I’m not one who likes to publish pre-written articles on my site or blog, but I came across an OUTSTANDING article written by the six-figure blogger, Yaro Starak.
Since Yaro allows affiliates to republish his articles, I thought it would be a good candidate for a blog posts since so many new bloggers come here for advice.
If you have yet to draw in much traffic and/or make any money from your blog, then you’ll want to pay close attention to the article below…
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There are basically two types of bloggers in the world – reporters and experts – and some people perform both roles (usually the experts, it’s hard for reporters to become experts, but it’s easy for experts to report).
If you have ever taken an Internet marketing course or attended a seminar specifically for beginners, you have probably heard about the two different methodologies.
Whenever the business model is based on content, and if you blog for money then the model is based on content, people are taught to either start as reporters, or if possible step up as experts.
I’ll be frank, you want to be the expert.
Reporters leverage the content of the experts and in most cases people start off as reporters because they haven’t established expertise.
Experts enjoy the perks of preeminence, higher conversion rates because of perceived value, it’s easier to get publicity, people are more likely to seek you out rather than you having to seek others out, joint ventures come easier, etc… experts in most cases simply make more money and attract more attention.
Most Bloggers Are Reporters
The thing with expertise is that it requires something – experience. No person becomes an expert without doing things and learning.
Bloggers usually start out without expertise and as a result begin their blogging journey by talking about everything going on in their niche (reporting) and by interviewing and talking about other experts (reporting again).
There’s nothing wrong with reporting of course and for many people it’s a necessity at first until you build up some expertise. Unfortunately the ratios are pretty skewed when it comes to reporters and experts – there are a lot more reporters than there are experts, hence reporters tend to struggle to gain attention and when they do, they often just enhance the reputation of the expert they are reporting on.
Don’t Replicate Your Teacher
If you have ever spent some time browsing products in the learn Internet marketing niche you will notice a pattern. Many people first study Internet marketing from a “guru” (for lack of a better term).
The guru teaches how he or she is able to make money online, and very often the view that the student gleams is that in order to make money online you have to teach others how to make money online.
The end result of this process is a huge army of amateurs attempting to replicate what their teacher does in the same industry – the Internet marketing industry – not realizing that without expert status based on a proven record and all the perks that come with it, it’s next to impossible to succeed.
Even people who enjoy marginal success, say for example growing an email list of 1,000 people, then go out and launch a product about how to grow an email list of 1,000 people.
Now I have no problems with that, I think it’s fine to teach beginners and leverage whatever achievements you have, the problem is that people gravitate to the same niche – Internet marketing – and rarely have any key points of differentiation.
How many products out there do you know of that all claim to teach the same things – email marketing, SEO, pay per click, affiliate marketing, and all the sub-niches that fall under the category of Internet marketing.
It’s a saturated market, yet when you see your teachers and other gurus making money teaching others how to make money (and let’s face it – making money as a subject is one of the most compelling) – your natural inclination is to follow in their footsteps.
If the key is to become an expert and you haven’t spent the last 5-10 years making money online, I suggest you look for another niche to establish expertise in.
Report on Your Process, Not Others
The secret to progress from reporter to expert is not to focus on other experts and instead report on your own journey. When you are learning how to do something and implementing things day by day, or studying other people’s work, you need to take your process and what you do as a result of what you learn, and use it as content for your blog.
It’s okay to talk about experts when you learn something from them, but always relate it to what you are doing. If you learn a technique from an expert it’s fine to state you learned it from them (and affiliate link to their product too!) but you should then take that technique, apply it to what you are doing and then report back YOUR results, not there’s. Frame things using your opinion – your stories – and don’t regurgitate what the expert said. The key is differentiation and personality, not replication.
Expertise comes from doing things most people don’t do and then talking about it. If you do this often enough you wake up one day as an expert, possibly without even realizing how it happened, simply because you were so good at reporting what you did.
You Are Already An Expert
Most people fail to become experts (or perceived as experts) because they don’t leverage what they already know. Every person who lives a life learns things as they go, takes action every day and knows something about something.
The reason why they never become an expert is because they choose not to (which is fine for some, not everyone wants to be an expert), but if your goal is to blog your way to expertise and leave the world of reporting behind you have to start teaching and doing so by leveraging real experience.
