Written on November 29th, 2009 at 12:11 am by Darren Rowse
From Blog to Small Business: Tips for Taking Your Blog to a Whole New Level
A Guest Post By Deb Ng – Deb Ng is a freelance writer, professional blogger, social media consultant and founder of the Freelance Writing Jobs network of blogs.
Four and a half years ago I started a blog filled with nothing but leads to available freelance writing opportunities. As I studied blogging and the various ways to generate traffic and revenue, the blog began to grow beyond my wildest dreams. After two years I was able to hire someone to help find leads and we branched out to also offering daily tips and advice. After three years, I added two more bloggers to the roster and today, it’s a flourishing blog network for freelance writers complete with 8 blogs. It’s now the number one online community for freelance writers. At some point in the past couple of years, it occurred to me I didn’t have merely have a blog. I had a business. In addition to paying other bloggers, I can now draw my own salary and don’t even have to take on clients if I don’t want to.
Someone once suggested it was luck that brought me to this place, but I respectfully disagree. Luck had nothing to do with it. Building FWJ from a blog to a network to a business took a lot more than luck. It took hard work, dedication and a thick skin. When I stopped treating my blog like a hobby and began working at it full time, it became a place that was both profitable and popular.
How did I get here?
- I put in more than an hour or two each day – My blog became a full time job. If I wasn’t blogging, I was planning the next day’s posts, analyzing traffic patterns, and networking with others. It’s a day job, it’s a night job, and it’s a weekend and holiday job.
- I read everything I could about traffic, community, monetization and other strategies needed to become a successful blogger. Keeping apprised of the latest tips and techniques helped me to achieve new levels of blogginess.
- I networked within – and outside of – the freelance writing community – Yes, I participated in discussions at other freelance writing blogs and forums, but I also visited with other communities. Freelance writers participate in various niches and genres, it only makes sense to branch out beyond the obvious.
- I networked offline – I attended professional meetings, meetups and conferences, and met potential advertisers, potential readers, and community members and people with whom I could share ideas and learn from.
- I attended classes – I attended sessions at conferences and at the local community college. I invested in online courses and seminars.
- I aligned myself with some influential people – Being a part of other networks increased awareness of my own community and generated interest in my blog network.
- I learned I have to spend money to make money – While blogging may be an inexpensive startup, the truth is, if I didn’t invest in design, bloggers for hire, technical assistance, classes and conferences, I may not have achieved this level of success.
- Did I mention I put a lot of time and effort into my blog?
- I didn’t wait until advertisers came to me – I sought out sponsors, played with affiliates and yes, even rocked the Adsense. Now though, I sell many private ads to businesses and individuals who approach me instead of the other way around.
- I didn’t let negativity stand in my way – People can be mean – they still are. If I let it get to me I wouldn’t be writing this today.
That doesn’t sound like a whole lot of luck, does it?
The truth is, there were times I questioned my ability. I was also getting a little tired of moderating snarky comments by a few community members who like to bicker about wages and jobs. It was hard seeing people write out and out lies about me on their blogs or suggest I’m only here by luck and not talent . There were plenty of times I wanted to throw in the towel.
Last month when a major online brand inquired about acquiring FWJ, I realized I built something very important and I was very proud. Proud enough not to want to sell.
If I can take my little freelance writing job blog to new heights in only four and a half years, what can I do in another five? I’m looking forward to finding out.
Sure, you can have a blog. You can post once a day and have a few hundred visitors. Or you can treat your blog like you would a job. You can put your passion behind it and give it your all. You can work for someone else or you can do everything possible to grow your own business. With blogging, you get what you give.
What do you want, a blog or a business?
110 Responses to “From Blog to Small Business: Tips for Taking Your Blog to a Whole New Level” - Add Yours
George
November 29th, 2009 1:14 am
I really enjoyed reading this blog. My wife has a new chocolate toffee business (@NutsOverToffee) and I know we need to build a blog to help grow her business. This will help. Now all we need is a list of interesting topics to write on that connect to chocolate toffee..that’s been the tougher challenge for us in starting.
George
Bill Bolmeier
November 29th, 2009 1:22 am
Congrats on your success Deb. Whether you’re striving to be a great employee, a successful musician, an incredible blogger, or anything else you’re passionate about in life, you’ve wrapped up “what it takes to get there” nicely in this article. Thanx.
