This is a guest post by Keith Smith, who has an amazing blog called Think For Money. Visit his blog for some really good articles on earning online and you can subscribe to his RSS feed here.
So, you’d like to build a web site/blog, and one day make a considerable amount of money from it. You decide to give it a shot and the first thing you ask yourself is “Where do I begin?” Here are three answers to that question.
Determine what you want
This has to be your first step. You must decide what you want your blog/site to be about; who your target audience will be and what you want to say to them? Once you have answered these questions you are on your way! When you begin a journey you typically have a destination in mind and once you have your destination, you’ll know how to get there. When you start to get specific about what you want your blog/site to be about and who you wish to be viewing it, you set in motion a powerful force that can only be mobilized when you have taken generalized ideas and defined them more precisely. Precise or clearly defined goals have a way of becoming real!
Determine why you want it
Knowing why you want to create a blog/site is very important. You may say, “I want to make a lot of money, of course!” and that is ok. The thing is, however, that money alone may not be enough to keep you motivated for the long term. What will keep you motivated is purpose. We all wish to have a purpose and it is the thing that will keep you going, especially in the beginning when there isn’t any money coming in. When I speak of having purpose, what I mean is the passion that is behind the idea for your blog/site. You chose your blog/site idea because it is something you are passionate about (I hope!), have gained some experience in and wish to help others with by sharing what you’ve learned or by providing a service or product. When you have this sort or driving force behind all of your actions you will stay motivated. Money alone will not provide this. Don’t misunderstand me, I hope you make lots of money, just be sure you have a deeper purpose!
Determine to persevere
If you have followed steps one and two, then persistence should not be a problem for you. You have your destination (goal), and have armed yourself with passion and purpose so all you need now in order to make your dream come true is persistence. This is exactly where I am at right now! I haven’t made a ton of cash from my online endeavors, at least not yet, but already my persistence has paid off by way of the relationships I have made and the people whom I have helped. My passion and purpose are driving me forward and I am not looking back, and the money? It’ll come. I have no doubt.
Over To You
Enjoyed reading the post? Have anything to add? Please feel free to comment below.
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May 3rd, 2009
Awesome post, Keith, I really love reading your stuff
I think the third point is the most important. Personally I only really blog to have fun, not too interested in the money aspect of it (yet 
), but if I didn’t persevere I’m not sure by blog would even still be here 
Once again, great post Keith.
May 3rd, 2009
Hello Simon!
Thank you and I totally agree with you! The best plans in the world would be useless if one didn’t persist and see them through!
You’re always very encouraging with your comments and I thank you!
May 3rd, 2009
Nice post. I agree with it. If you dont have any target in your mind, you will stray away and in the end make a mess of all the work. We should take some time to set our priorities and objectives and then start doing the work.
May 3rd, 2009
Greetings Rahul!
Yes, you must have a destination in mind so you’ll know where you are going! You said it well when you stated “We should take some time to set our priorities and objectives and then start doing the work.”
Thank you for your comment!
May 3rd, 2009
It takes a while to make money from your blog, and it also requires a lot of skill.
I was a little skeptical about reading this post at first, but the points you went over I have not seen before.
So awesome post Keith, you definitely bring up some great points.
May 4th, 2009
Hi Alex!
You are so right, it does take time and skill to make money blogging. I feel that the points I mentioned in this article are at the “root” of what it takes to be successful.
Thank you for your kind words and your input!
May 4th, 2009
Making money from a blog really isn’t as easy as what most people think.
May 4th, 2009
Hi Melvin!
I couldn’t agree more with what you’ve said! In fact, I think many people get discouraged very quickly when their new blog doesn’t bring in fast cash. That is the reason I wrote this article in the way I did. It speaks more to the “root” of being successful rather than listing three things you can do to make your blog earn quick cash.
Thank you for commenting!
May 4th, 2009
Great Post their Keith,
As my opinion You can’t make money with blogging if you blog for money. Blog about your passion, stay consistent you’ll automatically generate money.
May 4th, 2009
Hello Enk!
You really nailed it with your comment!! One must be passionate about what they write about and have a deeper purpose than just making money!
Thank you for your comment and complement!
May 4th, 2009
Keith –
Your three points, IMHO, sound like good guidelines for just about any business endeavor, let alone blogging. Some “get rich quick” folks don’t seem to get the passion aspect.
All the best,
– Daniel
May 4th, 2009
Hello Daniel!
You are right! The three points discussed in this article are universal to be sure, and are necessary for success.
Passion, again, is definitely a key in being able to maintain motivation.
Thanks for commenting!
May 4th, 2009
This is a great post Keith.
I loved it. I started blogging just to earn and failed, but I will be starting again!
May 4th, 2009
Hello Rohit!
Thanks for the compliment! I am glad to hear you are going to go for it with a new blog! Please let me know when you get it going so I can check it out!
May 10th, 2009
Great post.
Working at it and perserverance is also required.
How many people never try?
Although I love reading how others have done and blogs such as the dollar diary, I really need to sit up get blogging and try myself.
Is it all about blogging for money? Maybe, maybe not, but it is hoped that money comes to us from what we do.
June 5th, 2009
I agree with Melvin. I have made easier money whoring myself out to places like Kleinman Research and paid to read email than I have had success with a blog. I’m about ready to give up, but glad that its working for others.
June 11th, 2009
i always keep telling my reader not too focus on making money frm blog, and need to blog for your interest 1st, cos this may help u blog for longer…then after got some traffics, only focus on making money
June 11th, 2009
i really hope that one day i can become full time blogger..do u have friend become d?
June 12th, 2009
I have to say I’m really impressed with your posts and blog overall. I stumbled on your site accidentally but am now happy I did. I’ll be stopping in to read more often now. Thanks again !