Experience can come from what you do today and what you have done previously, you just need to take enough steps to demonstrate what you already know and what you are presently learning along your journey.
I know so many people in my life who are experts simply by virtue of the life they have lived, yet they are so insecure about what they know, they never commit their knowledge to words for fear of…well fear.
Blogs, and the Web in general, are amazing resources when you leverage them as a communication tool to spread your expertise because of the sheer scope of people they can reach.
If all you ever do is talk to people in person and share your experience using limited communication mediums, you haven’t much hope of becoming an expert.
Take what you know and show other people through blogging, and you might be surprised how people change their perception of you in time.
Reporting Is A Stepping Stone
If your previous experience and expertise is from an area you want to leave behind or you are starting from “scratch”, then reporting is the path you must walk, at least for the short term.
Reporting is a lot of fun. Interviewing experts, talking about what other people are doing and just being part of a community is not a bad way to blog.
In many cases people make a career of reporting (journalism is about just that), but if you truly want success and exponential results, at some point you will have to stand up and proclaim yourself as someone unusually good at something and then proceed to demonstrate it over and over again.
Have patience and focus on what you do to learn and then translate that experience into lessons for others, and remember, it’s okay to be a big fish in a small pond, that’s all most experts really are.
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This article was by Yaro Starak, a six-figure blogger. He is the leader of the Blog Mastermind mentoring program designed to teach bloggers how to earn a full time income blogging part time.
I was THRILLED when I found this article because I’ve seen so many new bloggers (and even website owners) start their venture by re-reporting facts instead of establishing their own identity through their personal experiences.
Starting a site or blog on Internet marketing is usually the WRONG approach if you aren’t making money yourself. How can you gain credibility if you aren’t even succeeding at what you’re writing about?
When I first started 2 Create a Website, it mainly consisted of tutorials on how to build a website. I didn’t add the Internet marketing and “how to make money” information UNTIL I began to get traffic and make money myself.
Once I started seeing results, THEN I found my own unique ways to teach people what I learned. I was able to draw in a readership because I made it clear that I am walking the walk and not just reporting or paraphrasing other sites with similar topics.
So I hope you take Yaro’s advice. Even if you are building a website instead of a blog, his tips still apply to you as well. Download his free report, Blog Profits Blueprint and watch his video that explains how he earns a living with his blog.
And finally, if you aren’t making any money yet, steer clear of the “how to make money” and Internet marketing niches until you can offer unique advice based on your own experience and success.
Thanks, Lisa! You’ve changed my views about blog since so many people like me who believe that blog is easier than a website.
I do think that I was wrong after reading your post because I’ve realized one point, no matter a person wants to do a website or a blog, his/her experiences in specific topics they’ve chosen are important, and then they can turn these experiences into words instead of paraphrase what other people said or even plagiarize the ‘experts’ hard works.
A level of hard works is unavoidable and it’s vital to provide a long running website/blog that makes money.
Lisa I believe you are doing a great job and you certainly have inspired me. I have read several of Yaro Starak’s article. They are also very helpful. Yes, it is important to find one’s own way and one’s own style, because everyone is different. I find that I am forever learning, because technology is changing so fast, but that is a good thing too.
Hi Lisa,
I’ve been blogging since the 16th of Nov and I’m very keen to monetise and have been doing a lot of research on this subject. I blog on what I know about but as yet I’m not making money as I don’t have much traffic as I’m growing organicaly. I know that I have to invest in a mentor but I’m worried about loosing money as infact I don’t have any @ the moment. Please can u advise me, maybe contact me via email, there are three programs that I’m considering but still would appreciate some advise from you, if you have the time.
Thanks and Merry X-mas.
