A Review: What Makes These Five Blogs So Effective? (Part 5)

This will be my final article about making money through blogging. By now, I hope you were able to acquire a basic understanding regarding how blogs work and what makes some bloggers stand out from the rest. 

Today I will talk about Fit For Wealth (click here to view blog), the last among the five blogs which, in my opinion, have gained a following because they appeal so well among their target audience.

Fit For Wealth was published by Jake Lingan, who graduated from De La Salle University with a degree in Information Technology but found that his purpose lies in investment and personal finance management.

What struck me most about Lingan's blog is he writes with the aim of simplifying and breaking everything down into terms that the typical layman can understand.

Celine Roque's Frugal Pinoy and Fit For Wealth are similar in terms of pinning down the number of habits that are deeply rooted among Filipinos -- habits that have proven to be setbacks and disadvantages to financial progress.

Both Roque and Lingan are quick to warn their readers about being lured into get-rich-quick schemes, which have drained the pockets of numerous Filipinos in recent years.

But there the similarities end. While Roque is adept at providing practical steps that can be applied immediately, Lingan, with his years of experience as a Financial Adviser and Certified Investment Solicitor and Financial Planner, goes into greater depth by shedding insights to the world of mutual funds and stock trading, areas from which most Filipinos dare not thread due to limited information or the wrong mindset.

I highly recommend Fit For Wealth to any Filipino, regardless of his career or current financial status, who doesn't want to leave anything to fate or chance when it comes to planning his finances. While the adage still rings true that money cannot buy happiness, money allows certain freedoms, like having more than enough for altruistic acts or projects of philanthropy. 

A Review: What Makes These Five Blogs So Effective? (Part 4)

After citing three blogs, let me now talk about one that is hosted by Kevin Sanders, a Caucasian Christian missionary who lived here in the Philippines for nine years.

With the tag line Be Pure, Be Blessed, Be Wise, Kevin Sanders (click here to view blog) prefers to be addressed as Kuya Kevin. He came to Manila to preach and reach out to as many teenagers and young adults as possible.

He had one passion burning in his heart: that the youth may choose to be sexually pure in mind and body and save themselves for marriage.

Kuya Kevin has utilized blogging as a powerful tool to spread his message to his online readers, and he admitted assuming the role of a "cyber pastor."

While he is consistent and has never compromised the importance of being rooted to Christian values, Kuya Kevin is also fully aware that the current culture ensnares many teens and young adults into a lifestyle that is far from what God intended for them. 

And having lived as a single man before meeting and marrying his wife Mare Cris, a Filipina, he has been through some of the struggles that are common to single men his age.

Kuya Kevin is upfront and writes in a no-nonsense style, but the youth will be impressed and find his tone refreshing because he never comes across as a minister delivering a sermon in the pulpit.

What's even more engaging than his style of writing is that he provides constructive and practical steps that will surely inspire and encourage young adults to pursue excellence even in their romantic relationships.

A Review: What Makes These Five Blogs So Effective? (Part 3)

After talking about what makes Greeting Card Designer and Frugal Pinoy click, here's the third blog that's gaining quite a following in the blogosphere:

Hoop Nut (click here to view blog)

Published by Enzo Flojo, a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University situated in Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines, and good friend Rolly Mendoza, also from the same university, Hoop Nut has lived up to its tag line: "Basketball never stops; we don't either."

Written in a style that is a lot less formal than those by sports columnists that come out in daily broadsheets, Flojo and Mendoza are just as credible as they are engaging. The site is filled not just with the latest news about the NBA, PBA, UAAP, and other well-known basketball leagues, but also detailed analyses and insights that can only flow from the pen (or in this case, keyboard) of two hoop fanatics. 

It is evident from every article that Flojo and Mendoza know their audience really well, which is the majority of Filipinos who possess not just a fascination or casual interest, but obsession, with the game of basketball.

And just like the two previous blogs that I have mentioned, photos in Hoop Nut are used sparingly and ads are strategically placed, therefore enhancing the overall layout.

Aside from allowing easy navigation, the site is also interactive and welcomes comments from online readers. Flojo and Mendoza moderate comments in order to keep them in line with Hoop Nut's style and theme. 

Hoop Nut can serve as the less expensive alternative to all those glossy basketball magazines published locally and overseas. I highly recommend this blog to the more mobile audience who'd like to keep tab of basketball news while being on the go.

