Learning how to monetize a blog actually probably isn’t the ideal place to start a blogging for income series, but because this is Money-Making Week, it’s where I’m going to begin. Hopefully this will give those of you that already have blogs a starting point, and for those of you thinking about blogging, I’ll come back to getting started over the coming weeks.
There are many ways to earn an income from blogging. You can use AdSense, ad networks, affiliate sites, sell your own products, do paid posts and on and on. But don’t be fooled into thinking that blogging is a get-rich-quick ticket. It’s hard work, and it can be very discouraging when you’re starting out with little traffic and few comments.
(BTW readers, bloggers LOVE comments. Even if you just take a moment to say, “Thanks, that post really helped me out,” I guarantee you’ll make someone’s day!)
With so many methods, it’s only natural that some will work for some people while not for others. It’s important to try a variety to see what works best for you. I’ve experimented with several, and one of my favorite methods is affiliate marketing.
So what’s so special about affiliate marketing? Basically it’s a win for me and a win for my readers! My readers get to sign up for great samples and other offers, and I get paid a little bit to offer them the opportunity. Of course not every sample I blog about earns me money. In fact most of them don’t, but it’s always a nice incentive when they do!
Some important tips about affiliate marketing:
- Be selective. Before you promote an offer on your blog, look at the landing page that your affiliate link takes you to. Is it something that you would feel comfortable signing up for? If in doubt, you can email your rep at the affiliate network for additional details. You don’t want to damage the trust your readers have placed in you by having them register for a scam.
- Do your homework. Be sure to pay close attention to the terms and conditions regarding an offer. Some offers can’t be offered as a text link. Some can be sent in an email format. Some offers can be incentivized meaning you can offer a bonus if a readers takes advantage of the opportunity. Just be sure that you read thoroughly and understand before you promote. Again, you can ask your rep for help if you have any questions.
- Don’t overdo it. Constantly bombarding your readers with affiliate links and placing tons of banners and ads in your sidebars will only turn them off. Select a few good offers to promote and focus on them.
- Personalize it. If you’ve had a personal experience with the company or offer you are promoting, tell your readers about it. They’re reading your blog because they like what you have to say, so if you can approach them with an insider’s point of view, they’ll be that much more likely to take action.
There are literally thousands of different affiliate companies out there. The ones I’ve signed on with probably aren’t even a drop in the bucket, but many were sites that were recommended to me when I started out, so I’d like to share them with my readers as well.
Recommended affiliate companies:
- Logical Media ($25 sign up bonus!) – samples, coupons and more
- ShopHer Media – samples, coupon and more
- Coupons.com – coupons
- Market Leverage – samples, coupon and more
- ReadySite ($25 sign up bonus!) – samples, coupon and more
- CPAStorm – surveys and more
- Pepperjam – shopping and more
- Commission Junction – coupons, photo printing, shopping and more
- Ebates ($5 cash or $10 GC sign up bonus!) – coupons, photo printing, shopping and more
- Cashbaq ($5 sign up bonus!) – coupons, photo printing, shopping and more
- Mr. Rebates ($5 sign up bonus!) – coupons, photo printing, shopping and more
- Big Crumbs – coupons, photo printing, shopping and more
- LinkShare – coupons, photo printing, shopping and more
As I mentioned before, you’re probably not going to make big bucks using these companies, but using them strategically can generate some nice pocket change or give you a little breathing room in your budget.
Jane
Hi Tara,
First off I really love your site-and I think you do well because you are honest about deals.
I have my own small coupon blog, it’s pretty dismal. :( But I do work too, and have managed to sell affiliate marketing to my CEO (gasp), but so far the exp.has been awful. 70,000 on a mailing list- no sale? I suspect it’s the affiliate company. Anyways- I’d like to ask your advice re: company (it’s listed above and has been cited in a class action lawsuit) . And any suggestions on a reputable affiliate network that offers Groupon etc..
Thanks!
