They’re laughing at us. Did you know that?
Right now, someone who refers to himself as an “Internet marketer� is sitting in his bedroom, dressed in nothing but his undies, laughing at how hard bloggers work for how little money we make.
We drive ourselves to creative exhaustion by expecting ourselves to pump out a never-ending stream of remarkable content — a stream that, even in the best of cases, only pulls in a couple hundred bucks a month in advertising revenue.
And the guy in his undies? He’s one of the thousands or even tens of thousands of people making six figures online every year. Sure, he worked hard in the beginning, but not anymore. Now he’s connected and focused on growing revenue, not creating an endless supply of free content.
Compare that story to that of most bloggers, and you have to laugh. To say we are overworked and underpaid is an understatement.
The guy in his undies thinks this is especially funny, and justifiably so. He’s only half as smart as you, but he’s making 10 times more money.
So he laughs, not just at you, but at all bloggers. All bloggers, that is, except a tiny handful that have figured out something that makes them wealthy.
One of those bloggers is Brian. Soon, I’ll be one too. We know something that most of the blogging community has yet to figure out.
Is Your Do-It-Yourself Work Ethic Really Helping You?
As a whole, we bloggers are a self-reliant bunch. We usually write all our own content, optimize it for search engines, promote it with social media, and then craft individual responses to all of the resulting comments and emails. Some of us even design our own theme and manage our own server.
The justification? Cost.
Most of us can’t afford to hire a staff of writers, marketers, and customer support personnel to help us with our blog. Sure, we’d love to build an entire staff around it one day, but right now, it’s just a hobby that you’re slowly nurturing into something bigger. Doing it all yourself seems to make sense.
Or does it?
One common problem with the do-it-yourself work ethic is that you spend so much time doing all of the basics that you never get to the really important tasks. In the case of bloggers, we invest all of our time into getting attention, but many of us never get around to monetizing that attention.
You see, creative energy is a finite resource. You can probably summon enough to write a few quality posts, but once you’ve done that, there’s no creative energy left for anything else. It doesn’t matter how hard you push yourself. When you’re out, you’re out.
This solution, ironically, isn’t working harder. It’s working less. And to find out how, we need look no further than the aforementioned Internet marketer in his undies. He’s perfected it.
How to Make Millions Online (or Anywhere Else)
Compare bloggers to Internet marketers, and you’ll notice one stark difference. Smart Internet marketers don’t do anything by themselves. They prefer to do part of the work, and then partner with someone else to do the rest of it.
For instance, the hottest topic in Internet marketing right now is product launches. The basic idea is that you create a product, partner with all of the leaders in your industry to promote it, and then sit back as the sales start pouring in.
The other hot topic is affiliate marketing. In this model, you don’t actually create anything to sell. Instead, you promote the products of other people in exchange for a commission on each sale.
Notice the similarity? In both cases, no one is doing all of the work.
It’s no coincidence. Building a successful Internet business is a huge undertaking, and it’s insane to do it all yourself. If you’re a beginner, the only way you can succeed is to focus on part of the process and leave the rest to your partners.
That’s the major reason why product launches and affiliate marketing are so popular. They reduce the myriad of tasks involved in Internet marketing down to something a handful of people can manage.
Marketing JVs and affiliate programs are pretty typical. There are many other aspects to partnering that get really creative (and lucrative).
The Missing Ingredient for Blogging Success
Have you noticed that everything Brian does these days is a partnership?
For Teaching Sells, he partnered with Tony Clark. For Thesis, he partnered with Chris Pearson. For Lateral Action, he partnered with Mark McGuinness and Tony Clark (again).
Some of you may even remember Tubetorial, another collaboration between Brian and Chris Pearson. They sold if for six figures after six months of part-time work.
You could even say that the content production here at Copyblogger is a partnership. Brian no longer writes all of the posts himself. He’s partnered with a team of writers to keep you supplied with a constant stream of remarkable posts.
Why?
It’s not just because Brian is smart. It’s also because he’s human. He knows that he’s incapable of writing a daily post for Copyblogger and building other businesses at the same time. No one has that much creative energy. Not even Brian.
So what does he do? He partners.
Partnering is the missing ingredient for blogging success. Yes, you can start a blog on your own. Yes, you can make it popular by yourself. Yes, you can stay involved in it forever. But if you ever want to profit from it, you need to partner with other people.
Brian didn’t monetize Copyblogger by stuffing it full of ads. Instead, he used the visibility of being an A-list blogger to attract a talented group of partners so he could create relevant products and services for the audience he attracted.
Of course, that’s easier said than done, right? Certainly making money online is a lot more complicated than starting a blog and spreading the word that you’re looking for partners.
After all, it took two-and-a-half years before Copyblogger started generating six-figures-a-month as a business unit. Luckily, we’ve got a lot more to teach on that topic.
Partnering Strategies for Invisible Bloggers
And what if you don’t have any visibility yet?
Are there ways to use partnering to jump-start and accelerate your success? Is spending a year or two attracting attention and building an audience the only way, or are there other options?
I’m living proof that there are other approaches that work. In the next post, Brian tells you about two of those models.
Fnd out more about Partnering Profits here.
About the Author: Jon Morrow is an Associate Editor of Copyblogger and co-founder of Partnering Profits.
Reader Comments (138)
Thomas says
I wish my blog would bring in some profits. It’s been several years, and about time.