Hello Lisa, i read post of Cali back in 2007 I can’t believe he would have post something like that about your information you provide for so many people including myself. I’m a newbie at this internet business and i can say, i have a long way to go but i’m learning. I found your information on your websites to be very informative full of helpful tips in building a website or a blog. I set up a blogger account with Google as a affiliate blog. I was doing some research on how to make money with Google Adsense and i came across your tutorial on you tube about Google Adsense, since i followed what you explained about placing Google ads on my blog sites i’m seeing a little Cha Ching in my Google Account. I plan to come back to your website and blog to help with any issues i may have in the future. Thank You, Lisa for all your help. Before, i leave i have one question…How hard is it to teach yourself SEO? I heard that it’s very hard to do, or maybe the person don’t want to teach me. (maybe he thinks i’m learning to much to fast) please respond at tbcnetwork@gmail.com
.-= Patrick Bell´s last blog … ECONOMY PROVEN MAKING MONEY SYSTEM THAT WORK BECOME A AFFILIATE MEMBER OF ANY PROGRAM AND EARN A GREAT INCOME. =-.
Well I am going to guess I do not need to slam dunk on cali because enough of you have already done so! I am in the process of creating a social web site a I chosen a blog to begin. I hope too ask questions and perhaps even get a few answers to them. If my memory serves me correctly I think Lisa already wished me good luck from an email I shot off to her explaining my plans. Well if anyone wants to wish ME! good luck or has a comment or two please feel free to do so.
P.S. Don’t forget to check in on my website once in awhile. You can find it at http://www.tarvelatlantic.com Does anybody know about the travel industry ?
.-= dbarselow´s last blog … Hello world! =-.
Donny i feel you there is just too much clashing and confusing information,so now im turning to lisa pls put us through little by little..things like which information we need,the basics,….e.t.c
I have been trying bloggin for a month. I am confused because of so much information. Website or blog. I’m on blogger. I really am totally frustrated I just stare at laptop so I toss it.
Donny
I feel for you Donny, though too many people believe that blogging or internet marketing is relatively easy and that there very first or at least second blog will at the very least start to make a modest income, though very rarely will even a person’s third or even fourth blog will bring any coinage to write home about.
The fact is if you want to make money from blogging, internet marketing 1 you have to be prepared to develop a number of vital skills to a point where you can mix it with some of the best. And 2 you still have to be prepared to make a number of blogs just in a single niche to find out what working and 3 you have to become omnipresent on the web and that means spreading the love.
Some good places to start ezine, scribd, hubpages, squidoo, blogger, wordpress.com and weebly.
.-= John Salamon´s last blog … Creating a Custom Ping List for your Blog =-.
Yaro and his friend Gideon are pretty cutting edge. I can absolutely relate to what they teach and their take on things.
It was freaky coming across their material at first, because what they were teaching I already understood and appreciated before I encountered them.
Just the same though they re-reinforced the feeling I had, that I was on the right track and they helped make things clearer.
I thoroughly recommend anyone interested in making money blogging to read Yaro’s ‘Blog Profits Blueprint’ and Gideons ‘Roadmap to Become a Blogger’ as they are invaluable resources.
.-= John Salamon´s last blog … Qualities of a successful blogger =-.
I aspire to become a video game reviewer and writer, but at the moment i do film and production work in the snowboard industry, as well snowboard. I hope to someday be a “Expert”, but at the moment im young xD
Thank you for such a great site! I just found you about two weeks ago, and already I am feeling better armed to have a great website. Homework and planning are key concepts for me, and I find your website an invaluable tool. I am hooked on this site, and I will keep coming back. Reject negative sentiment, you are doing a fabulous thing for new bloggers!
Well Cali,
If you’re falling from the roof of a 10 story building and somebody standing on the pavement tries to open his arms to catch you, but fails to do that, well you really can’t blame him, so, you really can’t blame Lisa for your faults.
I am one of those whom are still struggling with my blogs. Been blogging for 2 years. Trying hard to get free traffic. Will follow your tips, thanks.
http://www.pjnurseryseeds.com
well written article.
thanks for sharing
I like the contents thanks
http://needforlogic.blogspot.com
Oh Cali Smoove,
Well, there are many kind of people in this world. There are some who know what is Gratitude ( like me ) who thank Lisa for every little helps or tips she has been rendering through her site.
There are some who doesn’t reciprocate at all but may have benefited from her Articles in her web too.
Of course, there are some who will “BLAME” Lisa for not doing a good job of helping them to succeed. I have 3 questions for YOU :
1. Did you read through all the articles in 2Planawebsite and 2Createawebsite ? If you have, you will appreciate Lisa efforts on those articles she has posted all these years.
