This is the presentation I gave at WordUp event organized by @indiblogger and @BigRock in Bangalore on 19th July, 2015. The presentation introduces how you can make money blogging, and various avenues through which you can make a living. This is just an overview. If you want to get more details, drop us a line.

2. Who Am I ?
He is a Entrepreneur, Blogger and
internet addict.
After a long stint in IT Industry
spanning 12 years and 3 continents,
He came back to India to start on his
own.
2 startups that he co-founded have
had mixed success.
He is founder of Armoks Interactive
Labs and founder- editor at Trak.in,
one of the most popular Indian
Technology News and Views
Destination where he and his team
of passionate writers present
Insightful and Analytical stories on
Technology, Telecom and Startup
world.

3. So, You want to make money through
blogging?

4. But, why do most find it so difficult?

5. If you want to make money through blogging,
you should look at it as a Business, and not a
hobby

6. Most people who blog, look at it as a hobby or a
do it for their passion of writing.
While passion for writing is needed, lot more goes
into achieving monetary blog success!

7. So, What is that “lot more” ?

8. Let’s First Classify Types of Blogs…
Personal Blogs – Ongoing Diary, Commentary
No – Can’t Make Money..

9. Let’s First Classify Types of Blogs…
Group Blogs – Multi-Author Blogs, started by group
of individuals around a theme or Genre without the
purpose of making money.
Can Make Money, but rare..

10. Let’s First Classify Types of Blogs…
Corporate / Organization Blogs – A company
mouthpiece or announcements platform.
Money Making is Not a purpose…

11. Let’s First Classify Types of Blogs…
Micro-Blogging – Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr,
Instagram, Vine etc
Yes, You Can Make Money, but difficult

12. Let’s First Classify Types of Blogs…
Individual (or Group) Professional Blogs - The
Blogs written with purpose of making money
( directly or indirectly)
YES – Can make good money. We will talk on this

13. Get These Myths Out of Your Head First
• Blogging is easy
• Blogging is Make-Quick-Money Method
• Passive Income is possible with blogging
• You Have to be a expert writer
• You can’t make money through blogging
• You need loads of traffic to make money

14. 5 Key Pillars Of Profitable Blogging
 Vertical Granular Content Focus
 Creating Regular Useful Content
 What Readers Want, Not What You Want
 Reader Engagement
 Effective Monetization Strategy

15. And spend time on…
 Business Model (Competition, Market size, Your
differentiation)
 A Great Domain Name
 Professional Design
 Reliable Host / Blog speed / Optimizations
 SEO Best Practices
 Social Media Strategy
 Blog Marketing

16. Vertical Granular Content Focus
• You can’t be generic and still be successful
• Find the niche you are passionate about
• Niches like Photography, parenting, beauty, travel etc are
good. But even better would be “Macro Photography”,
“Positive Parenting”, “Women Makeup” or “Adventure
Travel”
• Better & Easier Monetization opportunities
• Better & Easier Search Rankings

17. Creating Regular Useful Content
• Being regular does not mean write daily. Define
your publishing calendar and stick to it.
• Regular writing in long term will have a snowball
effect
• Write “Resource Guides” rather than “News Bits”
• Research, Research and Research before you start
writing

18. What Readers Want, Not What You Want
Look at Google Trends, do some research, find what
people are searching or are looking for and select topic
on that.
Quora is a great starting point. Use Google Alerts.

19. Reader Engagement
Engage your new visitors in a way that they become
regulars
• Always reply to comments
• Offer them helpful freebies (e-books, free downloads etc)
• Ask Questions (one of the most effectives way to engage)
• Build presence on various forums and communities related to
your niche
• Email Newsletter
• Social Media presence

20. Effective Monetization Strategy
Every Blog demands a different Monetization strategy. It
depends on your niche.
Never Monetize unless you have reached a certain stage.
Remember, AdSense is lowest hanging fruit and in many
cases very ineffective
Let us look at a few different Strategies:

21. Freemium Model
You provide a lot of quality content for free to your
audience, and you provide a premium-level program
to those willing to pay for it.
Works For: Research Blogs, White papers, Rare Content blogs

22. Affiliate Programs
Affiliate Incomes can be HUGE!
This is one of the most widely used monetization
strategies by bloggers. Offer Affiliate products that
will appeal to your readers in your niche
Works For: Make Money Blogs, Tech blogs, Gadget blogs and
many more…

23. Direct Ads
This can be lucrative, but needs some work!
Get in touch with brands that have products in your niche.
Create a deck on how the brand will benefit from
advertising with your blog
Works For: Travel, Business, Photography and most other verticals
Note: This should always be on your radar…

24. Ad Network
The easiest way to monetize your blog is to signup
with a Ad network. The revenue may vary from very
low to very high.
Works For: Most Blogs but may not be effective in some cases
Note: You should never rely on single ad network, try
various options.

25. Sponsored / Paid Posts
Another lucrative monetization strategy, but works
only for a few blogs.
Works For: Review blogs, product blogs and many more…
Note: When doing paid post, ALWAYS disclose a
paid post to your readers

26. Speaking Gigs
If you are known expert in any niche, this could be a
great way to monetize. Talk about your previous
speaking engagements. Have a separate section on
your blog
Works For: Expert blogs, know personality blogs…

27. Consulting / Coaching Assignments
This is an indirect monetization strategy, where your
blog is a marketing channel for you. Build your
reputation, and showcase your expertise through the
blog to land consulting & coaching assignments
Works For: Niche skills, developer blogs etc

28. And a few more…

30. Blogging can be a great way to make real good
money. But, you need to be patient and
persevere

31. Floor is open for Questions…
Get in touch:
arun@trak.in / FB:arun.p / Twitter: @8ap @Trakin
# 91.9822575676