TLDR: Ruth Soukep Reviews—What’s She Offering?
The Elite Blogging Academy wants to teach you how to run a successful blog by covering all the SEO and business basics. Through the program, Ruth Soukup focuses on monetizing strategies like affiliate marketing and provides business tips to turn your blog into a full-time income source.
EBA starts at $597, but the price can go up to $5,000 or more, depending on the “level” package you pick. That’s a hefty price for a blogging course, but let’s consider it one of the better ones. The real question is, can it recoup its cost through a great ROI in the end?
That’s a tough call because you just don’t know.
A blog can take months to start showing any results, and by then, your 90-day refund period is long gone. There’s no way to be sure of your success unless you ace every aspect of it. So your chances of success are a “maybe,” but they’re leaning towards “highly unlikely.”
Why? Because 80% of blogs fail within the first 6 months and even more after that. With 600 million blogs on the internet, making up almost a third of all websites, it’s clear why making money with blogging is tough—the competition is already fierce, and Google’s algorithm has evolved to favor established blogs anyway.
So, does it make sense to start a blog? As an addition to an already thriving business, sure. A standalone thing to pay your bills? Not by far.
But you can still make it work!
Digital Leasing teaches you how to run a fully hands-off rental business that, among other things, leverages content creation.
So you’re still in the blogging game, just with more support. By learning paid ads, SEO, website building, sales, and more, you practically get Ruth’s program as a side dish.
If that sounds like an enticing opportunity, make sure to check out Digital Leasing.
| Area | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Time Investment | 2 out of 5 stars | Seeing a meaningful return from Elite Blog Academy takes a lot of time. You’ll need to consistently create content for months before seeing any results. |
| Level Of Command | 3 out of 5 stars | You have some control over your blog, but you’re still at the mercy of Google updates and audience preferences. It’s not complete independence. |
| Ease Of Implementation | 2 out of 5 stars | The tasks required, like content creation and SEO, aren’t easy and need a steep learning curve. It’s challenging, especially if you’re new to blogging. |
| Profit Potential | 3 out of 5 stars | If everything goes perfectly, there is good profit potential. However, due to high competition and unpredictable factors, reaching that potential is tough. |
Who Benefits from Elite Blog Academy & Who Doesn’t?
Just like test-driving a car before you buy it, having a few examples of how you might (or might not) click with a coaching program can help you avoid buyer’s remorse. That’s why I’ll lay out a few examples to help you see where you fit:
This program might be for you if
- You’re new to blogging and need a structured guide: EBA offers a step-by-step framework that can help you understand the basics of blogging and content creation.
- You prefer learning within a community: The program gives you access to a fairly active private Facebook group where you can share experiences, ask questions, and get support.
- You’re ready to invest in your blogging career: If you have the budget and are serious about turning your blog into a business, EBA provides lifetime access to its resources, making it a long-term investment.
This program might not be for you if:
- You’re on a tight budget. The high cost of EBA, starting at $997, can be too much, especially if you’re still on the fence about blogging in general.
- You can structure your own learning: A lot of the training material consists of info that you can find for free. If you’re good at self-learning, you might not need this program.
- You can’t stand upsells and constant marketing pitches. EBA hits you with upsells left and right. If you find constant sales pitches annoying or overwhelming, this could be a major turn-off.
In short, Elite Blog Academy does bring some value, but whether that’s enough to justify the price and the hassle behind it depends on your preferences. Hopefully, this helped with your decision, and if you’re not really convinced, maybe it’s a good idea to check out some alternatives.
For more insights, explore my curated list of the best Digital Marketing Courses & Gurus to find the perfect fit for your online business journey.
Program 1,000 FT View: Blogging, Elite Blog Academy Cost & A Bunch More
Let’s take a look from above at the Elite Blog Academy, breaking down some crucial aspects of the program. We’ll talk about the founder, Ruth Soukup, a bit about blogging, and everything about EBA pricing. Here’s the summary:
- Who Is Ruth Soukup?
- What is Blogging?
- How Much Does The Elite Blog Academy Cost?
- Can You Get a Refund?
Ready? Let’s begin with…
Who is Ruth Soukup?
Ruth Soukup is well-known in the blogging world for turning blogs into money-making ventures. She runs Ruth Soukup Omnimedia, under whose umbrella are successful platforms like Living Well Spending Less, the Living Well Planner, and Do It Scared.
Ruth began blogging in 2010 with Living Well Spending Less, where she talked about budget tips and frugal living advice. Her blog quickly became popular, so she started Elite Blog Academy (EBA) in 2014 to help others turn their blogs into businesses.
She is also an author of bestsellers like “How to Blog for Profit: Without Selling Your Soul,” “Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life,” and “Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind & Soul.” Her work has appeared in Woman’s Day, HuffPost, and Fox News.
