Show Me the Money...

...aka How do those companies make money from their blogs?

(pic via here::special thanx)

You've seen them.  The fantastic blogs that you 'follow' regularly for their unique, up to date content, cutting edge information.  More and more you've noticed the amount of advertising and sponsorship that appear neatly incorporated into the site's wallpaper (almost as though they are just  subliminal suggestions and not actual ads).  If you're like me, you have- on more than one occasion- scratched you head while wondering, "how do they do that'?  The 'that' in this instance is, attracting and retaining well-known, innovative, familiar advertisers and/or sponsors.  After all, the sponsorships and ads must add a bit more credibility to your blog.  Monetizing your blog can be done either, directly or indirectly.  And it appears that one might have greater successful monetizing a business blog versus a 'personal' blog.

With direct monetizing, your blog is making money.  The blog generates revenue through advertisements, sponsorships, paid posts and/or affiliate marketing.  Although, this method is generally seen with business blogs, there are several blogs - whose focus is the event industry (ie, Kelly De Luca, Abby Larson and Maria Cooke) - that have been successful with  implementing this method of monetizing.

Indirect monetizing, the more popular method, serves double duty.  Not only can it be lucrative means of generating revenues,it is a valuable means of branding. yourself.  This method involves you, (the blogger)  leveraging the success of your blog to generate revenue.  Revenue sources, often times flow from speaking engagements, workshop, book proposal, article writing and the like.  Rebecca Grinnals, Liene Stevens, and Katasha Sherrie Butler,  are a few of the event industry gurus who have parlayed indirect monetization of their blogs into a handsome business 'up' sale. 

Your business has a focus.  A target audience. Your blog represents your business focus- your niche.  And selling to advertisers is much easier when you have a niche.  Suffice it to say, advertisers fully understand niche marketing.  Advertisers know who their audience is, and,  if your blog caters to that audience, then it has value.   

Whichever path that you chose to travel toward monetazing your blog, directly or indirectly, be sure to keep your blog 'valuable' by posting content that is  focused and true to your audience.  First you build it.  Then you help them find their way to you.