Blogging has transformed from an individual pastime to a means of making money. A number of bloggers have managed to entice investors, raise money, and build successful businesses. Here are some success examples of well-known blogs that turned into revenue generators.
Several blogs have become household names and in the process commercialized these ideas very well. A few of them that stand out as the most successful ones are:
These blogs have illustrated that one can monetize content. Now, we will read about some success stories of the aforementioned blogs.
Success Stories of Famous Blogs
Little Black Book (LBB)
Suchita Salwan created LBB, which began as a simple shopping recommendation Tumblr blog in 2011. She initially only focused on local shopping, but as she managed to garner followers, LBB.in evolved into a website to handle the increased traffic. Now, as a full-fledged recommendation platform for shopping malls, businesses, and events, LBB has transformed into one of the most frequently visited website in the region.
In 2019, LBB raised Rs. 7 crores in funding from investors and now has over 60,000 local brands listed on LBB making the website one of the leading digital ecosystem players in the region.
yourstory.com
Shradha Sharma has been sharing her entrepreneurial stories on yourstory.com since 2008. What drew readers and business people was her ability to narrate a story. Her platform grew rapidly and Ratan Tata is an investor now.
YourStory has emerged as a prominent source for entrepreneurial stories with over 60,000 articles published in more than a dozen languages.
techcrunch.com
TechCrunch, started by Michael Arrington in 2005, emerged as a prominent startup and technology blog. Its credibility came from attending major industry events, covering popular startup stories, and even launching their own events.
The company was acquired by AOL in 2010 and became a fully owned media subsidiary.
The Ken
The Ken understood that there was a gap in the market for high quality content and took advantage of it. Unlike most blogs, the Ken operates on a subscription basis and provides quality business journalism, putting it a step ahead of most information sources.
Ways to Monetize Blogging
Blogs require effort, however, monetizing them is relatively easy. Some of the common monetizing strategies used by bloggers include:
- Advertising
- Promotional Posts
- Sale of Products
- Ticketed Events
- Sponsored Articles
- Paid Subscriptions
Trends in Blogging
There is a blossoming demand for non-English content, which means blogging in regional languages is a new opportunity in the blogging sphere.
Vlogging and podcasting: Audio and video materials capture the audience’s attention well.
Niche blogging: Concentrating on a particular industry or field broadens reach and enhances credibility.
Principles of Successful Bloggers
- Success in blogging is not a matter of luck; it requires planning and hard work. Here are some key principles:
- Target a niche to increase domain authority and ranking on Google.
- Produce and publish well-researched content for maximum impact.
- Achieve higher readability by including pictures after each paragraph.
- Increase credibility by conducting expert interviews.
- Enable paid subscriptions for exclusive content.
- Mark sponsored posts to avoid possible breaches of trust.
- Make it simple and responsive on all devices.
- Employ freelancers and guest bloggers to gain wider coverage to the target audience.
Action Plan for Aspiring Bloggers
If you aim to have a successful blog, take the following steps:
- Register a blog and assign a subject matter to it.
- Create content that is rich and valuable.
- Make money through sponsorships, advertising, and affiliate programs.
- Use search optimizations for non-paid visiting purposes.
- Raise awareness of the blog on social media platforms and through partnerships.
Conclusion
Blogs have been a great source of sharing knowledge and making money. The earnings of a blog solely depend on the bits and pieces of advice provided by professional bloggers to help select the appropriate revenue stream. The story behind LBB, YourStory, and TechCrunch suggests that if done properly, blogging can be quite lucrative financially and can also help in grappling recognition in the relevant field.
