Let’s face it. As much as you love fashion or DIY or a deliciously styled meal, you started your blog with the notion that (maybe, someday, there’s the chance that) you might be able to make some real money from it.
But monetization doesn’t happen all on its own! The bloggers who make money today are the ones who decided to go after it. Also, they’re usually using a variety of methods at the same time.
In order to emulate these pros and start making some real cash come out of your hard work, the following is a list of real proven strategies you can use– as soon as today!
1. Be an affiliate.
Are you a photographer with mad love for the ___ camera? Or the ___ camera bag? Or even the ___ editing software? There’s nothing sleezy about getting a cut when you refer readers to a product you use and love!
Start today by going to your favorite brands’ websites and looking for an “Affiliates” link at the bottom of the page. Once you’ve signed up and been assigned your special link, put it wherever you’d like- from linking up some text in your blog posts to adding a linked banner in your sidebar.
2. Write an e-book.
Think about this for a second: Why do readers like your blog? Is it because they’re intrigued by your story? They can’t get enough of your marriage advice? Or is it because you can work the Mod Podge like no one’s ever seen? If you have trouble identifying this, then go ahead and just ask your readers why they’re reading!
Then, write an e-book about that. Format it so it’s easy to read. Lavish with pictures. Save it as a .pdf and sell it on your blog.
3. Make a how-to video series with a tangible outcome.
A video series is another type product you can make and sell on your blog.
Is there a tangible thing people ask you about regularly– that’s just too long for one blog post or even a series of blog posts? Maybe it’s the 10 different ways you style your hair. Or how you cook your top 3 signature dishes. Whatever it is, there’s a good chance someone might want to pay you to learn how to do it themselves.
4. Create a tool.
Are you a Photoshop genius? How ’bout selling Photoshop actions?
A sewing master? What about patterns?
Tools save people time. And time is money. Do you get where I’m trying to go with that?
5. Open a full-fledged online shop.
This one’s hard, I have to admit. If you don’t know anything about buying wholesale or dropshipping, it can be very intimidating. Nonetheless, setting up a full-fledged shop on your blog can turn into a fantastic money-maker. After all, aren’t your readers already there due to your great taste?
6. Sell your own stuff.
Do you find crafting fun and relaxing, even when you’ve made the same one before?
Do you have gorgeous photographs or silly cartoons on your blog that your visitors would love to hang on their wall? Do you have a shopping addiction that results in a chronically too-full closet?
Have at it!
7. Open an Amazon affliate store.
If you like to blog about books, movies, TV, and the like, then setting up an Amazon affiliate store is a fantastic idea for you. Here’s what that entails. Just go their website, sign up, and add all of your favorites. Then link the shop up to your blog, and viola! The items show up on your site like as if it’s your own store.
There’s no extra work on your end, as Amazon will be fulfilling the orders. And everyone’s shopping on Amazon anyway, so your readers can buy with confidence.
8. Offer consulting.
Are you an expert at something? Do blog visitors routinely want to know your opinion on their work/art/hobby/ideas? If you like working one-on-one with people, consulting can be a really fun gig! Just create a page on your blog detailing what you can help people with and what a 1-hour Skype session with you costs. Then take it away from there!
9. Sell ads.
Selling ad space on your blog is the easiest way you can begin monetizing. As long as you’re using Passionfruit, it’s a snap to set up and can more or less run itself! Piece. Of. Cake.
Anyway, I hope this list has inspired you to take the next step in your blogging dream and get paid for all the value and entertainment you have to offer.
Stephanie @ Fairground Media
Hey guys, thanks for posting this! Hope you had a great holiday and the Cyber Monday madness isn’t taking too much a toll!
Tranae
Thanks for the tips. I’m looking to monetize my blog and this really helped.