Rob Mangiafico
November 29th, 2009 1:24 am
Very nice inspirational post! I agree it takes hard work to have a successful blog/business, but sometimes I see hard working bloggers put all their energy in the wrong areas. Hitting your head against a brick wall repeatedly will not make it move.
You have to analyze what you do (write down all your efforts for your blog) and see which activities actually increase your readership, lead to more advertisers, etc… and then focus your energy on the profitable activities.
Rob – LexiConn
ashok
November 29th, 2009 1:39 am
I have read your article about amazon associates program,I am having my own single blog & i want to earn money through my amazon associates program,send all the amazon related blogs to me,so that it will be easier for me make money .
EF Cussins
November 29th, 2009 1:40 am
I agree 110%. Having a successful, money making blog takes more than posting some cute content.
Young
November 29th, 2009 1:46 am
Deb, you are something!! I wish I have your success after 2 years. :-)
The experiences you have are really awesome, some of which I haven’t tried yet, such as personal ads, spending money on design, or attending a class. I am not sure if I will try them in the future, but I will keep blogging, that’s what I can control now.
Arjun Muralidharan
November 29th, 2009 1:47 am
I completely agree with the cenral question: Blog or business. It’s clear that blogging for business is hard work, but will reap benefits if you put in the right effort.
Expecting to reap major profits from blogging as a hobby is an illusion. I personally blog for a hobby. If it catches on, I’ll make sure to follow your tips to make it a business.
Sharon Cain
November 29th, 2009 1:51 am
This is a brilliant motivating post Deb and I wholly agree that, as with everything in life, the more you give, the more you will be handsomely rewarded (this was illustrated by the flurry of comments from one of our recent posts http://tinyurl.com/yfjenaa where we gave some information on valuable listening devices). With regard to the time investment required, I have set a new team structure in place at Quest to free me up to dedicate more than a half hour late at night (when my target audience of MDs and CEOs are enjoying some work/life balance) – and allocate 2 hours each day. I’ll keep you posted on my progress -pardoning the pun!
Mary@Adventures In Freelancing
November 29th, 2009 1:55 am
Great advice, Deb. Once again, you’re so motivational, and I appreciate that. I can see the potential blogging offers, and it keeps me going!
Elsie Escobar
November 29th, 2009 2:20 am
Pretty amazing what commitment, study and perseverance do! Just like you did regardless of what you step into, your ability to stay inspired and to be willing to continue to study is key in deepening your understanding and receiving the optimal results :)
Great post. It’s always great to find articles like this so I can share with the folks that I work to have them cultivate the art of staying inspired and to work at it!
Dustin | Engaged Marriage
November 29th, 2009 2:24 am
To answer your question, I currently have a blog. I really want a business, and I intend to put the work forth that’s necessary to make that happen. As I’m sure you have experienced and can appreciate, the toughest part is making that transition while also working a demanding full-time job and attending to the needs of a growing family.
Given my niche, I can’t really afford to let my family life slide! :)
Dave Doolin
November 29th, 2009 2:51 am
6 months in myself. Rolling into a motivation and energy dip.
This advice is good for any endeavor, not just blogging.
Dumb Little Blogger
November 29th, 2009 2:57 am
Congrats Deb, you have achieved something that many of us have dreamed of. it has been my dream to grow my blog into a small business and then a big business.
Andy Gibb
November 29th, 2009 3:22 am
I’m glad you brought up the point about being thick-skinned. It’s so easy to take reactions personally but really some people are just looking for something to snipe at.
Janet
November 29th, 2009 3:23 am
Deb, Great article and very motivational. I’m just getting started myself and have found it’s very easy to slip into bad habits. Having a strong focus with an ultimate goal in mind is helping me a lot.
Gin
November 29th, 2009 3:40 am
Independence and control over the direction of ones life and work is very satisfying too. As long as one doesn’t let fear stand in the way, then success can be found. Great tips and advice! :)
Antti Kokkonen
November 29th, 2009 3:51 am
It’s encouraging to see that with hard work you can achieve your goals. We have to put ourselves into position to get lucky and that means taking massive action instead of just hoping for the best.
