I have been blogging for some years now.. I started by doing some blogs on blogger from Google and then moved to MovableType. After a brief tryst with b2e, I finally settled on Drupal. There is a lot of talk these days on “pro-bloggers” – people who blog as a living! There are many .. and the mecca for all of these is Problogger. Darren Rowse has really helped a lot of bloggers to make money.
finding a niche is critical to making money while blogging
I personally believe that to make money – realistically become a pro-blogger – you really need to do the following:
- find a niche – 3 categories give the best results (technology, entertainment and personal development)
- be very focused
- be regular and original
Now, I know this. However, personally, I like writing on different topics.. and yet I want to retire from work and take up full time blogging! The question is HOW? I just cannot write on just one topic – for the simple reason that I like so many things from Finance to Spirituality to Politics to Science to Movies! So, do I have a future as a blogger?
Maybe.. and maybe not! Here are some of my strengths as a blogger:
- I write passionately…. so it clicks with the readers.
- The topics – though varied – create an interesting rainbow of content that people can read for long.
- I do bring a perspective (Drishtikone) that is at times different from others.
And what are the weakness of my content:
- It is not very detailed. It is good but not great.
- It is not “path-breaking”. Something that tops the Digg and delicious ranks!
- It is not strong enough for people to start writing hundreds of comments!
So what should I do to improve? Do I have a future? Any thoughts?
Here are some of the things I am thinking of doing:
- Create a structure around my posts – so they are not a bunch of some thoughts
- Research my topics and write in-depth articles which can be digged etc.
- Have a definite set of content types that I have create a framework around -
- Interviews,
- Product Reviews,
- Book Reviews,
- Case Study,
- Detailed Analytical Articles,
- Regular weekly/monthly podcast
What do you say? Guide me guys…. what is it that you want to see on Drishtikone and that can help me be a pro-blogger on a long term basis!!
About admin
After you left a comment I came here to your site. This subject interested me because I have thought about this many a time.
My conclusions are that as you said you cannot make money as a varied blogger unless you become very famous, or rather if you are already a celebrity of some sorts. Maybe its theoretically possible, but it will be very rare.
But frankly I also know that I am interested in LIFE and feel strongly about a lot of issues, so there is not way that I am going to confine myself to writing about a certain subject. If you ask me, I feel that being true to oneself is important. If I wanted to do something I didn’t believe in, I would have taken up a job.
One way to make money blogging is by writing a blog for a company. A lot of blogging jobs are available on the internet. But if a personal blog has to make money, niche is what counts…but then you have to an expert on that subject.
That is why I never intend to make money from blogging. I enjoy writing, I enjoy interacting with readers. That will continue to be my goal. Writing what I believe in and talking to people about the myriad issues which beset our country.
I work hard at my posts…sometimes take 4-5 hours on one. I love doing it!
After you left a comment I came here to your site. This subject interested me because I have thought about this many a time.
My conclusions are that as you said you cannot make money as a varied blogger unless you become very famous, or rather if you are already a celebrity of some sorts. Maybe its theoretically possible, but it will be very rare.
But frankly I also know that I am interested in LIFE and feel strongly about a lot of issues, so there is not way that I am going to confine myself to writing about a certain subject. If you ask me, I feel that being true to oneself is important. If I wanted to do something I didn’t believe in, I would have taken up a job.
One way to make money blogging is by writing a blog for a company. A lot of blogging jobs are available on the internet. But if a personal blog has to make money, niche is what counts…but then you have to an expert on that subject.
That is why I never intend to make money from blogging. I enjoy writing, I enjoy interacting with readers. That will continue to be my goal. Writing what I believe in and talking to people about the myriad issues which beset our country.
I work hard at my posts…sometimes take 4-5 hours on one. I love doing it!
Thanks Nita, for visiting and your comment! I agree with you.. I also blog because I love it. I love to express myself through this tool. It would however be great if this could be a lifelong and full time activity!
Thanks Nita, for visiting and your comment! I agree with you.. I also blog because I love it. I love to express myself through this tool. It would however be great if this could be a lifelong and full time activity!