Work From Home As A Blogger
I believe we are moving into an age where the whole ethos and the way we work is changing. The traditional job for life is a thing of the past.
It makes sense therefore for us to be one step ahead and to start standing on our own two feet. Now is the time to work from home and to hone and develop the skills that we all have.
The good thing with working from home is that it can be started part time, especially if you chose to become a blogger, which is the path I have chosen.
Footnote.
I'm not trying to sell you anything, though there are ads and links on the lens. If you want to be a blogger it'll cost you nothing, or virtually nothing. You don't need to buy any hyped up manual or ebook to be successful. There is plenty of free information about and you can learn as you go.
It makes sense therefore for us to be one step ahead and to start standing on our own two feet. Now is the time to work from home and to hone and develop the skills that we all have.
The good thing with working from home is that it can be started part time, especially if you chose to become a blogger, which is the path I have chosen.
Footnote.
I'm not trying to sell you anything, though there are ads and links on the lens. If you want to be a blogger it'll cost you nothing, or virtually nothing. You don't need to buy any hyped up manual or ebook to be successful. There is plenty of free information about and you can learn as you go.
My Blogging Story
I work from home as a blogger.
I started on September 23 2006 knowing absolutely nothing about blogs, HTML, websites or the such like. I called my blog Mike's Money Making Mission and then scratched my head as what to do next.
The mission I set myself was to make money using only free blogs and without spending any money. In other words I wanted to create an income from nothing.
My very first blog post simply said:
"Is it possible to make money from free blogs? This is the question that I want to answer.
My mission, therefore, is to try and make money, starting with this blog.
At the moment I have no idea as to what direction to follow but I hope to learn fast. I also hope that other bloggers will give me some ideas and help along the way. I don't want to get flooded with spam and chain mail things, of course, but I'll be grateful for any genuine assistance.
I intend to let readers know how I get on. I'll give exact details of what I do and how it turns out. If I'm successful, even in a small way, then others will be able to copy what I do. If I make mistakes they can learn from these as well.
I'll be updating regularly.
Wish me luck!"
As you can see I was quite naive but since then it has been an interesting journey and I have built a decent monthly income from blogging. Along the way I've learnt a lot and have also made mistakes - but that is surely what life is all about.
Since that first blog I have set up many others and have moved into various niches including the world of celebrities. Give people what they want is my motto.
This lens therefore will be about making money from blogging. It'll most likely take a while to develop so please be patient with me.
Good luck,
Mike.
I started on September 23 2006 knowing absolutely nothing about blogs, HTML, websites or the such like. I called my blog Mike's Money Making Mission and then scratched my head as what to do next.
The mission I set myself was to make money using only free blogs and without spending any money. In other words I wanted to create an income from nothing.
My very first blog post simply said:
"Is it possible to make money from free blogs? This is the question that I want to answer.
My mission, therefore, is to try and make money, starting with this blog.
At the moment I have no idea as to what direction to follow but I hope to learn fast. I also hope that other bloggers will give me some ideas and help along the way. I don't want to get flooded with spam and chain mail things, of course, but I'll be grateful for any genuine assistance.
I intend to let readers know how I get on. I'll give exact details of what I do and how it turns out. If I'm successful, even in a small way, then others will be able to copy what I do. If I make mistakes they can learn from these as well.
I'll be updating regularly.
Wish me luck!"
As you can see I was quite naive but since then it has been an interesting journey and I have built a decent monthly income from blogging. Along the way I've learnt a lot and have also made mistakes - but that is surely what life is all about.
Since that first blog I have set up many others and have moved into various niches including the world of celebrities. Give people what they want is my motto.
This lens therefore will be about making money from blogging. It'll most likely take a while to develop so please be patient with me.
Good luck,
Mike.
The Secret of Successful Blogging
Before I go any further I'd better reveal the number one secret to making money with blogging.
No matter what is written by various experts the main thing that matters is ...
TRAFFIC.
Call it hits, visits, traffic or anything else you wish but making money with blogging is a numbers game.
Put quite simply:
These aren't the only ways to get traffic, but are all things that have worked for me.