Ruth’s experience and success make her a trusted mentor for bloggers worldwide, especially female bloggers, helping them achieve financial freedom and personal growth through blogging.
| Social Media Page | Link |
|---|---|
| 7,176 people followers | |
| 2 connections | |
| 111K Followers | |
| X | Source |
| Website | ruthsoukup.com |
What Is Blogging?
Blogging starts with creating and publishing content on a website to share your ideas, stories, and information. It can be anything from a personal diary to a platform showcasing professional expertise or even a business tool.
But bloggers don’t work for free (go figure!). Once your blog gains traction, you can make money from it. Some of the most common ways to monetize blogging include affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and selling digital products like e-books or courses.
While it sounds like a dream job—working from anywhere and being your own boss—blogging comes with some challenges.
Many bloggers struggle with the time it takes to create content, the steep learning curve of SEO and tech, and the unpredictable income. Think of blogging as a marathon, not a sprint; success usually takes years, not months.
Probably the biggest issue that causes 80% of blogs to fail within 18 months is the high competition and the constant need for fresh content. It’s like running on a treadmill—you have to keep moving just to stay in the same place.
It can definitely work (that’s why I have a blog, right?), but unless you’ve got the nerves and patience of a monk, blogging is rarely a good suggestion.
If you’re looking for a lower entry barrier and higher profit margins you can depend on, check out Digital Leasing. Coming from a blogger, it’s a more stable income with less hassle—so trust me.
How Much Does the Elite Blog Academy Cost?
The Elite Blog Academy is known for its high price, which might make you hesitate before signing up. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll pay and what you’ll get:
Level 1: EBA Foundation costs $597 for the Silver Tier. You get basic course access but no coaching or community. For $997, the Gold Tier adds coaching sessions and access to a private Facebook group. The Platinum Tier costs $1,497 and includes lifetime updates and personalized coaching.
Level 2: Product Launch Playbook costs $1,597 or five payments of $377. This level teaches you how to monetize your blog by creating and launching products.
Level 3: SCALE Active Coaching Program costs $4,997 or six payments of $947. It offers advanced coaching to scale your blog into a full-fledged business.
Each level builds on the previous one, but with these prices, learning on your own becomes an attractive option. Just sayin’.
Can You Get a Refund?
Yes, Elite Blog Academy offers a 90-day, action-based refund policy.
To qualify, you need to show that you’ve completed the coursework and implemented what’s taught in it by submitting your work as proof.
My Opinion: What’s With All The Elite Blog Academy Scam Buzz?
You’d expect me, as someone who’s been blogging for years, to be all in with Ruth Soukup’s course. It’s what I’m doing, after all, right?
Well, take it from me when I tell you that blogging isn’t what it used to be. Long gone are the days when you could slap a few keywords and rank your blog enough to get some viewership. Today, 70% of the content online doesn’t get noticed. The other 30% belongs to your favorite content creators who already have a massive following—that’s who you’d be competing with.
For the money (and it’s a lot of money), Ruth’s Elite Blog Academy doesn’t bring anything revolutionary. Her affiliate program is a nice bonus if you plan on promoting EBA, but outside of that, you can find most of the training for free online.
That doesn’t mean Ruth is out to scam you, so if you’ve been worried about a potential Elite Blog Academy scam, you can rest easy. It only means that blogging isn’t quantum physics. The main challenge is the “wait and grind” game.
You need to grind pretty much daily for months before you start seeing any traffic, let alone sales. And even after all those months, you could have chosen a niche that’s too competitive where you never even had a chance. Sure, Ruth helps you find a profitable niche, but that’s likely not going to be a topic of your interest, doubling down on the “grind with no enjoyment” factor.
With all this said, I think that blogging is not a good business opportunity in 2024. While I could say that EBA is one of the better blogging courses, I can’t recommend it to you as a new venture.
Blogging can make sense in a bigger context as an addition to an already booming business. So what’s that “real business” gonna be then? You could try digital real estate with Digital Leasing. Here’s how it works in layman’s terms:
- Build a simple website and rank it on Google (much easier than ranking a blog)
- Once that site starts generating traffic, offer local businesses a spot on it to display their service
- Once they see how much more business they’re making, they pay you $500-$2000/month to keep the spot
After this, it’s all rinse and repeat: build a website, rank it, lease it out. This makes scalability with Digital Leasing as easy as pie. Over 3,000 students are already making $2,000 – $10,000 in semi-passive income, so why wouldn’t you too? Here’s how you start.
What’s Inside The Elite Blog Academy?
Elite Blog Academy is loaded with modules designed to transform you from a newbie blogger to a potential blogging superstar. Let’s take a peek at what’s inside:
Module 1: Refine Your Message
Kick things off with a blog assessment and set your goals. Here you review your blog’s structure and give it a good cleanup.
