Recently, we were asked a very common question, “How do I get started making money with a website or blog without spending a lot of money?” There’s a flaw in this question, but there is also a precious gem. And if you want to build a successful business online, you must know the difference between flawed thinking and profitable ideas.

I could easily list the steps you need to take to make money with your website or blog, but these steps are useless without the right mindset. So before I tell you the flaw and the gem in the above question, let me ask you this, Why do you want to make money?

I know it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to assume that your motivation comes from wanting the freedom that more money provides, but I’m asking you to dig a little deeper here.

What will you DO with the money you make with your website or blog — and how will that make you FEEL?

Will you get caught up on what you owe on your mortgage or to credit cards, banks and friends so you can feel pride again in your work?

Will you finally be able to quit a job you hate so you can wake up each morning excited about the day?

Help out family members who are in need?

Put a child through college so they are not saddled with debt from student loans?

Arrange for a parent to enter assisted living so they receive quality care and you can sleep at night without worry and fear?

Buy a more reliable car so each time you drive somewhere you’re not afraid of a breakdown?

Take a vacation to lift your spirits and clear your mind?

Get that much needed dental work or eye exam so you feel like you are taking care of yourself?

Give to charities that stir your heart and make you feel the joy of helping others?

Fix up your home so you are proud to invite people in and share your warmth?

Adopt a new puppy a feel secure that you can afford their care (and toys) for the next 15-20 years?

Or will making money online simply give you that sense of a safety net so that all your financial eggs are not in one basket?

Take some time to ask yourself why you really want to make money, what you will DO with the money and how it will make you FEEL to have the money? By understanding your ultimate motivation, you can now enjoy the precious gem in the original question.

You see, making money online with a website or blog is not about the logistics of connecting the different parts.  It’s actually very easy to connect the parts. Before you start putting the pieces of a blog or website together, I recommend taking time to create a Passion Statement to go along with your Mission Statement.  Know WHY you want to make money online and WHAT your motivation is so you can remind yourself during those inevitable moments of frustration.

The flaw embedded in this question is the assumption that the key to making money online is in the set up of a website or blog.  It is true that the set up is important, but what gets forgotten is that websites and blogs are simply tools for communication. My question to you is, what do you want to communicate to your audience? If all you want to do is make money without communicating a valuable message then you will not build a sustainable online business.

However, once you know what you want to communicate then we can look into the best ways to use a website or blog to connect with target audience, excite them about your message and sell them your products or services.

So that was a long winded introduction to my answer about how to get started making money online.  It all starts with why you want to make money and the message you want to communicate.  After you uncover the gem (why make money) and correct the flaw (what’s your message), this is what you need to make money online:

1. Get a keyword focussed domain name – I use GoDaddy.com
2. Website/blog – You can quickly and inexpensively set up a blog with free web software from WordPress.org and hosting with Hostgator.  If you have never set up a blog before, I highly recommend using these Step-by-Step WordPress Video Tutorials. (I have set up 10 blogs and I STILL refer back to these excellent tutorials!)
3. Lead capture – Easy to do with the Socrates WordPress Theme
4. Auto-responder – We use Aweber and Subscriber’s Magnet WordPress plugin
5. Posts/videos/offers – This is your unique message. Use video as much as possible and be sure to focus all of your content around keywords that your target audience is searching for
6. Products – Describe the benefits (in the eyes of your target audience) of your products or services and give your prospects easy ways to purchase
7. Merchant account/shopping cart – Paypal.com or 1Shoppingcart if you want to use a secure affiliate program
8. Follow-up – Use your email auto-responder or pick up the phone and call your prospects to stay in consistent contact

Those are the most important parts of your online business.  There are some costs and fees involved so you need to determine how to budget your resources. If time is more valuable than costs, hire someone to set up all the pieces for you. I can now set up a blog and integrate my auto-responder in very little time.

(NOTE: If you want the EXACT pieces I recommend above, us the Contact Us form and request my “Do It For Me” Web Packet. This is in beta-test mode and has not been advertised yet.)

If your primary goal is to keep costs down then you will need to “do it yourself” or trade services with other people. The important thing to do is START!

I hope this has helped you learn more about yourself and give you good direction for getting started making money with a blog.  Once you get started write back and I’ll tell you about the “gem & the flaw” of traffic generation!

Peace,

Lisa Hanfileti