Many people who write blogs today simply want to
share their opinion on something. But then there are the business-minded folks,
who have found a way to use blogs, or Web logs, to bring in a little extra cash
too.
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.
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 bing blogs
and services such as Google's AdSense or BlogAds, bloggers can 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 said 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. 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 to deepen your existing customer
relations. 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."
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