I love it when someone passionate about what they do, don’t just keep dreaming but turn it all into reality and have tremendous success! Congratulations Deb and all the best to you and your blogging business.
alam
November 29th, 2009 3:52 am
Wow, awesome persistence. Need big passion and a lot of patience but it worth. Thanks for the advice.
Nibrras Bawa
November 29th, 2009 4:10 am
Blog or Business? A business through blog or a blog that’s a business. I’ve just started blogging, on the surface it may look a blog, but its business for me. Its very subtle, yet there’s more money to be made. When i decided to blog i had a proper plan and knew it was a business. I defined it as such. Huffingtonpost is a case in point, a blog that is business. They employ more than 100 staff. Also there are others like Techcrunch. These are blog businesses. I would urge anyone starting out to think strategically and approach it the way they would go about establishing an online business. I totally agree with you Mr.Deb.
jan geronimo
November 29th, 2009 4:12 am
Words to live by: Hard work, dedication and thick skin. Will keep this seared on my brain. Love the story of how you built your blog to what it is today – a business in its own right that even a big brand is lusting to acquire. I can feel your conviction in every sentence of your splendid post.
Tara Thralls
November 29th, 2009 4:40 am
Thanks for the informative post. I’ve just been blogging for about a month, and can barely contain my excitement. Such endless possibilities!
Thanks for the excellent advice. I can see that turning blogging into a profession rarely happens all by itself, and that like anything else worth having, requires a good deal of effort.
I will be incorporating many of your tips into my own blogging, thanks. Keep up your great work, and very glad to hear that you didn’t sell out to the Big Boys!
Deb Ng
November 29th, 2009 4:51 am
Thank you for your kind words. I’m so happy you found my pot helpful. It’s been a labor of love and the source of a lot of tears as well, but it’s all been worth it.
Mike CJ
November 29th, 2009 5:15 am
You put my thoughts into words Deb. I get frustrated when I read all the “get rich online while you sit on the beach stuff” because it denigrates all the hard work any of us who have achieved a reasonable income through blogging have been through.
Mark Foo | 77SuccessTraits.com
November 29th, 2009 5:36 am
Way to go, Deb! I’m very happy and proud that you never let naysayers get to you and dampen your enthusiasm. That’s one of the very common issues which many successful entrepreneurs went through to get to where they are today. Courage and persistence are what we need when we are taking on the road less travelled. You’re a great inspiration and I’m sure many of the other readers here will feel the same.
Keep rocking!
Cheers~
Mark
Vicki@collegeparentcentral
November 29th, 2009 5:38 am
Really happy to see this reminder of the hard work that it takes to achieve anything that really matters in life. Many people don’t realize how hard the hard work really is. Time spent, energy invested, and most of all, putting yourself on the line. Thanks for the message that will inspire many of us to take it to the next level.
Ash
November 29th, 2009 6:00 am
Thanks for the post, congrats on your success! I think new bloggers often don’t realize how much time you need to put in for a blog to be successful, and that it’s not just about the content.
David | ilcantone.com
November 29th, 2009 6:56 am
Great tips.
I agree with about we have to spend money in order to make money. I want to change my current design to a professional one. I see its cost as an investment.
See you Deb :)
bloggeruser
November 29th, 2009 7:25 am
thanks deb…. It was really cool to go through things you did to achieve all this.
Dean @ football gambler
November 29th, 2009 9:19 am
It never ceases to amaze me why people have to make snide disrespectful remarks about other peoples success.
No one (or very few) I expect make it in life without a lot of hard work and dedication, so to have people trying to put you down saying you have got it easy or it’s all down to luck is insulting.
Fair play to you on your success, I for one enjoy reading these posts and while I don’t think they directly impact on what I’m doing I find the positiveness of them uplifting and it gives me the belief to keep on trying.
The Emotion Machine
November 29th, 2009 9:51 am
Very good advice. My blog has been growing steadily over the past 6 months. Once I get out of college I am going full-time and I expect it to explode within the next year.
Liz
November 29th, 2009 10:49 am
Darren and Deb-
Darren,
Thank you for all of the great resources you have on this site. I can’t even begin to tell you how greatful I am for finding you. I just started your 31Days to Build a Better Blog and I would have paid in the hundreds for what you charged $20.00 for.