Module 2: Content is King
This is where you start with content creation for your own blog. You’ll learn how to create 10 pillar posts and optimize your existing content to make it shine.
Module 3: Presentation is Everything
Time to get artsy! This module focuses on blog design, making it visually appealing and super user-friendly.
Module 4: Grow Your Platform
Here, you dive into SEO and networking to boost your blog’s reach and visibility.
Module 5: Grow Your List
Email marketing is the star here. Learn to start and grow an email list to build a loyal audience.
Module 6: Rock Your Social Media
Develop strategies to drive traffic and engagement from social media platforms. Align your profiles with your blog for maximum impact.
Module 7: Show Me the Money
Monetization begins! Learn ways to start making money through ads and affiliate marketing.
Module 8: Create Your Product
Get creative with product development. Learn how to create and launch products that your audience will like.
Module 9: Master Sales and Marketing
This module covers creating sales copy that converts and planning successful product launches.
Module 10: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Boost your productivity by setting long-term goals and leveraging your strengths.
Module 11: From Blog to Business
Get serious about the business side. This module helps you create a mission statement and business plan and choose your company structure.
Module 12: Lead Your Team
Learn the art of outsourcing and building a team to help grow your blog.
Bonuses
There are some bonuses, including extra modules on using Pinterest and advanced SEO tips. These extras help you dive deeper into specific blogging areas.
Elite Blog Academy promises to be your blog’s rocket fuel, blasting it to traffic and blog income glory. However, it’s a hefty investment of both time and cash, so make sure you’re ready for the hustle.
Conclusion: There Are Better Ways To Spend Money
What’s my final say on Ruth Soukup’s program? Should you buy Elite Blog Academy?
Elite Blog Academy cracked the code for building a blog, but it might crack your budget, too. Mixed reviews, high dropout rates, and a price tag that could buy a used spaceship make EBA a tough recommendation.
Before you commit to spending a fortune, consider Digital Leasing —a more flexible (and more profitable) path to making money online without the “maybe” of blogging.
I’ve also reviewed Erika Kullberg’s program, which covers a variety of topics with engaging teaching but lacks personalized support and involves constant upselling.
Additionally, check out my Billy Gene Is Marketing review. This program focuses on action over learning, with great mentorship and community meet-ups that elevate the experience beyond typical Facebook interactions.
What Is My Top Recommendation In Making Money Online In 2024?
Our review team has spent months researching, reviewing, and vetting dozens of business models and thousands of programs.
While there may be no “perfect business,” the research IS conclusive: Digital Leasing is the top choice for beginners in online entrepreneurship.
Digital Leasing is the #1 online business model for those just starting out. Whether you’ve never made a dollar online or you’ve been in this space for a while but never really “made it,” Digital Leasing is for you.
- Flexibility: Blogging often feels like a second job—constant content creation keeps you chained to your keyboard. Digital Leasing gives you a set-it-and-forget-it approach! Travel the world while your digital assets work for you.
- Full Ownership: With blogging, you’re at the mercy of Google updates and fickle audiences. Digital Leasing lets you own your digital properties, creating a stable income stream free from algorithm changes.
- Budget-Friendly Start: Blogging with Elite Blog Academy’s hefty price tag might leave your wallet crying. Digital Leasing lets you start with as little as $100 and see faster returns on your investment.
- No Content, No Headaches: Blogging means dealing with writer’s block and SEO day and night. With Digital Leasing, no content creation is required, so you can focus on things that matter.
- Scale Up Your Success: Scaling a blog takes time and money. With Digital Leasing, replication is a breeze—once you have a winner, expand your empire with ease.
- Real Results, Real Fast: Blogging success often feels slow and intangible, with little impact on the people around you. With Digital Leasing, you can see the direct impact of your work on real businesses, helping them grow and making them grateful to you.
Small, local businesses need more customers, and with Digital Leasing, you are unleashing a flood of happy, paying customers for these businesses.
You make money by helping them make money.
Not a big, faceless corporation either…a small business owner who’s using that money to put food on the table for their family, start a college fund for their kids, or take care of a sick parent.
Once you see how Digital Leasing makes a real impact in the lives of real people, you’ll sleep like a baby with a big smile on your face.
Now, the choice is yours. You could continue browsing, looking at other opportunities that could one day make you money.
You could continue researching, never making a decision.
OR, you could take a look inside, consider what you really want, and join a program that makes your dreams a reality.
At the same time, joining a community of over 3,000 successful students who are living life on their own terms thanks to Digital Leasing.
A consistent, reliable, semi-passive stream of income that doesn’t depend on you or your time to keep producing profits.
All while genuinely helping local business owners who are grateful and happy to pay for it.
If this sounds more like what you want out of life (or if you just want some nice side income), click here to learn more about Digital Leasing.
