Do you enjoy discussing your favourite subjects with others? Do you also feel that you have a gift for the written word?
If so, why not transform this passion into a project that could very well represent a means to generate a side hustle?
As you might have guessed, we are referring to becoming a blogger in this sense. Still, how realistic is it to assume that you can make money through nothing more than a blog?
We will take a look at some useful tips to employ before delving into a small dose of reality.
Punctuate Your Existence From The Start
All of the most successful blogs are easy to recognize thanks to a memorable URL address.
Working with a third-party firm offering bespoke domain names will increase exposure. Think of a domain name as the title of a book.
As all of us tend to judge a book by its cover, it pays to put a great deal of thought into how you want your blog to be perceived from the onset.
Your material might otherwise fail to resonate with the reader.
More Than Text Alone
Most of us associated blogs with written content. While this often represents the bulk of what is offered, why stop here? It is important to remember that we live in a visual society.
Images and videos can often be used to compliment the point that you are trying to get across.
From product descriptions and workflow charts to highlighting how celebrity faces have changed over the years, media content will enable your posts to further appeal to the masses.
The Mobile Audience
How much time to you spend on your smartphone each day? Many of us now employ these clever devices to keep up to date with the latest news, and (you guessed it), to follow their favourite websites.
This is why it is crucial that your blog hosting provider has taken the notion of mobile responsiveness into account.
Your content might otherwise fail to display correctly. Furthermore, mobile-responsive site design provides additionally useful options such as the ability for users to zoom in and out of text passages.
How Often Should Content be Updated?
This next topic comes up on a relatively frequent basis. Providing regularly updated material is a great way to continue connecting with your audience while remaining relevant within search engine results pages (SERPs).
So, what type of time frame should you adopt? Most experts tend to agree that your content should be updated twice per week.
This ensures that your blog will maintain a “fresh” appearance without overwhelming the audience with too much material.
Note that the topic themselves can be molded around the interests of your audience; an excellent way to guarantee that you remain relevant within your chosen demographic.
Is Bigger Necessarily Better?
Any blog intended to provide a reliable source of income will naturally need to connect with its intended audience.
However, you must also define your niche market as opposed to overstretching your efforts (this is akin to randomly throwing jam against a wall in the hopes that some will stick).
Another benefit here is that narrowing down your demographic will make it easier to analyse the performance of your blog; allowing you to tailor the most appropriate content based on how it is being received and which posts are the most popular.
A Touch Of Search Engine Optimization
You might be surprised to learn that search engine optimization (SEO) is just as relevant for blogs as it is when discussing modern website design.
Examples include embedding the appropriate keywords, using correct HTML subheadings, and making certain that your blog is compatible with mobile devices.
Other tips such as beginning each post with a meta title and meta description will likewise ensure that search engines are able to interpret what it is that you happen to be discussing (key in terms of online rankings).
Advertising Circles: Birds of A Feather Flock Together
Another proven strategy involves partnering with advertising networks. AdSense is arguably the most well-known company in this respect.
In exchange for allowing banner advertisements on your blog, you are provided with a small profit each time a visitor clicks on an ad.
This is an excellent way to begin building a passive income, and as you may have guessed, your profits will ultimately be determined by the volume of inbound traffic.
The good news is that there are plenty of articles that will delve into the finer points of affiliate advertising. Feel free to perform additional research.
Enhance Your Presence with the Help of Social Media
One of the most dangerous mistakes to make involves the belief that a standalone blog will enjoy long-term success. This is hardly ever the case.
It is instead much better to link your blog to popular social media pages such as Instagram, Twitter (X), and Facebook. Here are some benefits that you can expect to enjoy:
- You will reach a much wider target audience.
- You can actively promote your latest updates.
- It is easy to interact with your followers.
- Social media hyperlinks within your blog will improve search engine rankings.
As creating a strong social media presence will normally not require any type of financial commitment, there is no time better than the present to begin.
Cutting Through the Hype
We now come to a final question. How many bloggers will actually make an appreciable amount of money?
Recent studies have shown that 37 percent claim to earn €100 euros or more on a monthly basis.
However, a mere seven per cent generate between €500 and €1,000 euros in the same time frame.
This is why it is important to set realistic goals, and to avoid expecting a miracle. Becoming a successful blogger will require time and effort.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to generate an additional form of income if you have what it takes, and you are willing to accept that commitment is the key to long-term success.
