Five Steps to Blogging to the Bank

Once you've figured out who you want to reach with your blog, it's time to find a way to stand out from the rest of the competition. The thing that will capture attention and get regular followers is how well you deliver unique value and content. This is the one thing that will get you loyal customers!

Here's a five-step guideline that can help you entice your audience and develop a distinct and authoritative voice within the niche you chose.

1. Evaluate the Competition

Probably, you've already seen your competition when identifying your targeted audience. Commercial blogging is very popular, and it's easy to come into contact with others already involved.

But, it never hurts to check out the competition again, just to be sure you haven't overlooked anyone, or blogs that might be industry focused. Other businesses related to your niche can be excellent link sources. Two excellent resources for blog research are: Technorati and Google Blog Search.

Don't forget to identify and evaluate each competitor's ideas and approaches. Take at look at what makes them unique. Perhaps the only thing that makes a competitor unique is that they began blogging long before you did. Of course, being first does have advantages, but needs to be viewed as an experienced opportunist.

2. Lateral Thinking

Sometimes, people who want to be seen as unique think they need to have some off-the-wall niche. Yes, you do want to be different and separate from other bloggers, but logical justification is important.

Lateral thinking is creative thinking that includes a bridge within the context of your subject matter. This, however, does not mean you need to come up with some crazy idea or product that has no relation to the needs of your readers and customers.

Joke about your business, and then take the joke seriously. People love humor, and truthful humor is a good starting point for innovation. Whether the truth is a bit uncomfortable or not, use it as a tool to improve your business.

3. Identify the Differences

Can't see the trees for the forest? Sometimes we need to take a step back to get a clear view on why your blog is not generating money. People can get so wrapped up in writing the blog and miss seeing what it really says. Sometimes people get stuck in a specific theme, and the blog gets boring.

Step outside the box and abandon the traditional way things are done within your field or niche. Check out other blogging approaches, even if they are not related to your business. Would or could they could work for your business? Why not?

4. Capitalize on Credibility

Sometimes, finding a new angle finds us outside our comfort zone. But, if you don't venture into places that seem out of your league, you are not grasping a unique approach.

Blogging provides you with a lot of leeway and 'learn-as-you-go' experiences. Just be sure that you never exhibit false confidence or arrogance towards your potential customers!

5. Share the Value

Many people fail when it comes time to tell others about their unique benefit. It doesn't matter that you think what you do and what you're offering is crystal clear. You need to communicate to others what makes your business and blog unique. Even more important, you must explicitly identify the unique benefits to your readers and customers.

Your blog's About Page carries more importance than you might think. The page is not really about you (personally), it's about the uniqueness you're offering to the reader. Give them free information within the blog. A free benefit is a seat among your prospective customers.

Stay focused, but don't ignore the obvious changes that your competitor bloggers are doing to make money from blogging. Learn how to blog effectively and create a blog that is unique and credible. Give your customers viable solutions and innovative ideas, and you will be blogging to the bank!