Ileane Smith:
#1: How do you Drive Traffic to your Blog?
First I focus on providing valuable and relevant content, otherwise I’d be fighting a losing battle. On top of that I use some basic SEO like creating a sitemap, submitting my site to Webmaster Tools, and implementing Google Authorship. Social networks play a big role in sending traffic to my blog as well. Here are a few of the networks that I use and recommend: Blog Engage, BizSugar, Triberr, Social Buzz Club, Just Retweet and Viral Content Buzz. Many of the posts on my blog are guest posts and I’m very appreciative of the role those authors play in promoting their content which contribute greatly to the overall traffic profile.
#2: How do you Monetize your Blog?
I’m not really big on monetization, although I do a little just to cover the costs of keeping the blog running. I use affiliate marketing and Google AdSense. Most of the AdSense income is generated on my YouTube channel right now since I scaled back on using it so much on the blog.
One strategy I’ve used successfully is to create YouTube video tutorials that help my audience understand how to use a product and what actual benefits they can expect. I think this works well because most product developers concentrate on promoting their product’s benefits but often they fail to mention the pitfalls or demonstrate real-life outcomes.
#3: What are some of the other Blogging Strategies you got?
One thing I get questions about all the time from new bloggers is about using AdSense and making money with their blogs. I see a real problem with that approach and it’s one of the reasons so many blogs die in the first few months. I invest a great deal of my time networking and building relationships with other bloggers and it is something that I’ve done from the start. Blogging is hard work and it involves constant research and outreach. It’s not just - throwing up some rehashed content and a bunch of AdSense ads.
#4: What do you Suggest to all those ambitious Bloggers out here?
You have to find a balance between consuming content and creating it. Put your own personal touch to any bit of information you find out there and do your own tests to back up your findings. Don’t look for “gurus” to tell you exactly how they do things and then try to replicate them. Be yourself and you’ll find that is what people really want to connect with.
