Information, information, information!
For those who haven't realized it yet, the reason why the internet is so popular is because people need a reference to whatever their interest is at the moment, and they need it quick! What does that mean for those who are looking for extra income? Well, if there's a need/problem and you have a solution to that need then what you have is an opportunity-an opportunity to make money! Take for example a local butcher. We all need to eat, and sometimes we want meat. In those times the butcher is in luck because he have a solution for your need! It's that simple!
Through the internet, you too can earn from the need of others by supplying the information that surfers are looking for! What information should you write about? Why not write about your interests and/or hobbies?? Are you great at sewing patterns? According to Google, on average, there are 246,000 searches about "sewing patterns" in a month! How about welding? Welding garners 2 million searches in a month on average while welding tutorial garners 760 searches in a month. Surely, there's opportunity there somewhere with those numbers!
THINK ABOUT IT! What if you can provide sewing patterns to those 246,000 people who searches for patterns on the internet every month! How about providing tutorials to those 760 people! Create good content and people will flock your site! Take my
me trippin are great trippin site, it's a traveling and living guide to Singapore, with a couple of articles on how you can go to other Southeast Asia destination from Singapore. I've just started it last December and yet I've been getting 1 organic internet traffic a day on average. That may not seem much compared to the other sites that receive 2,000 (and more!) traffic a day, but it does mean that there are people who are interested on the topics that I write. And I know that the more content I write, the more people will go flocking to my site! And the more money I'll be earning!
Now let me be clear that although you can earn money in the internet, like all other things worthwhile, it takes time and hard work. It is one thing to write about something, it is another to make sure that what people do find that things that you write. To promote your website you not only need to work on your SEO (search engine optimization) but also, just like in an offline business, you have to create a network of contacts, and be relevant to these contacts.
But before we go through the nitty-gritty of promoting your site, first think about the theme of your site, what topic will it focus on? Travel? Sewing? Skating? You don't have anything that you're good at? Sure you do! That's what I thought also. I thought that although I'm interested in a lot of things I'm not really that passionate about anything, which would mean a lot of research have to be done on my subject of interest to be able to write about them. I even started and dropped a lot of topic. First I thought about writing about the Philippines, but soon realized that although I'm Filipino I have not really travelled the island that much, and although I'm interested in traveling it, it will take a lot, money-wise, for me to do my research well. I thought of narrowing my topic to Manila, but I still have the same problem. Manila is a huge city and I've been away for so long, the information that I'll offer will not be up-to-date. Then I settled to writing about folklores. I was interested in folklores when I was a kid. And when I did my research, there were a lot of people who want information about it, and not so many websites writing about this topic (at least not about Philippine folklore). But then after setting up my site and writing 3-5 articles, I realized that I'm not that interested in the topic and I didn't have the motivation to write, not like the motivation I have now writing for me trippin are great trippin or for AGloCoShot. Only in late November (of 2008), when I was not really thinking about earning from the internet, did the idea of writing about Singapore hit me! Lest you think that everything has been smooth sailing ever since, let me tell you now that the concept of what and how I'm going to write about Singapore have evolved and is constantly evolving. So what am I trying to say? I'm trying to say that for some, it will take time to know what your topic will be. And you may have to stop scrap an idea even if you have already started or invested (time- and money-wise) in it.
So if you're interested to make money from your interest and hobbies, here's your assignment: list 10 topics that you either have passion for and great knowledge of, or at least be motivated enough to know more of. Will talk to you again next week!
Wag Kang Gamol!
16 years ago
