Nowadays, starting a blog is almost too easy that people jump on the opportunity without thinking it thoroughly. A blog has progressed in a way that web publishers can use it for almost any typical web project.

That said, starting a blog without planning is much like having a website for the sake of having one. That sounds too ‘90ish, doesn’t it?

In this post, I am going to list some common blogging business models that I have noticed after spending almost 3 years in the blogsphere.

Note the word business plan may scare most of us but it doesn’t have to be that way. A simple blogging plan could be as simple as a sheet of paper of which consists of the goal and outcome of building and growing a blog, and equally important, a master plan on how to get there.

Without further ado, let’s get started:
1. Blogging for business
The term business blogging actually binds closer to a type of blog where a business publishes a blog as a marketing vehicle for an existing business. The most obvious examples would be Stonefield Farm and IBM blogs.

In this type of blog, the blog is used mainly to generate buzz, establish relationship with readers and potential customers, build anticipation and other marketing applications.

When people refer to corporate blogging and to some extent small business blogging, chances are they refer to this kind of blog.

2. Blogging to sell advertising space
This is by far the most common small group or individual business model I have noticed, especially after Google launched AdSense a few years ago. Any web publisher who has a website or blog, with enough content and traffic can cash in on their effort easily. There is nothing more straightforward because there is even no ad inventory to maintain. The process is almost autopilot once the publisher install the code into the webpage or blog template.

Blog demographics are also very lucrative for advertisers, so take your time to calculate the value of your blog real estate for blog advertising. It is also possible to mix and match.

3. Affiliate model
The Internet makes niche marketing feasible, even for very obscure industries. Affiliate marketing allows people in the know to earn commissions from each sales or actions generated. The most obvious benefit is of course no product inventory and no actual service to deliver.

Combining both web publishing and affiliate marketing is very powerful yet flexible business model for professionals or virtually anyone who wants to work from home.

4. Product model
In this type of business model, the blog is all about a product or a small group of related products. The blog could be started while the product is under development to build anticipation and get feedbacks from potential customers so the product can be created to cater their specific needs or wants. When the product is ready to launch, people are knocking at the door to buy the product.

After the sales, a blog can be used to give ideas and tips on how to get the most out of the product and establish a great customer support. In turn, this builds strong customer base who are not only loyal but also advocate the product.

5. Service model
Marketing is much easier and fun without selling. For independent or service professionals, a blog is a one-click publishing tool to establish himself/ herself as an authority in the niche by demonstrating what they know best.

The blog could features anything from case studies, articles, questions ans answers, educational information, e-courses, free teleseminar promotions, recordings and transcriptions. The sky is the limit.

In this model, often a prospect who call to ask for more information regarding a service feels like she already know what the professional has to offer to solve her problem — all without cold calling or any other traditional marketing tactics.

6. Information marketing
This business model is huge. People are seeking for information online. It has been proven that they are willing to purchase premium content either through subscription model, e-books, teleseminars, home study courses, and much more.

It is a multi-billion dollar industry.

A blog fits into information marketing business model through many ways, such as for warm prospects generation site and finding potential joint venture partners.

7. Blog network model
In a blog network a group of blogs formed into a network. They could have any topic on earth or focus on a broad niche such as business or marketing.

Blog network business models usually revolve around web publishing and advertising income. Bloggers in the network maybe independent or paid by the network to produce content.

When blogs join a network, they usually leverage each other knowledge, traffic and link popularity.

8. Freelance blogger
Freelance blogger is more of a job than a business model but nonetheless a way to earn money from blogging. There are blog networks which open to recruit new bloggers, looking for fresh content in almost any imaginable topic.

Writers can be paid per post, per month or based on a signed agreement.

Note that two or more of the business models could build a strong foundation for the business and more income streams for bloggers. For instance, selling advertising space and promote affiliate model at the same time let blogger have their eggs on more than one baskets. After some time, they may even consider to jump into information marketing and develop their own product.

I am sure there are still many creative ways to build a business around blogging, but those are the most common.

Feel free to use the comment section to tell me what you think and expound on the ideas.