Recommended Resources

The products listed here are all ones I have personally read or used or purchased or subscribed to, and the experience has been so helpful that I want to share the news with others. In some cases, I earn a commission when you use the links included here to buy the product yourself.

Build a Better Blog

Now improved for 2012!

ProBlogger Darren Rowse is not only a savvy blogger; he’s also a good person who wants to make the world a better place. Darren put together 31 Days to Build a Better Blog as a way of compiling and sharing the information he learned through years of trial and error—and the book sold tens of thousands of copies.

Now this best-seller has been freshly updated for 2012 with new information, new exercises, new ideas, and 7 bonus days! Even though I already own the original ebook (and love it), I’m thinking about buying this newly updated version too!

It’s a downloadable ebook that offers 31 short (but deep) lessons, each with an exercise to help you practice what you’ve just learned. It may take you longer than 31 days to complete the book, but it’s a journey worth taking if you want your blog to be all it can be. (Disclosure: If you click the link below and end up buying 31 Days to Build a Better Blog, I will receive a commission. So please, click and buy!)

Click here to view more details

Upgrade your Existing Blog

Jim Lodico at JAL Communications makes it easy for regular people to control their own blogs and websites. When I transferred from WordPress.com to WordPress.org, Jim took care of all the technical details, allowing me to focus on content and design. His prices are reasonable, and his service truly is “quick & easy.” I don’t receive any kind of commission from Jim, but I recommend him to anyone who wants to take their blog or website to the next level.

Use the Best Theme

Speaking of improving your blog, I chose the Thesis theme because it gives me a solid structure that I can customize to meet the needs of my readers. While I choose fonts and images and layout to make the front end look good, Thesis is working on SEO behind the scenes so that people who are searching for writing help will find LifeLines. (Disclosure: If you click the link below and end up buying Thesis, I will receive a commission.)

Thesis Theme for WordPress: Options Galore and a Helpful Support Community

Change Your Thinking

Writers are readers, because we know that good books inform our opinions, expand our horizons, and give us something meaningful to talk about. Breaking Down Walls (Washington and Kehrein) opened my eyes to cultural differences that can lead to racism. When Helping Hurts (Corbett and Fikkert) helped me feel the pain of being helped. I recommend both books to people interested in overcoming the racism and classism that so often infect our best intentions.