5 Effective Ways to Monetize Your Blog
So, you’ve heard the incredible blog success stories. You’ve labored tirelessly over your own blog, creating amazing content and growing a loyal, engaged community. But what next? Feel like your blog income is barely filling a piggy bank, let alone a bank account? Effective ways to monetize your blog do exist, it’s simply a matter of discovering and putting them to use. (Plus a little bit of patience!) Here are 5 suggestions to get you started.
Followers come to you for a specific reason – you understand what they need. Leverage that knowledge by placing ads for relevant products in your posts. For instance, if your blog is all about flowers, you might link to your favorite bulb supplier. If periodontal disease is your fancy, you could link to an exciting new gingivitis mouthwash. One caveat here – the reputation of your affiliates will affect your reputation, for better or worse. When possible, choose products that you own or use regularly, items you truly believe in. Show your tribe that you’re looking out for their best interests. It’s a win-win – they discover their new favorite ping pong ball, and you earn a share of the profit.
Just as billboards entice freeway drivers to stop for pie at a nearby diner, blog ads are advertising space targeting your site’s traffic. If you’re new to online advertising, Google AdSense is a great starting point. Whatever service you choose, be sure to avoid going overboard with ads – too many, and your site may look spammy and unprofessional.
If your site is generating large enough amounts of traffic, businesses might see you as a serious influencer and pay you to review their products. Your followers want to know how you feel about that new bubblegum-scented dog wash! Just be upfront about sponsorships; failure to do so detracts from your blog’s hard-won credibility.
Instead of promoting other people’s products, create and sell your own! Options include digital products such as ebooks, courses, webinars, and audio files. Or, create physical products like fine art photography or sparkly slime. If your blog is family-focused, your readers might enjoy the Grandfathers of Instagram calendar. Food bloggers could entice their followers with a Vegan Gluten Free Paleo Ice Cream for Kids Cookbook. The sky’s the limit!
You’ve developed considerable expertise in your subject matter, and earned the respect of your tribe in the process. What can you teach them? A self-help master might offer life coaching sessions over Skype, while a yoga guru could demonstrate handstand techniques from an island paradise funded by her considerable blog earnings. The possibilities are endless – and potentially lucrative.
Blogging your way to financial freedom comes down to three essential ingredients: content, traffic, and a concrete monetization plan. If you’re still looking for profit-building ideas, explore the blogs you love for inspiration. Above all, enjoy the process. You’ve got this!
