Authority Blogging: Blogging Models That Work!

So you want to make money blogging?

How much do you understand about the different blogging models, really? I’m not talking about monetization models – that’s a completely different subject. How you make money from a blog is independent from how you build and market that blog.

In this 3-part mini series, let me give you a short but useful introduction to the top three blogging models: authority blogging, niche blogging, and autopilot blogging. Of course our discussions will completely ignore the other blogging model: blogging for fun – since I believe that’s not why you’re reading this blog right now.

If you buy any blogging ebook, software or attend a blogging seminar, everything you’ll learn will fall into these three categories.

Is Authority Blogging For You?

This blogging model is perhaps the most common.

90% of all blogging tips out there teach you how to become an “authority” blogger’ someone who commands respect, is recognized as an expert, and frequently writes great content for his blog.

Almost every blog we frequently visit are run by authority bloggers. They know the “inside scoop”; they have the best answers and they are a sea of information on whatever topic they blog about.

An “authority” blogger in almost all cases can only be perceived as an authority in one, at most two, unrelated markets. The scope is limiting, but besides just money this path promises you fame, recognition and also die-hard fans.

Here’s how this blogging model breaks down:

• Visibility Level: High
• Effort Level: Medium
• Time to Profit: High
• Technicality: Medium
• Risk Level: High
• Potential Rewards: High

Visibility level is high, because if you want to be recognized as an expert you need to put up pictures of yourself, reveal your FaceBook or Twitter profile, and even do some videos or podcasts.

People need to see your face. They need to know you so they can trust you and ultimately, do business with you.

Effort level is also high, since you need to constantly put up relevant blog posts daily (or every few days). Besides just writing new blog posts, you need to go the extra mile if you want to be recognized as a true authority. Talk about podcasts, interviews, and videos.

Time to profit is high because you need to blog for a long time before anyone would recognize you and want to put ads on your site.

However, this is only true for the advertising monetization model. You can make money much faster if:

• You already have a solid product or service, and you’re just building your brand
• You have an ebook, software or other information product to sell
• You are the author of a book, or currently writing one

Technicality required is medium – just an ordinary WordPress blog will do. The key here is content, not the gadgets. However, you still need to have great technical skills or knowledge in the filed that you want to dominate.

An authority blogger also doesn’t need to spend as much time figuring out keyword research, PageRank or SEO tactics. All he or she needs to do is write to communicate, and focus on long-tail keywords, referral traffic and residual traffic from social bookmarking.

Risk level is high, in my opinion, because if you follow this strategy you need to put all your eggs in one basket. What if your blog doesn’t quite catch on? What if after months of blogging, you find it difficult (if not impossible) to monetize your blog?

If however, you succeed, then the rewards you get will be the best. You can make money not only from advertising, but by selling even more information products from your blog, speaking engagements, physical books, and perhaps even product commercials. I’m not kidding – a lot of hot female bloggers achieve some sort of semi-celebrity status, and are sought after even by large multi-national companies.

If you want to be an authority blogger, then the most important question to ask is “Can I be an authority figure in this market?”

If the answer is “No”, then no matter how hard you try your blog will not be one of the best. There will always be other experts who know more than you do, have better connections, have access to insider information, and so on.

Anyways, even an authority blogger can only be an authority in one or two markets. Trying to build an authority blog in more than 2 markets is too time-consuming. Because you are the authority and have a certain style of writing, you cannot outsource your content or marketing as much as you could with niche blogging or autopilot blogging.

Becoming an authority blogger is a full-time affair. Sometimes it can feel like you’re stuck to it, but if you really love your topic, work seems like fun. I think that’s the key to becoming an authority blogger – love what you do.

So, is authority blogging your cup of tea? Or do you just want to make more money online an don’t care about the recognitions or fame?

Related posts:

1. Niche Blogging: Blogging Models That Work!
2. Autopilot Blogging: Blogging Models That Work!
3. How Much Money Do You Make Blogging?
4. 5 Reasons You Should Not be Blogging
5. Paid Blogging – Do You Read Them?