Comments on: How Much Free Content Should I Put in My Blog? http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/ Make Money Online Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:03:36 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Make money online with a 17 year old kid http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-4449087 Make money online with a 17 year old kid Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:28:23 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-4449087 Hi Daniel, Thx for the tips. I like the first option the most because its easiest for novice bloggers like me and also less risky than completely making the book unique. Only pro writers like you can do that. Great post. I just visited your site dailyblogtips. The site seems rally interesting and I am subscribing to it too. Hi Daniel,
Thx for the tips. I like the first option the most because its easiest for novice bloggers like me and also less risky than completely making the book unique. Only pro writers like you can do that.

Great post.

I just visited your site dailyblogtips. The site seems rally interesting and I am subscribing to it too.

]]> By: atlanta wedding photographer http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-4289384 atlanta wedding photographer Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:00:48 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-4289384 Good questions as to when to charge. I have found that if you offer an ebook that will solve your niche's problem that they will give you a little cred because you are attempting to help them with valuable information without asking for something in return. Well, they will think that and most will continue to come back often. Thanks Good questions as to when to charge. I have found that if you offer an ebook that will solve your niche’s problem that they will give you a little cred because you are attempting to help them with valuable information without asking for something in return. Well, they will think that and most will continue to come back often. Thanks

]]> By: gout http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-4218559 gout Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:51:43 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-4218559 I am still learning, and your posting really help me to understand more....thanks I am still learning, and your posting really help me to understand more….thanks

]]> By: The immigrant http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-4183106 The immigrant Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:34:08 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-4183106 Writing an e-book as a compilation of your posts is a great idea. Every post has by itself its own beauty and importance, some better than others, but once you look at the whole picture you get the original beauty, the big idea. It’s like posting the picture of an eye or a hand or a foot; if they look good by separate, remember me, they are going to shine together. www.Theimmigrantlounge.blogspot.com Writing an e-book as a compilation of your posts is a great idea. Every post has by itself its own beauty and importance, some better than others, but once you look at the whole picture you get the original beauty, the big idea. It’s like posting the picture of an eye or a hand or a foot; if they look good by separate, remember me, they are going to shine together.
http://www.Theimmigrantlounge.blogspot.com

]]> By: Frank http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3570207 Frank Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:25:59 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3570207 Nice post and many thanks for taking the time to share your ideas. My blog focuses on hiking (bushwalking) in Australia, and in particular Tasmania...a beautiful and unspoilt part of the world. I would love to consolidate all my posts into an eBook and make it available to my readers. (as I get a lot of lookers who don't return :-( ) Just need to take a week off work and focus on creating it. Time management rather than motivation seems to be my limiting factor. Nice post and many thanks for taking the time to share your ideas.
My blog focuses on hiking (bushwalking) in Australia, and in particular Tasmania…a beautiful and unspoilt part of the world.

I would love to consolidate all my posts into an eBook and make it available to my readers. (as I get a lot of lookers who don’t return :-( )
Just need to take a week off work and focus on creating it. Time management rather than motivation seems to be my limiting factor.

]]> By: BillinDetroit http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3567638 BillinDetroit Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:54:28 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3567638 @ Reuben -- rethink that. Create your e-book. Take your time & craft it well. Create a second one if you have sufficient material. Do the same with a couple dozen (or more) posts. Make certain that every word is solid. Make sure of your facts. Make the words evocative of emotions. Let every third or fourth post reference one of the e-books in passing. No 'hard sell' ... just identify a topic that you think your potential customers would pay to obtain in-depth knowledge about ... and then casually mention that you go into more depth about it in your e-book. Then, when you have this minimum level of content ready, turn your attention to the mechanics of the blog: the theme, the privacy policy and contact pages, the choice of hosts (I have a link to an excellent one on my blog - just follow the name link), and the marketing. Get the mechanics settled (you can, and will, revise later) and then tear into the marketing with the same determination as you doggedly wrote the content. I didn't do this. It shows. @ Reuben — rethink that. Create your e-book. Take your time & craft it well. Create a second one if you have sufficient material. Do the same with a couple dozen (or more) posts. Make certain that every word is solid. Make sure of your facts. Make the words evocative of emotions. Let every third or fourth post reference one of the e-books in passing. No ‘hard sell’ … just identify a topic that you think your potential customers would pay to obtain in-depth knowledge about … and then casually mention that you go into more depth about it in your e-book.

Then, when you have this minimum level of content ready, turn your attention to the mechanics of the blog: the theme, the privacy policy and contact pages, the choice of hosts (I have a link to an excellent one on my blog – just follow the name link), and the marketing. Get the mechanics settled (you can, and will, revise later) and then tear into the marketing with the same determination as you doggedly wrote the content.

I didn’t do this. It shows.

