that case your personal story should be the main point.)

If you’re writing for others, then do exactly that. Write for them.

2. Open with irrelevant pleasantries and dance around your topic until you finally hit it five paragraphs later.

I’m not trying to be mean with this one, I promise. People do want to feel connected with you. It’s a great idea to write a blog like you’re having a conversation with a friend.

But keep in mind that a blog are still a form of writing.

When you’re sitting down to coffee with a friend, you expect pleasantries in the beginning. They build the rapport so you can feel more comfortable to talk about what’s really going on in your life.

But with writing, people want to know immediately what they’re reading about and what they’re about to learn.

Maybe not everyone feels this way. But if I’m reading a blog with a headline that promises to teach me how to make a healthy version of fettuccine alfredo pizza, I don’t want to spend the first third just reading pleasantries. (Chances are, I’m scrolling straight down to the recipe anyway.)

Again, a little is OK if it’s intentional and in your voice, but don’t make it too long. Get to the point quickly.

3. Open with a well-known fact that adds little value to your main point.

Surprising statistics can make good openers. Stating facts that we all know do not.

This one is certainly not as bad as the first two.

The problem, though, is that it’s often the low-hanging fruit we reach for when we can’t come up with something more powerful.

Here’s one of the biggest offenders: Dictionary definitions.

I’m sure you’ve read a blog or article that started immediately with a word definition.

Maybe an article on humility started out like this:

Humility: freedom from pride or arrogance : the quality or state of being humble

But we all already know what humility means. And even if you’re introducing a word that your readers may not actually know the definition of, it’s better to save it for after your intro when you’ve already hooked them.

Just saying. You can make your intros stronger.

So let me show you how!

4 Ways to Hook Your Reader With Your Intro

Intros can hook the reader through a couple of strategies (or a combination):

1. Touch on the reader’s pain point.

If you hear me say this all the time, it’s because it’s just that important! Talk to your readers and find out what pain point your service or product directly helps fix.

2. Open with a short, relevant story that is either shocking or makes the reader see themselves.

This is like the flipped version of mistake #2.

Stories can actually be a good thing … when used strategically.

Use your introductory story to relate to your reader by sharing something personal you’ve been through. Or open with a relevant story they’ll still relate to and that leads you to the solution for their problem.

3. Introduce a controversial opinion. Then explain.

This one is so good for hooking readers.

My time working as a news director taught me that people love controversy. And as a content creator and curator, I could either use that knowledge responsibly or irresponsibly.

My opinion?

Rule #1: DON’T be salacious. Just don’t.

Don’t be that person who loves to stir up controversy just for the fun of it because you know it will get you more traffic.

I have received article submissions from writers who love to use this tactic. In the long run, I think it affects your brand and your image.

Always take the higher road.

Rule #2: DO open with controversy when you can genuinely offer a different way of thinking that actually benefits your readers.

For example, while many others on the internet may be promoting a certain method of disciplining children, you have a wildly different approach that you’ve seen work.

So say that in the beginning. Tell the world how you’re different. And why it works.

4. Open with mystery.

With this kind of intro, you want to tease the reader a little bit (not in a mean way!).

You might open by saying how one simple trick revolutionized your relationship with your child.

Or maybe share how nothing seemed to be working to lose weight. And then you discovered your mistake …

These kinds of intros make the reader want to know what the secret is.

And I’m sure it’s a juicy one!

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Top 9 Places to Find Copyright-Free Photos
- January 15, 2020
- 0 comments
- by Jenny Rose Spaudo
Need to know where to find stunning free photos?

You’ve come to the right place.

If you’ve been blogging for a while, you know just how crucial good photos are to the success of your blog.

And if you’re just starting out, allow me to be the first to tell you this: You need good photos for your blog!

I’ve already written about why good blog photos are so important. In that post, I also share how to avoid the three biggest mistakes I see people make with their photos.

One of those huge mistakes is that some entrepreneur bloggers are actually using photos illegally.

And yes, this is a big deal.

OK So What Photos Can I Use?

Just in case you don’t know, the vast majority of photos you see online are copyrighted, meaning you can’t legally use them on your site or your products.

Some photos lie under what’s called Creative Commons, which is a U.S.-based nonprofit that offers copyright licenses free of charge.

These licenses allow creators to publish their work under a copyright while still allowing others to use and distribute them to varying degrees.

The copyrights range from CC0 to CC4.0.

CC0 is public domain. This means anyone can use the work, even commercially, modify it, and can do so without crediting the creator.

Other licenses depend on whether the creator wants people to cite them as the source, link to the copyright license, use the image or video for commercial reasons, or modify it in any way.

A lot of Creative Commons photos on Flickr fall under the CC2.0 license, which requires you to cite the creator, link to the license and indicate if any changes were made to the original work.

I think it’s fair to say you DON’T want to have to do that with photos you use on your blog or social media.

Plus, the scary part about that is creators can change the license on their photos.

And even though they’re not supposed to restrict the rights of the original copyright, they may send you a lovely email demanding you pay them money for using their photo.

If that happens, chances are, you don’t have evidence of the original license.

That’s why I strongly believe you should stay away from any photos other than public domain.

Where to Find Copyright-Free Photos for Your Blog

Thankfully, there are actually a ton of websites out there that offer copyright-free photos at no cost.