Hoop Nut is also a good read and can be a terrific stress reliever for dads (and even sports-minded moms) who are busy working and raising their families, and may have little time to spare for recreational activities.

A Review: What Makes These Five Blogs So Effective? (Part 2)

In my previous article, I talked about what made Greeting Card Designer, published by Kate Harper, thrive in the blogosphere. Now allow me to mention and talk about the strengths of another blog, this time hosted by a fellow Filipina:

Frugal Pinoy (click here to view blog)

This site is built on the premise of taking a proactive approach to managing one's finances. Blogger Celine Roque writes with the hope of inspiring Filipinos to spend less and save more as a way to get them started on the road towards financial stability.

The most remarkable thing about Ms. Roque is her not being in favor of get-rich-quick schemes. And unlike other blogs that merely focus on making money, Ms. Roque deals with the underlying causes of erratic spending habits that are particularly unique to Filipinos.

She doesn't attempt to sugar coat or soft pedal any habits that have proven to be a major setback to a Filipino's financial progress. Instead, she provides concrete steps that are feasible, and most of which can be immediately implemented.

Since Ms. Roque is also freelance writer, her many years of experience has taught her valuable lessons that she was more than willing to share. Her articles are peppered with uncommon wisdom, and again, photos are used sparingly, therefore enhancing the blog's layout. 

A Review: What Makes These Five Blogs So Effective?

You have probably noticed that I like using samples and illustrations to drive home important points and concepts to my readers. I will now mention five different types of blogs that are thriving in the blogosphere and review each one of them.

Let's take a look at the first one:

Greeting Card Designer (click here to view blog)

I am partial to this particular blog because I have a home-based greeting card business just like Kate Harper, the site's publisher and editor. Ms. Harper's blog has amassed a huge following since its birth in 2007.

This blog is focused primarily on starting a card business from scratch. The articles are overflowing with sound advice about making your own line of greeting cards a stand-out among other home-based businesses.

Judging from the blog's lay-out -- clean, clear, and crisp -- Ms. Harper favors a minimalist style. Her cards and products reflect her no-fuss and subdued approach to marketing. They're simple and hardly over-the-top, but they pack a punch and the messages never fail to deliver.

Photos are used sparingly. There are also a lot of information about submitting text and artwork to greeting card companies.

The site is easy to navigate and so far, I haven't encountered any dead links. Most of the ads promote books that give detailed information about different aspects of card making.

Ms. Harper's advice is practical for the layman and can be easily implemented. I would recommend this blog to anyone who aspires to get into freelance writing or illustrating for greeting cards, or those who would like to put up a business selling cards, but may not want to deal with highly technical or specialized "business speak." 

How to Write More Authoritatively When Blogging

Think about motivational speakers, or any person who gives a talk to a select group of audience about a topic with which he has a certain level of expertise.

In the same way that speakers inspire their listeners, online readers look up to the most effective and well-known bloggers as people with worthwhile opinions to share. When it comes to blogging, two things can make you write with authority:

• You're highly enthusiastic about the topic of your blog, and over the years you have made it your specialty by reading books and articles about it, taking classes so you can meet like-minded people, attending conventions, etc.
• You've had tons of experience to which the average reader can easily relate. The result can only be catching their interest and, if you truly appeal to them, sustaining their interest.

So the key ingredient to blogging is really quite simple: if you increase your knowledge, you'll find yourself with a goldmine of ideas to turn into posts.

As an example, before I even thought about publishing this blog, I had the equivalent of nearly nine years of experience in the field of freelancing. I had to present my thoughts and ideas as facts, because it really is possible to make a nice income from freelancing, whether you do it full-time or on the side.

I also read plenty of books, web sites, and other blogs about the subject, and found out that I shared the many joys and triumphs, as well as concerns, of other professional freelancers.

Now let's get down to creating blog articles. Consider any of the following:

• Make a list, like The Top Five Things You Have to Consider When Buying a Pet, or Five Effortless Ways to Reduce Your Grocery Bill.
• Think about the last good article you have read from a newspaper or magazine, or even online, that is related to your blog's topic. How can you incorporate the main points of the article into a blog post and "slant" it towards your readers?
• Do your research among the blogosphere and look out for "gaps." Are there any aspects about your topic that can be cultivated and discussed further? Then come up with a series of posts where you can offer your points of view. 

Use "Add-Ons" to Enhance Your Blog

You may have noticed that A Guide to Profitable Freelancing gets by with articles that only has written text. That's because that was how I chose to differ from all the other blogs out there about freelancing.