]]> By: BillinDetroit http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3563084 BillinDetroit Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:43:23 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3563084 My guess is that the presence of an e-book is perceived as evidence of 'authority'. Even if the first one doesn't sell especially well, it paves the way for later sales. My guess is that the presence of an e-book is perceived as evidence of ‘authority’. Even if the first one doesn’t sell especially well, it paves the way for later sales.

]]> By: Sue http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3544269 Sue Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:59:07 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3544269 I have considered building an ebook but I am unsure if it would be a benefit in building traffic. I would like to keep my blog free however I have considered writing a tutorial with screen shots. Perhaps if I follow through with this concept, posting the first chapter on the blog as the introduction teaser would be appropriate. Suggestions? Awesome post! I have considered building an ebook but I am unsure if it would be a benefit in building traffic. I would like to keep my blog free however I have considered writing a tutorial with screen shots. Perhaps if I follow through with this concept, posting the first chapter on the blog as the introduction teaser would be appropriate. Suggestions? Awesome post!

]]> By: Temi http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3542295 Temi Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:07:35 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3542295 Great post! Really a blog should be established big enough before thinking of doing this, then i like your first question "is my blog established as an authority in its niche, or am I established as an expert in this niche?" Thats a great questtion to be asked. I believe free content is an investment, its promote your business and you make easy bucks from there. Great post! Really a blog should be established big enough before thinking of doing this, then i like your first question “is my blog established as an authority in its niche, or am I established as an expert in this niche?” Thats a great questtion to be asked.
I believe free content is an investment, its promote your business and you make easy bucks from there.

]]> By: Metro http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3541332 Metro Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:20:20 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3541332 My blog provides a lot of free info. I have to work hard to develop it. So far it has been very well received, traffic is solid. I started a Video Channel with tutorial videos for sale. The idea was provide quality content then steer reader to video to purchase. I figured this is it, I'm going to be selling 50 videos a day. I mixed in some free ones to make visitors comfortable. Guess what? My paid videos are excellent tutorials but no one is buying. My free videos are being watched constantly and traffic is jumping. Point is, people come for the free info. Once there you have to try different things to see what sells. What if you give your ebook away for free and keep providing quality info. Likely result is quality traffic. Maybe revenue comes through back door. Every day I think about the women who made some kind of thing for keeping her hair up. She made $75 million. She then ventured into other gadgets she figured would be winners and lost $20 million. Something like that. I'd say keep giving away free quality info and keep your eye on the back door. My blog provides a lot of free info. I have to work hard to develop it. So far it has been very well received, traffic is solid. I started a Video Channel with tutorial videos for sale. The idea was provide quality content then steer reader to video to purchase.

I figured this is it, I’m going to be selling 50 videos a day. I mixed in some free ones to make visitors comfortable.

Guess what? My paid videos are excellent tutorials but no one is buying. My free videos are being watched constantly and traffic is jumping.

Point is, people come for the free info. Once there you have to try different things to see what sells. What if you give your ebook away for free and keep providing quality info. Likely result is quality traffic. Maybe revenue comes through back door.

Every day I think about the women who made some kind of thing for keeping her hair up. She made $75 million. She then ventured into other gadgets she figured would be winners and lost $20 million. Something like that.

I’d say keep giving away free quality info and keep your eye on the back door.

]]> By: John Bougearel http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3541269 John Bougearel Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:59:37 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3541269 As an expert in my niche, (financial markets), I have blogging my way to a book. But, like Daryl's experience, the first book I am writing is more than a compilation of blog posts. The second book I write may be just a compilation of blog posts. But, the bottom line for me is that I am not widely recognized as an expert. Hence, the reason for writing the first book detailing the financial turmoil of 2008 as it relates to our lives today and within the context of 150 years of American financial history. The first book I write will be more of a story then, and the second book will strictly be educational, once I have established myself as an authority in my niche. So, I am going to write the story first, then lever that authority to boost sales of the second book!~ As an expert in my niche, (financial markets), I have blogging my way to a book. But, like Daryl’s experience, the first book I am writing is more than a compilation of blog posts. The second book I write may be just a compilation of blog posts.

But, the bottom line for me is that I am not widely recognized as an expert. Hence, the reason for writing the first book detailing the financial turmoil of 2008 as it relates to our lives today and within the context of 150 years of American financial history.

The first book I write will be more of a story then, and the second book will strictly be educational, once I have established myself as an authority in my niche. So, I am going to write the story first, then lever that authority to boost sales of the second book!~

]]> By: Ruben http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3540924 Ruben Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:50:33 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3540924 Thanks for the advice. I was also thinking of writing an ebook. But your advice let me realize that I first have to do something about becoming an autority. Launching a brand new website with a paid ebook sounds after this article a bad idea I had. Thanks for the advice. I was also thinking of writing an ebook. But your advice let me realize that I first have to do something about becoming an autority. Launching a brand new website with a paid ebook sounds after this article a bad idea I had.

