How to Have a Successful Blog and 'Zine

For the past few years, having a blog has afforded me a modest passive income. I can't retire on this alone but it does feel good to get a little something for expressing what is on my mind or sharing information with others.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Scissors/glue (optional)
• Imagination
• Paper and/or internet connection
• Word processing or graphic software
• Multifunctional printer

1. Have a theme and writing style that are consistent. Some people have successful zines that are cut and paste (with scissors and glue), others still like the feel of a typewriter and the rest mostly use desktop publishing software. To change up a little is good but if your 'zine was a comic last month but is giving childbirth advice the next, then there is a strong chance your audience will disappear.

2. Have on hand a good media storage system (flash drive, CD or floppy). When it comes to business, CDs are no good floating around your home like coasters. You may get a customer who will want archive issues of your 'zine or you may want to make changes to a 'zine that is being considered by a distribution service (a.k.a. distro). If you can get a flame-retardant storage, that would be nice but do not rely on your computer (or memory) by itself.

3. Develop an eye for layout. This takes time if you are not a layout/graphic artist or use desktop publishing (like MS Publisher)software on a somewhat regular basis. Also, depending on your 'zines content, publishing online may not be a one-size-fits-all either. Once my 'zine is completed and I want to do a online sample version, which is fewer pages than the original, I used to convert to a JPEG format. But certain images did not dispaly well online. I eventually switched to PDF, which is cleaner but when saving the file, the lower the resolution the better. It takes less time to email and upload.

4. Set deadlines and stick to them. This is another art form that is not perfected overnight. If you find that someone who promised to contribute an article has not contacted you, keep it moving. If you set aside a day to send copies to 'zine distros (small bookstores and/or independent sellers), this would be the time to call in favors because this gets tedious. The same would apply to signing up for blog directories, affiliate programs or other methods of promotion.

5. Market like crazy. Learn keyword density. Get to know your audience. Blog as consistently as possible. Barter services. Exchange. Join a like social networking group. Start an online group for announcements, updates and future events. If you are good with desktop publishing or are creative, make inexpensive tokens of appreciation for your audience like bookmarks, stickers, etc. You never know who (or how many people) will turn into a paying customer.

6. Be true to yourself. When you first see your name (or the name of your business) come up in a Google search, you may become giddy and think 'I want more'. Do not do that at the expense of your audience by spamming (or just leaving a lot of unnecessary emails) or selling a copy of your email database to make extra money. This goes for your actual product as well. Many affiliate programs offer adult-themed banners that probably bring in decent commissions but if you know this conflicts with your theme, it is best to pass.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't want to be bogged down with writing responsibilities, hire someone. Understand that chances will be high that you will get what you pay for if you do not pay at all. That's right, nada! Give a few dollars and a whole lot of gratitude when their submission meets your standards.
• Pay attention to your 'netiquette. There are some people who continue to type in all caps unaware not that this translates shouting but they make good points. And there are those who are all talk but very little materializes.
• Just like in all business, do not be mean or antagonistic because it could be the loss of a future sale.
• Blog directories are a good inexpensive way to market since site submission is free. If you run across one that wants for you to do more than copy and paste their banner on your site - act cautiously.
• When submitting hard copies of your 'zine, ask first if they will accept an electronic version. If not, keep a log of what was sent and do not be discouraged if you do not hear anything from them for a while.
• If you decide to publish juicy details on a person or business, make sure you have the facts to back it up.
• If those facts come from Wikipedia, realize that most of those pages can be edited by the public and some time may pass before a fact-checker verfies it.
• Be careful of randomly grabbing images from the Internet, as some have a copyright. I have yet to be hit with an order to cease and desist but I have had some morph into other pics that made my post irrelevant, or just strange.

Resources

• GoDaddy offers reasonably priced packages that include email, blog and podcasting
• One of many blog directories that offers free submission
• Find your next writer here for free!
• Offers hassle-free, reasonably priced software
• this site has numerous resources in the world of small, independent publishing
• Has (non-gender specific) advice on marketing your home business
• Register your periodical for free with the Library of Congress (PDF file)

[msmabry]

on 5/21/2009 Thanks. I have been wanting to start my own blog for a while now. This article will really help. 5*

[GreenLeader]

on 3/13/2009 Great real article. thx.

[Litarider]

on 3/7/2009 This is the best and most useful article I've read on Ehow. I used to publish Hinge Online and many people asked how we managed to stay together for eight years. We did exactly what you describe in this article.

[cherry67]

on 2/27/2009 great article

[NuttyMomma]

on 2/27/2009 excellent and informative!! 5* and recommended.