Deb,
You words were both an inspiration and a reminder that hard work is rewarded but that first, you must do the work.
I wish you both much more success then you already have.
Liz
Dana @ Online Knowledge
November 29th, 2009 12:19 pm
Wow, what a effort you do to gain success in four years. Yeah, blogging surely need determination and persistence to be able gain great success like you already did.
Joshua
November 29th, 2009 3:09 pm
Ya i agree hard work is the key. The only thing i need to work on personaly is to spend some money.
Morgan
November 29th, 2009 4:05 pm
Great post and definitely some really good points there. Right now I can’t devote more than 1-2 hours a day to my blog but I do use the weekends to spend a good 5-6 hours on the blog.
Still – you are absolutely right and I’m continuing to follow my passion here just as you did – now all I need is more hours in the day!!
alwaysLovely
November 29th, 2009 4:33 pm
Deb, thanks for sharing. I like to listen to your truth, it takes hard work, I’m happy that you are getting rewarded now!
Cheers!
Basant Singh
November 29th, 2009 6:05 pm
Inspirational! May be we need to keep on adding quality content, and wait with patience, the success will definitely follow.
Azad Shaikh
November 29th, 2009 7:06 pm
Hello,
I am new to this blogging world and getting full time into this next year. Your blog and advice to blogger helped me so much. Thanks for the motivation. Now i am see myself as a successful blogger within next year.
Azad Shaikh
http://www.internetgeeks.org
Travis @ TPD
November 29th, 2009 7:15 pm
Wow!
This post has given me a new outlook on what I should do with my cigar review blog. Just a couple of days ago I had a meeting with a colleague who was pushing me to do more to monetize my blog and, rather brusquely, I told him that I did not want to make my blog into a business. Since that meeting I have had an internal battle go on inside of me about what I really want from my blog and I think this post may have been the tipping point for me. I’m going to give my blog as much attention as I can and make something of it.
Thanks Deb!
ZK @ Web Marketing Blog
November 29th, 2009 7:39 pm
People who says that this is luck than they do not know you and your labour.
Such kind of people are always ready to pull the leg of other people.
So just do not care about them and the best way to handle them is simply ignore them and stop giving importance to them.
Rita
November 29th, 2009 7:51 pm
Thanks for the report on how you became successful. Congratulations.
However, you still seem upset by your detractors. Why even mention them?
Rita blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide
King Sidharth
November 29th, 2009 9:21 pm
Wow! That was very inspiring. I have 4 blogs and an emagazine. I am sure I will grow out to be big as you.
Lorna
November 29th, 2009 9:56 pm
What an inspiring read! Thank you so much for writing about your experiences. My passion is the planet and my dream is to cultivate interest in all things eco in the home/life and grow the eco side of my business and you have sewn the seeds of what is possible. Thanks again.
Darni
November 29th, 2009 10:20 pm
“With blogging, you get what you give.” I will write the sentence in my notebook. :) I started my blog one month ago. Now I’m giving the information which I guess that my readers want to know.I hope it will be soon that I can get something from my blog. :)
siam
November 29th, 2009 10:46 pm
People who says that this is luck than they do not know you and your labour.
Such kind of people are always ready to pull the leg of other people.
Deb Ng
November 29th, 2009 11:23 pm
Rita wrote:
“However, you still seem upset by your detractors. Why even mention them?”
Because if I’m writing an honest post about how I got to where I am today, I have to include the people who didn’t believe in me. It’s important for bloggers to know not everyone is helpful or kind and to succeed one has to have a thick skin.
Fotografi
November 30th, 2009 1:05 am
I completely agree with you luck is not the corner stone of your life.
work.
Hard work.
BloggerDaily
November 30th, 2009 2:23 am
Wow. That’s such a great effort. Well, in fact it’s not easy to achieve any success just in a few days.
I love this – “I learned I have to spend money to make money” because for me it brings a great momentum for a blogger to success.
You’d motivated me. Keep up!
Jaszy
November 30th, 2009 2:25 am
A big fat YES, and THANK YOU!!! Just the inspiration I needed!
Congrats to you and I wish you much continued success!
