Everywhere I turn nowadays I hear more and more people talking about learning how to make money online, in particular, how to make money with blogs. Although the number of people using blogs to make money has skyrocketed over the past few years, the vast majority of them are failing miserably. If you’re one of them, here’s a way to make money with blogs in 7 easy steps:

1) Pick a niche market you are very much interested in, and is a “buyers” market, and start posting Search Engine Optimized (SEO) content to your blog that solves a problem for your reader in that market. Think of this blog as a “Theme” blog, with all that you do centered around this one theme. This helps you to focus and not get distracted by the “latest & greatest” money-making gadget or online opportunity.

2) Write SEO content articles about your topic and submit them to article directories, with a link back to your blog in your resource box. Be very mindful to follow the rules as outlined by the blog directories you are submitting articles to. No link baiting, flagrant promotion or hyper-links within the body of the articles. I personally use ezinearticles.com, goarticles.com and articlealley.com for my article submissions.

3) Pick one (1) quality forum that is related to your niche market and actively participate in that forum, both asking and answering questions. Again, no link baiting or flagrant promotion, etc. Focus on adding value to the conversation and what you can give versus just what you can take. You want to build your reputation as the “go to” person in your market and not the “run from” person

4) Place affiliate ads using anchor text links on your blog, paying close attention to the words in your anchor text. Be sure that they include the same keywords that you use in your blog posts, your article submissions and your forum posts. For example:

<a href=“http://yourdomain.com”>How To Save 50% Or More On Camera Supplies!</a> would create a link at your blog that looks like this:

How To Save 50% Or More On Camera Supplies! (with “camera supplies” being the obvious keyword here.)

With the right market, the right words and the right offer, you increase your chances of making a sale when they click-through.

5) Add a link to your newsletter at your blog, being sure that the name of your newsletter is closely related to your niche. For example: Jim’s Camera and Photography Tips: “How To Save Money While Taking More Photos!” – Whatever name you choose be sure that it reflects what you offer your readers, and that your message is congruent with your blog posts, the articles you submit to directories, as well as your forum posts.

6) Email your opt-in newsletter subscribers a weekly tip that is useful and solves a problem related to their needs. Also, once a month send a special offer with a link to your product or affiliate product. Don’t overdo it here and try to take advantage of your list by sending them a weekly offer, once a month is fine for a responsive list. Remember, your list is there for you to serve and not vice-versa.

7) Be consistent. Nothing works unless you work at it consistently. Even if it was the greatest, easiest and most incredible money-making business ever created, it will not work unless you work it consistently. Consistency, or the lack of, is the number 1 factor in all business failures. The same is true when  using blogs to make money.

Using blogs to make money doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it can be much easier once you establish the steps you need to take to make money with a blog, then be consistent in your efforts. Consistency, more than anything else you do online, is what will determine your success or failure at making money.

I hope you’ve received something of value from this post! As always, your comments and feedback let us know if we’re helping you make money with your online business.

Until next time,

Blessings to you and yours!

James