Sticky: Your Own Online Business – Build A Niche Blogging Business – Intro
Build A Niche Blogging Business – Introduction
Starting an online business such as a blogging business can be exciting but also very daunting and it is far too easy to get sidetracked and end up never achieving anything because of constantly getting distracted.
Experienced successful people that are in the internet marketing business will have several different aspects to their business, all contributing to their income. However when you first start it is too much to try to be successful with all the different ways of making money online at the same time. So you need to pick one method and stick with it to make sure you do it properly. Other methods can wait until you have mastered what you decide to start with.
There are several methods you can pick for your initial online business such as list building, affiliate marketing, selling products from ebay either digital or physical, and many more, as you browse the web you will be inundated with different ideas and schemes.
This series of articles is going to concentrate on one popular method which is building and monetising blogs in niche markets. Now blogs can also be used with list building and certainly once you have successfully got your blog attracting traffic then it is possible to experiment with having an email list as well though this can sometimes detract from commission sales of products advertised on your blog and will also take more time to do correctly, so it depends what your blog is aimed at. With a blogging business aimed at niche markets with the aim of attracting buyers searching for particular products then it may not be appropriate to have an email list on the site. However if anyone wants some better advice on this they would do worse than visit Vance’s blog where you can find details of a wordpress plugin to help make incorporating an email list easier.
This series of articles will be broken down into the following topics:
1.Picking a niche market
2.Finding a product to advertise which you can pick up commission from
3.Finding keywords and picking a domain name for your blogging business
4.Building your wordpress blog
5.Initial content for your blog
6.Some SEO tips for your blog and blog posts
7.Registering your blog with Google, Yahoo and Bing
8.Marketing your blogging business
9.Keeping your blog fresh and building it’s ranking
All the articles will have a description of how to go ahead doing everything yourself or using free tools such as google keyword tool etc, plus a brief overview of the paid tools I use to automate my blogging business and free up time. Paid tools are only useful if you are short of time or if you can do something better in that time. What you will need to do as time goes on is decide based on any income you start getting whether certain tasks are better outsourced or whether a particular automation tool will save you enough time to be worth it’s cost. These decisions will be personal but by letting you know what tools are available and their cost it will give you a better idea what is possible.
With any online business or any other business for that matter, if a business starts doing well then a point will come when the owner of the business has to decide whether to outsource (taking on an employee, hiring a contractor, paying for a piece of equipment or software to save time etc) and paid software tools for your blogging business or any other internet marketing business are exactly the same, to be bought and used when it will make the business more efficient.
Each article will be linked from this introduction so you can check back here if you want to read the rest of this series of articles on building your own successful blogging business.
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Great idea for a series, Dave. Gives you plenty of quality content on a theme (in a niche even!) and a great reason for visitors to return.
Good luck with the challenge.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Mandy Allen recently posted..How do you relax
Hi Dave, i agree with Mandy. It’ll be great for your readers to come back and get a step by step article to help the progress. I’ve just printed one out myself from another blogger, so they do work Dave.
I’m really pleased that you have joined in the challenge Dave, so far we have 28 contributors, only 72 to go.
As you know i’ve added you to the page of contributors, best of luck for it, Barry
Hi Dave, Good idea for a series of How-tos. I am looking forward to logging in on a regular basis. A very sound piece of blogging.
Regards, Brian.
Brian Ripley recently posted..Persistence and Perseverance
Thanks Mandy and Barry, just got to do the follow ups now.
I’ll tweet about the challenge and may bring in one or two more but its doing well in such a short time I think.
Good luck with your posts.
Thanks for the visit Brian, and I will be following up on my article series so be glad for you to take another look, may be a few days before next post. Hope you’re taking part in the challenge and good luck.
Cheers
Dave
Another very strong and powerful post. I’ve been reading through some of your previous posts and finally decided to drop a comment on this one. I signed up for your newsletter, so please keep up the informative posts!
Hope you subscribe to my blog as well and leave a few comments here and there! Also would appreciate it if you check out some of my products I created and maybe you could promote them on your blog to make us both some money! Check out my site at : Make Money Online with Dino Vedo.
All the best,
Dino Vedo
PS: Like my Facebook fan page and follow me on Twitter and I’ll do the same for you!
Hey Dave
Excellent post. You have captured my interest I will be comming back for more of your content.
I like the way you have done the introduction and set the expection by outlining your proposed topics. You have choosen a great subject that will create loads of interest.
Also thanks for the list of peoples blogs down your side bar, that’s a great resource to let me meet more people in the blogging community. I have had a bad experience in outsourcing, a company made loads of promises and delivered very little once they got my money! The leeson is you cant be careful enough when it comes to outsourcing.Thanks
Stan Young recently posted..The Naked Chef Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution- Teaching kids how to eat healthy and the debate over a “Fat Tax”
Hi Dave,
The series sonds like a product in the making
Not only will it hopefully provide help to those seeking it – but I’m sure you could add videos or extra notes to turn it into a product to sell too
Good luck with it
Randy
http://www.RandolfSmith.com
Randy Smith recently posted..Warning – Guru’s Are Like Governments!
Thanks Dino, you have a good looking site and I’ll be visiting it again and will look at the twitter and list. Thanks for stopping by and maybe you can join the blog post challenge at:
http://creatingmybusinessonline.com/the-100-blog-comment-challenge/
Thanks for the visit Stan and glad you like the post, I will be following it up. The lists of blogs at the side will all be helpful. The ‘cool blogs’ list is full of very experienced helpful people in the internet marketing sector and the other list are all either already successful or on their way and everyone helping each other. You may be interested in the 100 blog post challenge (link above) too.