Yes, there are other things to consider such as good content, the right affiliate programs, blog layout, SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and so on but it's traffic that is of paramount importance.
No matter what is written by various experts the main thing that matters is ...
TRAFFIC.
Call it hits, visits, traffic or anything else you wish but making money with blogging is a numbers game.
Put quite simply:
- If you have nil traffic, you will make nil money.
- If you have some traffic, you will make some money.
- If you have lots of traffic, you will make lots of money.
These aren't the only ways to get traffic, but are all things that have worked for me.
Yes, there are other things to consider such as good content, the right affiliate programs, blog layout, SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and so on but it's traffic that is of paramount importance.
Where Do You Start Blogging?
So you want to start blogging as a way to make money but where do you start?Most of my blogs are on Blogger. This isn't everyones first choice but Blogger has worked fine for me.
Blogger offers a selection of templates for your blog and a choice or URL (the blog address). This will be www.xxxxxxx.blogspot.com. The xxxxxxx bit is where you enter your chosen address which, of course, has to be something unique and not already in use.
Before you go steaming ahead, however give some thought to two things:
(1) The title of your blog and
(2) Your URL address.
Both of these should contain what are known as 'keywords'.
A keyword is something someone may just use when doing a Google or some other search engine search. Get this right and it could well get you more referrals and traffic.
So think about the words people might use to find the information, or subject matter, that your blog will contain.
If it's about say dogs, perhaps use the word 'dog' along with another, or other, words connected with dogs. Then use these within your title and URL address.
I'll keep it simple so I won't enlarge on this too much for now. I'll just say that you should also use your chosen keywords in blog post titles and, if possible, within the first sentence of your post as well as in the main body of what you have written.
Here are a few posts from my blog Mike's Money Making Mission giving more information:
How To Get Search Engine Referrals With A New Blog
Two Secrets Of Making Money With Free Blogs
Long Tail Way To Make Money With Free Blogs
Advice On Starting A Blog
As I've said elsewhere, when I started blogging I had absolutely no experience. My aim or mission was to make money using free blogs and without spending any money.If I was starting again now there are two things I would do differently:
(1) I would buy a .com address.
I didn't want to spend any money. It was a sort of self challenge. However I now feel I should have bought a .com address straight away. They only cost around $6-$15.
If you start a blog with Blogger.com you can buy a URL from them when you start (for $10).
A .com address gives your blog more authority and looks more professional. It also helps with attracting paid advertising and paid reviews.
With my very first blog the address was, and still is, mikesmoneymakingmission.blogspot.com.
This particular blog has done okay for me but guess what? Someone else has now bought mikesmoneymakingmission.com. So they are feeding off all of my hard work. Don't let this happen to you!
(2) I would use a non standard template.
Again, being naive when I started, I used a standard Blogger template. This meant my blog looked like many others. I have now switched to a template I got elsewhere - and for free.
It looks different from the run of the mill Blogger templates and therefore appears more professional.
So that's my advice if you are starting blogging. If you can afford the $10 buy a .com address and use a non standard template.
Places to buy a Domain (.com) name
123-Reg UK based
Go Daddy USA based
BT UK based
DynoNames USA based
Free Blog Templates
FinalSense (from where I have got several templates)
eblog templates
Mashable
Keep An Eye On Your Statistics
No, not that sort of statistics!But when you start blogging you will need to keep an eye on statistics for your blog. This is where a Tracker of some sort will help.
A decent tracker will let you know things like:
(a) The number of hits you have had in a day, week, month or since you started the blog.
(b) Where referrals are coming from
(c) How many pages readers visit
(d) What search engines are sending you traffic and how many
(e) Countries where visitors come from ...
... and so on and so on.
Various Trackers give differing ranges of information but the following are a few I have used and work okay - and needless to say they are all FREE. There is no need to part with any cash and pay for extra options which some Trackers offer.
So here's four to choose from:
ExtremeTracking
Site Meter
Ice Rocket Blog Tracker
Google Analytics
There are many other Trackers as well if you do a Google search.
The Trackers will provide you with a code to place on your blog and will give you details of where and how to enter this.
Though I believe it's easy to get bogged down with too many stats basic figures are very useful to see what is working and what isn't.
