How Blogging About Internet Marketing Can Make You Money Online
The following is a guest post by Sam Bakker…
I recall when I first started trying to use blogging to make money online. I had arrived at the entrance of a cyber metropolis armed with an idea and a daft look on my face. It was a multifaceted space teeming with online users, all I had to do was establish myself and I’d be crowded with customers in no time. I had bought a product that would teach me how to build a home-based business. It told me I should start a blog and begin sharing with the rest of the internet world how to be successful making money through a home-based business.
I opened an account with Blogger.com and put my hands to the keyboard. For two months I typed away, completing a design and posting content up on a daily basis. For all this effort, I had one member and no sign of traffic. My blog was floating around in an alleyway when I wanted it to be across the street from Facebook. I wasn’t making money and my website wasn’t going anywhere.
It wasn’t until a year later that I found out (and corrected) what I had done wrong. In this article today, I am going to discuss what mistakes I made in my first attempt to make money blogging online and how you can avoid them. By dodging these classic mistakes, your journey to success will help you obtain an internet marketing lifestyle that is greatly to your advantage.
Firstly, it must be said that before anything else, you must plan out what your blog’s central focus will be. As is the general nature of entrepreneurs, we get an idea and jump in head-first without planting a base for ourselves. Planning is essential especially when it comes to blogging; you not only need to identify your audience and the value you can offer them, but you also need to find effective keywords.
Keywords are the driving force behind a blog’s organic search engine traffic. You need to find the most effective ones using a tool such as “Google Adwords Keywords” to research. This will show you where you can get your search engine traffic from and what terms will be most profitable when it comes to making money. If you launch your blog without keywords in mind, often Google will struggle to place you in the index. Much of the time this means that your blog’s potential is capped very early on and your chance of getting decent traffic flow from Google is reduced. Be sure that you conduct the appropriate keyword research for your website before buying your domain name.
When you first launch your blog online, it feels great. However, now the challenge is in getting it seen. In order for search engines to rank your website based on targeted key terms, you will need to generate some external links back to your website. Use websites such as Ezine Articles, Squidoo and write for other websites in your niche to get your blog rising in the search engines and producing traffic.
Use these tips to ensure that your blog doesn’t end up like my first one, gathering dust along some forgotten nook in cyberspace. Instead, implement the techniques I have discussed with you here to get your blog off to an excellent start.
Sam Bakker has been making money online for the past 7 years. If you would like to find out more about Sam Bakker or internet marketing you can view Sam’s website at SamBakker.com
Tags: blog, blogging, entrepreneur, ezine articles, facebook, home based business, Internet Marketing, make money blogging, make money online, making money online, Sam Bakker, search engine traffic
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Tagged with: blog • blogging • entrepreneur • ezine articles • facebook • home based business • Internet Marketing • make money blogging • make money online • making money online • Sam Bakker • search engine traffic
Filed under: Article Marketing • blogging • Entrepreneurship • home business • Internet Marketing • make money online • marketing • online business • Work From Home
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Twitter: DennisEdell
says:
KW research has always been my arch nemesis.
I’m a little surprised you didn’t mention self-hosting over free.
.-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..The Future of DEDC – Part 4 – FINALIZED!…..? =-.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing,
Well hopefully my KW email I sent has helped some?
Since it’s a guest post, I wasn’t going to change it. Free hosting isn’t always bad, but for long-term, self-hosting is definitely the way to go.
[Reply]
Dennis Edell from Direct Sales Marketing
Twitter: DennisEdell
@Alan Mater, I’m saving it for if/when I decide I’ll actually do it; good chance I’ll still look for help or just pay outsourcing. lol
.-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..Attention Commenters: VALID Email Addresses PLEASE! =-.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing,
Ahh… okay, LOL.
Speaking of outsourcing, I talked to my guy about taking on additional work. I’ll send you an email about it.
[Reply]
Twitter: DennisEdell
says:
I tried to tweet and for the first time got an error message saying “already tweeted”
Huh? So what? You may wish to contact tweetmeme over this.
.-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..The Future of DEDC – Part 4 – FINALIZED!…..? =-.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing,
I just tried it, and it worked fine. Not sure what may have caused that. Have you tried again since then?
[Reply]
Dennis Edell from Direct Sales Marketing
Twitter: DennisEdell
@Alan Mater, Yea, seems OK now.
.-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..Attention Commenters: VALID Email Addresses PLEASE! =-.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing,
Good!
[Reply]
Twitter: dtopmark
says:
You left out something Sam. You need to plan how you are going to monetize you blog. Are you going to do it with adsense ads, paid sponsor ads, promoting affiliate products,promoting your own products, or all of the above.
.-= marcus@Money making ideas´s last blog ..Ideas for making quick money – $1800 in 10 days =-.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@marcus@Money making ideas,
I don’t know if Sam is going to reply to any comments here, but I thought I’d give my input. Monetizing is a very important aspect, and I’m glad you brought it up, Marcus. There are many ways to go about it as you mentioned, and it’s vital that you at least have somewhat of an idea of how you’re going to do it while in the planning stages.
[Reply]
Thank you for this great article. In my first year of blogging, I too don’t know what my blog will be even though I already choose a topic. After a year, I realize that coins have so many keywords. Need to focus on something that bring me better online income.
Tweet this great post for you.
Thanks.
.-= lunaticg´s last blog ..New Zealand 2010 FIFA World Cup Coin =-.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@lunaticg, Welcome to my blog.