Talking of experienced helpful marketers, thanks Randy, and yes that sounds like an excellent idea turning it into a product.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Sticky- Your Own Online Business – Build A Niche Blogging Business – Intro
Hi Dave, good idea you have, very interesting topics. Great learning experience. I like what you said about doing one thing at a time so you can master one thing at a time. All the best with the 100 comment challenge.
Terry Conti
Terry Conti recently posted..Sell your ebook on its own or put it on Clickbank What do you think
Hi Dave,
Some GREAT values you are providing here.
Clear, Concise and Straight forward….
Something I really like!
Others provide the same info you are going to provide here only with an opt in request or even a price tag on it.
And you are providing for free?
You will receive more than you give I am sure.
I had bookmarked this page and am sure to return frequently.
Looking forward for your next valuable tips.
Cheers
Jason Ser
Thanks Terri, sometimes I need to follow my own advice about concentrating on one thing. Good luck with the challenge
Thanks Jason, will try to make the follow iup blog posts worth the visit. Hope you’re in the challenge and good luck, will be trying to visit all the sites.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Sticky- Your Own Online Business – Build A Niche Blogging Business – Intro
Hi Dave,
Being distracted by looking at so many ways of making money online is very common. I’ve been warned about it beforehand but I think that curiosity is far too strong in everyone not to at least have a peek at the different methods.
But getting back to the one thing you’ve decided on in really crucial. Otherwise what is called overwhelm will surely take hold and accomplishing anything will be very hard.
I look forward to reading your future articles about building niche sites.
One thing that I would probably disagree with you on is email list building. I think that, as many marketers say, you should build a list in every niche.
Vance
Vance@Email List Squeeze Plugin recently posted..Build Your Opt In List With Any WP Theme Using Sqeeze Plugin
Hello Vance,
Thanks for visiting and a good comment. It is indeed very difficult to avoid distraction but as you say if you can bring yourself back on track as soon as you can then will probably be ok. Of course with me I got far too distracted at times but have managed to start focusing much better these days,
With the email lists you are right again except that I have found it difficult to keep up many email optin lists. If you’re good at writing strings of email messages so you can avoid too much interaction then its ok or if you can outsource successfully to get help with managing the lists then again that would work but my own experience has not been good with managing multiple lists. I was though intending pointing readers to other resources for email list building and looking at your last post that may be an ideal way for people to start to use a plugin.
Thanks again
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Sticky- Your Own Online Business – Build A Niche Blogging Business – Intro
Hi Dave
Great idea for a series.
You’re quite right about all the different methods online that usually will find their way into your revenue streams as you become more experienced…pick one and stick to it for a while.
And as you become more experienced you will be able to do the tasks that much more quickly too
I look forward to reading your series
Thanks
Steve
Hello Steve,
Thanks for your visit and good comments, it’s quite right that things that seemed really difficult when first starting with an online business start to become second nature later on.
Good luck with the challenge and I have to say it has prompted me to get off my backside (so to speak) and start visiting so many other good interesting blogs. Its easy when you get heavily involved with a project to get carried away with it a bit too much. Though its important not to get too sidetracked its equally important to keep active with interacting with other people.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Sticky- Your Own Online Business – Build A Niche Blogging Business – Intro
Hey Dave.
This is a great idea and will bring more traffic to your blog.
I will be returning to check out the osts.
Good luck with the challenge.
All the best
Gert
Gert Chappell recently posted..The Dream Stealer
Hello Gert,
Thanks for your visit and kind comments, hope the follow ups are helpful.
Good luck and I will be visiting your site (and many more) at the weekend.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Sticky- Your Own Online Business – Build A Niche Blogging Business – Intro
Hi Dave,
What a great idea for a blog series.
Adding value and content. Blogging is such a great way to build a business. A portal if you like to your other business.
Like you say, concentrate on one thing then ramp it up.
If you have a good following in a niche, it is very easy then to release products within that niche. You already have your customers.
Pete
Pete Carr-Blogging Genius recently posted..Blogging-Why You Should BePart 1
Hello Pete,
Thanks for your visit and comments, will try and make the series worthwhile. Good luck with your own blog.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Mobile Monopoly – Internet Marketing Hype Alive and Well!
Hi Dave
Well you are certainly putting your thoughts into practice!
Its very easy to get distracted and overwhelmed and give up, I think we’ve all been there?
Stick with one thing, get good at it and then and only then move onto the next one!
Good luck with the 100 comment challenge!
Best wishes
Mike
Masterclass 2009
Mike recently posted..Internet business plans – traffic!
Hello Mike and thanks, will be visiting your site soon, your blog post title looks interesting, I could do with a better business plan.
Good luck with the challenge.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Mobile Monopoly – Internet Marketing Hype Alive and Well!
Hello Dave,
Great post …look forward to the followup.
Even though I already have a blog can do with all the help I can get.
Good to be on this challenge…meeting so many great people.
Cheers
Bryan
Bryan McHeyzer@The Internet Intern recently posted..Increase Your Squeeze Page Conversion Rate!
Thanks Bryan,
Good to have you visiting and I know what you mean, I’ve seen a lot of useful things just visiting other people’s blogs, some great information and help around.
Good luck with your own business and the challenge.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Mobile Monopoly – Internet Marketing Hype Alive and Well!
Hello Dave,
You have a very informative post here. Thank you for sharing ?
I was just started my blog one week ago, and I begin to absorb every important piece of info slowly. Thanks to Barry, Vance, Pete, Dawn, Steve and Gert… ^^ And now by reading of your post make me seeing clearer picture, especially now my mind is here and there , all the little thoughts become scattering… I will start to compile all the info and re-construct the info again.
All the best.
Connie
Your post has come at just the right time for me Dave.
I agree with you that we should concentrate on one thing, and then move on. I have concentrated on my blog for a long time and will now move onto niche affiliate sales. I have just written a post about it; “5 steps for Internet Income”.
