Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll earn a commission, at no additional cost to you.  Read my full disclosure here.

A Couple questions that get asked a lot is how can someone make money by blogging online, and how long should someone wait before they monetize their blog.

Well, for starters, if you’re interested in starting your own blog head on over to my tutorial on How To Start Your Very Own Blog . This tutorial covers everything you need to get your blog started and launched using Bluehost and WordPress, and even includes a special discount from Bluehost where you can start your blog for as little as $3.95 per month with my special pricing that I’ve negotiated for my readers.

Starting a blog in today’s world is a lot easier and faster than it ever used to be with all the resources available, and believe it or not, it doesn’t require any technical experience. Yes, you read that right, NO TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE! Trust me, If I can start a blog, anyone can! I am a mother of 2 toddlers and work full time, you can read my full story here.

When Should You Start to Monetize Your Blog? 

One of the first questions many people have when starting a blog is whether or not they should try to monetize it immediately. Some folks think they will scare away readers by trying to make money right away. Others may feel they need to grow an audience before trying to sell anything. While these concerns are understandable, I feel it’s never too early to start monetizing your blog. Keep reading, and I’ll share with you some of the reasons why you may want to start with a monetization mindset as early as possible when it comes to your blog. 

Why Monetize Early

One of the reasons it can benefit you to monetize your blog early is that doing so sets you up as a business owner. Other types of businesses begin trying to make money or sell products immediately upon opening their doors, so why shouldn’t bloggers? If your goal is to earn an income from your blog, it simply makes sense to approach it as such from the get-go. Don’t worry if you’ve been blogging for a bit and haven’t introduced monetization into your platform. It’s not too late. However, your audience may be more open to receiving acts of monetization if they are exposed to them early on. Waiting too long can cause some followers to question your motives or feel deceived. It’s also good to get started early so that you begin to learn what works and what doesn’t work for your blog and its following. Successful monetization often requires trial and error. 

What Not to Do

There are definitely some things you should avoid when trying to make money with your blog. One big mistake people make is to focus only on numbers, forgetting about the importance of engagement. You can still earn money even if your following is small. What matters most is that they trust you and keep coming back. Relationships matter in the business of blogging. It’s also important that you get to know your audience, no matter its size. This comes from active engagement. When you learn about your following’s demographics, interests, and concerns, you’re more prepared to offer them what they need. This leads to successful monetization, rather than blindly hoping for the best. Finally, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is to quit before you even get started. Monetization is often a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time to gain momentum.

Simple Ways to Monetize 

How you should monetize depends on your ultimate goal. It’s best to be strategic in relation to that goal and your particular circumstances. However, there are some simple monetization techniques that can meet several objectives and are applicable to the needs of most early attempts at earning blog income. You can join advertising networks such as Google AdSense in order to earn small commissions while you work to build a bigger following that could attract direct ad sales in the future. Affiliate marketing is another way to earn cash. This involves promoting products you love. Amazon’s affiliate program is popular with bloggers, and there are affiliate networks that partner with a wide range of companies to offer monetization options to online publishers. Promoting the products or course of someone you admire is also a good idea while you work to develop your own digital offerings.

Monetizing your blog doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t have to be an established blogger to get started. It does take research, strategy, and time to become successful. So, why not get started right now in order to make the most of your efforts? 

How To Make Money Blogging:

Sign Up for Affiliate Programs for Your Hosting & WordPress Templates 

You now know that affiliate programs can be a great way to make money by promoting other people’s products, but you may still be confused as to which types of products to sign up for in order to gain the most profit. It’s always good to choose products you’d actually use and recommend. You want to maintain a professional image of integrity with your readers. Losing their trust can be devastating to your business and reputation. 

There are a couple types of affiliate programs that many people don’t consider, but that they likely use to run their website or blog. These are web hosting and WordPress templates. If you use WordPress to run a self-hosted site, you must have a host. In addition, if you’ve chosen a professional theme you enjoy, it makes sense to promote it to your readers. 

No matter what type of site you run or what your main topic may be, you can find ways to become an affiliate for these types of services. Signing up for affiliate programs with your hosting company and WordPress templates can be a good fit for most publishers. It can also be very lucrative. Take a look:

About Web Hosting Affiliate Programs

Web hosting programs tend to be some of the most lucrative around. They offer high commissions on sales, often starting at $50 and increasing up to $200 per sale when you promote numerous referrals per month. These can truly add up. Check out your own hosting company or others you’ve heard good things about to see if they offer an affiliate program. Be sure to do your research, as you don’t want to promote a company that has a questionable reputation. This will reflect poorly on you and isn’t worth the risk. 

