Since the new year is right around the corner, bloggers and marketers alike are posting their predictions as if a psychics convention has come to town.

So in keeping with that tradition, I’d like to post a few of my own. But unlike those who post their predictions in point form, I won’t make a specific list but rather share with you some of my thoughts.

(Near the end, however, this post will culminate in what I believe will be three major trends to watch out for and dive into, if you want to make some serious money in 2008 and beyond.)

First off, let me state that you may or may not agree with me on these. But something is definitely going on right now that points to these three trends. All the clues are pretty evident, and you’ve probably seen some of these yourself.

What I’m talking about is…

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If you remember, a few months back I launched my email-based coaching program. Shortly thereafter, I’ve reached the number I wanted to enroll in the program, and so I closed the doors.

Since then, however, I’ve wrestled with the idea of reopening it to allow a few new members. Why? Partly because I’m very picky when choosing people with whom I work closely, and partly because I’ve received numerous requests asking me about it.

In fact, since closing my doors I’ve received 52 requests to join my program.

Yes, fifty two! I counted them.

So I’ve relaunched my email-based coaching program, but only to a few select applicants. With this program, you can ask me unlimited questions, to which I will answer personally — as long as your subscription is active.

Here’s what this amazing programs includes:

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I feel kinda bad.

Julie Isaac, who commented on a previous blog post in which I said I was preparing for my upcoming Web 2.0 copywriting workshop, was upset with me. And for good reason, too. Here’s what she said:

This is the first time, since you announced it in May, that I’ve seen you write about your Web 2.0 Copywriting workshop. Are you still planning it for the weekend of November 10th? I’ve been holding that weekend open since I heard your plans, but finally gave up, figuring you must have postponed it. Just last week, I signed up for something else that weekend. Please tell me I’m not going to miss your workshop!!!

Sorry to dissapoint you, Julie. But yes, the seminar is indeed that weekend.

The salesletter is not up yet, but if this seminar interests you, you can certainly go there now and join the notification list. That way, you will be notified as soon as the web page is up so you can register…

Click here for the Web 2.0 Copywriting workshop.

(You gotta see what Dan O’Day has in store for you… He shared it with me last night on the phone, and it blew me away! You’re going to love this event. Plus, with Google Audio Ads coming out, his stuff is very timely.)

… Words out of thin air and assembles them into masterful sales pages that earn more money than you can even imagine.

Sorry about the title. I just wanted to see if I could get Michel to post that title on his own blog.

It does relate somewhat to what I want to talk about, though. And that’s the power of the law of reciprocity.

I was very honored when Michel asked me to be a guest poster on his blog. What do I know about copywriting, which is his forte? If I knew anything about copywriting, I wouldn’t have had to write Glyphius and MuVar to help me figure out if the words I had put on paper were profitable or not.

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As you might have seen on some blogs, people have “guest” bloggers replacing them while, say, they’re on vacation or a trip.

You’ve probably seen this on my friend Brian Clark’s blog or others, of late. And I really like this, since it keeps the blog going without interruptions.

Well, I’m not going on vacation. But I will be incognito for a while as my wife and I move into a new home starting next week, until the end of the month (and give or take another couple of weeks in August to settle in).

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First off, this post is in no way comprehensive. There are many different ways to monetize your blog.

Of course, there’s selling ad space on your blog, such as through the use of pay-per-click networks like Google AdSense — which is the most popular.

But offering willing advertisers to directly sponsor your blog by buying a post, an ad, or a link is one area that’s becoming increasingly popular.

Sites like ReviewMe.com, PayPerPost.com, and Text-Link-Ads.com are effective in allowing bloggers to get paid for selling content or links on their blogs. Basically, these networks bring both bloggers and advertisers together.

Granted, this has been the subject of a lot of controversy lately, particularly about disclosure. (And yes, all the links above are my affiliate links.)

But what if you want to make money directly? What if you want more control over how you monetize your blog? What if you want to make money based on sales (like an affiliate commission) and not just ad clicks or views?

Well, here are a few cool WordPress plugins I found.

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I want to tell you about a few upcoming events that might interest you, one of which I am personally putting on with another top copywriter. (Plus, I need your feedback and possibly your help.)

First off, a little backstory.

After my recent report, The Death of The Salesletter, and other reports like "The Death of Internet Marketing" by Mike Filsaime and "The Rebirth of Internet Marketing" by John Reese, I received quite a few requests.

Specifically, and since we talked about increasing popularization of Web 2.0, audio, and video (and multimedia in general), and how they are growing in the online sales experience, people have asked me over and over again:

"Michel, how do you write copy for audio and video?"

Well, you’re in for a treat…

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