I think we are following a similar plan. I bought Market Samurai last year, but have only just downloaded it to my new computer.
The difference in our plans is that you are going to establish niche blogs, and I am going for niche websites. I must admit I didn’t even consider a blog, but I will now.
What I like about websites is that once they’re done, they’re done -you don’t have to touch them again if you don’t want to. Blogs take a lot more care attention.
I am planning on attacking 10 niche markets, and I will probably establish a blog in one or two of the really interesting subjects.
Thanks for the idea Dave, I look forward to more posts on the subject.
John
John McNally recently posted..JESUS “Son of Man”
Hello Connie,
Thanks for your visit and I’m glad you’ve found the masterclass group, all very friendly and helpful. There is some very useful information on the different blogs and it is sensible to take your time and have a look round for ideas for how you want to take your own blog and business.
Good luck and I’ll be visiting your blog soon and take a look.
All the best
Dave
Hello John,
Thanks for your visit and interesting you’re getting into niche websites, may be exchange some ideas. There are some advantages to both blogs and websites depending on use. The way I am trying blogs is twofold, some I am setting up as product review blogs, these are useful as blogs because I can easily put a product review in every now and again and send the same or similar article to article marketing services with links back to my blog post, and then put a separate page on my site as a review page which I link to which has an affiliate offer on. However websites are often better if you want more varied content and layouts, for instance if you were to have an amazon or ebay content displaying within the site or different menu structures and as you say once set up with the right content can be less work to keep up.
I do run some automated services which I’ll be going into in my posts, to pull in blog posts from elsewhere, these can be useful to automate blogs a bit more but I would still end up putting my own posts in as well, and I do pay for these services.
One thing you may be interested in, or you may already know about, is a product from John Thornhill called Multiprofitwebsites.com
It’s basically a website template with easy editing that you can set up with affiliate content if you wish. Its not a blog but has much of the ease of setting up of a blog and easy to put SEO details like keywords etc in. I’ve used it for a couple of sites.
Anyway good luck with your project and I’ll be visiting your site to have a look.
Cheers
Dave
Hi Dave
A very well chosen theme for your series of articles, Dave, blogging for profit is a very popular online niche.
Good luck with it!
Kind regards
Stuart
Stuart Turnbull recently posted..We need your ‘make money online’ ideas!
Thanks Stuart, I found I was rubbish at sales letters so drifted into blogs and then found I was enjoying building and developing them (with the help of tools) so I thought I’d try and put down in blog posts what I’ve picked up along the way, may help a few people and making me focus and research the bits I’m still a bit light on.
Good luck with your own blog, will be visiting soon.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Mobile Monopoly – Internet Marketing Hype Alive and Well!
Hi Dave,
You have definitely captured the curiosity of myself and other readers. You have a product there ready and waiting but are giving us the insight to what to do.
Sticking at one thing and not getting side tracked is a must. Unfortunately I have been side tracked with this 100 blog post challenge, but I have met some great marketers and I am learning along the way.
Cheers
Craig
Craig recently posted..Put Your Email Marketing On Auto Pilot By Using An Auto responder
Hello Craig and thanks for your visit. I think you are right, it is a slight distraction with the challenge but well worth it to interact with so many people, all who are friendly and helpful, and full of good ideas on their blogs.
I’m late with my follow up posts but will be coming in next couple of days.
Good luck with your own blog and business and the challenge.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Mobile Monopoly – Internet Marketing Hype Alive and Well!
Making use of article directories can be a great way to get more visitors to your website. I know that coming up with new articles is very dull, it is ultimately worth every bit of time which you spend writing.
Hi Dave,
Looks like you will be an expert in your field by the end if the course. Keep the good posts coming, I’m looking forward to the next one.
Great post.
Daniel Sumner recently posted..Self Learning – Outsourcing – Student and Teacher
Hi Dave
As someone who has for 3 years successfully managed to avoid success, I am looking forward to reading your thoughts and tips.
Now in my 4th year I have realised the benefit of walking in someones shadow, so I signed up with a mentor, actually I work with 2, Alex Jeffreys and Sterling Valentine, they are complimentary so it works fine.
The second point, as I am part of the 100 blog comment challenge, I am visitng a lot of new and inspiring sites. How do I keep track of them?
I was going to make a video on this, but have just realised my headset mike is broken. Anyway I use a free program called Feeddemon, this allows you to store RSS feeds in folders, of which my latest is of course the 100 blog challenge.
all the best and look forward to your RSS updates
igor
igor Griffiths recently posted..Cor blimey Guv’nor look Whatcha Gone ‘n’ Done
Hi Dave
Okay, great teaser. Now where’s the rest of it? I’ll be back tomorrow for the rest ; )
Thanks
Alex
Alex@disaster preparations recently posted..Heating
Hi Dave,
Great blog post. Creating a niche blogging business sounds like a really good idea. There are some very good niches out there that people haven’t thought of, that people are crying out for information about.
I think you will be able to find some really good niches with Marketing Samurai, it is a great product.
Good luck with the Challenge and I will be back to check out your next post to find out how you are going with your niche blogging.
Take care.
Robyn
Robyn recently posted..To Continue or Not To Continue – That is the Question
[...] Read the rest of this series of articles, each article will be linked from this introduction to your own online business in Dave Smith’s blog so you can check there whenever you want to read another article in the series. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to build your own successful blogging business. [...]
Hi Dave. The best time to teach something is when you’ve just learned it yourself. I wish you all the best.
I’ve posted a link to this site at identi.ca for you
Martyn Boaden recently posted..What Was Your Biggest Challenge
You have a great list there Dave. Even those topics could lead to more than one post or could be developed into articles to submit to article directories.
Will be back for more.
