Work Yourself Up!

10 Tips for Becoming a Better Blogger

Just imagine if you developed one of the most popular blogs in your niche. Think of how much money you could make selling your products or affiliate products.

Imagine how big your list would be. And when you were ready to exit the business, just imagine how much money you’d make selling your corner of the web.

All of this is within your reach – especially if you follow these 10 tips for becoming a better blogger…

1. Survey your readers to find out what they want.

Adding a poll or short survey to your blog not only makes your blog interactive (which is a good thing), it also gives you an idea of what kind of content and solutions your readers are looking for.

2. Give your readers info that they’d gladly pay for.

Just because your blog is free doesn’t mean you should post content that’s not worth anything. On the contrary, you should post valuable content – the kind of solutions your market is already paying for – on your blog. That way you can build trust and establish yourself as an expert in your niche.

3. Write about hot or controversial topics to spur discussion.

When there’s a controversy going on in your niche, decide which side you're leaning towards and blog about it. Push a few emotional buttons. Then create a call to action at the end of your post where you specifically ask your readers for their opinions and feedback. The more emotionally charged the post, the more likely it is that you’ll get comments.

4. Join the blogosphere discussions.

Your blog is not an island. Start visiting other blogs in your niche and join the community discussions. You can comment directly on their blogs. Or better yet, write a response on your blog using a trackback link.

5. Optimize your posts for the search engines.

You don’t have to optimize every post you make. But if you make a point to optimize at least one post per week, you’ll see a steady increase in traffic.

Tip: Use a tool like WordTracker.com to uncover your niche keywords. Choose words that have low competition. Then include your keywords two or three times for every 100 words of content.

6. Arouse curiosity with password-protected posts.

Your visitors can see that your blog has a lot of good content. But then they notice that you lock up your best content behind password protected posts (with the passwords only being available to your subscribers). You can bet curiosity will get the best of many of your readers… and they’ll subscribe.

7. Learn to create killer headlines.

People will decide whether to read your post based on your headline. As such, use headlines that include power words like “how to”, “amazing”, “secrets” and “discover”.

8. Vary your posting style (some long, some short, etc).

Don’t always post a 400 word “how to” article. Instead, mix things up by posting articles of different lengths and different styles.

9. Interact with your readers by answering their comments.

Your comment section isn’t just a place for your readers to talk amongst themselves – it’s also a great place for you to interact with your readers. In fact, if you're not responding to comments on your blog, you're missing out a huge opportunity. Since people buy from those they know, like and trust, this simple act of interacting will grow your income.

10. Make blogging a part of your daily routine.

Add “write a blog post” to each and every daily to-do list until it becomes a habit. If you write just one short blog post per day, in a year you’ll have 365 blog posts – and a whole lot more readers, subscribers and income!

Want More Backlinks? Try Guest Blogging

Blogs are fun ways to get your expert information into the hands of others. Also, if you have a business website, blogs are useful for communicating with customers and prospects. If you don't have a blog yourself, consider lending your brain to someone else's and enhance the traffic coming your way at the same time.

When you run an online business website and/or a blog, there don't seem to be enough hours in the day. Providing quality content alone can take up several days not to mention handling the marketing and the administrative duties. For a few fortunate entrepreneurs, they have learned the benefit of outsourcing. With more time to concentrate on lead generation and traffic, guest blogging is more fun than marketing campaigns.

Blogging?

If you have written content for your site, then you can write a guest blog post. They are usually shorter and slightly less informative. That doesn't mean that the quality of the post isn't good, it just means that the surface of a topic is touched upon so that the reader will look forward to future posts for more information.

The field is wide open for you, initially, you'll want to blog on topics with which you have at least a passing familiarity. As you establish yourself as an expert in your business area (through other marketing tools), others may be beating down your door for the opportunity to have you guest blog for them.

Choosing where to Blog

Choosing the quality of your guest blogging venues is as important as choosing the quality of your backlinks. Always go forward and not backwards. Start with friends and business contacts. The super busy folks that are familiar with you won't usually pass up an offer to have someone else blog for them.

An intimate knowledge of the blog topics gives you an idea of what topics will work and which ones won't. Try to choose a topical area where you can write a series of similar articles. For instance, choosing a 4-part post on constructing email templates for your affiliates is easier to manage than four different post topics. Besides, your readers are sure to come back for more of the same.

Blogging Nuances

Ask about links in your posts. Some blog owners may say yes to contextual links or just offer you a bio box. Take either one and use it to your advantage to create quality backlinks. 

Interact with those who comment. Getting to know your audience will increase their trust of you and the chances that they will click on your link and head on over to your website.

Want to increase backlinks to your site? Guest blogging for others whose sites can elevate your status swells the traffic to your site so you can make more sales.

