General Blog Q

[Michael Yip]

Does anyone know if/how someone can make some money being a chess blogger?

Thanks in advance :)

[Bob Armstrong]

Toronto Chess News

:)Ditto re being a chess newsletter editor?:D

[Aman Hambleton]

Re: General Blog Q

Ditto re being a chess player in Canada? :(

[Eric Hansen]

Re: General Blog Q

Ditto re being a chess player in Canada? :(

[Michael Yip]

Re: General Blog Q

Two chess players sharing a hotel room? In Panama?

[Bob Armstrong]

Re: General Blog Q

:)Tell Eric you'll form a chess-shark partnership with him, and split expenses,.....and winnings!!:D

[Erik Malmsten]

Re: General Blog Q

You have to start with exciting, high-level content frequently updated so that people want to keep coming to visit.

I can't give you a list of people who have money chess blogging, but looking on google there are these revenue streams:

1) People get paid writing a newspaper chess column, so if your blog is part of a news site you might get paid.

Example of a paid article:
http://www.doughroller.net/investing...ent-investing/

2) I've known people to make money off of CPA ad clicks on their blog about TV shows or US politics, but not a full income. Some chess players would be offended by some ads. Chess doesn't get enough traffic but could get paid ads for paying chess sites or tournaments.

www.blogads.com
http://chitika.com
www.text-link-ads.com
http://buysellads.com
www.casalemedia.com
www.tribalfusion.com
http://en.wordpress.com/apply-for-wordads/

2b) Chess videos on youtube can make money - $0.37! for a minimum of 1,000 visitors.

3) The blog links to amazon or a chess retailer who pays a commission if there is a direct line from clicking on your site to making a purchase. If you review new chess books you could get them for free. Become a brand ambassador.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-...liate-program/
http://monroi.com/products/chess-affiliates.html

4) The blog is used as promotion of self-published ebooks, online course or DVDs. Hand-made products like posters, opening playing cards, or bags for pieces? Turn your blog into a book.

5) The blog attracts new chess students for online lessons, tournament training, and game analysis as well as invitations for lectures and simuls.

www.chessmasterschool.com

6) Have a private section only viewable to paid members.

www.ricardobueno.com/monetize-your-blog/
www.chesslecture.com
http://www.onlinechesslessons.net/li...lasses/why-us/

7) Ask for donations.
http://flattr.com

8) Have contests with an entry fee and prizes, keeping an administration fee.

[Aris Marghetis]

Re: General Blog Q

Wow, Erik, that was a tremendous post for Michael! Like really, post of the year! :)

Michael, good luck in your endeavour. I believe you possess a good suite of skills, like previous author, decent playing ability, multi-country / multi-culture awareness, etc.

Maybe ask someone who is already doing it? Kevin seems successful with his blog.

If I may suggest, and this is just my own anecdotal experience, I tend to frequent sites where I just get a good feeling. I know that is a nebulous declaration, but let me put it another way, I tend to stop going to sites where I feel a negative association. So, for example, and maybe this is just me, but I feel a slight irritation when you post every day, what your latest blog posts are. I would consider just periodically posting, with the link, and perhaps highlight articles from the last week, month, whatever. You want to build a base of people who have you bookmarked, and will visit regardless of what they accidentally stumble on elsewhere. That loyal base will give you hits advertisers look for.

Just my 2c worth, and good luck !!

[Aman Hambleton]

Re: General Blog Q

Just my 2c worth, and good luck !!

If Michael were fortunate enough to receive Aris' 2c worth 41,666.67 times per month he could generate $10,000 annual revenue....

which is about as likely as monetizing off of a blog IMHO.

[Michael Yip]

Re: Oh crap

http://www.newinchess.com/A_Partial_...es-p-7196.html

Someone already wrote a novel that answers my Q.

[Alan Baljeu]

Re: General Blog Q

Start a blog. Get 10000 regulars. Write a $10 book, and get 100 of your visitors to buy. $1000. Get paid-per-click ads. $1000. Follow all the suggestions Erik gives.

Clearly this takes a lot of work, but clearly it can make money. The good/bad news is it follows a multiplier curve. The more you have, the more you gain, with something like quadratic growth.

So assuming you write well and promote yourself well, it's simply a question of how long do you have to keep at it before the numbers get big enough to pay you back. It could be a long time, but if you do this as a hobby that won't be a problem.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: General Blog Q

As I understand chess blogging is not very profitable.

TWIC - 10 (?) in business, and recently a guy complained that it did not bring him big monies.

All more or less connected with persons' or organizations' other activities:

Susan Polgar - news re-repost. Setup properly Google News search and you'll get similar results.
ChessCafe - (Larry will be ban me) Many good chess authors promotes its books' business.
chessvibe - also started to publish an opening newspaper.
chessninja - Mig's help to promote the Kasparov's agenda. Did he bankrupt recently? no more updates.
crestbook - Shipov's and his buddies hobby.

[Kerry Liles]

Re: General Blog Q

As I understand chess blogging is not very profitable.

TWIC - 10 (?) in business, and recently a guy complained that it did not bring him big monies.

All more or less connected with persons' or organizations' other activities:

Susan Polgar - news re-repost. Setup properly Google News search and you'll get similar results.
ChessCafe - (Larry will be ban me) Many good chess authors promotes its books' business.
chessvibe - also started to publish an opening newspaper.
chessninja - Mig's help to promote the Kasparov's agenda. Did he bankrupt recently? no more updates.
crestbook - Shipov's and his buddies hobby.

You forgot Spraggett - soft porn with occasional chess info

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: General Blog Q

You forgot Spraggett

No. I left it to you :D Anyway, I got tired waiting his famous article LOL
M.Bluvstein's blog about his trips was much better.
There is Jean's newsletter, almost like a blog. Though in French and seldom read by me.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: General Blog Q

I only visit one of those sites regularly. Funny how that works. :)