Thanks to liquid chalk’s rising popularity, it is easy to find a type that matches your needs. In addition to a variety of colors and finishes, chalk markers can be customized with different nibs.

Chalk pens can be used by creative parents, artists, teachers, and business owners to express their creativity. Markers and chalk are the same, right? What about cleanup? Both can be erased as long as the right surface is used. It is easier to clean up markers.

All surfaces that are non-porous or sealed can be written on with chalk markers, including glass, ceramic, and of course whiteboards. Besides their erasable features, these chalks come with a couple of other benefits.

The materials used to make chalk pens vary, however. Wet cleaning is sometimes necessary. As opposed to regular chalk, the pigments in chalk pens don’t fade as easily. To remove the marks completely, you may need to use a melamine foam eraser or a window cleaner.

What Is A Chalk Marker?

Chalk markers, chalk pens, or chalk ink are writing instruments that produce chalky lines. Colorful, powdery inks are used to create their vibrant finish. Sometimes chalk markers are called “liquid chalk” because they use ink rather than powder.

Though these markers have the word “chalk” in their name, they don’t contain any chalk. Liquid chalk is deposited into a porous tip or nib on the inside of the marker. There are an endless number of colors, sizes, and nibs available for these chalk markers.

Are Chalk Markers & Regular Chalk The Same?

Blackboards and whiteboards are no longer the only tools for teachers, students, and artists today. Chalk markers are versatile tools. They can be used on virtually any surface.

Markers produce more vivid and opaque lines than regular chalks, but both are available in many colors. These markers use pigment-based inks.

The liquid chalk ink eventually dries when it comes in contact with the air when you draw or write with it. A wet towel is required to remove the ink from the surface because this binds the ink to the surface.

Where Should You Use Chalk Markers?

For best results, chalk markers should be used on surfaces that are not porous, such as glass, metal, or non-porous chalkboards. Any ink that seeps into porous surfaces, such as wood, paper, and so forth, can be trapped by those tiny openings.

The problem is almost always caused by this, which explains why it is so frustratingly difficult to resolve.

Shadows from ink don’t appear on the surface – they’re within! If you can’t reach something you can’t erase it. Due to the importance of chalkboard surfaces, you need to be aware of different types of chalkboards.

The surface you will be using your markers or chalk sticks on is another factor to consider. You cannot use regular chalk on all surfaces.

These are specifically designed for chalkboards. Chalk markers are, however, suitable for all surfaces that are not porous or sealed.

Different Chalkboard Types For Using Chalk Markers

If you want to avoid having to guess how to get a chalk pen writing erased from a chalkboard, the first thing you need to do is understand the type of chalkboard you are writing on.

It is easy to differentiate between chalk and a chalk pen. An easy way to tell whether it’s a chalk marker or a normal chalk is to examine it closely.

On the other hand, the nonporous and porous characteristics of chalkboards will require you to do some further investigation.

Slate Chalkboard

Chalkboards made of slate are non-porous. These materials, however, have an uneven and rough surface compared to other non-porous materials. This means that they cannot create ghosting effects on chalk.

Plastic Chalkboard

Chalkboards made of PVC and acrylic are the most widely used chalkboard type even till now. However, ‘ghosting’ remains on the surface even though the surface is comparatively smooth.

Chalkboard Made From Porcelain Sheet

Porcelain is a non-porous material and boards made from this material are very expensive. There is no doubt that chalkboards made from it are renowned for their performance and quality. However, it is a costly product.

MDF Wood In Chalkboard Paint Coat

There are many types of chalkboards, but this is the cheapest. Since formal education became standardized, there have been MDF chalkboards.

It is another term for medium-density fiberboard and one of the wood types commonly found in furniture making and home construction. Because of the paint coating applied, it’s possible to write on it, but that doesn’t change its porous surface.

How To Remove Chalk Marker From a Chalkboard?

While chalk pens have a chalkboard-like name, they do not clean off painted surfaces easily. To draw or write, you need liquid chalk, which is ink that comes into contact with air and subsequently dries. A wet towel is often necessary to remove the ink from the surface because it becomes glued to the surface.

