We will get to this photo later, but first...

How do I make my blog a success?

I often get asked this question when I speak with people about blogging and today I saw a post on Google+ by Darren Rowse, blogging pioneer from Problogger, where he shared an email he received from an individual asking what his 'methods' were for building an online business.  The last couple of weeks I had been wanting to share with you a blog that I think is a huge success and a perfect model for us to follow if we want our blog to be successful.  That blog is Bodyrock.tv.

So, using Darren Rowse's advice, we are going to breakdown why I think Bodyrock.tv is a huge success.  

Disclaimer:  Please note, it is harder then ever to make your blog a success now, so you really have to stick out from the crowd.  What will make you stick out?

Blog About Topics You Know & Enjoy

Now this sounds like pretty straight forward advice, but it is so true.  Follow your passion and share the knowledge you have on a particular topic.  Freddie & Zuzana love to exercise, eat well and have fun!  You can feel this vibe on each and every post, video and page on their website.  Remember don't get away from what you do and know best.  

Add Value With Your Posts

As Darren says " Try to blog something interesting and useful to others every day - for a very long time."  Bodyrock does a great job with this every post.  Every new workout, they share detailed instructions, video, and photos illustrating how you can perform the workout to the best of your ability.  They make it really simple for you to follow and all workouts are very short, which is very important for all of us with our "busy" lifestyles.  

Not only do they add value, but they also do a great job with their messaging and showing their Bodyrockers the end result.  They don't talk about features or details.  They get right to it and help you attain the end result that you want.  Fitness!  

Engage & Build Your Community

I have combined two of Darren's points here into one.  Both, Freddie & Zuzana do a tremendous job engaging with their audience.  They promote Bodyrockers on their website, with a picture and a write up on the individual.  They answer questions in their comments and on Facebook.  Most of their posts have well over a 100 comments, which shows their community feels engaged and loved.

Everything is not all business either.  They have fun and they share personal things that happen to them on a daily basis.  Remember we are all real.  Even Zuzana likes to take you on a tour of their house and the often share when they have a cheat day. :-)

Experiment With Different Ways To Make Money

Now, this portion of the exercise is pure speculation, however, I would guess by looking at the website, Bodyrock.tv makes money via advertising and affiliates.  

They use YouTube as their video host and because they have a large number of views, they most likely qualify for the YouTube Partner Program, which would provide them with some revenue sharing on advertisements.

The other area where they would make money is through their affiliate partnerships.  Bodyrock has affiliated with gym gear providers and they promote certain products that are needed to complete their workouts on their site.  Bodyrock would receive a percentage of the purchase price from the providers if they ended up buying the product after being linked through from their website.  For their particular niche, I think this is brilliant and they only promote a handful of products on their site.  Also, very smart.  Keep it simple!

There you have it.  Using Darren Rowse's methods, you can now see why Bodyrock.tv is an online success.  We know there is no, one secret formula, so please share, so we can all learn.  I hope this helps you take your blog to the next level.

Now I pass it to you. What do you think? How do you use these strategies in your business?