If you take a look at one of the many bios I have floating around the Internet, there is a good chance that I describe myself as a “freelance writer and professional blogger.” The Internet has provided a platform on which I have been able to build my career, but I am certainly not alone in this adventure. And that’s where I turn for this week’s speedlink. Let’s see what the other bloggers have to say.
We start off with Chang Guohua who discusses a writer named Han Han who has been accused of not writing anything at all. Instead, it is said that Han Han has relied on ghostwriters his entire career and he has since been proclaimed a fraud and an incompetent one at that.
While most of us would probably know Buzz Bishop for his duties on the radio, he also makes money blogging… but not how you’d think. All in all, he only earns about $50 to $60 per month running ads on his blogs. The key, though, is that he uses his blog as a platform to earn through other means, like freelancing for other sites. Speaking for myself, this blog really does spur along my writing career, leading to a book deal and a speaking engagement, among other opportunities.
A recent post from Techmint almost echoes this sentiment. While the post says that you can blog for money, it is very difficult to expect an income that will replace full-time work. Instead, the writer says that money from your blog will largely work as a supplementary income to a more primary pursuit. For most people under most circumstances, I’d agree with that statement. Nothing is impossible, but you do need to be realistic.
Even if you don’t earn a full-time income from your blog, you need to establish its business structure. John Chow walks through several different configurations that you might have from sole proprietorship to a limited liability company. Each of these has pros and cons, so you’ll need to weigh your options carefully. Whatever your choice, above all else, you need to treat your blog like a business if you expect to make any money from it.
And finally, LaToya Irby reminds us that, as a business, it is important to reinvest your earnings in your business. Just like your conventional brick-and-mortar counterparts, this is the only way that you expect to grow your business and earn even more money. Considering outsourcing, expanding, or spending more on your marketing efforts.
Michael, thanks for including the link that’s a little out of place here.
I think that blogging would be a full time thing if you expect that income it generates can replace a full time job.
This may be a little random, but I’m wondering how the picture with Leo Laporte relates to these articles linked to in the blog post.
Sorry
That’s Buzz Bishop sitting with him.