Most of the time, businesses start blogging as a way to build an audience. However, the reverse seems to be happening.

More and more people with blogs are starting to monetize their traffic. It makes sense because one of the hardest things to do as a business owner is grow your traffic.

If you grow your blog first, you already have a solid following to support your business idea.

Starting a blog is easy, but if you want to make money later, you need to think about your strategy and set yourself up for success. It’s important to know what you need to grow your blog and grow your traffic.

• Why a Blog?

A blog is an opportunity for you to develop a brand, grow your business, create a list of subscribers and build a relationship with your target-audience.

A blog that has updated and regularly published content is a way to express your signature style, share reviews and information, teach others, promote and sell products or services. Blogging is rewarding but it requires commitment.

It’s important to be consistent, no matter how often you publish. Your audience grows to expect your posts, so keep at it, and don’t disappoint them.

• The way to Start 

Finding the time to flush out your ideas and do it consistently is the hardest part of blogging. Once you find the time, starting a blog is straightforward.

Consider your opportunities to monetize your blog, determine your audience, and plan a publishing strategy.

You need to think like an entrepreneur to make this venture profitable in the future, so map out the groundwork for your distribution and monetization now.

• Monetizing your Blog

Most people think of running ads on their blogs as a way to make money, but there are other ways. Especially because a blog filled with all sorts of different ads not only is difficult to read but it doesn’t even look appealing.

Building a loyal audience is more important than building a big one.

Instead, think of ways you can sell physical or digital products that align with your audience. Sell your services as a writer or designer. Publish a book.

Create subscription-based packages. Do paid reviews or become an affiliate for other brands.

Dedicate yourself to serving your audience as best you can. Provide value.

 

• Be Specific

With all of the information on the internet, it’s hard to stand out. Pick a specific niche market. Choose an uncommon topic, something that’s not easy to find elsewhere. It’s also critical to know the audience of the specific niche you picked.

You need to talk about topics that are really relevant to your public and to do so in a way that sounds appealing to all of them. If they use a special “slang” or technical terms, you have to be aware of that.

A way to be specific is focusing on a specific geographical location. Present your content in a different style, or focus on a smaller segment of a bigger market.

For instance, writing about steakhouses in Kansas City that serve steaks larger than forty-two ounces allows you to focus more deeply on your topic that choosing to write about steakhouses in general.

• One of the most Important Decision

One of the most important decisions to make, when it comes to your blog, is choosing the right Platform. You need a platform that suits your specific needs.

When it comes to hosting your blog, you have two choices: you can host it yourself or host it on a paid platform.

Using a service to host your blog is the best option.

Some options include Blogger and WordPress. Think about how you want to monetize your blog because not every platform gives you what you need.

You can also use free platforms like Medium or Tumblr. They have built-in audiences, making it easier for you to get started, but they provide less customization, and your blog design ends up looking like everyone else’s on the platform.

• Give it a Name

Picking a name is also important for your blog and business.

This is a great time to think about what you want to name your blog. It’s not necessary to use your name, unless you plan to build a personal brand.

Think of something catchy, fun, and descriptive of your brand, according to the particular niche market you have chosen. This name should reflect your blog’s identity, add personality, and be easy to remember and type. Try to avoid weird symbols, numbers or hyphens as much as possible. You want it to look simple, clean and not “spammy”.

• A Solid Plan

Having a solid plan to follow is the groundwork for growth. Thinking about how to grow your blog and having a precise idea in place helps you to build momentum quickly and get started faster.

If you don’t have a plan, you may end up struggling with distribution because you don’t have a strategy. Publishing is nerve-wracking, but having a plan can alleviate some of that.

Planning for growth involves collecting emails as soon as possible. Use an Autoresponder Service to store your subscriber’s list and make distribution easy.

This step is critical if you want long lasting success for your business. It’s easy to set up and it allows you to apply some powerful email marketing strategies to capture your public’s attention.

 

 

Blogging can be stressful because you need to constantly stay up to date, but if you enjoy your niche – the subject of your blog – it can also be fun.

Use these tips to think about how you can grow your blog to make money later. The great thing about starting a blog is that you don’t have to quit your day job until you start making money. If done right, once you start making money, you’ll grow quickly.