Over the past few years, the virtual world has become crammed with blogs.
As it gets easier for web users to create and own their own blogging sites, so the number of sites has increased dramatically.
It can be confusing to know where to start when it comes to setting up your own blog, and knowing what to do to make it a success.
Despite the huge influx of blogs on the net, it is still possible to make an income from this niche.
Blogging is not an overnight meal ticket to millions of dollars.
Rather, it is something which will probably start out as a hobby in your spare time (that’s how I started), and gradually become an addiction which you can continue to grow until it starts to earn you steady revenue. With patience and practice blogging can not only be hugely rewarding, but also lucrative.
That said, there are some blogs which have managed to harness the power of the net to earn a fantastic income.
Here’s the low-down on some of the best out there…
One of the most influential blogs out there, The Huffington Post delivers news across America as it breaks, with superb guest bloggers and a great layout.
TechCrunch was founded in 2005, started as a blog dedicated to profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies. In addition to covering new companies, they also profile existing companies that are making an impact (commercial and/or cultural) on the new web space. It has now grown into a network of technology-focused sites offering a wide range of content and new media.
Gizmodo provides reviews of gadgets and gizmos, inviting input from customers who have used specific gadgets. It is well-written and useful, letting people rate entries and offer contributions to the site.
Mashable is the foremost social media news and web tip blog. With more than 15 million monthly pageviews, it is the most prolific blog reviewing new Web sites and services, publishing breaking news on what’s new on the web and offering social media resources and guides. Mashable’s audience includes early adopters, social media enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, influencers, brands and corporations, marketing, PR and advertising agencies, Web 2.0 aficionados and technology journalists.
Boing Boing describes itself as a ‘directory of wonderful things’. It collates interesting information, offers social commentary and elicits input from people all over the world to add to the directory. It’s a great way of passing some time in your lunch hour! Features cover things like gadgets, photographs, weird news, sport and politics.
No-one can resist the allure of celebrity gossip, and TMZ delivers that in bucket loads. This is the place to go for images of your favourite celebrities, news and events relating to Hollywood, and all things entertainment.
Described as ‘celebrity, sex and fashion’, Jezebel is a site dedicated to women of all ages. It covers everything the modern woman needs to know about vacuous subjects, delivered with flair. Written by a host of guest bloggers, the site features a fair amount of gossip, photos of celebrities and articles.
It’s worth taking some time out to see what these blogs have that bring them the widest global readership, and picking up some tips!
What blogs do you think ‘make it work’? Please share you views in the comments below.
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Thank you Andrew for your patience in getting my website and on-line courses on-line and selling. You were fantastic in learning the delivery platform software that I had chosen and you were across the complexities quickly. Your detailed approach in setting guidelines and deliverables bought my focus back to where it should be and got the job done. Thank you for all your efforts it was a pleasure.
Andrew is an asset to our ongoing website and social media needs. He responds quickly, accurately, and cost effectively. Andrew plays a consultative role in many aspects to our online needs.
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Andrew
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am very happy to provide a testimonial for Andrew Rondeau. All the parts of
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I have been online since 1996 and in that time I have been involved in the development of almost 400 web sites for my clients. I have worked with a wide variety of vendors and I have to tell you that Andrew @ We Build Your Blog has far exceeded my expectations. In addition to his vast knowledge and expertise, he is a genuinely great guy, who always goes the extra mile. I highly recommend him, in fact I only recommend him now for web development.
Andrew is highly knowledgeable about blogs and very customer service focused. I knew nothing about blogs and Andrew was very kind, patient, pleasant to work with, receptive and responsive. Work was delivered in timely manner and if I need anything done for blog again I would use Andrew. If you are looking for quality work, excellent customer service and someone that really gets YOU and your needs, I recommend Andrew!.
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The best blog builder, and the best blog maintenance, I've ever met is Andrew Rondeau. This fellow is an authentic professional in every sense of the word. He's lightning fast, knowledgeable, competent, a skilled listener. He goes the extra mile. He's able to share his passion for his work and products without being pushy. He as other great internet skills, too, but his most impressive attribute is mastery of website building.
Having worked with Andrew on and off over the last year, I have found him to be very patient, helpful and easy to work with. He is also very knowledgeable, supportive and a true expert.
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I was introduced to Andrew by a dear friend Corinne Edwards and Andrew as transformed by blog in ways that have reaped results. My membership has gone up and my blog always looks clean and easy to read. Whenever I send Andrew a request to check out - it's ALWAYS prompt and easy to understand. In my humble opinion he is the BEST when it comes to knowledge of the blogging world.
