Written on April 18th, 2010 at 01:04 am by Darren Rowse
Poor Bloggers Focus Too Much On Blog Posts
Guest post by David Risley, of David Risley dot com.
What I’m about to share might be a little bit counter-intuitive for many, so I ask that you stick with me.
What if I were to tell you that blog posts really aren’t all that important?
OK, Mr. crazy man. Stop yanking my chain.
However, I’m quite serious and I’m saying this to you as a full-time, professional blogger who makes his living completely online.
The simple truth is this: Poor bloggers spend most of their time writing blog posts. PROBloggers spend most of their time on what actually matters – business.
Blogging Isn’t A Business
I’ve been quite direct about the fact that blogs are not businesses. I believe that so many bloggers get so hung up on their medium that they haven’t stepped back to look at the big picture. A blog is a promotional medium and a communications platform. And in order to really monetize a blog, you have to ask the question: To what end?
What is your real product? What is the thing that you can provide to others in exchange for some of their money?
See, what we do with blogs is nothing new. The platform is different, but it is essentially human communication and we’ve been doing that ever since the days men were writing on caves.
Then, people developed economies. Some people create things that others can use, and others buy it. Then, people learned how to use the art of writing to promote those products. Thus, people had the power to mobilize crowds of people into certain things. Economies got bigger. Media expanded the reach of promotions into TV, magazines, etc. The Internet then revolutionized the way we communicate. Now, any of us has the power to create and mobilize groups of people from the confines of our bedrooms.
All that being true, the rules haven’t changed. People still spend money on products that they need and want.
Want to Actually Make Money? Then, Answer This…
So, I ask you: What is your product, really?
Your product should be something which is valuable to your audience which they will be willing to fork over a little money for. When you have that, your blog is a promotional medium for an actual business.
Most bloggers today operate in a dream world of made-up business rules. They try to make money with their blogs when they have nothing to sell. They’ll try to monetize the eyeballs only by littering the blog up with banner ads to sell other people’s stuff. It doesn’t take long for most bloggers to realize what a freaking difficult way to monetize a blog that is!
So many bloggers seem to think of their blog as a newspaper. Newspapers are monetized by ads. Guess what? Newspapers are disappearing left and right last time I checked. The model is limited and broken. So, why try to perpetuate it in a completely different medium?
No, the REAL answer to full-time incomes from blogs is to answer that question: What is my product? And if you don’t have one, you need to create one.
In other words, build a real business, then slap a blog on top of it. :) Treat the blog, not as a newspaper, but as a promotional vehicle for an actual business. This isn’t to say all you do is pimp your products. On the contrary, you provide really great content in order to build the relationship up with your reader. However, you do it with the aim of converting into a sale of your own product.
So, Blog Posts Aren’t That Important?
Now, let’s come fill circle back to my original point. Blog posts aren’t really all that important?
Here’s my point: Blog posts are not your product. They won’t get you paid. So, spending all of your blogging time writing more posts isn’t getting you anywhere – IF you want to turn your blog into a revenue producer.
My suggestion is to regroup. Take whatever time you have available for your blog and divide it up. Spend part of the time thinking ahead by producing assets that will help you grow your business. Products to sell, content to use to build your email list, etc. Schedule this into your routine. Then, use the remaining time to write blog posts.
If you have a readership and still aren’t making much more than a few bucks per month from your blog, then something is wrong. And the answer is most likely to be found in the question, “What’s your product?”
David Risley is a professional blogger, which basically means he sits and types a lot and manages to earn a living at it. His blog is the Confessions Of a Six Figure Blogger, and you can follow his escapades on Twitter.
108 Responses to “Poor Bloggers Focus Too Much On Blog Posts” - Add Yours
Bobbye Middendorf
April 18th, 2010 1:26 am
You said: “Treat the blog … as a promotional vehicle for an actual business. This isn’t to say all you do is pimp your products. On the contrary, you provide really great content in order to build the relationship up with your reader. However, you do it with the aim of converting into a sale of your own product.”
As a copywriter and consultant, the “product” at the moment is me–and the services I provide to help visionaries and conscious creators to get their messages out to their perfect customers. So, the blog is something I realize is a promo tool, AND you really hit the mark when you talk about “great content to build relationship with your readers.” Marketing is all about making the connections and building the relationships in a respectful way. AND to fully serve people, the next step is to sell something — ideally something in addition to services. Thanks for the affirmation of the importance of content as relationship-building. And the products are coming! Really!
FredInChina
April 18th, 2010 1:27 am
Hummm – Interesting perspective, but I am not sure the questions asked are precise enough.
Mind you, it it really good to question the primacy of the blog post in the money making chain,
however,
Asking “what is your product?” is only special case.
Maybe the question “What are you selling?” resonates better…
…It doesn’t have to be a product.
And the exchange doesn’t have to be monetary either…
FredInChina
Ching Ya
April 18th, 2010 1:31 am
I was in the middle of reconsidering the direction of my blog that I came across your post. Timely, I’ll say. What you’ve prompted me to do, David, is to utilize what I have (my blog) to optimize my freelance career (designing and social media consultation). There’s more than blogging currently in my life, clearly. Sometimes it’s advisable to slow down and reconsider our next steps & strategies – which is what I’m planning to do at this very second.
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
Mark
April 18th, 2010 1:33 am
I have to respectfully disagree. Although you post is well written. It has one thesis, and that is to get people to start thinking what they have to offer the world instead of just writing.
I have the reverse philosophy. Using your intellectual capital by writing and creating things online of value to people, is a very effect way to earn a living. Most people surf the web all day and read, rather than buy.
Blogs are traffic magnets. Write interesting things and you will get traffic. Be patient.
On the other hand many people I know have a business idea and a 10 page website. This will rarely get traffic.
What you need to do is write and start a community and a buzz, then no matter what your business idea is you will start the ground running.
Glen Allsopp
April 18th, 2010 1:35 am
I have a blog that made around $14,000 last month and the reason it did that was because I spent a lot of time on content creation (or at least, I paid people to spend time on it).
Your thinking is far too narrow here David. I’m glad Darren didn’t write this post as I don’t think I’ve ever disagreed with him, but really think this post misses a few things.
Sure, thinking of your blog as a business if you want to generate an income, but to get to the point where you can make money from your blog your main focus has to be on your content and traffic generation strategies. No exceptions.
Paid reviews?
Affiliate links?
Getting people to subscribe to a feed which has ads on it?
I could go on and on about the flaws here.
You seem to be forgetting that your blog posts are what enable you to make money from your blog. Sure, having your own product can be one of the best revenue sources out there, but it’s your great posts that convince people to follow you and buy something from you in the first place.
- Glen
P.S. normally I would just leave a post like this and not leave a “negative” (trying not to be) comment but I just hope people don’t follow your advice too blindly. There are far too many good writers out there that should be putting their work out to the world and focusing on it.
Daniel Johnston
April 18th, 2010 1:35 am
Very interesting post, and I certainly agree with you. While many are able to not have their own product and make money from AdSense and affiliate marketing (and I know people doing this who make 7 figures a year doing this), when you have your own product, you are able to set the price, have your own affiliates, and make a ton of money, because the money is much better than you’ll earn with most other products.
