When the "information superhighway" often seems like an overload of information, you may be able to profit from intelligently presented information, well-targeted to a defined niche group. So how do you make money online with a content business? Read on to find out how you can profit from your expertise.  

Blogging

Most content entrepreneurs first turn to blogging and it's no wonder why -- with the proliferation of free and easy blogging software like WordPress, Blogger and Tumblr, starting a blog is as easy as punching a few buttons.

 

Making money with a blog can be a bit more challenging, but it can be done. Google AdSense allows you to monetize your blog by placing ads on it. But before you start counting your imaginary dollars, remember -- you only get paid if the ad on your site results in a conversion. And it's likely that you'll need to serve many hundreds or thousands of ads before you ever turn a profit. Advertising-supported blogs are usually most successful if they get lots and lots of traffic -- a tall order for bloggers just starting out. 

Affiliate Advertising

If you feel as though you can create a unique web destination on a particular topic, affiliate advertising might be a good approach for you. Affiliate schemes differ greatly in their payouts, but one common option is Amazon Affiliates. With that program, you list books and media on your site and are rewarded with a commission when one of your site visitors makes a purchase. 

Affiliate marketing are sometimes touted as "get rich quick schemes" by shady sites offering pyramid schemes that promise quick cash for little effort.

Make no mistake -- successful affiliate marketers put in a lot of effort toward building an audience and quality content that will bring in sustainable passive income. Expect to do a lot of legwork up front -- but if you play your cards right you can build a solid source of revenue over time. More here. 

Information Products

An information product is a book, CD, video or other course that offers a specific audience targeted advice on a subject they want to know more about. Your information product could range from being an ebook about horticulture to a multi-step video course on making money in real estate. 

Just about every would-be entrepreneur has one information product in them, which, if they have the guts to put it out there, could lead to a torrent of products.

Large platforms like Skillshare and Udemy will help you sell your information course, but of course you can also sell your own information product on your website with a little more than a Paypal button. 

More on information products here. 

Consulting

Your content business make make you money indirectly, especially if you are a consultant. Many consultants maintain blogs in order to establish their expertise in a particular subject. Start to write posts regularly in your business niche, and you'll be rewarded in the form of enhanced traffic and an enhanced profile within your own corner of the internet. 

Michael A. Stelzner, CEO of SocialMediaExaminer.com and author of Launch: How to Quickly Propel Your Business Beyond the Competition advises employing something he calls "the Elevation Principle" with your content. Meet the core desires of prospects and customers by helping them solve their basic problems at no cost. Give away information that raises people up (that's the elevation) and meets their needs, and you'll find them knocking on your door with checkbook in hand to get more.