Sandy
SandyHalliday@MakingMoneyOnTheInternet recently posted..Generating Blog Traffic with the 100 Blog Challenge
[...] Read the rest of this series of articles, each article will be linked from this introduction to your own online business in Dave Smith’s blog so you can check there whenever you want to read another article in the series. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to build your own successful blogging business. [...]
Hi Dave,
Nice job on the series. I’ll be into reading them for sure. I also agree that it is better to start with one type of business model because there are so many ways to make money online that people get caught up with too many at one time and end up not knowing where to turn or what to do next. Ie… information overload. I speak from experience here. I have of the IOC myself.(Information Overload Club)
I am on so many people’s lists that when something new comes out I buy it, try it for a short time, something new comes out I buy that one.
Well not any more. I’m settling on one thing this time. I am focusing on information product creation, as taught by Dave Nicholson in his Coaching Program. No more model hopping for me.
Thanks for the great information and I’m sure I can incorporate some of your ideas on blogging with my product creation model as well.
Take Care,
Steve
Steve Troutman@SteveTroutman.com/blog recently posted..BoilerMaker 15K Roadrace July 11- 2010
Hi Dave,
One more comment about this blogging challenge. Before the challenge, I was somewhere on page 5 I think in the google rankings for my mane. Steve Troutman. Guess what, I am now in the #1 spot on Google and all it took was going to all these blogs and leaving comments. I really didn’t do much of anything else. Oh, I did put up a video on Youtube of my video I used in the 100 comment challenge. Other than that I have just been making the rounds every day, posting comments and leaving my link to my blog.
I will definately use this strategy again in the future when promoting other blogs for niche marketing.
Take CaRE,
Steve
Steve Troutman@SteveTroutman.com/blog recently posted..BoilerMaker 15K Roadrace July 11- 2010
Thanks for all your visits and comments and sorry I only just got round to answering, been busy trying to get the next couple of articles ready.
Thanks for your visit Dan and all your products and sound advice in past.
Igor, that sounds like a good idea, I started a spreadsheet to keep a check on which blogs I visited but your solution may be better.
Alex, should be putting next couple of posts on over weekend, thanks for your visit and will be visiting your blog soon.
Robyn, thanks and yes I use Market Samurai extensively, an amazing tool, unbelievable that it is a one of fee, would be lost without it now, in fact some of delay with my posts is trying to find free alternatives to offer in my blog series, nothing comes close to Market Samurai. Good luck.
Martyn, many thanks, I will be checking your site out as soon as I finish the next couple of articles.
Sandy, thanks for visiting and yes I am posting the articles to Ezine and also to other sites later via AMA and UAW, they are paid services but very very good at getting articles posted reliably.
Steve, sounds like you’re on the way to be honest, like me you’ve realised too much distractions and lists, takes time to get it out of your system though, far easier now to unsubscribe to lists that are too over the top with hype, so my lists are gradually going down. You’re in good hands with Dave Nicholson and your own product really is the best way to go. Once you have a unique product promoting it will become easy, its only difficult when you’re promoting the same thing as everyone else. Will be over to check your blog soon. Good luck.
Thanks for everyone’s visits and good luck with both the blog challenge and your businesses.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Mobile Monopoly – Internet Marketing Hype Alive and Well!
[...] article in the series. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to build your own successful blogging business. Tags: Blogging, Build, business, Intro, niche, [...]
Hi Dave…
Amazing how much I’ve learned by navigating to these blogs…;)
Yours was definitely worth reading as I learned a great deal from it. I think you have the makings of a great educational series.
I am getting into niche blogs myself as a business platform. I think having great tools like Market Samurai can give you a bit of an edge…and that little edge may be the maker or breaker for your business.
Good luck with the challenge Dave. I’ll be back to learn more from your selection of topics…
Kathy
Kathy Dobson@Outsourcing to the Philippines recently posted..Outsourcing to the Philippines…Your Questions Answered
Hi Dave
I am new here, commenting first time, I joined the 100 comments challenge yesterday only. I have very less time but I am hoping to get 100 comments in such a warm group of yours. I liked your post a lot. Niche blogging is a very important subject and sine you are going to write step by step article that can be turned into an ebook later. Keep up the good work. New and fresh information always adds up to Internet net working. I will like to read more of it. Keep in touch.
Talk again
Fran Aslam
Fran Aslam @kw LUV recently posted..How To Write An eBook That Is Included In The Best Seller List
Hi Dave,
Great concept with Niche Blogs.
Also, I like the part about choosing something and sticking with it to perfect it before adding more.
I don’t know about anyone else but I have been guilty of being too scattered with everything coming at me. Definitely is more productive to have some laser focus and once you perfect something long enough to get good results you can add to it.
Thanks for the focus.
Sally
Sally recently posted..Autoresponder List Maintenance
Thanks Kathy, I’ll definitely be visiting your blog shortly, very interested in the outsourcing and I know many filipinos, great people and excellent workers, plus good english too. Good luck with the challenge and your blog.
Hello Fran,
Great that you’ve joined, friendly bunch here and everyone picking up tips from everyone else. Hope you find it useful and will be having a look at your blog soon. Good luck.
Thanks for the visit Sally, glad if it helps a bit, I hope I can follow my own advice too! Many distractions but the blog challenge is actually helping me to focus better so thanks to everyone for getting me involved. Good luck.
Thanks again for all your visits
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Your Own Online Business-Build A Niche Blogging Business-Picking A Niche Market
Hi Dave
A nicely written blog post that is of massive value and great content with a lot of clear suggestion. I really like the idea of having a theme for publishing blogs – like the list of How-To’s which you suggested and has a logical flow to it. This gives the readers continuity and they keep coming back for the next steps.
Wonderful advice. Nice to meet you.
All the best for your 100 blog comment challenge.
Cheers
Abizer
Hi Dave,
I guess I am the last, but hopefully not the least of those so far that see great potential here. I know I am coming back to see what the rest of the story is going to be. Great idea for bring us back. You must work for a news station. They do this to a T.
