7 Tips To Building a Massive Blog!
Table of Contents
Making money blogging can actually make you really rich. I have proven this when I spoke about blogs that sold for millions but how do they get that way? A typically blog sells for 12 months revenue, so if it’s making $1000 a month, it’s likely to sell for $12,000. There are a lot of exceptions to this rule, for example if it’s an authority site and the age of the business, big sites that have been around for years can sell for 10′s of years of revenue. My goal for every business I have ever made has been to build and build till one day it’s worth millions, this post is all about how to build an authority site so that one day this could become a possibility for you.
I remember being at Underground Seminar 2 years ago and Ryan Allis saying something on stage that really stuck with me.
Have the end in mind and every day make sure your working towards it – Ryan Allis
Authority Sites Have These 7 Things in Common
Post Content Daily
People want content daily, for the very reason your reading this post, it helps them in some way so naturally they want more and more. If your not posting daily, they will look else where for someone who will publish more content then you do. This is what I would say is one of the most defining factors of a authority site and for anyone who’s going to take this year seriously, you need to work out a way to do this.
Having more content isn’t just a benefit to your regular readers, it means you will get more and more traffic because search engines have more to index and other sites have more to link to which in turn will make you more money.
A Well Thought Out Website Design
Version one and two of IncomeDiary looked more like a personal site then authority site, version three however looks a lot different. When I compared the biggest sites in my industry, I found they had a lot of things in common, here’s the check list I wrote down:
- No clutter, they kept things simple!
- 100% width header, this may seem like a small thing but it is actually a common difference between big and small sites.
- Important content on the homepage.
- They are Sticky! This means, they are good at getting people back to their site, most use social media or RSS readers. I personally choose email marketing.
- Great branding.
Less Ads, More Money
The majority of big sites don’t clutter there whole site with adverts in every possible spot, it’s tacky and looks terrible. Instead they have as little as possible, however charge a lot more. This makes a lot of sense, it requires less work which means they can focus more on publishing content to bring in more traffic to keep advertisers happy. To find out more about monetizing your blog, check out Site Profit Domination.
Diversify Their Income
Someone who’s been in business longer then probably a year will know just how important this is. Something that works today, probably won’t work the same in a years time. Having multiple income streams means that if something stops working, you can focus more on the other things that do. Some of the most common income streams for big sites include:
- Selling Advertising
- Selling Their Own Products
- Job Boards
- Paid Directory Listings
- Premium Membership
- Reviewing Products
- Email Marketing
- Affiliate Marketing
I personally have 5 income streams in my business, originally I just had Google Adsense, I got banned and my earnings went to 0 over night. Then I did banner advertising which can be hard work for new sites, my best tip is definitely to not have all your eggs in on basket. Having multiple income streams is also great for making sure you meet targets.
They Have a Whole Team
There is no way one person can do everything, for example, I’m an entrepreneur, it’s not in my best interest to learn to design a website or do jobs that anyone else can do. Every big site has a team, most teams include:
- Editors, this personal will make sure the content goes out on time and looks its best.
- A developer, depending on the size of the site, usually they will be a “web guy” who can do a bit of everything, so if they need a new page designed or something coded, it can be done quickly.
- Guest Bloggers, sometimes they work for free and sometimes they get paid, it depends on the arrangement with the blog. The editor will make sure these guys look good.
- Virtual Assistant, something that every business owner needs, this guy does all the jobs that you can do but don’t want to so you can focus your time on more important things. This could be anything from managing your email, accepting comments, working with your team etc.
They Are Always Changing and Adapting
It’s important for authority sites to stay ahead of the crowd, that’s why they are the authority. Most of the big sites I read update their site design every year or two, this will always allow them to adapt the design to follow the trends on how people are using there site and what is making them the money at that period of time. Another prime example of a business owner reinvesting what they earn, something I recommend to you all.
They See The Bigger Picture
This is a hard one for most new bloggers, I would imagine the majority of people reading this would just like to make $500 or something a month to help with their mortgage. People who create a big site usually invest in a good domain and work hard to scale their business as quick as possible. Once one site is doing well they begin another and another and gradually build a network of sites.
Take a look at these people:
Michael Dunlop, started Retireat21, then IncomeDiary, Popup Domination, SiteProfitDomination and BlogCreationDomination.
Collis Ta’eed started FreelanceSwitch, then PSDTuts, Nettuts, ThemeForest and now a couple years later has a network of over 20 websites called Envato.
