Blogging brings in a lot of benefit.  Not only do blogs direct potential customers to a startup’s site, but they can also help sell a product, inform readers about a service, or act as a megaphone for thoughts and opinions. 

But did you know that blogging can bring in the bucks too?

It’s true.  If done effectively, blogging can generate extra cash for your startup.  And when you’re first starting out, any money is better than no money at all!

Many startups may already have an established blog (but if you don’t, be sure to read this article before you get started: The Blog Brawl: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Enter the Blogosphere).  Blogs can be easily set up through sites like Blogger, Wordpress or even Joomla. 

Once your blog has been created, generating interesting and consistent content is key.  When you write about topics that people are interested in reading, more users will visit your blog.  And when more users visit your blog, you have more potential customers in your market.  With patience, a blog can bring in thousands and thousands of viewers a month (or even a week!)—and that’s a lot of potential new customers. 

Once your blog has built a strong readership and is well-received by the public, it may be time to look into generating blog bucks.  But how?

1. Blog Ads
   Blogs can make money through the display of advertisements.  Many bloggers use Google AdSense, a service that pays based on how many readers have clicked on a blog’s advertisements (and it’s free!).  Other bloggers use CPM-driven tools that pay by the total number of impressions the advertisements receive.  For this, a startup can use ContextWeb, AdClickMedia, Adbrite or Adify. 
   
   If you’re interested in taking your blog advertisements a step further, look into BlogAds.  BlogAds hook bloggers up with would-be advertisers and levies a commission in return for ad placements. 
   
   The biggest concern that most startups have about advertising on a blog is that the advertisements will not match up with the blog’s theme or topic.  But tools such as AdSense account—the service pinpoints certain words in the blog so that the content matches the advertisements. 
    
2. Direct Ad Sales
   Selling space directly to advertisers can be a challenge, but it is possible!  With a highly-accredited blog, many advertisers may want to “buy” space on your blog, much like a newspaper or magazine.  Find services and products that tie into your niche market in order to place direct ad sales on your blog.
    
3. Affiliate Programs
   Blogs can serve as a conduit between readers and online sites that offer goods and services.  One of the best affiliate programs out there today comes from Amazon.com (Amazon Associates on Blogger).
   
   When a blog mentions or reviews a book, it can link to the Amazon.com page so that readers can buy the book with a few clicks of the mouse.  When people find the book on your blog and then purchase them from Amazon.com, you get paid!
   
   Other companies with great blogging affiliate programs include FlexOffers, LinkConnector, Commission Junction, Shareasale, E-Junkie, LinkShare, ING Direct, Ebates, Perkstreet Financial, Mint.com and Sharebuilder. 
    
4. Inbound Marketing
   Many blogs exist just so that users can shout their opinions and thoughts to the world.  But what about using your blog to generate business?  That’s what inbound marketing is all about.
   
   A startup can expand blog thoughts and opinions by talking about how a particular service or product can create solution or solve a problem.  By providing a call-to-action at the bottom of the blog, readers may feel a sense of urgency to look at your website or call your new startup.  Use effective search engine optimization, link building and keywording to bring more people to your blog—you never know; this could produce more customers! 

It seems as if everyone is using social media these days—from your grandmother to multi-national corporations.  But the businesses that may be benefitting from social media the most are those who do not have the budget for traditional, outbound marketing: startups.

The startup community has embraced social media with open arms.  Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Foursquare, YouTube and blogs have helped startups increase web traffic, connect with clients, learn about competitors and market their business on a small budget.  So what’s not to love about this new marketing tactic?

Most startups use social media marketing very effectively—but others use techniques that make us cringe.  Learn about the top 5 social media don’ts below and make sure you’re not using them when blasting out information on the Twittersphere, blogosphere, or whatever sphere you’re into:

As entrepreneurs, we don't need much to get us through the workday—perhaps a desk, a couple cups of coffee and a full to-do list usually keeps us productive throughout the day. But when you're done checking off the to-do's for the day and need to come up with your next big idea, where do you go for inspiration?

