Are you interested in making money blogging? Although starting a blog is enjoyable, many people want to earn extra income from their blogging efforts.
However, how do you monetize your blog effectively? Simply using popup ads may not be the best option as there are many less intrusive monetization methods available.
This article covers numerous ideas on how to make money blogging, including both popular and niche methods. The best part is that you can utilize several of these ideas simultaneously to create a diversified income stream.
So, let’s dive into the money-making ideas and discover how you can earn money through your blog.
How to make money blogging in 2023
As I delve into the monetization ideas, allow me to provide a brief explanation of their arrangement. I will begin with the most commonly used methods and gradually narrow them down as the list progresses. If you already know the fundamentals of making money through blogging, you may wish to skip the initial recommendations. However, if you are new to this subject, I suggest starting from the beginning.
1. Affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing is a popular method of earning money through your blog. By promoting products or services on your site, you can earn a commission if a reader makes a purchase via your unique affiliate link.
For instance, if you write a product review post, you can earn a commission if a reader buys the product through your link. You can also mention multiple products in a blog post or curate them into a list.
It’s important to note that the customer pays the same price regardless of whether they purchase through your affiliate link or directly from the vendor. So, your readers can trust your recommendations without worrying about inflated prices. Many companies offer affiliate programs, so you can find relevant products to promote on your blog.
So how can you find these affiliate opportunities?
There are several ways to find affiliate programs for your blog. One way is to check a company’s website footer for an “Affiliates” link. Many businesses have affiliate programs, and this link can provide information about their program.
Another option is to join an affiliate network, which is a platform that offers multiple affiliate programs.
There are several ways to find affiliate opportunities for your blog:
- Search for affiliate programs: You can search for affiliate programs related to your blog niche by using search engines or affiliate networks such as ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, or Amazon Associates.
- Check with product or service providers: If you are already using a product or service that you believe your readers would benefit from, check whether they offer an affiliate program.
- Reach out to brands: If there is a brand you want to work with, reach out to them and inquire about their affiliate program. Some brands may offer a referral program or influencer partnerships that can be an excellent opportunity to promote their products.
- Use affiliate marketing tools: There are several affiliate marketing tools available, such as Skimlinks or Viglink, that can help you automate your affiliate links and increase your revenue. These tools automatically turn any product links on your site into affiliate links.
Remember to choose affiliate programs and products that align with your blog niche and values to maintain your readers’ trust.
2. Use Google AdSense ads
Google AdSense is a popular and straightforward way to monetize your blog, so I’m giving it its own category. AdSense ads are likely familiar to you, but here’s a quick example:
To display these types of ads on your site, simply sign up for AdSense and add the ad code to your site. Google will then display ads that are relevant to your content and visitors, and you’ll earn money for clicks (cost per click) or impressions (cost per impression).
3. Accept sponsored posts from companies
Did you know that writing a post about a company can earn you money? These types of posts are known as sponsored posts, and many companies are willing to pay for them if your blog gets enough traffic. It’s a great way to make money with your blog.
You can find sponsors for your posts by using a network like Tapinfluence, but the best way is to create a page on your site advertising your traffic and rates for sponsored posts. By doing this, advertisers can easily find you, and you can attract more opportunities. Sponsors are always on the lookout for new opportunities, so don’t be afraid to advertise your services.
Just be aware – it’s a good practice (and sometimes required by law) to clearly disclose when a post is sponsored.
4. Use other display network ads
I separated AdSense from the Display Network category since it’s widely known. Nonetheless, there are other networks you can join by adding a code to your site to start displaying ads.
While we’ve mentioned AdSense alternatives before, some excellent options include:
- Media.net
- Criteo
- Monumetric
If you’re unfamiliar with display advertising, take a look at this Criteo ad example:
5. Sell ads directly to advertisers
If you want more control over the ads displayed on your blog and potentially earn more money, consider selling ads directly to advertisers instead of using AdSense or other display ad networks. While these networks find ads for you automatically, they also take a cut of what advertisers pay you.
To attract direct ad sales, create an Advertise page on your site that includes information about your traffic and audience demographics. You can also reach out to companies in your niche and offer them advertising opportunities.
Managing ads on your site can be made easier with WordPress plugins like AdRotate and Ads Pro Plugin.
