Let’s start with a big assumption. You’re writing your blog to make money, to earn a living, and not to just share some fun stories about what’s going on with your family or what you’re up to with your favorite hobby or activity. If you’re putting in the work, doing the research, and growing the audience, chances are you’d like to get paid for your hard work. And for that to happen, you have to monetize your blog posts. If that is what you want to do, then let’s look at three different ways to do just that.
Make Product Recommendations Directly On Your Blog
One of the easiest things to get started with is to make recommendations directly in your blog posts. These can be your own products or something you’re an affiliate for. If you want something really simple to try, sign up for the Amazon affiliate program and as you blog about things, work in a product here or there.
For example, if you’re in the parenting niche and are working on a blog post about a fun park in your area that you went to, you could mention the stroller you used and how well it did or didn’t perform in the park. Or if you’re a photographer who also blogs, share your latest pictures and mention what camera, filter, flash, etc. you used for each picture along with links to those products.
Work With Brands
Working with brands is another great option. Make connections via social media or use one of the large networks that connect bloggers and brands. They will often pay you to write a blog post that mentions one of their products. Don’t be surprised to work for free products or low pay in the beginning. That’s ok.
Keep in mind that it takes time to build a relationship and show the marketing person you’re working with that you have the reach and the chops to influence a large group of people. And of course, as your audience grows, you can expect to get paid better to be a brand ambassador.
But it takes time… this is not a get rich overnight scheme… Patience, young grasshopper…
Grow Your List and Make Offers Via Email
The most effective way to make money from your blog is to focus on getting your blog readers on your email list first. This gives you a chance to build a stronger relationship with your audience, get them back to your blog and of course make offers to them directly in your emails.
Keep your email messages entertaining and helpful with some recommendations thrown in, and you’ll do well. Keep growing your list as your blog grows and your income will follow right along.
Of course, this is by no means an all-inclusive list. There are quite a few other ways to monetize your blog, but these are three relatively simple concepts you can start with.
If you want more ways, implement these first… and let me know. Once I know you have implemented them, I will write up something for additional ways to make monetize your blog posts.
In the meantime, let me know what you are doing (if anything) to earn some cash from your site. Leave a comment below! Thanks.
Patience is the key. Thanks for the valuable share
Patience is always key… And there are some ways that you can speed up the process if you need to. Of course, everything is a give and take… so you have to weigh the pros with the cons.
Up to now I haven’t thought about making any money off blogging. But since I may be retiring in the near future, that may change (I would not do it on my present blog, however.) It’s going to be a learning curve if I decide to do that, but I’ll also have the time and energy to try it out.
You can always start small… and work your way up! This way when you are ready to retire, you have the education in place and you know what you are will be doing!
Thanks for this perspective. I know it can be done, but honestly do not have any interest in this. I don’t sell supplements or powders, etc. as part of my health coaching program, and I don’t want to be tied to a brand or product. I can see how certain “influencers” might do this, but not for me. I know you are doing a talk about how your website does not make money for you too – more my speed. LOL
You can still monetize it by selling/booking the services you offer, Mary Ellen! It does not just have to be promoting other peoples’ products of goods.
I don’t blog for making money however I am an Amazon affiliate plus a few other sites and I make enough to pay for my hosting site so I’m happy. Maybe someday, I’ll look into other ideas for earning.
I think many people are like you, Martha! You dont so it FOR the money, but since you have the site, why not put some affiliate links on there so you CAN make some money.
I hadn’t considered making money from my blog, but why not? I’m sure I could find lots of products to mention in my posts. Thanks for the ideas Paul.
Sure thing, Karen!
Hi, Paul. I am quite skeptical about making money out of my blog. There’s a question that is hanging regarding this matter – Do I have to monetize my blog if I do not have that big audience? I mean, aren’t they correlated – the number of audience and monetization?
Even with working with brands, I think that would require a blog to be ‘big’ to be considered.
If ever I will consider, I am interested in affiliate programs. I hope I can make up my mind.
Typically, Bing, a larger audience makes it easier to earn more. It is simply the law of numbers. if 2% of your readers buy something your will make more if you have 1000 visitors vs. only 100 visitors. However, you can still make money on the 2% of the 100 people.
A mix and match of these different methods work well to.start earning from the blog.
Absolutely! Start with one method and see how it goes. Then you can another… and another… in some cases, you may end up removing or stopping one method if it does not responate with you or your visitors.
I’m banking (pun intended) on the fact that my blog posts are so good you will retain our services!
That is usually the ultimate reason for having the blog posts! They can showcase your expertise!