You might have started your blog as a hobby.
Something to do in your spare time, somewhere to impart your wisdom and to have a rant. However now that blogs have become money making machines, everyone else is getting some cash from their blog. And you need to get in on the action too.
It’s not a get rich quick scheme. However, you can make a very good living from your blog and turn it into a successful business.
#1: CPC or CPM Ads
One of the most common ways to make money off your blog is through placing ads on your site. The two most popular types of ads are CPC/PPC Ads and CPM Ads.
CPC/PPC Ads or Cost per click (or pay per click) ads are usually banners that you place in your content or sidebar and each time a reader clicks on the ad; you are paid for that click. CPM Ads, or “cost per 1,000 impressions,” are ads that pay you a fixed amount of money based on how many people view your ad. If you use Google AdSense you don’t need to be in direct contact with advertisers; you merely place the banner on your site, and Google chooses ads relevant to your content. Your viewers will then click on the ads.
#2: Sell Private Ads
If your blog is very successful and you gain a lot of traffic, advertisers may come directly to you and ask you to place their ad on your site. You can also contact advertisers yourself and set your rates. It could be banners, buttons, or links. And you can even make money writing sponsored posts. In a sponsored post you write about or give a review of an advertiser’s product or service.
#3: Create Quality Content
Your blog must have visitors and readers. If no one’s reading it then you’ll never make any money! So make sure you are creating top quality content for your readers. If you need help getting the blog up to scratch, then it’s worth investing in a WordPress developer. This can make it look professional as well and to suit your content.
#4: Sell Memberships
If you’re providing great content for readers, then another option would be to sell memberships to exclusive parts of your website. For examples, a careers blog could charge $10 per month for users to gain access to its job board, or you could offer personalized advice for businesses for a fee.
#5: Sell Products
If you don’t have a business with any physical products to sell, you could perhaps sell digital products. This may include e-books, podcasts, online courses or software. Many people who started with just a blog now have merchandise as well. They then sell on their sites to make them a bit of extra cash.
Finally, make sure you use your blog to promote your offline services as well!