Getting rid of marks from non-porous chalkboards is no problem because they have a smooth surface. Cleaning porous surfaces is a different story. We recommend the following solutions for removing chalk pens from chalkboards.

Step 1: Use A Lint Cloth

Clean chalkboards and glasses with a lint-free white cloth and chalkboard cleaner. In place of glass cleaner and a cloth, you can use wet wipes to clean your chalkboards.

Step 2: Wipe

Apply gentle pressure to the damp cloth to remove the ink. The surface should be completely dry before you write again.

Step 3: Melamine Foam Eraser

A melamine foam eraser can be used to remove remaining chalk ink-stained areas. After you have rubbed the chalk ink residue with your eraser, wet a corner, wring out the excess water, and then gently blot with your eraser.

You shouldn’t apply too much pressure, or it might remove some of the paint from the chalkboard. Make sure the area is completely dry before continuing.

Step 4: Seasoning The Board

Using a piece of white chalkboard chalk, rub the surface of the chalkboard after it has dried.

Instead of rubbing the tip of the chalk over the board, roll the side of the chalk over the adjacent areas. Use a damp cloth to clean up any chalk residue afterward.

Tips For Erasing Chalkboard Markers | Alternatives

After every few scrubs, you may need to wipe down your board with a dry rag or towel, so you do not risk letting the chalk smear dry. Similarly, there are other alternatives. Let’s check them out.

Ammonia-Based Removers

Products containing ammonia are commonly used as household cleaners. Although they are safe when used properly, a slight error or a prolonged exposure might spell trouble.

Magic Eraser

You might have heard of magic erasers. The sponges generally have white color and are often used to remove wall markings.

These inexpensive micro-scrubbers are great for removing stubborn stains such as chalk pen residues. The product can be reused multiple times; however, people with sensitive skin should not use it.

Using Windex

When magic erasers aren’t available, ‘Windex’ sounds like a pretty good alternative. The only catch is that in order to remove the remaining markings completely, you must use it repeatedly.

Vinegar

Even after the chalk pen markings have been removed with magic erasers, there will still be residue left behind.

For completely removing the markings, white vinegar is a great alternative to soaking your magic eraser in water. Apart from cleaning faster, white vinegar is also effective at disinfecting chalkboards.

Precautions To Remove Chalk Markers from Your Chalkboard

The following precautions can help you avoid having to use chemistry every time you want to remove chalk markers from your chalkboard.

Using chalk markers on porous surfaces is a bad idea. Use traditional chalk instead if you know you’re writing on a porous surface.

Use a chalk marker to test whether you can easily erase a mark if you’re not sure if your chalkboard surface is porous or not. A porous surface cannot be erased easily, and it would be difficult to repair.

You can remove that stubborn afterimage from chalkboards by seasoning them before using chalk markers. Ink will come right off the board when you season it because the surface fills up the pores.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. What is “ghosting” of a chalk marker?

There are times when chalk marker ink can’t be fully removed from surfaces, leaving traces or a ghost of what was previously drawn.

Whenever you create a new artwork, this stain “haunts.” This irritates and even frustrates you to no end. It’s always possible to save your chalk marker nightmare by solving the problem and bringing happiness to your pupils.

#2. Why chalkboard markers not coming off?

It’s chalkboard time! Draw a fancy design on your new chalkboard. Write down the special of the day. If you try to erase it with a paper towel or rag, it won’t come off.

You can’t get rid of it no matter how hard you scrub. To figure out why your chalkboard markers won’t come off, let’s examine the cause first. Chalkboard markers may stick to the chalkboard for two different reasons.

A lack of quality chalkboard markers is the most common reason for not being able to erase them. Therefore, we recommend that you always use high-quality chalkboard markers.

Alternatively, the surface on which you are writing may be porous. It’s best to use chalkboards that have been seasoned before use since they are easily converted from surfaces like wood.

If you don’t do this, the chalk marker ink starts to stick in the holes and divots, which makes it difficult to remove. Don’t worry though, there is still a way to remove it.

#3. Should I use chalkboard paint before using chalk markers?

There is a substantial difference in the composition of chalkboards. Many people are successful in using these markers on various chalkboard types without shadowing. Nonetheless, there are exceptions.