A Tracker is an essential tool for all blogs,
Make Money Doing Nothing!
Lots of bloggers join various programs to make money. They work hard, promoting whatever it is that their chosen scheme has to offer, and make some commission - great!
They could, however, actually make money with the programs and not do anything themselves..
What a lot of people overlook is that most schemes allow you to also recruit, or introduce, others to the program. And it is this that helps towards me making an income from blogging.
If you introduce others most money making programs will pay you a commission on the business these people do. It varies, but it is usually in the region of 10%. In other words if someone you introduce earns say $200 you would get $20. And, of course, if you had quite a few people doing this it could add up to a tidy sum.
For example, one of the affiliate programs I promote is the FriendFinder Group. Recently I have received over $400. This wasn't for business I have done myself, but for the business that others I have introduced have done.
In other words I got something for nothing.
Yes I had to introduce these people in the first place, by placing ads and/or banners on my blogs, but once they joined I have 10% for life. And this is for just one program.
My advice is, therefore, to think twofold when joining a money making program.
(1) Try to sell the products/services yourself and
(2) Try to introduce others to the program.
If you think of this as being long term, think of the possibilities.
Eventually you could have a stream of income for doing absolutely nothing!
Other reading: How To Make Money With Your Feet Up On The Desk
Money Makers For Blogs
Here is a selection of money makers which have made me money, so I can confirm that they payout. This is only a very small selection - in alphabetical order - you'll find lots more.
AdSense
If it's good enough for Squidoo, it's good enough for your blogs.
I have received payments (monthly) paid direct into my bank account.
Amazon UK
Amazon USA
We all know Amazon. I promote both UK and USA Amazon mainly because most of my visitors arrive from these two countries. It's necessary though to sign up for both.
I have received payments (monthly) paid direct into my bank account.
ClickBank
1000's of products but have to admit that some of them are a bit 'dodgy'. It's a matter of finding the good ones to promote.
I have received payments (fortnightly) by check/cheque.
Commission Junction
Lots of money makers under one 'umbrella'. Simply choose the ones you want to promote. Lots of top names available.
I have received payments paid direct into my bank account.
DIY Dating
They offer you a free website, choose your own name, and use their database of millions of profiles.
I have recieved payments by check/cheque.
FriendFinder
Over 20 websites to promote and it's something that can be promoted to anywhere in the world.
I have received payments (monthly) by check/Cheque.
myLot
Not easy to make worthwhile money from the website unless you refer others.
I have received payments by PayPal.
YouGov
A genuine surveys company plus if you introduce other people you can make extra commission.
I have received payments by check/cheque.
Voxant
Videos for your blog - news, sport, entertainment etc.
I have received payments (monthly) via PayPal.
AdSense
If it's good enough for Squidoo, it's good enough for your blogs.
I have received payments (monthly) paid direct into my bank account.
Amazon UK
Amazon USA
We all know Amazon. I promote both UK and USA Amazon mainly because most of my visitors arrive from these two countries. It's necessary though to sign up for both.
I have received payments (monthly) paid direct into my bank account.
ClickBank
1000's of products but have to admit that some of them are a bit 'dodgy'. It's a matter of finding the good ones to promote.
I have received payments (fortnightly) by check/cheque.
Commission Junction
Lots of money makers under one 'umbrella'. Simply choose the ones you want to promote. Lots of top names available.
I have received payments paid direct into my bank account.
DIY Dating
They offer you a free website, choose your own name, and use their database of millions of profiles.
I have recieved payments by check/cheque.
FriendFinder
Over 20 websites to promote and it's something that can be promoted to anywhere in the world.
I have received payments (monthly) by check/Cheque.
myLot
Not easy to make worthwhile money from the website unless you refer others.
I have received payments by PayPal.
YouGov
A genuine surveys company plus if you introduce other people you can make extra commission.
I have received payments by check/cheque.
Voxant
Videos for your blog - news, sport, entertainment etc.
I have received payments (monthly) via PayPal.
