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This Blog will make me Millions

by Maren Kate on March 31st, 2010
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You heard me… millions. How do I suppose I’ll do it? Well it won’t be through affiliates or creating info products, no there is a far greater (and more prosperous) way to monetize your blog – granted a little less tangible. That is the personal market share that I am creating every time I make a post, you have no idea how many offline clients I get through this blog alone. So I ask you, no implore you, to think of your blog as more than just a platform to make paltry affiliate commissions – because it’s something much greater, a well run and written blog is a personal branding tool that will last a lifetime.

4 ways this blog will make me millions

My company Oracle Launch doesn’t rank nearly as high as this blog does on Alexa…

and it gets just a handful of the traffic, but whenever I get one of the 30 ‘partner with me’ emails a week (and do keep sending them-I love looking at new ideas) it usually leads to some sort of partnering up that I can monetize within my company.

When someone googles the word “Maren Kate” my twitter, my company and this blog pulls up

- which do you think people are the most likely to click on if they want to suss me out? The blog of course… and when potential clients or partners see that I have thousands of people reading my stuff and many, incredibly valuable comments posted on my articles it gives them an urgency to work with me – because they think (and I quote) “you’re onto something kid”.

I “beta” test all my crazy ideas on this blog first.

Whenever I have a crazy idea like the Radillac or any of the several review sites I’ll be launching later this month (more on that later) I talk about them here first. This drives traffic to my ideas and means that there are multiple sign ups with the Radillac before it’s even left the conception phase.

Escaping the 9 to 5 is an amazing personal branding opportunity.

This blog emulates all that I want to be in life, it focuses on sticking it to the status quo, on building highly profitable, sustainable businesses on almost nothing – and I love it because of that fact. Surprisingly, several other people like those ideals too, so they subscribe or retweet what I write and suddenly what used to be thoughts swirling around in my head become intellectual property that I spew out on this site and that hundreds of other people get a lot out of. Sooner or later I will capitalize on the personal branding aspect of this blog, just like Gary Vaynerchuk did with his Wine Library video-cast… laugh now folks but I’m deadly serious.

I’ve gotten books (for free) because I write this blog, but more importantly have gotten approached with book offers because I write this blog. Obviously none I’m going to take now, because I haven’t reached where I want to, until I can certifiably say I am making six figures almost completely automated online I don’t believe I’m in the place to teach others – this blog is my ramblings, take from them what you may – but I would not be presumptious enough to think that I could write a whole book on how to escape the 9 to 5 (yet).

The Death star…

I know that this blog is the Death star of my soon to be global enterprise. Yes, yes, I am a MAJOR Star Wars geek, I love Han Solo and would marry him to this day… but, back to the point at hand, this blog acts as my star ship, my front runner among the various businesses that I’ve started and plan to start. This blog documents them all… and gives a living history of everything I’ve ever done entrepreneurial wise. Imagine if one of the greats, Steve Jobs, Seth Godin or Guy Kawasaki had blogged from their meager beginnings about how they did it? Don’t you think we’d find those posts helpful now that they are big and famous… and no, I’m not in ANY way comparing myself with the above, but I do, honestly, believe I can reach that level of success if I really – and I mean really try. Doubt it? Keep tuned and see for yourself.

How you can make your blog make you millions

Well firstly, you probably won’t make millions FROM your blog. But you can have your blog help make you – make millions. How? Document the process, build up a loyal readership that hangs on your every word like Glen of Viperchill or Yaro Starak. This alone will pave the way for great things in the future and the opportunities and possibilities that will come your way from your blog will be huge, especially if you stay tapped into your 1000 true fans.

Tagged as: blog millions, escaping the 9 to 5, make me millions, personal branding

