How Do I Start Blogging? A Step by Step Guide to Making Great Money

You want to start blogging, right? You have a lot of passion about SOMETHING....and you want to turn it into profit! If that sounds like you, believe it when I tell you, you are NOT alone.

And if you've been confused about the very first steps to take, it's NOT your fault. With so much confusing stuff out being sold by "gurus" on how to make money by starting a blog, it's no surprise that so many people are confused.

Now, time is a bit sparse here, so you'll forgive me if I can't go into elaborate detail. But we maintain well over 25 blogs on a variety of different topics, and this is the exact steps we take to publish profitably, in each one.

First - you have to pick your niche. Selling your own products or services? Easy. But if you are selling affiliate products, you've got to pick ONE specific style product to sell. (build each blog around a popular affiliate product and NOT a very general niche if you want to make real money)

Always use WordPress as your blogging platform. Always self host your blog. (don't go with those freebie blogs like blogger for your primary domain. Ever. WordPress is FREE, and hosting is super cheap. (50 bucks for the year is easy to get - that's 4 bucks a month or less)

Do Killer keyword research. That means deep. And wide. No your market inside and out, especially if you are building something for the long term that has YOUR name attached to it. (rather than an affiliate blog where you're selling someone else's stuff)

Get a great looking theme. (but don't over-think this. What your theme "looks" like is rarely as important to your visitors, as it is to you) Hint - NEVER use a black background, or gradient. For maximum readability, always use white background and black text. (and blue hyperlinks)

Be Social! That means dedicate at least 20 minutes a day to commenting on OTHER blogs in your niche, or industry. Never spam. And be helpful, smart and savvy when you do. (avoid blatant self promotion on other peoples blogs, they don't like it and often won't let your comment through)

Most importantly...and pay VERY close attention here:

Be outrageous. Be funny. Be confrontational, challenging and occasionally controversial. Nothing builds readers quite like taking this approach, especially if you have an authentically interesting position to put forth.

Update often.

Daily if possible. The more you post, the more readers you'll get plain and simple. Consistency is key...and content is in fact, a blogs best friend. Stay up on industry trends and have something to offer that's unique when something new breaks. Your readers will look to you as an authority...and you'll get plenty of repeat eyeballs for sure!

There's more of course.....but that's the GUTS of it.  Good content.  Good consistency.  Good looks like I have don't hurt either.  You CAN start a profitable blog, and if you follow the simple steps above, you'll be blogging to the bank like thousands of other successful entrepreneurs online...and trust me when I tell you, the lifestyle ain't too bad..:-)