It is common for people to re-paint their chalkboards periodically to keep it looking fresh. Dry erase coatings are sometimes used on chalkboards to seal them. Clear sealer prevents you from seeing it yet allows markers to be removed easily.

Final Words

Unlike porous surfaces, non-porous surfaces are smooth, so erasing marks is not a problem. Porous surfaces, on the other hand, can be tedious to clean. The recommended solutions might be familiar to you by now, but you still need to learn how to clean them.

The hassle of having to clean up the chalk marks after every use is quite tedious. Imagine how the chalkboard will look throughout the day if you are using it for a morning discussion. Now that you know how to remove chalk markers from a chalkboard, you won’t have to worry about that anymore.

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• Get a good quality rhinestone applicator from our list.

Drawing is a skill that you have to practice if you want it to become better. The more you draw, the better your hand-eye coordination becomes and the more comfortable your muscles become with carrying out the drawing process.

It is also a great way to relax and give yourself an outlet for creative expression. But there are times when you need to be pushed in order to get your drawing done. Doing it frequently is often hard. It’s not always easy to find time and motivation to do it.

Motivation is necessary when it comes to art. Without it, you will find yourself procrastinating instead of doing what you want in your sketchbook or on canvas.

The key to motivating yourself to draw often is to break down the process into smaller and smaller, more manageable chunks so you can gain momentum and keep drawing.

Here are some techniques that can help push you in the right direction:

1. Set a timer for 10 minutes and try drawing something (anything) with that time limit.
2. Reward yourself after each session of drawing. For example, buy something small like a new pen or pencil.
3. Incorporate art into your daily routine so that it’s easy to do what you love even if it’s just for 10 minutes.

Why Do We Lose Motivation To Draw?

Drawing is a great tool for self-expression and communication. It calms the mind and releases the tension that’s built up from day to day. Unfortunately, many people start to lose motivation to draw as they get older.

When we get tired of our job, it is natural to want to stop drawing. However, there are many positive benefits of sticking with it and continuing to draw. Most of the time, we tend to procrastinate.

What Is Procrastination?

Let’s start by defining what is procrastination. It is an act of putting things off until the last minute. It is hard to identify how many people procrastinate because it can vary from person to person.

It also comes with negative effects on both the individual and their work – you might feel guilty after you’ve put something off for too long, and it can also affect your performance at work.

Procrastination is when we lose motivation to begin a task because it’s just too difficult or painful. It can also happen when anxiety interferes with our ability to focus on the task at hand.

The reasons for procrastination are not always clear, but it is a very common problem that artists and non-artists alike experience.

When Do Artists Procrastinate?

Procrastination is one of the biggest pitfalls that can befall creative people. It was originally associated with artists (especially painters) who would always put off their painting projects until it was too late.

Whether it’s for a personal project or something that they need to finish fast, artists tend to procrastinate when they are trying to tackle a big task. The struggle of overcoming motivation is what drives people towards procrastination which eventually leads them closer back to their projects.

Procrastination can also happen in other areas of life like writing, working out, saving money, or even socializing. Some reasons for procrastinating are lack of motivation or fear of failure/success. These just lead to procrastination which leads to more stress and anxiety.

How To Get Motivation To Draw: 5 Easy Steps To Get Motivated!

There are ways for artists to avoid such procrastination and keep drawing as a way of communication and self-expression. One such way is by keeping a journal of their drawings. They can also try new ways of drawing or try drawing on different surfaces like on paper or cardboard.

Motivation is an important factor when it comes to drawing. If you find yourself not being motivated enough, try switching up your routine or adding some new elements into your life that have been on your mind lately, such as using a sketchbook more often or visiting museums more often

Those who start this habit will see different benefits in doing so. They will be able to find a new source of inspiration, express themselves in a new way, and even build their social skills by interacting with others about what they’ve drawn.

1. View The Artwork Of Other Artists

Watching the artwork of your fellow artists is a great way to get inspired. You can meet new artists from different genres, take in new ideas & concepts and gain inspiration from their work. When connecting with other artists, often creates a great opportunity to find new creative masterminds.