Craig says
I agree that partnering is the best way to run any business, much less an online business and blog. It divides the work and also creative balance, along with another set of eyes to look over everything. The problem with the blogging industry is it is very difficult to profit from. Other than selling ad space, there are really no other ways to gain revenue. Everything can be attained for free, so information, e-books, etc are very difficult to charge for because people can go elsewhere. Without any tangible item to sell, it is difficult. Of course if you have a book you can use the blog to promote and create sales that way. The problem with blogging like many internet companies is really the lack of a revenue model. I think that whole formula in general is going to change over the next few yrs in that you will see more internet companies acting like companies opposed to just creating the next big online sensation.
Craig
http://www.budgetpulse.com
Shafar says
Thanks fot this Great Artice.
I started blogging just 1 year ago. I learned a lot of blogging tips and shared them through my blogspot blog. Now I have my own blog (TipBlogger.Com). Just started monetizing it. Hope I can earn my pocket money from this Blog! 🙂
Brian Clark says
That’s a popular misconception, and it holds you back. Tell millionaire information marketers like Jeff Walker and Rich Schefren (or even me with Teaching Sells) that people won’t pay for information, and you’ll hear a much different story.
JudyAnn Lorenz says
Thank you from here too. I am just trying to wrap my head around a proposal to a colleague. We would both be Teaching Sells members.
The catalyst for Brian seems to be Tony! Can we lure him away?
Demian Farnworth says
Furthermore, people are willing to pay for books full of content once found on their blog. Just ask Seth Godin.
And people who’ve gone from bloggers to published writers is legion.
Blogging is an invitation to a larger world.
Kathy @ Virtual Impax says
Anyone who tries to do it all will find he/she gets little done.
Partnering is truly the path to success!!! The key is in finding partners who will pull their weight. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who want to ride someone else’s coat tails to the top instead of contributing an equal amount of “sweat equity” to the partnership.
However, when you find a great “partner”, there’s a sort of synergy that develops and suddenly everything gets easier!
Tyler @ Building Camelot says
I love the idea of partnering with others to build your blog. I’d like to know where & how smaller, niche bloggers can start building those types of partnerships…can anyone point me in the right direction? How do you approach others to partner with you?
Caleb - Double Your Gains says
Great Post Jonathan!
The “do it all yourself” mentality is a bad one, I’m looking forward to more from this series!
Later
Caleb
Sonia Simone says
Or Naomi Dunford over at Ittybiz, who’s come close to $200K this year *before* she launched her big product last week.
I agree that the problem is a lack of a revenue model. But it isn’t that such a model doesn’t exist, it’s that most bloggers either don’t know about the very robust models that are out there or that they have mixed feelings about making money with their blogs.
David Risley says
Awesome article. And so true. I myself generate a healthy six figures yearly by blogging. It simply cannot be done by publishing alone. You have to learn to couple it with solid marketing. As always, it comes down to SELLING. Blogging and making money through ads alone is about the slowest way to generate an income I can think of.
Mark McGuinness says
Great article and looks like this will be a great series. You’re preaching to the converted here, but I just want to reinforce what you’re saying about how much easier is to work in partnership. After nearly 3 years of writing a blog and doing everything myself, it’s great to be part of a team at Lateral Action. I think I appreciate it most on the days when someone else does a post — I’m not doing anything, and yet the blog keeps going, as if by itself. 🙂
Dave Navarro says
I’m coming at it from the reverse direction – I started out creating information products (ebooks, audio coaching) but had trouble attracting an audience solely through IM channels. Once I started my blog, that all changed.
Felling “wrong” about making money from your blog is insane. If you’re doing work, you should be compensated. Sell what you know to those who don’t, add value (and charge for it) and the game changes in your favor.
Mr X says
Personally I don’t blog in order to generate money. I blog for the enjoyment/other benefits that it gives me and the benefit that it may bring others. I am however fully aware that monetising is a good thing. Information is incredibly valuable, and as consumers of information we are effectively getting it for free. The end user is no longer bearing the cost, it is now being born by sales channels where traditionally producers of products or services paid money to other agents to “sell” it is now going more directly to the producers of the information and this saving is being passed on.
Mariana says
I am a real estate agent who blogs. My blogging efforts have made my small team over $300k this year.
Now … I understand that this is not exactly what you are talking about, but stick with me for a minute:
“Smart Internet marketers don’t do anything by themselves. They prefer to do part of the work, and then partner with someone else to do the rest of it. “
Right now there is an INFLUX of real estate agents (who have the potential of making a lot of money regardless of the current market – just trust me on this one) who keep being told that they need to be blogging. Well, you need to know two things about real estate agents:
1. We are busy and LOVE to delegate out tasks that are not directly involved with helping people buy and sell homes. Most RE agents do not want the responsibility of maintaining a blog – or even writing posts, for that matter. They just want to be able to say that they have a blog.
2. We tend to throw money at things to make them a) work or b) go away.
You guys/gals are all creative … How can YOU use this information to help you make some $$ with little invested time (on your end) while monetizing your OWN blog?
Etienne Denis - 90 degrés says
One revenue model is consulting services: some of your readers hire you as an expert. Our blog ( Blogue 90 degrés , mostly in French) has attrack national clients in Canada.
Michael Martine says
Jon, thanks for opening up this can of worms (it needed to be done). Unless you are being paid well to write for a blog, “problogging” is nothing more than a myth of sorts. At a certain point, what you’re doing is internet marketing. People don’t like that because they have unpleasant associations of sleazy tactics and sham products. Problogger sounds better, more “ethical”.
The reality is far different, of course. Darren Rowse does not call himself an internet marketer and he has not changed the name of his blog–it’s still ProBlogger, but internet marketing is what he’s doing.