The conversion rate on a product might even be better for a lot of people than Google AdSense.
However, it is very possible still to not have your own products and refer other people to products you recommend, and depending on the price the pay actually might be a lot better, and if you build up credibility people will buy it as if it your own product. Site-Build It! is a great example of this.
Certainly having your own product is a very smart move. Much better paying than just writing regular posts and slapping on ads, especially since the income from products is passive; if you just don’t update the site, people will still buy the product, however, if you have ads, no one will want to read your site, and you won’t make anything. Pat Flynn from greenexamacademy.com and smartpassiveincome.com is a very strong example of this. He doesn’t update his Green Exam site much anymore, however, because he has his own product, he makes $30,000 a month from having his own book. Of course, it’s better to keep posting, but just one product can turn into literally millions of dollars.
Nabeel
April 18th, 2010 1:47 am
sorry if you don’t mind, what is your product btw???
(will like to know any product that you had before your blog became popular too)
Jarrod @ Optimistic Journey
April 18th, 2010 1:48 am
This is the direct truth David, and we all need to hear it. This post hits home for me because I’m coming into that realization more and more everyday. There is so much importance in creating a product, which I am working on. Thanks for the advice David!!
rob
April 18th, 2010 1:50 am
As for your newspaper comparison, note that while printed papers are failing, all have gone to on-line editions and many to local, micro blogs to report on news. and guess what, they have posts — with content.
yes, always re-evaluate your blog and treat it as a biz, but you need somethng besides ads for your readers!!!
Nibras Bawa
April 18th, 2010 1:57 am
Deliberately provocative perhaps? But couldn’t agree more. Some tend to believe Good Content = Big Dollars.
While good content may help to an extent, i am of the view that you need Good product to market, and that good product need not be your blog post. Rupert Murdoch comes to my mind. If News Corp couldn’t monetise their content with the kind of content, credibility and cloud they have, I wonder what really makes these Poor bloggers think they can make money off their divine (and mostly plagiarized) posts :)
Bandon
April 18th, 2010 2:07 am
David, and Darren – I’d have to agree with Glen here. I find the message rather conflicting. You say that blogging isn’t a business but turn around and ask “what’s your product”. Your content is your product if you are blogging, you can do just as much with high quality content as you can with whichever “product” you are using.
I really do appreciate the effort in the message here, personally I felt like it is a little off however. It seems like the message should be “Blogging Doesn’t Have to Be Your Only Source of Income.”
I would have really liked to see you expand upon the subject in more than 3 headings. I feel like we were left with too much fill-in-the-blank space here to take away a message that give’s you an action to take. I don’t want to ask myself what my product is, I would rather ask myself what my readers with the $ in their pockets want for a product. I’m guessing they want high-quality organized content. You could put all of that blogging time into an organized space (ebook/pdf report) to sell to them.
I like that you remember to look at the big picture.Thanks again for the post, hopefully this comes across as feedback and not a bashing. See ya around
Nibras Bawa
April 18th, 2010 2:13 am
Clout, not cloud. Just noticed the typo. Sorry :)
Nunzio Bruno
April 18th, 2010 2:14 am
I’m thinking that there is some weight to your ideas here but as a romantic thinker I have to believe that some people come to read what we, as bloggers, post because they enjoy our point of views and the messages we spread. Don’t get me wrong though I absolutely agree with the fact that putting in hours and hours and hours of content creation only to make a few dollars is tough. If you are blogging, odds are you enjoy what you’re talking about, shouldn’t your “product” stem from that as an extra or after the fact..if that’s the direction you choose to take. Kudos on the article nonetheless, you’re point of view definitely is a valid one and we all want to make the most out of our time.
Talen
April 18th, 2010 2:15 am
The newspaper analogy doesn’t work . Newspapers are certainly not limited or broken it’s just that a new medium is making them obsolete but if you check with the newspapers that have gone online you will certainly see that content is still king for them and they still monetize it in the same ways.And they are still making money.
As bloggers we definitely need to discover what our product is but without the content, traffic and community the product won’t do as well.
Robby G
April 18th, 2010 2:16 am
Fantastic thing to think about. I like the idea that “the blog isn’t the product” because there are many people who do not offer anything (product or service) and wonder why they don’t make any money from their blog. It actually came to me yesterday how I can change my blog around and make more money than I initially thought! Your post hits the nail on the head…and perfect timing, too. Cheers!
Kamal Hasa
April 18th, 2010 2:24 am
You did offend a lot of people as soon as you mentioned “Poor blogger” term in your article :p
David Risley
April 18th, 2010 2:36 am
Re: Glen
I agree with you, however the point of this post is not how to build an audience. I never said not to create content. As bloggers, that’s what we do. However, when it comes to monetization, it isn’t the end-game.
Sure, you can make money with ads. I have for some time. However, I didn’t really create a fully secure income stream until I created my own products. My personal blog would make very little income if I depended on ads, however it makes a six-figure income all by itself based solely on the fact that it has a business back-end to it.
I will pit a blog with a dedicated following and products to sell against a blog with paid reviews and affiliate links any day and twice on Sunday. Limiting one’s thinking to advertising is what causes most bloggers to give up in total frustration and conclude that monetization is too much of an uphill fight.
So, Glen, perhaps you misunderstood my post when you decided to disagree with me. But, I don’t back down. And, I believe people would be much better off if they do follow my advice.
Simply put: YES, content is important. Building an audience is important. However, it isn’t the end-game. Focus on creating a real business behind the blog and all of a sudden this model makes a lot of sense.
David Risley
April 18th, 2010 2:48 am
Re: Nunzio Bruno
Of course you need to enjoy writing. Your view is not romantic. :-) It is just a matter of intentions. If you’re wanting to make money, the approach is different than if you just want to share your thoughts. Very different ways of going about things.
Gayle Pescud
April 18th, 2010 2:56 am
Thought-provoking post, thank you. And interesting conversation too.
It seems somewhat chicken and egg and dependent on your intentions with your blog. If you plan to monetise, sure, you have to sell “something”. Perhaps that starts with content. Perhaps it starts with a specific service or physical product. Perhaps the content develops to the point where it can begin to drive sales of a “thing”. But you have to have something other than stuff to sell.
As a communications platform, it puts your product in front of people. But I feel that people won’t come if there is nothing else to compel them to other than a product, and they may be reluctant to buy if they don’t trust you. One top way of earning trust is writing content that people relate to, over time, proven.
My favourite blogs, this included, and Glen Allsop’s (not sucking up) are that because of the writing–and I’m mighty envious I have to say. I love reading them and look forward to the posts.
Whatever you sell, if you have poor content your sales will suffer.
I had no intention of monetising mine and wrote for the sheer joy. But the good content attracted interest and then I began to learn that I could make something of that. I never knew of professional blogging until 4 months ago. But I had content that I had built over 18 months that I knew was well liked and suddenly, slowly, realised I could make something of it. And it’s working. There’s no way I could have done it in reverse.
