New to SITS? Welcome!! Go read this to get started.
If you find yourself wondering how to grow your blog into something more, don’t think twice about it.
From changing your blogspot address to an official URL to understanding SEO and search engines, the learning is endless. It’s natural for some bloggers to be interested in taking things to the “next level” with their site.
One topic that intrigued (and baffled) Fran and me during our early days of blogging was the idea that there was money to be made in our little corner of the blogosphere. When we saw ads on blogs, we couldn’t help but wonder how they were acquired, how much bloggers were earning, and whether ads were something that we even wanted.
Although making money is not the reason that many of us begin blogging, it is something most of us wonder about at one point or another. For some stay at home moms, the cash brought in from blogs can even help put food on the table.
Yesterday, we spent an hour with Darren Rowse of ProBlogger as he addressed an array of questions. One of the topics that came up most was focused on how to make money on your blog. In light of that discussion, we thought it would be useful to summarize some of the conversation, as well as to expand on the topic.
Keep in mind that selling ad space on a blog is not for everyone. However, for those of you who are interested in monetizing your site, there are a few things we can learn from yesterday’s chat:
Kathryn from Coastal Chick asked whether she should host ads on her site since she does not have at least 1,000 unique visitors daily.
Blogs of all sizes can advertise. The lower your stats are, the less money you will probably make. That being said, starting out small is fine. It’s a great way to learn how to interact with advertisers, while still being able to earn some pocket change.
What’s the best way to secure ads for your site?
There are a number of ways to find businesses that you can advertise for. Here are just a few ideas:
- Use the phone book, targeting smaller businesses when your first start out.
- Contact advertisers that competitors in your niche are working with.
- Google key words that define your blog (or niche) and see which businesses are associated with these terms.
- Create your own ad network.
Cindy from Prime Beauty wants to monetize her blog, but isn’t sure which method to try. She would prefer to sell advertising space since she hasn’t had much success with affiliate ads.
Forming your own network in order to sell ads is a great idea. Keep in mind that doing so requires more time and effort than affiliate marketing because you must maintain relationships with those in your network and be open to feedback.
Affiliate marketing is another way to make money on your blog. It basically is a method for businesses to reward bloggers by paying them a commission for selling their product.
The best way to benefit from affiliate sales is to incorporate the products you are selling into your blog’s content. If you host affiliate ads, consider reviewing the product in a blog post and providing an affiliate link so that your readers can make a purchase.
How do you decide how much to charge for ads?
The easiest way to figure out how much to charge for ads on your site is simply to ask. Talk to businesses about how much they’re willing to spend or get feedback from other bloggers who have a similar niche and traffic. Don’t be afraid to speak up either…many people are willing to share this information with you.
Jessica from Exposing the Drapes to My Twenties asked when a blogger should start selling ads on their blog.
The answer? Monetize your blog from Day 1. Readers can feel betrayed when you start running ads out of the blue. If ads have been on your site from the beginning, then there will be no surprises or feelings of mistrust. The trick is to keep your advertising subtle and balanced. Avoid turning readers off by having ads all over your blog.
How long does it take for an experienced, full time blogger to start turning a profit?
Although blogging has developed dramatically over the last few years, the ability for people to make money is not guaranteed. For an experienced blogger, it could take a year or two before he or she will start seeing a profit. On the other hand, some spend two years (or more) blogging and still do not make much money. There’s really no right answer.
If monetizing your blog is something you’re interested in and you’d like to learn more, then check out the links below. We’ve compiled a list of resources that we hope will be helpful to you…
What I’ve Learned About Selling Private Ads
How To Find Advertisers For Your Website: The Ultimate Guide
How Much Should You Charge For Advertising?
15 Affiliate Questions Answered By 3 Experts
When Should You Monetize Your Website
How To Sell Ads On Your Blog
A Screamingly Effective Blog Disclosure Policy: How (and Why) To Get One
Create Your Own “Advertise” Page
How Do I Include Advertisements In My RSS Feed
Do You Have Too Many Ads On Your Site
Idea!! When we all start making millions of dollars from implementing the tips we learned yesterday, everyone will be at the Bloggy Boot Camp in Tahiti we’ve been dreaming about, right??
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If you’d like to watch part of yesterday’s live chat with Darren, you can find the recording here. (Sadly, the entire hour is not available due to technical difficulties during the discussion.)
On Day 12 of the 31DBBB Challenge in BlogFrog, we are learning about how to maintain an editorial calendar and plan your posts an entire week in advance. Stop by if you get a chance!
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Tickets for Austin and St. George, Utah, our final Bloggy Boot Camp stops for the year, are on sale now! Don’t wait to buy yours. We’d love to meet you in person!
And, as always, when you see this:
About Kat
I monitized my blog the first time I started it up, but I did not like all those google ads everywhere. I took it off soon after. I may troll for ads at a later date, but right now is not for me. It is hard finding an advertising niche in natural hair.
This is really useful information! Thanks for posting it!
This post is great…very informative! This will surely help and educate a lot of bloggers out there.
The live chat with Darren was really fantastic. What a gentleman. Calmly answering questions, he covered a lot of ground and was ticking along when we lost video contact. Houston, we have a problem…and lots of people around ready with solutions. I love this group!
I agree! He was so nice and had alot of great information.
I think I’ve made a total of $3 from ads on my blog.
