If you want to develop a professional writing career a blog is your most powerful tool. Nothing replaces a blog: it's your own personal publishing platform. Look at your website with a fresh eye. There are many ways you can profit from it.
I've been blogging for a decade. Over the years, I've recommended this simple tactic to all my writing students. I'm thrilled whenever a student tells me about successes they've achieved thanks to their blog.
1. Use Your Blog's Power: It's a Giant Writing Sample
You can say "I'm a writer" as much and as often as you like. No one will care if you don't show this on your site.
Write about anything you choose, but remember that prospective clients will be reading.
A warning: please, no whining. Remember that you're a professional. Act that way. Although your content is "personal" -- it's not a forum for your pet peeves, or anxieties. Keep your rants to yourself.
2. Got Readers? Sell Advertising
You've got traffic. You're receiving thousands of visitors a month.
These people are visiting your blog for a reason. Just as magazines do, you can sell advertising on your blog.
Indeed, if the site's been online for a while, advertisers will approach you for space to sell their wares.
You won't make a fortune from advertising, but it will help to defray your costs.
3. Got Readers? Sell Your Expertise in Short Reports
You're a writer. This means that you're trading hours for dollars. Since your hours are limited, look for opportunities which allow you to multiply your income by selling your writing over and over again.
The easiest way to do this is by creating short reports.
The benefit of a report is that it focuses on one area, or problem, and explores that, with solutions.
As you work with your clients, you'll find many areas in which they need more education. If they having a problem, hundreds of thousands of others will be having similar challenges.
Share your expertise, and write short five to ten page reports. Set a price which is commensurate with the benefits the buyers receive from them.
So there you have it -- three easy easy ways for professional writers to benefit from blogs. Your blog gives you immense power. Use it to benefit others, and yourself too.
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