Summary: Blogging offers a fascinating venture where you can get paid for writing about your interests, with the freedom to do it from anywhere. This article explores the profitability of blogging and guides you on setting up your blog for free.
So, what exactly is the world of blogging all about? Let me start by emphasizing that blogging is not only an exciting venture but also a potentially lucrative one. Creating and managing a blog is simpler than you might think. Just imagine getting paid to write about topics you’re passionate about, whenever and wherever you please. The flexibility of blogging allows you to maintain your online presence at your own pace. Plus, with internet cafés readily available worldwide, even your vacation won’t disrupt your blogging routine. Or should I say, even your vacation won’t stand in the way of your blogging passion?
In this article, we’ll explore the profitability of blogging and walk you through the process of setting up your own blog, and the best part is, it won’t cost you a dime. Interested? Read on!
First and foremost, you need to create your own blog. You have several options: you can host a blog on your own domain or opt for a free one. Let’s begin by discussing the free blog options. You can acquire a free blog on platforms like http://www.blogger.com or the newer, more feature-rich http://www.wordpress.com. WordPress is a robust and highly customizable free blog engine.
Blogger is actually owned by Google, so it tends to get noticed by search engines more quickly, resulting in faster indexing. On the other hand, WordPress.com is a relatively newer option, and its indexing speed may vary. However, WordPress offers advanced features such as Trackbacks and Categories, and it provides better management of your sidebar links (we’ll delve into this later).
Start by getting yourself a free blog on either Blogger or WordPress. Then, familiarize yourself with the platform by publishing your first blog post and exploring the various options and templates.
Now, let’s expand your blogging vocabulary with some key terms:
Permalink: Short for “permanent link,” a permalink is a URL that leads directly to an individual blog post.
Trackback: When you reference someone else’s blog post in your own, your post will appear in their “trackback” section. Please note that this feature is not available on Blogger.
Pinging: Blogging and pinging often go hand in hand. Pinging is the process of notifying aggregators whenever your blog is updated. This allows the aggregator to display your latest post on their website, driving traffic to your blog. I’ll delve deeper into this topic in a future article.
Content
Now, let’s explore the type of content that can make your blog profitable. It’s essential to understand that there’s no fixed scope for your blog; you can write about whatever interests you. However, the key to transforming your blog into a profitable one lies in your writing style. Consider this: would you prefer to read your university professor’s lecture notes or the latest novel by your favorite author? People generally gravitate towards easily digestible content. When visitors land on your blog, they’re not just seeking information; they’re looking for information presented in an engaging manner.
To attract more visitors and keep your existing readers coming back for more, infuse a personal touch into your blog posts. Write as if you’re conversing with a close friend. Adding a touch of humor, where appropriate, can be a real bonus for your readers.
Furthermore, avoid addressing your readers as a faceless crowd. Don’t write as if you’re delivering a speech. Instead, write as if you’re engaged in a one-on-one conversation with a friend. This approach makes it easier for your readers to connect with you.
Additionally, it’s beneficial to convey your unique personality through your writing. Humans are naturally curious, and your visitors will want to learn about you as much as the information you’re providing.
Developing a distinctive personality in your blog can set you apart in a crowded niche. It’s akin to establishing your own brand, where people immediately associate your blog’s name with a particular subject. Think of how McDonald’s is synonymous with fast food or Nike with sportswear.
There will be more on the subject of content in future articles.
As your reputation as a skilled blogger grows, others seeking knowledge about blogging will actively seek you out!