1. Other Entrepreneurs
   In a 2011 Think Big Partners poll, 64% of entrepreneurs found inspiration from simply surrounding themselves with other entrepreneurs. This can be achieved in a variety of different ways. Many entrepreneurs choose to work from coworking spaces where they can collaborate and interact with other like-minded individuals who are experiencing the same startup issues that they are. Simply grabbing coffee with another entrepreneur can also provide inspiration and brainstorming. If you're feeling unmotivated or uninspired, sometimes sitting next to another entrepreneur during a day of work and cure your problem!
    
2. Entrepreneurial Books
   Although entrepreneurs rarely have time to sit down and have a good read, they may have time to skim and inspirational book by a famous entrepreneur. Books can provide great startup advice, smart business practices, noteworthy tips, and motivational tid-bits. Try reading books from entrepreneurs like Richard Branson, Tony Hsieh, Steve Jobs, Michael Dell, etc. These entrepreneurs have been there, done that and have written about the recipe for startup success.
    
3. Startup Blogs
   In a Think Big Partners survey, it was found that 38% of entrepreneurs enjoy skimming entrepreneurial blogs and articles in order to get inspired during a hectic workday. There are thousands of startup blogs on the web (both local, national and global) that can provide tips, tricks and inside scoops about the world of entrepreneurship. Some of the best startup blogs include TechCrunch and Mashable.
    
4. Free Time
   Sometimes, entrepreneurs come up with their best ideas when they're away from work. Taking walks outside, cleaning the house or eating dinner at a restaurant can trigger inspirational thoughts on a whole new level. In fact, many entrepreneurs note that exercise is one of the number one ways to get the ideas pumping. Exercise energizes your body and your brain so use your free time wisely! Go for a brisk run, jump on the elliptical or start lifting weights to keep your body and brain healthy.
    
5. Business Events
   According to the Think Big Partners poll, 29% of entrepreneurs go to business events in order to get inspired. Many business events feature motivational keynote speakers that can provide an up-close-and-personal view on entrepreneurship, tell jaw-dropping startup stories and speak one-on-one with audience members. In addition, many business events provide question and answers sessions which can trigger important thoughts in an entrepreneur's mind. Check out events like Think Big or TEDx; these inspirational business events can be hosted anywhere throughout the nation.
    
6. Music
   Every entrepreneur has that song—the song that inspires them, that gets their feet tapping, that pumps them up for another day of hard work. Listening to your favorite motivational song in the morning before you go to work could inspire you to think big during the workday. Try setting your favorite song as your ringtone or plug it into your iPod playlist. A few inspirational lyrics can go a long way!
    
7. Entrepreneur-based Movies
   When entrepreneurs do find a little free time in their schedules, some enjoy renting a movie or going to the movie theater. Why not have a little fun and get inspired at the same time by watching entrepreneur-based movies? You can check off "date night" and "work research" at the same time! Not sure what to watch first? Check out our list of the Top 10 Motivational Films for Entrepreneurs and take your pick!

Startup companies, more likely than not, launch without being “known”. Nobody knows who you are, what your new company does, what problem you tend to solve and who your company will cater toward. The only way that the masses can answer any of these questions is through effective startup marketing. But many new companies are not utilizing startup marketing strategies to their advantage. We have laid out the top 5 ways that startups can market their products or services effectively so that clients and customers will come to them and leave happy:

1. Establish your credibility
   First and foremost, an effective startup marketing strategy needs to incorporate the brand’s overall credibility. When clients and customers view your business as a resource rather than just another startup, they will value your product or service on an even higher level. The best way to establish credibility through marketing is by sharing content that displays your knowledge, sharpening your copywriting skills, sending out newsletters, sending out tips on social networks and sharing testimonials on your website.
2. Create your own unique messaging
   Before marketing your startup company, it is important to find the brand’s voice. Are you going to portray yourself as an edgy, high-tech company? Are you going to stick to a professional, corporate voice? Are you going to utilize a laid-back voice with slang and abbreviations? It is important that startup companies give off their own unique messaging so that the company can develop a personality. Find your brand’s personality through the voice that you think best fits the company’s image, product and target market.
3. Develop a cost-conscious strategy
   Most startups don’t have a whole lot of wiggle room when it comes to marketing budgets. In this situation, social media marketing becomes a highly-effective resource. Social media marketing through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogger, Foursquare, Flickr, YouTube (and more!) provides startup companies with the ability to market their brand online absolutely free.
4. Mix it up
   Some startups can get away with relying solely on social media for their first few months of marketing. But it is more healthy and beneficial for a startup to mix their marketing avenues so that they hit all potential customers. Use marketing avenues that will reach your target market—take out a newspaper ad, create a television commercial, broadcast on the radio, get in a magazine, even post up flyers around town. By creating a healthy balance of social media and traditional marketing strategies, your brand will get noticed by the right people in the right way.
5. Tell people who you are and what you do
   When most established businesses can market their companies without defining who they are or what they do, startup companies must advertise and give the masses information about the business. When you are marketing a startup company, be sure to broadcast who you are, what you do and why you’re doing it. Potential clients and customers need to know exactly what you do in order for them to realize that your product or service is exactly what they’ve been looking for.

