Monetize Your Blog, part 1: Don’t do it for the money
When I began blogging way back in 2005, I hardly knew what a blog was and I had no idea that an online personal journal could become a source of income. Things have changed a little, and now it seems like everyone with a blog aspires to make money with it.
Things have changed for us, too. I don't make a very large income blogging, but it's definitely enough to help our household budget. I earn income from both my personal blog Life in a Shoe and here at Frugal Hacks. I've had several real-life friends and acquaintances ask me recently about how to do this, and I'm going to share a bit of what I have learned over the past several years.
My first tip is:
DON'T DO IT FOR THE MONEY.
Really. Personal blogs are a very good way to get your feet wet but they are difficult to monetize effectively. If you can find a good niche, you stand a better chance of making money but you'll need to know how to use the opportunity and that presents a steep learning curve. It's a good idea to have a well established personal blog before you try that.
If you're looking for a good return on your time, a blog is the wrong place to look. Anyone can put google adsense in their sidebar and hope for the best, but if you want to make more than pennies per month, you're far better off waiting tables.
Blogging itself requires a significant investment of time, but that's just the beginning. To make money from your blog, you need more than just unique, appealing content - though that is a very good start. You'll need to invest time in publicizing your blog and attracting advertisers.
I can help you with this, but if you don't enjoy blogging enough to do it for pleasure, you are likely to quit before you see financial results. But if you really love blogging, you just might be able to turn a profit on your hobby and justify all those hours you're spending in the warm glow of the monitor.
Are you ready to give it a shot?
9 Responses to “Monetize Your Blog, part 1: Don’t do it for the money”
April 19th, 2011 at 7:34 am
You’ve hit the nail on the head. Making money off a blog isn’t the easiest of things, that being said it isn’t impossible. Personally I began my blog with no intention of making money and even now no ads have gone up. For the next couple of months even years I doubt ads will go up on my website until I can make it a win / win for my reader. As an example I wouldn’t mind earning a commision for referring someone to a high yield savings account. Nor would I mind linking them to a good credit card that has amazing rewards. I think it all depends on what type of ethics a person has when it comes to making money and how they want to do it.
-Ravi Gupta
April 19th, 2011 at 8:42 am
Blogging and not liking it? Can’t relate.
April 19th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Really looking forward to this series!
April 19th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Thanks so much for this topic! I can’t wait to read more. I’ve been blogging for about a year and love it. I would love to know how to make money and help out the family budget. I made a few hundred during the holidays off my affiliate buttons and would love to do that…dare I say it…every month?! Thanks Again
April 20th, 2011 at 9:44 am
I do agree. The best blogs are the ones that belong to a blogger who eats and sleeps their focus. Weather it’s an amazing baker or a fabulous painter, it’s got to be from the heart!
April 20th, 2011 at 11:52 am
Thanks for the great blog, I look foward to reading more also ! I am new to blogging and there is so much to learn.
April 20th, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Guess you thought I was some kinda spammer or something? trashed my comment, LOL, well I learn more.
April 20th, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Joe, comments by people who have not commented here in the past are automatically held for moderation. Thanks for visiting, and I hope you find the series helpful!
May 11th, 2011 at 7:03 am
I’m so glad I stumbled upon this topic! I have my own blog, but lack motivation… Maybe it’s just not for me, but I look forward to delving deeper into the topic through your articles to find out. It should help me decide whether or not to go for it! Thanks!
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