Thanks,
Justin
Justin recently posted..Cost Vs Price – Is There A Difference
Hi Dave
Great concept and I wish to much success with it. Just reading this morning about creating an ecourse for your autoresponder, first one free then people pay for the rest (idea?)
Regards
Anne
Hi Dave,
Yes of course you need to pick one method and stick with it to make sure you do it properly. But the question is which one to chose?
Since I started trying to make money online I was bombarded (and still am) with different methods of making money online. When you are a newbie you don’t know which one will work for you. EVERYTHING seems too easy to achieve and you can make money instantly! (but the hard truth is that no method is that easy – you have to work if you want to become successful with that method).
So you end up buying and buying and buying all these courses BUT you are not giving your 100% effort but only e.x. 10% on each course. By doing this you end up making just a couple of dollars here a couple dollars there and you think that nothing works.
Blogs are an excellent way to build your list. Of course it can be harder BUT you will build a better list of subscribers. Most subscribers have already read your blog posts and you have already started building the relationship that is needed.
I haven’t tried Vance’s WordPress plugin yet but I will try it soon. Did you try it Dave? If so what are your thoughts about it?
Thanks.
Take care,
Andreas
Andreas Spyrou @ Free Online Marketing Tips recently posted..The Biggest Affiliate Marketing Mistake – Mistake 6
Hello Andreas and thanks for stopping by. I too spent nearly 2 years chasing my tail so to speak getting distracted by various offers and claims, many people do, and I spent plenty of money. Finally I got fed up with the hype, and if I get emails with too much hype now I tend to unsubscribe, life is too short. I am actually planning to be more on the sidelines with internet marketing and work on SEO skills and learn more about php and html coding as I find it difficult to write sales letters convincing someone to buy something. The only things I will be promoting are products I really believe in or use myself and I will always check out products first.
My article series is aimed at blogs to promote physical products which largely sell themselves if they are any good, its a case of trying to get a blog site high enough in the rankings so that people who are looking for reviews of products, often with an intention to buy, find your website first so they buy from your link.
For the one or two optin lists I will be using I do intend to try the plugin Vance mentioned as I think it will make things a bit easier, I’ll let you know how I get on.
Good luck with your blog and business, I’ll be over to have a look at your blog soon.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Your Own Online Business-Build A Niche Blogging Business-Picking A Niche Market
Hi Stan,
Excellent idea to have the start of a series of articles like this as your ‘entry’ into the challenge.
The content is of value to everyone who visits and should bring you many return visitors.
Good luck, I have bookmarked to be sure to return and tweeted.
all the best
Richard
my recent post at http://richard-davy.com/update-contributors-to-100-comment-challenge/
on twitter http://www.twitter.com/Rich1d
Hi Dave,
Way you go, I am having a senior moment, for some reason wrote ‘Hi Stan’ where did I get that name from??
sorry m8
Richard
Richard Davy@Together we will succeed recently posted..Update – there are now 102 contributors to 100 comment challenge
Great presentation, starting an online business is tough, doing it thoroughly is a must.
Daniel M. Wood @ Sales Techniques, Motivation and Success recently posted..Back To Work! Back To Work! Back To Work!
Hi Dave!
This sounds like a great series! Awesome job on getting it started. These are definitely skills and tips that can help a lot of people who are wondering how to get started online.
Jess Webb recently posted..Sustainability for Digital Entrepreneurs
Hey Dave,
Sounds like this will be a helpful series for blogging beginners. I agree with your first point that focusing on one method can be incredibly helpful for newbies. There’s an acronym that explains it perfectly…
FOCUS: follow one course until success!
Good luck with the rest of the series. I’m sure it will be great!
Peace,
Lauren
Lauren Lionheart recently posted..Can Blogging About Cupcakes Earn a Full Time Income
Hello Richard,
Thanks for stopping by and don’t worry about the name, and as for senior moments well tell me about it, didn’t think I was supposed to have them yet ha ha.
Hope the article series helps anyone that needs it, will take a little while to complete but will work on it steadily.
Will be stopping by your blog soon,
Good luck.
Dave
Hello Daniel,
Looks like you have a blog post I could do with reading (Sales techniques, motivation etc), will be shaving a look shortly, thanks for visiting.
Cheers
Dave
Hello Jess,
Thanks for visiting and your kind comments, your blog post looks like a must read, will be over there later.
Good luck
Dave
Thanks Lauren,
I just need to make sure I stick to a main project myself, and hopefully finishing the article series will help.
Good luck with your own blog which I’ll have a look at soon and hope the blog challenge helps.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Your Own Online Business-Build A Niche Blogging Business-Picking A Niche Market
Dave. Great article, well written and like the idea of using this page as a central hub/contents for the series of articles, look forward to following the series and picking up some further tips. A great contribution to the 100 comments challenge, keep up the good work, Tom
Tom Harvey recently posted..Video Marketing – Anatomy Of A Successful Affiliate Campaign
[...] article in the series. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to build your own successful blogging business. This entry was posted in Niche Chooser and tagged blogging, Build, Business, Intro, Niche, [...]
Hi Dave,
Many thanks for your post.
To be honest I’m worried about your comment:
“With a blogging business aimed at niche markets with the aim of attracting buyers searching for particular products then it may not be appropriate to have an email list on the site.”
I would definitely say your number one aim for all your blogs should be to build a list. In fact each blog should be based around a marketing funnel where you make recommendations and pull people back to the site.
Please get back to me if you would like to discuss this on Skype in full.
All the best.
Kind Regards
Andy
Hello Tom,
Thanks for your visit and kind comments, hope the article series helps a few people (when its completed).
Good luck with your blog and challenge.