Startup marketing can be a complicated and tedious process. But if you incorporate the right effective marketing strategy for your new company, customers and clients will be able to find you easily.

I’m going to spend hours coming up with content. I don’t have the time or patience for a blog. Blogs won’t generate revenue. Blogging is for new, techy companies. Sound familiar?   There are a million reasons as to why startups and established businesses shy away from entering the blogosphere. But in all honesty, the entrepreneurs, small business owners, and CEOs who tell themselves that blogs aren’t worth it couldn’t be more wrong.

Blogs allow for relevant, newsworthy and interesting content to be displayed on your site. Blogs increase the traffic to your website and help you to interact with your readers, clients and customers. Those who are not utilizing blogs are simply afraid that they take too much time. Or maybe they’ve tried blogging before and were left with negative results.
  

There are ten questions that you must ask yourself before entering the blogosphere. After you’ve answered these ten questions, you’ll be well on your way to a positive blogging experience.

1. Why are you blogging?

You can blog to build a brand, generate leads, generate direct sales, or generate advertising revenue. Or you can blog simply to keep your customers and clients in-the-know. So why are you going to blog?

2. What will you blog’s theme be?
 

Once you’ve determined why you’re blogging, it will be easier to focus on what you will blog about. Your writing can be niche-focused or broad, informative or entertaining, professional or easy-going. Develop the voice and theme that works for you and for your business’s image.

3. What will your topics be?

Your topics should stay in line with your blog’s overall theme. When answering this question, you also need to take into account the frequency of your blog posts, what the actual content will look like, the organization of the blog, and the blog’s call to action.

4. What will the blog look like?

Designing your blog is extremely important. The blog’s design can reinforce your business’s brand in an extremely memorable way. You can utilize pre-designed templates or hire out a custom template.

5. Where will your blog be located?

Your blog can be under the same domain name of your site, which is extremely beneficial because it allows for better search engine optimization. This strategy adds all of your blog content to your site content when search engines determine where to place you in your rankings. If this strategy isn’t for you, you can utilize software such as Blogger or WordPress in order to start an effective blog.

6. Who will manage the blog?

You need to decide whether you want to hire a blogger or a writer or if you are going to manage the blog yourself. Are you going to allow guest bloggers? Can people within the organization write up a few blogs each month?

7. What features will your blog have?

One of the best parts of a blog is beefing it up with cool features. Polls, surveys, blog stats, social media links, comments, countdowns, and a list of the most popular blogs are great gadgets to display on your blog’s site.

8. How will you advertise your blog?

How are you going to get your blog noticed by your target market? Try to get new readers and build loyalty amongst existing readers by blasting your blog out on Twitter, your Facebook page, or simply by word-of-mouth.

9. Are you going to remember to check out your stats?

The only way to know if a blog is doing its job is to analyze its stats every week. Make it a point to see how many readers you’re drawing in, what the most popular blog posts are, and what keywords are used to find your blog. Most blog tools such as Blogger and WordPress allow for these capabilities.

10. Will you monetize your blog?

It is crucial that you monetize your blog. Here are some options for monetizing your blog effectively:

• Support an online store such as Zappos
• Sell products and services through your blog
• Sell products for other affiliates on your blog
• Sell advertising opportunities
• Utilize pay per post
• Write for other publications or make media appearances

Don’t get in a blog brawl. Answer these ten questions before you enter the blogosphere!