There’s no ultimate masterplan, guide or FAQ on how you should go about monetizing your blog. If there is, we’ll see plenty of John Chow, Darren Rowse sprouting all over the blogosphere.

Well here are my insight on top five mistakes most bloggers does. Well I was once a noob too. Still am I guess, but it doesn’t hurt to share your experiences for others out there

1. I can create a successful blog for free

   Yes there’s plenty of freebies out there these days on the Internet you can use such as free hosting, social networking and such but I believe to a certain extend, you need to invest some to get more. But all free stuff has a catch to it. Some kind of limitations to it. I’ve been there and done that.

   In the ‘make money online’ niche, you can only get so much free ride before you need to pay for what its worth. My blog was once hosted on those free hosting server, before you know it, the owner without informing all his hostee, fold the company and quietly went MIA.

   I got burned, my data SQL and backups was not even made before ‘closing shop’. So not to get disappointed over such matters I advised you to do as I did which is to invest in your blog. I got my own domain and hosting. I even used some promotion via AdWords and direct advertising to spread the word of my blog

2. You didn’t network

   After you’ve build your blog, you didn’t promote it by networking and spreading the world. You need an active participation in communities, build your audience, you need to ping your entries, add your rss to blog aggregators, leave quality comments on other people blog to build authority, add links in your email/forum signature.

   Blogger have this notion once the blog is full up and running, Google will index your blog and you’ll get lots of traffic. Sorry to disappoint you, it doesn’t work that way buddy. Networking always is a good way to promote your blog

3. K.I.S.S

   Yes there’s too many distraction in life and all around you. Try to Keep it short and simple (KISS). That may sound so easy to say, but to actually do it, well it’s another matter. Quit checking your email, do it once and consolidate all the replies in one go. Stop checking your AdSense or income every five minutes.

   Well you get my point right … Those types of little distractions when add up can cost precious man-hours which can be used to improve or maintain your blog. So keep it direct to the point and don’t bullshit. I just hate blogs that are long-winded

4. I don’t need a gameplan

   Well initially I didn’t have a plan or goal. I just blogged and hoped for the best. Well after a few months, my income stagnant, I realised I need a blueprint. To see the bigger picture in this niche of mine. So I did. I sat back, brainstormed, thought of the pro, cons, the feedback received and planned improvements for my blog

   I started with a goal, then I branched it off with the “What”, “How” and “When” approach on reaching my goal. Once I’ve made out my so called blueprint, I executed it like as if I’m managing a project. Deadlines to be met and of course results to be obtained. Along the journey, tweaking is very much needed, a little deviation is fine. So now I’ve seen marked improvement in my income, steadily growing daily and I’m excited about it

5. You don’t need to work hard to be successful online

   Like hello! You must be naive if you think so. There’s no such thing as a one post wonder and your blog will be a hit. You might if the entry is ground breaking perhaps, but most of the time, you’ll need consistency in blogging. You need to continue posting entries, do research, and offline promotion too helps.

   We’ve the opportunity to make money online, how successful you are in this niche, really depends on your ‘hard work’. The Internet is our global office and take advantage of the abundant information out there, and use for good on your blog. Now get out there and blog about something