You blog because you’ve got something to say… maybe it’s a message to share, maybe it’s a way to help more people, maybe it’s a personal expression thing. Whatever your motivation, it’d be nice to make a little money from it, right?
Depending on your blog topic and how it fits into your business, you’ve got lots of options!
Here are five ways you can make money with your blog:
1. Advertising
You can offer advertising spots on your blog. For example:
- Image/Banner Ads (check out WP125 plugin or BuySellAds.com)
- Text Ads
- Paid Posts
- Ads in Your Newsletter or RSS Feed
Or you can consider options like Google Adsense.
2. Affiliate Marketing
What products or services have you used and can recommend that your readers might be interested in? Check into whether they’ve got affiliate programs you can sign up for.
Here are some strategies for promoting affiliate products:
- Write a review post
- Create a resource list blog post or page
- Write and giveaway a free report you can include a link in
- Ad a link or add to your sidebar
- Do a webinar or teleseminar (you promote on your blog and social media to get people there, the presenter gets to make an offer after they deliver valuable info and then you get a cut of any sales)
3. Virtual or Physical Products
What products do you offer? Be sure to promote them on your blog!
No products yet? What could you create or put together to sell?
4. Communities or Continuity Programs
What could you build a community or continuity program around to offer on your blog?
5. Your Services
What services do you offer? Do your blog readers know they can hire you? Consider adding a page to your website highlighting your services, if you don’t already have it.
Brainstorm what else you could offer!
Other Options
You can also make money from your blogging by flipping blogs (you start or purchase a blog, make it thrive, then sell it for a profit) or by using your blog to help you get a job or grow an offline business.
See how many options you’ve got?
Twitter: Adjuvancy
says:
Great advice, Michele!
Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. recently posted… And, the wind, she cries— Power?
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Thanks, Roy. Appreciate the tweet, too!
Twitter: HelzDesign
says:
just thought to create an ad for myself
fantastic!
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Awesome, Helen! :)
Your post is packed with great information Michelle and a helpful one. I will look forward to apply this tips.
Michelle, I would like to invite you to my site. My site undergone to a major changes. Try to visit at your most convenient time.
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Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Thanks, Farrell, and definitely put them into action.
Stopped by your blog–nice XHTML tutorials.
Very helpful, Michelle, specially to those new and well, the not-so new to blogging. Your post – your blog posts in general – is short, simple, and informative. Great job, keep it up!
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Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
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Thanks, Reese!
Great post Michelle. I would like to add that people must be patient and not expect results overnight. Everything that you have suggested here takes time to yield results.
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Yes, I think much of the time/patience lies in getting an audience of readers built to create the platform so the monetization works.
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Three Ways to Break Out of Dollars for Hours and Make More Money
Twitter: adaliaj
says:
Great money making tips Michelle. I agree with Neil one needs to be persistent and patient.
Adalia John recently posted… 15 Commonly Misspelled Words: Do You Misspell Any of Them?
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
What’s the saying? Most “overnight successes” were years in the making. :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Who the Heck Are You and Why Are You Emailing Me?
Twitter: mamamakesmoney
says:
I feel like there is so much more I need to learn about affiliate marketing. It seems like it is something that works very well for people.
Julie recently posted… Guest Post: A Make Money Blog
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Hey Julie, one thing you’ll find as you get into it more is that the best affiliate marketing programs have really cool training available for you. Copyblogger’s programs are a great example.
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Do You Want to Get Real Results From Your Blog?
Hi Michelle, I liked your idea of writing reviews on product to sell affiliate products. I think there is no better option than this option to sell affiliate product.
Pete Goumas recently posted… Mythology
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
It works a lot better than banners or other advertising methods for me personally. Writing a review helps get traffic from the search engines, and shows readers we’ve actually purchased the product and used it successfully so we’re more credible promoting it.
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… How to Confidently Claim Your Value and Stand Out
Good post. I struggle with the idea of flipping a blog. It would kill me to build up a profitable blog only to sell it to someone else. :-)
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Yeah that one isn’t too appealing to me either, but I know quite a few people who’ve done great with that strategy. Depends on the goal. :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Sometimes the Road Map Isn’t Enough
Let’s win the money :)