Blogging for Dollars

Almost any day of the week you’ll find someone online who’s asking, “How do I monetize my blog?” or “What’s the best way to make money with my business blog?”

Here’s the way I would answer those questions and go ahead and throw rotten eggs at me if you wish.

“Stop thinking about the money.”

“Stop focusing on blogging for dollars.”

Instead …

  • Continually strive to improve your writing skills
  • Reach out and brainstorm with fellow bloggers
  • Link to other people’s posts
  • Better your best freebie offer and give it away on your blog
  • Invite people to do guest posting
  • Deliver clear and consistent marketing messages
  • Reward your commenters
  • Visit blogs in your niche and build community
  • Understand the needs of your target audience
  • Strut your stuff with personal flair
  • Ask others how you can help

How are you monetizing your blog?

  • I never focus on making money from my blog. I love writing in my niche so every chance I can I try to create new content. I have ways to monetize the site that runs by itself but the real fun part is doing research and writing new blog posts. Getting the posts out there and having people visit the blog makes me feel great because I know I’m helping people.

    • Good for you, Murray — you have the RIGHT mindset!

      This is really all we need to be thinking about …

      “Getting the posts out there and having people visit the blog makes me feel great because I know I’m helping people.”

      Thanks for sharing your insight,
      Melanie

  • Unfortunately, what you say is not what lots of people want to hear (ie, you say the truth).

    You need to first build the following and THEN consider the monetization – no popularity/networking, no people visiting, no opportunities to sell.

    Make yourself unique and memorable first and then move onto step 1.

    • Thanks for the knock on my door, Barbara – nice to meet ya!

      I’ve been guilty of saying a LOT of things people may not want to hear. 🙂 But honesty has always been the best policy and I’m a gal who says it as I see it. Everybody is anxious to turn a buck on the internet – I know I am!

      But there’s a slower, sensible, successful way to go about it that’s not exactly glamorous and certainly doesn’t produce instantaneous gratification, but it works.

      I love that you commented about working on being “unique and memorable” first. Kudos to you!

  • Melanie:

    Thank you for this blog post. Totally agree with you. It’s not about the money. The bottom line- What’s in it for your readers and people who visit your blog. People buy from those that they know, like and trust.

    Jane

    • Beautifully stated, Jane – and SO true!

      Great to see you here. 🙂

  • Melanie- great tips on blogging. I like that you mention asking others for help…many of us solo preneurs forget that we don’t have to do it all alone.
    Sheri

    • You’re so right, Sheri – just because we’re “Solo” professionals doesn’t mean we have to fly solo to build a business! The greatest success, in my opinion, will come from creating as many support systems as you can. 🙂

      Thanks for knocking on my door today and I’m really looking forward to next week when your Fall Success Summit begins!

      For anyone reading this comment, you can attend Sheri’s “Find YOUR Path to Success Summit” for free here: http://bit.ly/SuccessTelesummit

  • Thank you Melanie! Always an inspiration. I love and totally resonate with your approach.
    hugs, light, laughter
    Bobbye Middendorf
    The Write Synergies Guru

    • Hey Bobbye! It wasn’t always this way for me. I used to think making money was all I was “supposed” to focus on. I kept hearing that message over and over when I first came online. Like fine wine, I guess we get a little better with age. 🙂 It took me a couple of years and lots of education, observation, and soul-searching to find the truth.

      We must give before we get.

  • It is interesting how it works.

    Recently I was asked what was the purpose of my blog. My answer was simple. Teaching others and making money. When I place teaching others first. Then providing links to more valuable information comes easy.

    • Hooray for you, Sheila! That’s the kind of mindset of a true pro who knows her stuff. Thank you for your honesty. And I’m proud to know someone who has her priorities straight, which means you are heading straight for success!