My blog has undergone tremendous changes in this same direction. I make money from a service and from internet marketing. I’ve had a great time creating my own products. There is even more cool stuff coming.
You can enjoy blogging and still be deadly serious about making money, but you’ve got to stop thinking of yourself as a blogger, and start thinking of yourself as an entrepreneur.
Zipporah Sandler says
I really needed to hear this today (no, seriously). After only 6 weeks or so of “hobby” blogging, I was asked to collaborate with an online magazine as well as to partner with another blogger on a project that they are working on. I wasn’t certain what I was going to do, but after reading your post, I’ve made up my mind.
Thanks…
Zippy
http://champagneliving.blogspot.com
Anali says
Great post! I’m certainly ready to hear more, so I’m staying tuned!
Brian Killian says
Are we going to get Jon’s story?
Todd Smith says
Great post! You read me loud and clear. The trick is how to find good partners when you’re still a nobody.
Sean says
We’ve run Psychotactics.com for a while and it’s not a blog. In fact, even though I did get into blogging way back in 2004, we quickly abandoned the project. I started up other blogs, and then gave up again.
The reason?: At least at the point, blogging wasn’t really able to generate any sort of income. Things have changed since then, but the website continues to bring in revenues that allow us a tidy three-month break every year (among other things).
The point you make is that all of these Internet marketers are doing products launches. And that they’re working with an army of affiliates and joint ventures and google adwords etc. And yes, many of them are doing just that. And yes, they all seem to have learned all their tricks from one person, because they all use the same ‘ticking clock’ and ‘mass launch’ system.
I’m writing this note because I want you to know that you don’t have to do any of the above. You can indeed grow a business purely on the basis of your blogging. How do I know? Because at Psychotactics.com we have no affiliates, no joint ventures, no advertising, no Google adwords…in short, nothing.
The only thing we have is our ‘blog’ since 2002. Well, call it a website if you must, but it’s a ‘blog’ because what it’s done is simply created content and attracted customers. And it’s done that week after week for now close to 6 years. Blogging week after week, not day after day. And that has got us subscribers.
Now you can’t make a living out of subscribers unless you have sponsors. And we don’t have sponsors either. So here’s what we do. We give the ideas, and sell the system.
Yup: Give the ideas/Sell the system
The ideas are all on our website.
The ideas are all on the blogs.
The ideas are all on the forums.
Heck this post is an idea.
The system is a product like the Brain Audit. Or a course. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not asking you to hold back. In fact, if anything, the best attraction device is to give detailed information that’s step by step. So if we write an article, you can be sure it’s extremely detailed. If we do a video, it’s 10-18 minutes of entertaining and informative detail. The point is that the detail is like the starter at a meal. To get the main meal you have to buy the system.
Brian partners, but Brian didn’t partner for ages. And that’s the part that will fox most of your readers. There are those who can partner only once they’ve reached a certain level. Before that, you’re just a nobody. But you can be a somebody if you follow the simple steps.
1) Create outstanding content: Stuff people would happily pay for.
2) Get people to subscribe. And build your list.
3) Keep giving ideas and selling the system.
Sean
http://www.psychotactics.com
Sean says
The key of ‘free’ is really a ‘backend’ system.
If you’re just going to start blogging, then blog.
But at the end of the day, if you don’t have a ‘backend’ system (that is you don’t get speaking engagements, or consulting, or don’t sell products etc.) then you’ll have to do blogging as just a side hobby.
The other key is the validity and power of the content. Most people write like crap. And write content that’s almost created to hide than reveal.
Giving away most of the content, and giving away your best content is not counterproductive at all. Copyblogger linked to this most a long time ago (http://spidersecret.com/so-what-if-you-give-most-of-it-away-the-bikini-concept/) and the concept is as valid as it’s been since people interacted with each other.
Don’t get me wrong.
Your idea of partnering is extremely valid. In fact, our company would be a lot less effective if we didn’t have alliances (I’m not very much in favour of joint ventures, because the only measurement system is ‘money.’ When the money stops, the joint venture fizzles. Alliances are built on respect and go a long, long distance. Kinda a bit like a one-night stand vs. a relationship).
So I’m saying that partnerships are valid and important.
But it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
– Whom you partner with is important
– How you go about partnering is important.
And there are so many minefields in the process, because we’ve stepped on those minefields. (Kabooom! $%$%$) 🙂
I’m agreeing with you. Disagreeing with you. Adding to what you said. And just ranting 🙂
But hey, that’s because I’m in a good mood!
S-
Sonia Simone says
“Give the ideas/sell the system” is a fantastic insight. Thanks Sean. 🙂
@ToddSmith, find some other talented, bright nobodies who are good at different & complementary stuff and start working together.
This post speaks very strongly to me, as I have been exactly the blogger Jon describes. I’m getting over it. The more I partner, the more I make and the less I time I spend doing things I’m really no damned good at. I’m sold.
Sean says
You’re welcome, Sonia.
The media is irrelevant.
In the 1900s they used books.
They’ve used radio.
They’ve used TV.
Today we use websites, or blogs or whatever.
The point is: You watch ‘Frasier’ or ‘Friends’ or some series you like. That’s often ‘free’ because you saw it on TV. Then they sell you the series. So what does this teach us?
It actually teaches us that you can give away the ‘so-called secret’ as well. And still have buyers.
Most authors know this well.
They write a book. Give away every single ideas–often the system. What happens? You go to their seminar, and their speech and then want to consult with them. Writing a book is like writing a blog. You work six months to a year with some very frustrating publisher, and then guess what? You get 10 cents in the dollar for every book sold.
