You may have decided to start a blog just so you could write about a topic that you love. As you look around on the internet you realize that a lot of people are working on making money with their blogs.

If you would like to try to make money with your blog now, there are some blog tools you will need to add to help you make things easier.

Here are some of the blog tools you can use to help you build a successful money making blog.

• One of the most important ways to enable others to find you on the internet, is to add your blog address to the search engines. Adding your URL will get the spiders and bots crawling your content and headlines to rank you among other blogs and websites.
• Next you need to use keywords. You can use keyword software to help you build your list, or just create a spread-sheet of words you would use on a search for products or services like what you offer.  If you have already added keywords throughout your blog content, using these words will get the best results.
• Setting up an RSS feed allows your readers to subscribe to your blog and know when you have added new content.  Social bookmarking is also another popular blog tool to use. You start by signing up for accounts at the various sites like Digg.com and Stumble Upon.com. When you have added a new post to your blog, you submit your post to these sites and people can then read them and rate them to bring you in more visitors.
• There are also other blog tools such as creating a blog log profile. With this site, you can show how many fans you have, their names and pictures. You can also list other blogs and any other affiliated sites you may have that will enable visitors to learn more about you and decide if they want to keep up with you.

Here is To Working Smarter Not Harder

Blogging has become a favorite for many people online looking to express themselves to others around the world.

What once started out as just a simple past time, has quickly become one of the chosen business models for many to make a living with. Have you thought about adding affiliate programs to your blog?

What are affiliate programs, and how do they work? Many companies who produce products or offer services, could benefit from having other people spread the word about them. They provide you with promotional tools and when you send an interested party their way and a sale is made you get paid a commission for your effort.

There are many types of affiliate programs available such as pay-per-click, pay-per-lead and pay-per-sale.  Using a blog to help promote these types of progams are ideal. But what programs and companies would you like to promote on your blog? The following list shares some tips on getting started with the best matches for you.

Steps to Finding a Quality Program that suits you.

• The most important thing to keep in mind, is the content on your blog. If your blog is about parenting tips, you would not want to be bringing up suggestions for office supplies. The program needs to be something your parent readers would find useful.
• The commission setup is another key factor. Can you get paid on more than one level? Many affiliate programs will pay you to recruit others under you. Once you have people under you, when they promote and make a sale, you also get a percentage of their commission. This makes it more of an incentive to promote, knowing that once you have also added others to your team, you will be able to make more money for doing almost nothing else.
• The best way to convince others that a product or service will benefit them, is by sharing a true experience you have had yourself. If you have not actually tried the product, how can you write an honest review of the product to convince others it is a solid investment. On your blog, you have taken the time to gain the trust of your readers. Keep that trust by only promoting products you believe in.

While there are no shortages of products to promote from sites such as eBay or Amazon, more and more companies are starting up affiliate programs every day. If you have products in mind that you absolutely love and know that you could promote well, find their website online and just look for a link to join their program. You could even contact them if you do not see a link and ask if they are looking for affiliates.

Affiliate Directories

An affiliate directory is one central place where merchants can list their affiliate programs. These types of companies often have more specific rules to follow and may turn you down if you have not had your blog long enough, do not have enough visitors, or do not have suitable blog content.

Many affiliate programs though, do not care how long you have been blogging. If you sign up for their program, they will give you the opportunity to make as much money as you can. Joining these programs is easy, take only a few minutes to fill out their applications, and in most cases you are granted immediate access to their promotional tools so you can get making money right away.

Here’s To Your Success,

My opinion on Arvixe vs. Hostgator has wavered and I will to tell you why.

But first, I want to show you what others are saying. The good, the bad and the ugly. What is the best decision for you with all the facts in front?

See, I was setting up a friends new blog.  I went in to get the $4.00 package for her, but I noticed when you sign up for the $4.00 package you have to sign up for  2 years.  When I first joined Arvixe I paid $4.00 a month signing up for only 1 year.

What was up with that?  Are they changing their policies?

The whole deal threw me off.  I was a bit disappointed because I wanted my friend to have a good deal, but not have to put down $96.oo for 2 years.  An amount she did not have.

Needless to say I was bummed.  I was looking forward to getting her a great deal on hosting. Before I give you my complete review, I want to tell you what other customers have said about Arvixe and Hostgator.

Other Arvixe testimonies:

Here is a Hostgator Review:

I retract my initial review about  Arvixe.  I still use them right now, but when my account runs out I am going to make the switch to Hostgator .