Tara Kuczykowski
I’m not sure which company you’re referring to, Jane, but I’ve had a good experience with all of the companies listed. I think Commission Junction has a Groupon program, but you could also go directly through Groupon to receive Groupon credits as well.
Diane
First, I would like to say that I love your site.
I have only just begun a blog and am learning as I go. My question is, are their affiliates for smartsource and bricks coupons?
Tara Kuczykowski
Thanks, Diane! There isn’t an affiliate program for Bricks coupon, but there is for Smartsource. You can try emailing [email protected] for details.
Pudding
Hi
I am very newbie in all and very motivated to do my own blog just as a hobby. Your website is very helpful and fun. I was wondering if you can share your experience with Ads by Google. I heard that is hard to get paid with them an also you have to give them your credit card number so they withdrow money every mothn for their services. Can you get enought earning to paid the monthly fee and also keep some bucks for you? Thank you
Tara Kuczykowski
It’s not that it’s hard to get paid by Google — I get paid every month — but when you’re starting out it can take quite awhile because they only pay when you have reached $100 in your account. I honestly don’t remember if I had to register a credit card because that was about two-and-a-half years ago, but there is no monthly fee.
Laura
Thank you for posting this :)
tracey
thanks for all these tips! I have already signed up for a few of these and just added a few more via your links so thanks!
Joyce Allen
This was very helpful. I’m starting a coupon blog and this is great advice !!!!
Autumn
Thank you so much for these postings! I am new to blogging, and I love it! But there is so much out there, and not a lot of good info on how to really get the ball rolling on how to make it a little profitable. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Dawn
Just found this and it is great!!! I do have a question though……can I use any website host??? like hostgator??? or do I need a special company?
Thanks!
D
Tara Kuczykowski
Sure, you can use any hosting company that you like.
Amy
Hi there and thanks for the awesome info! I have a question, I see on other people’s blogs links for coupons and when you click it, it automatically comes up ready to print, and says it is a brick coupon. Where do I find an affiliate for bricks, or links to these coupons directly? (I don’t want to copy/paste other people’s links and post those as they could be making the money from it!).
As you can see, i’m fairly new to all this but loving the learning process a lot!!
Tara Kuczykowski
Hi Amy — sorry I missed this before. There is no affiliate program that I’m aware of for Bricks coupons.
Lisa
Are there affiliate programs for Target coupons? I’ve read older posts on WeUseCoupons that they do not have any, but sometimes I see affiliate-like links on websites.
Tara Kuczykowski
There isn’t technically an affiliate program for printing Target coupons. However, Target.com does have an affiliate program through Google Affiliate, and they offer an affiliate link that leads directly to the coupons page. You won’t earn when people print coupons, but you may earn something from people that visit the site to print a coupon and then make a purchase.
Lisa
Thanks! I just happened to see this now LOL.
PixelManila
This article is very informative specially for a newbie like me. Thanks a lot :)
Smart Money Manager
Another great advice. Truly helpful for a mom like me who wants to earn online.
Thanks again!
Penny Matrix Exposed
I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog. I really hope to check out the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal website now ;)
Wendy
Thanks for sharing the affiliate links.
I’ve been trying to figure out how I can post the grocery deals. Any tips?
Also, I tried to go to the ReadySite link above, but Internet Explorer wouldn’t show the page.
affiliate income
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website.
I really hope to see the same high-grade content by you
in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my
very own website now ;)
Theresa
I cannot thank you enough for posting this information. I Have been blogging daily for 20 months now and I am making a piddly amount compared the time I put in. I am extremely selective about my blog content, and don’t post any deals I wouldn’t do myself. I have Google AdSense and Escalate, but it is great to have links to other options!!!
Online coupon
Can’t thank you enough for making a blog like this.. looking forward to other blogs as informative as this one.. Thanks a bunch!
Zivame
When you join Coupons.com’s Affiliate program, I see where you make flags, however imagine a scenario where I simply need to list connects to their coupons. How would you do that? much obliged!
Sunny
Thank you so much for this great informative article! I love this blog.