So yes, every author is a blogger.
The dumb ones publish the book and hope they become famous. The smart ones work out the system. And systems are embedded within systems.
Which means:
Scenario 1:
You can give ideas.
And sell the system.
Scenario 2:
You can give ideas and the system.
And sell a different media (e.g. book to speaking or book to consulting).
Understanding the importance of the ‘next step’ is important. Which is what people don’t understand. You can give anything away free, or for a small fee, or for a large fee, or for a larger fee. But you must know what comes next. That’s really the most important of all.
And that requires some thinking.
And some strategy.
That’s the piece that’s missing. And that’s the piece that needs fixing right away. 🙂
S-
Psychotactics.com
Trademark says
This is an excellent article on blogging and the profit aspect of this industry…….The blogging business model needs to be changed to keep up with the marketplace.
Kathleen Gage says
I agree with Brian. People do buy information. I know, I make a great living selling information in a variety of formats; eBooks, books; mentoring courses; audio programs to name just a few. The key is to have information people want and are willing to pay for.
With so much that they can access for free you have to know what makes your information unique and/or better. There are plenty more criteria but these are two of the main ones.
Another thing that is often missed is clearly identifying a market. Who is your market and what keeps them awake at night.
Additionally, one thing anyone who is making money does is build their opt-in list. This needs to be a primary focus. Additionally, affiliate partnerships are a way to monetize your efforts.
A key to success in any business venture is to build a solid foundation. It’s about systems and processes.
Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketing
Rowell says
We must learn from other businesses and apply that to blogging. Businesses seek vendors to help generate income. Just like how Apple will hire a marketing firm to develop their commercials.
But then it really does come down to money and some just can’t fork up the dimes to hire someone and so they resort to social media.
Just be aware of your time since it IS the most important resource. It can be done but like you said in the article, you must work hard in the beginning.
Steve says
Very interesting post. I’m looking forward to hearing how invisible bloggers and, possibly, non-bloggers can form strategic partnerships.
I’m still skeptical that I, personally, can make five or more figures with a blog, even I do partner with somebody else for it. I’m hopeful that you’ll have some examples, perhaps from Teaching Sells, to prove my skepticism wrong.
Michael Martine says
I would like to jump in here again to talk about the whole free content vs. paid (or selling the system, if you like). Blogs are fantastic vehicles for free content and you can give away as much as you need to in order to sell whatever you’re selling. Why? Because blogs suck as a way to learn things in a concentrated, chronological manner. Teaching Sells isn’t a blog, it’s a series of lessons in order. I can write detailed articles on Remarkablogger, but they’re not going to address a specific person’s needs, so there’s always room to sell consulting.
Sean says
It’s not just idea vs. system alone.
A change in packaging also creates revenue. A blog that’s converted from text to audio has value. A blog that goes from blog to book has value. A blog that goes from text to video has value.
The point is that if someone buys something free, they’re not going to pay for it (if they can help it), but they will buy something else.
Even if it’s just another form of packaging.
Packaging counts tremendously.
Which is what I wrote earlier in this post:
Shane says
Several posters asked how small bloggers can form partnerships. My humble two cents: start by commenting on those sites you’d like to partner with. Treat comments seriously; they may be your first(perhaps last) impression. Make them irristable comments. Then contact these bloggers in private with more of the same. Offer up future collaboration and see where it leads.
Also, have you visited everyone who comments on your blogs of interest – like this one? These are tertiary opportunities worth exploring. You may not have that particular blogger’s ear yet, but perhaps someone else commenting already does.
Barbara says
Once again another great post by Copyblogger. I love reading all of your insightful blogs! After blogging for many other sites, I will soon be posting blogs on Healthin30.com’s landing page. (A whole new site is coming). I know there are many partners out there, but how do you go about trying to convince them that a partnership is the way to go. You don’t happen to have a list of health partners in your repertoire of info, do you? Thanks.
Best,
Barbara
Healthin30.com
Sean says
Every one starts off invisible.
That’s the first rule.
🙂
In our business, we get to speak one on one with some pretty well known folks like Gary Vanyerchuk, Jack Trout, Gina Bianchini, etc. And the message is the same.
They all started out completely invisible.
They all laboured for the first year or two (sometimes more). Some of them like Gina, who started up Ning.com had the backing of substantial revenue.
It rarely matters.
The thing that matters is so blooming basic that most people get bored of doing it. Put out great content (sing like no one’s watching–because no one is). Work towards getting a mass of really good stuff. Then approach someone (anyone) whom you respect. Show them your good stuff. (Don’t be a crappy ‘buy my product’ person). Get their respect.
And then watch as you not only get subscribers but also alliances. It’s slow. But that’s how things work. We’ll work with alliances for 6-8 months. Sometimes a year or two. Nothing happens.
Customers come to our website, and spend three years and never buy anything. And then they buy $15,000 worth of stuff in less than 12 months.
The point is that like everything in life, it’s a waiting, prodding, plodding game. The Internet has made it a ‘wow, I got rich in my undies’ game.
I know of no one that’s like that in reality.
In fact the most successful people (depending on your definition of success) work harder at their game. The top sports stars practice longer. The top writers write more than any one else.
But that doesn’t answer the question of invisible.
You’ll remain invisible only if you choose to be that way. If you create a great mousetrap, and get to those who appreciate great mousetraps, the customers and the alliances will come.
There’s not much of a second choice, seeing how much crap is out there. People (alliances and customers) are actually relieved to find someone they can depend on, for a change!
Sean
Ted says
This is why I subscribe to this feed. Thanks Johnathan and Brian for keeping my focus where it needs to be!