Big money big money!!
Haha! Awww…but you could totally go to McDonald’s with that.
interesting read….glad I am not trying to make money…just my outlet.
Great advice! I’ve been told I should start doing ads and whatnot, but I guess I just don’t quite get the concept still
Interesting tips! Happy Friday!
I sell ads on my blog and really do quite well with it. I target the audience that I blog about which is work at home moms and they are seeing great results from the ads that they are running as well.
That’s exciting!
Excellent information! You’ve got my wheels turning.
Thank you for posting your interview tips – they are very helpful!
Purebebe’s last post:
Fantastically Funny Friday – http://purebebe.com/2010/07/30/fantastically-funny-friday-7302010/
Hello, SITStahs! I’m way late today. check my blog for booty pop panties!
I have a couple of ads on my blog but I only make pocket change with that. I started using this blog advertisement website that contacted me and so far wrote a post about something I could relate to, while linking up to their site a few times. That payed pretty well so I am sticking more to those than thinking I will get money off of the ads on my site. That’s just extra!
I’ve heard good things about those websites. I’m so glad it’s working out well for you.
I blog for fun, but any pocket change is appreciated!
Unfortunately I missed the call, so I was so excited to get to read some of it! Thank you!
This is really useful stuff! Thanks girls!
Hello Ladies,
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend
Thanks for the tips! I have been wondering how to make money with my blog. And also if I should use my family blog or have 2 separate blogs? Just exploring my options!
It all depends. If you have an idea for a niche blog, you might have more success advertising on something like that.
Thanks for sharing ladies. I’d been thinking about ads: whether I’d allow companies to post their own ads for a specific amt/mo. or let google drop them on the blog and get paid per click.
In our experience, the first option might be a better money maker.
Thanks Heather. I’ll try the 1st option. I agree, I think it’ll work better for me.
great info
I would love to learn more about this and am learning as I go. I don’t think I like the google ads all over the place, I’d love to have 2-3 ads but for now I’m just trying to get my numbers up. Great post! I’ll be researching through it more later too.
I’ve thought about monetizing but dont think its my time just yet. I’m still having fun being me and doing whatever I want lol.
This is great info to have…i have already bookmarked this page
Great advice!!!
Great bloggers featured today!
this HAS been on my mind alot lately. thanks for the advice.
Barely made it for Friday! Hope you have a good weekend!
Super helpful. I’m not sure if I’m ready to monetize my blog but I do keep the ideal in the back of my mind!
Brand new blog post! Got to work with an awesome couple which my job that much better. Enjoy the new work! Oh and your weekend of course!
Thank goodness it’s Friday!
So glad it’s friday! Finished my last exam for summer classes today and writing my last paper!
WOOO HOOO!! Congratulations on almost being done!
Money for my blog?
Right next to ocean front property in Arizona, at this time!
I just switched my blog from Blogger to WordPress and am about to finish a bottle of wine to drown my anxieties……..
Love my new look…..hating my lack of knowledge. I must pace my Type A self and remember….
“Tomorrow is another day.”
Phew I made it! I have ads on my site, just a few that pay monthly (not much at all, but you have to start somewhere). I would love to make more with it since I enjoy blogging so much! I have not had much luck at all with Google Ads or affiliates. Just my two cents.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Def something I will be interested in in the future. It’s great to have the information though!
Such helpful info! Thanks a bunch–if anyone has the secrets, please let the rest of us know! Have a great weekend–it’s my bday tomorrow!
Lots of really great advice. I read some right away, and I’ll be back to read the rest of the articles.
Interesting.
Thanks for the great ideas!
Cheers
- CoconutPalmDesigns
This is good info. I am sort of on the flip side of the coin in that I am in direct sales and buy ad space on blogs. I try to do most of my business online, so it works out. So, if you have friends in direct sales (who doesn’t, right?), they may be a good place to start… The first ad space I bought was on a friends blog.
Interesting info! I don’t think monetizing is for me, at least not at this point, but who knows? I may change my mind. At least I will have some information to work with. Thank you for posting!
The Comment Love thing didn’t work on my last comment, so I’m trying again.
Stop by & say hi!
I do some affiliate advertising that relates to my blog, and that are products I have tried and truly stand by. I feel like, it’s a win-win for everyone. It helps provide readers with information to wonderful products out there, and may give me some extra pocket change. However, this is definitely not my main goal of blogging. I simply enjoy writing, fashion and sharing my thoughts with ladies of similar interests
way late but saying hi! stop on by! have a great weekend!
I have to say this post is so so helpful.. I will bookmark it and keep coming back to it. Gave me some really great ideas and insight on this subject. Thank you for sharing. Will definitely be in Tahiti when I’m making those millions.
Tahiti?! Oh yeah, I’m in!
I’m so LATE! Hey SITStahs! I love this information. I’m always looking to go to the next level! Have a GREAT weekend!
This is such great information, I am thinking I am going to learn a whole lot for BBC!
I’ve been thinking about this very thing lately. Thanks for the great info!
These are some great tips. I learned a lot about affiliates that I did not previously know.
Great post with some helpful links!! Thanks so much Ladies, for those of us thinking about making money these tips are important. xx
Great tips, thanks! Now i’m having 10 more must read article in my loooong list gathered during #31DBBB challenge.
Victoria