Why Our World Would End If Binge Bloggers Disappeared

Strange title, right?  I have a thought process behind it.  What would happen if binge bloggers disappeared?  Would our world end?  Probably not… but it sure would be a boring place to live and breathe.  The world needs us!  Us bloggers who write and spew our personal knowledge all over the web feed the need for making connections with like-minded souls.  Bloggers are constantly sharing information about life, hobbies, products and the pursuit of happiness.  Am I being overly dramatic?

(Me.  Standing in front of a podium).  “Hi.  My name is Sheila, and I’m a blog-aholic”.

 

I’ve recently admitted I have a tendency towards addictive behavior, and blogging feeds my need.  I binge watch Netflix series, HGTV reruns, I binge bake, and since starting my online business, Financial Nest Egg, I’ve become a binge blogger.  Actually, my pup Luther started it all with his blog Paw Paw’s Kitchen.  I have him to blame for fanning the fire of my addiction.  I saw how much fun he was having (and making sales!) I had to get in on the action too!  (He’s pretty upset that I took over the laptop).

But I digress.  Admittedly, I’ve always been a binge writer, and I have a secret for you.  When I was about 8 years old, I would handwrite my favorite paperback westerns, in their entirety…because I loved the actual “act” of writing.  Then I began writing my own stories; this is where the addictive behavior surfaced…

I’m constantly writing – even when I’m not writing!!

… it was somewhere around 1973ish.

This is what happens.  I write and craft stories in my head…ALL THE TIME.  It’s stupid annoying and exhausting.  I “write” in the shower, while (binge) watching TV, while driving, in the middle of conversations, and while sleeping!  And worst of all??  I write in my head while I’m writing something else!  If you’ve read my other posts on writing content, then you already know I’m a hot mess (and always hungry).  And, since I’ve reached the dawning of the age of baby boomerdom – I just have so much to say!  I’ve loosed my monster!  🙂

 

But, here’s where it gets good.  If you work it just right, you can craft a business from all that addictive, crafty blogging!  WHA!!!???  Yes sirs and ma’ams.  You heard it from me.  With this need to binge, we can justify our addiction for the written word!  Who doesn’t love that?  BUT… we can also be blog-artistic and stash a little cash.  Sounds great, doesn’t it?

Let me ask you…
Are you a binge blogger?  Do you have a passion you just HAVE to write about?  Do you believe the world needs you and your content; you can’t stop yourself?  The ideas come fast like bullets?  And the bigger question; are you ready to entertain the idea of earning an income from blogging – it could be just for fun money or serious money, the choice is yours.  And did you know there are tens of thousands of savvy writers who make money by blogging?  I didn’t, until recently.  And I was intrigued.

My first thought was… “how in the world do you make money blogging”?  I just didn’t get it.  I thought it must be some sort of secret underground club where you had to receive an invite into the inner circle.  I could see the sign now.

Of course I’m being facetious, but I really did think it was a well guarded secret.  I’ll share what I found out and I’ll give you a taste on different ways to make money from your blog.  But first, here are some things to consider.

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Can EVERYONE make money from blogging?

Well.  No.

1.  It does require some skill.  At least moderate – we can help with the rest.

We’ve established that you might be a binge blogger; but, are you creative?  Are you true lover of the written word and love to blog?  Will your readers be captivated by your content?  Are you writing about something of interest to others?  Do you have a conversational style or personality that will keep them wanting more…of YOU? Will they want to keep coming back to read the next saga?  Do you love sharing information about yourself and the products you love?  If you said yes to most of my barrage of questions, then you have a phenomenal foundation to build a business and monetize your blog.  Cool, right?  I think so.

And don’t worry.  You don’t have to be perfect.  You just have to be you.  🙂  We’ll show you how to do the rest!

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2.  Do you have a nagging passion you have to write about?

Financially successful binge bloggers write about what they know.  They are passion-driven for their hobby (or particular products) and could think or write about it all day.

If you’re serious about being a blogger (and making money with it), don’t pick a topic you don’t know or understand.  For instance…you LOVE gaming!  You could sit in front of the TV all day doing it.  But you know nothing about the gaming industry.  Don’t pick it!  Just because you love gaming doesn’t mean you know the industry.  Make sense?

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And remember this… the brain DOES NOT LIKE boring.  When you have love and knowledge for your topic, it’s easy to keep your blog fun and engaging.  It doesn’t matter what you blog about, it’s how you blog about it.

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3.  It will require time and patience.  Can you commit?

Just know this.  If you’re already a binge blogger – it’s about to get worse!  In a good way.  Do you have the time to post and blog consistently?  Keeping fresh content is what will drive your readership and keep your blog active.  You must be attentive to your passion, to yourself and to your readers.  And this is a biggie; do you have patience.  If I hear one more “get rich quick” scheme, I might hurl.  People.  This is not a scheme or scam.  What it is, is hard work and dedication. It’s a real business opportunity.  That’s why if you don’t love it (blogging)… don’t bother.

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4.  Do you love social media and making those connections?

 

This one was a toughie for me.  I found myself spending way too much time on social networks – so I had put myself on restriction some time ago, but now I’m back and focused.  Read my fun post about it here, I titled the blog “Stick Ball, Kick the Can, and Other Social Media”.  LOL!!  I promise it will make you smile and bring back some great memories of your childhood friendships and social interactions.