Sheryl Schuff, CPA says
Jon,
Thanks for starting this conversation. I’m looking forward to hearing more details from you and Brian about the ways to initiate strategic partnerships.
I understand the theory but still need some practical advice for implementation.
Regards,
Sheryl
Suzanna says
PARTNERSHIP. I see it as a vessel (ship!) which provides great forward momentum. Done right, of course. Jon and Sean, in this shiny conversation, have really given away the farm for those who are listening. I spent a couple of years developing my online presence, with several plateaus in there, and that self development was pivotal in attracting a partnership with a marketer which I am WAY excited about. We’ll co-teach a workshop in January, and because we happen to be pretty darn dynamic together, I suspect we’ll do some high-energy audio pieces along with those money-making teleseminars. BTW, I often forward pieces of Sean’s insights to her. She shares her Guerilla marketing expertise with me.
A nice little clue in this egg hunt: We’re reading Jon’s post and Sean’s comments, (along with several other brilliant commenters), and benefiting because we all know at least this one thing: Copyblogger is worth the time. Sean is commenting here at length, which is always like a little chocolate-covered gold mine handed to you on a silver platter. (We’re getting access to Sean’s wisdom for nothing more than paying attention, you see.) Is this abundance? Is this rich? Is this opportunity? Yes, and it’s the blogosphere. Wahoo.
Look alive, the time is now.
Suzanna
Shaun says
This series is making me feel slightly giddy. I’ve always been fascinated by my blogging “heroes” like Brian and Steve Pavlina. Both use JV…hmmm. Lesson to be learned.
My current project is based on free tutorials on using services that have affiliate programs (like “how to get an online savings account” or “how to invest online” — things like that). My web model is an odd mixture of blogging and SEO — every post plays a specific SEO role and I have the first year completely mapped out down to the headlines and summaries.
However, my next project will be with a subscription service. I plan on offering an online business school, teaching pretty much everything that business schools teach — only for a thousandth of the cost.
Can’t wait to get started, though it’s way in the future.
Sean says
I now have someone who works solely as a strategic alliance acquisition. Now this is how things worked.
She started sending out feelers for alliances (not joint ventures, mind you) in May. This is pretty much December (well, in New Zealand at least ;)) and guess what?
We’ve got some people who were interested. Interest hasn’t turned to desire yet. So everyone starts getting discouraged (well everyone except ‘yours truly).’ Because these things take time.
Then out of the blue one of the people we contacted, got back. They wanted to send our material to 200k+readers. Now note that isn’t some online blogger. This is a big company (big as in you’ll know the brand name if you see it). And so we’re no big company. (There’s just us few folks and 64 million sheep). But this company found value in the material.
And so they respond.
But they take their time.
Time is critical.
Time allows for trust to build.
And relationships to build.
You call. I call. We talk. We drink coffee. We drink some more coffee. And so the coffee talk goes on. And then something happens that takes the coffee to lunch.
That something takes times, effort, consistency, persistence, and all the crazy stuff you can think of.
But now we’re going to 200k readers.
You think that’s worth the trouble?
Yes it is. But what if went to 50 readers instead? It would still be worth the trouble. All of this talk about get-rich-quick is crap. All this talk about getting partners quickly is crap. It’s always been crap. But someone is always ready to buy the crap if it’s well packaged.
Hmmm…Maybe I should go now. 😉
-Sean
P.S. Suzanna, thanks for the compliments and the analysis 🙂
Sean says
I’d say start now.
Fix it later.
heather says
So now we know what we’re doing wrong…
Fiona Fell - The Profit Maximising Web Geek says
I have been ‘toiling away’ solo for a few months now, and will continue to do so, with regard to creating content for my blog.
Partnering with others for direct profit generation and access to the ‘list’ is something I shall look into.
Thanks for the great article, and for keeping me focussed.
James Chartrand - Men with Pens says
It’s been a long, long time since I called myself a problogger. That label doesn’t fit anymore, and it hasn’t for a while. I’m an entrepreneur building an empire, and there’s no way that can be done alone.
I started my business with Harry. I’ve reached out to many other people to get what I needed and to give back as well. I share information and receive some in return. I’ve added Charlie to my team, and we’ll mutually benefit each other to grow the business.
I am successful because I refuse to do anything alone.
(Except grab the spotlight. No issues doing that…)
Laura Roeder says
99% of people who start a blog alone as a business are practicing magical thinking. They have no plan for how it would ever generate enough income except for “hope the blog makes it big”
Shaun says
Sean,
You’re right. I went on a walk, thought it over, and am putting it on paper now. 🙂
Ryan McLean says
This is an incredible post. Keep the good stuff coming
Melissa Donovan says
I’d like to learn more about partnering; specifically the behind-the-scenes details. For example, when a blogger launches an information product and other, highly-visible bloggers help promote it, isn’t that more of an affiliate promotion rather than a partnership? Or are there other partnership activities going on behind the scenes?
Sean says
Yes it is a promotion and not a partnership.
A partnership or an alliance (by my definition) is simply based on respect or mutual gain—but without the money. A joint venture only works if the money is around. If there’s no money it mostly doesn’t work.
A link may be seen as an alliance.
My article sent to your list may be seen as an alliance.
A reference to your website in my book may be an alliance.
You don’t need to do joint ventures. You can do very well with alliances.
s-
Andre Thomas says
It all comes down to selling. It doesn’t matter if you create a blog or an online sales letter. They are just vehicles. If you can sell, then you’ll make money either way.