If  you are a newbie to affiliate marketing and you want to use a good hosting company, Hostgator’s  Cpanel is user friendly.  I had trouble with Arvixe’s cpanel freezing up on me ( which I noted in my initial Arvixe Vs. Hostgator post).  At first I thought it was my computer acting up, but after I had bought  Hostgator I found out it was the Arvixe cpanel.

Not reading the new policy of $4.00 per month every 2 years, I did a little more research and found that the prices do rival each other.  Arvixe in some areas the price is a bit better,  but it comes with a frustrating cpanel.

End result… All of my websites will be hosted by Hostgator.

Working Smarter Not Harder!

Google is  one of the most popular search engines on the net.  Google knows the importance of marketing relevant businesses to their users.  They have an advertising program called Google Adsense that helps businesses advertise to the target market and also helps blog owners earn money on their blog.

Are you one of those marketers that aren’t go-getter advertisers. ( Like Me) They are not into direct advertising.  If this is you, Google Adsense is the answer.  Google makes it easy for people with now advertising skills or a fear of advertising to monetize their websites.

Google Adsense Simplified

Google Adsense places targeted ads on your blog.  You fill out information on the Google Adsense sitewhen you site up for a free accoutn.  If your blog is about candle making, you ads will revolve around candle making.  

Google has many features to help content publishers – blog owners like you.  It is as easy as having a search box on your blog.  If you have a search box on your blog, you can use adsense to earn money from readers clicking on the search results from your site and also the web.

Why try Google Adsense?

The most popular use for this style of advertising is for content.  Google places ads on your blog or website that will get noticed.  Google isn’t going to hand out irrelevant advertising.  Their goal as a search engine is to place relevant links in front of their customers.  That is how they make money.  What is great is that you can place these ads where they would best serve your readers.

How You Are Paid

After you are approved by Google and have your account, you can start adding their HTML code to your site.   That is the process simplified.

It is difficult searching for quality PLR.   Who do you turn to?  How do you know they are the right PLR articles for you and your blog?

There are so many PLR businesses on the web selling PLR articles.  Many of these websites claim to send you thousands upon thousands of articles per month with a membership fee.  Are they catering to your needs, so you can cater to the needs of your readers?  Do you send them information on the topics that you need PLR for?  Also, is English their first or third language.

From the PLR sites I have been a part of, no.  If I have a site about dog sweaters, why would I need PLR about bobbleheads?

If you have been in this position, I feel your pain.

Here Are Ways To  Not To Find Quality PLR:

• Not to fall for the first PLR site that you find.
• Do you know where the PLR is coming from – sometimes the PLR content is from over seas where English maybe their 3 language
• Is a monthly membership site
• Are the PLR packages limited or unlimited in the amount they sell

Here Are Ways To Find Quality PLR:

• Check out the PLR author thoroughly
• Check out their other websites or blogs – you can get a good look at what writing quality they will have in their PLR
• Check out blog post reviews on the PLR content website
• See if the author offers free PLR articles or bonuses with their articles- that will give you a sample of how they write
• Make sure there is a real person behind the website
• Do they have a reputable online presence

Work Smarter, Not Harder!

From my own experience, trying to keep up with everyday writing, kids and family has left me with little time to recoup. I need that time to help clear my mind, regain my focus and stick to my goals. I notice when I carry a lot of emotional baggage I cannot write clear or concise.
Private label rights articles allow me to gain that extra 1 hour in my day. All the basic information on a topic is right in front of you to make your own.
Yes, there is a lot of debate whether or not PLR is ethical. Here is a quick video from a PLR writer and businesses owner why PLR is ethical. If you are on the fence about using this, then I would suggest listening to the video before you make up your mind.

Here’s To Working Smarter,

Other Great Reads:

• How To Use PLR
• How Write Articles The Easy Way
• What Is PLR?

Okay to be honest with you I have never sold any advertising space on my main blog.  The reason behind that is because I am trying to draw my visitors to my main website business.  I did not want to take any potential visitors away from my own products.

Depending on how you are setting up your blog, selling advertising from your blog would be a route to consider.  If you are an enterprising blogger, which I know you already are or want to be then you can sell your real estate in an effort to make money.  Start simple and work your way up.

How to get started

Money can be made by selling advertising on your website.  You start by direct advertising.  This takes some gumption, but in order for people to take a chance on your website they need to know you.  Your marketing plans for your blog can take care of that.