About WordPress Template Affiliate Programs

A website or blog template helps to set up a framework for developers and non-professionals alike to build sites relatively easily. A professional template is an asset to anyone publishing online because it allows them to choose a design that fits their aesthetic, along with options to meet their site’s specific needs. WordPress templates work with the WordPress platform and can be combined with plugins to allow you several capabilities. Affiliate programs for these templates can earn you hefty commissions. 

Benefits of These Affiliate Programs

Choosing a web host or WordPress template can be complicated and overwhelming. That’s why promoting them and breaking them down for their benefits can earn you decent profits. Once you find hosting and a template that you’re happy with, signing up for their affiliate program can be a way to help others and make money for yourself. You can work your affiliate into your content in a number of easy and seamless ways. A simple post outlining why you use each and what it offers you is a good start. You can also add links at the bottom of your site where “hosted by” and “WordPress theme by ______” are listed. Add your links to resource pages and even to your about page. Get creative. Just be honest and transparent in order to maintain your credibility with readers. Keep these tips in mind when considering whether to sign up for web hosting and WordPress template affiliate programs. It’s definitely worth considering, as these topics are applicable to most niches and appeal to wide audiences. In addition, they can pay hefty commissions.

Five Fun and Effective Ways to Work Affiliate Links into Your Blog Content 

Affiliate links can be a great way to earn income from your blog. By promoting the goods or services of someone else, you earn a commission on each sale. It can be a much more efficient monetization method than creating your own products. However, promoting affiliates can also be kind of tricky. After all, you want to remain authentic and avoid spamming your audience. That’s why it’s important to only recommend products and services that you truly believe in. When you have awesome things to recommend, it’s actually quite easy to promote them. Check out these five fun and effective ways to work affiliate links into your blog content. 

Product Reviews

Product reviews are a staple of the affiliate industry. That’s because they’re a straightforward, yet useful, way to promote a product. When you find products related to your niche, check them out. Then share the experience with your audience. You can write a post about a specific product’s benefits or demonstrate how to use it. Talk about the pros and cons. Let folks know what you liked best and why you would recommend the product. Include your affiliate link a few times throughout the post so your readers can click on it easily. You can even do video reviews to accompany a post.

Email List

Leverage your email list and subscriber newsletters by adding affiliate links to the content. The people who receive and open these emails are interested in what you have to say. They already trust you. Chances are good that they will be eager to learn more about your recommendations and may consider making a purchase based on what you have to say. 

Roundup Post

A roundup post is one in which you list a variety of items and elaborate on them in some way. This could be done as a comparison post that lists the pros and cons of similar items. A “best of” list is another possibility. Sharing your favorites can be helpful to your audience. Even a gift guide could fall under this category. Curating lists is a legitimate and thoughtful way to promote your affiliate links. 

Resources Page

A popular trend for bloggers is to set up a resources page. This page offers a listing of some of the most common products, services, and sites the blogger uses in their daily life. The items on the list are generally relevant to the individual’s niche, but they can vary widely. Adding affiliate links to this list is perfectly acceptable as long as you disclose the fact that you could earn a commission from sales. 

Digital Products

If you sell your own digital products, you can place affiliate links into your content. eBooks, white papers, and the like are perfect places to share relevant recommendations of products or services. Your audience expects to receive your wisdom and expertise in these products. They would likely welcome any suggestions you might have that would make their lives easier. 

Keep these ways of working affiliate links into your content in mind as you move forward. Affiliate marketing doesn’t have to feel spammy or icky. It can be a useful and rewarding monetization method.

Affiliate Programs for You to Join

There are many different affiliate programs out there for you to check out and join. These include, Max Bounty, Avant Link, Shareasale, Commission Junction, Amazon’s Affiliate Program, etc. If you happen to enjoy a particular product, there is more than likely an affiliate program out there for it!

Affiliate Marketing Course

One affiliate marketing course that I have taken and I highly recommend because I learned so much and found so much value in it is Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing. If you are serious about making money with affiliate marketing, I highly recommend this course and encourage you to keep reading to find out more!

Blogging can be really difficult.

Many bloggers and online influencers skip over affiliate marketing. They either think it’s too hard, that it’s a waste of time, that they will turn followers away, or that their followers just won’t be interested.