That’s what I think is the main difference between the “internet marketer” in his undies and the slaving blogger.
Sure, the connections do help. JVs and affiliates take away the most expensive part of the equation – generating traffic. But if you can’t sell, they’ll pretty soon quit too.
Melissa Donovan says
Thanks Sean, you answered my question perfectly. Much appreciated!
Colin says
Nice post.
Everywhere you read that Internet Marketing is the thing to do, but there is a lot of work involved. In many ways creating a blog is probably the same as starting in internet marketing.
You still do everything yourself. I am still in the invisible phase of blogging and starting internet marketing. Time is a real issue.
I have a lot of ideas for blogging but no time to do it.
I look forward to your follow up post.
Play Games Win Prizes says
I believe it is quite difficult to achieve something when the person doesn’t have the patience or motivation to do it.
-Mike
Oritseyemi says
…..And so they respond.
But they take their time.
Time is critical.
Time allows for trust to build.
And relationships to build……
Time! Time!!Time!!!
We live in a society where 2-3 minutes is too long for us to cook an item in the mocrowave.
A lot of newbiees flocked online based on vain promises of “you can make millions over night”. So when you tell them about building powerful alliances, they think you are from the moon or something.
I bet a lot of folks did not know that almost every publisher turned down Robert’s book”Rich Dad, Poor Dad” because they believed that it won’t make it. But he continued to PERSEVEAR. I had no idea it took Brian about 2 years before he became an institution to reckon with. I am sure it must have taken Steve Pavlina some time also. I can go and on but I trust you got the picture
These sales copies paint different pictures because they stoke the human emotions really well most especially fear, greed and of course the idea that you can have the whole world to your self IN NO TIME!
The IMPLEMENTATION OF strategic alliances if done with a twist don’t have to take that much time though. At least there are proven ways creating these alliances now. Approaching the right folks, asking the right questions, strategically positioning yourself,etc
Hey, the readers of this post now stand a better chance.
Now they can STAND ON THE SHOULDER OF GIANTS(Jonathan,Sonia, Sonia S.,etc ) and kick their profit making ventures or strateic partnerships into higher gear within a very short TIME.
And there goes that TIME again!
Kian Ann says
Actually, after a while, I think bloggers are kinda “market spoilers” providing everything for free.
But bloggers need to eat too, right?
I think its time we start partnering and focusing more on profits. Great post.
Oritseyemi says
Opps!
(Jonathan,Sonia, Sonia S.,etc )
I meant to write (Jonathan,BRIAN, Sonia S.,etc )
Jeremy Day says
Oh, you got me super excited to read the next post. Great writing! And I agree, as a business man myself I know the power in networking and partnership deals.
TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More
Stumbled!
Cheers,
Jeremy
James Chartrand - Men with Pens says
@ Ori – You forgot JAMES!
Alliance, partnership, leveraging… Call it what you want. It basically means you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. That can be through doing work together to create a product, one person creating while the other promotes or simply teaming up with a greater goal in mind.
The point is, united you stand. Divided you don’t go too damned far at all.
Cedric Solidon | Write Like a Rock Star says
Wow, Jonathan, you hit the nail right in the head! I’m pretty self-reliant and do the design of my site apart from my actual copywriting work. Thanks for helping me realize how inefficient it is to work that way!
Barbara says
James,
I agree, but how to you obtain these partners? You need to convince these potential partners that it’s a win-win for both. How do you do that?
Thanks.
Best,
Barbara
James Chartrand - Men with Pens says
@ Barbara – Know what you’re giving before you ask to take. Always look for people who have what you desire, and then offer them something that you can do first and foremost.
If someone were to approach me out of the blue and say, “Look, James. I have the best plan in the world, and I’d like you to be in on it. Here’s what I’m going to do for you,” and then that person lists everything without asking… I’m so there.
Give first. Always.
Barbara says
Thanks James!!
Cedric Solidon | Write Like a Rock Star says
I agree with you on that one, James.
Barbara, if you have clients you are comfortable working with you could start from there. Say for example, you’re a copywriter and your client’s from the web design industry and you click, then you’ve got yourself a partner.
That’s another way of putting what James said about ‘giving first.’ 🙂
Barbara says
Thanks Cedric! Great comments. OK, I’m ready to get some partners!
Cedric Solidon | Write Like a Rock Star says
You’re welcome and good luck! 🙂
Casey Eberhart idealnetworker.com says
Wow! Once again great ideas! I have used partnering in every other venture I have done and really just had a great a ha moment here. Most of my friends that blog are the do it by yourselves types and it is killing them. I have several people help me out by doing a little bit and now we look great. Thank you so much for all of your easy tips! Give someone an AWESOME day!!
Evelyn Lim says
This is very useful advice!! I’m thinking about how to move forward from here. I really need more help on a new project but know that I’d be fully stretched if I do it on my own.
Michael says
But, I enjoy what I’m doing and only write about things that I would be talking about anyway. Except on my blog the people who read it are actually interested in what I have to say. Most of my friends aren’t as interested in technology as I am and therefore I can keep all of my opinions to myself, talk to my friends about it anyway and bore them to tears, or blog about it. I choose the last option and this just proves one thing, blogging isn’t always about money, I do it because I enjoy it, not because I expect to making anything from it.
My Note Taking Nerd says
It seems like Clayton Makepeace ramped up the content he could load onto his site by having his internal team and guest superstars post articles on his site.
When he started it was just him sending one article a week.
Now the site gets premium grade content added everyday and he only writes once a week.
My site depends on me and my partner for content now.
