Monetizing your blog can be an extra source of income if you knew how to play it right. Here are some ideas on how you can start monetizing your blog posts
#1 – Add Content Upgrades & Opt-in Links To Your Blog Posts
Believe it or not, you can increase your income just by doing this.
Let’s say that you are an affiliate for a class about creating graphics. You could create a short screen recording video where you demonstrate how to make a social media image in Canva. You could use this to build a list of people who may be interested in the graphics class.
Include an opt-in form or link to an opt-in page in some of your blog posts that makes it easy for people to sign up for your free how-to video. Then, you can send them follow-up emails about the graphics class.
Your freebie could also be some templates, or a list of resources. If you’re an affiliate for any of the resources you list, include your affiliate link.
You can also sell your own products and services this way. Create a freebie that goes along with the topic of your paid product or service, then start promoting your freebie within your blog posts. Follow up with the people that sign up for the freebie and let them know about your paid offers.
#2 – Add Affiliate Links In Your Blog Posts
We just talked about adding affiliate links to your freebies, but you also want to add affiliate links inside your blog posts. You could write a review post for example. If you have a screen recording software, you can do a little review or tour of the product or software. If you don't have a screen recording software, you can take screenshots. Let people know how you like the product, tell them the good and bad points. Include your affiliate links, and people may purchase the item.
You can also write a favorites posts, which is like a resources page. Again, include your affiliate links for the items you’re an affiliate for.
When you are promoting items as an affiliate on your website or blog, you will need to create a page (or add it as a side note like I did) called “Disclosure Statement / Disclaimer” or something similar. You need to let people know that you are an affiliate for some of the things you mention on your site, and if they click a link and make a purchase, you may earn a commission. It's important to be very transparent that you are an affiliate. Make sure you include a link to your Disclosure Statement in your navigation menu.
#3 - You could choose to display ads
as a way to monetize your blog.
You could do this in a couple of different ways. You can work with someone on an individual basis, or you could work with an agency.
When you work with someone individually, you will be communicating with the person buying your ad. When you work with an agency, they will communicate with the buyer and they’ll give you the ad copy.
There are pros and cons to each situation. When you work with someone directly, you can set your own rates. When you work with an agency, they will set the rates, and keep a portion of your ad revenue. You may not be able to say “no” to specific ads, either.
However, the agency will be doing all the work in finding the ads, and you could end up earning a nice passive income, without doing much work on your own.
#4 – You can monetize your blog posts by working with brands and sponsors
This is similar to displaying an ad, except you will be creating content that features the brand or business that is sponsoring the post. It won’t look like a blatant ad.
For example, let's say you're working with Tide or Gain, and let's say you were writing about how you spilled something on your shirt. You will write a blog post about how you used the laundry detergent to get the stain out.
The post is promoting the laundry detergent and explaining the benefits and features. But it tells a story, rather than looking like an ad.
#5 – Sell Your Products And Services
This may seem like a “no brainer” way to monetize your blog posts, but ask yourself if you are really selling your products and services within your blog posts.
Many people are afraid to seem too “sales-y” to make an offer within a blog post. Remember, people cannot buy your products and services if they don't know your products and services exist. And again, it doesn't have to be as blatant as a big ad. You can work something into your content that promotes your products or services.
So. here you have it 5 ideas on how you can start monetizing your blog posts
