having blog as part of salesfunnel

I prefer the #2 option. Since it will straight to the point what im selling/offer.
Blog is essential for communicate personally with your precostumers/costumers.

Blog Build Credibility. You will get more optin if you go through 1st method.
You will get more buyer if you go through 2nd method.

Both. Which one depends on the traffic source. If the visitor is expecting an opt-in page to take advantage of a free offer, I give them what they expect. If they are expecting 'more information' on a topic, I give them what they expect. Of course, that 'more information' page also includes a very prominent opt-in offer that extends the experience.

For most of the niches I get involved with, a blog is very important for two reasons (and sometimes three):

1) It enhances the perception of authority.
2) It gives me more chances to attract people to my opt-ins. This is a two-prong approach. I don't work hard at SEO, but I won't turn people away if they come via search. What I do aim for is multiple posts which are worth linking to by other bloggers, emailers, etc.
3) Sometimes, the conversation that can take place in the comments is worth more than the post itself. Automated (both machine and human) spambots have made this one tougher.

Each blog goes under a single pen name as the "editor" or head honcho. Usually, this is the same pen name used for article syndication.

I wrote the post below yesterday to someone who was asking about hiring writers to do Amazon reviews. It answers your question about Blogs perfectly so I've copied it to this thread. Just remember, this isn't just about being an Amazon affiliate. There are lots of ways to monetize this business model.

I once made a sugestion to a guy who'd put his Amazon review page up here for critique. Anyone willing to do this will have considerable success but 99.9% won't do it because it takes time, work and writing skills. Of course, the writing can be contracted but probably not cheaply.

This guy was hocking mostly outdoors and camping stuff. He was an avid camper and outdoorsman. I suggested he associated a Blog with his review site. On the blog he would relate stories of himself and friends enjoying their trips and using the gear he was promoting. This is soft selling or preselling. The Blog posts would have links direct to the products. The whole idea is to write engaging accounts of being outdoors that get the reader in the "outdoors" frame of mind.

A good writer could pull this off fairly easily. And since the guy actually used most of the equipment he was selling there would have been absolutely no deception involved in writing up personal accounts of using the stuff.

This model works well because people don't feel like they're being hustled. Creating a Blog with lots of engaging entries keeps people coming back because they become fans of the Blog. And they naturally buy and tell their friends about the Blog as well.

This isn't just about camping gear, it would work for games, electronics, sporting goods, auto accessories, music, books, you name it. This is one way to really build a business that provides value, good feelings, loyal customers and last but not least, puts money in your pocket.

I realize I didn't answer your question but if you were to spend your money on creating the Blog you'd probably get by with nothing more than the manufacturer's catalog write-ups.

@Aniket, it's a lovely ebook in your sig. Thanks.

Focus your efforts.. Go for #2. Blogs aee too disperse, not goal orientated. Go for a dedicated squeeze page instead.