Best tools to help you make money online in the fishing business - Quick Guide

• Choose your blogging platform
• Find the right web host
• Choose a theme
• Write compelling content
• Set up your autoresponder
• Build Your Media Kit

So you want to start an affiliate blog site for reviewing and recommending fishing products? Great!  It's a proven way to take your hobby and turn it into a money maker simply by reviewing products you love and publishing your findings on your review/blog site.  In some cases, the money can be life changing.

There are a few things you should know before you get started. In this post, we'll give you a quick overview of what you need to do to get your blog up and running quickly and easily. Later, we'll also provide some tips on how to make your blog successful.

1. Choose a blogging platform.

There are a number of different blogging platforms out there, but WordPress is the 900 pound gorilla of the industry. It's easy to use and there are plenty of plugins and themes available to make your blog look professional. Plus, it's free!

Another popular platform is Ghost.io.  It's $11 per month and is very easy to use.  It's the platform this site is built on.  There are many free themes that are simple and easy to get started with, and then with the upgraded plan you'll have access to their paid themes.  For most people, the base plan and the associated themes that come with it are just fine.

2. Find a web host.

Your next step is to find a web host. This is where your blog will live on the internet.  Hosting software is one of the most important tools you need for your online business.

Make sure to choose a domain name that represents your brand well. It should be something easy to remember and spell, as well as something that represents what you do. For example, if you're a fishing guide, you might choose "fishingguide.com" or "catchoftheday.com."  Ideally, it should be no more than 2 words, and if you can make it an alliteration, where the first word and the second word begin with the same letter, that's all the better.  For example, "luckylures.com", or "rodsreels.com".  It just makes it easier to remember.

As for hosting, there are many different types of hosting software available, so it is important to choose the right one for your business.  Some of the factors you should consider when choosing hosting software include:

• Ease of use
• Features
• Pricing
• Reliability

We recommend Bluehost because they offer great plans for WordPress blogs, and they're very affordable. Plus, Bluehost offers a free domain name when you sign up for hosting through them.

3. Choose a theme.

Now it's time to choose a theme for your blog. This will determine the look and feel of your site. There are thousands of themes available for WordPress, so take your time and find one that suits your needs. And as we mentioned, Ghost.io has many themes to choose from also.  You can always change it later if you want to.

4. Write compelling content.

The most important part of your blog is the content itself. Your articles should be well-written and informative, providing value for your readers.  For many, writer's block is a real thing.  You can smash through writer's block with no issues by using AI software to help you write.  We recommend jasper.ai as an important tool to help you create content effortlessly.

Jasper can help you write a 1500 word blog post in 30 minutes, maybe even less if you're really good with the software. Regardless, it makes writing much easier, and it's a game changer for anyone producing content on the web.

5. Choose your email autoresponder.

Email automation is another key tool for your online business. With an email autoresponder, you can send automatic messages to your subscribers whenever they join your list. This is a great way to stay in touch with your audience and build relationships with potential customers, not to mention a way to send your offers to them.

6. Build Your Media Kit.

A media kit is the professional way to present yourself to a potential sponsor.  It's an easy way to showcase your audience and your work with current sponsors if you have them.  In many cases, it can be the difference between getting a brand deal, and not getting one.  It seems like for every hundred people who apply for Pro Staff positions, only a handful actually take the time to create a media kit.  For information on how to create a media kit, read our recent how-to article.

Make Money Fishing - The Last Cast:

Starting an online blog is a great way to share your passion for fishing with the world. By following the steps outlined in this  post, you'll be on your way to having a successful fishing blog in no time!

Cheers to the outdoors,
Bert