There are so many income-generating opportunities for people who have a gift for writing—they just need to know where to look, and to be ready to work hard. In a time when the internet makes it possible for people to work from anywhere and create profit outside of the traditional path, writers have so many opportunities to showcase their talent and to eventually gain profit from what they can do—starting from personal blogging, which has been a gift to the writing community since the early 1990s.
Have something new to say or teach
There are no two ways about it: The world of blogging is incredibly saturated, and life coaches and personal bloggers are a dime-a-dozen. While it’s true that all of us are unique, we need to find ways to let that uniqueness and individuality shine through in a saturated market.
What tools or skills do you have in your arsenal that set you apart from other people with a similar skill set? Here are some tips to help you identify what makes you distinct and to help you find a niche in the world of personal blogging:
- If you are a licensed professional, leverage that to provide helpful information and education to readers. We live in a time of rampant misinformation and disinformation, but there is an army of people who are willing to live their lives and make healthy choices based on medical facts and scientific research. Aside from your expertise, you can also add another layer of help through your content. For example, as a dentist, you can inform your audience about the health benefits of having a perfect bite, and why gold-plated braces are the best choice since they are durable and look more elegant than traditional ones.
- Whatever topic you want to center your blog around, make sure it’s something you enjoy and can spend hours talking about. Starting a blog may be fun in the beginning, but once you start to run out of sub-topics or ideas, it can become more of a burden. Choosing a theme, concept, or overarching topic that you are passionate about will help ensure that you don’t lose interest too quickly.
- Make sure the topic is profitable and that there is a demographic for it. There will always be an audience for health and wellness, but you cut your segment in half if your blog is all about something incredibly obscure and niche, like knitting. If you must involve the sub-topic of knitting in your blog, consider adding an overarching theme to the website—like other arts and crafts or DIY tips.
Generate income through advertising
Once you’ve reached a certain level of engagement, it’s time to start exploring paid advertising. One of the most popular channels is through Google AdSense, but making money through this platform will only take place after you’ve reached high traffic in terms of your number of visitors. To generate income through AdSense, make sure to follow their rules because they can be rigid when it comes to people being expelled from their program.
Explore affiliate marketing
Another way to create income through your blog is by becoming an affiliate of brands. Affiliate marketing has grown in popularity in the past few years, and it has allowed both businesses and bloggers to thrive, creating the perfect symbiotic relationship wherein bloggers earn commission through every sale made through a unique affiliate link. But once again, this can only happen when your blog has reached a wide audience that is willing to buy what you endorse, but it doesn’t have to stop you from trying to apply for an affiliate program with brands that employ it as a marketing strategy.
Consider selling products
The most straightforward way to earn money through your blog is to sell your own products. If it makes sense for your topic, then developing your own products or merchandise might be a good way to expand your empire. From courses to traditional products with your unique touch, you might just become the entrepreneur you have always dreamed of becoming.
Finding financial and professional success through blogging won’t happen overnight, just as in every other career or business opportunity. Just know your audience, stay up-to-the-minute on every opportunity you might be given, and post excellent content consistently—and you might achieve your goals sooner rather than later.
