Thank you so much Problogger you seem to be able to answer all my questions. What makes the learning so rich is that your comments are also full of such useful information. It is a huge task as I knew very little about blogs at the beginning of the week. If I get stuck I know where to come for help.

I am new to blogging and I have just started my first blog on blogger.com. I know I should get a self hosted blog but I am no good at the technical stuff and I just wanted to get something started and see if I could monetize it, then self-host later. I have subscribed to your website and I have also purchased your book, both are providing me with a wealth of knowledge but I am still concerned about promoting my blog as I do not feel comfortable doing #1. Guest posting. I also do not know how to link to other blogs effectively. My blog is about personal development.

I am currently reading through your series: blogs for beginners.

http://life-post.blogspot.com

I look forward to other ones like this.

Thanks Man

http://www.free-trafficsecrets.com

I have an entire year’s worth of titles for posts and series completely written out. Each post will be at least 1,000 words long, fully comprhensive with an “action” at the end of the article to subscribe. I’ll write one post every other day for one full year. In each article I plan on linking to three other blogs in my niche.

Within a year of linking to hundreds of blogs writing great and long articles, I can’t imagine not doing well. :)

Thanks for the inspiration, Darren. I’ll contact you in a year. ;-)

Ian
http://www.winvistatips.com

http://artizle.blogspot.com

* I’m currently running an ad contest for a free, six month, 125×125 ad in your choice of one of four above-the-fold positions.

* I also wrote an “Advertising” page where I discuss this promotion, and an article, “How To Get 101 Subscribers to Your New Blog in Thirty Days”.

* As you recommend, I’ve been looking for as many guest blogging opportunities as I can find, and I’m commenting and making friends with other bloggers.

* Naturally I’m promoting all this on my existing blogs — things do get easier as you go along.

* As Guardian Angel mentioned, I’m also doing some articles on EzineArticles. I would wager that the SERPs dampen the value of incoming links from duplicate pages, but then again a link is a link is a link. I expect this benefit to kick in long term and not in time for the 30-day promotion, however.

Most of all I’m really just trying to write something worth reading every day. One subscriber even told me that that’s why he was subscribing — not because of the contest. So far so good — I’m up to about 400+ daily unique visits from 200+ sites only 20 days after starting out (on a brand new domain).

My advice for new bloggers is to focus on posting quality content that is useful and interesting. Managing your blog is not all fun and games and it takes a lot of work. However, once you begin to add enough content, the traffic will begin to grow and provide significant revenue opportunites. I didn’t land my first advertising deal until I was well into my second year of blogging. It just takes time to establigh yourself and get noticed.

For starters, look into Link Worth and Text Links Ads as a way to monetize your site. Also, in a way to bring in more content, look for others who would be interested in posting material on your site. Also, do not fall into the trap of writing about EVERYTHING. Stay within your niche and area of expertise.

Stephen
http://www.jutiagroup.com

I am just a “want to be” blogger at the moment and I find your Problogger site most helpfull in fullfilling my curious passion in this field. I watched your most recent video with the Q&A session and it was awesome! Can’t wait for the nest one so I can participate.

But you have to blog or write about a topic that excites you, that you are passionate about.

Many start blogging because they’ve read online or in the latest Entrepreneur magazine how much some are making online through blogging.

You cannot start a site or any project at that just to make money. If there is no passion behind the words or thoughts, the words seem empty. There will be no motivation, determination. Key points needed to make a blog, or any business for that matter, successful.

- Chris
http://www.mystrugglewithdebt.com

However, it is really taking me long hours to finish one. But it is worth the effort.

I have read all the posts about this five strategies and found all of them very interesting.

Again, my sincerest thanks to you Darren for being very transparent.

Thanks