You can't surf the internet without being told that you can make thousands of dollars a month through blogging. While this is true in a few cases, it is not something which can be done by the casual blogger. The professional blogger treats their blogging like a business.
Here are some tips on how to run your blogging like a business.
- Niche blogging: Professional bloggers need to decide their niche, whether it be a blog about blogging, dog training or finding the perfect mate. Each one of the posts need to be focused on some aspect of the whole. Choose the niche with which you have the most experience and passion. If you choose a bland topic, you will lose interest.
- Outsourcing: To save time, the businessperson will outsource some aspects of the operation. You do not need to work alone. You might have strength in writing, but know nothing of web design. Judge the importance of the time it will take you to learn how to design your own web page. If you would rather be spending that time writing, outsource the design. The same principle applies to accounting and administration.
- Know what sells: Business owners will do their research before they go into business. They have an idea about what will sell. As a blogger, what things do you want to read? If you are planning on offering products, create products that excite you. If you are planning to sell information products, look at the sales statistics of the item.
- Branding: Every business, regardless of size, has a brand. With every post you make and each addition to the site, you are building upon that brand. Have a clear idea about your blog's purpose. Develop logos and an atmosphere. Do you wish to be informal with your viewers? Are you especially snarky? Wrap everything around your brand.
- Create contingency plans: Make sure that you always have a plan B. Have an exit strategy for your business. If your business model doesn't work, what actions will you take? Will you create another business model? Will you change your niche? Establish your parameters and contingency plans before starting your blogging business.
- Marketing: How do you plan to market your blog? Create a marketing plan which caters to your interests. If you already have a presence on the popular social networking platforms, how do you plan to capitalize on that exposure? Are you planning to use AdWords? Marketing determines the success of a business. Who is your target demographic? Have you maximized the potential of attraction marketing?
- Review the numbers: Be objective about your blog's numbers. Look at the number of regular subscribers that you have. Take a look at the sales that you have made. Evaluate everything about your blog on a regular basis. Look at it through the lens of a customer. Based on those numbers, do you consider your blog to be a success?
- Customer service: Respond to the comments that are received. As a blogger, this is your form of customer service. Use every interaction that you have as an opportunity to educate your customers and drive viewers to your site. Provide information which will attract advertisers to your site.
- Solicit feedback: Ask your readers what they would like to see in your blog. Businesses have customer comment forms which ask how their business is performing. You need to find out what you should offer your viewers. Ask your readers to be critical of your content so you can learn how to improve.
- Focus on content: Passionate business owners do not strive to give you the most mediocre product for the worst price. They want to give you the best products for the best prices. You need to do the same. You should post frequently to your blog, but create posts that have substance and meaning to you and your viewers. Do not give recycled content, put your heart into it.
Blogging for profit requires time, effort, and an eye toward business. When you decide to become a professional blogger, make the decision to run your blog like a business. Invest in your blogging as you would a business.
Image Source: TheSeafarer