Cheers
Dave
Hello Andy,
Thanks for visiting and yes its definitely a talking point, whether to put an email list optin in every website. My own view is that unless an email list is done well, with well written helpful emails or active interaction with the list, then it is not worth doing. Its like anything, done well it will work but done badly just gets you a bad reputation. Its pointless having huge lists that are unresponsive because the emails are poorly written or obviously copied and pasted or only aimed at selling.
With the type of affiliate blogs I am describing in my series there is a serious chance that having an email list optin would distract a visitor from what they arrived on the site for, namely to find out about a particular niche product. However if an email list is done right and the follow ups help the visitor with more information to help them decide on a product then they can work.
Unfortunately it is my experience that the vast majority of email lists are poorly presented and very obviously aimed at one thing only, selling.
I did put a link in to Vance’s website for anyone interested in building a list. For myself I will only ever have a few so I can try to make them worthwhile.
Good luck
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Your Own Online Business-Build A Niche Blogging Business-Picking A Niche Market
Hi Dave,
Thank you for your reply.
Surely though you would want an email list optin to be a distraction so as you can email to them in the future.
Marketing is all about the follow up so why try to make the sale on the first visit, isn’t it better to relax, take the pressure off and allow it to happen in the follow up.
Granted many don’t understand the notion of story telling in their follow up – but then that is a huge opportunity for those that do.
OK one can set up a site like you are proposing with no optin but I really can’t understand why you would when a little care with an opt in will considerably increase your profits.
Equally I shudder when I see so many offline business websites with no name capture.
I believe the important thing to remember is that the follow up sequence doesn’t have to be written over night. I have over 95 follow up emails in one of my golf lists (110k golfers) and these were written over months not hours.
Email lists are set up for one purpose and that is to sell, but one must be strategic in the content offered and when to make offers.
(I admit I didn’t always think this but then I didn’t think of my time spent internet marketing as a business then)
On another related note the adswap game played in the IM niche is a very quick way to build unresponsive lists. I see it every day. Marketers tell me they have very low open rates on lists in the thousands. I only wish they segmented from the start and used story telling as part of their marketing – I’m actually helping a number do this at the moment.
The email list is simply a powerful way to ensure the reader has faith in you. They can buy information from countless places online but they will only buy from people they have faith in.
All the best
Kind Regards
Andy
Andy Brown recently posted..The 4 Essentials Every Affiliate Program Should Have
Hi Dave,
Thanks for a very informative post.
You have given a great insight into niche market blogging and your subject list of articles has really left me wanting more.
It has been great to meet you on the challenge Dave and I shall certainly be returning to enlighten myself with your nuggets of first class information.
Good luck with this and I look forward to keeping in touch.
Regards,
Brian
Brian Alcock recently posted..So You Failed…So What!!
Hi Dave,
Niche blogging is quite a workload if you don’t have passion for what you’re doing however as a business, it’s strictly professional as you have outlined it here. I have not ventured in creating my niche sites yet but these tutorials will come in handy. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Thu
Thu Nguyen@BloggingFor recently posted..EXCLUSIVE Interview with Lynette Chandler of BlogEnergizer
Hi Dave
Great post & love the site.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Stay healthy
Alex
Alex Fyfe recently posted..Exercise And Harm
Hello Brian,
Thanks for your visit and comments, I will be trying to get the rest of the articles completed soon, hope they do help people get a different insight to possible blogging income without too much hype.
Good luck with your site and will be visiting shortly.
Cheers
Dave
Hello Thu,
Thanks for your visit and you’re right, niche blogging can be a high workload, though I have found more and more software tools to help, obviously the most effective are often paid tools though some are a single payment which becomes quite negligible if used a lot. I do also pay for tools on a monthly basis, in the article marketing field (and a blog creation and content tool) but I have to say these tools have saved me far more in terms of time and for the money have been well worth it (for me). Everyone’s situation is different and the tools are less necessary if someone has more time to do the work manually. The exception is tools which analyse websites for keywords and ranking etc, though even here there are some good free tools, its just that sometimes paying for one software tool will do the work of several free ones so again depends on the situation and time available.
I hope to make my next articles as comprehensive as possible, I will probably put them into a product at some stage with videos at some stage but the niche blogging field has so many possibilities that I just want to document what I am doing in the hope it helps others. I have picked up what I am doing from other people anyway.
Good luck with your blog and will be along for a visit.
cheers
Dave
Hello Alex,
Thanks for dropping by and kind comments, hope to visit your site soon, good luck with the challenge.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Your Own Online Business-Build A Niche Blogging Business-Picking A Niche Market
Hey Dave:
Sounds like it’s going to be a great series…and a great idea to keep your readers coming back for more backlinks.
The hardest thing is choosing the niche. I am anxious for that article.
Good meeting you in the 100 Blog Comment Challenge.
Thanks again for the post.
Kat
Kat@eBayLearning recently posted..10 Tips to Buying Cars on eBay Motors
Hi Dave i’ve popped back to tweet your post and noticed that you don’t use gravatars.
I’ve just created a video showing how to set the up.
R&R Barry
Barry Wells recently posted..How to add a Gravatar to your WordPress Blog
Hi Dave,
I just wrote a really good comment for you however the spam plugin told me it seemed spammy. I had the same problem worth this particular plugin and actually noticed I was loosing comments from it. Vance was the one that pointed it out to me when I was using it.
OK Take 2. Like Randy said. I think your post is a product in the making and perfect for offline businesses as well. EG teaching offline businesses in your area how to promote their business online using niche blogging.
I hope the challenge has been fun for you. See you back here soon!
Cheers
Jacinta
Jacinta Dean recently posted..The 100 Blog Comment Challenge Update!
Thanks Barry, had seen those on lots of sites and always meant to look into it, should save me a lot of time.