It’s never too late to shift focus. Keep learning and applying and you’ll get there.
I would recommend starting a self-hosted WordPress blog as well.
[Reply]
Twitter: Leanne_King
says:
The biggest mistake I made with my blog was not starting it
For about 6 months it was just an order page and then I thought mmmm better put something there! After that, the next mistake was not planning properly what I wanted my blog to include – it’s still being planned now!
.-= WP Queen Forum ´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@WP Queen Forum, Been there, done that…
I originally started this site in 2005. After a couple of years, maybe three, I finally decided to get serious and do something with it. If only I was serious from the beginning, I’d be much further ahead now. Ahh well… you live and learn!
Hope to see you around more often, and don’t miss the comment contest for this month.
[Reply]
Dennis Edell from Direct Sales Marketing
Twitter: DennisEdell
@WP Queen Forum, I wasted at LEAST 2-3 years in the beginning.
.-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..6 Blogs – 6 Blog Themes. All the Same or All Different? It’s a Branding Issue… =-.
[Reply]
Twitter: kaiserthesage
says:
I enjoyed reading this one Sam, since I’m experiencing some problems in making and focusing to a new blog this past week. Though I’m encountering more problems than usual, since I’m sort of serious with this one, making me completely stranded in my planning stage.
Just to share those problems (though I think the answer is just near, it’s just me who’s too picky, since I know too much about the industry).
1. platform to use. I originally planned to use joomla 1.5, but currently hesitating because I realized that wordpress.org provides more cool and stylish layouts and plugins.
2. the niche to engage with. I’m willing to learn more about other things outside my comfort zone. But argh, this is just tough. It’s hard to choose, since I find a lot of profitable niches and I also find them very easy to promote.
3. not much with keywords, but I think this also applies to point #2. with no current niche, there would clearly be no keywords to analyze.
Hmm I think that’s all, since it’s all that I mostly think of before I sleep
But I think this will be over before weekend. Perhaps, I should start with the content first so there’s no backing out once the contents are done.
Regards,
Jason Acidre
[Reply]
It’s interesting to know what we are today compared to years ago when we first started our IM journey or for that matter what we will be in say 5 years from now. Speaking of making goals, I once interviewed someone on my blog and he said that he was working 16 hours a day. I asked him where he sees himself in 5 years time and he said he pictured himself spending 16 quality hours a day with his family and working 1-hour a day in 5 years time.Such is the power of goal setting and it drives you to achieve them.
Great Blog Alan! I have Flexsqueeze too and I’m now motivated to spruce it up a little after seeing your nice blog.
.-= Peter@ How To Make Money Blogging´s last blog ..Two Crucial Ingredients For An Internet Home Business Owner =-.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@Peter@ How To Make Money Blogging,
Glad you like the new theme, Peter!
[Reply]
Twitter: clickonportal
says:
Actually before that, the first thing I did was read a lot.
I don’t start anything until I fully know what I’m getting myself into.
My first blog clickonportal.blogspot got PR 3 in less than 3 months.
Started it just this year actually! I was so happy then, I jumped around the house. I’m planning to get that same PR 3 with my all new clickonportal.com blog, but I don’t really have a lot of time now 
.-= Mici @ Click On Portal´s last blog ..Blogging Against Time =-.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@Mici @ Click On Portal,
Not a bad way to start. It’s important to plan things out in the beginning, but eventually you just have to do it.
Congrats on the PR 3. I’m sure with some effort your new blog will reach that in no time.
[Reply]
Mici from Click On Portal
Twitter: clickonportal
@Alan Mater, Well here’s hoping! I don’t have as much time now as before so I don’t know. But I guess it helps that it is .com now instead of blogspot.
.-= Mici @ Click On Portal´s last blog ..Get a Chance to Win 1000 EC Keyword Link Love for Top Entrecard Droppers- =-.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@Mici @ Click On Portal,
Your own domain is always better than a free blog.
[Reply]
Twitter: imstrategies
says:
I can totally relate to this, my first blog is gathering that same dust, lol. In this business you learn as you go, and getting the right info is so important.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@JR @ Internet Marketing,
Getting the right info is important, indeed.
[Reply]
Twitter: inzoneinternet
says:
Internet marketing is really big now. Lots of corporations earn big bucks from it. With internet booming as it is, it certainly is the job of the future. You have to at least know a bit of it.
.-= Tini@Inzone Internet´s last blog ..Search Engine Optimization Separates Me from the Rest of the Planet =-.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@Tini@Inzone Internet, It does take some learning, but the nice thing is that you can learn as you go. And, if you do make a mistake, no worries, just brush yourself off and keep moving forward.
[Reply]
Tini from Inzone Internet
Twitter: inzoneinternet
@Alan Mater, It’s not that hard, but people just perceive it to be. If you know that basics about SEO like excellent content, keyword optimization, backlink building, and social media promotions, then you are on your way. The rest are just variations of these basic principles.
.-= Tini@Inzone Internet´s last blog ..Search Engine Optimization Separates Me from the Rest of the Planet =-.
[Reply]
Alan Mater
Twitter: AMater
@Tini@Inzone Internet,
Well said.
[Reply]
You’re right, it can be very discouraging not having your blog seen when you are first starting up. The key is hard work and dedication, with attention to keyword density, backlinking, and social media.
Kelli´s last [type] ..Blogging Tips For Beginners: Basic Guidelines You Need To Make Sure You Are Following
[Reply]