The Business of Blogging

by Guido Nussbaum

Blogging has become the latest buzzword in the internet business world. What is blogging? How can it be developed into a business? Is there really any money to be had in blogging? How can you have a share of that business? All of these questions are legitimate questions to be asked and answered about blogging, as is the consideration of how to increase blog traffic.

First, what is blogging? Blogging is a new term for something people have done for ages, just not online. It is a term for a regular writing task, such as a journal, essay, article, something written about a particular subject or interest. It is a shortened term for "web log." Blogs allow for your readers to comment on what you have written.

Blogging has become a big rage for online users. It is being touted as an excellent way to earn easy money on the web. And, rightly so, if it is done right. How can you make money by blogging?

Blogging can be just a hobby that one engages in to connect to others with like interests. Or, done right, it can become a business, a source of extra income. Some actually make a very good income at blogging.

What makes a difference in whether blogging is only a hobby or an actual business? It all comes down to marketing. It is one of those occasions where you can write it, but they might not actually read it. You have to promote your blogging if you really want it to be a business, big or not.

To turn your blogging into an income-producing business, you have to be serious about it. You need a product to promote in connection to your blog. This may be an actual physical product, or it can be an information product that you make available online, for a fee.

You need to spend only a small percentage of your time in actually writing for your blog. The majority of your time needs to be spent in promoting you blog, and thus your product. There are some givens for doing this:

- Stay in communication with your readers who respond to your blog
- Make sure you have strong content
- Target your promotion
- Get involved in mail groups, list serves, forums, etc. related to your subject
- Put a link to your blog site as a signature in all your emails

One excellent to keep interest high is to evaluate products that relate to your blog topic. Be selective in which products you actually endorse. Be honest. Your readers will come to trust you, and will come back often to get your opinion. They will then trust your product as well. Many times the products you review will be provided to you free of charge. Be careful, though, that free doesn't impact your review. Above all, be honest with your readers or you will lose all credibility.

Another important point in blogging for a business is knowing what subjects to address. In each interest, there are varying topics to address. Choose keywords and phrases wisely. Find a good keyword analyzer, many who give free trial periods, and find out what your customers want to know about. Then, write that article filled with killer content.

Make the most of your blogging business by using joint venture opportunities, or affiliate marketing. That means you promote a product that you believe in, but use your own affiliate link you are provided when you sign up to promote the product. Above all, though, make sure the product is one you can promote with good conscience. If you customer is ever let down, even once, by a product you promote, you have lost at least one customer, and often many. Forums and list serves are prevalent, and customers will let their "friends" know if you promote a less that beneficial product.

Be serious about blogging, use the tips provided here, and you will increase blog traffic to the point of having a successful, profitable business about a topic you enjoy.

source : http://www.articlesbase.com