+5 Super Effective Ways To Monetize Your Blog (2023)
Last Updated on August 15, 2023 by Jordan Alexo
Ever looked at your blog and thought, “How can I turn this blog into a money cow?”
Well, you’re in the right place!
In this guide, you’ll discover five proven ways to monetize your blog. From affiliate marketing to coaching. You’ll get a quick overview of each method and their pros and cons and tips to optimize your earnings.
Ready to turn your passion into profit? Let’s roll!
Quick Breakdown
| Monetization Option | Pros | Cons |
| Affiliate Marketing | – Passive income potential – Low startup costs – Flexibility in choices – Scalability – No customer support | – Dependency on third parties – Overcrowded market – Trust issues – Payment delays – SEO challenges |
| Display Advertising | – Steady revenue stream – Easy to implement – Passive earnings – Customization options – Multiple advertisers | – Can be intrusive – Lower earnings – Ad blockers – Depends on traffic – Potential for irrelevant ads |
| Create Online Course | – High revenue potential – Expertise showcasing – Scalability – Passive income – Flexibility in content | – Time-intensive creation – Tech learning curve – Continuous updates – Customer support – High competition |
| Freelance Blogging | – Diverse revenue stream – Networking opportunities – Skill enhancement – Portfolio building – Flexibility | – Inconsistent income – Time management challenge – Client dependence – Less creative control – Administrative overhead |
| Coaching & Consulting | – High earning potential – Deepen audience connection – Expertise validation – Flexibility – Diverse content ideas | – Time-intensive – Scalability limits – Requires continuous learning – Emotional labor – Dependency on client acquisition |
When Should You Monetize Your Blog?
Most people think they need to wait months or years until they can first start monetizing their blog. But that’s not the truth! In fact, you should begin your blog already with a monetization plan.
Your blog must be built around your way of making money online. Meaning you already have an idea of the products, services, or ads that you want to set in place eventually.
And the reason you must begin this way is: you don’t want to waste time writing a ton of content to realize you don’t have any strategy to squeeze money out of your blog.
So, later I’m going to share several monetization strategies. Immediately choose a few that you think will work best.
What’s The Darn Monetization Plan?
To build a successful money cow out of your blog, you must have a clear plan. It needs to be laser sharp. Here are three key steps:
1 – Focus on One Niche
You don’t want to be all over the place. One day you write content about “best vegan recipes,” and the next about “coding with HTML and CSS.” It doesn’t make sense to have content that has nothing to do with another in the same blog.
If you want to write about each one, you should do it separated websites. So, stick to one niche and go deep on it. You want to have a blog with hundreds and hundreds of relevant articles.
Google loves that s**t like crackers! They give you authority status when you spend all awakening hours writing about the same subject.
Meaning your content starts ranking better for that niche.
2 – Info To Transactional Ratio
If you promote affiliate offers (which I highly suggest for most niches), you want to have a good informational-to-transactional content ratio.
- Either 80% to 20% or 70% to 30% would be a good balance.
That is, for every five articles you publish, 4 to 3 share information with your audience. And only 1 to 2 are focused on making money.
This makes your blog not seem overly salesy, which Google isn’t a huge fan of nowadays. Plus, it gives people who find your blog a lot of content to eat.
What Monetization Strategies Should You Choose?
Now that we’ve taken all that out of the way, let’s get serious. Let’s talk about ways to make your blog spit money at you like candy.
1 – Affiliate Marketing: The Ol’ Reliable Money-Maker
Affiliate marketing is nearly as old as the Internet itself. It has spiderwebs, but it’s still one of the best ways to monetize your site like a boss.
The ABCs of Affiliate Marketing
It’s when you promote someone else’s product or service, and you get a commission every time someone buys through your unique link.
The commission you earn depends on the program. You usually get higher commissions promoting digital products like ebooks, online courses, and software than physical products.
Sometimes with digital products, it can go up to 70% or more. That means if the product promoted through your link costs $100, you earn $70 for each sale.