But, I am open to the idea that you can create the product or have a separate business, eg. Itty Biz, and write great posts on a fantastic blog relevant to the business and drive more sales.
David Risley
April 18th, 2010 3:06 am
Re: Gayle Pescud
Thanks for the comments, Gayle.
Yeah, totally. Great content is always important. The point of this post is to say that most bloggers stop right there – with the great content. They never extend into the realm of actually offering something for money, even though they proclaim they want to make an income. So, I’m just trying to open eyes. :-) Get people thinking.
Mars Dorian
April 18th, 2010 3:06 am
What a dividing post, I’m lovin’ it !
I see the truth in your words, but I can also totally understand
Glen – if you’re just advertising without putting real effort into your post, then there’s real value in that for the reader.
I love my content, and I’m in the process of starting my own products soon – but I will ALWAYS make sure that my content is outstanding and kicking ass – it’s art to me !
But that’s just my opinion, to each his own.
Blogthority
April 18th, 2010 3:12 am
I agree with Glenn, saying that you can’t make decent money from blog posts alone is just wrong.
I will concede that some niches don’t monetize well with traditional ad networks such as Adsense and maybe don’t have related affiliates. If that is the case then maybe having your products is the best method to making $$.
For others such as personal finance (mine) Adsense is king. Which of course is not to say you can’t also have your own products.
Ken Locarnini
April 18th, 2010 4:01 am
I may be wrong but isn’t the content not important, because most blogs are not really saying anything original or truly helpful, but are mere copies of each other saying essentially the same thing. Everybody is doing internet marketing and is desperate to climb over everyone else in a fight for airtime and authority coolness dominance. It’s like a giant pyramid scheme, internet marketers, teaching others to become internet marketers, teaching…
Its kind of like music, someone comes up with something original, and everyone copies that idea trying to replicate it to get a piece of the pie. No one is actually doing something they believe in, or actually trying to help anyone else, its just a giant clone factory, creating a noisy, messy landscape.
I may be a romantic, but I look at the internet as a way to broadcast to the entire world ideas that can impact and help the human family change conditions for the better. Global communication across all borders, is a gift we are overlooking in my opinion. The problem is, that the audience is asleep or forced into imposed selfishness through the burden of usury and debt, rendering most unable to think of anything but their own survival, let alone care about and uplift others.
“Turn a people against themselves, and they’re easy to contain”, Caesar
Thu Nguyen
April 18th, 2010 4:04 am
David, David, David. You really struck a nerve in me but that’s your style. You put simplicity into your work yet you provoke us to act! Nonetheless, new to the blogging game, you have some good points here.
I don’t have anything to offer.
I actually don’t have anything to sell.
Then why do I have a blog?
Honestly, I don’t know. I just want to write for the purpose of writing and then learn from there if I have anything to offer.
Still too early to tell as blogging is still new to me.
Great article BTW, they always strike a nerve in me.
Siddhartha
April 18th, 2010 4:18 am
David,
I appreciate you sharing your perspective. Given your success I won’t argue with your reasoning. I would say however, there’s maybe more than one way to skin a cat.
True a blog is just a medium, but so is television. I know there are some shows I love and others I can’t stand. I don’t watch the shows I can’t stand, I change the channel. So it seems to me content does matter.
Now there is a lot of truth in the statement that blog posts aren’t paying the bills, at least not directly. But there are a lot of ways to monetize and ad revenue is just one.
You’ve been around the block more times than I have so I don’t need to spell it all out, but you get my drift–if the content is good, and keeps people tuning in, you can get the revenue.
I’m always eager to get your perspective. Thanks.
Wilson Usman
April 18th, 2010 4:47 am
I am with you Riley,
As I write this I actually working on one of my products right now.(well I’m taking a 10 min break to read) but I’ve been blogging for three months now and I understand what you mean.
What’s my product? guys answer that question quick, so you can monetize your list.
mike kirkeberg
April 18th, 2010 4:51 am
David, you hit it on the head with “what is your product?” It’s what I have been trying to figure out for the past year on my http://thisoldbrain.net blog. A lot of writing, no money. My focus has never been entirely clear, even to me.
Back to the drawing board.
Keith
April 18th, 2010 4:55 am
I agree with you David, for my businesses especially. But I do perform some consulting work on a site that is strictly for ads and adsense, and while he isn’t 6 figures yet, he probably will be by the end of the year. The difference is, it has taken him 3yrs to get there, writing posts 7 days a week. My business plan doesn’t allow me to wait 3 yrs to get there.
The problem seems to exist that these people selling courses to teach you to make “big money” fast with ads and affiliates is the way to go, but I disagree completely. And even if that were the case, there is much more to making money that way than just throwing content out there….
Ms. Freeman@Baby Steps of an Internet Entrepreneur
April 18th, 2010 4:59 am
I’m glad some one summed it up so well. Rather than being bloggers we need to be the producers or products and stop selling other folks STUFF. After all didn’t many of us get into blogging to stop making the boss richer and to make money for our selves- I know I did.
Looks like a lot of us got caught back up in the trading time for money mentality, when we should be trading money for OUR product.
Very well said David, thanks for the redirection of our actions! :)
Jarlin Paul
April 18th, 2010 5:14 am
I feel, we should promote our blog first to promote any product. For this, we need to have well written post consistently delivered.
Eric
April 18th, 2010 5:19 am
Good post and I feel that, from someone not making money online at all yet, too many people feel they want to make money yet feel “good” just writing blog posts and hoping some day to make money selling something when in reality they are scared to ask their readers to buy something just yet.
It’s funny how that works. I have to agree also. And I don’t see how others could really argue the point that there does have to be a business behind the blog in order to make an real good money. Putting up ads can work but selling real products is what can make all the difference.
Writing blog posts is great but isn’t going to make you money for the most part unless you know something I don’t, which you probably do.
What does everyone think, honestly?
Dr. Lawrence Kindo
April 18th, 2010 5:33 am
I agree with Jarlin Paul. I have a blog with a PR 2 currently and as few visitors as 20 per day. Will I be able to monetize it with a really stellar product with just 20 uniques per day? I am sure the answer is a no-no. I believe the product will find a following only if I have build a considerable fan base and to do that, I need some good quality posts on my blog to lure my customers. I am sure problogger with its huge fan base can now do it without much of a problem.
John Benjamin
April 18th, 2010 6:16 am
I don’t know how you make money from your blog, you don’t really have any product on your blog. Personally, i write articles and have my buisnesses listed on the sides of my blog. In some cases, i get to add a link to an opportunity in my blog but you ain’t doing any of that. You seem to be contradicting yourself.
John
http://www.123internetbiz.com
Tyler Davis
April 18th, 2010 7:10 am
TV shows make money without offering a product. Now granted they have merchandise but most shows make money purely from advertising.
Now of course TV advertising and internet advertising is a little different because TV advertising is more about branding whereas internet advertising is about conversions.
Tim Brownson
April 18th, 2010 7:20 am
I dunno, maybe I’m missing the point hopelessly but this post depresses me somewhat.
It already feels like the Internet is swamped by mostly average at best products. It seems every other person is rushing to get an e-book out there telling other people how to make money on the Internet.