Cheers
Dave
Hello Jacinta,
Sorry about the plugin, I actually may disable it as I have noticed some posts ending up in the spam that shouldnt, I always check the spam before binning any but I think maybe I have the settings wrong and easier to disable for the time being as Akismet is still active.
Thanks for letting me know.
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Your Own Online Business-Build A Niche Blogging Business-Picking A Niche Market
Hi Dave,
You are so right about how easy it is to get sidetracked and not accomplishing anything when starting an online business. I know that this has been a big problem for me for a long time.
Its a good idea to pick one area and become good at it before branching out into something new. Also, becoming good at time management is an essential skill.
I look forward to reading your series, as it looks like you have got it figured out.
Keep up the great work!
Mark
Excellent work Dave! Your proposed series on blog marketing is brilliant. I’m looking forward to reading every single article. Keep crushin’, Steve D.
Steve@bookmarking recently posted..Bookmarking URLS Favicon Style
Hi Dave,
I like the way you provide a series of articles that your readers can come back to. I’m new to internet marketing. I have found that there is so much information to learn. Listing a series and providing piece by piece makes it easy for your readers to take the information bit by bit. Great idea!
Much Success,
Lorina Noble
Miss Mindset Makeover
Millionaire Mindset
Lorina Noble recently posted..Mobile Marketing is Huge! 18 year old Changes the Game!
Hi Dave,
Another great post from a member of the 100 Blog comment challenge.
I’m sure it will be a great series I’m looking forward to following on and learning lots especially with the picking a Niche market post.
To your success
Michelle
Hi Dave
I think the problem is that there are too many ways to make money online so when you are starting out it can be a little confusing and then you end up trying them all.
You definitely have to stick at one just like you said.
Nice to meet you
Dawn Kay
Dawn Kay recently posted..Free Internet Marketing Blueprints and Checklist Guides
Dave:
You are right that it is so easy to get side tracked.
I looked forward to the entire series you will be writing.
I agree that you should focus on one method at a time.
I don’t necessarily agree that it may “not be appropriate to have an email list on the site.” for particular niche sites. I would think that having a list could be beneficial to build relationship with subscribers and also have the potential for future sales.
I also think to each his own. If someone doesn’t feel comfortable collecting subscribers and emailing them on a regular basis then maybe they shouldn’t do it. By not collecting subscribers I think that there is money being left on the table.
- Rick
Rick Byrd recently posted..Business Ethics – Is There Such a Thing
Hi Dave,
This is such a insightful post. It is important to pick a niche that you have genuinely interest in because the natural passion you have for the topic sustains the content creation process and will actually make the whole chore of blogging enjoyable. Other wise it can be burdensome.
Alesandra @ toddler luigi costume recently posted..Toddler Luigi Costume
Hi Dave,
This is really a great post about the particular topic and i am really impressed to know about it. I have read your full article and truly speaking that it was really very knowledgeable and very interesting. I think you are really very close on your points.
Anyways keep it up and keep continue with your valuable thoughts. In the near upcoming future.
Alesandra @ toddler luigi costume recently posted..Toddler Luigi Costume
Hey Dave, Brilliant post and definatley a product idea to take forward to a product, we could certainly use much of your advice, keep up the great work, I have bookmarked your blog for more inspiration.
Good luck with the challenge
Keith
Keith Alston recently posted..Holiday Time Again!
Great way to do a series. Love the energy. Keep up the good work.
Amy Steelman-Prueter recently posted..Are you up for the Challenge
Hi Dave
Thanks for writing such a fab article, I have not dipped my toes into the niche side of marketing yet, but I think I would take the leap following your advice.
I will be back to check out your future articles for sure.
Sally
Sally recently posted..Writing Testimonials Benefit You Too
[...] Read the rest of this series of articles, each article will be linked from this introduction to your own online business in Dave Smith’s blog so you can check there whenever you want to read another article in the series. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to build your own successful blogging business. [...]
Hi
Great post. I made the mistake when I first started with trying to do too many things at the same time. Your comment about concentrating on one aspect and working at that makes a good deal of sense. Will certainly be returning, interesting blog.
Take Care
Barbara Harvey
Barbara Harvey recently posted..How Do You Juggle Your Working At Home Business Life From Your Personal Life
I think one of the best Keyword Tools is Trellian’s Keyword Research Tool, the tool helps identify common variations and provides a really accurate picture of how competitive the search term actually is. A must for anyone trying to optimize their own website.
Ooooh, this is going to be a great series! Blogging is such an easy business model to get into, especially when dabbling for the first time online. I can’t wait to see the great advice you’re going to give!!
Looking forward to your series,
Gwen
via 100 Comment Challenge
Hi Dave
very nice post, this is a very interesting topic because there will be always people looking for this information.
I like the idea that you’ll describe in detail all it is needed to set up and to build, because a lot of e-courses, and some of them quite expensive, don’t focus in the difficult a lot of newbies face with the small and apparently simpler questions, like, register a domain name and choosing a hosting service.
I’ll visit regularly to follow your posts and to learn a little more, because there are always something you don’t know or that you do wrong.
Cheers
Jorge
Jorge Bento@Starting Your Own Business Online recently posted..Starting Own Business Online – Identify the Resources
Dave, it is a good idea and many have trodden the path before so a friendly word of advice is to be sure to stand out from the crowd. By all means follow the proven pattern but set yourself up a little different than everyone else so that when people find you blog it is a breathe of fresh air in a very crowded ‘niche’.
Michael Pedzotti@software tools for bloggers recently posted..Guess who is guest posting
Hi Dave
This is a great idea for a blog, I wish I had found it sooner, very helpful,I will be back regularly, thanks for the info, I have bookmarked also
All the best
Vince
Hi Dave
Nicely focused piece. You should do well with that as a concept.
I look forward to reading more of your stuff.
