Blogs designed for business use are usually promoted in order to enhance communication with customers. Purist bloggers generally objects to this idea, because the traditional idea of blogging is for free and personal use. However, if you have been reading this blog for any amount of time, you should now be at a level where we can talk about blogging for money right?

But many people who give advice on blogging for business say that you shouldn’t sell on your blog. The blog is just for building those relationships. Well, I love to make new friends and cement relationships with existing ones as much as the next guy/galbut ummmI also blog to build my business.

If You’re Not Prepared to Show Them What You Have to Offer, How Are They Going to Find Out?

See, I don’t really understand how one could think that just writing interesting blog posts without ever making any offer to your readers is going to do you much good. Sure, you can do some promos/ads in the side bar of your blog, but realisticallymost of your readers ignore the side of your blog. They are interested in what you have to SAY. And if you don’t SAY what you have to offerhow will they know?

Contextual offers within your posts is the best way to go about doing this. While your readers are engaged with what you are saying, blend your offer in with the text. Naturally, don’t make every blog post about selling, otherwise your blog will become a “pitch fest” ( although, one or two posts won’t hurt, as long as they also contain great content). Just try to actively “pre-sell” your visitors, without hard selling.

If you have written your own e-book for example (or newsletter, course, membership site etc.) that is related to the subject, briefly mention it.

If you sell a product that addresses the problem you have decided to write about, tell your viewers.

If you know another company that sells a great product solution, link to it with an affiliate link.

Your readers don’t possess a ESP, They haven’t visited your blog just because they like you. Your public is interested in what YOU have to offer. They want to know what it is you’re currently up to, and what products you present. Don’t make the assumption that your reader base already know your product lineup, and they’ll investigate further should they ever feel the need to buy from you. This is not the case – you need to take them by the hand and show them.

This subject is something Lynette Chandler and I make sure to teach you in our Internet Marketing Blogging Bootcamp.

A little insight on how I monetize my blog

Strangely enough, some intuitive visitors have worked out how I make money from my blog (tee hee).

If you ever get the time, be sure to check out Andy Beard’s blog (andybeard.eu), as he has recently stated “they probably have more paying customers than many A-list bloggers have subscribers” (you’ll have to visit this site to read the full post).

John Reese wrote about an audit his team did for BlogRush members and he mentioned that a lot of make-money blogs were disapproved because “most of the blogs in that category were heavy with ads and promotional material compared with the ratio of tips, techniques, and true unique ‘helpful’ content.” And then he proceeded to list this blog as one of the blogs that actually got it right. Read the full quote in context at income.com/blog.

In reference to the subject, Brent Hodgson named it “over the shoulder selling”, which is a “type of inclusive sales pitch which just engages people – not as sales prospects, but as people”. He listed me as one of the people that uses this tactic “either subconsciously, or very deliberately”. Read the full quote along with the rest of the article at BrentHodgson.com.

Yes, It Applies to YOU!

And please don’t tell me this is only suitable for and “Internet marketing” blog because it’s simply not true. If you have products to sell and you have people who enjoy your related content – you can incorporate selling into your blog.

So, should you start selling your blog? Whether Covertly, or blatantly obvious… selling doesn’t suddenly turn you into a door-to-door salesman. It simply means you are someone who can relate to your visitors problems, and can offer honest recommendations or solutions.