Just about to get ready to set up a blog so newbie info like this is always helpful. You make it sound a lot easier than my mind does. I would love to know how blogs for NPs can be monetized or are they used mostly for driving traffic to their websites?
Danny Brown
· 5 months ago
Hi Rebecca,
I think NP's can use blogs both ways. Obviously they're a great way to raise awareness by driving traffic to either their own site or that of the people they're helping. Yet they can also be monetized through corporate or donor sponsorships.
You could offer an advertising post on behalf of one of the charity's main supporters, and what their service does. Or offer ad space for businesses that are related to the NP's cause - the higher the relevance, the more likely an ad will be successful.
You could also see merchandise from the NP via the blog as well.
Of course, make sure that you disclose where necessary that it is sponsored - but I don't see why a NP wouldn't be able to monetize their blog in some fashion.
Mayav Madon
· 5 months ago
Hi Danny: Loved the post, have often toyed with the idea of having a space to express myself, but have never been able to fig out wht it is that i want to write about (read as focus on) any suggessions on how to tackle this dilema, thats basically holding me back ?
Danny Brown
· 5 months ago
Hi Mayav,
That's definitely one of the most frequent reasons that deter someone from starting a blog, is knowing what you want to write about (particularly since every topic under the sun seems to be covered).
It might be an idea to toy with something like Posterous for the time being, writing about all the things that interest you. Then, you may feel yourself gravitate towards one topic in particular, and then you could make that your "full time" topic?
Of course, there's nothing to stop you from just starting a blog on anything and everything - many personal blogs do this to great success and attract a wide variety of readers because of it!
Good luck, let me know how you get on :)
TheFirstPlaceToGo
· 5 months ago
Just started up a blog about a week ago. Got a decent plan for monetization. I'm sure it will need a lot of tweaking, but it's something out of the gate. My next goal is to come up with online and offline strategies for building traffic. I will be referring back to the Promoting Your Blog section of this post. I've tried Techorati, but I'm having technical difficulties getting them to complete the claim. I'll be looking into the other sites you reference. I have 6 more posts to complete over the next week and then I want to be ready to start promoting. Thanks for putting this up.
You offered resources I hadn't heard of before. Of the various blogging communities used to promote one's blog, is there one you'd recommend the most to small entrepreneurs? Thanks!
Danny Brown
· 5 months ago
Hey, thanks guys! :)
For small entrepreneurs, I would say either the Community Spark forums or the Blog Catalog option of paid placement (you pay a small monthly fee to be at the top of your topic). The others are also great communities, though, with Scribnia in particular offering blog and author ratings, helping you get recognized and respected in your niche.
Not quite a community as such but a great networking place for small business owners.
TheWealthSquad
· 5 months ago
The best part - open up and share. We live in a world of abundance. Building a blog to something profitable takes time, effort and energy. Don't expect to slap up a blog and retire. Write about what you are passionate about. Write about what you would talk to a stop sign about. Something that demands to be released.
Passion will drive you farther than simple profit.
Jake Rocheleau
· 5 months ago
This is a great post for anybody starting up or looking to start up a blog, or even trying to become a professional blogger and earn a full-time income doing it.
whatawebsite
· 5 months ago
No 69 - link up with a cool charity project, helping your blog to help others ...
Blogging seems to be the new trend. I am really considering adding this to my marketing system. Right now I create short, catchy videos that lead viewers back to an offer on an affiliate site. I accumulate a majority of my traffic from posting my videos to Adwido and letting them help me target specific keywords to boost targeted traffic. I wonder what would be the best way to integrate blogging into my system?
Amber Naslund
· 5 months ago
Danny,
Solid content as always. The first point you made is the best; blogging - like anything else worth doing - is a commitment. No shortcuts here! But when you dedicate yourself to it (or build a team to help you inside a company), the rewards can be great. I'm not buying the "blogging is dead" stuff. I think there's tremendous value in it, for individuals and businesses, and it's something I'll always be passionate about.
Cheers, Amber
Danny Brown
· 5 months ago
Hey there Amber,
Always great to see you around these parts. :)
I agree - I've been reading with interest the various points being made about blogging and its health. While it will obviously evolve into what works best for individuals, I do believe that the core ideals of blogging - opening up, sharing personal thoughts and ideas, allowing friends, contacts and customers to interact - will remain the same.
Thanks again!
John Haydon
· 5 months ago
Now this is what I call a killer post! I'm going to stick this as a resource in my footer - thanks!
Martin Reed
· 5 months ago
What a great article, Danny - this should be required reading for bloggers; especially those thinking about starting out.
Thanks for the link to my community building blog, too :)
Danny Brown
· 5 months ago
Hey there Martin, cheers, and you're welcome. Community is a big thing for me - I think it's one of the key factors in any blog, so your blog and ideas are required reading mate.
Cheers!
team building
· 1 month ago
the tip's given over here are best for blog promoting while i think there are many blog which are earning in million's dollar's from the blog.
All Comments
You make it sound a lot easier than my mind does. I would love to know how blogs for NPs can be monetized or are they used mostly for driving traffic to their websites?
I think NP's can use blogs both ways. Obviously they're a great way to raise awareness by driving traffic to either their own site or that of the people they're helping. Yet they can also be monetized through corporate or donor sponsorships.
You could offer an advertising post on behalf of one of the charity's main supporters, and what their service does. Or offer ad space for businesses that are related to the NP's cause - the higher the relevance, the more likely an ad will be successful.
You could also see merchandise from the NP via the blog as well.
Of course, make sure that you disclose where necessary that it is sponsored - but I don't see why a NP wouldn't be able to monetize their blog in some fashion.
That's definitely one of the most frequent reasons that deter someone from starting a blog, is knowing what you want to write about (particularly since every topic under the sun seems to be covered).
It might be an idea to toy with something like Posterous for the time being, writing about all the things that interest you. Then, you may feel yourself gravitate towards one topic in particular, and then you could make that your "full time" topic?
Of course, there's nothing to stop you from just starting a blog on anything and everything - many personal blogs do this to great success and attract a wide variety of readers because of it!
Good luck, let me know how you get on :)
You offered resources I hadn't heard of before. Of the various blogging communities used to promote one's blog, is there one you'd recommend the most to small entrepreneurs? Thanks!
For small entrepreneurs, I would say either the Community Spark forums or the Blog Catalog option of paid placement (you pay a small monthly fee to be at the top of your topic). The others are also great communities, though, with Scribnia in particular offering blog and author ratings, helping you get recognized and respected in your niche.
You might also want to have a look at PartnerUp:
http://www.partnerup.com/
Not quite a community as such but a great networking place for small business owners.
Passion will drive you farther than simple profit.
Hallo Danny,
A nice article with some good resources/advice
Well, I've just added your 12for12k.org idea to http://whatawebsite.org/ -
and hope you like the way it's presented there .
Cheers,
Will
Solid content as always. The first point you made is the best; blogging - like anything else worth doing - is a commitment. No shortcuts here! But when you dedicate yourself to it (or build a team to help you inside a company), the rewards can be great. I'm not buying the "blogging is dead" stuff. I think there's tremendous value in it, for individuals and businesses, and it's something I'll always be passionate about.
Cheers,
Amber
Always great to see you around these parts. :)
I agree - I've been reading with interest the various points being made about blogging and its health. While it will obviously evolve into what works best for individuals, I do believe that the core ideals of blogging - opening up, sharing personal thoughts and ideas, allowing friends, contacts and customers to interact - will remain the same.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the link to my community building blog, too :)
Cheers!