Darren Rowes started Problogger, then wrote a book, launched a successful eBook, then started Twittip, then another successful eBook and the list goes on.
*not exact but near enough for you to see what I’m talking about 
The main thing you will notice is, we all capitalized on the success we had at the beginning, we didn’t just sit around, collect out cheques and spend our money on ourselves. We took it and invested into another project which made us even more money and just kept scaling things up.
Which of these do you think you’re doing best?
About Michael Dunlop
I'm Michael, I created this site back in 2009 and since then it's received over a million visitors from all around the world. We offer tutorials and inspiration for online entrepreneurs wanting to achieve more.
56 comments so far… Leave a reply
Fisayo @ Secrets of Entrepreneurship
These are great tips Mike. Thanks for sharing. Good job!
Oil Pastels Artist
I really need to start involving more people with my blogs. I always end up doing everything myself. Maybe because I am a web developer I somehow have this belief that I should be able to do everything. I don't think this will last much longer though. Thanks for the good article!
Kathryn Lang
Thank you for these tips. I have to say that your emails are the most effective of all the ones I get in my mailbox. You make them simple and clean and also give me the perfect incentive for following through to your site. Now I just have to figure out a way to be able to post every day on my sites. :D
Lisa Miller
I have to agree to Kathryn. I subscribe to a number of Newsletters. But Michael's emails are the ones I most look forward to. He always provide good information instead of promoting every new product, like others do. Keep up the good work Michael!
Michael Dunlop
Thanks Lisa, glad you are enjoying what I do. Promoting every product isn't me, I want to build something great, not just for money.
Catherine
I enjoy reading your blogs Michael and the comments here and would really like to know what is marketable and profitable that I can have on a website. I am want to build something great too not just for the money and would like an on line business with multiple strams of income what do I need to do to achieve these goals please?.
Peter Hutyr
Its true, Michael's emails are professional. There's no pitching like other bloggers that promote in every email. I usually unsubscribe once I start seeing more pitching on emails. Its annoying. Since I'm new a new blogger, I want to use Michael's style - send emails that are beneficial to your readers and zero promotions in the emails. It keeps your readers happy and satisfied.
Michael Dunlop
Hello Kathryn, Great to hear, glad I'm doing something right. As for blogging, focus on one a week, then two and work your way up, doesn't seem such a big issue doing it that way. Michael
Nate @ Strayblogger
I think what most people don't do is the big picture you mentioned. Too many people are trying to make money overnight and then they give up when that doesn't happen. I feel like building up powerful authority sites over time is the best use of one's time these days on the web.
Lisa Miller
Inspired! Great tips yet again Mike. Great blogs have great teams - true. But not necessarily at the start. Take Michael Arrington of TechCrunch for instance, he started TC alone. In time, it grew. He hired people. He built a team. My point being - start somewhere. If you don't have the resources, improvise. Don't be too focused on what will happen. Just do it!
Jeremiah
Great advice Michael, Do you have any tips on a good place to find a good "editor/writers?" My thought is that if you have good writers and editors on hand you can systemize getting a consistent flow of content on your blog. Thanks for your advice Michael! Jeremiah
Michael Dunlop
Hello Jeremiah, Not really, build a list of everything they need to do to do each post, for example: - Creative headline - H2 tag - Link to each person in list. and so on.. The easier you make it for them, the better your results. Michael
Adesoji Adegbulu
Exactly the way it's supposed to be. Keep it coming Micheal
Nic Penrake
A useful summary, Michael, thanks. Design and layout is great... plenty of breathing space, dynamic and economical use of images.
RandySmith@InternetMarketingRambles
I'd love to agree with you on all points Michael.... BUT...lol To post daily AND create products AND generate traffic AND build a list etc. Is beyond the number of hours in a day for some people doing things all by themselves... Naturally - once revenue is coming in one would consider outsourcing some of the tasks required.... So maybe a caveat of - Get Started, and when it all becomes too much - then think about getting others involved? All the same - great tips for once people are making some regular income :) Randy
Michael Dunlop
What I did was worked hard at beginning, then INVEST!! Now I make a good income from literally a hours work a day. Good luck Randy!
Nisha Stephy
My personal view point, and of course my research result with my blog subscribers, is that they would find the posts more valuable when they are published only twice or thrice a week, than getting it updated daily. Let me know your thoughts
steve
Thanks a lot for the tips and i will make sure to keep it into my mind everyday! For me, post content daily is hard for me and I'm trying to keep it up.