I feel like we are in some huge pyramid scheme that could fall over at any time and I’m really worn out hearing people brag about how much money they are making with their blogs.
In 2008 I earned $29k. Last year was better and this year will be much better.
Life coaches on the whole don’t make much money. But the HUGE upside is a love what I do and if more people focused on what makes them happy rather than how to rush another product to market we’d all be better off.
Maybe I’m just an old cynic, but I’m more impressed by people telling me about the dreams and aspirations than how big their bank balance is.
Krista Peck
April 18th, 2010 7:59 am
I like your fresh perspective on blogging, David.
While I’ve had my blog for over 2 years, ad sales have plummeted, and I find myself doing a lot of free writing in the hopes that great content will (fingers crossed) bring in traffic that will increase ad dollars.
While I can see other bloggers’ points about peeling it back to a product, I can relate to what you are saying. I write about style–for free. If I could incorporate eBooks, seminars, consultations, I would be able to generate income. I’m selling style expertise, not just free content.
Thanks for the great spin on blogging. It’s gotten my wheels turning!
Xah Lee
April 18th, 2010 8:29 am
i think this blog started great but didn’t end well.
I think it does have a important point, that most bloggers or wannabe spend too much time writing, while with little time spend, or the expertise, about the business aspects. That is, promotion, marketing. (this certainly applies to me)
Though, the post didn’t expand well or express well on this idea, i think. It started to suggest that most bloggers don’t have a product. Well, the writing is the product, and to sell that product, one really should spend i think at least 1/3 of time on writing and acquiring expertise about the subject area he’s writing about.
But i think the the post hit a important mark. That is, for bloggers who aspire to sustain a living by blogging, one should think about their blog as a business, not just writing + ads.
Vicki@collegeparentcentral
April 18th, 2010 9:39 am
Very interesting post and definitely food for thought.
Someone asked me recently what I wanted for the future of my website, and I was stopped in my tracks. I didn’t have an answer. I realized that I was writing for the sake of writing (not necessarily a bad thing) and that I didn’t have a vision of the future.
I think there’s value in writing just for the sake of letting others read what you’ve written – to share information. But that’s only valuable if you know that’s your goal. Thinking about the goal is important.
You’ve given me lots to think about.
A Sitting Duck
April 18th, 2010 9:52 am
It’s great advice!… I have been blogging for the best part of two years. I have links, followers & subscribers but no cash!…
I think its time for me to plan an e-book for sale and see how that goes…
Thanks
:]
Stephen B. | InventionAddict
April 18th, 2010 12:35 pm
I could not agree more. A blog is not a business it’s a medium. Finally someone has the chutzpah and the insight to say it.
Nathan Hangen
April 18th, 2010 12:45 pm
Glenn,
That’s an arrogant attitude. You’re always talking about how much money you make, but I don’t see you building a business…I see you building a variety of separate platforms.
Does it work? Sure…but not everyone wants to contribute to the world by selling ads for the rest of their life.
I think what David is trying to say is that you can’t just write a bunch of posts and then expect money to come in…it just doesn’t work like that. You know that, because you write about how to monetize quite often.
And quite honestly, people will RT anything as long as it comes with social proof, so let’s not pretend that content is everything, because it’s not.
Nathan Hangen
April 18th, 2010 12:49 pm
Tim Brownson,
I know what you mean…I often feel the same way. My charge then, is to not get sucked into the mmo niche and instead, create somethign real that has value over time.
I’ve watched a lot of my friends (not David, he was in the game before I joined it) get caught in that trap, and although some of them make a lot of money doing it…I wonder why they allowed themselves to get sidetracked.
Keep up the good fight man, love what you’re doing.
Blogger
April 18th, 2010 1:39 pm
It’s certainly true for all the online make money or people who are peddling coching programs, or ebooks, etc. For them they need a product. But that is not true for lifehacker or techcruch. For them blog is the product.
Chris
April 18th, 2010 2:02 pm
Bad advice that doesn’t apply to many blogs, from someone who has made a name for himself by being provocative.
If you have the right niche, and can write with passion, and write what people want to read, you’ll build an audience. And with that audience will come advertising revenue.
People don’t have as much of a reason to read newspapers any more, hence other mediums becoming more effective.
Give enough people a reason to read your blog, in an environment that works for advertisers, and you’ll make money from advertising. There’s no need to get into ‘making products’ at all.
Shrawan Raja
April 18th, 2010 2:15 pm
This post is more of spam than anything else. Why is this appearing on problogger?
The author fails to make a point. He just wants to tell the world he made money out of blogging and he got there by building some kind of asset and email list.
Darren, this isn’t what you’ve been teaching us. Since the time I’ve started reading problogger, in between each and every line you’ve written, you’ve insisted on loving what you do and writing about subjects you are passionate about. You’ve told us to do things, and do them properly. You’ve said yourself that content is king and everything else is next.
Many of us here blog, because we love talking about our favorite things. I come to problogger to listen to tips and advice from other bloggers who run blogs that post content and not sell products. When did this place start becoming an actual how-to-make-money-blog? If the man who wrote this post invested his time in buying stocks or dealing real estate, he could have earned more money. Someone tell him about it.
Even if the author here explained how he went about making money, I would have understood why you asked him to write a post. It would have been a wake-up call for many and provided a good example of someone becoming successful and achieving his goals by following a method.
I think Darren has to screen guest posts more closely as rubbish is beginning to filter through as well.
I think the number of guest posts these days are on the rise. Surely, many of us here want to listed to Darren and other bloggers who’ve achieved ‘blogging goals’ than a man who has made money, and wants the world to know about it.
Vance Sova
April 18th, 2010 3:46 pm
Hi David,
I can see the reason for the mixed reaction you are getting to this post in the comments.
While your intention and advice towards the end of the post is good, the first half to two thirds of it seems a bit controversial and full of assumptions as to what most other bloggers think.
Of course that is only my impression. A bit of controversy is always good.
What is confusing is that you seem to be saying both that posts aren’t important and that they are.
I think that if totally everything that is done on a blog is carefully calculated and aimed at extracting money from its readers it will inevitably turn some of them off.
Having an opt in form and getting people to opt in is indeed a great idea but making the blog into a big squeeze page would be too much I think.
Here is a sentence with which i completely agree and which is the reason why I’m glad I read your post (the first work of yours I think I’ve ever read):
“My suggestion is to regroup. Take whatever time you have available for your blog and divide it up. Spend part of the time thinking ahead by producing assets that will help you grow your business. Products to sell, content to use to build your email list, etc. Schedule this into your routine. Then, use the remaining time to write blog posts.”
Take care,
Vance
Armie
April 18th, 2010 5:33 pm
Yes I definitely agree, and that’s the very reason I had to create two blogs: one for my musings and the other for the real deal. Thanks for the tips.
i-Blogger
April 18th, 2010 5:39 pm
David doesn’t really hold back does he, I can respect that. I think more people need to tell it like it is, as long as it’s not meant as a slap in the face.
I liked the post, but at the same time I can understand why it’s getting a mixed response.
