How To Start A Blog Management Business – An Interview With Grayson Bell

Do you know a lot about blogging?  Do you know how to load plug-ins, fix CSS problems, or even solve technical issues?

Then you may want to consider getting into starting your own blog management business.  Today their billions of blogs out there and this has opened up huge opportunities for people to earn extra money on the side.

Just as an example when I first got started blogging way back in 2008, that’s in internet years, I had no idea what a theme or a plug-in was much less how to even install them.

Luckily for me I had a brother who was very skilled in the ways of the computer and helped me out when I was just getting started.  For those getting started and don’t have a brother like I did I can see how things would have been tough to say the least.

This is where someone like you can fill that void and help others who don’t know their way around WordPress, CSS, themes, and HTML.

So in this interview I emailed my good buddy Grayson Bell from DebtRoundup.com a big time blogger and WordPress mechanic who also does blog management for others as a side hustle.

In this interview I ask Grayson 5 questions beginners should know, tools he uses, and his most valuable tips.  So if this sounds like a side hustle you want to get into read on.

Q1: What Inspired You Get Into Doing Blog Management For Others?

I’ve been blogging on WordPress since 2004, a little under a year after it was released. Once I started my personal finance blog and started making connections, I realized there were many who were having issues with WordPress.

Since I know WordPress well, I would offer up my time to assist them. Most of the time, it was for free. I don’t mind helping out other bloggers, especially if it provides me with a quality contact/connection.

After some time passed and more and more people reached out to me, I realized I had a viable business idea.  It wasn’t until one blogger offered to pay me for my advice is when I actually launched the service.

I’ve been officially offering my blog management services for around a year and it’s been growing with positive word-of-mouth advertising.

Q2: What Specific Services Do You Offer To Your Clients When It Comes To Blog Management and How Much Do You Charge?

My services are strictly based on the technical aspects of blogging. I don’t create content or promote my clients’ blogs. I backup their sites, update WordPress, update plugins, implement code changes, fix CSS or broken themes, clean up broken links, provide database optimization, and much more. My full list of services are listed here.

I don’t have a set fee I charge for my clients. Since I’m about building relationships, I work with trying to come up with a plan to fit within their budget and provide the services they need.

I do provide discounts for those who ask me to manage more than one blog.  My main goal is to provide the peace of mind to allow bloggers to focus on blogging, while I focus on the technical aspects.

Q3: If You Had To Start Over From Scratch What Would You Do Find Your First Clients?

If I had to start over again, I would run with the same strategy. I’ve run a number of businesses over the years. My blog management business has grown organically just from positive word-of-mouth.

It’s 100% referral based and I like that model. This makes me strive harder to ensure all of my clients are happy with what I provide and how I treat them.

Building a business off your connections is a great way to start.  I’ve had businesses that required a lot of marketing. Heck, blogging requires a lot of work to get your content out there. If I do my job, then I won’t have to seek out the work, it will come to me.

Q4: What Kind Of Tools Do You Use To Help Your Clients With?

I use a variety of services to help me manage my customer’s blogs. Some people think I just do everything by hand on each blog.

That would be time consuming and unwise. I have a set of plugins I use to help me monitor, optimize, and understand what’s going on with everyone’s blog at any given time. I also have some custom programs I created to get things completed on specific blogs.

While I do manual work from time to time, especially when  it comes to customization or fixes, I like to rely on automation, so I can focus on keeping my clients happy. I also strive to respond to their emails quickly, so they know I’m there to help them.

Q5: What Is One Specific Piece Of Advice You Would Give Someone Just Getting Started In Doing Blog Management For Others And What Are A Few Of The Pitfalls In Doing This As A Side Hustle?

The biggest piece of advice I can give it don’t take on more than you can handle. I’ve actually received quite a bit of work from other blog managers who didn’t do what their clients needed.

They heard about me and I took care of them. I know my limits. I also know what I’m capable of handling at any given time. I’ve turned down some clients, not because I didn’t want to help them, but because I knew it would cause me to provide less service to my existing customers.

It’s easier to keep a customer than to gain one!

Managing blogs can be difficult work. You are faced with sites breaking down, blogs being hacked, and a number of other issues. If you don’t know what you’re doing, it can be overwhelming.

It’s also not passive. You have to be active in what you’re doing. It’s not a sit back, and watch the money come rolling in kind of business.  If you don’t have the time to devote to your clients, then it won’t be a successful side hustle.

Wrapping Up…

Wrapping up I have to agree with Grayson that taking on to many clients especially in the beginning is a bad idea.  The last thing you want to do is bring on a bunch of clients and not deliver.

A negative review travels a lot faster than a positive one these days and that is something I am personally a big believer in.

So what are your thoughts, have you ever considered getting into managing blogs for others, or do you like the approach Grayson has taken starting his side hustle? Share you thoughts below.

Cheers!