How To Successfully Blog For A Living

6 March 2015
 Categories: Business, Blog

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Have you ever wondered if it was possible to make money by blogging? Maybe you are wanting to spend more time at home with the kids, or perhaps you are just tired of that morning commute. No matter what the reasons are, the prospect of earning an income from the comfort of your home computer is quite alluring to many people, but how do they do it? Here are some practical tips for making money by blogging.

No matter how you look at it, a job is a job. If you think working from home is the equivalent of sitting around on the couch, eating bonbons all day, and doodling on the computer, you will never earn a viable income by blogging. In order to truly be successful as a blogger, you have to treat it like any other job. Set your schedule, plan your day, and above all, be consistent.

While freelance writing is a great way to earn extra income, it is a self-employed position. You only get out what you put in. No one will be lording over you, saying, "Hurry up with that blog post" or "You need to write 10 articles by the end of the week". Set aside a certain time and place each day to research content, connect with sponsors, and write blog posts. 

Success takes time. It doesn't happen over night. Blogging, like many other worthwhile business ventures, takes time. There are very few overnight internet sensations, and chances are, you won't be one either. However, the key to truly successful blogging is developing a strong base of followers, and the best way to do that is to write frequently. Choose topics that would be of interest to your readers, and write at least a few times a week. Over time, you will see that each of your blog posts gains more and more attention.

Sponsors are the key to making money. While blogging can be a great way to get your ideas out there, and share your wisdom with the world, just writing to be writing will never actually pay the bills. Unless you are writing for a specific company, you will need to find someone that is willing to pay for your ideas. Most bloggers do this in one of two ways: self-promotion or affiliate marketing.

  • Self-Promotion - Some people use a blog as a way of promoting their own business. Blogs increase your visibility on search engines, so they are a smart way for some small business owners to market their own products. Authors, cake decorators, photographers, and many other small business owners are able to attract business by keeping an active blog. If you have marketable skills or items to sell, using a blog for self-promotion is a great way to earn recognition as well as income.
  • Affiliate Marketing - Other bloggers have found success by allowing marketers to advertise within their blog content. Sometimes, a blogger will create links to products that can be purchased on affiliated sites. They receive a small commission if their followers decide to purchase these products. Other times, a marketer will request that a blogger write an honest review of a product or service in exchange for a commission or free products. Many companies have affiliate marketing programs. Ones that share your common values make great sponsors.

While it is possible to earn money by blogging, it is a lot of work. Keep working at it, and over time you can be successful as well.