Socializing is critical if you want to develop a successful blog.  Blogging has two functions really; one) just personal (like an on-line diary) and two)  a free-for all, everyone come on in and sit down, type of atmosphere.  Of course, I prefer #2.  Social networking is like entertaining at home; you invite friends from all different backgrounds and interests, you talk, engage and enjoy each others company.  You bring like-minded individuals (communities) together.  Cool.

You want your visitors to respond and interact on your blogs too.  That’s the fun part!  Now… make sure you make time to respond, connect and make new friendships and hopefully new customers.  🙂

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Do you love to research?

Take me for example.  I love to research.  Those of you who know me, know that I’m nosey and inquisitive – plus I want to smart about how I spend my money.  Then I get to share what I learn with people interested in the same thing.  Let me explain how it all works…

Before I bought this new laptop I did some major research.  I, on purpose, looked for third-party reviews about laptops.  I read review after review and blog after blog, searching for the perfect one.  Guess what?  I found it.  How?  A blogger out there with a love for computers presented his reviews in a way that was fun, engaging, and written in laymen’s terms I could understand.  He also had great graphics and side-by-side comparisons.

Wanna know what happened next?  When I found the laptop I wanted, I clicked on a link inside his website – it took me to their affiliate (Amazon) and I bought it.  You know what else happened?  They got a commission from my purchase and I didn’t have to pay any additional fees.  WHAT???  THAT’S F’N BRILLIANT!

Do the research, blog about it, make connections, make a commission.  That’s when my head blew up.  I could do that.

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Okay.  Stick with me… I hear you loud and clear!

You don’t have a blog, but always wanted one.

Let’s talk about that.  Most of the stuff I wrote above is for those blogging already but want MORE.  (aka already addicted)  🙂

Then there’s you, the newbie wanna-be binge blogger!  You want that first rush.  Let me help with that – and no I’m not a pusher.  I am merely a guide to help you through your first experimentations.  LOL!

What do you need?  It’s simple.

• A website for your blog (I love WordPress) – choose from a TON of free WordPress Themes
• A hosting platform (check out our hosting here)
• A niche or topic you’re passionate about
• Time & energy

If you’ve always wanted to start a blog and don’t currently have one, check out this quickie training video.  It will give you idea of what’s involved, it will have you up and running a short order, and it’s free to get started.

Take time to watch it.  It won’t bite.  I did it.  Oh boy.  My hubby thought I was nuts!!  But here I am…bloggified.

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SEE!  That wasn’t so scary, was it.

As an aside… if you’re looking for a topic, here’s one I’d love to see.  I use to work at Cabela’s, an outdoor hunting and fishing store (man, I loved that gig).  I would love to see a blog about beginner competition archery.  That would be SO COOL!  I’d read that!

Yeah, baby.  I maybe “old”, but I still got decent eyesight!

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But how do I make money?

Okay.  So I’ve finally arrived to the big question.  Just how DO you make money?

Now matter how you slice it, there are really only three ways to make money online:

1. Sell your own products (your blood, sweat and tears) (higher out of pocket costs) which is fine, if that’s your passion.  OR…
2. Perform a service
   1. E-books
   2. Tutorials
   3. Webinar Video Classroom Instructions (all highly profitable)
3. Sell other peoples products (affiliate marketing) (no out of pocket costs)
   1. Sky’s the limit on products you can offer within your topic

Me?  I prefer to use affiliates that I know and trust.  Amazon is a biggie in the market, but there are so many others in all markets.  Quite frankly, it depends on your topic or hobby (read my blog here about how to choose a niche).  I always say look for reputable businesses with a solid market and retail structure then see if they offer an affiliate program.  You also want to research commission percentages.

I know you’re wondering, so let me be transparent for a minute.  I’m naked here, folks!  My website works two-fold.  I promote Wealthy Affiliate because I love helping people learn how to upstart or grow an online business and I LOVE their concept – it’s brilliant.  I also promote products on Amazon because I like to diversify my research, information and product options.  This way I earn two streams of income instead of just one.  It’s fun for me to think outside the box and see how I many ways I can profit with the most efficient amount of effort.  Yep.  You know me.  Work smart – not hard.

Remember I mentioned Cabela’s a moment ago?  I was serious about someone starting a profit blog about archery.  Cabela’s has an awesome affiliate program.  Hey you outdoor sports nut… check THAT out.  I’m just sayin.

Gather ’round binge blogger

Now.  That’s pretty much all I set out to say today.  If you have any further questions about all of this banter, please leave me a comment below.  I’d love to hear from you.  If you’re a go-getter, I expect I’ll see you inside Wealthy Affiliate, because I hope you hop in there and at least check it out.  (Click on my profile if you want – I’m in there).  🙂

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Okay, people.  Time to come full circle with my main objective – my rhetorical statement.

Why Our World Would End If Binge Bloggers Disappeared

Now do you see where I’m coming from?  Now do you understand the full force nature of blogging potential?  It’s about sharing your passion.  It’s about sharing products you love.  It’s about telling compelling stories.  People around the world love stories.  I say, give the people what they want!

Here’s the compelling end to this story; If you want to profit from your binge blogging, keep the following short sentence forever in your brain …

People don’t invest in your business – they invest in YOU.  They invest in your STORY.

So.  What’s YOUR story? 🙂

Come on in and let’s talk about it.

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Until next time…