Golden Blogger
November 30th, 2009 2:32 am
Thanks for this great article :).
krissy knox
November 30th, 2009 2:52 am
Deb, great post. Of course you didn’t get where you are by luck. No successful blogger (problogger) gets where they are without much very diligent work. The work is hard, but it’s always very exciting.
You’re correct, one must have a very thick skin if he wants to be successful in blogging, as some who see him as a successful problogger will attempt to tear him down, often out of jealousy!
I want a business. Everyone should determine for themselves what they desire.
I find it interesting how some are commenting that they want a business but they don’t have time bc of their full-time job. One has to start somewhere, so if one puts in as much time as he can to advance his blog as a business, progress will be made, whether he is working or not. It’s all about attitude and how you look at your blog. Do you LOOK at your blog as a business, and are you treating it as one? Continue to do this, and your blog will grow and your business will thrive, until you will find the point you’ll be able to quit your full-time job and work on your business exclusively. It’s all about attitude and the paradigm through which you’re looking at your blogging.
Always have a positive “can do attitude.” Never let anything stop you. If this is the field for you, overcome all obstacles, take on challenges. Even though challenges are difficult, look at them as fun! Never quit!
Anna
November 30th, 2009 2:54 am
Congratulation on your success, Deb! Thank you for your article. It is very inspirational for me and now I know that through hard work and motivation, your goals of blogging full-time can be achieved.
Shannon Nelson
November 30th, 2009 2:56 am
Deb,
I remember when I was at b5media at the same time as you. I was always so impressed with you. I actually had bookmarked FWJ several weeks ago not realizing it was you behind it! I am very proud of you for the level of success you have achieved!
xx
Christina Aguilera Karaoke
November 30th, 2009 3:13 am
Congratz. I have seen your blog before. Really, reaching where you are after 4 years need dedication. Most bloggers back out before 4 years.
John Soares
November 30th, 2009 3:16 am
Excellent advice about how to really succeed with a blog. I picked up several useful tips.
And I already follow your Freelance Writing Jobs site.
Norman
November 30th, 2009 4:06 am
Thanks for the great article!
This article is so true thinking of my two years of blogging. I am planning for to take my blog to the new level by seeking professional design, technical assistance and hiring of writers. It is the way to take the blog into a business.
Prasanga
November 30th, 2009 4:50 am
Growing your blog towards a small business is not a matter of overnight. I think it is hard work and lots of dedication to grow your blog. Depending on the niche it can be done within 6 months. I think when there is a steady fulltime income then it can be considered a small business. I strated blogging without reading one e-book about it. I think there is a certain knowledge needed to get started as a blog to create a small business. I started my blogs as hobbies. I discover a great niche. I think the 6 months I can focus on making my blog a steady stream of income. I think it will take years to build a small business with my blogs.
Andy
November 30th, 2009 5:51 am
Good on you for sharing your story and providing inspiration as well as information for us who are striving towards making it online. Sometimes it’s really hard to get past that negativity and questions of self doubt when you’re site is in its infancy, but to read your story and what you have achieved certainly helps to spur me on even when I start to wonder why I’m bothering. Good luck for the future and I hope your site continues to grow.
Serge Lescouarnec
November 30th, 2009 6:56 am
Darren
Great piece
I am at a stage myself where I am trying to turn what I (hopefully) learned in 4 years of blogging at ‘Serge the Concierge’ into a source of income.
My focus is on combining what I learned blogging with my bilingual skills (French-English) and my love of food and wine to help French food and wine producers promote their creations in the US.
Your reflections also echo some of the themes in a book I am currently reading ‘The Adversity Paradox’.
Good day
Serge
‘The French Guy from New Jersey’
http://www.sergetheconcierge.com
@theconcierge
Paul Hassing
November 30th, 2009 8:48 am
I really enjoyed this post, Deb. Confident and informative without being self serving. I agree that you thoroughly deserve your success and I hope to emulate your fine example. Many thanks for sharing your story. Best regards, P. :)
Cirodin
November 30th, 2009 10:45 am
I really like that you stress it’s not a matter of luck but rather hard work and determination – with the most important points being network building (social media) and direct contact with potential advertisers. Blogging in general is much like business, substracted the detailed budgeting and financial work. You need to have a plan and implement it, adapt to changes etc. I just started up my own blog about shoes and fashion and I can tell you I’ve learnt alot in a short span of time!