Now with physical products, it’s a different story. The commission you earn sometimes goes from 3% to 10%. But the main advantage is people prefer to buy them more.
Picking Your Money-Making Products
Now, you can’t just go around promoting anything. You have to be picky! Choose products or services that align with your blog’s audience and interests.
Remember, it’s all about trust. If you’re blogging about vegan recipes, don’t start promoting steak knives. It’s just… not a good idea. You’ll probably end up with a riot.
Boosting That Affiliate Income
Here’s the pickle: Just slapping affiliate links all over your blog isn’t a good plan. You’ll end up with a blog that looks like a clown show and scare people away.
Instead, you need a strategy!
Create genuine, valuable content around the product. Maybe it’s a killer review, a tutorial, or a comparison post. And always, always disclose that you’re using affiliate links. It’s not just good manners; it’s the law.
Affiliate Platforms: Your Gateway to Earnings
There are a bunch of platforms out there to get you started. Some of the big players are:
| Affiliate Network | Pros | Cons | Products You Can Find |
| Amazon Associates | Massive product range. Trusted brand. Easy to use and integrate. | Lower commission rates. Short cookie duration (24 hours). | Virtually anything! From books and electronics to clothing and home goods. |
| ClickBank | High commissions. Lots of digital products and e-courses. Recurring commissions for some products. | Some low-quality products. Can be competitive in popular niches. | E-books, software, and e-courses, especially in health, fitness, and self-help niches. |
| ShareASale | E-books, software, and e-courses, especially in health, fitness, and self-help niches. | Older interfaces can be less user-friendly. The initial approval process can be strict. | A mix of physical and digital products across various niches, from fashion to tech to home goods. |
| CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction) | Large and diverse network of advertisers. Advanced tracking and analytics. Opportunity for higher commissions with some advertisers. | Steeper learning curve for beginners. Some advertisers have strict approval requirements. | A vast range of products and services, including travel, finance, fashion, and software. |
- Amazon Associates: Great for a wide range of physical products like laptops, books, and home goods.
- ClickBank: Perfect for digital products and e-courses.
- ShareASale: A massive network with tons of merchants.
- CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction): Another biggie with a wide variety of niches.
Going Direct: The Bold Move
Feeling a bit adventurous? Why not approach your favorite brands directly? Many companies have their own affiliate programs. Just scroll down to the bottom of their website, and you’ll often find a link labeled “Affiliate Program” or “Partnership.”
Click on it, sign up, and boom! You’re in business with your favorite brand.
Affiliate Marketing: Pros And Cons
Pros
Cons
2 – Display Advertising: More Than Just Banner Ads
If you think ads are still those annoying banners ready to attack you as soon as you open a site, think twice.
With the appearance of native ads, you can now integrate them so that it looks like they belong to your content.
Still, I’m not a huge fan of display ads. Why? The money they make sucks. But let’s take a closer look at Google ads, the king of display advertisement.
Google Advertisements
Google’s still one of the most popular ad platforms out there.
Google’s still the big player in town. With this platform, you can monetize your site by showing relevant ads to your audience.
However, as I said, the money they pay sucks. For every 1000 views, you make around $0.2 to $2.5.
I only recommend advertisements for those niches where you can’t think about any other monetization option. For instance, if you have a news, entertainment, or gossip-related site, then well, it’s better than nothing.
Impressions and Click-Through Rates
Let’s crack a nerdy subject for a sec. You’re probably wondering, “How do these ads make money?”
Well, impressions are about how often your ad is displayed, and click-through rates (CTR) are about how many peeps clicked on it.
You want both numbers to be high, but a high CTR is the real moneymaker. It means your ad’s not just pretty—it’s effective!
Beyond Google Ads
I guess at this point, you already know my aversion to Google ads. But hear me closely.
You have other platforms that pay better. So, in any case, if you decide to splash ads on your blog, check out these platforms:
- Media.net: Think of it as AdSense’s cool cousin. Great for content-heavy sites.
- Amazon’s Native Shopping Ads: Perfect for product-focused sites. Who doesn’t love Amazon?
