Guitar blog - How to take it the next level? - Visitors and Monetizing

Are you looking for writers to contribute exclusive content? If so, then you need to be prepared to offer something as "compensation". This could be in the form of cash. Or, more likely, you could give other people in the niche the chance to a guest author on your blog in exchange for exposure (e.g., a byline, a chance to promote their products).

In that case, it's really just a matter of talking to people in your niche and offering them this opportunity. People who regularly do article marketing -- such as authors writing about guitar stuff on EzineArticles.com -- will readily recognize the value of the opportunity.

(Of course it's best if you propose a swap -- you provide an article for them and they provide an article for you. Then you both get content, exposure, links and visitors.)


Another way to do it is to get your readers to contribute their tips. You can even hold a contest and award a guitar-related prize for the best tip. Then you can compile these tips into multiple blog posts and drip this content over several weeks. Or you can post one tip at a time on your blog -- either presenting the tips as-is, or you can provide commentary on each tip.


Otherwise, if you just need content, then you have a couple options:

1. Create it yourself or hire a ghostwriter. You can even start with PLR content and either you or your ghostwriter can rewrite. The benefit for this option is that you get unique content with your ads embedded.

OR...

2. If you just want to populate your blog, you can get content from article directories (like EzineArticles.com). The downside, of course, is that these articles come with someone else's bylines and ads. So it shouldn't be your first choice.



As for your second question, I'll have to look at your site. But others will likely chime in on that one.

Becky

Hi Todd - you probably don't know it yet, but you are sitting on a very profitable website with the right direction.

I started out a site teaching how to programme synths, and yes i thought that it wouldn't be too profitable, but it was a passion and i persevered.

You could pretty much copy my model and it would work.

1) write in depth and valuable articles about guitar - so in your case everything from tuning, to chords through to maintenance etc. Post up one a week

2) set up the site with a sidebar sign up form - do not cover the site in ads, offers etc - an empty site with that stuff will just scare people off - patience... you can add this very soon.

3) Create a small product for free - again - anything that's relevant - guitar tabs. How to tune your guitar. Doesn't have to be much - you could even hire someone on elance to make a short video on how to tune your guitar. Offer this video in exchange for email address.

And now the traffic

4) search on google and find the largest forums out there for guitar players - experienced and new. Sign up (add your link to your signature) and just take part - look for people posting questions about guitar issues - any topic doesn't matter. Write an in depth answer on your blog as a post and then post a link on said forums saying something like - "i have the anwser to this on my blog"

Simply take part in the communities and offer valuable info - make one post a day on each blog every day answering questions and becoming a well know part of the community.

You can also make some short videos on youtube with your site url in there. Play a famous song and teach them how to do it - anything!

You will build a list in no time.

5) over time gradually introduce ads and start thinking about a product you can sell to them - i wouldn't bother with clickbank learn the guitar stuff - make some short videos or perhaps write a book on how to play beatles songs - chords in pop music, 100 songs in an hour - that kind of stuff.

And then you're off and it's up to you! Make more products to sell - offer skype lessons, online video courses - sell guitar books from amazon. Sky is the limit mate!!


So far on my synth site i sell patches for synths mainly and i am in the process of making in depth video tutorials on synthesis.


These kind of communities thrive on the internet - there are forums for musicians with tens of thousnads of people and everyone wants to learn the fast way... you can help them, and make a tidy amount of cash out of it at the same time.

PM me if you have any questions.

Hey Todd,

I haven't been in that niche in years, but used to make pretty consistent sales in the guitar niche.

Some ideas...

1. Attracting writers: JV with some guitar bloggers out there. There are many. Just start reading and commenting on their blogs and linking to their posts.

2. Monetizing: Nest a little bit of copy with an ecover for a freebie top and center and squeeze names and emails.