We spend a lot of time making our artwork and find that others appreciate it, which makes it even more noteworthy & inspires us to keep going. It has definitely been easier to find art projects online with the ease of accessibility that websites have. Artwork can be viewed on a Google Art Project app for a cheaper price.

Thanks to the growing popularity of social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, millions of artists share their work with the world at large. You can type in a keyword or use an art-related search engine to search through their artwork and get some great ideas and inspiration.

Searching through online portfolios can be a great way to find inspiration for design projects, general art crafting, or even just exploring what’s new in your field.

2. Share Your Drawing Ideas

Let’s hear it for your exciting new ideas! You should really spread the word about the next project! Good luck with the project and let’s hope we can see some news soon.

Facebook groups are good for quick support or information. But we will find real relationships and real people far more effective at making long-lasting changes in our lives.

Talk to your audience so that you can avoid embarrassing yourself. The fear of looking like an idiot can help you get motivated to keep drawing.

Together, hire a team of artists and collaborate to create your next masterpiece. If you’re struggling, go to the group chat and ask for help from the rest of your teammates. You can encourage one another and set clear deadlines that will give you structure & motivation along the way.

Make sure you’re following through, and report on your progress. Show everyone what you’re doing and consider their input.

It’s easy to procrastinate online, but make sure you focus on important tasks like taking notes. Start at the beginning of the step-by-step guide and work your way through to make sure you’re keeping up.

3. Draw In A Different Place

Working in solitude is not always the best strategy for getting your creative juices flowing. Make sure you are not constantly being pulled in by the everyday things that clutter your life.

If you are having trouble staying motivated at work, try working from home or find a co-worker to talk with over coffee. This is an important part of motivating yourself to stay on track with your goals.

If you are looking for a change of pace or to get away from your hectic schedule, you may want to consider getting a standing desk. A small living space that can be converted into a studio or used as a spare room is better than the spare bedroom or dining room.

This will allow you to separate your workspace from your own personal life. It will also be easier for you to organize yourself when using this space. Separating yourself from your day-to-day living space is a way to focus on what’s most important.

4. Give Yourself A Big Reward At The End

So, you want to draw more during the day. The first step is to make time for it. For example, if you can’t fit drawing time into your day, use a timer to set a 20-minute chunk of time for yourself.

This is one of the simplest ways to get yourself motivated and keep drawing throughout the day. Another way is to give yourself a reward for drawing. It can be anything that you really enjoy that will help motivate you or make your day better.

This could be anything from listening to music while drawing or reading an inspirational book while giving yourself your reward.

A great reward could also be something as simple as taking a break from work and watching TV with your family or doing something else carefree.

5. Do Small Tasks

Drawing is a great way to relax and clear one’s mind, but it can also be very difficult. This is why some people might need some help with their drawings.

Its prompts are like many other exercises for mindfulness and meditation. They help you visualize, plan, and understand your work with greater clarity.

This is a list of different drawing prompts that you can use as an inspiration to help you draw something that you always wanted to draw:

• Draw a tree from the ground up.
• Draw something on the back of an envelope or piece of paper.
• Make a drawing on top of another drawing with a pink marker pen, so that the original becomes visible underneath the new one.
• Draw on your tab.

Pro Tip: The best way to start is with a line. Do not go into a drawing with a particular idea in mind. Start simple. The focus here is to just get started.

Final Words

Don’t wait around for motivation to strike. Drawing on your own is surprisingly more efficient than trying to think of what you’re about to express. Experiment with various methods until you find what works best for your style.

Every day, even if you do not have a whole hour to dedicate to drawing, do yourself a favor and start off by drawing for only a few minutes. Even if the amount of time you devote doesn’t increase drastically at first, it will gradually help your drawing skills improve over time.

As you can see, there’s no need to think of ideas or things that you’ve never drawn before. You’re surrounded by things that you could draw and get immediate feedback on. Just draw something and let the feel-good hormone kick in.

Whether you’re looking for delicious recipes, fun crafts, parenting tips, travel hacks or other great ideas from fabulous blogs, you’ll love any of the crazy group in this list of Dallas Blogs! I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting every single one of them in person, yet, but several I consider great friends and know them to be fantastic people. Check them out and join in the fun!

