How To Make Money Blogging
In December 2017, I discovered a new side hustle – blogging. I came across a news article about a blogger that paid off her student loans in 7 months, and currently makes over $100,000 A MONTH blogging! I did some research and found out there are many successful people that have turned their blogs into full-time businesses. This is NOT a get rich quick scheme, but if you’re willing to put in the work, blogging could change your life forever. So, how do you make money blogging? This post explains some of the strategies you can use to monetize your blog!
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Ad Networks
The first monetization strategy I used for First Hustle Then Brunch was putting a couple of ads in my sidebar and header. I applied to two ad networks within weeks of setting up my site: Google Adsense and Media.net. I was approved for both with only about 2,000 page views! Ad networks are great because they do the hard work for you. They have relationships with many companies who want to advertise on websites and place their ads in the best locations for your readers. Depending on the network, bloggers are paid a specific amount per thousand impressions or a certain amount per click. As your page views increase, you can (and should) apply for other ad networks that will optimize the ads on your site and increase your income.
Affiliate Marketing
Another excellent revenue stream for your website is affiliate marketing. When you become an affiliate for a product, you will receive a unique link to share with your readers. If they click on your link and make a purchase, you will earn a small commission. As your audience grows, this amount adds up! Don’t apply for hundreds of random affiliate programs though. Only promote products that you have personally used and would recommend to your family and friends- quality over quantity! Per FTC regulations, you must inform your readers of your partnership with these companies. Start by checking out the following affiliate networks: CJ Affiliate, ShareASale, Awin, and Flex Offers. If you want to learn how to build a six-figure blog with affiliate marketing, I recommend the Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing course.
Sponsored Posts
Some companies are willing to pay bloggers a flat fee for a post that is 100% about their product or service. I recommend publishing a good amount of content and building up an audience before reaching out to companies to sponsor a post. You want to make sure their product or service is something that will benefit your readers. They also want to know that their partnership with you, will help their business. When you get to that point, there are companies that will match you with sponsored post opportunities. Remember to inform your readers of all sponsored posts.
Sell Your Own Products & Services
You have skills that could help people! Why not use your blog as a platform to profit from them? Once you have established your website, you can sell products and services to your audience. For example, if you’re a food blogger and meal prepping pro, create an e-book with tips for newbies and include an 8-week meal plan. Or perhaps you’re a career coach. You could sell 1-on-1 coaching sessions or offer a résumé writing service. The possibilities are endless!
As you can see, there’s a lot of potential to earn an income from your blog. You can start a blog for as little as $3.95/month. That small investment could help you get out of debt, save up for a big purchase, or even become your own boss!
What are you waiting for? Learn how to start a blog here.
