Comments on: Profitable Niche Blogging? Absolutely!

By: How to Profit from a Free Service : Freelance Writing Jobs | A Freelance Writing Community and Freelance Writing Jobs Resource

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:32:20 +0000

[...] I began to implement a few monetization strategies. There were several years of trial and error, but eventually I hit on a formula that [...]

By: KEITH BIRMINGHAM

KEITH BIRMINGHAM — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 01:07:45 +0000

Where can I get info on “click based advertising”. I have a growing niche blog network, but no money coming in because I have only recently retired from a job career that kept me busy 14+ hours/day. For the past three months I have been preparing my dream (photographer/writer/journalist/blogger/webmaster) occupation for commercialization. I fully realize I need outstanding content from multiple sources. My other questions are: 1.)Can click based advertising draw in enough advertisers to make a site profitable? 2.)Will product reviews on blogs really make the site money? Is the click based advertisements the only real income a niche site can develop?

I hope you will answer these questions. I am wondering if this is just a waist of my time.
.-= KEITH BIRMINGHAM´s last blog ..Camera Equipment =-.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 08:14:45 +0000

I can’t imagine a tougher niche to try and get into and make money from (how to make money). I have blogs in several niches and make a full-time income from my sites. Most of them are on home improvement niches.

By: asithi

asithi — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:55:20 +0000

I think the same people who thinks bloggers should not be making money from their blogs are the same people who thinks it is ok to get music for free. It is unfair to expect people to give content away for free. I think I do not have this problem is that I have advertising on my site from day one (adsense). No one’s feelings are hurt that “change the rules” on them by putting up advertising later.

By: Freelance Writing Jobs for January 11, 2009 : Freelance Writing Jobs for Web and Print

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:34:27 +0000

[...] Profitable Niche Blogging? Absolutely! [...]

By: Steve McAllister

Steve McAllister — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:35:56 +0000

Thank you so much for this post, Deb. It’s taken me a long time to commit to developing my own blog, and it truly helps to have someone like you as inspiration. Looking around the net, I too thought the only people making money were the “blogging for money” folks. Just like the only way to do marketing online was to market “how to market online” courses. I’m glad to know there is a way to follow my passion and earn a living… At least eventually. Until then, keep writing the world.

By: Dave Doolin

Dave Doolin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:27:20 +0000

Deb, I bet you can pull in what John Chow and Shoe are pulling once you have been at monetization as long as they have.

People don’t realize how much of anything turns out to be simply time in the saddle. Show up every day, do your thing, progress in inches, the competition blooms and fades. I’m sure of it. If I weren’t I’d have packed it in by now.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:41:33 +0000

Thanks for this post- it was very encouraging.

By: Deb

Deb — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:39:27 +0000

Hi Matt, This post was in response to Darren Rowse's post wondering if nichey blogs could earn a living. It was to explain that yes, it's possible. It wasn't meant to be a how-to. However, since you asked so nicely, please see these past posts about traffic for more information: *Profitable Blogging for Yourself: Traffic and Community First...then Money *Tips for Building Blog Traffic *Bringing in Traffic from Beyond Your Network * Using Keywords to Label Your Images for Increased Traffic *17 Tips for Promoting Your Blog Without Being Spammy *Why Bloggers Need Stats to Succeed I hope that helps. Have a nice day!

By: Matt Demers

Matt Demers — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:28:29 +0000

Thank you for not giving us advice on how to pull in traffic, but rather trumpeting your own accomplishments, as usual. Really helpful, coming from a blog about freelance writing.

By: Deb

Deb — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:04:09 +0000

Thanks, Jeanne. Check out Blogging for a Living. Jennifer Chait talks about earning as a freelance blogger while I discuss earning on your own blogs. I’ll do my best to address everyone’s questions.

By: Deb

Deb — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:02:55 +0000

It's absolute worth it, John. Advertisers are as feast or famine as freelance writing clients so it's always a hustle. By the way, I'm so happy to see you back in action at PoeWar. It's one of my favorites.