I happened to stumble upon Andrew's website (WeBuildYourBlog.com) while searching for blogging services that would help me start my very own blog. I was a total newbie when it came to the blogging world. Fast forward 3 months and not only do I have my own awesome blog, but friends and family are actually asking me how to start their own blog and I am able to set their blogs up for them! In only 3 months under Andrew's guidance I went from total newbie to being sought after. Thanks Andrew!
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Hi, Andrew Rondeau here and this blog, my blog, will not lie to you. I will give it to you straight.This blog is about blogging, the Internet and sharing my experiences and advice on
I doubt I’ll ever get as big as these guys, but I do believe that every blogger has something to offer that is unique. If you can really cultivate your uniqueness and market it well, there’s no telling how far you can go.
But as you say it doesn’t happen overnight and it requires long hours of hard work and dedicated perseverance in the face of setbacks and adversity. Blogging can be a real character building activity.
.-= Blog Angel a.k.a. Joella´s last blog ..Comments Are The Pebbles You Toss In The Pond =-.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Hey Blog Angel,
I like what you say!
It’s a matter of each blogger knowing they have something unique to offer because you are right – we all have something unique to offer.
Let’s hope we do get as big as these guys!
Here’s to YOU!
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..blogging guide =-.
Great blog!!
Yes, you will not make millions over night or in a lifetime, unless you are one of the top… so you have to love doing it and not get discouraged if only a few dollars trickle in each month!
.-= Julie-Inspired to Write´s last blog ..Bandwagon Fan or Home Team Spirit? =-.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Julie,
Spot on! Hard work for a few dollars…at first. Eventually momentum kicks in and you begin to make a little more.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Blogging Advice =-.
I find it so hard to find that uniqueness to blog about, there is something that are not taught in the ebook and blogging course. every “guru” is saying “write something different” . As a newbie, this is my struggle
.-= David@fatlosstips´s last blog ..3 Best Diet Plan to Lose Belly Fats Quickly =-.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
David
You are right, It’s easy to say ‘just be yourself’ or ‘be unique’.
How can you get your blog post points across differently than others?
Can you use personal stories or comparing fat loss with divorce (just an example) or talk about famous people or…
Then you have videos, audios, interviews, games, quizzes, contests…
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Blog Set Up =-.
It’s funny and amazing how Mashable has grown into 15 million views a month. I read about Pete Cashmore starting out by posting everything himself, up to 12 posts per day out of his student room in remote Scotland somewhere. Well done to him and all the other bloggers!
.-= Jorgen Sundberg´s last blog ..Should my Personal Brand be my Face or a Logo? =-.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Jorgen
What you say proves it does take hard work to be successful. There is no easy way!
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Blogging Advice: Top 10 Errors In Blogging =-.
I think the sites that make it work are those who focus on very popular niches and are providing content that is understandable, sexy, and always fresh.
.-= Julius´s last blog ..Assistive Technologies for Persons with Dyslexia =-.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Julius,
And that is being unique, isn’t it? Rather than the smae old stuff.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Scammed By A Customer? =-.
This is a really interesting post.
It has given us all something to think about. Now let’s try and get there ourselves!
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Jen,
Try?
I’d rather you said. “Now let’s get there ourselves!”.
Love ya!
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..blogging guide =-.
David wrote, every “guru” is saying “write something different”.
To each and every one of them, I respond “you first.”
.-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..Name My Blog Network – Win $10 or Ad Space! =-.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Dennis
YOU are the unique one!
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Scammed By A Customer? =-.
LOL Thanks.
I just meant they should try it before preaching it; don’t get me stared…
.-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..6 Blogs – 6 Blog Themes. All the Same or All Different? It’s a Branding Issue… =-.
I am so excited to be back at your blog once again! Awesome list. I haven’t heard of some of these blogs. I’m definitely going to have to check them out and get some tips from them.
You are a major reason that my blog has blossomed as it has. Thank you Andrew!
.-= Gerlaine Reliford´s last blog ..Returning to the Dream =-.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Gerlaine,
It’s great to have you back!
Kind words – thanks.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..How To Sell Your Product Online =-.
Thanks for your word of encouragement on blogging, lots of people believe blog is one of the best way of making quick income online, which lead some people to jump to blogging and they find it very difficult. Only people who are patience and practice blogging can make money from it.
Hi Andrew,
Blogging is not an easy task as per my opinion. Who can earn millions from blogging in short time?
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Jesica
No-one can!
And no-one other than scammers say it is easy.
Andrew
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Today, blogging has become one of the most interesting part of the web. The benefit of blogging is to offer the content in any area you are interested in to gather the community of the people for area your blog is on.
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