However—and this is a big however—not all these free-photo sites are great for business bloggers like you to use.

Some of them say they’re public domain but request that you don’t use the photos commercially.

Is using these photos on your blog or social media for your business technically a commercial purpose?

I wouldn’t risk it. Enough said.

That’s why I created a list of free-photo sites that are great for business bloggers.

For each site on this selective list, I’ve either used them myself or researched them enough to feel confident in their safety.

I also pared my list down to sites that have search bars and are easy to navigate.

Some high-quality photo sites are not created for browsing, which can make it hard to quickly find a photo that matches your article.

I wanted to give you the kind of list that I would use for my own blog.

WARNING: Before you start browsing these sites, you should know that, depending on what you look up, some of these sites might have several photos that you and I find inappropriate.

By that, I mean images that are sexually suggestive or include people dressed immodestly.

A couple of them (like Pixabay) have a “Safe Search” setting you can turn on, which will take out most, if not all, inappropriate photos. But others don’t, so just beware.

And now, the list!

9 Sites That Offer Gorgeous, Copyright-Free Photos

1. Unsplash

Unsplash might be the most popular public domain stock image site right now. I remember trying to use this site a few years ago, and they just didn’t have enough images to meet my needs.

But now, the site is chock-full of copyright-free photos that are truly gorgeous. I’m always impressed with the quality of their images.

They also have a lot of business-focused stock imagery, so you will likely find a lot of what you need here.

(This is one of the sites I have seen inappropriate photos on, though, so I encourage you to use caution!)

Be sure to read their license page before using!

2. Pexels

Pexels is a definite runner-up to Unsplash in the quality department. Their photos are crisp and clean and rarely have that cheesy stock-image look to them.

Just like Unsplash, though, I will warn you that this site also contains some suggestive photos, so just be wary of what you type in the search bar!

Check out their license here.

3. Pixabay

Pixabay is great because of its massive amount of photos. I’m not kidding, I can find photos on almost every topic on this site.

But unfortunately, its quality also tends to be lower than Unsplash’s and Pexels’. Because of that, if you type “laptop” into the search bar, you will find LOTS of related photos, but not all of them will actually look good. Some of them might even be clipart.

This may be because Pixabay also includes a lot of modified photos, making some of them look a bit cheesy.

Another word of caution: this site might also bring up inappropriate photos depending on what you search for.

Because of that, I recommend turning on the “Safe Search” setting.

To do this, first type something into the search bar. Then simply check the box labeled “Safe Search” in the upper-right corner.

And of course, check their license page before you start browsing!

4. PublicDomainPictures.net

Quality-wise, I would rank Public Domain Pictures at around the same level as Pixabay. But they have fewer photos than Pixabay does, I would say.

They also offer a paid membership, which gives you access to more photos.

They’re still a great place to look for photos, though, and I definitely use them from time to time.

The one weird thing I don’t like about it is they don’t have a license page. So keep this in mind and be a little extra careful with what you use from this site.

5. Wikimedia Commons

Wikimedia Commons is a great place to find historic photos that are public domain.

Blogging about Martin Luther King Jr.? Wikimedia Commons has a CC0 photo for that. Writing about the founding of the United States? Wikimedia has photos for that too.

Just make sure you check every single image’s copyright info before using it.

Sometimes CC2.0, CC3.0 or CC4.0 images (Flickr!) are uploaded to Wikimedia Commons, and I would steer clear of those.

6. Negative Space

I love the sleek feel of this site. They offer a wide variety of photos, though perhaps not as many as Unsplash, Pexels, or Pixabay.

Also, be careful not to click on the Related Photos via Shutterstock on the right of the photo you’re looking at.

Unless, of course, you want to throw a massive wad of cash at a single photo.

Read their license page for more info.

7. Foodiesfeed

I haven’t used this particular site much myself since food and cooking are not my niche.

But if yours is, then this is a great site to use!

If you check their license page, you will see confirmation that all their photos are CC0 (public domain).

8. BarnImages

BarnImages has some stellar photos.

Every photo on this site was either taken by the founders or by their colleagues. As a result, the images have a consistent, artistic feel.

The free photos on this site are allowed for commercial and non-commercial use, like the other sites on this list.

Also like the rest of this list, you may not sell the photos as prints or photo stock or say they are your own.

For you, this means not including these photos in digital or physical products you sell. But feel free to use them for your blog.

They also request you do not use their images for “pornography, hate speech or other illicit content.”

I don’t see this being a problem for you, though.

Right?

9. StockSnap

StockSnap is another site with a beautiful layout and gorgeous photos to match. I would actually rank it up there pretty closely with Unsplash. You’ll have fun with this one.

Read their license before getting started.

Should You Use Government Photos?

If you’re looking for a picture of a particular national site or government official, sometimes government photos are helpful.

I will say, there is some nuance to this. Read this page to get a stronger understanding of which government photos are public domain and how you are and are not allowed to use them.

(For instance, you can’t have a photo of a government employee holding your product as if endorsing it.)

There you have it, my friend!

Nine stellar photo sites for your stellar blog.

As always, email me at jennyrosespaudo@gmail.com if you have questions about how to choose photos for your blog.

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