The way I see it, you’ve some choices to make if you want to build a career in blogging.

First up: choose the professional blogger route.

I’m talking about self-employed people who rely on blogging for the majority, of not all, of their income. The most successful I can think of right now is Darren Rowse, who currently makes 6 figures a year (USD) from Google Adsense alone across his portfolio of 20 blogs. I was planning on sharing some of the advice that I’ve picked up over the last 12 months, but as it happens, today Darren posted the best bit of advice you could possibly hear: making money from blogging takes time. He says…

So if your goal is to grow a substantial online business - one of my main piece of advice is to take a long term view of it. While a very small percentage of successful online business people do seem to make it big overnight - the examples of this are increasingly becoming fewer and farer between.

…and…

…successful blogging comes as a result of hard work, determination, smart decisions and time.

But that’s not all it takes. Darren also goes into plenty of detail about how quality content, search engine optimisation, your reputation, your network of contacts, and on-the-job experience are just as important, and I couldn’t agree more. So, if you’re planning on making your fortune in blogging, or at least a decent income, and you’re prepared to put a couple of years’ worth of hard work, it’s definitely possible. Just don’t expect it to happen in a month.

Next up: Choose blogging as a ‘real’ job (or at least part of it).

This one’s becoming more and more common. Do a search on simplyhired.com or indeed.com for ‘blogging’, and you’ll see what I mean. I’m talking about being employed by a company to blog, or to spend part of your time at work blogging. For example, the first result on simplyhired.com brings up a posting on craigslist Nashville for a Blogging PR Administrator. Daily tasks include…

Making Posts
Writing emails
Tagging
Delicious, Technorati, Ice Rocket, Ect.
Write and follow up on Emails to local Media,

Sounds like blogging to me. You’ll be working from home for around 15 hours a week (visiting the office once every 2 weeks), and you’ll make $175 a week.

What about craigslist LA? Search there and you’ll find a job for a BlogMaster. It’s virtually pure blogging, with a subject content that covers psychic, astrological and metaphysical topics. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but if it’s something you’re interested in, and you’re a decent writer, it could be a great gig. There’s no payment terms of salary mentioned, but there’s a choice of either a contract or actual employment, depending on your position. See, instant professional blogger.

The list goes on. Junior Blogger at hottitude.com. Blog Producer, DC - The Situation Room.  Etc, etc, etc.

Another option would be to get involved with a blog network such as b5media, weblogsinc, or one of the smaller ones such as wurk.net. ;o) You’ll generally find that these are contract roles, rather than bona fide employment, but it’s a chance to make some cash doing something you love to do. And who’s to say that you can’t join 3 or 4 (or 5) networks and blog for them all to make a full time living. To be honest, it’s no different to being a freelance advertising copywriter who works with 5 different advertising agencies. Or a freelance feature writer who supplies 5 separate publications. The only short-term issue is that most blog networks offer a revenue share right now - and in the start up phase, that share ain’t gonna be big. But with the right kind of network, and the right kind of people behind it, who’s to say that in 3, or 6, or 9 months down the line, that network isn’t going to be a significant earner?

But it’s not just ‘new’ companies that can offer you a blogging break. Look at Microsoft. I already know of quite a few people who blog as part of their jobs there, and that’s just in the HR department. What about other big corporations? I guarantee that Microsoft won’t be the only one with authorised staff bloggers. What about the company you’re working for now? Are they looking for people to blog for them? Or, how about other businesses near you? They might also be looking for people to help them put their thoughts and messages online. And that could be your big chance to put your career plans into action.

But regardless of the choice you make, the opportunities to be a pioneer in your field are still phenomenal. So which blogging career path are you gonna follow?

Tough choice.

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