Staff Review: Blogging to the Bank 2

Here's another thorough product review from one of our staff writers. This time it's for Rob Benwell's Blogging to the Bank 2. After rave reviews of version #1 of his ebook, Rob has put together an updated and expanded version.

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I just finished reading the “Blogging to the Bank 2.0” ebook by Rob Benwell. I have heard over and over again that it is possible to make money with a blog, but I couldn’t see how. As someone who has read many blogs, the concept is appealing to me. I’m all for sharing what I know, and if I can make money while I’m at it, I might just have to give this a try.

I have to admit, I’m coming into the whole blogging to make money concept as a complete newbie. I have read a number of blogs, and even have thought about starting one of my own; however this ebook might be what it takes to get me past the point of thinking about it to actually doing it.

One of the things I liked about the ebook is that it wasn’t written JUST for people that are already in the midst of blogging. It was written from the standpoint that not everyone has a blog, so the information was easy to understand. There was a lot of information in it, as well.

Benwell began the book by giving The 5 Blogging Commandments:

• Imitate nature
• Add some visitor value
• Make it sticky
• Don’t let your blog die
• Market = profit.

He then explained each of the commandments in a way that was easily understood.

He further explained how to research niche blogging. The ebook has a lot of links for free software to do the research; he also included images of actual pages from places like Google that would let the reader glimpse what they would “see” on those research pages.

Another thing that I liked is that Benwell had specific, point-by-point action steps to take in setting up a blog and how to create the needed links to make the most of your blog.. He then went on to explain how to come up with content for the blog, and the various resources on the internet that provide content – whether for free or for a fee.

What I found interesting is that the whole process of optimizing your blog to make money isn’t as hard as it sounds. There are various websites that will help you see whether or not your blog is generating traffic. He also gave the steps to set up affiliate links on your blog.

Included in the “Blogging to the Bank 2.0” is a section by Mike Worthingham. He shared top four ways to get huge amounts of traffic to your blog. This information, which could easily have been an ebook on its own, was very informative. I would say it was worth getting this ebook on its own merit, but this made it that much more valuable.

There were also a few extras tacked on the end of Benwell’s ebook. He included “Money Squeeze Techniques,” as well as hints on “Advanced SEO.” This information will help anyone new to blogging.

My biggest complaint about the ebook was that it had some typographical errors that detracted from it. While they don’t affect the content, and most people may not realize they’re there, I felt it made the ebook seem less professional.

Typographical errors aside, I would say that “Blogging to the Bank 2.0” was fact-filled, to the point, and helpful in the details. He gave great tips about creating a blog and how to make money from it. The information was systematic and well thought out. I would say that anyone considering blogging, and specifically about trying to earn money from blogging, would be well-advised to read Benwell’s ebook.

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Full information about the ebook is available on Rob's website. Sounds like it's worth taking a look at if you've been wanting to earn some cash from blogging.