Start a Business Blog to Connect with Readers

It seems like just about everyone has a blog these days: students, moms, churches. So where is yours? Businesses can really benefit from a blog that goes along with their website.

Business websites are for conducting business. You use the pages to tell potential customers about what you do. They can find out all they want to know about hiring a gardener, choosing flowers, buying seeds and landscaping their dream garden if that is where your business is at. What they don't usually find out about is your life.

When you read online, you can connect with a website through the words of their content. Depending on the type of "voice", you'll want to read more. Readers may even want to know what is behind your passion for the sort of business that you have created. They won't find that on a website.

And, words can sometimes be deceiving. People can promise a lot but not deliver. It can be hard to trust a voice coming through words on a screen without a face or any other information to go with it.

Blogs

Blogs came into creation as online journals. They still are in a way. A blog is less business-like and more personal. Personal is what your readers will want from you. On a blog, they can meet you on another level that will help them to appreciate you even more on a business level.

This doesn't mean that you have to spill all your dirty secrets for them to get to know you. It is about building relationships that will last. So, in the interest of that, you can be the first to extend the olive branch.

Blogs are great because readers and customers can interact with you each time you post. They can sign in and give great feedback every day if they want.

Your posts don't have to be very formal. Start by introducing yourself and talking about your road to the online business world. It is an opener that could be just enough to draw your readers in.

Communicating

When readers leave feedback they are responding to posts. Will you leave it at that? Communication is a two-way street. Answer their comments as often as you can - which needs to be more often than not. Carry on a conversation with the people who are willing to give you a chance.

Blogging for business is a useful tool for building relationships with readers and customers. It gives them a chance to see you as a real person just like them and not just a name who wants their sale.

Visit Reader Blogs and Get to Know Them

Readers visit your website each day. They are there for information to start. They may keep coming back because of your charm and wit or to get to know you before they try your product or service offerings. Let them know that you are real person by returning the favor and visiting them too.

Everyone is a REAL person but not everyone comes off like they are. Business owners who intentionally stay aloof from their readership set themselves up for all sorts of scathing comments. They are like royalty in ivory towers - high and unreachable.

You are one part of the business equation. Your readers (potential customers) are the other part. Without traffic, you can't hope to make a sale. Unless you build relationships with the readers, they won't see any reason to stay loyal to you.

Blogging

Chances are, at least one third of your readers have some sort of presence in cyberspace. More than likely it will be a blog. They may be professional bloggers, recreational bloggers or online entrepreneurs like you.

One way to get to know them is to visit their sites. If you have your own blog for your business, have a category devoted to reader news. Offer free products or discount coupons when they volunteer to give their blog or website address to you.

Next, visit their blogs. Read what they have to say and the kind of topics they talk about. Leave helpful comments that show you actually read the posts and not just wishy-washy "I came to visit you to say hello." Really get involved.

If you have an RSS reader, you can include all of their sites in it so that you will be notified when there are new updates. Participate just like any other follower of the site. They will recognize your name.

Sites, that you like, will benefit when you link back to them on your site. Organic links rank higher in search engine eyes than simply doing each other a favor and exchanging links. On your blog, you can post reviews of their blogs or just write posts that highlight each one. This is essentially a review without calling it that.

Interacting with your readers and getting to know them in this way is mutually beneficial. Those organic links work both ways. Besides, you never know who will hear about your business through these comments and other relationship building techniques.

4 Quick Tips for Making Money with a Blog

Blogging has become extremely popular over the last few years. Many blog as a way to journal their thoughts, but it is also possible to make a decent income from blogging too. If you're considering blogging for money, I'll warn you that it isn't easy money or a get-rich quick scheme. It may not be as easy or as quick as you think but with a bit of guidance and research you can make money blogging.

It's important to start off on the right foot so you don’t become discouraged. Below are some tips to get you headed in the right direction.

Quick Tip #1: Choose your subject wisely

If you're planning to grow your blog as an income source, you'll want to be certain to choose a subject that has a large following of people that spend money.

The topic should be something that you are knowledgeable about and, preferably something that you are passionate about, so you'll remain interested in blogging about the topic for years to come. Before making a final decision on the subject of your blog, do some research to make sure the topic is one that is searched on the internet. If there are forums or message boards where people are discussing the topic, even better.

Whatever subject you decide on, you should enjoy writing about it or have access to people who do. The success of a blog depends on its interest to readers. If you do not enjoy writing about the subject and you don't have writers who are passionate about the topic, you can almost be guaranteed that your readers will not enjoy reading about it either, so choose wisely.

Quick Tip #2: Plan Your Blogging

One mistake bloggers make is blogging when they feel like it – whatever is in their heads at that moment in time. This is fine if you are just journaling for your own benefit but if you would like to gain an audience and an income, a bit of planning is key.

