From time to time I take Guest Posts from different writers. Today Jennifer Bell is going to write about making money blogging. A topic I know a little about and have had some success with over the years.

Blogging: A Money-making Hobby

Why have so many turned to blogging? Why have so many decided that blogging will be their means of supplementing their income? More importantly, why have so many decided to lay claim to their own business where minimal overhead and low costs are the rule of the day? Well, the fact is, blogging is quite simply the easiest way to start your own internet business and because it requires minimal investment, everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon. Some see their blogging as their primary source of income, some see it as a pastime and hobby and yet others see it as a way to pay some of their bills. However, is it as simple as just starting a blog and watching the money roll in? Is someone guaranteed that once they start a blog, that it will bear fruit?

Is Blogging Revenue Guaranteed?

Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple. In fact, like anything worth doing, blogging takes time, patience, practice and perseverance. Yes, money can be made blogging, but to assume that it’s easy, would be a serious error in judgment. One simply can’t assume that blogging is a guarantee of future wealth. How hard is blogging? Well, when one considers that almost 9 out of 10 blogs fail, or are abandoned by their owner, it’s pretty fair to assume that blogging isn’t all that easy. So, why do some fail where others succeed?

Secret to Success

To answer this aforementioned question means to understand the passion needed for blogging to be successful. One must have the will and drive to share what they know with those willing to listen, or in this case, read. For blogging to succeed means it must be enjoyable for the blogger and the reader. The blogger must derive some satisfaction from the action of sharing their ideas, opinions, concerns and beliefs. In this case, most successful blogs start out by asserting their passion for their subject matter. The author’s passion is definitive, quantifiable and relatable. Visitors can sense that drive and interest on the part of the blogger and can easily decipher who is ultimately in it for a quick buck and who is committed to their subject matter.

Importance of Long-Term Commitment

Blogs that do well are ones that are in it for the long-haul. While it’s not imperative that one update the blog every day, it is ideal to be committed to a schedule of updating that blog. A good rule of thumb is to update that blog at least once a week. More is better and if you can update it daily, then all the power to you. Define your commitment and stick to your plan.

Start first with your passion. Commit to long-term goals and be consistent in updating your blog. Finally, when looking to earn revenue from your blog, explore your options and be open to using multiple revenue sources. Blogging can work if, and only if, one starts with a passion for their subject matter.

This guest article was contributed by Jennifer Bell from Health Training Guide. Jennifer is a freelance writer and mother of 2 based in Los Angeles, CA. Check out her site to learn more about medical administrative assistant training and other exciting health careers.

Above photo credit: Cheon Fong Liew

I buy a ton of stuff from Amazon.com. If you do please buy through our links and help support BenSpark.com. Thank you.

Copyright (c) 2010 Blog Consultant, Photo-A-Day Photographer & Daddy Blogger - BenSpark.com - Everyday Pictures... Every... Day

Blogging: A Money-making Hobby

Starting this Sunday I’ve got a new job. Yes, I said Sunday. that is not a typo as I am prone to do. For the past few months I’ve been patiently waiting to get the official word about this change to my life. I decided that I would like to work weekend nights for a number of reasons.

More Time at Home: As a Dad who is very involved in the life of his daughter it kills me to be away from her. I have a little note that I keep on my desk (written by Allison but spoken by Eva) that states, “Daddy I miss You, You are So Far Away”. I get calls from Eva in the morning where Eva asked Allison to call me because she was missing me. It breaks my heart getting those calls and not being able to be home.

More Time to Work with Clients: When working a 9-5 job there is only so much time that you have to be home with family and work another part time job. The way that things have been going in this department hasn’t been great. I get home from work, play with Eva for a few hours then dinner and then get Eva ready for bed. Once she is out I hop on the computer. The amount of time that Allison and I have had together has gotten reduced to weekends and a scant couple of hours before bed. So having time that I can work on client projects each day or on a specific day would be better. That way they would know that there were specific times that they could reach me and I would know that it was time to do that work each week.

More Money: We’re buying a house, getting out of debt and I recently paid $43.00 to fill up my dang CIVIC! Effectively the money is like having a part time job on top of my full time job. Shift Diff nice!

So I’ll soon be working Friday 7pm – Saturday 7am, repeat Saturday to Sunday, repeat Sunday to Monday. So from Monday to Friday I’ll be home. Effectively I will be a Stay at Home Dad who happens to have a Full-Time job in an office.

Changes that you might be seeing on this blog because there will be changes in my life.

Posts about Exercise: I’ll have no more excuses for not getting my butt out there and losing it.

Posts about Crafting: I want to do craft projects with Eva so I’ll be trolling craft blogs for ideas.

Posts about Food: I’ll be more involved in what we are eating in the house. when we move we’ll have a nice big kitchen so I think that Eva’s going to be learning more about cooking from Allison and me.

