Are you a blogger who tries out marketing?
Or are you an Internet marketer who blogs?
Do you want to make money in your niche?
Tell me now…how successful are you?
If you're like 95% of the known population, chances are, your income is only slightly less dismal than Cinderella's foray into a mosh pit.
And here's *why* you've seen only depressingly minute increases in your Paypal account.
It's because you the process you've chosen to follow…drops the ball.
Let me explain.
It's not about your blog that makes you money…it's your *business*.
And like a bricks and mortar business, unless you *follow* a proven schedule every day to build your authority and showcase to others you're the real McCoy….you'll be destined to trail after the brilliant shooting stars who are snarfing up all the profits in your niche.
The fact is, monetizing your blog is *not* just about affiliate links.
it's *not* just about writing awesomely magnificent content.
Instead, it's about building your list, monetizing that list, compelling your visitors to tell their friends about you, and overall giving back to your community at large.
Let's take this one by one, shall we?
Point #1.) Building your list
You *do* have an optin to gain email addresses, right?
If not…why?
Remember, the first time someone visits your site…chances are….they're *not* going to buy.
But if you can offer them a quality product in exchange for them signing up, you can start to build a relationship with them for the future.
I have several newsletters I offer my readers, including my LingSights (special resources I tell my subscribers about), THE Inner Circle (a daily marketing goodies list), and others.
Each of them offers great bonuses for subscribers.
You can easily do the same! And you don't have to write an epic report, either, you can simply grab some private label rights articles from the Internet, add your own particular spin to them, and voila! Instant product.
You can grab 30 PLR books here for less than $10, a comprehensive tutorial about video PLR here, and even offer a complete PLR course on blogging to boot!
I'm on some lists where the list owner markets 2 or 3 times a day, once a week, once a month, and the like.
It all depends upon your own personal business goals.
Next, let's dive to
Point #2.) Monetize your list.
And no.
I do *not* mean only sending out affiliate marketing and that's it!
You can monetize your list by:
Segmenting it into sub-niches: Let's say that your niche is parenting. Well, you can have sub-lists for baby parenting, teen parenting, elder adult parenting, and the like. Do you teach how to play the trumpet instead? You can subniche into beginner band, classical orchestra, etc.
See?
The more targeted you get, the higher the chance of sales in the future.
Giving away branded products: There are products out there in your niche, right now, that will let you brand quality software/ebooks…that can provide an upsell on the backend. Niche Site Builder is one of them; I bought the product myself so I can offer it as my own in the future.
Always look into over-delivering on the value you give your subscribers. It will encourage them to buy from you in the future.
From there, let's move to:
Point #3.) Compelling your readers to tell their friends about you.
There's lots of ways to do this!
You can join blog swaps or blog hops, start contests on Facebook Fanpages, and the like.
Also, you can develop your own unique blogging voice too, the one thing that can never be duplicated!
Trust me…if by visiting you, people feel uplifted, chances are….they're going to tell their friends as well.
I wrote a bit about that over at Make Captain Picard Envy YOUR Unique Blogging Voice – 3 Creative Ideas – I think you'll greatly enjoy it!
And finally, let's tackle:
Point #4.) Giving back to your community at large.
Do you offer goodies for free?
Now, I'm not talking about your own products, as you should definitely charge for those!
Instead, I'm talking about:
- Being helpful and answering questions on niche forums
- Offerings answers in social networking
Stuff like that, y'know?
Don't nickle and dime your network…share your goodness with an open heart.
* * * * * *
See, I told you it was easy!
Well, actually, the *easy* part is, you know what you have to do.
Putting it into action….now that, I'll admit, takes lots of sweat equity indeed.
But stay focused in being consistent…and you should see your bank balance increase in a way that brings a smile to your face.
And that, of course, can only be described as a Very Good Thing indeed.
Grow strong,
Barbara Ling
ps – Speaking about making things happen, if you want the definitive guide to your own personal 2012 success, check out my own personal blueprint, Income Fitness below.
Get Started Here
You’ll love what you learn… Promise!