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  • Great post Maren. I believe that blogs can definitely help you to get where you want to be. To be honest I want to publish a book, it's one of my goals. That's what I want to achieve through my blog. I am definitely positive that it will work.
    Seems like everything is also working out for you ;)
  • renelda01
    It is good that you have such confidence and belief about becoming a millionaire. Everything in life will take time and diligence.
  • I love your go-getter attitude and real belief in what IS possible! And it most certainly is!! Keep that zest for life flowing!!
  • Thanks Lance :)
  • adamstruve
    I've heard of companies with Oracle in their name being forced to change it before. Oracle is pretty hardcore about usage guidelines of their trademark. Hope you don't run into any issues as you grow. I know it's just a dictionary word, but it's also company with a lot of money.
  • ha, you are right - but because I went through all the correct channels etc. I think I should be fine it's legally my business name and because like you said it is a word in the common domain it can't be copyrighted when added on to other words - at least I HOPE NOT - if so I'll have to do some quick moving around and change everything to another name :)
  • Arumugam
    Very good post.Yes. Blogging is really really important one to show what you are up to. I tried to blog with some general topics but updating or posting blogs requires full fledged planning and patience...:-) Your post gives some inspiration to start again..Good going Maren...
  • Thanks so much :)
  • Yeah a blog can definitely help you make millions. It goes down to direct vs indirect income. I believe Leo Babauta from Zenhabits.net had a book deal through his blog and it's netting him some good income still. And Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes the need for a personal branding that's crucial, even if you're not directly monetizing your blog.

    Also, I think many blogs have escaping 9 to 5 as a brand. But the ones that survive more than 6 months? Not that many. It takes a lot of persistence and hard work, and sometimes without money, to get to where you want to be. Patience is the key!

    I love your down-to-earth blogging approach!
  • Yep, you are right - he's monetized outside of the blog but it's still because of the blog :)
  • Yeah he's making lotsa indirect income through Wine Library TV! He suggested to keep commenting and participating in every single conversation related to your field, which I find tough to keep up. Right now I join the blogs/forums/groups that I find interesting (like Escapingthe9to5.com) and go from there. Do you have any thoughts related to Crush It?
  • philjpjohnson
    I really love the fact that unlike many, your focus when keeping your blog is not "I need to make money from this". The crazy thing is, that blogs aimed around monetizing generally do not make any or much money, but blogs in no way aimed at making money often end up being very "rich" indeed, be it through making money, or the sheer worth of the community that the blog creates.
  • Too true :) thanks for stopping by!
  • matthewneedham
    Ultimately, you never know where your blog will lead. I've personally spoken at events, rec'd books for free and have been asked for guest posts. Amazing.

    May the force be with you in your quest for millions.
  • Lol, we need to make a Facebook group called "Star Wars fans that are also bloggers anonymous" because there seems to be A LOT of us out there!

  • Catchy headline. I understand your concept, and I think it works well. Your blog is your CV, and your reputation as well. Sharpen that personal brand, it looks promising ;)

    But come on, you call yourself a Star Wars geek and you write :
    "...I can reach that level of success if I really – and I mean really try..."
    Didn't you listen to master Yoda ?
    "Do or do not. There is no try !"
  • ooh Yoda is right... I should tap into my inner Jedi more often :)
  • Awesome Maren! I have no doubt that you will definitely make millions one day. That's my plan as well, and I totally agree that using a blog as a platform to launch other adventures is one of the best ways to utilize a blog rather than relying solely on the blog to earn you income.

    Relationship building at it's finest! ;) And I think focusing on leveraging your time however you can, and creating multiple income streams, whether from your blog or offline clients etc is the way to success. Rock on chicadee! :D
  • Creating multiple income streams is totally underrated! All the wealthy people might be earning money primarily from one source of income (Windows operating system), but they always have a ton of other stuffs going on that will bring them multiple income streams. Very well said!

    Blog is like our main base/HQ, and we build other sites to generate additional income. I need to think more about that..
  • Thanks Ken.. definitely, I think it's one of the keys to success and wealth. The old adage 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket' is scarily true! lol
  • Thank you, totally agree with you that leveraging your time is crucial - time use is the hardest thing I have to deal with, I am tempted to just spend all day reading and surfing the web :) and checking out like every site of every person who comments!
  • Me TOOO.. LOL I get way too sidetracked sometimes, I'm queen of procrastinate. :)
  • Maren Kate,

    After reading your inspirational post the other day, I definitely believe you will achieve what you said above.

    Blogs are indeed incredible branding tools. The Internet allows talent to be exposed in a very short period of time.

    Stay bold and don't ever apologize for being great. I'm serious. I agree with Ami on this one. I'm here because I want to read the type of posts that you wrote the other day. They don't make you look egotistical, they make you look self-assured.
  • Thanks, that is really a lot for me to take in but I agree with both of you - that I can't encourage others to be bold & embrace their abilities and at the same time downplay my own - that is what happens when you are raised by good parents I guess, your taught to always be humble... but its a whole different ball game when it comes to branding.
  • When someone googles the word “Maren Kate” my twitter, my company and this blog pulls up.

