How can I turn a blog into a successful business?
Creation Date : Jul 29, 2009 8:12 AM | Modification Date : Sep 28, 2009 12:49 PM
Average User Rating
(0 ratings)
5
Replies
Last post
: Apr 23, 2010 1:49 PM
byGini137
Average User Rating
(0 ratings)
Expert Answer
That's a great question. There are many blogs and at the same time... some really amazing success stories of those who have broken out big. Consider Perez Hilton, Boing Boing and then many many more in niches who are shaping their industries, generating revenues and creating lot's of fun for the founders. In fact...I just launched Girl2Watch.com, a site where we profile up and coming actresses with shows or movies this week who you get to meet in social media such as Twitter and Facebook . So...lemme tell you what I've learned in my research.
1- Have a strong and authentic voice.
2- Keep your content fresh, valuable and fun regardless of the topic.
3- Really know your category and go to work helping others in it. Build the biz of others and they'll be rooting for you to win with links and endorsements.
4- Pick up the phone and build some relationships. Get content others don't have. build stronger relationships.
5- Learn SEO and expirement with Search Engine marketing and other forms to determine if you can create a customer for less than you can monetize them for.
6- On monetization. Be smart. what are the problems your audience has and who are the best marketers to solve them. How can you better serve your audience. Sell your own webinars? ebooks? host conferences?
7- Finally...be patient. there is no such thing as an overnight success.
Did I miss something?...certainly so...other please jump in. I need the help too. Good luck Philip!
Vince Thompson
Vince Thompson has extensive media experience in media and writes and speaks on sales and management. His consulting firm, Middleshift, helps Internet companies build revenue by creating advertising solutions and sales strategies. Middleshift's client list includes companies such as Break.com, TVGuide.com, Manta.com, Spark Networks and Michael Eisner's Vuguru.
Previously, Vince lead ad sales efforts for AOL and Facebook. Vince is also CEO of Media2Watch, a niche media company in the entertainment business operating www.Girl2Watch.com; a site that profiles up and coming celebrities.
He is the author of the bestselling business book, "Ignited: Manager's Light Up Your Company and Career for More Power, More Purpose and More Success" on FT Press and is a contributing author to the Iowa Press text, "Media Selling".
Average User Rating
(0 ratings)
Expert Answer
My blog (securityonwheels.com/blog) has been an integral part of growing my information security audio programs and information security consulting practice. If there's one thing I've learned doing it over the years (and keeping up with other people's blogs) is that you have to keep it fresh. Even one post per week can be sufficient. But if you write a post today and then another one in a couple of months and so on people will come to realize that you don't take it seriously. So, post, post, post...
Kevin Beaver
Kevin Beaver is an independent information security consultant, speaker, and expert witness with Atlanta-based Principle Logic. A Certified Information Systems Security Professional, he has more than 20 years' experience in the industry and specializes in performing independent information security assessments revolving around compliance and information risk management. Kevin has authored/co-authored seven books on information security, including "Hacking For Dummies" and "Hacking Wireless Networks For Dummies." He's also the creator of the Security On Wheels information security audio books and blog, which provide security learning for IT professionals on the go. Check out Kevin's security blog or follow him on Twitter.
Average User Rating
(0 ratings)
Average User Rating
(0 ratings)
Expert Answer
I haven't seen anyone touch on this yet, so now I'm wondering if I have your question wrong. Turn it into a business success meaning you want to monetize it? Or use it for brand awareness to create thought leadership and credibility?
If it's the former, and I did not misunderstand, then it's all about the viewers. You should spend at least six months posting daily (even multiple times a day) to create a really good following. Advertisers will look at visitors per day, but we also pay attention to our subscribers. So, when we approach potential advertisers, we have daily unique visitors, daily total visitors, and subscribers. We have multiple bloggers (that's VERY recent, though) who post daily and ALL of our content is free. But we allow advertising that fits our niche and make a nice little profit on it. It's nothing to retire on, but it's good for shoe and wine money. Plus it drives interest in our paid content, which happens through the business.
If it's the latter, I'm a big believer in posting daily. It's hard to do, but I've watched our traffic increase dramatically when we began to post daily. When you see the ROI, from that perspective, you suddenly find time to blog.
Because we are making money on our blog, I'm happy to drill down further, should you need it.
Gini Dietrich
Gini is the founder of Arment Dietrich, Inc., a Chicago-based firm that teaches companies how to use online communication for business growth. She has a passion for Global Domination and cycling.
As CEO, Gini works with c-level executives on using online technology to develop and foster relationships for better and more efficient communication. Her team works to develop strategies that build communities, generate leads, cultivate those leads, and convert them...all while tying efforts to improved profitability.
Average User Rating
(1 rating)
