Jump Start Your Online Business with Blogging

What is a blog?

You probably already know that the word “blog” is a shortened version of “web log” and that a blog is a platform on which someone or some company can impart information. Simply put, a blog is a place where you can tell friends, business associates, or clients what you want them to know about you and/or your company.

A blog is not the exact same thing as a website. The beauty of a blog is that it can easily be updated as often as you’d like with current information, whereas a website isn’t changed very often. Also, because blogs are constantly being updated with new posts, the search engines love blogs and can rank them higher in searches. Another factor favoring blogs is that they usually have more elements of your personality than a static website.

Probably the benefit I like the best about blogs over websites is that blog readers are encouraged to give feedback by way of the Leave A Comment function. When people leave comments on your blog it shows that your blog is being respectfully read and that makes you a bit of a trusted expert. Blog commenting forges a sense of “team” and team players can give you valuable info on what to blog about and what products you should create. They’re also more likely to buy from you.

Why should you blog?

Before you begin, before you write your very first post, determine the purpose of your blog. What will be the function of your blog? Is it a base for political rants, personal matters, educational info, a narrow niche interest, reviews of affiliate products, promotion of your service, to sell products, or a combination?

With the exception of personal blogging, the bottom line is that you want to establish yourself as an expert, the go-to person, and you want to make money, right? Think about how you want to monetize your blog. Do you want to have ads or AdSense? Do you want to do occasional product reviews or other promotions? Do you want to showcase your ghostwriting services? Do you want to set up a store?

What skills do you need?

Setting up a blog is much easier and quicker than setting up a website for the online beginner and it doesn’t require that you know html or advanced web building skills. In fact, once you know what you’re doing and have done it a few times, you can throw up a new blog in minutes. I recommend you view some video tutorials to get started.

Keeping your blog fed by continually posting fresh content on a regular basis can be the hardest, yet most rewarding part. Before you start, make sure there is plenty to say about your blog topic and that it’s not so narrow that your idea well will run dry. For example, how many posts can you write about staplers or toenail fungus?

What other strategies work well with having a blog?

Article marketing
Using PLR
Using keywords effectively in your posts
Doing audio interviews
Outsourcing any of your needs; content writing, changing blog style, researching, etc
Knowing good sales copy if you promote any product on your blog
Placing ads on your site
Offering your services on the Internet
How to get traffic
List Building
Web 2.0
Mentoring or coaching

There are so many cool things you can do with your blog that I can’t list them all here. You can give your blog some pretty bling, change your blog theme whenever you want, and add plug-ins that do everything but make your bed and brush your teeth.

The main thing is to get started and make your blog work for you. I’ve listed resources below to help you move forward with using a blog to enhance your online business.

Tags: Articles, blogging, blogging article

Blogging Questions

When do you start organising your blog?

Do you set it up before you create your website, or straight after you have setup your site, or do you wait until you get some traffic to your site? Janet discusses the options with some excellent internet marketers.

Tags: blogging, blogging audio, blogging quick tip, Extra Resources, Marketing FAQ

Blogging for Fun and Profit

Pat Marcello

Pat Marcello Presents: Blogging For Fun And Profit

Pat Marcello is the author of 10 books, published by major houses. She came online to help sell her books, and became interested in the world of Internet marketing and all it entails. She is now content manager and SEO specialist for Tellman Knudson’s company, Overcome Everything, Inc. Read more

Tags: Audios & Transcripts, blogging, blogging audio, Guest Experts, pat marcello

Blogging and Email Marketing. A Winning Mix

Belinda Jackson Presents: Blogging and Email Marketing. A Winning Mix

With millions of websites online, can your prospects easily find yours? And once they find you, does your online presence help you to increase sales & profits by building relationships with your prospects and clients? Read more

Tags: Audios & Transcripts, autoresponder, belinda jackson, blogging, blogging audio, email marketing audio, Guest Experts

List Building Through Blogging and Giveaway Events

Stephanic Mulac

Stephanic Mulac Presents: List Building Through Blogging and Giveaway Events

Stephanie Mulac has been on the Internet Marketing scene for several years now, but she’s spent her whole career in computers and technology. In 1989 she started her own computer service and repair business, operating storefront locations in multiple states and overseeing up to 150 technicians and employees for over 13 years. That business grew to include full service commercial web design and search engine marketing for clients worldwide. Read more

Tags: Audios & Transcripts, blogging, giveaway events, List Building, list building audio, stephanie mulac

Blogging For Traffic And Search Engine Optimization

Jennie Armato Presents: Blogging For Traffic and Search Engine Optimization

Jennie Armato is a lovely friend and mentor of mine who has been creating outstanding success on the internet since it was first created. She is always watching new trends and getting in there first.

A couple of weeks ago I ran into Jen at a seminar we were both attending. She told me of the amazing results she is getting with search engine rankings and free traffic. Read more

Tags: Audios & Transcripts, blogging, blogging audio, Guest Experts, jennie armato, search engine optimisation, seo, traffic secrets audio

Blogging For Boomers

Learn all about blogging from internet marketing experts

You can earn a very healthy income blogging online from the comfort of your home or while traveling. It requires hard work but if you’re passionate about your topic then it could be the perfect way for you to make money from your passions.

Blogging For Boomers

Tags: blogging

Blog Mastermind

How to make a full time income blogging part time

Yaro Starak makes a very healthy full-time income blogging online. He has set up an excellent program which shows you how you can also blog from the comfort of your home.

Blog Mastermind

Tags: blogging