Tia - BizChickBlogs.com
April 18th, 2010 5:52 pm
Wow – two major schools of thought developing here, and perhaps that is why there is a lot of disagreement. I can understand both schools of thought, though.
On the one hand:
This post seems a little contradictory to the message and advice in 31 Days to Build a Better Blog, since so much of that talks about content and promotion, and not much on selling…
If we should all just “slap a blog” on top of our info product, we should stop buying info products that tell us how to build great blogs.
On the other hand:
I get what you are saying, and agree that if your goal is to make a lot of money, that needs to be really clear from the way your blog is laid out and promoted.
What you may have left out is that once you have your product, the content on your blog will either sell it or bury it.
But anyway, obviously a great post as it has really inspired some talk. :)
Imran yousaf
April 18th, 2010 6:03 pm
David, one thing i want to ask, if we consider internet traffic as 100% then how much are buying things on net? I think %age of such people are more how just read blogs. So in my opnion, alone creating your product is nothing. Though just blogging will earn you a lot as comapre to creating a product and then blog about it.
Tia - BizChickBlogs.com
April 18th, 2010 6:03 pm
But I should add that the post does inspire me to make what I do (service, not a product) a little more prominent on my blog, because I (like most people) am not blogging for my health. :)
Blogging About The Word
April 18th, 2010 6:14 pm
Great post David. I’m a newbie to blogging. However, I have been doing much “homework”, researching and reading much of what a handful of professional bloggers write. I read Darren, Yaro Stark, Chris Garrett, Seth Godin and Rand Fishkin and now I’m about to add David Risley. Already, I have seen the main reason only a few bloggers hit “pay dirt”. To blog for money requires a certain mind set, a certain paradigm shift. One either has it or need to cultivate it. I suspect David expected most of the reactions he got via comments. Possibly, that was one of his reasons for this post for he says his post maybe rejected by “many”. You are right.
David’s thesis: “probloggers spend MOST of their time doing income earning stuff.” He never said do not post nor do not post frequently. His point is about FOCUS. David writes, “Take whatever time you have available for your blog and divide it up.”
David also dispels a prominet myth, “blogs are not businesses”. If one can see the forest through the trees it would not be too hard to perceive David’s point. He calls this the “big picture”. David says “A blog is a promotional medium and a communications platform.” Yaro Starak says the same thing. Chist affirms this. I am positive Darren says the same think too. He may not use the same words but read between the lines.
If you doubt this look at the right side bar of “Problogger”.
Finally, David is saying and he is not saying blog post is unimportant, all in one breath. Blog post is important to all blogs because it is the medium of communication. It is important to the point of attracting the traffic with your “flag ship” content,if one wants to monetize a blog. But the post is not your product. That is why David asks, “…What is your product really?”.
On the other hand, blog post is unimportant if your blog is monetized correctly. This is in context of the amount of time one spends writing posts. This is not an end in itself because a blog is not a blog without posts. Hence, David advises “schedule this (monetizing activities) into your routine”. But what if a blogger becomes ill or take a vacation? No posts. No money? So David rightly says “PROBloggers spend MOST of their time on what actually matters – business.” One day I will be a problogger and I will remember this post.
http://www.atotheword.com
Easy Adsense
April 18th, 2010 9:33 pm
I think I get the point about the “product” .
Could you possibly mean for example opening up a Forum or Message Board on a blog / site and charging members a fee to access it ?
I have noticed this is becoming popular with a lot of my favorite blogs lately and given your post I can now see why – surely it’s because it is there “own product” rather than someone elses.
Am I right ?
Dana @ Blogging Tips Blog
April 18th, 2010 9:40 pm
I experienced that content surely can bring money to your pocket but You are right to tell we should not stop in that. We should go further to offer our service or product after that.
BloggerDaily
April 18th, 2010 10:54 pm
I got your points and now I realized that my perception of ‘more blog posts means more revenue’ is wrong.
Thanks for your opinion. Now I try to look into more profitable way in blogging. Again, thanks =)
rick
April 18th, 2010 10:59 pm
Great post David. The commenter links from this post has produced numerous bookmarks…thanks again.
Junk Drawer Kathy
April 18th, 2010 11:13 pm
I see I’m not the only one a little confused by this post. My writing is my product and I’m paid for doing it. I don’t sell actual products on my blog, though I do sell the content by way of publishing on Kindle (and making good money there I might add). I also have begun making ad spots available and people are buying them, both personal bloggers and corporate entities.
I guess my product is entertainment (I’m a humor blogger). Do I sell it? You bet.
Ian@ Book Marketing
April 18th, 2010 11:30 pm
I like a three tiered concept that I learned from Brian Clark (copyblogger) and Darren in regards to blogging for $$$.
Find a niche that you’re actually interested in and passionate about.
Write a bunch of “knock it out of the park” content
Ask other people to contribute to the site
Listen to your tribe
Ask questions
Take polls
Find out their deep needs, problems
And then create fantastic products that help your tribe really succeed in life.
Avil Beckford
April 19th, 2010 12:01 am
This is quite a spirited discussion going on here, and the passion shines through. If I remember correctly, in one of Darren’s post, he said that he started to succeed at blogging after he started to view it as a business, am I mistaken? It seem to me that all the bloggers who are making a lot of money are actually selling something, whether it be a product or service.
This is something that I have thought about for my blog The Invisible Mentor. Like most people, I have thought about how to monetize my blog, I spend time creating great content because I do not do fluff and I want people to be able to sink their teeth into what I am offering, but I ask the question, how will I make money from this? The answer I came up with is to have products to sell and at some point perhaps turn my blog into a membership site, where I have a lot of great content for free, but also have some premium content that’s paid, very much like the model that http://mediabistro.com uses.
I have a lot of original content because I interview people. I have also been spending time looking at ways to enhance the user experience to my readers, and I have figured out a few ways to add more value. For those interested, David Meerman Scott has a great book called “Cashing In With Content.”
I do think that you have to spend time creating great blog posts (content) and also treat blogging as a business, if that’s what you want. Some people are blogging for pleasure, or to get their message out there.
David, thank you for your blog post because it has started a really good discussion that we can all benefit from.
Avil Beckford
Jaszy
April 19th, 2010 2:01 am
Wow! Every now and then a post like this comes along that really makes me stop and think, re-evaluate, and think some more. Quite a lot of food for thought…even from the resulting comments! Nicely done!
I blog for pleasure, but I also spend 12-14 hours a day doing it…perhaps figuring in a bit of compensation wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
Nitesh patel
April 19th, 2010 2:49 am
really nice post David and helpful for blogger like me …
i do not concentrate on Revenue just left adsense for it.
Brandy
April 19th, 2010 3:04 am
I love this post, it was a reminder that I need to get my butt in gear and figure out what it is I am trying to sell, what product is going to be “me” and what product do I want to sell … Off to spend today brainstorming .. thank you for this post!
Tokio
April 19th, 2010 4:44 am
Nice post. I think the people that don’t agree just aren’t understanding.
People saying that readers come because they like the content and the writer’s opinions..but perhaps the writer’s opinion IS their ‘product?’
Maybe some people can have a successful money making blog while talking about nothing, but for the most part don’t readers visit blogs for specific topics?
