Long before the world got locked in due to COVID-19, writers (especially freelancers) have been looking for a way to earn money from writing. In fact, even non-writers looking for an alternate revenue stream have been curious about how they can make money with nothing more than a laptop, an internet connection, and a little imagination. The ability to earn money from your blog is possible if you work smart. Here are 5 tips to get you started.
1. Write genuine content
It’s important that people read what you write. If not, pretty much everything that follows is a waste of time. Blogging as a marketing tool differs from blogging as a medium of expression, hence you first need to decide why you are blogging, and write accordingly. If you need help getting started, check out our Quick Guide to the Basics of blog writing. Always make sure that your content is original, free of spelling and grammatical errors, and leaves your readers feeling like they have learned something. This is crucial to ensuring that you earn money from your blog.
2. Install CPC or CPM ad slots
This is probably the most common way to earn money from your blog – especially since you don’t really need to do much. In order to set up ads on your blog, you first need to ensure that you have your own domain. If you’re not sure what that means, check this out. Once you have your own domain set up, you can apply for a free Google AdSense account, and start displaying ads using the code provided to you by Google. Depending on the platform you used to build your site, there are tons of tutorials on how you can add advertising code to your webpages.
3. Write sponsored posts
This one requires a bit of groundwork, but most importantly, it requires credibility. Remember that bit about writing genuine content? Well, if you’ve managed to create a good local, national, or maybe even international following, you can take advantage of your site traffic by approaching retailers or service providers, and offering to write about them for a fee. You can also offer to place banner ads or buttons that link directly to their website.
4. Sign up for affiliate links
If you love shopping and buying different types (or maybe even a particular kind) of products, then you can earn money from your blog by offering your own recommendations and reviews of said products. You do this by becoming an affiliate. Affiliate marketing requires you to put direct links to a particular product or service in your blog post. If your reader buys the product or service that you have linked to, you make a commission on the sale. One of the most popular affiliate programs is Amazon Associates. Amazon offers various commission percentages for products sold on their website using your affiliate ID. The best part about becoming an affiliate is it’s free!
5. Sell digital products
This one could be difficult for some because it takes a fair amount of time, patience, and talent. Depending on just how creative you are, or what our passions and hobbies include, you can possibly make a fair bit of money by offering digital products on your blog-based website. For example, if you’re a poet or writer, you can compile and sell digital copies of your book online. Alternatively, if you’re a trainer or subject matter expert, you can offer online training courses. There are a number of different types of digital products ranging from apps and plugins, to images or videos that people can use in their own content, that you can sell. You’re only limited by your imagination.
So, are you ready to earn money from your blog? Click here for ideas on how you can market your blog to increase your chances of earning.
