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.
Jezebel
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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Andrew is a website builder and helps small businesses with their on-line presence…so they can grow their customer list and increase sales. That’s it! That’s what we do each and every day.
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 =-.
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 =-.
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 =-.
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 =-.
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? =-.
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 =-.
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? =-.
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 =-.
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! =-.
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 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 =-.
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!
Jen,
Try?
I’d rather you said. “Now let’s get there ourselves!”.
Love ya!
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..blogging guide =-.
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 =-.
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?
Jesica
No-one can!
And no-one other than scammers say it is easy.
Andrew
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.