Plug Your Lens Or Blog With a Free Ad
Mike's Money Making Mission
These are the latest posts from my money making blog, which has now been up and running for over two years. It is all about making money with free blogs so is relevant to this lens.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySome Blogging Books on Amazon
Making Money With Penfriends And Friends
Other ways to make money
I published penfriend magazines for about ten years prior to becoming a blogger. It was a good business but eventually got stale as the Internet become the way to contact other people.I sold up and moved on. One of the things about business is to also know when to call it a day.
With my blogging I'm still making money within the friends and contacts niche. I've a lens all about this: Money Making With Penfriends And Friends
The advantage of the friends market is that it is worldwide and has massive potential.
Reader Feedback
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
I blog and I have adds on there, but its more for the links than anything.
Thanks for sharing
Lizzy
Posted July 05, 2009
Ahmady wrote...
Thanks, Mike, I'm going to print this out...my son keeps telling me blogging is the way to go and you've laid it out nicely here.
Posted May 27, 2009
HenryE wrote...
Great tips and good for you! Best of luck to you in the future!
Henry
www.geothermalexperts.net
Posted May 18, 2009
rydigga wrote...
Excellent lens. Thanks for sharing your blogging insight.
Ryan
Posted April 30, 2009
johnrapp wrote...
Hey Squid friends!
I just put a comment box on my new lens, and it would be great if everyone would swing by and let me know what you think of my newest lens:
Affiliate Internet Marketing University
Much obliged,
John Rapp
Sign up for now for Affiliate Marketing Coaching
Posted April 27, 2009
davidstillwagon wrote...
this is a terrific lens and very inspirational for people just starting out (like me)
thanks
Posted April 23, 2009
juliezowaski wrote...
Thanks for the critique of my lens. This lens is wonderful. I plan on adding it to my favorites for future reference.
Posted April 22, 2009
imagineallart wrote...
Hi Michel. It's very inspirational and lots of reading here. I will come back to it and read everything carefully. The problem is, that I don't believe in easy money. I love writing that's why I am getting addicted to Squidoo even if I didn't want to start because of this "technical stuff" which I hate. Maybe I will change my mind when I read all your info and will become blogger as well ;-) I am very new here, just a few days, so if you like art and graphics come to my lens and tell me what you think please. You have done a lot of work here and you deserve 5 stars ;-) Greetings from Scotland, Juliet
Posted April 18, 2009
Blogs, Lenses & Links
BLOGGING: 40 Free Ways To Get More Blog Traffic / How To Disguise Your URL / Blogging Good Blogs / Photos And Images For More Traffic / Money Making With Penfriends And Friends
HOW TO: How To Give A Talk, Presentation Or Speech
MONEY: Mike's Money Making Mission / Five Free Online Businesses / Warning About Ponzi Schemes
PEOPLE: Everything Perry
HISTORY: World War 2 Photos
HEALTH: Top Ten Tips To Live Longer / Good Health Source / How To Be A Yummy Mummy / Self Hypnosis For Health
HUMOUR / HUMOR: Awful Jokes / Funny Humorous Letters
TRAVEL: Monumental Lido Hotel, Funchal, Madeira Reviews
CELEBRITIES: Celebrity Insider - Photos & News / In Praise Of Konnie Huq / Helen Flanagan / CelebTease.com (over 18's only) / Celebrities Photos and News / Elvis Presley The Early Years 1935-1960
HOW TO: How To Give A Talk, Presentation Or Speech
MONEY: Mike's Money Making Mission / Five Free Online Businesses / Warning About Ponzi Schemes
PEOPLE: Everything Perry
HISTORY: World War 2 Photos
HEALTH: Top Ten Tips To Live Longer / Good Health Source / How To Be A Yummy Mummy / Self Hypnosis For Health
HUMOUR / HUMOR: Awful Jokes / Funny Humorous Letters
TRAVEL: Monumental Lido Hotel, Funchal, Madeira Reviews
CELEBRITIES: Celebrity Insider - Photos & News / In Praise Of Konnie Huq / Helen Flanagan / CelebTease.com (over 18's only) / Celebrities Photos and News / Elvis Presley The Early Years 1935-1960
by Snozzle
I'm from the south-west of England. I started a 'mission' a couple of years ago to try and make money using only free blogs and without any capital ou... (more)