However, if you’re not earning money through affiliate marketing, then you are leaving money on the table.

Perhaps you’ve tried affiliate marketing in the past, but nothing seemed to work.

Now, you just feel like it’s not possible and that you’ll always be stuck.

Trust me, I know how you feel. When I started out blogging, I knew NOTHING about it.

And due to that, I was afraid to try new things, and I was definitely afraid of affiliate marketing because I didn’t want to scare my readers away or waste my time.

Michelle earns over $50,000 a month through affiliate marketing, and she shares all of my best tips in this course.

In this course, there are 6 modules, over 30 lessons, over 20 worksheets, bonuses, an extremely helpful exclusive Facebook group, and more, and she goes through everything when it comes to affiliate marketing, such as:

• What affiliate marketing is and how it works
• Why affiliate marketing is great
• The exact steps she’s taken to earn over $300,000 from a single blog post
• How to pick the right affiliate products to promote
• How to increase conversions
• How to build trust and not lose followers
• Required disclosures that you need to know about
• The one major tool you need for affiliate marketing
• Different strategies to use to promote your affiliate products
• How to use Pinterest to succeed at affiliate marketing (yes, this includes the newest Pinterest affiliate rules!)

Check out Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing TODAY!

Sponsored Blog Posts 

You’ve probably heard of sponsored blog posts, but there tends to be a lot of confusion about them. You may wonder how to obtain opportunities to write sponsored posts, how much to charge, and what your audience may think about such posts. These are all common questions. I’ll attempt to answer them in this post. Keep reading to discover what you need to know about sponsored blog posts. 

About Sponsored Blog Posts

A sponsored post is one in which a company or brand pays you to promote their products. This can be done in a number of ways. Sometimes the company provides you with pre-written content, but you’ll usually be asked to write your own post that includes the brand’s pre-determined talking points. Some posts may be advertorial or promotional in nature. You’ll be asked to share information about a particular product, its features, and benefits. It’s also possible that the company will simply give you a basic product summary and allow you the freedom to create a post according to your own guidelines. Companies might ask you to craft and share social media posts, as well. There are various options. 

Where to Find Sponsored Posts? 

A good way to find opportunities for sponsored posts is to go through a network. This is especially true when you’re just starting out. Networks connect bloggers with sponsors. Signing up with a network puts your blog in front of companies that pay for sponsored content. Some allow you to see opportunities you may qualify for and then apply for campaigns. Popular networks include IZEA, Social Fabric, TapInfluence, Acorn, Real Clever, and Blog Meets Brand. Another route is to reach out to companies on your own to solicit sponsored posts. Look for a marketing contact on their website or reach out on social media to introduce yourself. Always provide representatives with an idea of what you have to offer and why they would want to work with you in order to get the best results.

What to Charge

How much to charge is something that can get complicated. It’s dependent on factors like your readership, engagement, social media following, and email list, among other things. It also hinges on brand budgets. Some companies have a predetermined amount they’re willing to spend on campaigns. There are various rate algorithms across the internet, and everyone seems to have a different idea of what is fair. Do some research and decide a range you’re comfortable with. Don’t hesitate to turn an offer down if you feel it’s not worth your time and effort.  

Sponsored blog posts can be a lucrative addition to your monetizing efforts. I recommend giving them a try. 

Three Ways to Sell Advertising Space on Your Blog 

Selling ads is another way to monetize your blog. There are lots of factors that go into making this a profitable venture. Not all advertising methods are the same. Some may depend on the size of your blog, while others can offer a decent rate if you have an engaged audience of any size. Take a look below to discover three ways to sell advertising space on your blog. 

Sell Ads Directly

Selling ads directly to companies and brands may be the best approach for blogs of any size. You can create an advertising banner to place in your sidebar announcing that this space is available for ads. Link it to a sheet that demonstrates the benefits of advertising with your blog and a contact form to learn more. This method will appeal to PR professionals who may be scouting blogs to find a good advertising fit for the brands they represent. Approaching a company directly to inquire about an advertising partnership is another option. Be prepared to demonstrate your value and to explain what brands will get when they advertise with you. 

Use Ad Services

An attractive option for those who don’t wish to approach advertisers directly and manage the entire process is to use an ad service. These websites act as a middleman between you and potential advertisers. By signing up for an account and being accepted to a network, you have the opportunity to be seen by advertisers who are actively looking to partner with influencers and bloggers. The network does the behind-the-scenes work. You’ll receive an offer from companies who are interested in advertising with you. Then you just have to agree to the terms set, follow the instructions given, and submit your post. Popular ad networks include BuySellAds, Publicity Clerks, AdSella, MediaVine, AdThrive, and Monumentric. 

