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Blogging - And Making
Money
Treating Your Blog Like A Business
If you want to make money with your blog you have to have the mindset, that your
blog is going to be your business. That means, just like a website that is up and running with the purpose of making
money-you need to follow the tax codes-Federal and State.
Thus, when you set up your blog you should consider some of the
following:
1. Name of your blog. Your
domain name gives you a presence and creditability.
2. Your feed/subscribe information should be on every blog page
3. If you've set up beginning categories-make a post for each of those
entries
4. Start with the basics, stay focused.
5. Narrow your niche. Too broad of a topic can confuse your readers.
6. Start a blog-about a topic that you have some knowledge about.
How Is Your Blog Going To Make Money?
The one question you will have to ask yourself is: "How am I doing to produce income from a blog". Are you going to:
- Review products
- Offer affiliate promotions
- Do direct advertising
Let's delve a little deeper into these different methods and more.
Blogging-Affiliate Programs
Affiliate programs on blogs can work two ways, referencing your affiliate products or services within your
blog, and sending them to your website. Or as a stand-alone-giving a
review, testimonial or endorsement of the product or service. However,
with the new FTC rules that are in place-if you have been reimbursed by the
company with a free product for a favorable review or endorsement-these claims
have to be stated, as well as, if you will be compensated by way of a commission
if they should buy the product. Check out the FTC Rules on my web page
Blogging Basics.
Selling Banner Space
I've seen this on some blogs, but it is the blogs that usually get a lot of traffic that is more likely to be able to see some success in this area.
Google Adsense
With Blogger, you will be able to partake in Google Adsense. However, with WordPress, they state that they occasionally use Adsense from your free
Wordpress blog to make money off your site. Wordpress states that in
the future, they will offer an upgrade so that you can advertise on
your site to make money (This is the free Wordpress platform).
Third Party Advertising
You can also incorporate third party advertising into your blog. Examples of that is
Kontera. I've found Kontera to be more product based-so if you have a product based website or blog, look into it. However, you have to meet their criteria before getting the go ahead.
Donations Page
A donations page should not be even thought of until your
readership has grown and you have a following. I've seen some blogs
with donation pages, but don't expect a huge return from a donations
page.
Product Promotion
Some people have utilized a blog to promote their own
product or service. Many build their readership before producing a product such as an
ebook. Just as a side note, the ebook has to be specific to the blog topic you
write about everyday.
Reviewing Products
Reviewing other companies or individuals products and services
on your blog requires you to abide by the new FTC rules. Which
means, that you will have to state on the blog page that you will be
compensated for the product, received the product as compensation,
etc. (FTC Rules overview can be found on my Blogging Basics page.)
Promoting Your Blog
Since your blog is usually
content based, you will have to find a different method of promoting
your blogs besides
hitting the article directories. Yes, you can use article
directories, but be sure to re-write your blog entry before submitting to the
directories so that you forego any duplicate content problems.
So what are the other avenues that available to
you?
Social Media Marketing
Once you have your blog up and running, you can look at Social Media Marketing. Examples of Social Networks are:
Examples of Social Networks are:
Metafilter
Digg
Shoutwire
Newsvine
Sphinn
Tweako
Twitter
StumbleUpon
Facebook
The above is just
a sampling of the social networks that you can join. But be aware
that some social networks are "subject specific". So, you will have to
do some Googling to find your niche.
SEO
SEO should always be a part of your marketing strategy, if you want
traffic. You can have great content, but if have not optimized for specific keywords-you're not going to get the traffic you
want.
Getting a high ranking with your blog will take hard work, as well as, creating
quality content on your site. Here are some things to avoid when creating your
blog:
- Be consistent when adding information to your blog. Short spurts and or irregular posting can keep your blog
from being visited.
- Avoid spammy words in your content. People will see the spam quickly (content will not have coherent thoughts) and drop
your blog.
- Avoid duplicate content.
One final thought, remember not all blogs are suited to making
money. So, if making money with a blog is your intent, choose
your niche carefully.
Previous: Blogging Basics
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