Want to increase your income by offering your services?
Whenever people ask me how to earn more money from a blog, they are often surprised when I tell them NOT to focus on Google adsense or affiliate links. I tell them that, because truthfully, ever since I started blogging, it’s the services that I’ve offered that have made the greatest impact in my earnings.
That’s why I’m so adamant about creating a thorough Hire Me page for your blog. However, a Hire Me page can’t function alone if you don’t have the rest of your blog in order.
No one wants to hire someone whose blog is unattractive, hard to navigate, has no real content, doesn’t offer anything of value, and lacks an About Me page.
So before you run off to slap a Hire Me page up on your blog, take some time to prepare and spruce it up. If you want people to treat you as a professional, your blog must look professional – otherwise you’ll never secure the kinds of clients that are going to value your work enough to pay you what you deserve.
Here’s some tips that will help you get your blog ready:
1. Update your blog design
There’s a certain look that websites used to have back in the 90s. When I click onto blogs with absolutely no framing, I’m immediately taken back to my last year of high school when Lycos was one of the most popular search engines and internet chatting was still a mind-blowing technology.
When I arrive on a site like that, I immediately click away to another site that I believe will offer more valuable up-to-date information. That old-looking site could’ve held the newest secret to eternal youth, but I’ll never know because I thought the site was old.
So, anyway – update your blog’s theme. Take a look at the top sites and pick out the features that you like and find a template that fits with your niche. There are lots of cool free themes out there, but if you want something you can customize to your exact liking – I suggest Thesis.
2. Clean up your sidebars
If the widgets and buttons in your sidebars stretch down farther than the posts on your homepage, you’ve got entirely too many. Some of them may be necessary and are okay to keep around but less is really more. Remove all unnecessary clutter from your sidebars.
Limit your ad banners to no more than 5 or 6. Use Kadom ads (it’s free) to help you organize your ad campaigns, it will let you rotate your ads so that no more than the number you select will display.
Take a look at my sponsors areas, it rotates every time the page is refreshed.
3. Add Helpful Content
Try to think of the types of questions your potential clients might have when they arrive on your blog and write some posts that answer them. Write some tutorials or “how to” posts. Create some videos or podcasts if you don’t have time to write as much as you’d like.
A lot of people are afraid to show others how to do things for fear that they won’t want to purchase your services – some people aren’t going to want to pay for your services, but there are others who are willing to hire you for your services because they can’t replicate how well you can do it. Others will pay because they don’t have the time or simply don’t want to do it.
So add some useful content and then add a search box to your blog if you don’t already have one and make sure it’s working properly.
4. Offer Introductory Prices
You might be tempted to give yourself a major raise, but when you’re first starting out, to build your credibility and your client list fast, you’re going to have to be willing to start at a lower rate – not will-work-for-food wages, but fair and reasonable prices. After you build your clientele and you’ve got more clients than time, that’s when you hit them with the premium prices – and that’s when people will be willing to pay it.
Think about your own spending habits – you would be more willing to pay nearly $400 for an iPhone because of Apple’s longstanding reputation, but you’d be a little nervous about spending the same amount on an unknown name brand that offers the same exact features. Your potential clients are no different.
5. Get Help
You don’t have to try to do everything by yourself. If you’re serious about blogging and want to generate an income with it, then you’ve got to be willing to invest in it periodically. If your designing skills aren’t quite up to par, find someone to do it for you. Outsource what you can’t or don’t have time to do, to give yourself more time to focus on offering quality services that help people solve their problems.
Just in case you weren’t aware, I’m offering new blog improvement services. I can create a detailed list of things you should address before creating a Hire Me page and even complete some of the tasks for you if you select the right package.
These are just a few tips to help you get your blog ready to promote your services. Check out the Guide to Entrepreneurship for more tips. Now that you know what to do, don’t let another day pass you by – decide on what services you’ll offer that will help people solve their problems or save time, and then start getting your blog ready, today, while it’s still fresh in your mind.
Have I left anything out? What other considerations should you take into account?
About Kiesha Easley
Thanks for these awesome tips! I’m getting ready to work on my “hire me” page, and this post is exactly what I’m looking for. =)
Irene Enriquez recently posted..Six Important Makeup Tips to Look Chic while Wearing Glasses
Thanks for the great tips, Kiesha. I never thought about charging for my services, I might have to see what I can come up with.
Todd | Channelingmyself recently posted..Souls Zombies and Judgement Day
Great post! However, I am not sure if everything can be translated into services that can be offered. I have some very good information on my niche that I put on my blog. However, off the top of my head, I cannot think of anything that I can offer clients except information. I mean I know stuff, but I cannot define an expertise that clients will be willing to pay. I suspect that would be the case for many blogs, but I might be wrong.
Penny recently posted..iPad2 on OrangeBidz
These are really great tips to follow and i agree with them 100%.
