There are a lot of sites out there that claim they can teach you how to make money as a blogger. They sound really alluring: “Make money from home writing about what you love,” etc etc etc.
They make it sound as if all you need to do is post a few advertisements on your blog and presto, people will just be handing you money.
In truth what they are doing is finding a way to make money for themselves. Once you are reading their blog all you can think about is advertisements. You want to check them out. And usually these sites just have ads that claim, in even more extravagant means, that a person can make money just by blogging, and this makes you even more anxious to click them. Who pockets the money in this scheme, you or them? (Hopefully me).
It’s not to say that people can’t make money blogging. Indeed, some people do. I’m a big fan of bloggers like Jason Kotke. I wish I could compete on their level and make money doing this.
But it’s hard enough making it in the world of traditional media. The blogosphere is a muddle right now. To try and break through to become a world famous blogger isn’t as easy as taking the advice of some blog itself.
Yes, blogging can be a business, but it can’t be a part-time business. Blogs that win webby awards aren’t the products of 20 somethings in college with time to spare. They are the well thought out results of many writers doing lots of research.
Don’t get suckered into looking at those blogs that claim to teach you how to blog, and don’t click their advertisements. — p.s. No links in this post because I’m lazy today, it’s Sunday and it just started snowing in NY.
David,
I only know one professional blogger, the creator of Health Diaries, a woman who prefers not to have her name in print. Other professional bloggers I know, like Tim Boucher who runs Pop Occulture, make money but not enough to pay the rent, let alone food and health insurance.
I agree with your assessment that folks selling how-to-blog-professionally are the real professionals. But, that’s the history of opportunity and technological advancements. In the Gold Rush of 1849, the prospectors came in droves. Those that got wealthy sold to the droves.
However, those selling get-rich-blogging kits NOW are the third generation of these prospectors. People like Mark Joyner, the grand-daddy of this category, stopped selling to the masses and has gone increasingly towards coaching existing businessmen. His last book and next book are by Wiley Press, a respected business press.
Others that have been in the racket for 10 years have similar stories–they developed skills and have taken these skills into bigger opportunities–Like selling golf videos or Elvis trivia and special recordings.
I’ve been studing the evolving craft of persuasion and so I’m up on the category a little bit.
And, the category is going mass. Have you read The Game by Neal Strauss (sp?)? This book is about speed seduction, an Internet subculture that has found practical non-monied applications for techniques developed by the same folks who started the blog-for-money category. The book is on the NYT best-seller list.
I’m interested in how access to technology has changed “intelligence professions” that used to be based on secret knowledge like poker, magic and animal husbandry. Okay, animal husbandry isn’t really based on secret knowledge, but access to breeding animals has been changed by the Internet. Breeding brokers are no longer needed. Just like there used to be rare book sales people–folks who are rarely making a full time living any more because the Internet has allowed a newbie to find what their looking for, a SEARCH THAT USED TO REQUIRE A PROFESSIONAL.
I’m babbling on your blog. Please forgive me. By chance, are you a Bill Hicks fan? I have an audio of Bill performing 1-week after his final Letterman cancelation, a recording that was essentially lost until last year. If you are interested, please let me know. Maybe Wired would be interested in sharing this audio with its readers.
Is there a bigger cult hero of the Internet than Bill Hicks? Bill Hicks is more famous now then when he was alive. Google him or enter his name on eBay.
Here’s a fella that seems to know what he’s doing:
http://www.problogger.net
This guy makes really good money from his blogging adventures (of course he has like 20+ blogs)
He does provide great and free info on blogging if you’re interested. He seems like a stand-up guy and his information is pretty good. I visit it often.
Take care David!
Vic