If you''re interested in taking it further — blogging for bucks, if
you will — here are five strategies that could
turn your blog into a
moneymaker.turn your blog into a
moneymaker.1.Sell advertising.
This is likelIf you''re interested in taking it further — blogging
for bucks, if you will — here are five strategies that could turn your
blog into a moneymaker.
1. Sell advertising. This is likely the most common means of leveraging
a blog to generate income. If yours happens to become a well-known
blog, or one that is well-received in a particular niche, it''s always
possible to sell ad space on your own. For lesser-known blogs,
services such as Google''s AdSense or BlogAds enable bloggers to establish ad
programs.
AdSense''s — which lets you select several ads that are consistent with
the content of your blog — pays you based on how many readers click on
the ads for further information. Even better, it''s free. BlogAds, on
the other hand, hooks bloggers up with would-be advertisers and levies
a commission in return for any ad placements that result. "The nice
thing, too, is that the ads are relatively unobtrusive," says Scott
Allen, co-author of "The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing
Deals Online."
2. Help sell others'' products. Here is another click-through
opportunity. Affiliate programs enable your blog to serve as a conduit between readers and online sites offering various goods and services. One popular choice is Amazon.com.
If, for instance, you offer book reviews or even just mention a book in
passing in your blog, an affiliate program provides a means for your
readers to click directly from your blog to Amazon to obtain further
information about the book. If they break out the checkbook or
charge card, you get paid as well.
3. Solicit contributions. Not every blog-related income opportunity
involves hawking goods or services. As Blanche DuBois did in "A
Streetcar Named Desire," consider relying on the kindness of strangers.
Ask for contributions.
If, for instance, your small-
business blog supports a cause or issue in
some fashion — say you repeatedly mention tax reform, health care or
some other topic — you can always ask for reader support. Turn
your work into WOW Turn your work into "Wow".
Your business can do more with Windows Vista and Microsoft Office
Professional 2007 together on your PC.
The "Wow" starts now Even if you''ve attracted a group of regular
followers who simply enjoy reading what you have to say, they may be
willing to underwrite their loyalty with a little financial help.
Programs such as PayPal make it easy to establish a simple on-site
contribution collection button.
"There are lots of worthy ''cause'' blogs that would qualify for
donations from grateful members of the blog community," says Las Vegas
communications consultant Ned Barnett.
4. Market your services in your blog. Many people associate blogs
exclusively with a cyberspace-based soapbox — a place to shout your
opinions and little more than that. Granted, blogs are an ideal venue
to share your thoughts with others, but don''t overlook their capacity
to generate new business as well.
When appropriate, work in references to what you do and, in turn, what
you may be able to offer any would-be client or customer who may be
reading your blog. That can spread your opinion and your
business moxie at the same time.
"Instead of short commentaries that begin a dialogue with readers, as
many blogs do, I write the equivalent of journal articles that
demonstrate my abilities, strategies and perspectives on specific
issues," Barnett says. "When it resonates, it means money.
Since starting this approach, I have generated three new paying clients
and brought in about $10,000 on revenue — directly attributable to
specific blogs."
5. Use a blog tustomer relationships. Nor does
any marketing material inserted in blog content have to be limited to
bringing in completely new business.
By using a blog to regularly communicate with existing clients as well
as other readers, you can take advantage of the opportunity to fully
inform them about everything your business does. That may expand
your readers'' understanding of the full scope of your products or
services.
"My blog has helped existing clients determine the range of my skills
and services," says Ted Demopoulos of Demopoulos Associates, a Durham,
N.H. consulting and training concern. "One client who had only used me
for training in the past was surprised at my range of expertise and is
now using me for a consulting project. Another who only used me on
technical projects is now considering me for a more business-oriented
project."y the most common means of
leveraging a blog to generate income. If yours happens to become a
well-known blog, or one that is well-received in a particular niche,
it''s always possible to sell ad space on your own. For lesser-known
blogs, services such as Google''s AdSense or BlogAds enable bloggers to
establish ad programs.AdSense''s — which lets you select several ads
that are consistent with the content of your blog — pays you based on how
many readers click on the ads for further information. Even better,
it''s free. BlogAds, on the other hand, hooks bloggers up with would-be
advertisers and levies a commission in return for any ad placements
that result. "The nice thing, too, is that the ads are relatively
unobtrusive," says Scott Allen, co-author of "The Virtual Handshake:
Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online."2.Help sell others'' products. Here is another click-through
opportunity. Affiliate programs enable your blog to serve as a conduit
between readers and online sites offering various goods and services.
One popular choice is Amazon.com. If, for instance, you offer book
reviews or even just mention a book in passing in your blog, an
affiliate program provides a means for your readers to click directly
from your blog to Amazon to obtain further information about the book.
If they break out the checkbook or charge card, you get paid as well.3.Solicit contributions. Not every blog-related income opportunity
involves hawking goods or services. As Blanche DuBois did in "A
Streetcar Named Desire," consider relying on the kindness of strangers.
Ask for contributions. If, for instance, your small-business blog
supports a cause or issue in some fashion — say you repeatedly mention
tax reform, health care or some other topic — you can always ask for
reader support.
Turn your work into "Wow".
Your business can do more with Windows Vista and Microsoft Office Professional 2007 together on your PC.
The "Wow" starts now
Even if you''ve attracted a group of regular followers
who simply enjoy reading what you have to say, they may be willing to
underwrite their loyalty with a little financial help. Programs such
as PayPal make it easy to establish a simple on-site contribution
collection button. "There are lots of worthy ''cause'' blogs that would
qualify for donations from grateful members of the blog community,"
says Las Vegas communications consultant Ned Barnett.4.Market your services in your blog. Many people associate blogs
exclusively with a cyberspace-based soapbox — a place to shout your
opinions and little more than that. Granted, blogs are an ideal venue
to share your thoughts with others, but don'