- PropellerAds: Aggressive but effective. Especially good for smaller publishers.
- ylliX: Super aggressive ad formats. Not for the faint of heart.
- Skimlinks: For those who love affiliate marketing. It’s like AdSense but for products.
Display Ads: Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
3 – Create Your Online Course
Before you dive into course creation, take a moment to reflect. What has your audience been looking for? How can you make something to help them?
See, you need to have an audience set already. That means you need a blog with a decent amount of traffic.
Otherwise, who’ll buy your course? Nobody!
Whether you make a course about picking apples or brewing homemade beer, knowing your audience and their struggle is key to creating a successful online course.
Your course is all about fixing their problems in the best way possible.
Tools & Platforms: Your Course’s New Home
Sometimes people wonder, “But how can I create my online course?”
Well, I built my first online course a few ago using LearnDash. And I find it an awesome solution if you have a WordPress blog.
See, LearnDash lets you design, promote, and sell your courses through your site. You can also install plugins like WooCommerce to handle e-commerce and payment processing.
I also suggest hosting your videos on a platform like Vimeo. You have several options to block anyone from downloading or embedding your videos without permission.
Anyway, you got other options like Teachable, Thinkific, and Udemy. But all these platforms take a fee for each sale. Plus, your course is set on their platform.
The main benefit is that they host your videos and have an easy interface to set up your course online. You don’t need to spend time learning how to play around with Vimeo, Learndash, payment processors, and e-commerce plugins.
Create Online Course: Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
4 – Freelance Blogging: Why Should Your Blog Have All the Fun?
Just because you’ve started a blog that doesn’t mean you need to wait months to make some money online.
Nope, you can start making bank right from the start. You can use your blog as a way to display your writing to potential clients.
Leveraging Your Expertise
You’ve been there, done that, and got the blog to prove it. Now, it’s time to take that expertise and sprinkle it all over the Internet.
Other websites, blogs, and even companies are on the hunt for knowledgeable writers like you. Why? Because quality content is important. Most companies know their brand is associated with the content they deliver.
So as you build your blog, you can use it to showcase your work to others.
What’s The Best Platform For Freelance Blogging?
Where can you start looking for work? Well, let’s check my favorite platforms:
1 – Upwork
- Why It Rocks: It’s like the Amazon of Freelancing. From small businesses to big corporations, everyone’s looking for talent here.
- Pro Tip: Create a standout profile and use your site URL as a portfolio to showcase your writing samples. Start with small projects to get some high-rating reviews. So you can eventually get higher-paying jobs.
2 – ProBlogger Job Board
- Why It Rocks: This is the holy grail for freelance bloggers. The gigs here are legit and often from reputable companies.
- Pro Tip: Check regularly. The best jobs get snapped up faster than hotcakes at a Sunday brunch.
3 – Freelancer
- Why It Rocks: With a vast array of projects and a global clientele, there’s something for everyone.
- Pro Tip: Be wary of super low-budget gigs. Remember, you’re the expert, and your time is valuable.
4 – Contena
- Why It Rocks: Think of it as the premium club of freelance platforms. It curates high-quality gigs and even offers coaching for freelancers.
- Pro Tip: It’s a paid platform, but the investment can pay off big time with the right strategy.
- Medium’s Partner ProgramWhy It Rocks: While not a traditional freelancing platform, Medium allows you to earn based on how many people love and engage with your content.
- Pro Tip: Dive deep into popular Medium publications related to your niche. Getting published in one can skyrocket your views and earnings.
Freelance Blogging: Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
5 – Coaching & Consulting: Personalized Profits
Possibly one of the most profitable ways to make money online. You can sell your services to someone.
Of course, the money someone pays depends on the niche and your expertise. But it can go up to $6,000 an hour.
So, as you can imagine, that’s a lot of dough for 60 minutes.
The problem is you need an audience and reputation. Nobody will pay you thousands of dollars if you don’t deliver results.
Once again, you need to build credibility, and people must look at you as an expert in your niche.
How Can You Set Your Coaching?