]]> By: jana http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3539746 jana Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:41:23 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3539746 wow...a great answer to my question with excellent points from everyone. Thanks so much! So many good things covered...now I gotta ponder them, haha. Bravo! wow…a great answer to my question with excellent points from everyone. Thanks so much! So many good things covered…now I gotta ponder them, haha. Bravo!

]]> By: Michael http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3539582 Michael Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:09:11 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3539582 Just give it all away for free, it can do nothing more then help the blogosphere as a whole. Just give it all away for free, it can do nothing more then help the blogosphere as a whole.

]]> By: The Guide http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3539227 The Guide Sat, 07 Jun 2008 05:32:47 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3539227 Great post! Since I'm lazy I'd probably use the first method. If you aren't lazy you could use the first method for free to attract people to your blog, and the third method for making money. Make Money With Photoshop http://make-money-ps.blogspot.com/ Great post!

Since I’m lazy I’d probably use the first method.

If you aren’t lazy you could use the first method for free to attract people to your blog, and the third method for making money.

Make Money With Photoshop
http://make-money-ps.blogspot.com/

]]> By: Matt @ Kurb http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3538619 Matt @ Kurb Sat, 07 Jun 2008 02:58:19 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3538619 Nice post. I recently had a Eureka moment where I finally connected what I'm doing to the "Teaching Sells" concept, which I sort of understood, but mainly followed because of the buzz. Now people like us who follow blogs have heard the same types of information 100 ways thats why I'm tuned into your first point about presenting information in an accessible, digestable and actionable way, especially for those who dont read blogs all day as a work related activity. I don't think my blog or my business represents that I'm some kind of high authority, but now I'm moving away from consultancy and more towards information products and communities that can scale, I'm really excited. Nice post.

I recently had a Eureka moment where I finally connected what I’m doing to the “Teaching Sells” concept, which I sort of understood, but mainly followed because of the buzz.

Now people like us who follow blogs have heard the same types of information 100 ways thats why I’m tuned into your first point about presenting information in an accessible, digestable and actionable way, especially for those who dont read blogs all day as a work related activity.

I don’t think my blog or my business represents that I’m some kind of high authority, but now I’m moving away from consultancy and more towards information products and communities that can scale, I’m really excited.

]]> By: Daniel Scocco http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3537226 Daniel Scocco Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:40:17 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3537226 @Crazykinux, yeah that is for sure, but for this post I needed to limit the scope of the discussion only to books that will be sold for money, else we would a lot more to talk! @B Smith, I agree 100% with the trust factor. But it would also be very difficult to lose trust by publishing an eBook. Unless you try to scam people obviously. @Alejandro, love this quote: "People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. " @Crazykinux, yeah that is for sure, but for this post I needed to limit the scope of the discussion only to books that will be sold for money, else we would a lot more to talk!

@B Smith, I agree 100% with the trust factor. But it would also be very difficult to lose trust by publishing an eBook. Unless you try to scam people obviously.

@Alejandro, love this quote:

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. “

]]> By: Alli http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3536418 Alli Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:27:23 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3536418 @B.Smith@Wealth and Wisdom - the issue with trust is a good point; we certainly don't want to betray our readers. @B.Smith@Wealth and Wisdom – the issue with trust is a good point; we certainly don’t want to betray our readers.

]]> By: Real Web Today.com http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3536214 Real Web Today.com Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:49:36 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3536214 I think whatever works for the individual is right for their blog. If the content you are posting is effectively driving traffic and revenues your way and you are fine telling all your secrets then 'let the clutch out'. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with profiteering from your good ideals and appealing information. I am currently looking to drive traffic to my site with free reviews of other top notch and unique websites. At some point, way off near the sunset, I do plan on offering more home grown content and not so many site reviews. Great post I think whatever works for the individual is right for their blog. If the content you are posting is effectively driving traffic and revenues your way and you are fine telling all your secrets then ‘let the clutch out’. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with profiteering from your good ideals and appealing information.

I am currently looking to drive traffic to my site with free reviews of other top notch and unique websites. At some point, way off near the sunset, I do plan on offering more home grown content and not so many site reviews.

Great post

]]> By: Reginald http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3536020 Reginald Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:13:22 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/06/07/how-much-free-content-should-i-put-in-my-blog/#comment-3536020 I am of the opinion that free content is an excellent source for developing traffic on a blog. New blogs only have their content to rely on so that they can be distinguished from all the other blogs that are in the same niche as yours. The bottom line is that I believe free is one of the biggest pulls for online surfers or consumers in general. I am of the opinion that free content is an excellent source for developing traffic on a blog.

New blogs only have their content to rely on so that they can be distinguished from all the other blogs that are in the same niche as yours.

The bottom line is that I believe free is one of the biggest pulls for online surfers or consumers in general.

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