Starting an online business can seem daunting. There sometimes seems to be too many different ways in which to go about it. The wealth of information that we have at our fingertips can also begin to feel overwhelming. We start researching an idea and come across something different in the process. Should I start a blog? A small business podcast? An e-commerce store? It’s easy to suffer from paralysis by analysis.

What then is the best way to build a brand, become a figure of authority in a particular niche and make some money during the process?

Our guest for this episode is someone who knows about all of these things and more. An online business veteran with over twenty years’ experience, Zac Johnson is a pioneer in this space and his blog has helped thousands of entrepreneurs get started with their own online businesses.

Zac is going to offer his insights and some actionable tips that could help you take the first steps to becoming your own brand, a leading figure in your field and to make some money at the same time.

Issue Challenged in this Small Business Podcast Episode:

How can you build a trusted brand, become an authority within your niche and make money during the process?

About Zac:

Zac Johnson has been making money online through a variety of ventures for over 20 years. He’s a widely respected expert on blogging and affiliate marketing and his articles have helped thousands of entrepreneurs take the plunge and start making money on the web. His blog covers all aspects of online entrepreneurship from building a presence on social networks to leveraging your brand and knowledge to become an authority figure within your niche.

He’s also published a book, Blogging Tips: Confessions of a Six Figure Blogger which aims to further spread useful, actionable and proven ideas on how to generate income in the digital space without a huge amount of initial investment.

Zac’s Actionable Tips:

* Take action, register a domain name and set up hosting. The best way to get started is to get something live today.

* Choose a niche in which you can become the authority. If you’re passionate about sports, start a sports training blog. If you own a local pawn shop, write content that reflects your experience and knowledge. Try to become the authority in this space.

* Turn the blog into a business. This can be done by monetization through affiliate marketing or you can create your own products, or offer consultancy services based on your expertise and experiences.

Top Quotes:

* “In 2007, I launched my own blog to really branch away from affiliate marketing so I could build my own brand, product and following and teach others how to do the same.”

* “You can really do anything now through the WordPress platform because of the functionality, the plugins and the themes that are out there.”

* “To get set up, live and running, it really only takes a few minutes of your time and there’s no programming or previous experience needed.”

* “The best way to take action and get things started is just to learn as you go.”

* “You’re online whether you like it or not. Take control of what is out there.”

* “You can’t let what is currently out there change your decision on whether you’re going to do this or not. You can’t accept things as they are, you need to get out there and change the game. That’s the whole entrepreneur mind-set.”

* “Search your passion and find something that’s profitable.”

* “Keep your content niche focussed and make sure it ties in to whatever your business is.”

* “You need to treat it like a business and take your time to build links, created content and become an authority.”

* “Most people are focusing on content and not content...