 

A Cowboy’s Life Blog

Chastity Beene

A Cowboy’s Life is dedicated to creating and sharing family friendly content that includes recipes, parenting tips, crafts, local events and travel throughout Texas. Chastity can be reached at acowboyslife@outlook.com and followed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

 

Busy Mom’s Helper

Danielle Reeves

Danielle is the crazy momma of 4 behind Busy Mom’s Helper, where she shares all her adventures. Married to her best friend & fellow nerd. Totally addicted to Dr. Pepper and chocolate. Staying home with the kiddos keeps her busy, but she loves squeezing in time to create through the ups & downs of life . Now, if she could just figure out how to eat a candy bar without having to share, life would be even more fabulous! Be sure to join the fun at BusyMomsHelper.com.  Check her out on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

 

Carrie Elle

Carrie Lindsey

Carrie is a Dallas mom who blogs about parenting, “mom life,” and family-friendly activities in the Dallas area at Carrie Elle. From simple crafts to easy recipes to meal planning (and everything in between!), Carrie blogs for the busy mom. She also offers blog coaching for new bloggers and sells Meal Planners in her Etsy shop.  

Daily Momtivity  

Shannon Gauger

Shannon blogs everything kid friendly and helpful to Moms at Daily Momtivity. She has been blogging for almost 3 years and lives in the north Dallas area with her family.  She is a preschool teacher by day and blogger by night 🙂  Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

 

Dian Farmer and Grocery Shop For FREE

Dian Farmer

Dian is a Dallas empty nester Mom who is passionate about sharing resources & solutions for real life issues:  finance. home. tips. travel …Life  

She is also the owner and author at Grocery Shop For FREE where she works to share the best deals and tips to keep a busy family on top of their budget in day to day purchases. Don’t miss out on her daily tips to save at her blog.  You will find the best deals, FREEbies and info on how to Grocery Shop For FREE!!

DFW Dad

Ben

Ben is a native DFW millennial blogger who shares life with his wife Gena from Ginger Casa and their three sons.  They love the Dallas Mavericks, playing outside, biking, and more.  He is a youth minister by day and blogs about parenting, Dallas events and locations, faith, and more.  Catch him on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook where you can sometimes catch a fun Facebook Live!

Digital Mom Blog 

Molly Thornberg

Digital Mom Blog is the intersection of parenting in the digital age and technology.  Follow on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

Everyday Best

Shannon Schmid

Shannon traded in her sensible NYC Television producer shoes (they were best for taking the subway), for a pair of Texas Cowboy boots! Shannon blogs about many subjects including Travel, Recipes, Technology & Events. Shannon is PR friendly, and also the author of American and Irish. Find her: Twitter, Facebook, & YouTube among other places. everydaybest.com@gmail.com

Family eGuide

Valerie Preston

Family eGuide is an online guide to affordable family-friendly events, activities, and services in the northern suburbs of Dallas/Fort Worth. A “Best of Denton County” business for four years in a row!  Winner of “Best Publication” in Denton County 2014!  Contact Us about promoting your event or business. You can also find us on Facebook,  Twitter,  Pinterest &  Instagram!  

Finding Debra

Debra Muccio

Debra Muccio is a lifestyle and travel blogger in the Dallas area focusing on family, food, travel, health, and entertainment. Debra traded in high-powered suits and high-heeled shoes for a role as mommy – crayon enthusiast, storyteller, and kisser of boo-boos. From walking the red carpet in Hollywood, to visiting the set of Sesame Street, or kayaking the creeks in Florida, Debra is always on the go. You can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, or send an email to afrugalfriend@gmail.com.

Forever Green Mom

Kim Croisant

Forever Green Mom is an uplifting health and wellness blog that offers moms easy solutions for their families to live a healthy and happy lifestyle.  Find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

 

 

 

Giggles Galore

Mariah Leeson

With a passion for celebrating, Mariah created Giggles Galore, a lifestyle blog that focuses on creative parties, DIY crafts, recipes and tip and hints for making the ordinary extraordinary one creative project at a time. Mariah loves collaborating with brands and can be reached at mariah@gigglesgalore.net or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

 Ginger Casa

Gena 

Gena is a thirty something lifestyle blogger, mom of three boys, and married to DFW Dad.  On Ginger Casa, she blogs about cooking delicious recipes, DIY, crafts, parenting, and enjoying the great outdoors with her family. Follow Ginger Casa on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram or send an email to gena@gingercasa.com.  

