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Jon Morrow's flagship blogging community known for actionable tactics, intense feedback, and a proven track record, but also premium pricing and demanding expectations.
Serious Bloggers Only (SBO) is Jon Morrow's flagship membership program, and we discovered it's much more than just another blogging course. After reviewing the official documentation, we found it's actually a comprehensive ecosystem with 33 mini-courses, case studies, and masterclasses with industry experts.
Jon Morrow (founder and CEO of Smart Blogger with over 300,000 email subscribers and 4 million monthly readers) built this after his tenure as editor at Copyblogger and Editor-in-Chief at KISSmetrics. The guy knows content, and it shows in the program structure.
What sets SBO apart? It's the combination of self-paced learning with community support. Members work through modules covering everything from finding your blog's purpose to advanced monetization tactics. The curriculum tackles the real challenges bloggers face: getting traffic (especially through guest posting and SEO), building email lists, and actually making money.
The program operates on a membership model, which means ongoing access to updated content and the community forums. Unlike many courses that dump information and disappear, SBO maintains an active ecosystem where members share wins, get critiques, and troubleshoot together. We noticed the emphasis on accountability, Jon's team actively participates in the forums and provides feedback (though direct one-on-one coaching isn't included at this price point).
One interesting aspect we found: the program explicitly states it doesn't include the hands-on help found in their higher-ticket programs like Freedom Machine. This transparency is refreshing, they're clear about what you get at each price tier.
Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)
moderate Moderate (5–10 Hours/Week)
Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)
Make Money
The blogging community respects SBO for its depth and Jon Morrow's expertise, though opinions split on long-term value. Most praise comes from beginners-to-intermediate bloggers who credit the program with their first paid writing gigs or successful blog launches. Advanced bloggers tend to view it as a stepping stone they eventually outgrow.
"I learned the right way to market my blog and land my first paid writing gig." – Catherine Alford
"SBO reminded me of the best days of online marketing communities, real help, real results." – Vitaliy
"With Jon's team's help, I launched my blog and built a following I didn't think was possible." – Misako Zinova
"The live Q&A is worth the price alone, I got my pitch critiqued and published on a major site." – Project Untethered Reviewer
"It's intense, but the actionable feedback and templates work if you do the work." – Be a Brilliant Writer Reviewer
Reddit discussions reveal a pattern: new bloggers asking "is it worth it?" get mostly positive responses with caveats about commitment level. Several threads mention using SBO for 1-2 years then moving on once they've extracted the core value. The phrase "great for building foundations" appears repeatedly.
Legitimate program with proven results for committed bloggers, but success depends heavily on implementation and isn't suited for everyone's learning style or budget.
Jon Morrow promises to teach bloggers how to build full-time income, and his own story (building a multi-million dollar business while paralyzed) is well-documented. Student success stories like Catherine Alford landing paid gigs check out. However, these represent best-case scenarios with significant effort invested.
The $490 annual fee has remained stable for years, suggesting confidence in value proposition rather than constant discounting games. Monthly option at $49 provides flexibility.
SBO serves as entry point to Smart Blogger ecosystem. Members receive offers for Freedom Machine ($2,500+) and Guest Blogging Certification ($1,000+). This transparent value ladder isn't hidden, they're upfront about different program tiers.
Catherine Alford documented earning thousands from freelance writing after SBO. Elna Cain built a six-figure freelance business. These aren't anonymous testimonials, they're real bloggers with verifiable businesses. Success rate for average members remains unclear though.
Marketing walks the line between inspirational and realistic. Income claims exist but come with work requirements. The value ladder is transparent rather than manipulative. Overall ethical approach with some optimistic framing.
Custom WordPress-based platform integrated with Smart Blogger main site. Forum software feels dated compared to modern community platforms like Circle or Slack. Navigation works but lacks polish of dedicated course platforms.
Video lessons stream online with transcripts available. Replays of Q&A sessions accessible to all members. Downloads limited to worksheets and templates, main content requires online access.
Site is mobile-responsive but optimized for desktop use. Reading forum threads and watching videos on phones works, though extended learning sessions benefit from larger screens.
Standard internet connection and modern browser suffice. No special software needed beyond basic blogging tools (WordPress, email service provider, etc.).
Functional but not cutting-edge. The platform serves its purpose without bells and whistles. Forum-based community feels dated in 2024, and lack of mobile app or offline access limits flexibility. Gets the job done but won't win any user experience awards.
We found reports of billing issues, particularly difficulty canceling subscriptions and continued charges after cancellation attempts. Some users mention having to cancel credit cards to stop charges. While not widespread, these administrative problems raise concerns about customer service responsiveness.
Official sources claim a refund policy exists, but multiple users report challenges getting refunds processed. Communications go unanswered, and some mention accountability calls being rescheduled repeatedly as a stalling tactic. This disconnect between policy and practice is concerning.
Jon Morrow uses strong income claims in marketing but generally backs them with his own story and student examples. The marketing emphasizes hard work over easy wins, which aligns with program reality. No evidence of fake urgency or manufactured scarcity tactics.
Some describe an "echo chamber" atmosphere where dissenting opinions face pushback. While not toxic, the community culture apparently favors cheerleading over constructive criticism at times. For highly independent learners, this could feel limiting.
No major scam indicators, but administrative and refund issues suggest operational problems that prospective members should consider. The product itself appears legitimate, execution of customer service less so.
At $490 annually, SBO sits in the sweet spot for serious beginners. You're getting 33 mini-courses, ongoing community access, and regular expert input. Compare that to hiring a blogging coach at $200/hour, and the math works if you use the resources. However, value diminishes after year two for most members once they've consumed core content.
We spent considerable time investigating Serious Bloggers Only, and here's our honest take: it's legitimate but not magical. Jon Morrow built a solid program that delivers real strategies for building a profitable blog. The 33 mini-courses provide more structured learning than you'll find cobbling together free YouTube videos.
At $490/year, it makes sense for bloggers ready to go pro but not quite ready for high-ticket coaching. The community aspect adds accountability many solo bloggers lack. We particularly appreciated the transparency about what's NOT included (no one-on-one coaching at this level).
Two concerns emerged: billing/refund issues reported by some users, and the program's diminishing returns for advanced bloggers. If you're starting out or stuck in the intermediate phase, SBO offers solid value. If you're already earning from your blog or prefer cutting-edge platforms, look elsewhere.
Bottom line? SBO is legit for the right person at the right stage. Just go in with realistic expectations about the work required and have a clear exit strategy for when you outgrow it.
At $490 annually, SBO sits in the sweet spot for serious beginners. You're getting 33 mini-courses, ongoing community access, and regular expert input. Compare that to hiring a blogging coach at $200/hour, and the math works if you use the resources. However, value diminishes after year two for most members once they've consumed core content.
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