I don’t want to post bullshit but when I’m writing copy my posts take time away from that and draw on my creativity.
If you’ve had this challenge and have conquered it, I’m open to your expertise.
I’ve slowly been training myself to write my posts to the clock. It has helped me lots.
Note Taking Nerd Numba 2
http://www.mynotetakingnerd.wordpress.com
Icarus says
Eh… personally I’ve always found it to be irrelevant.
Jonathan Drain says
The secret to blogging success is to write about something that’s really valuable to many people. Example:
Coding Horror, programming. 114K subscribers.
Copyblogger, success by writing online. 39,774 subscribers.
D20 Source, Dungeons & Dragons. 573 subscribers.
goodwebguideblog says
For a beginner it kinda puts you off blogging as so much seems to be involved, nothing is simple anymore! As a beginner myself I currently use blogspot. I’m not sure where it’s going, if it will earn anything or if it’s worth me pushing forwards after reading this post. 🙂
Direct Response Radio Advertising Rocks! says
I am always amazed at how it seems the only ones making money on the web are those who sell products about making money on the web 🙂 Seriously though, we have dedicated part of our marketing initiative simply to start forming partnerships and working together to provide valuable information.
Great article,
M. Bruce Abbott
Creative Director/Partner
Radio Lounge
Andrew Mason says
Great article. I spend loads of time on my GTD and Productivity blog, http://www.didigetthingsdone.com and I must admit that I have hardly monetized it at all.
This is an area I really want to look into as the readership for the blog is growing now.
Thanks.
Jim says
At its very foundation, isn’t blogging an act of partnering? The basic rule to growing a blog is to connect with others through comments, links and blog rolls.
From there, bloggers comment on the content of others growing and driving traffic to each other.
Compelling enough for an established blog to comment on or link to and suddenly the traffic is off and running.
While the money can come from advertising, the real money is in attracting potential clients to whatever you do. The Real Estate example in the comments above is right on target. The blog doesn’t bring in money, it brings in real estate clients who in turn bring in money.
Jim
http://www.jalcommunications.com
Chris says
Also, another thing to consider is it can be very boring and lonely sitting in your apartment writing all alone. It’s great to have immediate feedback and to be able to talk a problem through. I’ve sort of started to look for partners for various websites I’ve been working on, but now I might step it up. Two heads are better than one. Four hands typing away are better than two I guess.
Neil says
Great article. When I started my blog a month ago my goal was to make income from it. My long-term goal is it to be my only source of income. At times I feel guilty when I think about monetizing it, but then I give myself a shake and get back to basics.
Partnering with affiliaes and doing some IM is a great way to add a revenue stream to your blog. I’ve only just begun researching and implementing it.
So much to learn, so much to do, and not enough time to do it all!
Sean says
There’s always time to do it all. 🙂
I don’t want to be pompous, but I write three blogs (sometimes four). I write a column for the newspaper. And then 52 articles a year for Psychotactics, about 150 for my membership site, create video, do my own website design. And manage and answer posts on as many as five forums.
I still get time to play badminton about 9 hours a week. I spend about 6-9 hours doing little or nothing at the cafe. And I avoid work on weekends, if I can help it. And we take 3 months off every year.
Ok so that sounds pompous. But it’s not. It’s understanding how you can do the same thing faster. And not just faster, but better. And then faster than ever before.
What most of us do, is chase profits. But what’s really important is understanding how to create efficiencies, because at the end of the day you can do a lot yourself.
Now I’m not advocating doing it all. I totally subscribe to the ‘partnership’ concept. A plane with one engine will most certainly crash if that one engine stops functioning. But the factor of time and partnerships are two different topics altogether.
It’s more than possible to do a lot of stuff — and do it exceedingly well with just an understanding of efficiencies.
Sean
psychotactics.com
Sean says
True.
But not entirely, as you and I know already. 🙂
There will always be the ones (and this includes me from a past age) who want to get to the top of a Google page, or get thousands of customers, blah, blah, blah. And there are those who pander and well, cater for this need.
They’re doing the rest of us a big favour.
You can never solve the problems of a get-rich junkie. Because their concept of work is reading a book, or attending a seminar, and hoping that they’ll get all that moolah. But that’s not the case at all. ‘Teaching Sells’ is a good example of hard work. Just putting that website together was hard work. And there are lots of folks that run very good information and yes products and services.
So yes, I know you were half-joking.
But I’m half-ranting 😉
s-
http://www.psychotatics.com
Sean says
And I agree with you, Michael.
There are indeed people who are really only interested in what you have to say. And having ten voices on your blog would only drown your voice.
I wouldn’t change it if I were you.
s-
The Office Newb says
This post came at the perfect time. I was experiencing serious blogger’s block and wondering how on earth I was going to continue keeping my blog up. Thanks for the tip!
Deb Kolaras says
Great post and you gave me much to think about. Partnering was not something I’d given much consideration, but now…thank you.
Jaime says
What a great post. I have thought about this many times but since I’m a workaholic, I never think I will find someone as spastic, work-crazy, and driven as me. Maybe there is someone out there…
Rohit says
Awesome Article!
joe gelb says
good post, i recently had a similar phenomon where i bought a long board skateboard and realized how much easier it was on the legs and how much more fun it was than my park board. in the same way like you say perhaps people like me to say the least are missing the blogging point which is to bend ideas, and concepts and make em real
Demian Farnworth says
Don’t forget that partnerships are important, too, when you start to stray, get discouraged or stupid. If you have a partner, it’s hardly lonely. And the more partners you have, it’s more like a party.
@Sean 9 hours of badminton. Are you serious?