Hustle Mom Repeat

Dawn Monroe

Dawn Monroe is a digital influencer, Texas lifestyle blogger and mother of four children. Dawn blogs at Hustle Mom Repeat, sharing stories of food, travel, Disney and family fun.  Dawn can be found on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, or emailed at hustlemomrepeat@gmail.com

 

InDFWFamily

Roselle Pliego

Roselle Pliego is a Dallas mommy blogger at InDFWFamily.  She loves blogging about family fun in DFW, whether that be foodie recommendations or events going on around the Metroplex. She is also a lifestyle blogger and shares her ideas on traveling with kids and their camping adventures in and around Texas.  Find her on Instagram and Twitter.

Jenn’s RAQ

Jenn Land

Jenn is a homeschooling mom to 5 kids in Fort Worth, Texas. Whether she’s blogging about her kids, the latest homeschool curriculum, food, crafts, or about local Dallas / Fort Worth events, she’s keeping it Real And Quirky! Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  

 

Julie Measures

Julie 

Julie is a mom, crafter, and food enthusiast. She loves to share delicious recipes and original knit and crochet patterns. Julie is a mom to three boys, twin teenagers and her littlest who is in elementary school. Julie is passionate about everything handmade and is proud to call Dallas/Fort Worth home. Follow Julie Measures on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, or email her at juliemeasuresblog @ gmail.com.

Mainly Homemade

Amy Greene

Amy Greene lives in the Dallas area with her husband and three children. She enjoys sharing DIY crafts and homemade recipes anyone can make at Mainly Homemade. Amy writes about how easy it can be to have a simple, healthy lifestyle. She provides easy tips and tricks for everyone to save money to be healthy and green. Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest  

MamaChallenge

Autumn Rose Reo

Texas blogger, TV contributor, PR pro, and mother of two (including a son with a Congenital Heart Defect), Autumn Rose Reo is always on the search for REAL SOLUTIONS for REAL MOMS. From things to do, eat, wear and buy, she’s always cookin’ up something fun, resourceful and good to know! See what challenge she is taking on today on Twitter or Instagram or email her at autumn (@) mamachallenge.com.  

ModMomTV

Natalie Reid

Former broadcasters turned bloggers, Natalie Reid and Laura Thornquist would much rather be in front of a camera and a microphone than sitting behind a keyboard! That means you’ll find plenty of videos to keep you engaged and entertained as they live REAL LIFE…UNFILTERED at ModMomTV.com. From tips on how to save money, to ways to talk to your kids about the birds and the bees {EEK}. Never miss a “real” moment by following them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

Modern Mom Life

Michelle Hancock 

Modern Mom Life is where moms come to play. The blog is written by Michelle Hancock, a Dallas Lifestyle blogger. Modern Mom Life shares tips to make parenting less chaotic and more fun – from one modern mom to another. Michelle can be reached at michelle@modernmomlife.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

 

Momma DJane

Dwan Perrin

Dwan Perrin writes a lifestyle parenting blog where she shares easy crafts, simple recipes and fun entertainment for families.You can find her daily tweets @MommaDJane ,see her photo snapshots on Instagram @MommaDjane and connect on Facebook. She shares her passion for travel on Oh, The Places We Travel!, where you can find tips and advice for planning vacations. For travel inspiration follow her on Instagram @PlacesWeTravelig. Dwan encourages fellow DFW bloggers to connect and support one another at DFWBloggers. 

