How to Have a Popular Blog and Earn Money with It

I think I heard a character on the CBS show, "NCIS," say that blogging was for losers. We'll just let that one go, forgive CBS and this character, as she was a little on the vengeful side anyhow. Furthermore, having read and researched quite a few blogs (into the thousands now), I find that not only are many of these bloggers good writers, they also have loyal readers.

What's more, some bloggers make quite a nice income with their blog. A few have even received book deals, with the traditional publishers, based on their blogs. Wendy McClure's book, I'm Not the New Me: A Memoir is an example of this extraordinary accomplishment. Her book covers the same territory as the blog: her struggles with weight and body image (USAToday, 4/17/2005).

Nonetheless, not all bloggers will receive a lucrative book deal, and most of them are not waiting or looking for one. Most blogs are personal journals about life, faith and yes, politics. How to gain exposure and even earn a nice little income with one's blog is most likely the number one question asked by many, if not, all bloggers.

So let's explore a little further and enter the blogosphere. For the beginner we have selected the easy-to-use software, Blogger, as the number one host-mainly because of Blogger's simple set up. Leslie Simon and Trevor Kelley in their book: Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture describes Blogger as "Blogging For Dummies." I don't take offense to that as I use Blogger for my blog, Pieces of Me, and will never claim that I am computer tech savvy. Plus the book gives you valuable Emo points for using Blogger. That is, of course, a whole other article.

Using Blogger, no doubt, will ease your journey into the blogosphere. You can include graphics which you can gather for free on the web. Make sure, however, you adhere to the copyright statements. You could use your own photographs, of course, if you're not afraid to let people actually see pieces of your life-one can never lose with that personal touch, I say. And I will also recommend you write yourself a very entertaining profile. People love to get to know you this way.