Traditionally, business based blogs were set up to enhance relationships with customers and clients. Naturally, the old time bloggers object to this comment, stating that they are not for business purposes. Of course, if you're reading this blog, I'm sure you're at an advanced enough stage that we can discuss the idea of making money from blogging.
Many "business blogging" experts will usually tell you never to sell on your blog. Blogging is about building relationships they say. Well, that's fair enough - relationships do need to be built and it's nice to make new friends - but I started blogging to build my business, and I don't intend to stop anytime soon.
If You're Not Prepared to Show Them What You Have to Offer, How Are They Going to Find Out?
It doesn't really make much sense to me if you're simply going to blog for the sake of it, and not make any offers at the end of the post. I guess some people think that simply stuffing a load of ads in the sidebar is going to make money. Unfortunately people rarely click these ads so that is a misconception. People read your blog because they are interested in what it is you have to say. If you're not going to tell people what you have to offer to the world, how on earth are they going to know?
Making offers in the context of your posts makes the most sense. Tell them while they are listening and engaged in what you have to say. Of course, I'm not saying that every blog post needs to be a full-on pitch (but go ahead, make some pitch posts sprinkled in with the great content), but include some kinds of business-building call-to-action in a large percentage of your entries.
If you have an ecourse or newsletter that focuses on the topic at hand, mention it.
If you have a product that helps people with a problem you're writing about, tell your readers about it.
If you can find a solution to the subject you are writing about it, look to see if it offers an affiliate program, and if so, mention it in your post.
Your blog visitors can't read your mind, and tend to come to your site because they like you. People want to know what is the current status of things, and what you have to offer currently. Do not assume that your readers already know everything you have to offer, and will look for further information when they feel like it. This is not how it works - you need to show them exactly what products you have.
This is something Lynette Chandler and I really try to drive home in our Internet Marketing Blogging Bootcamp.
A little insight on how I monetize my blog
Strangely enough, some intuitive visitors have worked out how I make money from my blog (tee hee).
Andy Beard himself has been quoted as saying "they probably have more paying customers than many A-list bloggers have subscribers". Visit andybeard.eu to read the full passage.
John Reese wrote about an audit his team did for BlogRush members and he mentioned that a lot of make-money blogs were disapproved because "most of the blogs in that category were heavy with ads and promotional material compared with the ratio of tips, techniques, and true unique 'helpful' content." And then he proceeded to list this blog as one of the blogs that actually got it right. Read the full quote in context at income.com/blog.
Brent Hodgson refers to the subject as "over the shoulder selling", as a "type of inclusive sales pitch which just engages people - not as sales prospects, but as people". I was listed as someone who uses this tactic "either subconsciously, or very deliberately". The full quote can be seen at brenthodgson.com.
Yes, It Applies to YOU!
And please don't tell me this is only suitable for and "Internet marketing" blog because it's simply not true. If you have products to sell and you have people who enjoy your related content - you can incorporate selling into your blog.
So should you sell on your blog or not? Be it a direct advertisement, or worked subtlety into your posts, selling to your readers doesn't mean you suddenly become a used car salesman. It just means that you are happy to recommend something to your readers that you can relate to. - 16463
Many "business blogging" experts will usually tell you never to sell on your blog. Blogging is about building relationships they say. Well, that's fair enough - relationships do need to be built and it's nice to make new friends - but I started blogging to build my business, and I don't intend to stop anytime soon.
If You're Not Prepared to Show Them What You Have to Offer, How Are They Going to Find Out?
It doesn't really make much sense to me if you're simply going to blog for the sake of it, and not make any offers at the end of the post. I guess some people think that simply stuffing a load of ads in the sidebar is going to make money. Unfortunately people rarely click these ads so that is a misconception. People read your blog because they are interested in what it is you have to say. If you're not going to tell people what you have to offer to the world, how on earth are they going to know?
Making offers in the context of your posts makes the most sense. Tell them while they are listening and engaged in what you have to say. Of course, I'm not saying that every blog post needs to be a full-on pitch (but go ahead, make some pitch posts sprinkled in with the great content), but include some kinds of business-building call-to-action in a large percentage of your entries.
If you have an ecourse or newsletter that focuses on the topic at hand, mention it.
If you have a product that helps people with a problem you're writing about, tell your readers about it.
If you can find a solution to the subject you are writing about it, look to see if it offers an affiliate program, and if so, mention it in your post.
Your blog visitors can't read your mind, and tend to come to your site because they like you. People want to know what is the current status of things, and what you have to offer currently. Do not assume that your readers already know everything you have to offer, and will look for further information when they feel like it. This is not how it works - you need to show them exactly what products you have.
This is something Lynette Chandler and I really try to drive home in our Internet Marketing Blogging Bootcamp.
A little insight on how I monetize my blog
Strangely enough, some intuitive visitors have worked out how I make money from my blog (tee hee).
Andy Beard himself has been quoted as saying "they probably have more paying customers than many A-list bloggers have subscribers". Visit andybeard.eu to read the full passage.
John Reese wrote about an audit his team did for BlogRush members and he mentioned that a lot of make-money blogs were disapproved because "most of the blogs in that category were heavy with ads and promotional material compared with the ratio of tips, techniques, and true unique 'helpful' content." And then he proceeded to list this blog as one of the blogs that actually got it right. Read the full quote in context at income.com/blog.
Brent Hodgson refers to the subject as "over the shoulder selling", as a "type of inclusive sales pitch which just engages people - not as sales prospects, but as people". I was listed as someone who uses this tactic "either subconsciously, or very deliberately". The full quote can be seen at brenthodgson.com.
Yes, It Applies to YOU!
And please don't tell me this is only suitable for and "Internet marketing" blog because it's simply not true. If you have products to sell and you have people who enjoy your related content - you can incorporate selling into your blog.
So should you sell on your blog or not? Be it a direct advertisement, or worked subtlety into your posts, selling to your readers doesn't mean you suddenly become a used car salesman. It just means that you are happy to recommend something to your readers that you can relate to. - 16463
About the Author:
If you're looking to pull more profit out of your business blog, check out the IM Blogging Bootcamp. This 4-week intensive program designed to get you actively and effectively blogging to reach more of your prospects and convert more of them into lifelong customers.
