My view on monetizing your blog

Posted on January 8, 2006

I’ve come across several blogs describing how to monetize the blogs (or similar on line content). I’ve read a lot about various Affiliate systems, contextual ads, banners and SEO - really a lot. I can’t even remember everything I’ve read. Then I’ve tried to apply some. The truth is that if you don’t have a little experience on how Internet goes, everything seems simple but that is wrong. First all the proved procedures about SEO, placement in Google and so on is not going to work in the beginning; you won’t get any visitors to your site or blog in the early days. Then, because you don’t have so many visitors, your add programs, affiliates and the rest won’t pay big dividends. Then, you will read some more about how to monetize your blog, and probably at some point you’ll get disappointed. So what’s the story?

Well, first, most of the blogs about monetizing your on line work are probably true. But they don’t really say that you should put a lot of work into it and then some more work. It’s like with the very reach people. They will always say how they added so many millions, but they will never say how they did the first million.

While I’ve covered the most obvious technical aspects of blogging here

now I should probably enphasize the most important aspect: blog content. Because without the right content, you won’t get a high Google ranking, people won’t read your blog and you won’t be able to monetize it. I can’t really say what you should write in your blog, but first you have to have enough content to make a difference. You can’t really expect to many thing to happen with only 3 posts. And then, your content should matter; you should discuss about subjects that are interesting, and you really have to know what are you talking about. The content doesn’t really need to be scientific, all is necessary is to be genuine and to describe a thing that might happen to others.

And then, there are categories (subjects). You will probably want to write on a number of subjects. Have too many and you will never have enough time to focus on them in a way that it matters. Have too few and you won’t address enough readers categories. It’s not only the number of visitors that matters but also their quality; having some clear and distinctive categories will appeal a certain public - get selective.

If you are at the beginning and think that monetizing your blog will bring sufficient money in the house right from the start, well, you are wrong. Especially if you are working in a big corporation (and start blogging as a side thing) you might have a wrong idea on how things go with blogging just because you are in a big corporation. Don’t mix thing up, the fact that at your job once you publish a white paper 10 000 people will read it in the first week won’t apply to you. You will hardly have 50 readers per day at start. And don’t invest to much money in blogging, it will take a while until you’ll recover your investment. Don’t be confused by the fact that at your corporate office you just have to ask for a new printer and it will be there. No, you will have to work your butt to have the first money in. Invest wisely.

By the way, you should let people know about your blog, and here I’m not talking about SEO or something related. Just tell them of they are your friends - you will be amazed how many of your friends and relatives will read your blog just out of curiosity. Are you using e-mails to communicate? I bet you do, add the blog address on the signature. Forums, on line communities? Why hide the blog?

Huh, It’s a long blog, hold on a minute to read what I’ve wrote already.

Ok, I’m back, I’m not sure if I’ve already told you. Did I told you about the content? Write some more content. You might not have too many things to write about in the beginning, but this can be changed. You have to learn about the subjects you want to write about and be up to date. Be good at what you are writing.

So what I’m trying to say here? Blogging takes time and dedication.

Related posts

» Filed Under Web Beginner Tags:

Comments

Leave a Reply




  • Archives