4 Step Blueprint for Making Money with Blogs
February 11, 2008
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1. Niche Selection
Choose a topic that you are an "expert" on. Something that you really like and can easily write about.
Next, use WordZe, or a similar keyword research tool, to make sure there is enough search volume to support your niche. In other words just because you like something doesn't mean there are a lot of people searching for it. Find out what the numbers are before you build. You should choose keywords that have at least 200 searches per day.
Also, make sure you choose a niche that is not too competitive. WordZe gives you all the tools you need to discover good niche keywords that have the right blend of volume and competition.
Here is a short video that will show you a few of the benefits to using WordZe. - Keyword Research Video
2. Setup Your Blog
Purchase a Domain Name, and a hosting account and install WordPress on your own domain vs. using a free service like Blogger or WordPress.com. This way YOU own the blog and a piece of virtual real estate. You never know, it could be worth something in the future. Plus, you control all of the content and data.
Here are some good resources for setting up your WordPress blog:
- Web 2.0 Unleashed - This is a great step-by-step system for setting up a WordPress blog
- WordPress Themes
- 5 Essential Tweaks for All New WordPress Blogs
- 5 Essential Plug-ins for All new WordPress Blogs
- The Next 5 Essential Plug-ins for All new WordPress Blogs
3. Blog Content
Start out with about 8-10 posts that focus on your primary keywords. It is ideal that each post focus on one keyword. You should have a keyword density of 3-6%. That means that if your blog post was on "gourmet dog food" then the words "gourmet dog food" should be included 3-6 times every 100 words.
Post to your blog on a regular basis (4-5 times per week) and stay on topic. If you try to appeal to everyone then you really appeal to no one. If your blog is about dogs then write about dogs.
4. Monetize Your Blog
We wrote an entire eBook on how to monetize your blog. You can get your FREE copy here.
5. Bring in the Traffic!
Once your blog is setup, you have your first 8-10 posts and you have monetized your blog you're ready to turn on the traffic. The fastest way to do that is by using Social Power Linking. You can literally get 100's of visitors to your blog overnight by using the tools, strategies and resources available to you as an SPL member.
So, You Wanna Be a BigShot Blogger?
February 2, 2008
I don't know what the exact number is but, I'm sure it's in the thousands for how many new blogs are started everyday.
Out of those thousands of start up blogs how many do you think actually ever make any real money?
Well, I do know what that number is. Sadly it's less than 1%. Yes, you read that right. It is not a typo.
Is Google AdSense Still a Good Way to Monetize Your Blog?
January 9, 2008
Google AdSense has been around for years. And even though there's not as much buzz about it as there has been in years past it's still one of the easiest and most effective ways to monetize your blog.
Of course it depends on your market and what other monetization options are available to you.
For example if you are in a tech savvy market your readers may be less likely to click on AdSense ads than non-tech savvy readers.
You may have access to excellent affiliate programs in your niche that convert and pay well. In that case it makes more sense to promote those affiliate offers and make a higher commission, or even a re-occurring commission, than it does to give away traffic to a lower paying AdSense click.
It may be that a combination of affiliate ads and AdSense works best to monetize your blog.
The best way to find out what works for you in your niche is to do some research and testing.
Resources from ProBlogger to help you decide if AdSense is a good blog monetization option for you.
- Here are 10 Reasons Why You should Monetize Your Blog with AdSense
- Why I Don’t Use AdSense on ProBlogger Anymore
How to use the AdSense Deluxe Plugin to easily add AdSense to your blog.
Our friends over at Tubetorial created this very useful video for adding AdSense to your blog using the AdSense Deluxe Plugin
To Full-Text RSS Feed or Excerpt RSS Feed. That is the Question.
December 18, 2007
Full text so, the subscriber can read the entire post in their feed reader?
Or do you use post excerpts so the reader is "forced" to visit your site to get the entire story? Read more
Blog Wars - Blogger vs. WordPress
December 13, 2007
There's a war going on in the blogosphere, and it has nothing to do with bloggers dissing each other on their respective websites. The war is about control of the blogosphere by several great, many good, and tons of terrible blogging platforms. The average newbie now has "too many" options to choose from, and the battle for blogging supremacy is hotter than ever. Read more
Web 2.0 Unleashed with Web 2.0 Wealth Unleashed
December 12, 2007
Many of you who have downloaded the free eBook, "How to Monetize Your Blog …", have been asking questions about the best way to get started with blogging. Or "blogging for bucks" as I like to say.
Let's face it there are a million products and training courses out there and it's hard to know, until after you've wasted your money, what is good and what is crap.
I have to admit when Rick and I first got the request to review this product I was skeptical. I'm always skeptical of products with the word "Wealth" in the title. Like "Web 2.0 Wealth Unleashed". Read more
The Top Questions on How to Monetize Your Blog or Website, Answered
October 17, 2007
"What is the number 1 thing I can do to monetize my blog or website?"
Without a doubt the answer to that question is to capture email addresses.
I know, I know. I saw you roll your eyes. You've heard it before and it's nothing new. Right?
But are you doing it? Or, are you still letting 100's of visitors a day walk through the revolving door that is your blog or website never to return?
The truth is that if you have interesting content and something of value to offer your readers then they will want to subscribe to your email list.
The best way to capture emails?
Offer your viewers something of value in exchange for their name and email.
And do it with a pop-up.
Here's a very handy WordPress plug-in that will allow you to easily add all kinds of pop-ups to your site in minutes.
Watch this video to see how it works
With this plugin you can:
- Easily create Wordpress pop-ups using HTML, PHP, Javascript or plain text.
- Control the, size,layout and color scheme of the pop up
- Control the behavior of the pop up by specifying when the pop up will appear.
- If you create niche blogs designed to promote a specific product, then you absolutely need the LightPOP to grab your visitor's attention.
Rick goes into great detail on the subject of email capture and list building in our free eBook and in the Psychology of Email Marketing.
"What is the best blogging software to use?"