But I would also be among the first ones to say that for the majority of blogs, "add-ons" are needed, to improve the clarity of the blogger's message, to drive home a point, even to provoke or catch the attention of online readers.

A word about add-ons, though: use them sparingly. Their main purpose is to enhance the blog's layout, not distract your readers from reading your articles.

Any of the following can be considered an add-on:  

Photos

Some bloggers choose to upload color photos that they have taken themselves, while others come in black-and-white. Color photos can brighten up an otherwise dull or monotonous background, while black-and-white photos tone down the mood of bold and bright color templates.

Keep in mind that since it's your blog, you own the copyright to whatever you choose to publish. So needless to say, you should not steal someone else's photos and use them as your own.

Drawings, illustrations, or caricatures

I'm not just talking about graphic or multi-media design, but drawings rendered on pen and ink, or colored pencils, or even paintings. Blogs that lean heavily on marketing or deal with the subject of art and its impact on society may use these.

Video clips

I have seen plenty of online marketers record videos of themselves and then upload them in their blogs. Usually, these videos run for only a few minutes, and the one "hosting" the blog will air a message welcoming new readers and then get them in on the basics of his business.

Make Your Blog Stand Out by Creating Quality Content

Even with on-going innovations in technology changing the way most people read, online users are still looking for material that is engaging, informative, and insightful.

Nowadays people are leading busier lives than ever, to the point that buying and reading newspapers and magazines may already prove to be a rare luxury. So a netizen's next best bet is to log online to get his fix of articles.

Blogs are especially useful to the netizen with a mobile lifestyle. They are easily accessible to the person with a computer, tablet, or phone, which can be taken almost everywhere. 

Traditional media appeals more to the mainstream audience, but bloggers get their fair share of readers and followers as well, if they regularly publish content that meets the needs of their target audience.

You don't have to be gifted in writing literary prose if you aspire to blog. You do have to be fully familiar with the topic about which you chose to write, and communicate with your readers in a conversational tone.

Here are some of the most common ideas that got most blogs started:

• The blogger aimed to solve a problem, or offer feasible solutions to make it more manageable.
• He raised awareness about a current or pressing issue (e.g. parents of kids with autism, cancer survivors, soliciting calamity funds, etc.) to get people in on the bandwagon.
• He advertised the products or services of a business in its growth and expansion stage.
• He wrote about a popular hobby or sport (e.g. scrapbooking or photography, basketball or football).

Now we're done with content. In my next article I'll talk about enhancing it with "add-ons."

Increase Your Blog Traffic by Knowing How and What to Write

You have now been fully oriented with the basics of blogging. I also gave a simple explanation why it works on a 70/30 basis.

Thousands of blogs are competing with each other in the blogosphere for the attention of netizens. This includes blogs that are published only as a hobby or an outlet to rant or vent as well as blogs that try to make money.

Bloggers come to the blogosphere willing to share their opinions, thoughts, and personal expertise. And since each of them have different backgrounds, they will most likely attract the types of readers with whom they share a lot in common, or who rally for the same cause about which they're writing, or those who find what they write amusing, humorous, or entertaining.

Even if two stay-at-home moms blog, it's almost a guarantee that you can immediately spot how one differentiates from the other. One mom may be taking care of a toddler, and blogging is her way of sharing her struggles and triumphs. The other mom may have opted for a work-life balancing act and chose to set up a home-based business so she can devote time to her kids. The latter also has a wealth of experiences to share that may spark the interest of plenty of readers. 

Now, if I may use this blog as an example, I had Filipino readers in mind when I was just starting out. I'm aware that the majority of Filipinos have above average to excellent oral and written communication skills in English, and an increasing number are gaining access to computers and the Internet. 

But I also recognized that Filipinos who aspire to be professional freelancers must adjust their fees if they want to appeal to a local clientele. Not everyone in the industry has the patience to bid for jobs in popular freelancing sites that charge a small commission and require applicants to undergo rigorous exams to gauge their readiness to accept online jobs.

The global community of professional freelancers usually get paid through U.S. dollars, British pounds, or euros. However, most local clients will find international rates exorbitantly high, so even if I would be the first to say that aspiring freelancers must do everything in order to not come out on the losing end of each project or assignment, they should also adjust their rates to make themselves marketable.

