Welcome to another edition of the BloggeRoundup Interview Series where I feature Inspirational stories and blogging advice from successful bloggers and marketers.
For this interview, I had the privilege of inviting Istiak Rayhan, Founder of RoadToBlogging.com.
I’d like to thank Istiak for taking the time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions.
Let’s now dive into the depth of interview with Istiak Rayhan and find out what he has to say. Are you ready?
Let’s get started!
Interview With Istiak Rayhan From RoadToBlogging
Here is the Inspirational & Insightful conversation with Istiak Rayhan. I hope you would take some inspiration from him to start your own blog.
Q.1) Please introduce yourself to BloggeRoundup readers?
Hi folks, I am Istiak Rayhan. I am a full-time blogger and an internet marketer from Bangladesh. I’ve been in blogging since 2012. So far, it’s an incredible journey.
I blog at RoadToBlogging, WPLeaders, HostLater, and a few other niche blogs. I am also involved in WordPress plugin development with my younger brother. Currently, we have two plugins – WP Coupons and Deals & Ultimate Blocks.
Q.2) What inspired you most to start blogging?
The starting part was accidental. I created my first blog to do some freelancing works. At that time, I had no idea about professional blogging. All I knew was that I could make some money via Google AdSense.
One day I discovered ShoutMeLoud and was amazed by Harsh Agrawal’s income reports. I had no idea that bloggers could make that much money only via blogging. And that was the time when I took blogging seriously. So the early inspiration came from Harsh Agrawal.
Q.3) What are the major challenges you experienced while building RoadToBlogging?
The number one challenge was the competition on blogging niche. When I started RoadToBlogging, there were already some popular blogs like ProBlogger, ShoutMeLoud, DailyBlogTips, etc.
But I was able to build a small audience around RoadToBlogging. Back then, I used to write a lot of ‘How To’ posts. While most of the bloggers were focusing on what to do, I was talking about how to do it efficiently. This actually helped me to build a good readership.
Q.4) What strategies/sources do you use to monetize your blog?
When I started blogging, AdSense was the only known monetization way to me. And I used to make a decent amount from AdSense. But when I switch from tech niche to blogging niche, I’ve discovered that AdSense is not working on blogging niche.
Then I came to know about Affiliate Marketing from Harsh’s blog. And I started adding affiliate links at RoadToBlogging. It took six months to get the first sale.
I got my first big success in 2014 when I made $1800 from a single affiliate program in a month. After that, I started making a good amount of money from affiliate marketing.
Till now, our main source of income comes from Affiliate Marketing. Now we are trying to diversify the income by entering into WordPress plugin business.
Q.5) What is the best way to get success in affiliate marketing?
It’s tough to say one way as the best way. It actually differs from niche to niche. What works on blogging niche might not work on technology niche.
But for me, the most important thing is to understand the buyers’ intents. It’s not about finding the profitable keywords, it’s about proving what readers need.
Q.6) Which are the 5 blogging tools you can’t live without and why?
Todoist: I use this tool to manage my day to day tasks. I’ve tried many to do list app, but this is the only one that I can stick with.
Trello: As I am running several projects at a time, Trello helps me to keep me tracking everything from a single dashboard.
Grammarly: As English is not my first language, I often make mistakes while writing English. Grammarly helps me to keep my writings error-free.
Canva: I am not a graphic designer. But I need to design quick graphics sometimes. Canva makes it insanely easier for me.
Ultimate Blocks: I use Ultimate Blocks to make my every blog post engaging.
Q.7) How is your daily schedule? how many hours do you work on your blog?
I wake up very early in the morning. I try to start work at 7 am. And I continue to work till 1 PM without taking any significant break. Then I take a break for prayer and launch. And after taking some rest, I start my work again. And continue till 4:30 PM. I try my best to complete all the tasks assigned for the day within 6 PM.
So I work 6 – 8 hours every day.
Q.8) What is your goal for 2019?
In 2019, my main goal is to make Ultimate Blocks the best Gutenberg plugin for bloggers.
Q.9) What are your favorite blogs and books?
My favorite blogs are BloggingWizard, Backlinko, ShoutMeLoud, Kinsta Blog, MasterBlogging, and few others.
And my favorite books are Rework, The One Thing, The Power of Habit, Getting Things Done, etc.
Q.10) What are the tips you have for new bloggers?
Here are some tips for new bloggers:
- Be real. You don’t need to start a blog on making money online when you haven’t made any penny yet. Start with something that you know and passionate about.
- Don’t try to imitate what professional bloggers are writing or doing. They are on a different stage. You don’t need to start selling ebooks or courses just because other bloggers are doing so.
- And finally, be patient. Blogging takes time. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme.
Q.11) What do you think is the best service a blogger can provide to his readers?
Understanding the pain points of readers and solving them.
How BloggeRoundup readers can stay in touch with you and any message for the blogging community here?
You can connect me on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
And here’s the message for the blogging community – Be the community you want to have.
Q.12) What are your final words to our readers?
Become part of the blogger communities. Read other blogs and connect with other bloggers. And of course, read the BloggeRoundup blog.
Cheers!,
Istiak Rayhan
Founder of RoadToBlogging.com
Did you like the interview with Istiak Rayhan? Do you have any questions for Istiak? Do let us know in the comments.