Jason
November 30th, 2009 11:32 am
What an Awesome Post! Great motivation to get out there and kick some butt!
Srinivas Rao
November 30th, 2009 11:57 am
I have to agree with everything you have said year. One thing that I think people seem to forget is that nothing happens over night and that at least 1 year of work went into this success.
Michael Holmes
November 30th, 2009 1:23 pm
Now this is inspirational! I am motivated to keep going!
Thanks.
scheng1
November 30th, 2009 1:51 pm
I guess you forget to mention that you love blogging.
Blogging is a lot of hard work even when we love blogging. I guess blogging is impossible to sustain if we hate to write and hate networking.
Vonzel Sawyer
November 30th, 2009 2:48 pm
Way to go! There has got to be a hunger, curiosity, faith, and just plain ole work ethic. You had to lay it out because sometimes you don’t have a year to counsel someone into their dreams. Separation of the getting ready vs. the ready has to happen. It is good that anyone can make that decision today and align their actions with the desires. Good post!
Reza Winandar@Blogging Guide
November 30th, 2009 5:07 pm
I can’t make blogging as a fulltime job, and I don’t want to because I think it will be boring if we blog every time you breath. I think I will keep blogging as my sidejob as well. Thanks for the tips :)
Chip
November 30th, 2009 6:19 pm
I’ve been freelancing for 5 months now, and started putting some passion into blog writing. I now see what I missed all these years.
Günther
November 30th, 2009 7:54 pm
This blog post is exactly what I needed. It gave me great ideas for my own blog. Thanks. I will follow your advices.
The Niche Think Tank
November 30th, 2009 8:25 pm
I really enjoyed Debra’s podcast interview from perfcast by performancing. Great interview and she knows her stuff. I’d like to hear mroe form her and some podcasts too.
thanks,
Larry
John
December 1st, 2009 12:13 am
Darren,
This is very insightful and a great inspiration to get serious about writing.
Thanks,
- John
Fruitfulvine2
December 1st, 2009 12:44 am
A business.
Dr. Jason
December 1st, 2009 2:00 am
Absolutely love this post!!!
I have been blogging about 5 months and have always wanted to take it to a point where it would be a full time job for me.
There is so much I have yet to learn about blogging, optimization, writing, monetizing, and so much more. I put in a lot of time on my blog right now and still feel like I’m moving nowhere.
This post definitely helps me keep pushing.
Thanks
Michelle, Moving Mountains Design
December 1st, 2009 2:33 am
Your story is inspirational as well as informative. Thanks for providing additional motivation as well as a kind of road map for the rest of us.
brian bluff
December 1st, 2009 3:07 am
Having owed an Internet marketing company (www.site-seeker.com) since 2003, I really appreciate you taking the time to dispel the myth that successful people (businesses) become successful due to luck. There is no substitute for hard work!
Great job!
We Fly Spitfires
December 1st, 2009 10:03 am
Very powerful and inspiring post. Kinda makes me re-evaluate the lull I’m in right now: I guess I’ve stuck in the “few hundred daily visitors/one post a day” category. I just don’t have the energy to do anymore :(
By the way, your site is down :(
Amy
December 1st, 2009 11:37 am
Thanks for posting this. I’ve been blogging for about 6 months and I haven’t quite figured out how to get/keep readers or make money. This post has opened my eyes a bit.
Kindle
December 1st, 2009 12:28 pm
Thank you so much for this article. i am bookmarking it. sometimes we need a little support in this crazy world that is blogging…skin….. getting thicker….NOW!
blessings,
Kindle
Dave
December 1st, 2009 12:48 pm
Excellent post, thanks.
This is exactly what I needed to read this morning. It’s given me some new fuel.
Hopefully in a few years I can write about how to create a blog whilst travelling the world working as a Snowboard Instructor.
Karen
December 1st, 2009 2:28 pm
This was very insightful. I am having trouble staying focused. I have to put what I learn into practice and that is hard sometimes to do. But thank you for giving me incentive to keep trying.