So I adopted the concept of freelancing, but provided guidelines with Filipino workers in mind. I did research on international rates and converted it to Philippines pesos. I then subtracted a certain percentage according to the scope and complexity of the project. And then I gave rough estimates when charging in local figures.

As a result, I made my proposition to get into freelancing as a potential career very feasible, and I shared many of my own experiences as well.

Stay tuned for more about blogging in my next articles.

In Order to Monetize, Learn to Optimize

You may have a lot of interesting things to share in your blog. You may have even uploaded photos that you think would enhance the lay-out and overall impact of your articles and make your readers take a second look every time they log online.

But here's a fact well-known among bloggers: writing quality content is just roughly one-third of the total equation when it comes to communicating effectively with netizens. And if you want to make serious money blogging, I think the following formula would be a fairly accurate evaluation of what you would need to do:

Thirty percent

• Write quality content, which means articles that range from 250 to 400 words, are original, insightful or informative, and aim to meet the needs of target readers.
• "Add-ons" like photos, illustrations, videos, animated tutorials, visuals, etc. should enhance your articles and not distract your readers. If you're going to use a good number of "add-ons," keep your lay-out simple, crisp, and use a black font over a white background.

Seventy percent 

• Employ search engine optimization (SEO) as a tool to "get your blog out there," which means making it easier for search engines to find you by incorporating keywords to your blog articles.
• Link your blog's URL to your Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts.
• Introduce yourself to bloggers who are writing about topics similar to yours, and ask if you can be a "guest blogger," which means you'll write one or several keyword-rich articles for your host blogger, and then provide your URL as a link so readers can be redirected to your blog.
• When applying or bidding for online gigs, you can use your blog as a writing credential.
• When querying an editor, provide your blog's URL in your email as proof of your writing experience.

The Blogosphere: What Does It Take to Blog Effectively?

What does a stay-at-home mom, a technorati, a foodie who's also fond of cooking and baking, a sports nut, a pet lover, and a fashionista have in common?

The answer may surprise some of you: they are all qualified to write about their personal experiences and publish their own blog.

The majority of the tech-savvy prefer to turn to the Internet to read about the latest trends, do research, or look for any published tidbit that sounds odd or unusual. Gone are the days when readers are limited to newspapers, books, and magazines. In fact, through bookmarking articles, readers can now be more discriminating in choosing what they'd like to read.

And since blogs are relatively easy to navigate and posts are short, netizens turn to them, for updates or information, or just a way to pass the time.

But not all blogs are created equal. Even if you're fond of baking French macaroons for your kids or can write about fine dining doesn't mean that a lot of online readers will find French macaroons or fine dining interesting.

As with any other activity, blogging can either be a hobby or a job. People who make serious money from blogging are in tune with the needs and interests of their target market.

However, even with their target market in mind, bloggers each have a way of approaching their topics. In general, writing for a blog means doing it in a way that comes across as crisp, concise, and coherent, and yet, the bloggers who stand out have trained themselves to develop their own style.

In addition to publishing quality content regularly, being thoroughly knowledgeable with search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for exponentially increasing one's blog traffic. I'll explain this further in my next article.

Can You Really Make Money Blogging?

The short answer? Yes.

During the last few decades, netizens have seen a lot of innovations over the World Wide Web. With the popularity of blog hosting sites like Blogger and Wordpress, a new group of online writers, ranging from stay-at-home moms to pet lovers, to fashionistas and travel enthusiasts, has been tapped and discovered.

However, while it's safe to say that it's relatively easy to start publishing your own blog, maintaining it is another story. And making money through your blog takes a lot of thought, planning, and hard work.

Let me explain how blogging works. When you begin posting articles, you need to get as much "traffic" as possible to your blog. The term traffic is simply netspeak for the number of online readers that will find your blog among the blogosphere. 

Online users are always looking for articles that are interesting, informative, or insightful. If you consistently create quality content, which means your articles are short yet concisely written, engaging, and appeal to your target audience, eventually you will build a solid base of followers.

Of course, there are other key factors in increasing your blog's traffic. Mastering the techniques of search engine optimization (SEO) is a must, and coming up with relevant keywords is crucial, too. 

Also, be informed that the majority of bloggers upload their own photos or illustrations. Some even put up instructional videos. However, photos and videos are mere "add-ons," which means they should be used sparingly. Otherwise, they will distract the readers instead of enhance the blog's lay-out.

In my next post, I'll talk about how different types of bloggers approach their work, and how you can find the style that best suits you.