Mommy Upgrade

Trista Perot

Mommy Upgrade is a lifestyle blog that features great DIY, shopping, eats, and travel. Authored by lifestyle expert, Trista Perot, a type-A Dallas working mom of an only who’s on a never ending quest to squeeze 28 hours into every day. She is passionate about STEM education, charitable causes and getting more sleep.  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube

 

MyCRAZYSavings

Courtney Solstad

Mommy to four kids, I love the flexible schedule that blogging has allotted me. I live in North Dallas and proudly serve as a Deal Pro with Savings.com, Pampers Baby Board Member, Collective Bias Advisory Team, and Sea World Wildside Blogger. I love connecting with brands and sharing ways to live well for less with my readers. I am passionate about being debt free and enriching the lives around me.  

My Sugar Free Journey

Aarn Farmer

Aarn is here to help people lose weight and get healthy by cutting sugar out of their lives by doing it himself for the world to see!

Stephanie Drenka

Stephanie Drenka

Stephanie is a minimalist blogger and camera-happy tech geek with a severe case of wanderlust and monochromatic wardrobe.

 

The Dallas Socials

Betsy Segars

Millennial Dallas Lifestyle Blogger, Betsy Segars is always on the go whether it’s finding fun places to travel, exploring hot spots in Dallas, cooking delicious meals in her kitchen or working on one of her many brands.  Betsy lives on social media, so tweet with her, say hello on Facebook or email her direct – Betsy@thedallassocials.com!  

The Java Mama 

Becky Branch

Becky Branch is a “30-ish” wife, mom, photographer, coffee junkie, and blogger for over 11 years.  She also works as a Finance Manager during the day for two Dental offices in the DFW area. Originally from Arkansas, they now call Grapevine, TX home.  Follow her life unfiltered over at www.thejavamama.com   Becky’s motto is “Without caffeine I would have no personality whatsoever!” Becky has been married for 16 years to her best friend Terence & together they have a 7-year-old son Connor.  Check out all of her ramblings on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Snapchat.

The Nerd’s Wife

Arena Blake

Arena is the wife of a Nerd and mom of a toddler who loves his Star Wars blankie a little too much. She is passionate about showcasing brands through creative crafts, recipes, and tutorials on her Dallas mom blog. She lives in the suburbs north of Dallas with her family. You can email her at thenerdswife@gmail.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.  

They Call Me T

Tapanga Perrin

Tapanga Perrin shares her experiences as a young female in the United States Army, as a college student with a love for photography, travel, and culinary arts on her lifestyle blog TheyCallMeT  You can connect with her on twitter @TheyCallMeT and Instagram @TheyCallMeT. 

 Three Different Directions

Tammy Litke

Three Different Directions is a lifestyle blog about home & family, recipes, travel, electronics & other things we enjoy in life. Tammy likes to hear from PR and companies to collaborate with brands and can be reached at, tammy@threedifferentdirections.com. Find her on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.  

ToyQueen

Keriann Wilmot

Keri Wilmot from ToyQueen.com is a pediatric occupational therapist, toy expert and parent, who shares popular toy reviews, tips, lists and toy unboxings. Keri recently moved to the North Dallas area from Boston, Massachusetts with her husband, Derek and son, Gavin.  ToyQueen.com is a resource for all parents to find toys, games, attractions, events, baby products and experiences that can enhance the lives of their family.  Keri is also main content provider for the Toys site at- The Spruce.com. Connect with Keri and ToyQueen.com on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Follow Derek on Twitter and Instagram. Love Star wars? Check out StormTrooperGavin on Instagram, too. Email: Keri@ToyQueen.com.

 

Trendy Mom Reviews

Daisy Tremorev

Trendy Mom is a lifestyle blog in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro that shares activities, tips, recipes, and travel posts. She enjoys sharing the latest trends with other trendy moms and working as an ambassador for several brands.Stay on top of the latest trends by visiting the Trendy Mom Reviews blog to follow along! Also follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

 

Weekends Count

Jennifer and Tony

Weekends Count is a Texas millennial family travel travel, food, fun, & activity blog. We are located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Dallas area focused on making the MOST out of the weekend! Weekends Count provides families with travel suggestions, hotel/restaurant reviews, product reviews, & homeschool ideas from a millennial family’s perspective! For more information, please contact weekendscount@gmail.com. Remember to follow our us on YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or Facebook.