Yes, you need a marketing plan if you intend to monetize your blog.  Monetizing your blog takes focus and dedication.  Having a well written marketing plan will help you stay on track.  Plus your potential advertisers are going to want to see your blog and see what you have written.  If your blog message doesn’t jive with them, then they will move on to someone else.  Again we are talking about the big “C” – commitment.  Your potential advertisers are going to want to know if you are going to be around for a year or even 2 years.

Let’s gain a higher visibility and get the ball rolling on more direct advertising.  You need to move beyond your blog.  Visit other blogs that you like.  Get involved in conversations and post comments.  Comment in blog forums that pertain to your blog.  Others are out there trying to do the same thing as you.  Both of you can help each other out.

Market your articles to top article submission sites.  Start establishing yourself as an expert blogger in your field.  Include a link back to your blog so you can gain the traffic you need.  Do not forget to use relevant keywords so that search engines can find you.  Do some keyword research to help you choose the ones that will get you on the first page of the search engines for that particular keyword phrase.

Be picky about what kind of advertisers you choose to have on your site.  Make sure the advertisers you pick are relevant to what your blog is all about.  Just like with backlinks, if you have irrelevant advertising on your site, you could do damage to your image and lose some readers.  Trust me – losing readers is a bad thing.

How to drum up business

Increase your interest in your blog, offer link exchanges.  Some of your readers may take you up on that offer.  As long as you are not in direct competition, this will work well as a fair exchange.  But, this is only the beginning.

You can offer banner ads to advertisers.  Consider how much flash you want and if it will turn your readers on or off.

From there, you can branch out into other ad spaces on your blog page.  The price will depend on where on the page the ad is to be posted.  The best ads will bet the ones that mesh well with your blog topic.  Some offer ad space on the sides leaving the top available for themselves.

It takes more effort to sell direct advertising space on your blog than signing up for a program, but you can set your own prices.  As your blog grows and you add more blogs, that advertising space will become more valuable to you rand others.

To Your Success!

You have started a blog.  Where do you go from here to further earn money from your blog?

Your blog needs to be prepared to earn money.  Your blog needs to balance the need to make money and the need to help out your readers.  When you start a blog it is mostly to inform your readers about your blog niche.  Now your blog needs to be prepared to handle the money making aspect.

Here are some tools to get your blog ready to earn money.

Blog Preparation Tools:

• Submit your blog URL to search engines – If you want to be found by others, it is important to let the search engines know that your site exists.  Once you do, their spiders and bots will crawl your content and headlines to rank you amongst the others.
• Choose your keywords – This is very important in climbing the search engine charts.  You need to have an idea of what your potential visitors are searching for.  You can use keyword software or create a spreadsheet of words that you would use to find a product or service like yours.  The most popular ones are teh ones to use within your content. But there are other options.  You can use keyword phrases also to niche into a smaller audience.  Again, think of combinations of keywords you would use to find yourself.  I would come up with combinations that are 3 words long or more.
• Make it easy for visitors to stay connected to you -  You can set up an RSS feed.  This allows readers to sign up to your blog and be notified when you have posted something new.  Then you can use social media, for example, facebook and twitter to keep you connected.  Social media is also a great way to get your links out.
• Let others know how popular you are – You can do this with a blog log profile.  Here you can show how many fans you have, their names and pictures.  Also, list other blogs and any affiliations you may have so visitors can get to know more about you.

Who knew there were so many things to prepare your blog to start making money?  Don’t get overwhelmed.  Jump in and work on each aspect one day at a time.  You can always go back and tweak your blog over time.  The most important thing is to have your blog registered so the search engines know who you are.

Making money with your blog is in part about making it convenient for your readers to help you out.  starting with the tools above will put you on the right track to financial success.

To Your Success!

If you are a blog, website owner trying to generate a lot of traffic you will be generating a lot of content.  Your readers love a lot of fresh content.  You will also be creating content for hubpages, squidoo lenses, newsletter articles and as a guest on other blogs.

What in the world do you write about?  How in the world do you generate all this content?

Lets take a look at the most logical place to go.  PLR, otherwise known as private rights label.

That is a lot of writing to tackle.  I have 3 active blogs going and a business website.  It is draining and quite difficult for me to keep afloat.

I do use PLR content and it has helped me save time and money.

