Once you’ve blogged for a while and shown your readers and companies that you regularly produce high-quality content, you will receive more and more offers that will enable you to monetize your blog. There are a couple of different opportunities that might be coming your way and I want to introduce you to five of them:
1) Partner programmes and affiliated links
Partner programmes and affiliated links are one way to monetize your job, but it’s a concept that doesn’t work for everyone. How it works: Bloggers sign up to a company’s affiliate programme, all big companies seem to have them, and whenever they include a link to the company’s website and their reader goes on to purchase something from said website, the blogger earns a commission. You can make anything from pennies to thousands, but your success very much depends on your niche and authority. Beauty and fashion websites seem to be doing incredibly well.
2) Sidebar and contextual ads
Digital agencies such as Total Media (among others) work closely with blogs to find the perfect platforms to introduce their clients to a wider audience. This can be in the form of sidebar or banner ads or contextual ads and links within written content, often called sponsored posts. The amount of money you can earn through advertising depends highly on factors such as your page rank, your domain and page authority as well your traffic and the demographic of your audience.
3) Recipe development
If you are a food blogger, developing recipes for food and non-food brands can be a great way to monetize your blog. There’s no better way than seeing your product being used than in a mouth-watering recipe. Even non-food brands have learned that the way to a (wo)man’s heart is through their stomach, so no matter if it’s picnic recipes for a cutlery company or cocktail ideas for a glassware brand, being able to develop unique and creative recipes is a skill that companies are happy to pay for.
4) Create video content
Video content is becoming more and more popular and with YouTube being the second largest search engine after Google, it makes sense for bloggers to start creating video content that supports their writing. Add clips of products in use when reviewing them, make a short video of your days out and establish yourself as an expert in your niche. Companies will sponsor you to talk about them and their products on your own channel or invite you to share your experience and knowledge on their own website and YouTube channel. Filming and editing might seem scary at first, but they are skills worth having.
5) Write an e-book
Know a lot about your niche? Then why not share your expert knowledge in an e-book? If recipes, craft ideas or activities for a rainy day, e-books are a great way to monetize your blog and establish as an expert in your field. They are cheap to develop and publish and you can sell them straight through your blog or via Amazon/Kindle. The more useful your knowledge to your readers, the money you will be able to earn.
Do you monetize your blog? If so, how do you earn money blogging?
This is a promotional post.
WOW, such a great post. I feel so lucky to be able to make a living from what was just a hobby x x
Some fab ideas – really not feeling brave enough for videos yet, but am sensing it is more and more the way to go these days!
I think I would paid not to develop recipes. Especially by my kids 🙂
When I started blogging I had no idea I would be able to make money from it and it saddens me when I see people who just start blogging for that reason and think they can make thousands overnight. I have never done ads as my theme doesnt really support it but I do work hard to build relationships with outside agencies for sponsored posts and reviews.
I am scared to make videos ….. have you heard my “brummie” accent 😉
Great tips though x
I only do one of those things, I really should try affiliate links, but something keeps stopping me and makes me nervous….I’ve no idea why. Great post!
Does reviewing products count as a way to monetize your blog? I’ve not done reviews for a long time, and recently took a couple on again – but only ones that are truly a good fit and will make life cooler / more fun / more practical for us all. I turn down so many that it’s untrue – I don’t need a wrap for a baby as I have two sons who are at school etc… But still, I think that it’s something that no one wants to admit to these days, like it’s not good to do it? What do you think?
Great tips!!
Some fab ideas! I have strayed away from vlogging as I think I sound ridiculous, however maybe it is something I should definitely consider! 🙂 x
We all think we do – it’s normal and has something to do with the way we hear. I could tell you in more detail, we covered it at uni, but I don’t want to bore you to death 😀
Some fab tips there Carolin. Totally in agreement about the video one too – it’s something that brands are really just starting to realise is a valuable form of content and experienced bloggers are the ideal way for them to find content providers.
ooooh, top tips. I like adsense the best 🙂
Are you doing well with it?
Ohhhh great post, I don’t think I can develop recipes… I can hardly bloody follow ones that already are developed… but the rest are PERFECT well done sweetness *adds post to bookmarks to refer back to regularly*
I don’t monetise.Had I known that’s how bloggers were making money back when me and my husband split up, I would of definitely done so.Now I’m no self-employed and on benefits It’s not a reliable source of income for me.
Lots of great ideas here! Some bloggers also charge to do reviews, but it’s kind of controversial and not something I personally agree with.