How to make from your blog: 5 tips

Many
of the 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 lesser-known blogs, services such as Google's AdSense or
BlogAds
enable bloggers to 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 did 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.

It is not difficult to
share your knowledge
about things that you really enjoy. Doing so is a pleasure rather than
a
business.

But,
what if you cannot come up with anything to share?

What
if you do not have a hobby?

What
if you think that you are not knowledgeable in any subject?

If
so, you are not alone. Almost anyone who begins an Internet business
feels that
he or she knows nothing that could be of any interest to others.
Because of
this lack of self-confidence, they begin blogging by copying other
blogs or
ideas and then fail miserably. It is not surprising that one can copy
an idea,
but cannot duplicate the passion and expertise of a successful blogger.

So,
take your time to generate your own ideas. Begin by jotting down things
that
are enjoyable to you. To show you how easy and exciting it can be, lets
brainstorm for ideas.

-Do
you have a hobby?

-What
interests you?

-What
are your pleasures?

-Do
you like traveling, sports, or fashion?

-What
excites you?

-Write
it down.

Now you have to find a
subject that you are
truly interested in.

-
Do you enjoy cooking and entertaining? Lets say you have a passion for
cooking
and have many family recipes that have been handed down for
generations, or perhaps,
you have developed a few delectable creations of your own.

Make
a blog about these particular recipes and any similar dishes. There are
plenty
of people from around the world who are looking for interesting recipes
and are
willing to share their own tips and tricks about preparing certain
dishes. By
allowing them to leave comments, you could develop a friendly
atmosphere
between fellow bloggers.

-
What if food is your passion, but the thought of cooking is a big
turnoff?
Fortunately you enjoy dining out, so why not create a blog about your
dining
adventures just like a food critic? Share your experiences that can be
very
useful for the local folks.

-
May be you like to go to the bars and night clubs? You can create a
blog by
writing reviews of bars and night clubs in your area and in places
where you
have traveled.

-Do
you enjoy going to the movies, live theater, concerts, maybe classical
music or
the opera? Start a blog on any of these activities that you truly enjoy
and
write reviews about what you have seen and heard.

-
What if you prefer to rent movies instead of watching them in the
theater? No
problem! Write reviews about the movies that you rented! There are
plenty of
movies now being made that are going directly to DVDs.

-
Do you have pets? Dogs, cats, goldfish, ferrets, horses or just about
any
animal you may want to name. Are you involved in their care? Do you
take
pleasure in having them around? If you raise animals or have an animal
shelter,
you are definitely involved with them and can tell a lot about their
habits.
Your blog can be the center attraction for animals lovers and pet
owners.

-
Do you like sports? What type of sports? Hockey, baseball, football,
soccer,
swimming, bowling, gymnastics, lacrosse, martial arts, horse racing,
tennis,
racquetball, boxing, sailing, and many other. Whether you are a
spectator or a
participant, if you have a passion for a particular sport, athlete or
team,
then starting a blog can be exciting and provide valuable and
interesting
information to others.

-Perhaps
you are taking care of an elderly parent or a child who has special
needs? A
blog about your experiences as a care giver could help and enlighten
others
with similar situations. This blog could be the focus of a special
interest
support group.

-
In the same vain, you or a family member may have had an experience
with drugs
and/or alcohol. A blog about your personal experience with the struggle
and
then overcoming the adversity could be a inspiration for others.

-
The same can hold true for any illness or disease. A blog about your
battle,
your experiences, successes or failures could be a guide for others; a
support
forum for people sharing a similar experience.