Residual Income: How To Make Money With Your Blog

Getting out of the hustle and taking back ownership of your life is completely possible.  You're not crazy to dream about it.  Like any change - it will require creativity, experimentation, tenancy and curiosity.  It will require that you change YOU and YOUR LIFE.  The blog is part of a series on Residual Income Options - outlining ideas and action steps that you can take out in the world to create a slower, more authentic life for yourself.  

While it is a wealth of knowledge and helpful information, it alone won't get you where you want to go.  The thoughts, beliefs, habits, and routines you have now are what led you to where you are today.  The only way to successfully make a big change in your life is to change yourself in addition to taking actions in the world.  When you invest time, energy and money into both your inner and outer worlds with intention - you can do just about anything you want. 

If you're wondering how to get started on the inner stuff, you can follow me on social media, read more of my website, schedule a free session with me, or download my DIY Coaching Course, "The Stories We Tell Ourselves."

How To Make Money With Your Blog

In today's digital age, blogging has become more than just a platform for personal expression. It has evolved into a powerful tool for earning income and building a successful online business. While starting a blog is relatively easy, turning it into a profitable venture requires strategic planning, dedication, and consistent effort. ​

Creating A Blog Niche

First, choose a profitable niche that aligns with your inner voice.  Selecting the right niche for your blog is crucial. There are two things that will define your perfect niche: A subject that you are passionate about, and one that has a potential audience and monetization opportunities. Invest time and energy in both.  Journal, spend time alone, brainstorm with friends, get slow and quiet enough to hear that voice of authentic wisdom inside of you.  Then, conduct thorough market research to determine the demand for content in your chosen niche.​

Building Your Blog

Create a visually appealing and user-friendly blog that provides value to your audience. Invest in a professional design, optimize for search engines, and ensure your site loads quickly. Consistently publish high-quality, engaging content that keeps readers coming back for more. While you can certainly hire someone to build you a website, I highly recommend using a DIY Website Builders, this will save you money and allow you to be in full control of content and publishing. ​

Display Advertising on Your Blog

One of the most common ways to monetize a blog is through display advertising. Join an advertising network, such as Google AdSense, and place ads strategically on your blog. Focus on optimizing ad placement for maximum visibility and click-through rates while maintaining a balance between user experience and ad revenue. 

Google Adsense allows you to run ads from the Google Display network on your website. In the beginning, you can monetize your blog with Google Adsense, but you won't make much money. Your earning potential is $0.1 - $0.5 per page view/mo. 

In the event that you reach 25,000 page views a month, you can (and should) drop Google Adsense in favor of an advertising network that manages your display ads directly on your website (also known as publisher networks), ensuring you are earning the most money. Typically these networks take between 20%-40% of the display ad revenue from your website.​

Affiliate Marketing on Your Blog

Affiliate marketing is a powerful way to generate income by promoting products or services on your blog. Join affiliate programs relevant to your niche and incorporate affiliate links within your content. When readers make purchases through your links, you earn a commission. Be authentic and only recommend products you genuinely believe in to maintain trust with your audience, and alignment with yourself. 

Placing affiliate ads on your website is a legitimate way to make money. It is possible to earn money recommending products or services and getting paid every time someone signs up through your link. In comparison to ad campaigns where you get $1-$3 per click, affiliate commissions can earn you $5-$500) each time someone clicks on your link.

The easiest, lowest hanging fruit is the Amazon affiliate program where you can get paid whenever you link to a product listing on Amazon if one of your readers buys the product.  While Amazon's payouts aren't as high as promoting a specific product directly, they have an easy-to-use affiliate platform and you can promote pretty much anything on Amazon. In general, the more expensive the product you promote, the higher the commission you'll receive if someone decides to buy it through your link.

When you're ready to take the next step, begin by making a list of products you believe in & already use that relate in some way to your niche and authentic self.  This can include things you use around the house or in your garden, clothes you love, foods you eat, or tools and equipment related to your hobby. 

Next, create your "influencer" resume.  While the word "influencer" often brings an image of a millionaire teenage gamer on YouTube, it really is the best word to you because you are, literally, making money influencing someone.  So, let's own it.  Even if you only have a couple hundred followers - you can still learn to present yourself in the best possible light to prospective collaborators. As you grow, your resume and clientele will grow.  Don't wait - just the act of building this document will help you gain clarity on your who you are and where you're going.  For tips on creating this document, read this blog.  Also, I do offer sessions on specific tools (like this one) where we can meet just once or a few times to build your resume together.  We'll zoom and screen-share and create your document together.  Yup, you'll leave our session with a shiny new influencer resume.  If you're interested, complete the Entreprenerd inquiry, and I'll get back to you with more information. 

After you have your resume, begin to reach out to companies that you're interested in working with.  Not all companies have affiliate programs or sometimes they keep them hidden for a smaller group of bloggers. Some might have minimum traffic requirements, and if so, just make a note to contact them when your traffic gets bigger.  Again, I offer support and coaching through this process if you're interested, just reach out to me. 

Sponsored Content for Your Blog

As your blog gains popularity, you can attract opportunities for sponsored posts and brand collaborations. Companies may approach you to write reviews, create sponsored content, or promote their products. Typically they will offer between $50 – $1,000 to publish one of their posts on your blog.  Give intention to the partnerships, and make sure they align with your blog's values and resonate with your audience.​

The world of blogging is ever-evolving, and it's essential to stay updated with the latest trends, strategies, and technologies. Join blogging communities, attend conferences, read industry publications, and invest in your education. Be open to experimentation and adapt your approach based on what works best for your audience and niche.

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