When you plan your blog you should consider the categories, pages, and what you want to include in each of your posts. It would also be beneficial to make a posting schedule and stick to it, whether that is once a day, once a week or a few times each month.  Your schedule may need a tweaking as time goes on but starting with one from the beginning will lay a good foundation for your blog success.

Remember to carefully select your keywords if you are trying to rank high in the search engines. Newer bloggers will find it easiest to choose long tail keyword phrases related to the niche that have less competition in the search engines than single words. (Ex: “how to get more followers on Twitter” would be easier to rank for than “Twitter” would be.)

Quick Tip #3: Create Interactive Elements

Your blog may provide a place where you sound off on your thoughts and offer valuable advice, but it a good tip would also be to offer some interactive elements. Part of what makes blogs so fascinating is that they hold the possibility of developing a loyal readership. If there is nothing on your blog that people can "do" other than read, it's going to be hard to develop a relationship with your readers. If the trust and the relationship don’t develop, your success with it may be hindered.

Examples of interactive elements would include a comments section and a poll section. Comments are generally included in the set up of your blog. This is where people can comment on the things you write, and communicate with you and other readers. Polls are available as a blog "widget" and they are beneficial to have in the sidebar of your blog. You can ask a question and have visitors choose their response.

Including these interactive elements will allow you to provide readers with what they are seeking, making them loyal readers for what hopefully be a long time to come.

Quick Tip #4: Optimize Your Monetization

Once your site is up and running, you'll need to make sure your site is set up to make money. What this is referring to is placing and positioning ads on your blog to increase your income. It's also important to make sure you are serving your readers with ads that interest them and are related to your blogging niche.

As your visitors increase this will be easier to track and then tweak for ultimate success. That is why taking time to plan your site and work hard at getting steady traffic is of the utmost importance. That way you can split test and figure out where the best possible positions for your ads are. This may include having to try different banners, text links, etc. and see what is working and what’s not.

Making money with a blog is a goal that many people have. If you do your best to plan ahead, interest your visitors, and monetize properly it can become a reality for you too.

Yaro Starak on Making Money with Blogs

You've heard of Yaro Starak.  He's the guy who built a six-figure blogging business, working just part-time.

You might not make as much money as Yaro does, but he's got some great tips that can help to earn $5000 (or more) each month, working just a couple of hours per day.

So yes, you can do the exact same thing!

In this exclusive (and free) audio interview, Yaro explains everything you need to know about blogging...especially when it comes to generating money with it!

Here are just a few of the things you'll learn...

• The one vital skill that most bloggers lack, and how YOU can easily acquire it.
• Yaro's "Pillar Method" - Use this to create killer, unique content that Google loves!
• A simple trick to attain "expert status" in your field - This is the quickest way to bring in new customers
• How Yaro built multiple, ongoing streams of blog traffic using "Communication Channels"
• The 3 things you must do to generate money with your blog (they work every time!)
• The real reason blogs don't make money...and what to do about it
• A simple "linking" technique to start generating traffic now

Listen below and get more info on Yaro and his pro-blogging system here (opens in new window)...

Download a mp3 file of this interview.

How To Use Blogs For Massive Increase In Profits

Blogs are becoming an ever more important part of Internet businesses and also of the Internet in general. Many people are using them to share information about their lives, make a little extra money and communicate ideas with interested parties. This is all very well and good you may say but how can Blogs be used to really make an impact on one's marketing and increase profits greatly? Well, here are a few awesome tactics you can quickly implement in order to improve your marketing quickly and easily.

1. Add On A Blog To Increase SEO Ranking Of Your Pages

If you want a boost in the rankings for any of your sites out there then an easy way to do it is by adding a Blog on. This is because Google really likes blogs and indexes them quickly. Due to the fact that some of your competitors won't have them it is any easy way to gain a competitive advantage and move up a few places or even pages.

Simply write a few posts or outsource the content creation and then set it up so they are posted over the next couple of weeks but spaced by a couple of days apart. Then bookmark it at a few social networking sites and add a related RSS feed and you should see a rise in your sites ranking over the next few weeks.

2. Build Authority and Credibility

Trust is a very important component in marketing and it is something that you want to really work hard on building up in the main markets which you are involved. A Blog which contains facts about your business and also regular good pieces of information based on what your niche is interested is worth its weight in gold. By taking the time to do this you put yourself on a different level from the competition who are so often just doing enough to get by. By differentiating yourself from the competition in terms of authority they will be far more likely to buy from you and also pay a premium because they trust and respect you compared with most of the people out there who are only interested in making a quick buck.

There are of course many ways blogs can be used to make money, and the more you use the better, however if you even just follow these two then there is no doubt that your profits will increase greatly.