Health Mind Spirit News
December 1st, 2009 7:02 pm
Hello Deb,
Wow, I do not know you but you come across as a quality person,
This post is very inspiring for bloggers,
thank you for putting your experience out there.
Startup Internet Business
December 1st, 2009 9:50 pm
Wow! Your post is very inspiring. I admire the dedication that you have. Blogging is a really good way to market a business for free. Also one way to profit online is by writing and sharing information to random people. One of the great advantages of blogs is that it is very easy to get search engine traffic since the robots love freshly updated site.
Thank you.
http://internethomebasedbusiness.startup-internetbusiness.com/advantages-of-blogging/
Sarah Lynn
December 1st, 2009 11:31 pm
To help out those new businesses I’m running a contest on my blog where you can win a logo design. A great opportunity for any new blogger/business owner out there. Design is a big part of a blog as well if you’d like to have some credibility and will help you gain trust in the eyes of your viewers too! Check it out!
http://www.sarahlynndesign.com/logocontest.
Debbie Josendale
December 2nd, 2009 2:31 am
Deb…first super congrats on the terrific business you have created! Wow!
Thanks so much for sharing your story and most importantly the reality of what it took to get your business where it is today! I really appreciate the honesty…that it wasn’t a walk in the park…blogs are not magic in and of themselves. They simply provide a platform that has to be worked at every day.
Also I think you really hit the nail on the head with your comment that when you stopped thinking of your blog as a hobby and started to treat it like a business things changed.
Great inspiration and motivation!
Ryan
December 2nd, 2009 3:57 am
Your tips are gold! I appreciate the wealth of info you share on a daily basis. I hope you can visit my blog and let me know what you think!
Cheers!
Ryan
http://blog.ryanjohnxxi.com
Lucy
December 2nd, 2009 8:05 am
Great post. Sounds like no matter where you go in the blogosphere there is always someone waiting to talk smack about you. Congrats on your success.
David Morson
December 2nd, 2009 9:21 pm
Interesting story of your success dude, I liked it but what I liked most that you didn’t conceal any aspect of your success and gave a leadline to all others in getting such a success. Carry on…….
Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot
December 2nd, 2009 10:23 pm
Well done Deb, I’m glad all that hard work paid off. You obviously have the drive and determination to succeed and the desire to carry on doing it even when you don’t have to anymore. Great to hear of another woman who has made it in the Internet as they’re still a minority round here:)
Pallav
December 3rd, 2009 6:44 pm
Congrats Deb!
You’ve really inspired me to write a post on your blog. You’ve a flawless style of writing and I appreciate your struggle and glory. Your success story can be an eye-opener for many. Keep writing.
healthy reflux
December 4th, 2009 7:31 pm
I often read interesting articles, success stories, a variety of success, but few who tells it how to succeed, how to achieve such success. generally recommend a tool or goods at a specified price. just a story, without being able to take advantage for the reader. thank you for you who have shared
Deb Ng
December 4th, 2009 10:59 pm
Thanks once again to everyone for such kind and positive feedback, and thanks to Darren for allowing me to tell my story.
Tracy
December 4th, 2009 11:12 pm
Great post, Deb – vivid, informational and inspirational all at once. What a thrill, to be able to knock back a serious buyout, and to appreciate it for its positive reflection on the hard work you’ve put into your business!
It was particularly inspiring for me (as well as cautionary!) as I’m currently in the R&D stage of my own move to the serious side of blogging (and freelancing). Looking forward to swapping guest posts with you one day… ;)
turisuna
December 5th, 2009 1:28 am
This is inspiring post. Building a blog to be a business needs lot of effort more than just a luck. Hard working, work smart, spend time and money, networking etc. There’s no achievement that can come only by luck. You are talented writer Deb, no wonder if your blog grows fast :)
marcus
December 5th, 2009 1:32 am
thanks for the tips on taking your blog to a whole new level. i have really learnt something new.
making money clickbank
December 5th, 2009 5:34 pm
Winning the competition is not easy, doing business online is to become one of the options to increase income, with all its challenges. Many more successful and failed without the slightest result. keep the spirit of making an interesting article
@donpower
December 5th, 2009 9:21 pm
As a writer myself, I no longer use the term ‘luck’. To me, it always implied a randomness without any consideration of effort or merit.
