We’ve just finished the 3rd webinar in a WebDesign.com 3-part series with guest instructor Chris Garrett. The focus of the series was “how to make money with your blog/site”. As the co-author of the book PROBLOGGER: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income, Chris is particularly qualified to lead this series.
Based on participant feedback, Chris over-delivered (and then some)! Thank you, Chris!
In case you missed this final webinar, here are some notes from today’s session.
You can also view the notes from Part1 and Part 2 for a little background.
If you’re a member of WebDesign.com, you can view the replays in your members area.
Part 1 Replay – Build Audience and Traffic With Your Blog
Part 2 Replay – How to Build a Sticky Blog
Part 3 Replay – How to Monetize Your Blog [replay coming soon]
Webinar #3: How to Monetize Your Blog
Perhaps the strongest point Chris made throughout the webinar is that having a profitable blog isn’t just about the money, or instant cash. You have to think long term and focus on building your reputation as someone who is trustworthy AND helpful.
Chris identified two primary ways to make money with your blog:
- Direct Monetization – such as AdSense, Paid Links, etc. (Chris was not an advocate of this method, or of focusing most of your time here. He did recommend a plugin called “Who Sees Ads” if you are going to use ads to generate income.)
- Indirect Monetization – where you don’t make money from the site itself, but rather from selling services, products, etc. to people who visit the site.
One of the key distinctions is that the Indirect Monetization method does not require as much traffic as the Direct methods when you are using products such as AdSense and getting only pennies per click.
In the graphic below, Chris shared the different ways in which he makes money with his blog. He was quick to point out that this is HIS way of doing it based on his experience and expertise. You may use some of the same methods, but will put them together in a unique way or in different ratios.
Trust is an imperative when you are using your blog as a financial asset. Your readers & visitors come to your site because they believe you have worthwhile knowledge to share, and because they trust you will tell them the truth and not misrepresent yourself or others.
Readers are smart. They can tell if you’re being smarmy or just going for the quick cash. If you violate that trust, they will go away – and perhaps take people with them.
What’s the best way to build trust and authority? Add Value!
When you add value, you are letting people know what you have for them and how it helps solve a problem they have identified for themselves. That doesn’t mean the only thing you talk about are your own products or services. To really add value, you need to think about what the reader really needs, and help them find it. Sometimes that means endorsing someone else’s products or services. (Just make sure you can really stand behind your endorsement. If not, the trust gets broken.)
Chris also provided a lot of detail about how to use Content Marketing as a strategy to build your list and grow your revenue.
Chris also shared what is most important when using email autoresponders, how to use a webinar launch process as a revenue generator, and what – exactly – you need to tell others in your “sales pitch.”
To get the full scope of Chris Garrett’s message, you’ll want to watch the entire webinar!
If you are a WebDesign.com member, you can access the replay in your member area.
At last report, there are around 180 hours of webinars and training available to members.!
If you’re not a member yet, you can register and gain instant access to ALL the recordings at WebDesign.com.
On Wed. February 16th,
