Blogging for Dollars: How to Optimize Your Blog for Monetary Profit

October 27, 2008

Everyone wants the inside track to making money from blogging. “Give me 10 steps to a quick million dollars, and I’ll be happy.” There’s so much wrong with that outlook, I wouldn’t know where to begin if I had to counsel someone who truly believes such a statement. I’m a firm believer in making money the old fashioned way.

The Way of the Web

Websites that proclaim they make millions of dollars from a blog that is painful to read, is either lying or has very loose business ethics. But the sad fact is that websites who claim to make tons of money do get tons of traffic from poor souls looking for a better way to earn a paycheck. (Or not earn a paycheck, but collect one anyway.)

Blogging for Dollars

I’ve been blogging nearly exclusively for SEO companies for a couple of years now. (I could tell you which ones, but then they’d send out a team to waterboard you and your family in retaliation. ) What I know about SEO and marketing is from on-the-job experience. I’ve taken a few classes, read dozens of books, and had hands on training by SEO executives. I work for reputable companies that have been in business for many years and take pride in a job well done.

Can you use Black Hat SEO to increase traffic? Sure. Can you choke your blog full of flashy ads and affiliate programs to bring in a few extra bucks every week? Of course. The real question is, should you deceive the average Joe to line your own pockets.

Tune in tomorrow for Part Two of Blogging for Dollars.

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Posted by Jamie | Filed Under Blogging

Comments

Jamie Simmerman

Lance, I think many online businesses lack adequate amounts of ethics. I think the Internet medium projects an image of quick money without moral obligations for many.

I haven't researched ads, but I have a good idea of what I would find, and subsequently be disappointed with. :)

Matthew, I'd read your eBook. I might even pay a couple f bucks to read it. :) I blog because I like to meet people and share ideas. I think we grow better when we rub elbows with other intelligent human beings. Blogging helps me mature. It's a good thing.

I make my money by writing until my fingers are bloody nubs. But the truth is I would most likely write even if I didn't get paid to. :D
Matthew Dryden

I might write a novella and then try to sell it as an eBook...but I have no huge plans to seriously monetize my journal

<abbr>Matthew Dryden´s last spectacular blog post..Written With Blood</abbr>
Lance

Ethics...a big part of what this comes down to. I'm with you on earning your money the old-fashioned way. Through honest work, and for the right reasons. I tried ads on my blog when I first started (foolishly thinking it would bring me a few bucks - I wasn't thinking millions!). What I found were ads that were questionable, and I just became uncomfortable displaying them. Will I go back to some modification of this someday - possibly. But it will be stuff which is in alignment with what I try to promote on my site....

<abbr>Lance´s last spectacular blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day</abbr>