I’ll be back
Best wishes
Mike
Mike Calmot recently posted..Blog Comments Challenge- Using the “Power of Six”…to drive traffic!
Excellent,
Now that’s focus, to take something that some of us at least regard as a tactic and show it as a business.
As for sticking to one thing, that has to be THE No. 1 dilema to start with. If I took my granddaughter into the sweetshop and siad she could have as many sweets as she wanted, but only one kind, I’d be there all afternoon !!
Great message, thank you
John
Author of ‘Sticky Memory’
http://johnedler.com/blog/sticky-memory-have-i-coined-a-new-term-/?/html
Hi Dave
Great idea for a series of articles and I look forward to reading them.
I too intend to go down the niche blogging route rather than just build product websites. With Market Samurai I actually enjoy the research side of things, and agree with you it’s a superb tool and for a one off fee probably the best value research tool on the market.
I shall return shortly.
Regards,
Bill
Bill Murney recently posted..Research- Research- Research
Great job! I love the information…now I just have to read and re-read it
.
Thanks,
Patrick
Patrick Lynch recently posted..The Sea and Where To Be
Hi Dave
Doing a how-to series is a great idea for your blog. It will certainly encourage visitors to return regularly to get more quality information.
I’ll be back
Warm Regards
Lynn
Hi Dave,
Great job outlining the key elements to developing a blogging business. It is definitely information that can be helpful to lots of bloggers. Stopped by on my 11th hour visit for the 100 comment challenge.
Best,
Elizabeth
ElizOF recently posted..Yoga Love- Learn to Add Balance to Your Life…
Hi Dave great idea using your sticky post to link to a series of teaching posts/articles!, very creative and makes perfect sense… it should keep people coming back for more.
Good luck with your on-line endeavours
Pete Chapman
Hi Dave,
It’s getting down to the end of this challenge and there are some very interesting blogs with very good information. I still have a lot of ground to cover so I can leave a comment.
Have a good one.
Enjoy the Challenge.
Mike
Mike Fleming recently posted..100 Blog Comments Challenge
Hi Dave,
This is a great idea especially as a way to help others understand the blog monetizing path. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to learning more. I have bookmarked it.
Best,
Elizabeth
ElizOF recently posted..Yoga Love- Learn to Add Balance to Your Life…
As per my comment above, I stopped by on my 11th hour visit for the 100 comment challenge.
Best,
Elizabeth
ElizOF recently posted..Yoga Love- Learn to Add Balance to Your Life…
Hi, Dave
Looks to be a great series – anywhere I can sign up so the next instalment gets plopped into my inbox? (Just a thot!)
I have been very side-tracked recently – following 101 ways to make money on-line. Your post really reminds me to get focused on ONE.
As soon as I finish this 100 Blog comment challenge I will – or then again, maybe this IS part of the focus to get my blog going!
Thanks for the advice
Jennifer
Jennifer@Online Business Making Money at Home recently posted..Internet Marketing Promotions – Step by Step Guide to Contributing
Excellent resource! Your list of blog posts touches on the essentials. Number 9 is a constant battle and has to become a habit. I’ve missed a few days on my blog and it feels like I’ve been gone for weeks! Like I’m missing a few beats. Strange, but true.
Cheryl from thatgirlisfunny recently posted..TGIF Links Weekly Funny Photo Caption Contest – Sweet Potato Dirty Look
Hi, Dave,
You have a wealth of info here! I am printing up your list and will be back to read the rest of your posts!
Thanks for sharing,
Fran T
Fran T recently posted..Nopalea and My Knee
[...] Online Profits Guide |CavemanToMillionaire Review | Justin Blake's System Legit? | Caveman To Millionaire ReviewMoney Siphon System: My Progress – Day 1 | Simply FactualWhat Bussiness Model Are You Using To Make Money? | Charles KirklandIs There An Easy Way To Make Money Online?Your Own Online Business – Build A Niche Blogging Business – Intro | [...]
[...] Read the rest of this series of articles, each article will be linked from this introduction to your own online business in Dave Smith’s blog so you can check there whenever you want to read another article in the series. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to build your own successful blogging business. [...]
Keeping blogs fresh is a key part of the process so I’m glad to see you have it included here. I know that I see an increase in traffic on my sites when I post new content, it brings people in via the RSS feed but Google likes new content too.
Clare@Toddlers Halloween Costumes recently posted..Newborn Baby Pea in The Pod Halloween Costume- 0-6 Months
Hi Dave
You have provided a ton of helpful information here in this post.
I shall be a regular visitor here for sure.
Hope you enjoyed the challenge
Best wishes
Eamon
Online business are great but it is hard to start and succeed in it*~:
online business is one of the best thing to engage with, it is quite easy to market products on the internet;:,
Grate idea. Some grate ideas your are providing here. Awesome post . Starting online business is not easy. Lots of useful information to success our business, Thanks to share this blog.
This is a good article about online business.these resources are very helpful to who are doing this business.thanks for sharing.
I think you are right on the money, let me ask you a question, when do you plan on updating this???
I was impressed. This article has a lot to say! thank you for sharing this information with us.
Lea G recently posted..Comparateur de forfaits mobiles
Yeah Niche Blogging is the only way to. Life quotes makes a good point, when are you going to update this?
Love to hear from the expert! I am so glad that I visited you site..I am planning to have this kind of business.. This is a big help for me!
Sally Thompson recently posted..speedee oil change coupons
Thank you for sharing your sight about online business. Reading your series of articles really helps a lot on how we can develop our ability in online business. I hope you can share more about this.
gold recently posted..Simple Facts About The Pearl Arowana of Australia You Should Know
This sounds like a great series! Awesome job on getting it started. These are definitely skills and tips that can help a lot of people who are wondering how to get started online.
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Nice post! this is a great idea especially as a way to help others understand the blog monetizing path. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to learning more.
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