Blogging has made the world very small. With Internet access and a computer, you can share your message with billions of people. The process has been made technologically simple, and you can blog about literally anything. If you have been thinking about starting a blog, you may have heard of some of the success stories of bloggers that make 7 figures a year.
With that in mind, should you attempt to make money from your blog right away, or should you wait until you build a loyal following? There are a couple of ways to look at that question.
Monetizing Your Blog From the Beginning
The simplicity of affiliate marketing as an Internet revenue source means you can start making money from your blog the very first day it is published. You can also sell your own products or services, sell advertising or find companies that will pay you to write a sponsored blog post. So why not get started making money from your blog on day one?
If you attempt to monetize your blog from the beginning, your audience knows what to expect. From your very first post they understand there are going to be products and services offered. On the other hand, some web surfers are turned off by advertisements and other efforts for you to get paid in return for your time.
Those types of Netizens prefer to establish a relationship with you first, before they see any monetization attempts. In many niches, developing a rabid, loyal following is more important than trying to make money immediately. In some niches or markets, monetization efforts are rewarded immediately.
Just remember that if you monetize your blog from the beginning, you may be viewed as a business rather than an individual. That may or may not matter to you, depending on your blogging goals.
Building Your Audience First
Pat Flynn began his blog back in 2008. He created a fan base that loved his content before he ever tried to monetize his site. When he did finally offer products and services to his followers, he was surprised at the level of success he had.
His audience came to know, like and trust him before he ever asked for them to spend a single penny. He now makes 6 figures per month on his blog, and his followers are some of the most devoted on the Internet.
There is a lot to be said for building your audience before you begin monetizing your blog. However, in the endgame, this is a choice you have to make. If you do monetize your blog immediately, good luck! Just remember that you need to temper your financial expectations with a brand-new blog or website.