Tech Blogs Go From Hobbies to Business

The USA Today is running an article entitled, "Tech Blogs Go From Hobbies to Business."

The article states:
"Arrington, 37, is the force behind TechCrunch, a blog chronicling the rise and fall of Internet start-ups. (They're often called Web 2.0 companies.) Malik, 40, runs GigaOm, a slightly more scholarly blog that looks at all things techy."

Those of us who blog have definitely thought about what it takes to develop successful blogs. But, I wonder how many of us have ever discussed this issue with our students? What could students learn, in addition to how to successfully market a blog, from such a discussion?

By the way TechCrunch is running an article entitled, "Virtual Goods: The Next Big Business Model." I can't help but wonder if children might be able to develop popular virtual businesses. I wonder who created the first lemonade stand? Are kids already selling things online? What are they selling online?

Wait a minute, is there a connection between the discussion of how to develop a successful blog and how to sell something online? How are the answers similar? How are the answers different?