Samuel
Awesome post Mike! Start small and dream big is the way to go. Valuable content is mandatory because it has a role to play. Thanks for sharing!
Monika
This is a great reminder for me, right now I'm a one person business with a couple of freelance writers. I hope within several months I will be able to afford a team.
Mark Gubuan | Commission Overload Bonuses
Mike, These are great tips. I like the 100% full header tip. I never really thought about that, thanks for pointing that out. Less Ads = More Money = More Traffic = Happy Clients ==> Smart Business
Michael Dunlop
It's something that never came to me till recently and it's working really well. Just took a new advertiser on for $1250 a month which is a lot of month. (aim is to have 5) To do that sort of money, I would need like 20 ads if I did it the way every one else does. Michael
Joshua Zamora
Great pos Michael! I've been picking up a lot of great tips from you the last few Posts. I have to allow myself to delegate some tasks. I find I can be a bit of a control freak and like doing things myself. Especially when simple things aren't done as quickly as I expected when I have outsourced
Jeff Hensiek
Good thoughts and suggestions. We have a lot of clients that continually ask us these types of questions. I do like the idea of reducing the overall ads that show up....I'm not a fan of sites that have a ton of ads.
Patrick Biermann
Great post Michael, you provide some of the greatest content on building a successful blog thank you very much for sharing all this. I have probably read everything on your site at least once and you seem to get better at writing every year. I am very interested in your Blog Creation Domination Service, but I have several questions, do you have an e-mail adress or support service where I can ask you or your workers about it directly? Thanks in advance, Patrick
Michael Dunlop
Hello Patrick, Glad you noticed my writing over the years, I know I'm not the best but wow I'm surprised I'm the same person looking back at stuff I wrote over two years ago. I have come a long way. Would love to have you using BCD, our support email is: support@blogcreationdomination.com Send over those questions, Thanks, Michael
Kevin
I REALLY need to listen to your advice on "Having a Whole Team"... There are so many small things that take up my time during the day. I would rather put that time into things that are going to make me money.
Kristen Robinson
What a great post! I love how you touched on not doing everything yourself. Sometimes DIY takes time away from what you're truly trying to accomplish. Thanks for sharing!
Fazal Mayar
definitely a great post! 5-10 years from now, you may want to sell your blog and it will be probably worth millions. You are such a smart kid, im really impressed.
cece
Great tips, especially for those with a low starting budget.
Edwin
Hey Micheal, great post like always. I have a quick question. When you write that you have to post everyday, is this necessary? What if you dont have time? Also does posting more increase your traffic?
Tamara Kosaba
Hi Michael, It is so easy to get overwhelmed with what to focus on when first getting started. I love that you actually show us newbies how to do the simple steps. I am tired of being told what to do with no explanation on how to get it done! Thank you:) I look forward to your tips!
Eric M
I am just creating my website using your tips and your information is extremely rich, easy to follow and put to good use. The information you present has really inspired me and motivated me to work hard and push through obstacles. You are right, the learning process never does end.
Brendon
Thanks for this great post Michael! It is nice to see the common elements of the big boys extracted into an easy to follow format. I will keep this article handy as I launch my new sites. I hope one of these days I can afford a team as well... LOL
Ralph
I love the copyblogger website. This is probably a custom theme right?? I know they use the Genesis framework, but I love the simple factor. Might need to check my websites again....
Terrel Smith
Great piece content! Full of easy to follow steps plus a dose of subtle suggestion of incorporating common sense in how we should do it. Clever!
ZPTsotetsi
Great post Michael, I tried using most of the most common income streams you mentioned above. but the one which generate most of the revenue for me its google adsense. I trying to perfect other streams, hopefully I will crack it this year...
Zack
A great post Michael, I will change my header to 100% full width and will also post more often. Thanks
Kathryn Lang
Hey Michael - thanks for the tip about building up to once a day instead of trying to jump in. I'm getting there and I know that consistence is the key to making it across the finish line. I did have a tip for finding writers and editors (for Jeremiah): there are dozens of forums for freelance writers and editors where you can post jobs or just mingle until you have made a connection with others that have a similar passion. Or ask people who have blogs that you like if they freelance or would like to team up for a venture. You never know where the connection may be made or why - so always be prepared!
Michael Dunlop
Hey Kathryn, No problem, sure you can do it. Anyways, even I can't post daily, 3 times a week is my aim at the moment, then up it once I get guest bloggers. Great suggestion for writers, will use that for a new site I'm doing. Michael
Laura
I think one of the most important things you mentioned was that you had to diversify your income, especially with the example of being banned from Google. Thank you for your pointers.
