Everybody’s got an opinion about something, but now – instead of just entertaining your friends and family with rants about politics, movies, or parenting – you can post your opinion on your very own Internet blog. Blogs are popular! According to a recent survey, 39% of Internet users say they read them. Of course, most blogs are set up by people who have narrow, specific interests. Like quilts, saving the whales, or rating local downtown lunch spots. While blogging is only a hobby for most people, some bloggers actually make money!

According to the Associated Press, even blogs with just a couple of thousand daily readers can earn decent money for the writers and creators of the site. Kim Malone Scott is the director of online sales and operations for Google's AdSense which is an automated program that places ads based on the content of blogs and websites. In other words, if you’re writing a blog about RV travel, they might place ads on your site for campground reservations, trip insurance, and doctor-finder services. Scott also says that since very little technical skill is needed to publish a blog, just about anyone with something worthwhile to say can find an audience. Of course, that doesn't mean every blogger’s going to get rich. For each blogger earning a decent income, countless others will never earn a penny. However, if you’ve got the right mix of compelling content and exposure, you can draw a dedicated following – and potentially make money off of advertising.

Interestingly enough, bloggers who have a loyal following typically do very little to gather an audience. Basically, they’re writing about what they love as a way to reach out to like-minded people. Since blog topics tend to be focused on one particular interest, word about a good site can spread rapidly in online communities. If you’re interested in starting a blog with advertising, check out the website Google.com/Adsence.