For example, a blog amount money should talk about..money. I suppose the ‘product’ they are selling is information about money/ making money / investing money / their opinions about money and so on. The blog is just the way to get it out there.
But the blog post itself is not the most important. It’s what you’re ’selling’ in your post that is important. But it doesn’t have to be a blog post. You can plaster the information on billboards or send it through snail mail if you want. The blog is just your tool of choice.
That’s the way I understood it anyway.
Mokibobolink
April 19th, 2010 4:46 am
This post definitely has me thinking, though I’m not quite sure to what end yet, LOL. I have two blogs, one I started last year on a whim with no real idea about monetization, I just felt like writing. The readership on it is growing, as are my visitors, but I truly can’t find any “product” that I can sell with it. I provide positive reviews on products, websites, tv shows, books, movies, music, concerts, amusement parks, basically anything. I did it because I like to talk about the things that I like (rather than complain about the things I don’t), but no matter how hard I think abou it, I don’t see a “product” that can come from it.
My affiliate ads (including Adsense) are just now starting to generate some income after being up for a couple months and I’ve also started doing some paid reviews here and there (I turn down any job if I have nothing good to say since my purpose is to provide nothing but positive reviews). Truthfully I don’t see any other options for the type of blog that I have.
So while I can’t say that I “disagree” with you, I’m not sure that it applies to my blog. I do however have another blog that I just started that IS more geared towards providing a product and I will definitely keep this post in mind as I develop it. :o)
chandan
April 19th, 2010 5:29 am
Yes you are right, As bloggers always listen from other blogger that post on your blog frequently, so they do so. They just want to increase the posting frequency of their blog and do not think if their article will be helpful for reader or not. Well It is not my strategy.
Awesome
April 19th, 2010 6:15 am
I’m with Glen. Yes FOR MOST to make serious money you need to have a product to sell. But to sell a product you need to have traffic and readership, that is why your content is so important. It is your biggest leverage point. Personally I focus on quality over quantity. Also I think most bloggers will understand or will quickly figure out that blogging is not a get rich quick scheme, it takes 1-2 yrs typically to even start making a decent income, and income from banner ads is not going to happen. Before anyone starts a blog you just need to determine what the goal of your site is.
Bryan
April 19th, 2010 6:42 am
This post did seem to go against a lot of what I have been reading and studying as of late. I obviously see a lot of blogs pushing a product. Personally I have not followed any blogs that push products, but that does not make me right and them wrong. I do look for blogs that give great information or are enjoyable to read.
It may take longer to make good money from just writing good posts but I do believe it is possible.
Thanks for the lively discussion.
Diane Gregory
April 19th, 2010 7:39 am
David,
I think you are partly correct. I do think bloggers need to think about selling a product and the blog can attract people to learning about your product. I do not see it as black and white as you do. I think links to affiliates to purchase books written by others, adsense adds, and selling products. I think it is all of that. Perhaps approaching this subject in a more gentle fashion would be best. Many people start first with a blog rather than a product. The product can come later after building up a small audience. Your approach can be discouraging to beginning bloggers. We certainly don’t need anymore discouragement. So reconsider repackaging your important message in a more positive way so you do not end up ticking people off and so discouraging people that they give up, don’t sign up for your blog and even stop subscribing to ProBlogger. I think you could use a little diplomacy and a more balanced view of it all. It also depends upon one’s niche and how much time one has to devote to the blog. Not everyone is out to make tons of money and you have cast a negative pall over those who do not see the world as you do. Despite your approach, I do agree with you in general…just take it a little easy.
Diane
Julius
April 19th, 2010 8:47 am
I personally try to allot only a specific number of hours for creating posts. The rest of my time I devote to promoting them in social networks and email groups.
Curtis Chappell
April 19th, 2010 9:32 am
David,
It seems you stepped on a few toes with your viewpoint, but that’s a good thing.
I spent almost two years writing a book part time. Then, before I was finished with the book, I decided to start a blog as a marketing tool for the book.
Seven months later I had 150 posts, but still hadn’t finished the book….then it hit me…the blog had taken over my time, so my primary product sat languishing as I looked for motivation to do the next blog post.
Two months ago, I decided to put the blog on the back burner (posting every other day instead of everyday) and put some serious time into finishing the book, which is now complete and available for purchase on the blog, which was my original intention in the first place.
But it took me almost a year to figure out where to place my focus, which is a lot of potential book sales I missed out on…
In any case, it is obvious to me that all of you “probloggers” are selling your own products….then you ‘affiliate’ for additional income streams…its no-brainer really…
Many bloggers write from a source of passion, so to suggest they are poor because they don’t promote their own product is bound to ruffle some feathers…which was your intention I’m sure….
But for those of us wanting to make a living from their blog, your point is brilliant!
Write On!
Sparrow
April 19th, 2010 9:51 am
Thanks.
A very timely reminder.
I was concentrating on building a readership and time had got away from me.
Thanks
Paid Survey Sites
April 19th, 2010 11:40 am
This is some great info. I would say if you are targeting your audience by pinpointing them and placing the ad’s on your site. Then it could become profitable. However just like you said look at the newspapers they are going to the wayside. Yes we need to market a product however we need to keep honest while doing so or it will alienate our readers and hence stop traffic to our sites.
Dave Doolin
April 19th, 2010 3:39 pm
Last year it was “blog every day.”
This year, not so much.
The truth, maybe somewhere in between.
I’m continuing my daily articles. I want to continue build intellectual capital, and I want to continue to build long term search results. Readers come, readers go according to my social mojo (ebbs and flows). Meanwhile, I’m building out the business behind the scenes.
Stephen
April 19th, 2010 5:55 pm
Good post, mkaes a lot of sense and actaully mirrors where I am at right now as a newbie blogger- figuring out what my goals actaully are.
Thanks,
Benjamin
April 19th, 2010 11:38 pm
Very real post. It is so true like it or not. People who know the truth in this and those who don’t…this is what seperates the business leaders from the pack. They see an opportunity and they think beyond what the average person sees- they see ways to grow and monitize. I suppose some people may think it is sneaky but it is just a fact of life that that is what business is all about. Whether you agree or not, it is happening…
Dan
April 20th, 2010 2:10 am
And with one post you have crushed the dreams of thousands of ProBlogger readers…
Nice post. You are dead on with this message. Blogging won’t make you money. It will just lead people into the opportunity to purchase your product. Nothing more.
Easy Adsense
April 20th, 2010 2:24 am
“Blogging won’t make you money” I disagree with that statement as I know many bloggers who have become very wealthy without leading people to purchase a product and by simply “blogging”.
And as a few people said before me it’s not really what we have been reading so far , so who is right ?
Nelson Swett
April 20th, 2010 2:29 am
David,
I appreciate the reminder that blogging is a business and if you’re not making money, you’re not really in business. It’s message you’ve repeated on different occasions.
I have to say, however, that I agree with some of the other comments; there are holes in your thesis. You can’t turn out crap and be credible as a blogger. By the same token, I agree that you can spend too much time on content creation and too little time on monetization. So, the message I took away from your post: Balance content creation with creating money making opportunities for yourself.