    Thats G status!
  • haha, I had to read that twice - first I thought you meant your company & this blog post pulled up :) I was like, what?? Lol
  • Hey Maren,

    I definitely like your style. Sometimes the sentences run into each other, but you still get your point across :) (Don't take offense, haha).

    The only problem I had was with the ending of the post. You say to have your blog help you do more than affiliate commissions, yet Glen makes money from his own ebook and affiliate commissions. He's great at it. Yaro teaches others how to make money and also has courses.

    I do agree that the blog can be an extension of you. That's awesome that your clients find you through it.
  • I know, my 'writing' isn't the best since I have super bad ADD and spell checking and proof reading make me want to fall on my sword - so you get this mumbo jumbo... I know some people do make money via affiliates and eBooks but that is not the norm, Glen makes most of his money from building up websites, automating them, selling something and then taking himself out of the picture - and Yaro is one of the few who has such mind share that he can make a great living teaching others how to make a great living online. Most people won't be able to do that - but what I want others to see is that there are SO many other ways to make money online & off!
  • matthewneedham
    I have the same problem! Sometimes when I read the post the next day to make sure it's gone live, I'm horrified to see that it's not the carefully composed prose I thought it to be.
  • Hey - where did Maren Kate go? Did I read prevarication, backpedaling or a slight reduction in braggadocchio? "I don't believe I'm in the position to teach others?"?? "I would not be presumptious enough to think that I could write a whole book on how to escape the 9 to 5 (yet)" "I’m not in ANY way comparing myself with [Steve Jobs, Seth Godin or Guy Kawasaki]"??? Hello??? What happened to "acting as if"?

    My goodness, Maren Kate, you teach people with every post, you open minds with your ideas and enthusiasm - humility is not what we're reading your posts for - OWN IT! (Hmmmmm. Not quite sure why I feel so insistent today, where did that come from I wonder?)
  • Wow you are right Ami huh? I guess I was always taught not to seem cocky, and I hate overly cocky people - but you totally called it! I shouldn't be overly humble i guess, it is just that I want anyone reading this to feel in the same boat as me so whatever I do, they know they can do as well. But you are right, I should be owning it more :) ha, thanks for keeping me honest!

    P.S. Yeah you got all feisty today! That is great :)
  • Great post. I think Seth Godin called affiliate marketing and ads as "pimp your blog." Why do that, when there's so much more value building relationships and trust with your readers.
  • I love it "pimp my blog" i feel a reality show coming on!
  • Not only help you make million of $$$$ but millions of relationships too. That's the beauty of blogging I think the people you get to attract. And while you make your millions, you will help others do the same. Keep Rockin princess Leia Organa Solo

  • Thanks haha, I love the Star Wars comments! Glad to see there are other SciFi nerds out there.
  • James Ward
    Great post. Evertime I read a Blog and they talk about making money, most of them talk about selling on the Blog. But, your plan of action is exactly what I want to accomplish. Thanks for putting your thoughts into word.

  • Thanks James, yeah more and more I don't think it is possible to make 6 figures from *just* your blog - only a few have done it successfully, seems FAR easier to diversify and use your blog as the branding platform that connects all your ventures.
  • I agree with you on using your blog sort of as a booster to building and promoting your business. Like yours is filled with a ton of knowledge and personality, if I were looking at partnering with someone and saw this blog I would be thinking highly of you. Hopefully my blog reaches that potential one day with whatever direction I decide on going. Great post Maren!
  • Thanks Ryan that is nice to say and encouraging! I know you'll get there since you seem to have grit & wit (Two things needed in my opinion)!
  • at first i was thought it was an april fool prank ;) but then i realized that you are good and you can pull this off :).. sweet
  • Thanks! Oh crap I forgot it was april fools - now I gotta come up with something!
  • This is now one of my favorite blogs! I will definitely be a storm trooper in your galactic army haha. Keep up the great posts, and I am confident your blog will make you millions and millions.
  • Patrick, I expect to spend a fair bit of time here myself in the future.

    Happy Easter.
  • Awesome, always good to have storm troopers you know :) thanks!
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