Blogging IS A Business Venture You Should Try On For Size

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​A good majority of online business owners have blogs as a way to promote their businesses however blogs are more than just a marketing effort. They have the potential to grow into a successful business. If you intend to consider a blog, you will need to think out of the box so you can stand out. Another great type of blog to consider is one of your passion.

​You may be thinking, what is a blog? A blog is a website consisting of topic-based content that is regularly updated. Blogs tend to take a more individual approach compared to other publications and appeal to a specific audience. 

Here are some common reasons for starting a blog:

• To share their opinions or passions
• ​To teach others what they know
• To build an email list of a targeted audience
• ​To showcase their expertise
• To make money online

Most of these reasons require a strong commitment because creating consumable content on the web is not a walk in the park. Once you create a blog, you should consider creating a schedule for consistency  as it is important to keep an engaged audience.
How to start a blog:
It isn’t enough to have a couple of ideas about the kind of blog you would love to start and maintain, it is the actual execution of taking the steps to start. one is crucial in creating a successful business from it. Here are 4 quick and easy steps to get you started.

1. Select a niche for your blog: This step is the foundation of your blog because choosing a specific niche will help you create an ideal and engaged audience. Keep in mind that your niche should be vast enough so you can keep creating content consistently and one that aligns with your monetization strategy. 
2. ​Choose a blogging platform and template: Before you start blogging, you need to make a decision about where you intend to host your blog.  With a hosted site, you can get a free domain or have the option to purchase a custom domain name. Your files are stored on the platform servers and you will be offered limited customization.
3. Choose a blog and domain name: A great domain name should be memorable, unique, and easy to spell. As you search through various domain names, you can also decide on what to name your blog. The right blog name is especially important if you’re going to capture your readers’ attention and win their views.
4. Create a publishing strategy: Now that you have decided on the above aspects of your blog, a great content strategy is important in ensuring you do not run out of ideas and help you keep on track.

How to monetize your blog?
Monetizing your blog is a great way to make money. You probably already know that it’s important to keep your readers engaged with a consistent offering of awesome content. But that, by itself, doesn’t bring in any money.
To transform your blog into a money-making machine here are a few tips to help you;

• Publish sponsored content: with influencers on the rise, a good majority of brands reach out to influencers to promote their services/products and in return pay for the publicity offered. 
• Affiliate Marketing: If you’re willing to share products that are related to your blog topic, you should consider linking to them with your specific link given to you by the product, course or service owner. If a reader clicks the link on your blog and then makes a purchase, you will get a percentage of the sale. Here is a course that gives you the complete blueprint for making the most of making money with your blog. The course is called Master Being an Affiliate. Check it out here.
• ​Promote your business with the help of blogging: Remember to use your blog as a tool to help sell your products and services for your own business.  I go over this in the Master Being Your Affiliate course as well. Check it out here.

Keep in mind that to achieve and grow the amount of money you make on your blog, be consistent with publishing blog content. Consistency will keep your audience engaged and attract advertisers and maybe even sponsors. 
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Consistency is important in blogging. When you fail to regularly update your blog, your audience may forget about your blog and when you finally publish new content after a long period of time, it may no longer be relevant to them. 
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​If you ask any successful bloggers about one tip on how to successfully grow your blog, almost everyone will definitely give one resounding answer, “consistency.”
And that is exactly how Alexa Curtis was able to grow her fashion blog; A Life in the Fashion Lane which she started at just 12 years. It became a platform for her to express her feelings around everything relating to teens, body image, and mental health. 

Over the years, her blog has evolved and shifted to discussing sensitive topics that teens and young adults face every day.  A Life in the Fashion Lane was changed to Life Unfiltered with Alexa Curtis and became a lifestyle website and podcast for teens & parents discussing topics such as social media and mental health. Not only did Curtis turn her fashion blog into a full-time lifestyle platform for teens, through cold-pitching, she managed to get sponsored by several brands.
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Alexa shared with me during our discussion on the the Money Exchange Podcast how she was able to transform her blog to a lifestyle business, you can listen to every detail here. 

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