HomeOfficeVoice

Ay, another blogging project …

Working at Home on the Internet, a blog by Joe Haukes, has started a blog project that has perked my interest.

The idea is simple, to help people with a Home Business determine the Advantages or Disadvantages of using a Blog to enhance their business through Blogging on the Internet. It can be about direct income through Blogging or indirect income using a Blog as a way to reach potential or existing customers.

Well I’m in, and have I got a beauty to tell…

For me personally, I’ve used both models that Joe talks about in the above quote - but I must say that the latter model (blogging used indirectly) rises to the top in its overall effectiveness.

Making an income directly from blogging is bloody tough, hard work. I tried it for a year and a bit, made 4-figures, worked myself to the bone and ended up getting sick and tired of blogging (aka semi-blog meltdown). I had lost the passion that blogging first gave me back in 2004.

Fast forward a year or so later and I’m now using blogging in an indirect way in my home business - and it’s been a winner all the way from day one.

Once you let go of the “making money via AdSense” mentality you can really go places. It frees you up to work on quality content that goes straight to the heart of your target market. You focus less on where to plaster the ads and you start thinking about your potential customers needs. And that my fellow bloggers, is a liberating feeling.

And customers I have a plenty. From my little small/home office in suburban Melbourne, Australia I have an audience (and customers) in the thousands and from more that 45 countries.

Without the internet and blogging in particular, I just could never had achieved that.

Here’s how it’s worked for me…

• With sophisticated (and free) CRM tools and email capture tools I can get close and personal with my potential customers.
• When it’s time to pay, PayPal is universally known throughout the world, people trust it and I’ve completed thousands of transactions over the years with only the odd problem or two.
• I can make a sale of one of my information products and my new customer can get access to it within minutes - no more postage delays and everyone is happy.
• A customer has a problem! Easy! I’m contactable any which way: email, IM, Skype, snailmail …
• … and I’m sure there’s more advantages that hasn’t crossed my mind yet.

At the end of the day, blogging has given me some authority and credibility in my field and not just locally - but internationally.

But don’t get me wrong - it’s hard work. Trust takes time to develop (my view is a good one solid year of professional blogging to get a decent sized fan base).

Be prepared to spend a few hours a week blogging your home business. Also be prepared to open up your home business to the masses - for that is the way of the internet and business today. People like to get to know the businesses they’re dealing with. They like to communicate and they like to be kept in the loop. Blogging offers you a way to let your customers “own” a little piece of your business.

Blog your home business right and the sky’s the limit!

Check out Joe’s blogging project, you’ll more than likely get some inspiration and ideas.

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PS. Oh, and did I tell you that Google just loves blog posts. I’ve been on the internet since ‘97 and blogging, by far, has been the most cost effective marketing tool I’ve ever used. Getting close to the top in Google has never been easier.

(via Home Biz Notes)