By: Deb

Deb — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:00:46 +0000

All, I actually posted this on the wrong blog in the network - It was supposed to be part of the Blogging for a Living blog. After I realized my mistake I didn't want to move it because I already Tweeted out the link. Please stay tuned to that blog for the answers to your questions. Thanks!

By: Deb

Deb — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:57:45 +0000

Hi Mary,

Before last year I spent most of my time blogging and writing for clients and, at one point, even working at a full time telecommute job. I only had a few hours each week to devote to this blog network. When I found myself without full time work, I concentrated on doing everything I could to make this blog more profitable. I worked the whole day writing content, researching advertisers, building relationships that can lead to traffic and revenue, and analyzing everything that goes into running this blog.

By: Deb

Deb — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:55:16 +0000

Hi Amber,

Before 2009 I didn’t put a full time effort into this blog network but still averaged about $1000 per month. The key is to keep it going. Even if you can only post once a day, be sure to update regularly. Plus use SEO (without it reading like you use SEO), tag your posts, and work diligently on bringing in traffic. If you only have a few hours each week to devote to your blog, write content ahead of time and schedule it to appear each day. Hope that helps?

By: Greg

Greg — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:22:29 +0000

It’s amazing how saturated the internet is these days with blogs. I think “niche” is the key, as is creativity and uniqueness to separate yourself from the crowds.

By: Bethany Harris

Bethany Harris — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:10:29 +0000

Thanks for such an encouraging post! Some days are indeed frustrating, but then I remind myself of the reasons I started my blog, the progress it has made, and the awesome freelancers I have been fortunate to connect with. Patience is key!

By: Marsanne

Marsanne — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:59:06 +0000

I’d like to know more about bringing in traffic. Do you have a previous article or suggestions to give or of places to look that I could get more information on that? I post to facebook and digg each time I blog, but I only have about 50 or so steady visitors

By: poch

poch — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:49:40 +0000

Bravo! Your questions just reminded me of what really is my blogging problem.
You see, I’m a Philippines citizen but for some weird reason, foreigners, especially Americans, are the ones who give me traffic.
That would mean I’d have to have more foreign and American friends (which would be easy if I live in the US). It seems I’m in a trap, doesn’t it?

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:51:39 +0000

I’d also love some advice on upping the ante and making more money on my blogs. I love blogging, but I barely pull in pennies per month. I took Darren’s course last April which was a HUGE help, but I would love more advice on the entire world of blogging.

By: John Hewitt

John Hewitt — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 03:35:12 +0000

It is difficult to monetize a writing blog. There isn’t a set of products that freelancers will automatically buy. It takes work, but as you have demonstrated, there are ways to make it work for you. I have seen my own blog ricochet from thousands a month to hundreds than back again. Making money as a blogger isn’t easy, but it is worth it.

By: Mary @ The Writer's Block

Mary @ The Writer's Block — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 02:32:33 +0000

Ditto Amber. That’s one of my questions, too.

Also, you say that as soon as you put a full-time effort into the blog, it “took off.” Can you elaborate as to what that means? (for example, During the course of six months, did your income triple? or maybe you were making $500/month within two months? or some such scenario?)

I’m interested to know because I *could* drop a few extra money-making jobs I have to devote a more concerted full-time effort to my blog, but I wonder how long it would take to replace that income? If I felt that in 3 months, I’d be making xx amount of money, I’d be more likely to go for it. I know there are no guarantees, but I’d love to have a realistic assumption to go on.

Thank you!

By: Amber

Amber — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:03:41 +0000

I’m wondering what you’d recommend for someone who simply CANNOT put a full-time effort into their blog?

I spend at least 10-15 hours per week blogging, reading blogs, marketing my blog through social networking etc. But I’m also a full-time student, work part-time and freelance on the side. I want to make more money from my blog but I’m not sure how if I can’t put a full-time effort into it?

Thanks,
Amber

By: Theda

Theda — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:34:01 +0000

I agree. This post gives me hope too, and it’s a great mini-lesson about monetizing a blog. Great info, and maybe I’ll start working on one of my niche projects that I’ve let dissipate.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:49:23 +0000

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