I liked the design of your blog too btw :)
Cheers,
Togrul
Togrul recently posted..Grab your free bonuses at Viral Bonuses
Twitter: simply1software
says:
Hello Kiesha!
Very interesting tips! Helpful content is a must for a blog! I read more than three articles just right now in your blog and I found great information.
This week I read on a blog “DO NOT ADD CONTENT FOR THE MACHINES” and that’s what I am remembering every time I post a comment! We should engage with our audience and help anyway we can!
Best,
John
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi John,
Wow! I’m glad you’re enjoying the content here. We try our hardest to keep the engagement levels up – some days are easier than others, but we try.
Sounds like you’re on the right track. My SEO methods are quite unorthodoxed – I write first for people then go back and optimize for search engines wherever possible (not always possible) :).
People are looking for content that helps them solve problems that is also engaging – providing content that can do both is the best bet.
Thanks for hanging out and sharing your thoughts!
Twitter: simply1software
says:
Thanks for helping!
Kiesha,
Great resource! I’m looking into offering services for my blog as part of my goals this year. It’s stil in the drafting stage but coming across a post to guide you how to do it is hard. I’m glad I came through this one. Seen your hire me page before but have never paid that close attention to it until now.
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Twitter: weblogbetter
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Hi Bryan,
I’m glad you found this post to be helpful. Just like everything, it’s going to require several tweaks before you get everything flowing exactly how you want it, but hang in there. Create a hire me page that allows you to be flexible and allows leave some room for negotiation and you’ll do awesomely!
Wow Kiesha, talk about on point!!
You rock girl – because this is EXACTLY what I am doing at the moment, in fct as we speak I have a ‘Hire Me’ outline on paper in front of me that I am figuring out how best to integrate onto my blog – thanks for sharing the ideas and tips Kiesha!!
Alex recently posted..Stuff Baby Steps! Come Scuba Diving in the Amazon Instead!
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Alex,
I’m glad you found this to be a timely post. I’m sure you’re going to be a great success! Pretty soon, you’ll be fighting off clients with sticks! :)
putting hire me is good. i agree with it but for that i believe one should be good with his work and your website should be well updated.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi!
Yes, you’re absolutely right!
Your message is simple, and can very easily be spread across the blogosphere – if you’re a professional then look like a professional. Not only if you’re selling professional services, but for simple perception.
Your writings look like Albert Einstein, but your blog looks like Fred Sanford and Son. Would you believe that person, much less buy anything from them?
Excellent article, Kiesha.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Gibson,
LOL! I love your Fred Sanford/Einstein comparison! So many people make the mistake of not presenting themselves as professionals. Even if they are an expert, but don’t look the part, people won’t find them credible. You could be a total newbie, but if you present yourself properly, you’ll achieve so much more.
Thanks for adding your thoughts here!
Twitter: ditesco
says:
Solid tips Kiesha and definitely #5 is worth paying extra attention to. There are so many “micro-workers” out there can do just about anything for a very reasonable price. Choosing “quality” people to outsource is the difficult part but they are there and all we need is to find them ;-)
And YES, before slapping in a Hire Me page, 1 – 4 should first in place before trying to attempt a “bolder” move. Thumbs up!
DiTesco recently posted..The Best SEO Tools- SEO WordPress Plugins For 2011 Part 2
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi DiTesco,
Thanks! There are quite a few different freelance sites that they could even turn to if they want quality guarantees such as peopleperhour, elance, guru and I think oDesk, too.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Kiesha!
These are some really good points. Especially for a blogger just beginning to get into the more lucrative aspects of blogging, it always is good to show that you can be a professional. Brandon Burchard says that everyone is an expert to someone, and we need to stop underestimating ourselves and our experiences, because we never know what will be of value to someone else!
The courage to be about to put yourself out there and offer your expertise is part of the entrepreneurial spirit, and these tips you have here are a very good start!
Thanks again,
Delena
Delena Silverfox recently posted..Micfo
Great article, the only problem is that I have no services to offer lol.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Nina,
Now, I don’t believe that! Anyone who has any skills and talents can offer those as services for people who don’t have time or skill to do them on their own. I suggest taking an inventory of the different skills you have and go from there. The encouraging part, is that you don’t even have to be an expert, just focus on what you do know how to do and build on that.
Thanks for your response. I’m an entertainment writer so I know I have skills but what to offer, what to offer. I will definitely be brainstorming! thank you again for your response.
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Hey Keisha,
Having a hire me page it’s useful when you have something to offer but what if you are making money by outsourcing almost all your work and you are just writing for you blog?
I agree, that if you have a skill that many need and you think it might be useful for other, then it’s indicated to create an about me page. But many want to have a passive income and don’t want to have a schedule on when to work, that is why they are monetizing their blogs via affiliate and adsense.
