In a populated make money online niche, it gets increasingly difficult to differentiate yourself amongst peers. While creating a sustainable online income is very possible, to generate a successful one requires a lot of effort and perseverance. A key to that would be to get noticed such that your voice will be heard, appreciated and respected, which in turn could create an authoritativeness about your presence.

Branding in can often-times contribute to the difference between a good result and a wildly successful one. Effective branding lends an instant impact to whatever message you attempt to convey. It stimulates or motivates your audience to not only hang on to your every word, but to coax them into action.

As a blogger, it is not necessary to be unique to create an effective brand. It does take a lot of personality, marketing savviness, constant and repeated exposure, and just a little dash of luck. You also need to ensure that your brand continually evolves and grows to cater to the changing landscapes. You can also start small with little impact and still stand a chance to develop into something bigger.

I am a firm believer in testing and building part of your foundation on proven strategies or case studies. This is just as applicable to creating your own brand. Below are the bloggers whom have caught my eye (and many others) with their personalities and style to stand out from the crowd, gathering a wide and diverse readership.

While content is often lauded as a key factor, it is not necessarily the most important nor easily attainable by many, as evident by some of the examples. To develop a following, readership or community through branding, it would require a myriad of possible pull factors. A combination of these in various amounts would generate interest in what you say or do. Note that these bloggers did not become authorities overnight, but from gradual and consistent effort on their part to develop an effective brand.

1. John Cow
These guys are entertainment personified, but the answers are in their methods. Their brand might be subject to much ridicule, but therein lies the secret of its success.

2. Problogger
For me, a lot of Darren’s content is general. Generally helpful for bloggers, but more particularly for beginners. That alone can capture a huge base. However, honestly for me, not exactly an eye-opener. Yet, he is able to convey the niche in a simple manner, and market savvy enough to know what the target audience wants each time. The lilting presentation manner of his videos are also strangely, eye-catching.

3. Garry Conn and David Cooley
Unfortunately, I was not the one who coined Garry the BlogFather, but it is definitely a fitting moniker. David and him make a fine team, not only with their brilliant little methods to help you make more money, but also their contrasting presentation styles yet uncannily similar bearded mugs. I doubt if they ever intended it, but to me, they now represent one of the best tag team brands in the business.

4. John Chow
With an opener like “I Make Money by Telling People How Much Money I Make Online”, it immediately conveys an authoritative and matter-of-factly tone about himself, while hinting at a mischievous or derogatory manner, which, trust me, works even if he might offend many along the way. Whether you like him or not, or if his content is really useful for the most part, there is much to learn from John’s ability to create attention based on humans’ basic desire for wealth, controversy and fun. I am also of the opinion that while some of these bloggers do not openly share their methods, a lot of the time you can learn a lot from just what they are doing.

5. Mark of 45n5
A fellow ex-headbanger with a neverending supply of ideas that consistently seek to engage the community. Mark is one of the rare few bloggers within the niche whose personality shines through the written word, and even more so with his videos. He has created a whole brand and community for himself based on an idea that grew out of linkbait. I also look to him for out-of-the-box money making ideas. Some of them might require a little technical know-how, but hey, if learning a bit of that makes you that much more, why the hell not?

6. Maki
When I look at his anime-infested blog, it strikes me as something akin to E.T. - innocent but underneath that exterior, a vast intelligence and huge marketing and social media think tank. If you have had any contact with this niche, seeing an anime caricature anywhere in the blogosphere just brings to mind Maki the Marketing Mogul. A very simple mix of serious useful content and consistent identity branding - leading to one of the most established and enduring brands of the community.

7. Yaro Starak
Big hair. Nice charming smile. And a very down-to-earth personality. Yaro also formulated his Blog Mastermind training program which I have yet to see a negative review on. That provides an immense boost to his credibility and reputation, on which I feel a big part of his personal brand is built on. Many of his articles are also interesting reads - rather than just about blogging and making money, there are enough entrepreneurship stories to keep you fascinated. However, be careful of his content and style because he is likely to try to rip you off by signing up for courses that claim to be able to make you money online but they do not, and he makes money off you instead. To join his stable, you need to learn how to be a scammer just like him.

8. Mike Perry
I am aghast at Mike’s comparable lack of visibility despite attempts by other well-known bloggers to spread word about him. Some might attribute this to a less effective brand but I get to differ. A very standard way of bloggers within the make money online niche is that of chronicling their journey. I have rarely seen a better diary than that of Mike’s. Just about every post is testament to how you can slowly but surely built your online income. He recently reached his first year anniversary of doing so, and prior to that, reported his results every week. His style of honest reporting and willingness to share each and every one of his methods has resulted in a dependable brand. I doubt many would openly discuss some of their adult-oriented methods, and Mike has my respect for that.

9. Courtney Tuttle
I have to admit at first I thought Courtney was related to the Friends star in sex. Luckily I never had to use the word ’she’. Even more fortunate is his blog is just as sexy, sometimes with balls as big as the actress’ most fancied assets. Never afraid to go against the tide, and share his frank opinions with the rest. He is also one of an increasing number of bloggers who are collaborating on larger projects for the community which will aid his branding efforts, together with Vic of bu.bulicio.us. His portfolio of SEO’d Wordpress themes have also contributed to an identity known for his sincere help to bloggers everywhere.

(* I originally included CashQuests but it has since been sold and will be dead so I left it out)

I might have missed out on a few others that many think more than outshine my list, but that is only because I would not do justice to blogs which I honestly do not read enough of or have not done anything for me in terms of being drawn towards them. There are a fair share of obvious choices above, but that would be exactly my point on the whole topic.

Hopefully, some of these examples can be used to develop your own brand in the long run. Do not be afraid to copy and adapt. I would be surprised if your own personality does not align to any one of the above. If it does, why not take some pointers from the authors and inculcate into your own style and brand? It never hurts to learn from the best and grow into your own.

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