One of the best pieces of business advice that I ever received concerned diversity. No, not hiring people of various races, religions, etc (though very important too), but diversity in how you earn income. Great bloggers that seek to make money from blogging should spread their time and abilities across several revenue streams, so not to be at risk of putting all your "eggs in one basket". This is much easier to do on-line with the different options available. Let's take a look at some of the means that bloggers are using to make money on-line thru blogs and blogging:
Advertising Programs - The most obvious choice is to participate in advertising programs. The most common way has been the contextual ad program from Google Adsense. They are ending this program, as a result of their purchase of Doubleclick, but will have new options soon. Other successful programs to check out are, Commission Junction, Chitika, Shopping Ads and Widget Bucks (see ad on this page).
RSS Advertising Programs - Recently there's been some advances in RSS Advertising. Now a part of the Google ad program and available both from FeedBurner and BidVertiser .
Sponsorship/Advertising - Besides advertising programs that blogs can participate with there are opportunities in the business of selling ads directly to advertisers. This is the case from sponsorships and display ads. The key with both is to either, have a large audience or a strong core, niche audience.
Business Blog Writing Opps- One of the big growth areas with blogging is in business blogs. Small and large businesses both have learned the need for a web presence, and blogging is a perfect way to get in front of consumers on the internet. Many large companies have an internal staff handling blogging duties; but many also hire specialists to run their blogs. And, most small businesses can't afford a blog team but hire consultants and freelancers. So, check in with local business that could use your services!
Affiliate Programs - There are several large affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, LinkShare and Clickbank but also thousands of others from the large to the very small that cover ever type of items. Pick a few within your blog's area and investigate for the best, popular products with the best deal.
Digital Assets Opps- A number of blogs have been developing digital assets to support and add revenue streams to blogs. This is why you've seen a growing number of e-book sales, courses and tele-seminars. More on e-book publishing, here.
Blog Network Job Opps - With the huge rise in popularity of Blog Networks, bloggers are finding more places to earn revenue with their blogging skills; by writing for others. It might be difficult to get a writing job with the bigger networks (though job openings do come up), there are many folks who always need new bloggers to join in and are willing to pay bloggers. There are certainly advantages of blogging for yourself, blogging for an established blog network, who handles a lot of the start up/promotion/administration/SEO/etc has many advantages. Many bloggers perform a combination of writing for themselves on their blog along with a blog network writing job. Look around on the forums and other blogs and check the opportunities out, they're there for you to explore.
Donations - Yes, Tip Jars and donation buttons have always been a part of blogging now but it still can work and help bloggers go full time after fund raising drives. Don't hesitate, put up the tip jar and explain to your readers the purpose and the benefit of supporting your blog.
Flipping Blogs - The practice of ‘Blog Flipping’, or selling of blogs still has a life. On an individual blog level and also on a network level. This is partly due to the ease of entering into blogging and the hard work it requires. So, many get in and work hard for a year or two but then tire of it. The result? Many good blogs with good names die a slow death if not sold. Network around and see what blogs are declining, or are available for sale that can be re-rejuvenated and sold.
Merchandising - Most ??????.com t-shirt sales are not huge money makers, but they can also serve another, marketing purpose. So, you should check out CafePress or Etsy Shop. If you have a known brand, or a cool logo, you may be able to move some merchandise thru a shop and from sales on your blog.
Consulting and Speaking - We know of several established consultants who have added blogs to their businesses. There are also bloggers without consulting backgrounds who have been able to make money by charging readers and organizations for their time in consulting. This is as a result of their high profile that their blogs have earned them. Blogging can establish people as experts on a niche topic! This takes hard work, solid posts and good marketing (of your blog and of yourself). If you have the skills for public speaking, in addition to consulting, you can present seminars on blogging to businesses and organizations.
There are also other internet areas not directly related to blogs, niche stores, web stores, etc. We won't go into them here, but they can compliment great blogging. You can research these avenues on-line to learn more.
Let us know if any these might work for you, keep us posted. Don't just blog, Blog To Great !
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