Instead, I only use the term FORTUNE now because it implies reward for effort.
Fortune favors the brave, right?
Oh, and what ever you do, Never wish an Irishman Good Luck ;)
Mio Navman M300
December 5th, 2009 9:41 pm
Hi Darren,
I was a great pleasure meting you.Reading your experience and views about blogs and its business performances.
Paramendra Bhagat
December 6th, 2009 4:25 pm
A very inspiring story.
Tom Kadwill
December 6th, 2009 9:51 pm
This is great advice.
I was looking for advice on blogging for a business because I have a small automation technology business called Tekrux.
However, I think that I can really use some of the advice here in running my business site and business blog.
laptop batteries
December 8th, 2009 1:10 am
Thanks so much for sharing your story and most importantly the reality of what it took to get your business where it is today! I really appreciate the honesty…that it wasn’t a walk in the park…blogs are not magic in and of themselves. They simply provide a platform that has to be worked at every day.
Aaron
December 9th, 2009 12:08 pm
Great post Deb! Congrats on your success and for working your behind off! Don’t let anyone tell you it was luck!
Scentsy Candles
December 10th, 2009 8:28 am
Blogs need to have some substance. An appeal to the reader who is searching for specific information. Cute stuff is a turn off for educated readers who are looking for educated responses. I have been a Blogger and have had to adapt my writing styles to create that kind of appeal. It was not an easy transition. Most writers love stories…Folks who are Blog readers want facts. Bottom line facts. That has been my experience.
Business Network
December 11th, 2009 8:09 pm
This is very impressive post which motivates a writer to write. The only thing that is required is your maximum efforts.
Larry Fulkman
December 14th, 2009 4:11 am
Now I know why so many people love this site
Unsecured Business Loans by Richard
December 15th, 2009 7:06 am
Having to spend money to make money is a big part of growing any small business and using blogs to expand is no exception. But people forget to calculate these expansion costs in their business expenses and tend to get in trouble.
My wife and I have our own business. And we were on the verge of expanding but we didn’t know how we were going to fund our expenses. We tried investors, but during the recession, we could not find anyone who wanted to invest in our business. So we decided to look at unsecured business loans and business cash advances.
We were a bit leery at first, but now after going through the process, we are ready with our business finances. And just in time for the holidays for our business has increased tremendously due to the holiday rush.
Unsecured business loans and business cash advances have turned out to be the only things that saved us from shutting down.
Home Business ! Earn Money At Home !
December 16th, 2009 5:29 pm
Congratulation on your success, Deb! Thank you for your article. It is very inspirational for me and now I know that through hard work and motivation, your goals of blogging full-time can be achieved.
Pendergast
December 16th, 2009 10:26 pm
Commercials these days have really become creative. I like the concept of not letting the viewer know what they are trying to advertise which prompts them to go view a website about it, Google it, etc. I like incorporating these marketing strategies in my own work here in Kansas City Missouri at
Scentsy Flameless Candles
January 1st, 2010 6:18 pm
Blogs need to have some substance. An appeal to the reader who is searching for specific information. Cute stuff is a turn off for educated readers who are looking for educated responses. I have been a Blogger and have had to adapt my writing styles to create that kind of appeal. It was not an easy transition. Most writers love stories…Folks who are Blog readers want facts. Bottom line facts. That has been my experience.
Hailley J. Haynes
January 29th, 2010 3:58 pm
Great post, thanks. I’ve enjoyed your blog for quite awhile and I should comment more.
Iddy Palmer
February 6th, 2010 10:31 am
Thanks Deb,
for your very inspiring article…
I write to affirm that,
Ability is never enough
to attain lasting success…
Like you have proven,
We need be passionate,
Dedicated
And “smart-working,”
To eat the fruit of success…
Over the years,
I’ve learnt that any hobby can be financially profitable
If we are willing to pay the price of keeping on regardless…
I am a lover of Words
Whether spoken or written
Like you,
as I gradually start to earn
From my hobbies,
I am all the more encouraged
to inspire others
To passionately and diligently WORK their hobbies
And see it earn for them….
Sharon Vedderson
February 21st, 2010 2:55 pm
Great post, thanks. I’ve enjoyed your blog for quite awhile and I should comment more. It’s always an interesting and great read.
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