Let's Build Bigger, Better Blogs - and Earn More While We're at It

competitionscafe

Some good tips here on food blogging (but most of the tips apply to blogging on any subject):
http://eatlikeagirl.com/2010/11/07/so-you-want-to-be-a-blogger-some-tips-and-some-thoughts/

competitionscafe

freecycle wrote: »

is affiliate window really worth having?

It's the affiliate program that matters more than the network - choose the program best suited to your site. Having said that, Affiliate Window is probably the best UK network though - some others listed here: http://ukaffiliateprograms.blogspot.com/

TheRealDeal_2

hostie wrote: »

I am thinking of starting to write a blog and wondered if anyone could recommend a nice place to set it up? Is there a particular blogging community where it is more likely to get readers?

What is said above is what I would like an answer to as well.

If someone could oblige I would be grateful.

JamesJamz

IMO there are two options, self hosted Wordpress install, or a Wordpress hosted on the Wordpress servers.

Personally I like the self hosted option, as it lets you use your own domain name, and can configure the site the way you want it to look and feel.

There are loads of free themes for Wordpress, loads of add-on's which are also free. Everything is easy to update (just log into your admin control panel and start typing)

TheRealDeal_2

JamesJamz wrote: »

IMO there are two options, self hosted Wordpress install, or a Wordpress hosted on the Wordpress servers.

Personally I like the self hosted option, as it lets you use your own domain name, and can configure the site the way you want it to look and feel.

There are loads of free themes for Wordpress, loads of add-on's which are also free. Everything is easy to update (just log into your admin control panel and start typing)

Thanks.

Is the blog itself free ?

I'm clueless on this, treat me as a newcomer, I wouldn't want to get scammed or fooled into paying for something that I can get free elsewhere.

GavB79

Wordpress software is free, but for self-hosting you need to buy a domain name and a hosting package. These days it is not expensive at all. If your hosting account uses cPanel, you will be able to install Wordpress with a couple of clicks using Fantastico, then choose a nice theme, and away you go.

TheRealDeal_2

GavB79 wrote: »

Wordpress software is free, but for self-hosting you need to buy a domain name and a hosting package. These days it is not expensive at all. If your hosting account uses cPanel, you will be able to install Wordpress with a couple of clicks using Fantastico, then choose a nice theme, and away you go.

Thanks I will have a look.

sanctuary

Blogging for money is a complicated business. Some SEO experts will tell you that you should research as much as possible, do the 30-Day Challenge (a free course) etc. The problem is, researching how to blog is DANGEROUS! The Make Money Online industry is not out to teach you how to make money, it exists to make money out of YOU! I ghostwrite for a lot of these websites, so I know.

Here's my advice (both as a blogger and as someone who knows a thing or two about SEO). You don't need to spend a penny to start blogging, but you do need to:

1. pick your niche carefully (the more unusual, the better)
2. write well and often
3. persist (most people abandon their blogs within a week)
4. market (article marketing, press releases, social bookmarking, social networking, forums, yahoo answers, etc etc etc)

It's hard to get readers, but if you write about something people are interested in and work hard at promoting, they'll eventually find you. Money can come with adsense and affiliates.

I have my own domain, so I pay for monthly hosting plus my domain name, and I also had my site designed for me on Wordpress. I have an opt-in list – and I've sold some ebooks to my readers through mail-outs to them. Serious bloggers should know that the serious money is "in the list".

However, I'd suggest beginners start with blogspot (free), sign up for google adsense and Amazon affiliates (free) and market your posts on Ezine Articles (free). If after a month you develop a taste and talent for it, then I'd definitely get your own domain and build a list.

Good luck!

TheRealDeal_2

sanctuary wrote: »

Blogging for money is a complicated business. Some SEO experts will tell you that you should research as much as possible, do the 30-Day Challenge (a free course) etc. The problem is, researching how to blog is DANGEROUS! The Make Money Online industry is not out to teach you how to make money, it exists to make money out of YOU! I ghostwrite for a lot of these websites, so I know.

Here's my advice (both as a blogger and as someone who knows a thing or two about SEO). You don't need to spend a penny to start blogging, but you do need to:

1. pick your niche carefully (the more unusual, the better)
2. write well and often
3. persist (most people abandon their blogs within a week)
4. market (article marketing, press releases, social bookmarking, social networking, forums, yahoo answers, etc etc etc)

It's hard to get readers, but if you write about something people are interested in and work hard at promoting, they'll eventually find you. Money can come with adsense and affiliates.

I have my own domain, so I pay for monthly hosting plus my domain name, and I also had my site designed for me on Wordpress. I have an opt-in list – and I've sold some ebooks to my readers through mail-outs to them. Serious bloggers should know that the serious money is "in the list".

However, I'd suggest beginners start with blogspot (free), sign up for google adsense and Amazon affiliates (free) and market your posts on Ezine Articles (free). If after a month you develop a taste and talent for it, then I'd definitely get your own domain and build a list.

Good luck!

Thanks thats very helpful.

I do have an idea for a Blog, lack of understanding of blogs and how they work or how you do it etc. etc. is my problem.

I've never so much as looked at one but the subjects I would write about could definitely get attention.

trickeymickey

I regularly set up,build and then flip blogs for extra income.

I agree that if you want to make a regular profit using adsense then its very important to think about keyword research before you even register your domain name or think about hosting.

I currently have 3 wordpress blogs which are actively making about £10- £15 per month.These have been set up using both paid and unpaid software and now run completely on autopilot with hardly any input from myself.

Making money with adsense blogs is not a science but it is a numbers game.
If 1 blog generates £5 month then if you set up 100 then in theory you can generate £500, you get the picture?
Thats a lot of work but i know web builders with even more than that! I think the term in America is blogfarmers.

Most blogs generate income from Google Adsense, Amazon affiliate network and either clickbank or Commission junction, personally I try to incoporate them all.

You wont get rich overnight, but building blogs and then either holding for the long term or flipping(selling) for quick cash can provide a passive income stream. Like anything in this life though, you will only get out what you get in.

I'll try and keep an eye on this thread and help out from time to time if i can. I have a big project on my hands at the moment so time is a bit resticted.

Hope this helps a few of you out.:j
Mick