Turn Your Blog into a Money-Making Business

Do you have a blog or are thinking about starting one? Are you wondering how long it will take to build your audience so you can begin selling sponsorships and finally start making money? Or perhaps you are a little unclear as to how to get started and what does it really entail. I was once wondering the same thing. I definitely had a voice I wanted to share with the public and I loved visiting all the amazing blogs on the web, but it can be intimidating. There are a lot of blogs out there on the world wide web! Years ago when I started my first blog I wondered how my blog would transform and more importantly how it would make me money! It wasn't until I started thinking of my blog as a business that things started to turn around. Here are some quick ideas on how to turn your blog into cold hard cash: Have a mailing list. This is often overlooked by most bloggers and I must say it's a huge mistake. You must, must, must have a mailing list. Give your audience something to sign-up for so you can continue your conversation and get to know them better-- and perhaps someday you can sell something to them. (jewelry,vintage clothing, e-courses, design services, or hire you for what you do best) Track your traffic. Don't concentrate on pageviews, concentrate on unique visitors. Embed google analytics into your blog and start tracking where your traffic comes from and be sure to start targeting those website who are bringing you new visitors. The money in blogging comes from how many people visit your blog, this is how you can sell sponsorships, if you should go this route. Be yourself. This is an absolute must. I love when I visit a blog and you can tell through pictures and blog posts that this person is authentic. Copying someone or trying to be something you're not is like a stinky cologne-- no one likes that smell. Tell personal stories, but leave out anything private. Embrace your voice by writing the way you talk. This is a great way to build readership. The people you were meant to inspire or serve will take notice and will leave the others behind. You don't need a million visitors to your blog to be successful. You only need to create a buzz around what you're doing and then sell something that your audience wants-- but only if that something is something you love and are skilled at. Being yourself is always the key to success. Choose a topic and stick with it. Trying to be everything to everyone is a big no-no. When starting a blog you should pick 1-2 topics max. When you confuse your visitors (like trying to blog about food, fashion, health, your dog, your relationship, your jewelry) they won't remember you as easily. Think of your blog as a business and start branding your strongest talent. Be known for something and then get really good at writing, making videos, taking photographs about that topic. Once your audience grows then you can introduce new topics to your blog and spread your wings. Promote, promote, promote. Step into your spotlight and get in front of your people! If you sell your designs, artwork, or services, by all means promote it to the fullest extent. Your blog is a place to help other get to know you and what you're all about. If you have an etsy store or are trying to get your holistic business off the ground, have an area in your sidebar that screams "Hire Me" or "Buy my Rad Stuff." Remember: it takes 7-8 times of someone seeing something to remember it. Don't let your potential customers forget about all the cool things you are doing and selling.. Network like businesswoman. To turn your blog into a business you'll have to start thinking like a business woman. Networking creates relationships and like any good business, you'll need to start building a tribe that follows your every move. Hanging out online and offline with others in your industry who have the same target market profile, you'll generate a buzz around what you're doing faster. Try guest blogging or teaming up with another businesswoman to collaborate on a project together to help grow your business. And always reach out to people you admire and compliment them on what their doing. Be professional. Think and act like a true entrepreneur in your business moves. Having a blog in the pinnacle to any businesses success, however, being a blogger can take months if not years to turn into a money-making business. Incorporating these tips will help build your tribe faster while serving them in a way that gets you remembered. Business is all about building the know, like, and trust factor. Let people get to know the real you and you'll find that your blog will naturally evolve into a brand that represents who you are and what you do. Love & Success, Angel Holistic Business Coach www.angelquintana.com