 

 

When people ask me what I do for work, I tell them I’m a full-time blogger. 90% of the time this brings on the question “do you actually make money blogging?” That’s a difficult question, because it varies for each person – from making LOTS of money, to no income, to even costing them money. Each story is different, each blog is different, but I’m going to tell you how THIS blogger made over $20k last year with less than 60k pageviews a month!

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Now let me clarify a few things – I made just over $20,000 (was just over $23k total), but that wasn’t profit – it was gross income. I’m still at that stage where I choose to put everything I earn back into my blog. Things like hiring a VA, courses and ebooks (like How I went from 17k pageviews to 350+ monthly pageviews in 9 months), conferences, supplies for posts, even a Family Forward Conference/Vacation was out of that money. I’m only counting what was actually PAID to me – some work was done in November/December but payment will count as 2016. When I average out the year, my monthly pageviews were under 60,000 per month. You DON’T have to have high pageviews to make money blogging – but yes, it would help!

Here’s some big things I did that jumped my income up from around just $5k in 2014 up to $20k in 2015.

#1: I improved my photography

I learned some amazing tips for handling my camera and styling shots during the Click Retreat in January. Then I took the Confidence Workshop from MeRa Koh and really learned how to use my camera manually. This made a HUGE difference in my pictures! I still have a lot of improving to go, but it’s already come a long way, and my photos are more likely to get repinned if they look awesome. This helped my income because brands are more eager to work with someone who has excellent photography.

#2: I took the Business2Blogger Course: BlogPreneur

Ran by three amazing bloggers who combined make OVER 6 FIGURES A MONTH: Holly from Kids Activities Blog, Becky from Your Modern Family and Paula from Beauty Through Imperfection, this course teaches you EVERYTHING from photo editing, how to help a post go viral, social media, writing for your audience and most importantly, how I can sell my website one day. Guys, I haven’t even FINISHED all the great videos yet, as I work through them one by one, but my blogging business has seen a huge difference – this gave me a big push towards the end of last year, and has me super hopeful for 2016!

#3: I Connected with Other Bloggers

This isn’t a competition, it’s a community. Tearing each other down helps nobody, building each other up helps everybody! I’ve made some amazing friends and gotten new connections thanks to those friends. We help each other with blogging questions, bouncing off ideas, and support. I recently released my new Disneyland Activity & Autograph Book and asked in my communities if anyone could help me spread the word. I was left in tears as not a few, but DOZENS of wonderful bloggers didn’t hesitate to support my new project! These connections can be your lifeline with your blog – don’t ignore them.

#4: I Managed my Time Better

You could work 18 hour days on your blog and STILL have plenty left on your list of things to do. I learned to prioritize and focus. I learned what my own strengths were, as well as my weaknesses – then I hired a VA to handle what would take a large chunk of my time. Yes, it costs money to have a VA, but she can do her assigned tasks a ton faster than I would – and then I was able to focus my attention on other items of my blog.

#5: Apply for Sponsored Posts – a Lot

Guys, pageviews aren’t everything. They’re awesome and nice and helpful – but QUALITY is meaning more and more. Make your blog easy to navigate, be consistent with social media and INTERACT with your followers, use beautiful photos, and just be you. Apply for sponsored posts as much as you can – but stay with what your blog is about. Don’t sacrifice the quality of your blog, or your followers, just to grab a sponsored post. I won’t do alcohol posts unless it’s for cooking. That’s just not me or my blog. I won’t review horror movies because I HATE them, and don’t cover that type of thing. Stay consistent to YOU and YOUR BLOG. Watch for opportunities that match, make a great pitch for a unique idea, then deliver high quality content. One sponsored post will turn into two, then three, and so on. Don’t let fear prevent you for trying for those paid opportunities!

We’re looking for a few amazing people to Join the Busy Mom’s Helper 2016 Team! Think you’re interested? Read on below for what we’re looking for, and what you get in return!

If you have creative, quality, unique ideas and have a great writing voice accompanied by AWESOME photography, then WE WANT YOU! Not only will we share some of the content from your blog/social media accounts each week, but we also pay for each post you do. Since Busy Mom’s Helper covers a wide range of topics – all family friendly – you can get your creative cap really going with new ideas.