Home Business Ideas: Blogging
In our recent Home Business Ideas article we explored some of the many ways you can make money from home. If blogging seems of interest to you, here are some tips on how to get started!
Firstly blogging is a great way to make money from home. It can be tailored to suit your interests and provides a fun and flexible home business.
Deciding on a theme
Your first consideration should be, what are you going to blog about? I recommend sticking with an interest or hobby of yours. With prior knowledge on the subject, you can add value for your readers and offer them something interesting. Some ideas for blogs:
- Lifestyle
- Sports
- Hobbies
- Music
- Films
- Parenting
- Technology
Domain Name
The next step is to decide on a domain name. Try to come up with something unique and catchy that you can build an identity. Unfortunately many domain names are taken but recently a whole new range of domain extensions have been released:
- .blog
- .band
- .expert
- .guru
- .ninja
- .lifestyle
GoDaddy is a popular registrar where domain registration typically ranges from $5 – $20. Personalised email can also be purchased e.g. info@myblog.com
Blogging Platform
Now that you have a domain name, you will need a content management system and hosting. Here are some starter options:
- WordPress
- Blogger
- Wix
The CMS that you choose will dictate what hosting you need.
Blog Setup
Once you have selected a platform you need to configure it. If you don’t have technical experience then you can choose one of the auto-installation methods provided with your hosting provider.
Design
A good looking design and logo can make or break a blog. A custom design from a professional web designer can cost a lot. Thankfully there are manmy free and paid pre-designed themes available. Make sure you choose a design that is compatible with your CMS.
Pages
Next you should setup some basic static pages such as:
- Home
- About Me
- PR / Work with Me (this lets advertisers know that you are open to advertising work)
- Contact
Populate them with text and imagery before you start adding posts.
Content Calendar
Having a structured editorial calendar will help you to organise your posts into a routine. Readers prefer regular content rather than sporadic posts here and there. Make sure to mix it up with a range of posts and themes.
Promotion
Now you need to promote your content. Use social media, email friends and interact with other bloggers using the comments. Building up a loyal readership and traffic is the equity that will help you make a home business.
Monetising the Blog
I recommend not monetising your blog until you have gained traction in the search results. Too many ads and hard sells can put readers off and hinder your success.
Here are some popular methods of monetising your blog:
- Google Adsense
- Amazon Affiliates
- Commission Junction
- Selling Ebooks
- Reviewing products
- Offering blogger services
- Sponsored posts
There are many other methods of monetising your blog, but this shouldn’t be the primary reason for starting one.
If you write well, passionately and honestly, you will gain experience and contacts to monetise later on.