WebSite Design Orange County says
Am I the only one who is tired of hearing the words “Blog”, “Blogging”, “Blogger” and “Blogshpere” being passed around so freely like a 3 foot bong in a frat house?
Let’s face it there are only a few people who have something interesting to say on a consistent basis, and unfortunately Dave Barry has retired. So maybe instead of finding a trick to help you make money with your “Blog”, it might behoove some people to realize the futility of thinking everyone can be an NBA star.
Lindsay says
Actually, I’m not in my underwear. I’m sitting and laughing in my footed pajamas. 😉
Anyway, you make an excellent point. I am one of those rare folks that earn six figures from my blogs and websites, but it took me 4+ years to get to that point. One of my plans for 2009 is to outsource some of the writing (maybe eventually all!) for my main blog, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this can take me.
John of Celtic Ways says
never really thought about making money with blogs themselves but they have been incredibly useful for bring people to inquire about my tours and workshops in Ireland. A lot of this is due to folks taking some of my content and using on their sites, with links back to me rather than just review and link. I do not ask for this. It just happens. Not on six figures yet, though, but close but I only spend a little time on computer, at breakfast and a bit after evening meal.
No sitting in underwear for me. I still rise early to stoke up or re-light the turf fires. I think that’s my add on here. Don’t spend your life DIY 24 hours on computer. Partner and source out at least 20 hours of your computer time so you have 20 hours to partner with life.
J.R. Farr says
I think I needed to come across this post. I recently just launched a new site with a partner and I did it for all the reasons mentioned above. Trying to take on a blog by yourself can be way to overwhelming. That’s not to say you can’t do it, it’s just where I’m at with my life I am happy to be partnered up with someone on my new endeavors.
Thanks for the awesome insight and post.
martha says
I do have a blog but it doesn’t have good traffic but it has good page rank…
Marc Rohde says
Great insight, this is a bit like the “hedgehog” idea from good Good To Great. Focus on what you are best at for the greatest opportunity for success.
Takumi86 says
I have also been asking about this question for several times by my parents, for some people yes its true but once you got everything in your hand, you’ll think twice before you asking this question to other blogger
Latarsha Lytle says
Wow. You hit it on the nail. One person can’t acheive it all – there’s only so many hours in the day.
The key to making the partnership work, though, is to find the “right” opportunity…and the “How I Hijacked Copyblogger” blog tells us how.
Thanks for spreading the wisdom!
Allen says
yep.I want to make some profits from blogging. but there is little traffic….
Michael Martine - Remarkablogger says
Now that the ebook portion of the course is out, all I can say is that this has changed everything for me. I was something of a “lone wolf” previously, but I was plagued by all the problems that came with doing everything myself. Partnering Profits opened my eyes to how to multiply my effectiveness and my income through strategic partnerships. I’m already using its advice, and I can’t wait for the teleseminars.
James says
Blog is becoming an important part of my life, i was planning to make some profits from it, thanks for your post.
Chris Raider says
Bloggin needs a lot of time so forget blogging because of making money. Focus on your interests, that is my mission. Beside this I think I’m slowly on a crusade against money bloggers.
Green Panda says
This post is definitely something I need to look into and investigate. I realized that by doing it all myself, I’m slowing down my blog’s growth.
ierict says
Great article! I agree that bloggers have been working too hard and for not much return and need to take some notes from these BVD wearing IM’s.
Shirley says
Great article. Yes, bloggers work hard and many don’t get a return, but there are a lot of smart bloggers out there who do know how to convert their traffic into a substantial income.
Shall Xu says
what a great idea .I’m a new blogger but I work hard every day.I really need some suggetion on my bloging way
Atlanta Wedding Photographer says
what a great post. something everyone has been thinking about. THe most successful people I know are those that have others doing some/if not all the work for them. thanks.
Make money online with a 17 year old kid says
Hey Jonathan,
Firstly I thought that you owned this site but after reading this post I came to know the truth that you are an author here.
But you surely deliver what Brian delivers because the post was remarkably well written. Despite being too lengthy, the post is really interesting.
Thx for the great post
Regards
Laksh
Dan Massicotte says
I think you forgot an important element, which I hope was obvious to readers reading between the lines: think big.
Frank Dobner says
This is a nice bit of writing. I realize that this blog is nearly two months old, but can you tell me how does Copy Blogger make 6 figures each month?
Jon Morrow says
Frank: Copyblogger is about three years old. The blog I was referring to that I built in two months was On Moneymaking (onmoneymaking.com). I sold it last year.
The majority of Copyblogger’s revenue comes from selling products like Teaching Sells, Thesis, and Partnering Profits. You can check them out by clicking on the banners on the top left corner of this page.
-Jon
Louver says
This is something new bloggers must really look into… Very helpful!
Dustin @ Beating the Grind says
Thank you for that information. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the power of partnerships and the leverage it provides you. Thanks!
VlogHog says
Great article. Stumbled up.
I’ve thought many of these same thoughts.
Odd Games says
One thing… How is Copyblogger making all this money. I see you say u dont stuff your webpage with ads. How do you generate the money on this blog. I am confused.
Brian Clark says
Copyblogger makes money from the things we have developed for the audience. That includes WordPress themes (Thesis), multimedia training (Teaching Sells, Partnering Profits), and the products and services of our trusted partners.
fefos says
Great post and you gave me much to think about.
happyinchina says
Maybe it’s true… 🙂
Blogs make me more dead than alive, and i can earn only a little through it.
ravi says
Great post! I’m certainly ready to hear more, so I’m staying tuned!
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