Blogging is a great way to get started making money online, but it takes work. All good things come with some effort, right?

Doing nothing is the absolute worst thing a new blogger can do. Yet, that’s exactly what happens to many bloggers when they first get started. While trying to get their blog just perfect, they do nothing and, instead, spin their wheels and go no place…slinging mud the whole time!

Meanwhile, they get frustrated, their dreams fade, and they end up giving up before they even get started. It’s sad, especially since many of them are talented writers, passionate about their topic, and have a lot to share with the world.

So if you’re a new blogger, how can you avoid this trap?

Simple. Outsource.

But, what, exactly is “Outsourcing”?

Outsourcing is just a fancy word for getting someone qualified to quickly and efficiently do a job for you that you

• don’t want to do
• don’t have time to do
• don’t have the skills to do

But what can you outsource?  And how?  Can you afford to?

All great questions. Here are 4 tasks you can immediately outsource for a modest price (and boost your blogging efforts at the same time).

1. Blog Installation and Optimization.

If you’re planning to blog, you’ll need a web host. Why not choose a multipurpose web host that will also install your blog for you? There are several that will install your WordPress blog for you, but I use Go Daddy for myself and my clients.

There’s no point in getting paralysis by analysis. This is an easy decision to get over your first hurdle – actually getting your WordPress blog online and ready to roll.

2. Design.

Another thing you can outsource is graphics. You can find a professional designer at Shelancers.com or even eLance.com.  But I’d suggest first asking a friend for a recommendation (or even ask on Twitter) before going with someone totally unknown.

3. Content Management.

Keeping your blog active with fresh content can be a feat in itself. But there is a big secret that bloggers use to make their lives much easier. It’s called PLR content and it’s something that I use periodically.

What is PLR content? Basically, PLR articles are written by ghostwriters and sold at a very affordable price (usually around $1-2 per article) to multiple bloggers and website owners. So as a blogger, you can purchase these articles and post them on your blog as is. But I recommend you edit them a bit before you do — or outsource this to a Virtual Assistant.  While PLR is not totally hands-free, it can help you to get over the hurdle of having to write all of the content for your blog all the time and all by yourself.

When I’m looking for good PLR articles, I use EasyPLR.com.

You can also have your Virtual Assistant post your blog for you so that it’s waiting in there the next time you face writer’s block.

4. Community.

Do you ever hear the sound of crickets when you go to your blog? How do some bloggers get such a conversation going while others seem to be talking to themselves? The answer may not be what you think. Another big secret of top bloggers is that they sometimes “seed” conversations with their own assistants and friends. Yes, they have commenters who are paid to come by and leave comments to keep the conversation going. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

While you don’t have to go quite that far, it doesn’t hurt to be “comment buddies” with some friends and help keep each others blogs active with conversation.

If you have your comments approved before they’re posted, you’ll want to log in and check daily.  There’s another job that can be outsourced to your Virtual Assistant!

This is just the beginning of what can be outsourced! If you’re having problems keeping your blog current, email me and let’s see how I can help you!