Michael Dunlop
Hey Laura, One of the best lessons for me, I was crushed when I lost Google Adsense, had to think out of the box and it was the best for my business. Michael
Wayne
I'm going to disagree with the "post every day" thing. Daily postings are great if you are flowing on a topic that can take days to cover. But, if the topics are different each day, it can get a bit annoying. Depends, of course, on the content and the intent of the reader. Some people take that "post every day" thing to mean that they should post something regardless of it's worth. I'd rather get a single post once a week with good content and information than a post every day with him-haw crap. Just my thoughts on that. That's why I don't subscribe to the likes of Mashable. Yeah, there's some good stuff that comes out, practically daily. But it's also filled with crap that is completely useless. Now, if I could only build a team of writers to work for peanuts while I build a huge network... :)
Michael Dunlop
These are just observations of top sites, they publish daily and they are the the ones that make the most money, we can't deny that. Of course don't bother publishing content if it's rubbish, those who do, tend to do it not so much for readers but for money and search engines. As for Mashable, I'm the same as you with that site, however it has a very broad topic, I'm a Apple user so I don't want info on Windows but they will publish because it's in the same industry. Michael
James
Hi Michael, Diversifying income is so important but making a blog sticky is far and away the most crucial thing you talked about. The internet is full of content and people trying to get your attention so creating something that ensures your readership become loyal rather than simply fickle is essential to succeeding online. James
Neil Royal
Hi Michael. Thanks for your sites and advice. It is nice to see a fellow Brit is a Net businessman. I have nothing against Americans, or anybody else, but I need to network with like minded people in London. If anybody is interested, hit me up - beginner or expert. I am on the verge of buying Michaels blog domination. It is easier and quicker than doing it all yourself, you even get free hosting. I am interested in Membbership sites and themed social networking sites, using buddyping, on WP.
Salvador
Great tips for building a powerful blog. I think one thing that really stands out is the team factor. Once you scale your blog to the point that your getting to much traffic and people want more, it's time to get help. Creating a team is the number one thing I have learned over the years that has truly made a difference in my business. Thanks Michael!
Rusty - Fitness Black Book
Michael, I run a blog that gets 4+ million visitors per year and completely agree with your points. The most important? Not to clutter the site with ads. I have my own two products in the sidebar and my Facebook Fan Page badge. The fan page is setup to drive list building (just set that up last week). Really nothing else for sale on the front page...and it provides a very handsome full-time income. Cheers, -Rusty
Michael Dunlop
Very impressive Rusty, although I think you should be monetizing more. I'm sure you could make a much better impact in your industry if you had a custom site design and went all out. Love what your doing, Michael
Carl Taylor
Michael, thanks for the great post. As others have said your content is always valuable. What are your thoughts on authority sites being around a topic vs being around your personal brand? For instance I notice you don't have site around Michael Dunlop - Carl
Michael Dunlop
Hello Carl, Thanks very much. Well, I can't sell a website called MichaelDunlop.com - sure it would be nice to have a blog about me but I really don't like talking about myself and have no interest in becoming famous or selling consulting so I don't really need much branding for myself. Thanks, Michael
Robert Avila
Thanks Michael .... You always provide valuable content! Sometimes it can be easy to forget that many big sites have a team in place. Often we attempt to do everything ourselves and wonder why things aren't working. Wish you the best! Robert
snowman
great post Michael - my blog was created to document our Alpine Ski Resort Tour and became really popular as a result - now I cover all things ski and snowboard related in it and try to give insider tips on getting the best ski deals etc... ... I don't want to put adverts on there, as we much prefer to sell our own ski holidays (that pays a lot better than selling ad-space), but I can see that we probably should treat our own company as an advertising client and promote the ski deals there as if that space were being bought by any ski travel company. Also can't help but noitce how lame our blog layout looks (WP standard theme with a large background image added) - I guess we should at least get a WP theme made which matches the regular ski site that its part of... Thanks for the info and insights. sno man
Amarpreet
Just one word for you i.e, Awesome
Kok Siong Chen
Yes, I'm trying to update my blog with new unique content everyday. I think this is the most important tip for us to build a high authority blog. Thanks for your nice tips!
Catherine McChessney
Thank-you for the tips. I am just starting out and trying to use your tips to a tee.
The comments are closed.