Automate Ads

Signing up for services, reaching out to companies, or waiting for advertisers to approach you might not appeal to you. As a way to earn passive income that doesn’t involve much effort from you, automatic advertising routes such as Google AdSense might be an appealing option. With AdSense, you simply set up an account and place a tracking code on your blog. Ads relevant to your posts will be automatically generated, and you’ll earn a small commission when readers click on the ads. Be forewarned, this method does depend upon traffic. It’s not likely you’ll earn very much as a small or new blog. 

If you think advertising is something you wish to pursue on your blog, give it a shot. Be prepared for some trial and error until you find what works for you. Selling ad space on your blog can be a worthwhile endeavor. 

3 Tips for Monetizing Your About Page

Getting creative with your blog monetization is essential for success. You can share your affiliates, informational products, or services anywhere on your blog, not just in your posts. Your blog is your personal online space. It’s yours to use however you wish, so don’t be afraid to utilize it to its full potential. One of the most valuable areas on your blog is your about page. This is where many readers will go first to learn what you have to offer. The information they find here allows them to get to know you. There are lots of ways to use this space to earn income or commissions. Check out these three tips for monetizing your about page. 

Get Personal

When people visit your blog, they want to know you. Learning about the person behind the content is important for boosting your credibility and creating relationships. Don’t be afraid to get personal on your about page. Doing so shows your readers who you are. It can also give you the opportunity to share some personal recommendations that might pay off in sales. 

Link Your Products

Your about page is also a fantastic place to link to your products. Courses, eBooks, and even physical products can be featured on this page. After all, your creations are a part of who you are. I recommend you choose the products you highlight carefully. One to three flagship or favorite products should be sufficient. You don’t want to overwhelm visitors or come across as too pushy, but you absolutely do want to share the things you’re most proud of. 

Share Affiliates

You can also link to other people’s products on your about page. Whether you have your own stuff to sell or not, sharing the valuable things your favorite creators have to offer is almost always a smart monetization strategy. Highlighting the things you love tells your audience a lot about you. People will gain insight from the types of things that interest you and that you are passionate about sharing. They’ll appreciate the valuable recommendations. 

So, don’t forget your about page when it comes to blog monetization opportunities. Sharing the things you create and love makes sense in this space. You don’t want to waste this valuable opportunity for more exposure and potential sales. Plus, your readers and fans will appreciate the information and resources you provide. It’s definitely a win-win opportunity. 

The Number One Tip for Increasing Your Blog Income – Do More of What’s Working 

We’ve talked about a lot of blog monetization strategies during our time together in this challenge. Determining which ones to use depends upon your particular blog topic, your preferred style, and your audience, among other factors. Typically, you’ll want to try a multitude of actions in order to see which ones work best for you and your blog readers. Ultimately, finding what works and doing more of that is the best approach when it comes to blog monetization. Here are some tips for discovering your sweet spot. 

Give It a Try

Take a look through the suggestions we’ve covered in this series. Choose your top five to seven strategies to try on your blog. Give some thought to the type of content you have, the products and affiliates you offer, your audience demographics, and your preferred selling style. Go with ones that seem to best complement these things. You could eventually add more to the list, but it’s a good idea to start with a small number of actions for the purpose of easier comparison.

Track Your Progress

There are various analytics programs that can help you to track your progress in terms of page views, sales, and such. These tools will vary based upon what you’re measuring and your goals. It’s important to use them when appropriate and take the time to understand the functionality of each. Blog, social media, and sales platforms often come with their own measurement tools. You can also find outside resources to help you. Sometimes, just paying attention to things like number of subscribers or sales may give you enough insight to get a general sense of how each tactic is working. Take notes and compare which methods seem to be gaining you the best results that are in line with your goals. 

Repeat What Works

Once you get a sense of which things work best, you’ll want to repeat those actions. If you notice that a large number of product or affiliate sales have come from your about page, consider switching up your offerings and links every few months. Test your progress again to determine whether these newest suggestions are gaining the same kind of traction as the first. Sometimes, it’s the specific product that has appeal. Other times, it’s the method of promotion. You may also find the best results come from a combination. 

Trial and error is always a part of progress monitoring. Soon enough, though, you’ll find your groove and can simply make small tweaks when necessary.