2. Did you reach out to her ( like I did 1 month back ) so that she can answer your “problem” or attempt to help you one way or another ?
3. Are you the type who will blame someone instead of yourself if you did not do something correctly ?
Becoming frustrated is nothing new me ( even in time of desperation to make money ) but not being able to appreciate any kind of help that someone rendered is a weakness in yourself. You are on the losing end and not favourable to you.
I have trust in you because your make is Smoove, belief that whatever thing you are going to do is SMOOTH from now on and I guarantee things will change for the better !
Cheers !
I’m sorry you feel that way Cali. Perhaps if you had emailed me and asked me for some help rather than slamming me on my blog, you would have found I would have been happy to give you some advice and perhaps together, we could have discussed the issues you are having.
Never on my site to do I guarantee anyone’s success. I simply provide the tutorials (for free, I might add) based on my own experiences, but I think it’s extremely unfair to call someone’s website a BUNK just because the advice didn’t work for you.
I’ve spent the last 10 years helping hundreds of people succeed with their sites and blogs. Does everyone who comes to my site for help succeed? Of course not. There are many factors why people don’t and I won’t go into that here.
So I’m not sure what you were expecting after visiting 2 Create a Website. Again, never did I promise you will get rich overnight or guarantee anyone’s success. This stuff his hard work and it’s not for everyone.
Too bad you chose this approach to reach out to me. It’s very classless and unfair. It’s a shame too, because if you had emailed me I would have been more than happy to point you in the right direction and give you some advice.
i love you my friend my con try is srilanka coll mr now my name is chiraj tel 0771234591
.-= Chiraj Madushan´s last undefined … If you register your site for free at =-.
Cali Smoove, what in the world are you talking about? You sound like someone who is just upset because you can’t make any money. Because of Lisa’s tutorials and personal advice, my blog now makes over $2,000/month. I couldn’t have done it without her. So just because you can’t succeed don’t go firing off at people who are generally trying to help people. This is not cool at all.
This website stuff is not for everyone. And if you don’t have the creativity it takes to succeed then it may just not be for you. And that’s OK. Not everyone succeeds at this. But don’t blame Lisa just ’cause you failed. I found 2createawebsite in Nov 2007 and visit almost daily. If it weren’t for this site I’d never be where I am. Have you read the other comments on lisa’s posts. You are clearly in the minority here.
Keep up the great work, Lisa!!!!!
I struggled for a long time b4 I even attempted to type one letter of dissatisfaction, but this time I must. I can be a pitbull when it comes to being tenacious about a project or a job, but the only conclusion I can come to on this matter, is that your 2create a website it full of it. I tried patience, even repeating my attempts, but to now avail. I am saddened as well as very disappointed. I have read you and monitored you for some time, and I took you as a cool sista, not one that would take you. But I guess you got to do what you got to do. But that webside is BUNK, and I doubt very seriously if you can show me at this point any different. Maybe you can relate to the little people now. Man, I could chew nails, I really believed you! Well, keep collecting those checks sista, you will have many more idiots like me that will believe you talk a good game. Peace
The methodology describe above works for all kind of business endeavor and it all boils down to the individual preferences.
If he feels that the teacher is good, by all means learn as much from him as possible but there will come a time when he can no longer learn anymore because he is now BETTER than the teacher ! It is time like this that he should carve out his own personality and style of doing the business and it is also now time when people ( the new one ) are looking at him as some sort of “expert” in the arena.
Most importantly, he must believe he can do it from the beginning !
Cheers !
William
In my niche, I’ve been noticing a lot of online game reviews that are too basic and lacking(Jay Is Games and a few being the exception). So I’ve been going the extra mile in creating commentary or a story(in third-person perspective) surrounding the game I review.
One way for me to think outside the box.
P.S. Is there a free idiom, metaphor, slang thesaurus online? Cause thesaurus.com is great, but I find it limiting. Plus my paperback thesaurus is burrowed somewhere within the recesses of my closet.:)
I agree with not replicating your teacher. Its important to be unique.
I am starting to start a blog and its been tough getting started. I first started on Flixya.com which offers 100% revenue share and now building on wordpress.
I have found some strong niches and the Adsense CPM has been great so far.
Thanks for the extra tips.
-Roger