June 30 , 2007 
Blogging is the easiest way to create web content and maintain a website.
Actually, a blog is a content management system, where the technique is already in place. All you really have to do is fill the system with content.
Until last April, I only used my Affordable Internet Marketing Blog as a traffic generator for this website.
I didn't post to it that much, but one day, while I was preparing a new message, I realised that it's so easy to use a blog for content websites. That's why I focused on it and increased the number of messages from that day on.
Blogging is so easy.
Once installed, there's no easier way to create content than using a blog. No HTML is required (although knowing a little isn't bad).
What you do to create your posts is just log in at your blog, create a title, enter the body, type a few important keywords, select the category where you want post this content in and publish the darned thing.
Here's a little screen shot (click to enlarge).
Why you must host your own blog.
Two months ago I showed you "How To Create Your Own Blog In Just Three Minutes (Or Less!)". That's an easy way to gain experience with blogging. It doesn't cost you money, just your time. A great way to learn how blogs work.
But in the past many people lost their blogs that were hosted at blogger.com, just because Google didn't like them for some reason (not enough valuable content?).
That's why it is vital to host your own blog, so you are in complete control.
It also gives you more flexibility as to lay-out and options that you want to use.
Personally I'm a big fan of Wordpress, since this blogging software is free and so widely spread, that there are tons and tons of extra (free) options available (called plugins), that you can download and install in a matter of minutes.
Monetizing Blogs.
I also looked into ways to monetize my blog.
For me, Adsense is no option, because the ads are too intrusive on my blog. Besides that, since it's in the Internet marketing niche (which isn't actually a niche, it's a universe), people are 'ad-blind' and don't click on the obvious commercial messages anymore.
But there are many other ways to make money from your blogs: selling links, paid reviews and, a biggie, affiliate marketing. And they work perfectly well with blogging.
Web 2.0 Integration
Blogs easily integrate with Web 2.0 applications. Last month we talked about "Web 2.0: Why You Can't Afford Missing This HUGE Opportunity". You can download my free Web 2.0 report there, remember? That was meant to make you aware of all the opportunities that Web 2.0 applications provide.
One of them is integration with blogs. It's so easy, since there are many plugins that you can use to add your blog to Web 2.0 sites. All you have to do is register at these sites and slowly start building your network of friends to generate traffic to your blog.
Blog Preparation
When your blog is set up, all you need to do is add valuable content to it.
But before that, you'll have to find your niche. I already gave you a great resource to do that job perfectly: NicheInspector by Myleena Phan.
Once you have found your niche, you also have found the categories in which your niche can be subdivided. That's important, because you will file your content at your blog under these categories.
Now, you're ready to install your own blog.
First, you have to get your own domain name that has your main keyword in it. I use 000domains for domain name registration, a little bit more expensive than others, but very reliable. If you want to go a cheaper route, then try out Willie Crawford's domain registration service.
Next, you'll need a hosting company. I recommend Dreamhost, where you can host as many domain names as you want with tons of space and bandwidth available. They have a 'one-click' install procedure for Wordpress blogs, database installation included. Many hosting companies have such a feature, but I'm quite satisfied with Dreamhost, since their support is very helpful and fast.
So, with a domain name and a hosting service selected, all you have to do is use the one click install for your Wordpress blog and you're on your way.
You now have to select a theme (Wordpress has many available), add your categories and set a lot of standard variables.
Then you're ready to blog!
Blogging Help.
There's a great resource to learn how to blog for profit. It's Yaro Starak's membership site BlogMastermind.
Yaro is an experienced blogger, earning $5,000.00 + per month, blogging part-time!
Now, before you get too excited, that does not happen in one week or one month. It takes time to get there, but it's very 'do-able'. Yaro explains exactly how. Here's a short video of what's inside BlogMastermind.
As an extra incentive, if you sign up there, I will personally help you getting started. Just contact me and send me a copy of your registration and I will help you install your Wordpress blog, showing which plugins to use, which variables to set and how to search engine optimize your blog.
If you're not ready yet to join that site, which I highly recommend, why don't you check out his free ebook Blog Profits Blueprint first. Thus you can see the quality of Yaro's work and what you can expect inside his membership site.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your own blog now!
As a recap, here are the steps to take:
- Find your niche. Download NicheInspector
- Register a domain name with keyword: 000domains or Willie Crawford's domain registration
- Sign up for hosting at Dreamhost
- Register at BlogMastermind or download Blog Profits Blueprint first.
Wishing you success,
PS
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