Can I make money blogging is one of the most popular questions in the virtual community.
And without even an ounce of doubt, I say the answer is yes. You can always make money out of something if you put a great effort in it.
However, successful bloggers know that effort is only one vital factor that influences the eventual outcome.
So, what is the recipe for blogging success? What are the other factors that contribute to labeling yourself as a successful blogger?
Amy Lynn Andrews’s 4 Legged Chair Theory
Amy Lynn Andrews is one of the most popular bloggers around, and she has developed her popular 4 legged chair theory for blogging success.
Here are Amy’s 4 pillars for triumph in the blogging realm:
1. Create excellent content (write about something that people will have interest to read, but you also have to write in an engaging manner)
2. Establish real relationships (start connecting with people, write comments, post in forums, engage on social media)
3. Build your platform ( use your blog as a virtual digital shop)
4. Choose and implement streams of income ( you will learn all about this streams later in the article)
But, what I love the most about her theory is the bottom line:
The bottom line is, making money as a blogger is about selling. Either you sell your own stuff or you sell someone else’s stuff (directly on your site or indirectly by referring people to them).
How Long Does It Take To Make Money From A Blog?
The runner-up question in the competition of the most popular blog related questions is: How Long Does It Take To Make Money From A Blog?
The answer: blogging isn’t a synonym for fast and easy money. In fact, you need to put a lot of work, effort and time before you will be able to reap success.
Blogging isn’t a synonym for fast and easy money! Blogging is about dedication, effort and time
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Bob Lotich of ChristianPF blog even puts a chart depicting his earning trends from his blog. And today Bob is one of the most successful bloggers.
From other people I know who make a decent amount from their blogs, this curve seems to be typical. While the first year didn’t yield much income, it was crucial for the second year to be able to.
How Can I Make Money Blogging?
While the first two questions were relatively easy, this most pivotal blog related question takes a while to be answered properly.
Few months ago, I wrote about the ways in which you can make money by blogging. And I totally agree with Amy Lynn Andrews’s opinion about envisioning your blog as a digital shop where you will be selling stuff.
You can read my article Make Money Blogging: Strategies That Yield Success, in which I discuss in depth the steams of income that you can employ in order to increase the success of your blog!
I wrote about the Ads displaying, affiliate marketing, reviewing, etc.
Basically, all of the things that the most successful bloggers do. However, this time, I have a new strategy.
Be the virtual voice of the offline companies
In the 21st century, people say that if you are not online, you don’t exist at all.
I am speaking marketing-wise.
However, there are still many companies, usually smaller whose owners do not have the time, money or the knowledge to advertise their company online.
And this is where you, as a blogger will step in.
The bargain deal is straightforward: the companies will pay you money to advertise their company, their products and services, you will run giveaways with some of their sample products, and you will create a hype about the companies in question.
So, you will be putting quite an effort, but unlike the paid banner ads, PPC affiliate marketing, you will help these companies to increase their “offline” sales.
BTW, if you decide to go for the affiliate marketing strategy, I suggest you to read my book Affiliate Marketing Business first, because it will help you to mold your strategy to fit your vision.
Starting point
At the beginning, ask yourself, what kind of company can you advertise on your blog? I personally advise you to choose something close to your heart, something you are passionate about.
For instance, if you are a fashion freak, you can write about shoes, or bags, shirts, any apparel related item.
You can find many, a tremendous amount of fashion pieces on Polyvore, and with the help of their collage creating app, you can suggest outfits.
If you are a geek, you can start by reviewing some products in the IT stores.
If you like food, you can write something about a grocery store or even restaurants.
Do not try to catch stars with a fishing rod
When you start writing, write because you like it, not because you think you will make millions by doing it.
Write like you would write if it were a journal.
After some time, start chasing around for companies who would be interested in some help with their marketing.
Ask for something symbolic, like a t-shirt, a book or a CD, (but which carries the company’s logo) which you can use in your promotional efforts.
Slowly start building your empire. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
What you want to do is increase the traffic to your blog. You want to gain an exposure.
When you become popular, so will your services.
Blog is like a child: it takes a lot of care to become someone greatly respected by its community!
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Organize a giveaway
Two months ago, I would never advise anyone to run a giveaway. I always thought that it was too much of a work for a little gain.
But ever since I discovered Rafflecopter, I feel like all I want to do every day is run giveaways.
Rafflecopter is a free online platform that makes organizing giveaways as easy as child’s play.
You don’t trust me? Read the article I have written about why giveaways are one of the most important aspects of freebie marketing.
The article is called Ignite Your Online Marketing Efforts with Giveaways Powered by Rafflecopter, and after you finish reading it, you will see how viable and practical my idea is.
This
book will teach you how to make an online money and become your own boss & work your own hours. 20 amazing and proven strategies!
Honesty is always the best policy
When promoting certain product, write an honest review. You can fool people once, but as soon as you do that, it will be very hard to regain their trust.
And when it comes to giveaways, also be honest about the prize.
But no matter how small the prize may be, there will always be an enormous interest.
Why? Simply because people love free stuff! ‘
And while the giveaway is underway, do not forget to expose your blog on all of the possible social media platforms.
In my article Master Facebook Marketing Like a Pro: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet On How To Increase Facebook Engagement, I teach you all you of the tips and tricks you need to know in order to expose your blog to the maximum when it comes to the virtual community!
The proof of success
The next time you have a meeting with the company’s owner, show him/her the statistics and the hype you created with the giveaway.
Agree for a certain commission from the advertising, then go for the PPC affiliate marketing programs ads display (remember the article that I wrote recently, the Top 6 PPC Affiliate Programs for Your Website or Blog) and start making money with your blog!
Can I Make Money Blogging? Yes, you can, and I know how!
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Yes, you can!
Just because most bloggers take the usual path of making money by blogging it doesn’t mean that you have to do it, too.
I have read a lot of blogs from stay at home mums who made decent amount of money simply by blogging kid’s lunch ideas.
In order to make it in blogging, you need to think outside the box. Follow the less favored path!
If you don’t like my strategy, fine, do not follow it. But please come up with a strategy of your own.
Start taking pictures, make DIY projects, get creative.
Invite people into your life, and then money will follow also.
Because blog’s popularity is measured in traffic, and if you want to read, you need to give the readers something they have not stumbled upon.
Be the breath of fresh air in a sea of copycats!
Bloggers, let me hear ya!
I just said that traffic is the most important thing, so what are you waiting for?
Leave a comment below, tell me what your blog is about and get a free marketing space. And while you are here, I would love to hear your blogging story.
Any blogging tips? Secrets you want to share?
My readers will be forever grateful.
Yours,
Nick
p.s. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends. All you need to do is click on any of the social media icons below and help them to experience the sweet taste of blogging success!