Simple Blogging Tips for the Beginner

Every online business owner should own a blog. It is the fastest way to get your messages out to the public because they are so easy to update. No wonder Google loves them.

It’s also good to have your own blogs because you can make money from them by simply syndicating it to your business’ web site. This can be done through the RSS technology.

So, if you are thinking to create a blog, whether for business or for pleasure, you need to know some tips that could help you get through and make your blog one of the interesting blogs online.

Always think about the following when creating your blogs.

1. Your audience

You’re setting up your blog because of your audience and nothing else so when you are about to set up your blog or when updating it, always have them in your mind.

Always think about what they will like and not what you like. If you can keep giving them what they like, they will keep coming back more and more.

2. Add pictures and videos

Make your blog interesting by adding pictures and videos. Although the primary aim of blogging is to provide information, adding exciting pictures and videos can keep them coming back.

You can add your picture and picture of events related to your niche. You can get free videos to use at youtube.com

3. Make constructive and beneficial blogs

Even if you are free to write anything you wan to say to the world, still, it would be better to create some write-ups that would be beneficial to your readers.

After all, its information technology that you have there so better be inclined to provide information rather than sheer quirky entertainment.

4. Make it interactive

It’s important to carry your audience along every time. You can do this by asking questions, asking for comments, feedbacks etc, This way, you can get some impressions or reactions of other people. Who knows, you might even gain some friends just by making them feel at home in your blog site.

Apply the above tips to your blogs and you’re sure to improve the quality and acceptance of your blogs.

Creating an Income with Blogging

There is a lot of buzz these days around blogging for money.  In truth, it is more difficult to make money this way than some may lead you to believe.  However, if approached properly, blogging can become a very profitable exercise.  Let’s discuss some easy, practical steps you can take towards creating an online blogging presence that will make money for you.

First and foremost, a personal little blog is not going to do it.  Some people believe they can blog about their daily lives and make money.  I hate to break your bubble, but your life isn’t that interesting.  Don’t take offense – nobody’s life is that interesting!  If you want to pull traffic, you are going to need to offer a topic or topics that interest people, and in many cases answer questions that people have.  For instance, an Internet Marketing blog might have all general IM posts, or may be divided into sections for PPC posts, article marketing posts, affiliate marketing posts, and product creation posts.  Such a blog offers a subject many people are interested in, many subdivisions of that subject that people want more information about, and the posts can give great tips, advice, or share experience that can help others.

After beginning a blog focused around your niche, sprinkle a little Adsense around it.  Try to keep your Adsense in places that receive the most focus – the top of your blog (specifically top left if you can), between paragraphs in the text, or at the bottom right after the text ends, for people who are looking for more information after reading your post.  These locations seem to do well.  However, making money with an Adsense-only blog can be very difficult.  There is one more thing you should do to make your blog more profitable.

Once you have established yourself a little and built some rapport with your readers, you want to begin sprinkling affiliate products into your posts.  Don’t overdo this or you will run your readership away!  However, in a post describing a particular problem, you may post a link to a product that solves that problem.  That link would be your affiliate link, and any sales resulting from your blog post’s link would pay commissions to you.  You might even want to place one or two graphical or text affiliate links to useful, relative products in the sidebar or sidebars of your blog.  Be sure you don’t make it difficult to search your blog for all the ads and affiliate links!  You want your users to feel that you are blogging for them first and foremost, and your affiliate links are merely helpful suggestions you are making.

By establishing yourself in a niche, offering useful information to your readers, and sprinkling your blog with tastefully-positioned ads and affiliate links, you will begin to see an income coming through your blog.  Congratulations, you have succeeded!  Now continue to tweak and test what works well and what doesn’t so that you can continue to make your blog more and more profitable for yourself, while becoming more and more appealing to your target audience.

Good luck and happy blogging!

How to Hide Your Blogger Toolbar

Do you use blogger?

I know that a lot of people do. The easiest way to start blogging is by setting up a free one at blogger.com

But there is usually a problem. The problem is that most of the free blogs out there created with blogger have blogger toolbars at the top.

This makes such blogs look ugly and unprofessional. Not only that, it’s an easy way for your visitors to leave your blog. You won’t want that happening to you.

Today, I’m going to show you a quick way to fix it. Just follow the short, step by step guide below and your toolbar should vanish in the next five minutes.

Step 1:

Log into your account

Step 2:

Click on "layout". Then click on "edit HTML" When you get there, you'll see lots of codes in the "edit template" box. On the 8th line of those codes, you'll see <head>

Step 3:

Click after  <head> and press enter on your keyboard.

Step 4:

Paste the following code:

<style type='text/css'>
#navbar-iframe {
height: 0px;
visibility: hidden;
display: none;
}
</style>

Step 5:

Click "Save Template"

That's it. Check out your blog and the bar must
have vanished.

Easy!