Alex recently posted..Masini de distrugere
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Alex,
That’s very intuitive of you to mention that because offering services is definitely NOT passive income. If the goal is to generate passive income, then I don’t suggest offering services. With that said, those monetization methods don’t always generate a reliable source of income. If that’s the goal, the offering services is the quickest way to create a job for yourself that pays.
in addition to above
#6 make sure you are ready to deliver those..even a small or negligible glitch or fault in your service can be the worst possible thing that can happen to your reputation
tushar recently posted..How Do Bloggers Keep Track of Their Published Posts
Twitter: weblogbetter
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Hi Tushar,
Thanks for the addition – yes, it’s absolutely necessary to deliver what you’ve promised. That’s the quickest way to ruin every ounce of credibility you’ve earned. If you can’t deliver, then find a way to rectify the situation and FAST!
Thanks for sharing that tip!
I like the ideas you share here, Kiesha.
Too many new bloggers look to advertising revenues from their blogs through rose colored glasses. It’s necessary to always be diversified in your revenue streams, and providing services or products will likely be a large percentage of your income even after you’ve “made it” as a blogger.
Over the past 6 months I have created two split off blogs from my personal blog so I could set up for something similar. Now that they’re both up and running, I will be concentrating on implementing most of your suggestions above on my original blog.
Thanks for the ideas, and keep ‘em coming.
Brad Harmon recently posted..7 Questions to Ask Before You Take the Social Media Plunge
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Brad,
I definitely believe in diversifying. In fact, I didn’t start out expecting to offer services designing blog – I had no clue about CSS, yet somehow over these course of these two years I’ve picked it up. Then people kept asking me for my help with site tweaks and that’s when I realized, that I miraculously (I think it was God’s grace) knew what I was doing. Those people suggested I charge for what I was doing and there you have it…
:)You just never know where you’re going to end up in the blogosphere.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing – I’ll do my best to keep the ideas coming – some days that’s easier than others.
Yeah, agree with you that offer our own service will be a good source for online earning. However, the hard part is how to fully prepare for it so can get the full result. As you know, offering our own service is not like make money with AdSense which is get and leave. In service business, We should maintains our customers.
Dana recently posted..The 4G Tablet PCs-Motorola XOOM- BlackBerry Playbook 4G- and Samsung Galaxy Tab 4G LTE
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Dana,
Yes, you definitely have to prepare and be ready to put in some work because it’s definitely not passive income.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Hey Kiesha,
Creating a good Hire Me page for your blog is definitely a great way to improve your earnings but you have to get some things in place first. I agree with your tip number 4.
Knowing when to hit your clients with the premium prices is important, but adding helpful content is what will build your credibility and make your Hire Me page attractive to visitors. Thanks for the great tips Kiesha, I learned a lot.
John recently posted..Finding Someones Email For Free – The Best Tool To Find Any Email Address Fast
Twitter: weblogbetter
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Hi John,
Yes, offering introductory prices will not only allow you to build your credibility, but it will also allow you to snag some clients you wouldn’t have otherwise. It’s also a great way to quickly build a testimonial page that proves you know what you’re doing.
Thanks for sharing!
Before getting the blog ready, bloggers should ensure that they have important plugins installed and activated such as anti-spam and seo plugins.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Andreas,
Those are definitely a must! Otherwise they’ll constantly get bombarded with spammers who pretend to want quotes for services. Yes, I’ve been there; done that – it’s quite irritating.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Kiesha,
Great points you’re sharing here. You’re so right, before you can start attracting people to your services, it’s important to update and improve the look of your blog.
It goes without a saying that valuable content rules. Provide solutions to people’s problems before they can spend their money with you.
Thanks for sharing your insights, Kiesha.
All the best,
Mavis
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Twitter: weblogbetter
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Hi Mavis,
Yes, you must definitely pass the valuable content and provide solutions that work before people will begin to see that you can in fact, provide the results they’re after.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Kiesha,
Great overview! Seems like the trend of adding a ‘Hire me’ page on blogs is getting more popular by the day. And no wonder – after taking a look at several income reports from different blogs, I noticed that offering your service is among the top sources of income.
And still let’s say you are offering freelance writing and at the same time your own content sucks. You can’t expect getting anyone on the hook. Same thing is valid for design and pretty much everything else.
Reasonable prices are a must as well. You can start increasing them after you’ve had a good amount of happy customers and earned credibility.
Daniel Sharkov recently posted..Great Tips to Help You Become a Productive Blogger
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Daniel,
Sounds like you’ve got the idea. It takes careful planning and preparation and is not necessarily the first thing a new blogger should be focusing on. Consistently strong and engaging content is contagious and it won’t be long before people will begin reaching out for help anyway.
Agree with all of your points,just want to add about blog design.It should not look messy at all.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi!
Glad you agree. Yes, design should definitely be both clean and neat.