Blogging can make money for you in and of itself, but usually it is best when combined with other techniques such as affiliate marketing and selling your own products.
“Blog” stands for “web log”, or an online record of your activities and other things you want to share. Many personal blogs act as public diaries where a blogger can record their emotions and get feedback from the community. There are also marketing blogs, which are constructed solely for the purpose of promoting and selling various products and services.
If you have a personal blog which is intended not for business, but for your feelings and thoughts, then you may want to consider adding a “donation” feature. You might be surprised at the generosity of people who find your blog posts – and even you, by extension – interesting. It won’t be much, but it is something.
Of course, the big money in blogging comes from selling products and services. You can use your blog as a canvas for your affiliate links.
Depending on the type of blog you are keeping, you will need to balance the business side and the personal, emotional side.
Here’s something to remember: privacy on blogs is an illusion. Don’t ever think that the stuff you put on your blog (or social networking sites, for that matter) won’t be known by undesirable parties. Also, be prepared to face flaming and trolling from the public, as there will always be people who do not know how to express their criticism properly. Ironically, that which was meant to record your emotions and thoughts can become an emotional rollercoaster in itself.
Be careful when sharing personal information on your blog, by which we mean your ID numbers and real-world address. Any chance to become a celebrity also means that there is a chance that you will be targeted by stalkers, thieves, and other ill-wishers.
Recommended blogging platforms:
Wordpress (hosted) – www.wordpress.com
Wordpress (self-hosted) – www.wordpress.org
Blogger – www.blogger.com