Q. How can I start leveraging my successful blog to launch my new business idea?
The following answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council. Founded by Scott Gerber, the YEC is an invite-only nonprofit organization comprised of the country's most promising young entrepreneurs. The YEC promotes entrepreneurship as a solution to youth unemployment and underemployment and provides its members with access to tools, mentorship, and resources that support each stage of a business's development and growth.
Recruit from Your Audience 
I don't mean hire your readers (though you can do that, too). Rather, you should get your audience involved early as beta testers, customers, and social media "street teams." Allow them to be involved so that they are cheering for your new project (which they helped with in some way), rather than ignoring it or possibly hating it for taking some of your attention from the blog.
- Colin Wright (@colinismyname), founder of Exile Lifestyle
Tell the Story Behind the Business 
One of the biggest keys to my success has been letting my audience in on the "behind the scenes" story of my book and business. Your blog audience doesn't want you to just pop up one day with a shiny new product that you've effortlessly shepherded into the world. They want to follow the ups, downs, and struggles of your hero's journey. That way, when you do launch they will be even more vested.
- Jenny Blake (@jenny_blake), founder of Life After College
Advertise Your New Business on Your Blog
One of the benefits of a successful blog that gets a lot of unique visitors is that you can cater the content to suit your audience demographics. Instead of targeting your banner ads to your target audience to make a few bucks, swap the advertisements out to promote your new business. Your visitors don't even need to know it's your business at first. It helps as you test the market.
- Logan Lenz (@loganlenz), founder of Endagon
Your Blog Is a Starting Point, Nothing More 
I have several different products that are relevant to the readers of my personal blog, and I'll make references to them on my blog -- but I don't do hard sells. That's not what my blog is for. My community is more about coming up with new ideas and testing them, rather than selling. Your blog may be different, but always remember it is a starting point, not an end.
- Thursday Bram (@thursdayb), founder of Hyper Modern Consulting
Get as Much Feedback as Possible 
The No. 1 thing a new business can do is get people using, testing, and commenting on the product or service. Your readers are the perfect group to test and refine your first launches. Get readers on the phone, email them, use Facebook and Twitter, engage them in every way you can before you try selling to people who don't know or trust you.
- Jared O'Toole (@JaredOToole), founder of Under30Ceo.com
Become an Expert 
If you want people to buy your product or service, become an expert in your field and use your blog to brand yourself. Write about your industry and prove to your potential customers that you're a trusted source. Use your blog to drive inbound traffic to your new business's site. Once you attract customers ask them to sign up for your mailing list so you can contact them at a later date.
- Matt Wilson (@MattWilsontv), founder of Under30CEO.com
Use Guest Posts to Expand Your Reach 
If you have a blog and a bit of credibility, reach out to other (more successful) bloggers and ask to guest post on their site. Writing about something related to your new business will get people interested. This not only is beneficial from an SEO standpoint, but will allow you to really hone in on who your target market is and who resonates with the idea.
- Sean Ogle (@seanogle), founder of Location 180, LLC
Your Readers Are Your First Clients 
Your first clients should be people who are already comfortable with you and know you. Write a post announcing your new business and offer your current readers a free consultation or free sample of your service or product. You'll be more successful if you can attract clients from the people who already know you: your readers.
- Nathan Lustig (@nathanlustig), founder of Entrustet
Ask and You Shall Receive 
Create a survey to find out if your readers are interested in the idea. One of the companies I work with uses this tactic to gauge the interest when creating new product lines. Ask simple questions such as, "If we made product x with feature y, would you buy it?" and "What features or products would you like to see from us?" Analyze the feedback and decide if you still think it is a good idea.
- Andrew Saladino (@andrewsaladin), founder of Just Bath Vanities
Find a Partner and Lead Gen 
You are great at writing, keep it up and don't stop. Find a product or service that your audience needs and then find the vendor or service provider that is the best at that business. Partner with them and create a commission agreement for generating leads and referrals.
- Benjamin Leis (@sweatequitees), founder of Sweat EquiTees