Private Label Rights

is a concept similar to reselling, but the merchant is permitted to modify the product to fit his or her needs. Typical PLR products are articles, reports, ebooks, and autoresponders. This kind of content is used for the purpose of allowing multiple buyers to invest in the content with free rein to alter and use it by claiming authorship of it. It is typically used in online affiliate marketing systems. ~Wikipedia

So, here is  the question.  Is using private label rights articles ethical?

Yes, it usually is.

When you purchase PLR articles you claim authorship of the article and remember someone else is claiming authorship of the same article.

Does this mean that if you don’t change the article around to fit your voice and not just copy and paste it to your post, ecourse, ebook etc that you are in trouble?  Typically not, but it may bite you later.  Someone else maybe doing the same thing with the same article.  If your readership found out, where does that leave you –  ”Cyber Hot Water”.

Most of the article is written already.  Take 45 minutes to change the article to fit your voice.

I enjoy rewriting the piece to fit my voice and I like to add my stories and experience.  Instead of spending 4 hours on a post where I do everything myself, I spend only 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Here is a video that clearly explains the ethics behind using PLR. This video is from the owner of Easy PLR, Nicole Dean.

When time is of the essence quality PLR sites like Nicole Dean’s Easy PLR a wise way to work smarter. I don’t have all day to come up with blog post ideas and articles. My idea of owning my business is exactly that – owning my own business. Not having my business own me.

If you are looking for flexibility in your business Easy PLR is definitely the way to go.

Work Smarter, Not Harder!

Other Great Reads:

• How To Use PLR
• How To Write Articles The Easy Way
• Filtering Good PLR From The Bad
• Why PLR Works For Me

I have heard of so many bloggers that have been blogging for 4 + years never earn any money on their blog.  It is amazing how many bloggers do not take advantage of this potential money maker.  Maybe they do not know how to earn money, maybe they know how, but are scared to take the first step, or just maybe they have no interest.  Their blog is their baby and it would take away the fun of blogging.  No matter the excuse if you are reading this then you are interested in earning some moolah blogging.

Lets Use Your Blog Skills To Make You Some Money

As a parent of 4 kids, I am interested in making money blogging.  Don’t let anyone tell you it is a piece of cake and don’t let anyone tell you it is a waste of time.  Trying to make money blogging is neither.  Blogging takes the big “C” – commitment.

You have to find your  niche to establish the passion for your blog then you need to work hard to keep the content fresh and alive.

Writing doesn’t come easy to me, but I use the passion for my niche to keep me striving ahead.

We have already established that you are interested in blogging and want to earn money doing it.  If  you already have a blog, you have formed a bond with your readers.  There is a trust developing between you are your readers.  That trust is essential in making money.  Using those blogging skills can be the first step towards increasing your bottom line.

I can definitely vouch that blogging is not easy, but it is doable.  If you are not ready to invest the time it takes to make a blog successful with readers, there is no reason to think about monetizing it.  But, if you are reading this , your are probably ready to take the next step.

Areas You Can Focus Your Blogging Skills

• Guest Blogging – Use the skills that you have developed from working on your own blog and farm yourself out as a guest blogger.  Guest blogging is great, but make sure you don’t hinder your own profits in the process.  Keep guest blogging to one blog at a time so you don’t neglect your own blog.

Offer to guest blog for business associates.  These business associates hold your target readers.  The attention                     that you get from your post can drive traffic to your site, ads, affiliates and so forth.  Also, you can get great                        quality backlinks in the process that will help your blog climb the search engine ranks, increase traffic and                             revenue.

• Blogging Jobs – I have never tried to get a blog job.  I personally would rather invest my time and energy into something that I have created.  But I cannot leave this blog money maker out.  There are always busy bloggers that need an extra hand.  They are looking for other bloggers to help them out.  For the super bloggers, it is hard to manage dozens of blogs on a daily or even weekly basis.  They will need help and that is where you step in.

You can apply for blogging jobs in all areas.  This gives you a chance to stretch your blogging muscles and learn                about a new topic.  The added bonus is that you are getting paid for it.

Remember* – Highlight your own blog in your bio.

How do you find blogging jobs?

Go to a search engine and type in “blogging jobs”.  It cannot get much easier than that.  Search the results and                       you will find a variety of places that need people to help with their blogs.

Here are a couple places to get you started:

• Problogger.com
• Bloggerjobs.biz
• Jobster.com

Finding quality blogging jobs can get you going when your blog is new.

There is more than one way to monetize your blog.  If you love to write and share, you can begin by using your talent to help other bloggers in need and other business associates.

To Your Success!