Cynthia Bailey MD
April 20th, 2010 2:41 am
This is exactly the order in which I started my online business and blog. I had good advisers when I first created my web site. My intent with the site was to sell the skin care products that over my career I had found to be the absolute best for my patients skin health.
Once my site was up, my advisers said I needed to blog or else no one will find my site. As a full time practicing dermatologist who runs a medical office also, I didn’t think I had time to add blogging and then social media to my life. Well, I have and the big surprise to me is that it’s really fun. This means it doesn’t feel like work. Wow!
I use my content to teach about skin conditions and treatments that can be done without prescriptions. It’s great information for my patients to reference between posts. It also serves as promotional material to non-patients surfing for dermatology information and product advice.
It’s a coincidence that today’s post is a retrospective on my first 6 months as a physician blogger.
Cynthia Bailey MD
http://www.otbskincare.com/blog/review-of-the-first-6-months-of-my-dermatology-skin-care-blog/1510/
Belize
April 20th, 2010 5:25 am
Everyone has a niche and visiting the website of the person who wrote the post it looks like yet another website promoting ebooks to teach you how to make money.
Yes, newspapers are in trouble but evolving and one of the reasons is that “real” bloggers, i.e. trained journalists who can scoop or offer a better or different angle on news stories are eating away at the news “papers”.
The continuing development of tablets will see more people hungry for real information such as hard news, travel information, updates and advisories etc. look for quality news blogs – and continue to support display and PPC advertising. The advertising revenue models are not going away any time soon, just being refined.
paul
April 20th, 2010 9:19 am
My view – take the best bits you need and mix it in with the views of other experts and find your own way.
Aaron B.
April 20th, 2010 9:34 am
I can relate to Cynthia M.D.
I too was told to blog to get website exposure. But I’ve found that blogging is fun and can be similar to teaching. Teaching health and wellness tips is a passion and I can give a lot of it away online with the notion that I am their wellness expert.
Dr. A
TOMIN
April 20th, 2010 2:49 pm
i think bloggers should concentrate to give unique+quality content to users rather than they focus on business when have a blog with one or two posts
John Hoff - WP Blog Host
April 21st, 2010 3:45 pm
Exactly. Need I really say more?
My blog is meant to help drive traffic to our site and hopefully pull in some hosting customers.
I’ve noticed something. It usually only pulls them in when I actually use the blog to push our services, rather than the posts which talk about other things… like how to install Google Analytics or something.
You need a cornerstone product or service (i.e. something to offer).
Deidre Brathwaite
April 22nd, 2010 1:47 am
I think this post hits true to home. Some persons spend lots of time blogging in the hopes of generating the traffic to earn thousand dollar incomes from affiliate links. If you are one of those success stories well that great.
But it’s when that model isn’t working then you’ve got to rethink your strategy. Look at the some of the social media pros: Mari Smith, Chris Brogan, Seth Godin they all provide/promote their own product or service (book, seminars, site) and therefore have additional income streams…seems obvious then doesn’t it?
@pixldinc
Jeff C
April 22nd, 2010 4:09 am
Great Post! I have always used my blog as a marketing tool for my business, and have never blogged for the sake of blogging, or for the sole purpose of selling adspace.
I’ve never considered myself a “Pro Blogger”. Rather, I’m a small business owner who uses a blog to promote a business, share content, and help prospects plan their wedding and decide on a venue and vendors.
But maybe I am a “Pro Blogger” after all! Thanks for the insight.
Tiyo Kamtiyono
April 23rd, 2010 2:51 am
Striking my heart deeply, what is my product? Nothing, but by now i can start to think about it. Thanks Darren.
Gail from GrowMap
April 23rd, 2010 6:50 am
This is absolutely true. Many of us focus on helping others instead of on making money because that is our priority. Eventually we realize that if we made some money we could help more people and then we finally learn to monetize properly.
One issue though is that there are so many who teach “WHAT” we should do but never “HOW” to actually do it. I for one have known I should have a list since the mid-1990s but still have not developed the technical skills required to make that happen.
I am only just now doing that and I WILL share the step-by-step how-to with my readers because I don’t want them to wait a decade before they do what should be the very first step to monetization: building a list.
It is much easier now so I will focus on how to use FeedBlitz as a more powerful, Social Media ready alternative to AWeber. With the assistance of some who are experts on using AWeber I will compare them too so that more will know which to use and whether it is worth switching or using both.
Ann Skinner
April 24th, 2010 8:45 am
As a student completing a business degree at university, I’m very interested in the process of blogging related to buinesses. Though I don’t have personal business experience, I have worked for many years in organisations, and appreciate your opinions regarding businesses not forgetting the main focus – their product – and the use of blogs to promote this and the business, rather than as mere information sources.
From a knowledge management perspective, I wouldn’t totally discount those who have pursued blogging as a business in itself, as it is also their right to choose the vehicle which suits them.
Hope this i perceived in a positive light:), as it was meant to be.
Josh Seo
April 24th, 2010 4:12 pm
Very informative, alot of people think just because a blog is put up they will monetize from it but thats simply not true..great info will save.
AutoRepairGuy
April 26th, 2010 2:08 am
I have an auto repair shop. And am just thinking about creating a business blog. The goal of the blog would be to help my main site with page rank and provide information for my customers and potential customers.
But the goal of the blog is to get them to pick up the phone and call me…or bring their car into the shop.
I think having a clearly defined goal is the place to start. And then working at it from there.
So I agree with you…your goal isn’t writing posts. It’s getting your client to get involved w/ your product…whatever that is.
TucsonDivorceGal
April 26th, 2010 2:24 pm
I work from home and it is always a struggle to find a balance between my family and work. I’ve been apprehensive about starting a blog because I don’t want it to take too much time. But I love the idea of having a purpose for the blog…and focusing on that. That helps a lot.
Dave Thackeray
April 26th, 2010 8:58 pm
Gotta say I find this article a little counter-intuitive. The author clearly makes his money writing a blog. And for sure, it’s the product underneath the blog that makes the money: but it’s fundamentally the system of blogging itself, that is paying the rent.
But I totally agree that blogging is and should be a layer on top of a successful business that both supports it and informs its buying community of developments and opportunities offered by the business itself.
Interesting post.
Revenue
April 27th, 2010 5:18 am
I absolutely agree with this, today’s blogs are becoming a middle man to sell our own products. It’s more like a soft marketing method, we provide valuable information for free from our post, then we introduce more advance features from our products.
Great post :)
Don
April 27th, 2010 9:38 am
Totally agree. If you’re in this to make money, blogging is simply a way to publicize your money-making goods or services. Perhaps that’s why I find that the blogs for so many gifted communicators are not actually for their writing, although they will frequently offer a sample of it. Mainly they are selling some kind of branded instruction on how to become a good writer/publicist/reporter/copywriter and so on. Sure, a few ancillary bucks for page views may come their way. But that’s not at all the main deal.
And it’s all very illuminating to those of us trying to make money as writers. As a journalist I find the only way to make decent money is to sell into print publications. Of course the notion of doing making money by writing online is tempting. But there does not appear to be a business model to support that.