6. Sell a digital product, like an eBook
Selling digital products, such as eBooks, can be a lucrative way to make money with a blog. If you have expertise in a particular area, you can write an eBook and sell it on your blog. Alternatively, you can create a course or a webinar and sell access to it.
The great thing about digital products is that they can be created once and sold many times, making it a passive income stream. Plus, there are many platforms available to sell your digital products, such as Gumroad, SendOwl, and E-junkie.
If you’re wondering what type of digital product to create, start by thinking about what your audience is interested in and what problems they may have. Then, create a product that provides value and solves those problems.
7. Accept donations
If you’re not interested in selling products or displaying ads on your blog, you can consider accepting donations. Many bloggers in niche areas that are challenging to monetize use this approach.
One option is to use a platform like Patreon, which allows you to collect funds from your patrons. Alternatively, you can utilize a plugin such as PayPal Donations to accept donations directly.
8. Sell leads to other companies
If your blog has a specific niche, the information about your visitors can be valuable to other companies. For instance, if your blog is about insurance, insurance companies might be interested in purchasing access to your readers’ information.
Each piece of information is known as a “lead”. As long as you disclose this information transparently, you can collect it and sell it to other companies. Your role is to connect the interested individual (the lead) with a company that fulfills their requirement, and you get paid a fee for your services.
9. Sell products via eCommerce
If your blog caters to a casual audience, you can earn a decent income by selling physical products through an eCommerce store. Blogs that focus on humor and entertainment can generate substantial sales in apparel and merchandise.
An excellent example of this is The Chive’s online store, The Chivery, which sells a diverse range of apparel and merchandise driven by the popularity of The Chive blog.
10. Sell your blog and cash out
Lastly, let’s discuss the most drastic option to make money with a blog:
Selling your blog.
If you are ready to cash out or foresee yourself doing so in the future, selling your blog can provide a lump sum for all the hard work you’ve invested.
The amount you can receive for your blog depends on your traffic, age, revenue, and consistency. Generally, you can expect to receive anywhere from 12-30 times your site’s monthly earnings.
For instance, in 2016, WPLift, a popular WordPress blog, sold for an impressive $205,200.
To sell your blog, you can either directly look for potential buyers or use a third-party marketplace such as Flippa or Empire Flippers.
In conclusion, there are numerous ways to monetize your blog and make money online. From selling digital products, display ads, and sponsored posts to affiliate marketing, donations, and lead generation, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. It’s essential to consider your blog’s niche and target audience to determine which method(s) will work best for you. It’s also crucial to be patient and persistent, as building a successful blog takes time and effort. With the right approach and a bit of creativity, you can turn your blog into a profitable online business and achieve financial freedom.
FAQs about How to Make Money Blogging
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to make money blogging:
Q: What are some popular ways to make money with a blog?
A: Some popular ways to make money with a blog include affiliate marketing, advertising networks like Google AdSense, sponsored posts, selling digital or physical products, and offering services.
Q: How does affiliate marketing work?
A: Affiliate marketing is where you promote someone else’s product or service on your blog, and you earn a commission for each sale made through your unique referral link.
Q: What are advertising networks and how do they work?
A: Advertising networks are companies that connect advertisers with website owners. They provide ads that are relevant to your content and your visitors, and you get paid either per click or per impression.
Q: Can I make money with sponsored posts?
A: Yes, you can make money with sponsored posts. Many companies are willing to pay bloggers to write a post promoting their product or service. You can find sponsors through networks like Tapinfluence, or by creating a page on your site advertising your traffic and rates for sponsored posts.
Q: What are some WordPress plugins that can help me manage ads on my blog?
A: Some WordPress plugins that can help you manage ads on your blog include AdRotate and Ads Pro Plugin.
Q: How can I sell a digital product like an eBook on my blog?
A: You can sell a digital product like an eBook on your blog by creating a landing page for the product and integrating a payment gateway like PayPal or Stripe.
Q: How can I make money by selling physical merchandise on my blog?
A: You can make money by selling physical merchandise on your blog by setting up an eCommerce store and selling items that are relevant to your niche or audience.
Q: Can I sell my blog to make money?
A: Yes, you can sell your blog to make money. You can try to find buyers directly or use a third-party marketplace like Flippa or Empire Flippers. The amount you can expect to receive for your blog depends on your traffic, age, revenue, and consistency.