How To Make Money As A Blogger

Sharing is caring!

On the JJ Barnes Blog, I love blogging so I want to share my tops tips for how to make money as a blogger to help support the aspiring bloggers in their careers, including links and advice for different techniques.

I absolutely LOVE blogging. It’s my creative outlet, my way to connect with amazing people, and honestly, a huge part of who I am. But let’s be real, it’s also awesome to be able to make a living doing something you’re passionate about.

Having spent many years building my own blog, I’ve experimented with a variety of ways to monetize it. Some worked wonders, while others… not so much. But through trial and error, I’ve discovered some truly effective strategies for turning your blog into a profitable venture.

In this post, I’ll share my honest insights and actionable tips on how to make money blogging. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your blog to the next level, I hope this post inspires you and equips you with the knowledge you need to succeed. Let’s dive in!

How To Make Money As A Blogger

1. Choose a Niche & Build an Audience

Find Your Passion

What are you truly interested in? Food, travel, technology, personal finance, fashion?

Research Your Competition

Analyze successful blogs in your niche. What are they doing well? What gaps can you fill?

Create High-Quality Content

Consistency is Key: Regularly publishing fresh content is crucial for building and maintaining a loyal readership. It keeps your audience coming back for more, helps you establish yourself as a thought leader in your niche, and improves your blog’s visibility in search engine results.

To stay consistent with your publishing schedule, consider using tools like Davenci which can help you generate blog post ideas, draft outlines, and even write full articles, freeing up your time and allowing you to focus on other aspects of your blog.

However, remember that while AI tools can be helpful, it’s essential to maintain your unique voice and perspective in your writing. Always review and edit AI-generated content to ensure it aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience.

Focus on Value: Provide valuable information, unique insights, and entertaining stories.

Optimize for Search Engines (SEO): Use relevant keywords to improve your blog’s visibility in search results.

Engage with Your Readers: Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and build a community around your blog.

2. Monetization Strategies

Display Adverts

1. Choose the Right Ad Network:

• Google AdSense: A popular and beginner-friendly option. It uses contextual targeting to display relevant ads to your audience.
• Mediavine: Known for its high CPMs (cost per thousand impressions) and excellent support for publishers.
• Ezoic: Offers AI-powered ad optimization to maximize your earnings.
• Magenet: allows you to sell contextual ads on your website or blog. They offer a plugin that you can install on your WordPress site to get started. The plugin automatically places ads on your pages and pays you based on the number of clicks or impressions.

2. Optimize Ad Placement:

• Keep it Clean: Don’t overcrowd your blog with ads. Too many ads can be distracting and negatively impact the user experience.
• Strategic Placement:
  • Above the Fold: Place ads in the visible area of the page before users need to scroll.
  • Within Content: Insert ads strategically within your blog posts, but don’t interrupt the flow of reading.
  • Sidebars: Utilize sidebar space for ads, but keep them concise and visually appealing.
• Ad Sizes: Experiment with different ad sizes to find what works best for your blog’s layout and audience.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing model where you promote other companies’ products or services on your platform (blog, website, social media, etc.). In return, you earn a commission for each successful referral or sale generated through your unique affiliate link.

Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

1. Join an Affiliate Network:

• ShareASale: A large and well-established network with a wide variety of merchants and programs.
• Impact: A leading affiliate marketing platform known for its robust technology and advanced tracking capabilities.
• Amazon Associates: A popular program for promoting products from the Amazon marketplace.

2. Choose Products to Promote:

• Select products or services that align with your niche and audience. This ensures higher conversion rates and builds trust with your followers.
• Consider factors like commission rates, cookie duration, and the overall reputation of the merchant.

3. Get Your Unique Affiliate Link:

• Each affiliate program provides you with a unique tracking link. This link contains your affiliate ID, allowing the merchant to track sales and commissions generated by your referrals.

4. Promote the Products:

• Create engaging content: Write blog posts, reviews, comparisons, and create social media posts highlighting the benefits of the products you’re promoting.
• Use your affiliate link strategically: Include it in your website’s sidebar, within your content, in your email signatures, and on your social media profiles.
• Run targeted ads: Consider running paid advertising campaigns (e.g., social media ads) to promote your affiliate offers.

Sponsored Posts

Sponsored content involves creating content (blog posts, videos, social media posts, etc.) in collaboration with a brand. This can include reviews, product demonstrations, interviews, or even creating unique content pieces around a specific theme.

1. Identify Relevant Brands:

• Research brands that align with your niche and audience. For example:
  • Travel Blog: Partner with airlines, hotels, tour operators, travel gear companies.
  • Food Blog: Collaborate with local restaurants, food delivery services, kitchenware brands, and food producers.
  • Tech Blog: Partner with tech companies, software providers, and electronics manufacturers.
  • Fashion Blog: Collaborate with clothing brands, accessory brands, and beauty brands.
• Look for brands that are actively seeking partnerships with influencers and bloggers.

2. Reach Out to Brands:

• Contact brands directly: Send personalized emails to brand representatives (e.g., marketing managers, PR contacts) expressing your interest in a potential partnership.
• Utilize influencer marketing platforms: Platforms like Get Blogged, Heepsy, Grin, and Upfluence connect brands with relevant influencers.
• Attend industry events: Network with brands at industry events and conferences.

3. Create High-Quality Sponsored Content:

• Provide clear value to the brand: Deliver on the agreed-upon deliverables and demonstrate the impact of your campaign.
• Ensure transparency: Clearly disclose your partnership with the brand to your audience.
• Maintain authenticity: Focus on creating content that is valuable and engaging to your audience, even if it’s sponsored.

Sell Digital Products

Create and sell ebooks, online courses, templates, or stock photos.

Offer Consulting or Coaching Services

Leverage your expertise to offer personalized advice or coaching to your readers.

Membership Sites

Create exclusive content for paying subscribers.

Donations

Allow readers to support your work through platforms like Patreon, Ko-Fi or PayPal.

3. Essential Tools & Resources

• Website Hosting: Choose a reliable hosting provider like Bluehost or SiteGround.
• Content Management System (CMS): WordPress is the most popular and user-friendly CMS for blogging.
• SEO Tools: Utilize tools like Google Search Console and SEMrush to improve your blog’s search engine ranking.
• Social Media Marketing: Promote your blog on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
• Email Marketing: Build an email list to stay connected with your audience and promote new content.

4. Key Considerations

• Patience and Persistence: Building a successful blog takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
• Ethical Practices: Always be transparent with your audience about your partnerships and sponsored content.
• Stay Updated: The blogging landscape is constantly evolving. Stay informed about the latest trends and best practices.

I hope this guide has given you some valuable insights and inspired you to explore the exciting world of monetizing your blog! Remember, building a successful blog takes time, effort, and a whole lot of passion. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results overnight. Focus on creating high-quality content that you’re proud of, building a loyal audience, and experimenting with different monetization strategies.

Most importantly, have fun! Blogging should be an enjoyable experience. Embrace the journey, learn from your mistakes, and celebrate your successes along the way.