Proof: I make some thousands of dollars a month writing for one print pub which also has an online edition. Sometimes a good article idea will get squeezed out of the print version, so I recently asked my editor if I could sell it to the online for, say, half or even a third. Better than nothing, right?
You shoulda heard him scoff: “the online people don’t pay jack!” He explained that without the scarcity value of print, there’s no value at all placed on the articles in the online edition. Which is why they’re all reprints of stuff that has appeared elsewhere, wire copy or, at best, top-of-the-head and often snarky musings on this or that with no effort toward sourcing, research, credibility or even good writing.
I’m somewhat newish to this, so please forgive me if I’ve got this wrong. And please do tell me what I’m missing about online journalism being a way to make a living if you’re not already a celebrity with a recognizable brand from, say, the Times or Vanity Fair. I’d love to know! Meanwhile, I’m doing pretty well selling to dinosaur print for $1.50-$2/word and I’m not about to start giving it away.
clock urns
April 29th, 2010 11:12 am
I think this post hits the nail on the head. The only thing I do think it overlooks is the great seo training one can get when initially creating adsense blogs and websites. I know I would have never started if it weren’t from the encouragement of adsense sites I created.
Sean
May 6th, 2010 7:14 am
I’m glad that I’m reading up on this debate now before I get too far in. Right now I feel like I’m writing a blog for fun, while also trying to make a little side money. It seems like having a niche might be the way to go, but I can’t decide!
Tyler
May 6th, 2010 10:03 am
I disagree entirely…
1. A blog is branded as a business because it’s a prefered marketing tool. People would rather think of themselves as business owners than bloggers. One sounds alot more professional than the other. Business gives the writer the feeling of importance.
2. Blog Post are important: They establish a “Medium or communication platform.” If you can’t offer interesting blog post to readers then you’ll never be able to sell an Ebook.
brandon
May 8th, 2010 4:36 am
You make some good points, if you’re a business trying to use a blog as a promotional tool, but this isn’t the only point of a blog.
I think you undervalue the importance of good posts. After all, if you spend all your time trying to sell products and put half assed post up, no one is going to be interested enough to stick around.
Actually, I’m surprised you even have written a book on this, because you don’t even mention web traffic. We traffic is a commodity, and if you have a lot of web traffic you can make money.
I can think of countless blogs whose content alone generated success for the blogger. What comes to mind right now is thingswhitepeoplelike. This guy just started posting funny content that resonated with an audience, got tons of web traffic, and now he’s got a book deal and a url that half the world knows about and is linked to.
Blogging can be whatever you want to be, but like anything, you have to know who you’re trying to reach and be consistent. I see too many bloggers just have one blog and just random posts.
The Feminine Woman
May 9th, 2010 6:45 pm
I liked your post, David, however I would have to disagree.
Personally, the success of my blog (although I’ve only been blogging for 4 months or so), has to do with content.
Why? Because I’m focusing on solving people’s problems.
Not only that but the biggest reason why I disagree with you is because your method won’t serve the masses.
You have got to serve others, if you want to be a success. Not focus on making money first and foremost. Sure, it needs to be a consideration, but it all needs to be balanced out.
Thanks though, I will use this information. If only as a side-note to what I already do. I’ll remember this article!
Karan Singhal @ Trafficke SEO Consulting
May 10th, 2010 7:47 am
I have to disagree with this post. Although you’re right in a way that blogging without a product isn’t business, you’re wrong about what you said about blog posts getting you nowhere. By writing blog posts, you’re writing quality content for your site, and isn’t that what SEO is all about?
Stephanie Ann @ The Cheap Diva
May 16th, 2010 10:15 am
The ideal situation would be to turn your blog content into a product. For a few years I have been writing budget friendly blog posts on fashion, beauty,home decor, entertaining and money savvy ideas. It was obvious within a year of starting the blog that I was not going to make a living by simply writing 5 original blog posts a week no matter how well written they were. Knowing this I made a point of writing at least one blog post a week that was timeless enough to be used for book content. My book just came out and I am glad that I created the blog both for the book content that came out of it and the opportunity to build an audience before I had a product to sell.
Robin Alley
May 17th, 2010 2:54 pm
Interesting article. On the one hand its very true. But on the other hand I despise seeing people release junk just to make money. So, its a catch 22 — you need to have something to sell, but make it valuable with the end goal in mind to create a win-win. That’s the winning combination.
Faiz
May 23rd, 2010 4:52 am
you have some good points. there are people who concentrate on writing great blog posts, gain huge readership and earn through promoting various products.
so your point is not always right. it is right sometimes
gazzali
May 27th, 2010 12:13 pm
i sense a contradiction in this post. This guy is saying building content and adding banners and adsense do not bring in money. And then he gives a secret to traffic at this post
http://www.davidrisley.com/2010/04/12/blog-traffic/
Is he hiding something or what?
Source Blogger
June 1st, 2010 2:20 pm
This is Source Blogger. How are you David and Darren?
I feel a little late to the party, but here goes.
I’m sure that David knew of the reaction of other bloggers who have been ‘programmed’ to do everything with their blogs except earn a healthy income from it.
The problem is that there is a flood of digital products on the market. Every “blog on blogging” has something to sell.
Many buyers often feel “remorse” after their purchase. Newbie bloggers are tasked with creating a sellable good AND creating a successful blog. Often the commitment to do so is overwhelming.
The reality that this will be accomplished by paying for an e-book is unrealistic, comical even. But, I do respect your right to offer something tangible to your readers/subscribers.
In closing, I’d like to say that inclusion in one’s blog revenue is a turnoff to me and I’m sure to many readers. Must my worth be determined in dollars and cents? Does that not devalue our relationship?
I assume that is the trade-off for trying to build credibility in that market.
Keep selling “the dream.”
Source Blogger
mk akan
June 13th, 2010 4:33 am
I strongly agree with David…look around you ,blogs that are really making it are selling something (a product or a service),…and a product doesn’t have to be an e book.it could a souvenir like T-shirts and other merchandised stuff.
basically,money comes when you provide something valuable one can exchange for with money..it is the way services and products make money offline..and is the way money is made online…
don’t forget the internet or your blog is only a tool..
@Glen..
i do agree with your too that blogs posts can earn you money and all but remember ,writing a review or blog post for others is A SERVICE you provide.
which is something valuable people pay money for.
so maybe David was a little vague or one sided when he asked
“what is your Product?”
maybe he should have asked “what can you provide on your blog that people can pay for”
but the point still is this…
blog posts or blogs don’t just make money till you provide a product or service people can pay for.
(by the way when you make money from Google ads,you are providing a service to Google )
so at the end of the day you need a product or service to leverage our earnings..
Ira Mann
July 8th, 2010 5:33 am
I agree with your statement that blogs are not a business. Blogs are an asset in the business. They are a part of your overall business plan….like inventory. I also think you are correct about focus. I believe a weekly post on your blog will get you just as much traffic as a daily. I’m not saying daily’s are bad, just require a lot of work and a weekly blog will do the same job. Nice post. Very informative.
Just my 2 cents…..
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