Great Methods to Monetize a Blog
Blogging is a viable online business option— if you go about it the right way. When it comes to monetizing, you need to treat your blog like a business rather than a pet project. While writing about your passion is great, taking a strategic approach to content creation is a must.
If you’ve been wondering how to monetize your blog, you’re in the right place. Here are some great methods for monetization.
Pay-Per-Click Advertising
Pay-per-click advertising (sometimes referred to colloquially as PPC) is one of the traditional blog monetization methods. It’s relatively easy to put in place and requires very little hands-on work. For these reasons, it’s many blogger’s first step on the road to monetization.
If you’re hoping to make a living from your blog, PPC isn’t the way to go. The return is often quite minimal, and people don’t respond to advertising the way they used to. Some readers might find the ads distracting and leave for a more streamlined, easy-to-read competitor.
Sponsored Posts
Sponsored posts and reviews are a great way to form a connection with your audience. 84% of people trust online reviews and seek them out when making a purchasing decision. As such, review content is common on monetized blogs.
When you do a sponsored post, you’re reviewing a product or service in return for compensation. This could be monetary compensation or a free product or service.
To be successful with sponsored posts, you’ll need to network and form relationships with brands. While sponsored posts can be quite profitable once you’re established, it’s hard to thrive on this form of monetization in the early days.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing often goes hand-in-hand with sponsored posts and reviews. According to Today With Jay, affiliate marketing is one of the best ways to monetize over time. When you create content, you’ll include affiliate links throughout and receive a commission on sales made through that link. Furthermore, if your audience adds other products to their cart while using your link, you’ll receive a commission on them.
One challenge with affiliate marketing is that you’re subject to the whims of companies like Amazon. If they change their fee structure, you’ll pay the price.
Selling Products
Selling products or services of your own design is the best way to take control of your long-term blog monetization. Rather than making a percentage based on sales for other businesses, you’ll be in control of your revenue.
Selling products takes a lot of time and dedication to marketing, launch strategies, product development, and customer service. You’ll also need a substantial, engaged following on your blog.
Tips for Monetization Success
Regardless of which approach you take when monetizing your blog, there are a few core elements to keep in mind. Here are three vital tips for monetization success.
Create Great Content
Creating amazing content is essential if you want to thrive as a blogger. It should be informative and easy to digest. While SEO and keywords play a pivotal role in your long-term success, the content should sound conversational and not robotic.
Remember that while you’re writing about your passion, create content with the reader in mind. Think about what they want to hear and how you can be an expert and guide.
Build an Email List
If you’re letting people leave your site without capturing an email, you’re losing potential dollars. Start building an email list from day one, offering a simple lead magnet in return for an address.
Having a robust email list will give you negotiating power with potential sponsors and play an essential role in selling products or services.
Think Long-Term
Contrary to popular belief, monetizing a blog isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It takes time to develop a following and find your groove as a blogger. Go into the task with the long game in mind.
*This is a guest post by Wendy Dessler
