I was reading Darren Rowse’s (ProBlogger.net) e-mail newsletter last night and he reminded me of a project I keep putting off…

Developing my own product.

It’s easy to get comfortable as an affiliate and rely on your affiliate sales and AdSense revenue, but in my opinion, the process isn’t really complete until you have your own product to sell.

Not only does it make you look more established as a blogger or website owner, but it allows you to develop another revenue stream that you have more control over.

One reason I’ve put this off for so long is the planning involved.  Even though I’ve had quite the success online, one weakness of mine is planning for larger projects.

This has never been something I enjoy doing, but if I want to develop and launch my own product, I will have to grow in this area.  I already have a few ideas and will be working on them in early 2010.

(By the way, your feedback and ideas are welcome as I continue to brainstorm.)

I’d love to start a discussion about this below.   If you are an affiliate and do not have your own product, have you ever thought about developing one?   And if you do have a product, how has it impacted your current business?

It’s that time of year where people start setting goals for the following year.  Developing my own product is definitely going to be my top priority.

Thanks, Darren for reminding me to bump this to the top of my To-Do list.

I’m not big on reading “how-to” books, but when talented bloggers like Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett put together a guide about earning a six-figure income with a blog, it’s hard to overlook.

If you haven’t gotten Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six Figure Income you’re missing a treat.

First of all, it’s an easy read so getting through the 211 pages is a breeze.

In fact, it made my plane ride to Detroit feel like a 10-minute trip. That’s how engrossed I was.

Who Is This Book For?

One great thing about this book is that there’s something for everyone.

New and soon-to-be bloggers will appreciate the early chapters that talk about setting up a blog.

Chris and Darren go as far as providing specific steps for installing WordPress on a web host. It’s very detailed.

If you’ve passed that step in your blogging journey, have no fear. There’s plenty of golden information on blog writing, promotion, marketing and even a chapter on buying and selling blogs.

Focus on Chapter 2

One of my favorite chapters is “Niche Blogging”. There’s very good advice here.

I don’t think people spend enough time narrowing their niche when creating their first blog so they end up re-inventing the wheel and publishing content that’s already out here.

If you follow Chris and Darren’s advice in this chapter, you’ll have a better chance at choosing the most appropriate topic and will hopefully avoid many of the common mistakes new bloggers make.

They encourage you to ask some good questions and visit useful websites that will help you land the right topic.

Just like creating websites, people often rush the topic selection process for blogs. This book definitely emphasizes the importance of getting it right and how to go about it.

Free Self Promo Opportunity at ProBlogger.net

If you buy the book, Darren is giving you the opportunity to display your picture along with your blog address. He is making a collage with all the book owners and will display it on his site. Details here.

Another brilliant marketing tactic by Mr. Rowse.

Should You Get the Book?

If you’ve already started a blog and keep running into a brick wall, the early chapters may help you understand why. As I said before, the chapter on finding the right niche is quite useful.

Or if you’re thinking of starting a blog, but not quite sure which platform is best and how to get started, then you’ll appreciate the book as well.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a quick way to make money with a blog then please don’t buy this book.

The authors take their time in the first chapter explaining how much work is involved when it comes to building a successful blog.

Neither Chris or Darren made money overnight and I really appreciate how they make that point very early.

Blogging is often perceived as a quick route to making money online (compared to a website). That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Yes, publishing a blog is typically easier than publishing a website, but that doesn’t mean it’s easier to generate a profit. Darren and Chris do a great job of setting realistic expectations from the start.

Other than the typo on page 78 (oops!), it’s hard to find anything negative about this book.

It’s a comprehensive guide to blogging for all experience levels, and the authors effectively use their own blogs to illustrate examples and make points.