Posts about Yardwork, Gardening, Home Ownership: Well, we are buying a house, closing is at the end of June so these might not be till July. However, I am going to learn much about these topics before that.

Return of the Wired Kayaker: this has more to do with the house but I’ll have a garage to store my kayak and stuff so I’ll get a chance to get back out in the water

Podcast? I might start my own podcast. That is still in the air.

So, if you had five days off in a row, what would you do with the time?

I buy a ton of stuff from Amazon.com. If you do please buy through our links and help support BenSpark.com. Thank you.

Copyright (c) 2010 Blog Consultant, Photo-A-Day Photographer & Daddy Blogger - BenSpark.com - Everyday Pictures... Every... Day

Part Time Stay At Home Dad

My friend Murray Newlands is awesome. He has just sent me an e=-mail about a contest. I hope that you’ve already downloaded the eBook, How to Make a Blog Book, did you know that I am in it? I am.

He’s running a contest for people who have downloaded the book. IF you blog about the book you could possibly win. The prize is 100 pounds paid to your paypal account. So that will be a big boon to the winner in the USA because the pound is stronger.

So post about the book and e-mail Murray and you can win.

Murray is also offering a Free Twitter Tool called http://marketmesuite.com/ , it is a great tool for twitter marketing for business. And if you blog about it before the end of February you can get a free one year license. Nice!

I buy a ton of stuff from Amazon.com. If you do please buy through our links and help support BenSpark.com. Thank you.

Copyright (c) 2010 Blog Consultant, Photo-A-Day Photographer & Daddy Blogger - BenSpark.com - Everyday Pictures... Every... Day

Murray Newlands is hosting a Blog Contest and Free Twitter Tool offer

Today I went to Morin’s for the monthly meeting of the Southern New England Media Makers. the format of the event if you have never been to one, is that there is time for people to gather and discuss and network. then a roll call is taken, usually on video. After video roll is done then we either order food or have the buffet (both are great choices). then we each have a few minutes to go into what we are doing in the way of making media. Sometimes that gets recorded as well. Today I recorded everyone doing their intros. There were seven of us in attendance today including Bruce K Garber (@brucekgarber), Steve Sherlock (@shersteve), Jeff Galsson (@jeffglasson), Kyle MacNaught (@kylemacnaught), Amanda MacArthur (@amaaanda), Patrick Hughes (@eastofprov) and me (@BenSpark). Here is the video where we each talk about what we are up to.

The great thing about a group like this is the chance to exchange ideas with people who “get you”. There are some awesome ideas coming out of this group. I’m so glad I found a group like this local to me.

I also brought one of my pocket XShots with me to give away. Bruce K Garber won it with a business card blind pick.

I buy a ton of stuff from Amazon.com. If you do please buy through our links and help support BenSpark.com. Thank you.

Copyright (c) 2010 Blog Consultant, Photo-A-Day Photographer & Daddy Blogger - BenSpark.com - Everyday Pictures... Every... Day

Southern New England Media Makers 12/19/10

That’s right, I am featured in a book. Me, a simple photo, daddy, review and lifestyle blogger. Murray approached me about participating in this book a while back and when he contacted me to tell me that it was time to let people know about his new book the How to Make a Blog Book, I was more than happy to do so. Murray is a guy who has never not helped promote people. He even wore one of my shirts around SeaWorld and got a ton of funny poses to help promote me and my new brand. The guy is awesome and he attracts awesome people to himself and then shares them with you.

Murray Newlands and Me at Blog World Expo

Murray Newlands is one of those guys who just gives. When I first met him in 2009 at Affiliate Summit East he gave me advice that stuck with me for years and has helped me improve my blogging. Just last month he gave me even more advice that is going to stick with me even longer. He told me You either have to be the guy with the ball or the one who organizes the match. Great advice. I don’t think I’d ever be the guy with the ball but I can certainly organize the match and get people to attend and get excited about something.

I want you to get excited about this book. Murray has chapters by some pretty top name people like Chris Brogan, Steve Hall and Jennifer Lindsay. There are many more in the book and you can obtain it for free (just leave your e-mail address) at the How to Make a Blog Book site. Learn tips from top bloggers around the world on how to become better, get noticed and have fun blogging.

You can also participate in Murray’s Facebook Fan for How To Make A Blog Book at http://www.facebook.com/howtomakeablog

Download it, read it and come back here and tell me what you thought of it. Let’s show Murray some Love!

I buy a ton of stuff from Amazon.com. If you do please buy through our links and help support BenSpark.com. Thank you.

Copyright (c) 2010 Blog Consultant, Photo-A-Day Photographer & Daddy Blogger - BenSpark.com - Everyday Pictures... Every... Day

I’m Featured in Murray Newlands’ Book: How To Make A Blog Book