Blog Platforms, Promotion & Monetization

This unit examines blogging platforms, hosting options, and the digital tools used to plan, promote, and measure blog performance. Students will explore content strategy, audience targeting, SEO/analytics, social syndication, legal considerations, and introductory monetization models to prepare for campaign execution in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze hosted versus self-hosted solutions and compare major blogging platforms (e.g., WordPress.com, WordPress.org, Blogger) to recommend the best platform and hosting type for a specified blog purpose and audience
• Apply SEO tools, web analytics, and social listening solutions (e.g., BuzzSumo) to set up basic measurement, track content performance, and optimize promotion tactics
• Demonstrate the ability to design a blog content and marketing strategy that includes audience analysis, topic selection, content types (text, visual, video, podcast), syndication, networking, and adherence to copyright/fair-use and brand voice principles
• Evaluate monetization and promotion options (display ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, speaking engagements, SERM) and propose an ethically compliant monetization plan aligned with audience potential and business goals