So, how can you start rolling your coaching business? Let’s crack this nut:
1 – WordPress
First things first, if you’re not on WordPress yet, you’re missing out! Why? It’s versatile, user-friendly, and perfect for coaches.
Plus, it’s the top platform for content publishing. So, if you want to share your wisdom through blogging, check out this guide (link) to get started. I teach you to set up your blog in no time.
2 – Theme Time
Now, let’s talk aesthetics. Your website needs to look the part. My recommendation? Check out the Kadence theme. It’s sleek, fast, and easy to use. Or if you’re feeling fancy, Divi is another great option. Both are solid choices, so pick what feels right for you.
3 – Your First Page
Create your coaching page. This is where you introduce yourself. Share your story, your mission, and what makes you the best darn coach out there. Remember, first impressions count!
4 – Schedule A Call Plugin
Install a plugin like Sugar Calendar or Calendly to schedule coaching calls with your clients easily.
Make sure to have clear instructions and a user-friendly interface for clients to book appointments with you.
5 – Promote Your 1 on 1 Coaching
You want to promote your 1 on 1 coaching freely. If you already have an online course, you can offer it as bonus content for signing up for your coaching services.
Or if someone is looking to get personalized advice and guidance. Another way is through a YouTube channel. Simply mention your coaching services throughout your video. And include a link in the video description.
This link will take people to your coaching page, where people can schedule a call with you.
Coaching: Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Last Thoughts
So there you have it! From affiliate marketing to coaching, you got many options to monetize your blog.
I suggest to go through the list and choose the strategy that works best for your niche. Next learn as much as possible about it. You can take inexpensive courses in Udemy, or keep reading the blog posts here.
Here’s a list of blog posts to keep you entertained:
- How To Start A Blog For Affiliate Marketing
- 7 Blog Niches To Avoid (& What Makes Them The “Worst Niches”)
- 10 Best Laptops For Blogging (2023 Reviewed & Rated)
So, put on your entrepreneurial hat, roll up those sleeves, and let’s turn your blog into a money-making machine!
If you have any questions about blogging feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
1 – How To Monetize a Blog With Ads?
So, you want to sprinkle some ads on your blog, huh?
Well, step right up! Monetizing your blog with ads is like setting up a lemonade stand on the digital highway. The more traffic you get, the more cash you rake in.
It’s all about offering advertising space on your blog. Think of it as renting out your blog’s prime real estate to advertisers who are itching to showcase their products to your audience. And the best part? Platforms like Google AdSense do the heavy lifting for you.
They serve ads that connect with your content, ensuring that a post about, say, “Top 10 Beach Destinations” shows ads about sunscreens or beach resorts.
Every time a reader views or interacts with these ads, you earn! But remember, it’s not just about slapping ads anywhere. The right placement, design, and relevance can make all the difference.
2 – How Soon Can I Monetize My Blog?
So, you’ve got your blog up and running, and you’re itching to start making some money, right? Well, the answer to “when” really depends on “how” you’re planning to monetize.
If you’re thinking of going the Google Adsense route and you’re already approved, you can slap those ads on your site from day numero uno. But, if you’re not yet approved, you should wait until you’re getting at least 100 visitors daily.
Now, if affiliate products are your thing, then start sprinkling those links right away. But, if you’re dreaming big and want to sell your own products or services, it’s a waiting game until you’ve got a cool 1,000 email subscribers.
This might take up to 6 months, but trust me; the payoff is worth it.
3 – Can You Make a Full-Time Living Blogging?
Absolutely, yes! Many bloggers have turned their passion into a full-time gig, raking in the dough through display ads, affiliate links, brand collaborations, selling products, and offering services.
But here’s the thing: it’s not just about slapping up a post and waiting for the cash to roll in. It’s about building a unique brand, understanding your audience, and delivering value. And the income?
It’s as varied as the bloggers themselves. Some are pocketing a few hundred bucks a month, while others are laughing all the way to the bank with six-figure monthly earnings.
So, if you’re dreaming of swapping that 9-5 grind for a life of blogging bliss, know that it’s totally possible.
