Using a Blog to sell yourself, or others

Having your own blog not only works in lieu of a website, to advertise your business or sell products, but you can sell for others as well. Online blogging sites, such as WordPress and Blogger, are now a major tool for savvy Internet entrepreneurs to make money.

Although there has been some criticism of the “blogosphere” - as some people will insist on calling it - for being a window on a world of moaning teenagers, the simple truth of the matter is not only are many blogs a more reliable news source than the mass media, they also present the budding businessperson with a way to get money coming through the door. All it requires is a bit of thought, an idea and the motivation to make it happen.

Blogs are easily navigable sites that are equally easy to update. So it is not necessary to have any great knowledge of internet technology to keep one running.

It can be used in one of two ways. You can make your blog a pure information/entertainment site that people will read for the enjoyment of it. A blog with a reputation can attract advertisers, just as any newspaper or magazine can, providing a source of revenue. Or, you can use the blog as a way of promoting a more conventional business.

If your blog gains a reputation for being something that a lot of people read, advertisers may well approach you, or you can approach them offering a not-to-be-missed opportunity to get their product advertising space somewhere people are likely to look. There's also affiliate marketing programs with Internet sites like E-bay and Amazon. This can be enough for an individual to live on, although this is not going to happen instantly.

A blog can also be used like a website to promote yourself, or any number of products that fit the blog's topic. Then all you need is something they are prepared to pay for – and that can be almost literally anything.