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.
kim
I have been waiting all week for this post. I would be new to this type of blogging but so many Mom’s have helped me get started and being a social worker at heart I thought this would be a good way for me to continue helping others while I am home with my boys. I can’t wait to see what you have to say about getting started. I am also wondering how the ‘reviews/giveaways’ work.
Andrea @ Mommy Snacks
Tara, all great things to consider!!
I am with you 100% on selectivity. If I don’t sign up for something myself, I don’t feel comfortable sharing that with my readers.
Andrea @ Mommy Snacks´s last blog post..Walgreens Snack: Week of October 26
Andrea @ Mommy Snacks
Tara, all great things to consider!!
I am with you 100% on selectivity. If I don’t sign up for something myself, I don’t feel comfortable sharing that with my readers.
Andrea @ Mommy Snacks´s last blog post..Walgreens Snack: Week of October 26
Kim
I am thankful that you mentioned that Andrea. I was on a blog just yesterday that mentioned doing reviews for extra cash and when I went into the site it asked me how much I could spend. I asked the site manager or anyone reading the blog if anyone had any experience with this company and the manager just posted my response and there hasn’t been anything sense. I think it really matters in this atmosphere that you trust the companies that you are posting information on and that you don’t just do it because there is a monetary gain.
Kim
I am thankful that you mentioned that Andrea. I was on a blog just yesterday that mentioned doing reviews for extra cash and when I went into the site it asked me how much I could spend. I asked the site manager or anyone reading the blog if anyone had any experience with this company and the manager just posted my response and there hasn’t been anything sense. I think it really matters in this atmosphere that you trust the companies that you are posting information on and that you don’t just do it because there is a monetary gain.
Deal Seeking Mom
Andrea and Kim, I absolutely agree, and that’s why I felt it was important to point out in my post. Losing my readers’ trust is not worth earning a few bucks on an affiliate promotion.
Kim, I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I’ll be continuing the series. Thanks for letting me know you’re interested in tips on posting giveaways. I’ll make sure to include that information!
Deal Seeking Mom
Andrea and Kim, I absolutely agree, and that’s why I felt it was important to point out in my post. Losing my readers’ trust is not worth earning a few bucks on an affiliate promotion.
Kim, I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I’ll be continuing the series. Thanks for letting me know you’re interested in tips on posting giveaways. I’ll make sure to include that information!
Beth
Thanks so much for your insights! This is a hobby of mine and a way to show my kids that giving is just as important as receiving, and I would hate when they get older to be “tricked” into something on my site just because I had a link to it! It isn’t worth the extra money, but I do like sharing the good deals!
Beth´s last blog post..My first Giveaway – $125 Lodis Ballet Wallet! Let’s make it great!
Beth
Thanks so much for your insights! This is a hobby of mine and a way to show my kids that giving is just as important as receiving, and I would hate when they get older to be “tricked” into something on my site just because I had a link to it! It isn’t worth the extra money, but I do like sharing the good deals!
Beth´s last blog post..My first Giveaway – $125 Lodis Ballet Wallet! Let’s make it great!
Amy
That is such great advice, Tara! We try to be very selective about affiliate marketing and only really use it when it is truly useful. In the beginning, I wasn’t as selective, but I learned with time that it was good to do my research & homework. Wonderful tips!
Amy´s last blog post..The MomAdvice Big Give: Faith Mission of Elkhart, Indiana
Amy
That is such great advice, Tara! We try to be very selective about affiliate marketing and only really use it when it is truly useful. In the beginning, I wasn’t as selective, but I learned with time that it was good to do my research & homework. Wonderful tips!
Amy´s last blog post..The MomAdvice Big Give: Faith Mission of Elkhart, Indiana
Katja
Thanks for great tips!
Katja´s last blog post..Road Trip – Guess Where We Are Going!
Kay
thanks for the advice! :)
Kay´s last blog post..Stainless Steel Pot Rice Cooker, a Safer Health Choice
Mathea Ford
Thanks so much for the info! I love reading what you have as posts every day!
Mathea Ford´s last blog post..Spring Fling Craft Show!
Melissa
Great advice! Thank you! I also agree about only posting things that I feel comfortable with- I have family and friends that go to my site and I wouldn’t want them to be scammed! Thanks again, as always, I enjoy your site!
Melissa´s last blog post..Fry’s Week of 3/25 – 3/31
Rachel @ Surviving The Stores
Great advice! I always sign up for the programs before I recommend them to “test” them out. It’s always fun when I was going to recommend something anyway and then come to find out there’s an ad for it as well!
Rachel @ Surviving The Stores´s last blog post..Update on Pace Salsa Coupon
Christina @ Recession Proof Shopping
Thanks so much for writing this! My blog is brand new and I’m trying to learn all I can about blogging so I can share what I’ve learned about beating the recession through shopping with others. I’ll be following this for sure! I’ve learned so much already from your websites! Thanks!
Christina @ Recession Proof Shopping´s last blog post..Friday’s Frugal Find
Swap Savers
Thanks for the list–that is a great idea. I am surprised you don’t have Swag Bucks listed under rewards programs. It is one of my favorite programs since you can earn rewards without spending any money! Here is more information about it https://www.swapsavers.com/forum/topics/swag-bucks-code-22609
Swap Savers´s last blog post..Marilyn Schmett replied to the discussion ‘Cash 4 Books’
Swap Savers
Thanks for the list–that is a great idea. I am surprised you don’t have Swag Bucks listed under rewards programs. It is one of my favorite programs since you can earn rewards without spending any money! Here is more information about it https://www.swapsavers.com/forum/topics/swag-bucks-code-22609
Swap Savers´s last blog post..Marilyn Schmett replied to the discussion ‘Cash 4 Books’
Robyn
Thanks Tara, this is GREAT INFORMATION and thanks so much for sharing it! :)
Janice (5 Minutes for Mom)
GREAT info! Thanks Tara for sharing your wisdom. You definitely are an affiliate expert! :)
Janice (5 Minutes for Mom)´s last blog post..Happy Memorial Day
theresa
I am new to this and this info is awesome and so helpful. Does anyone know if you can use google adsense and those other affiliates.
theresa
I am new to this and this info is awesome and so helpful. Does anyone know if you can use google adsense and those other affiliates.
Tara Kuczykowski
Yep, you should be able to use them, Theresa. I started using many when I first started my blog.
Tara Kuczykowski
Yep, you should be able to use them, Theresa. I started using many when I first started my blog.
Financialbondage
it’s not easy getting blog traffic or making $. As I am finding out. Adsense or affiliate programs won’t make you money until you get one key element. Traffic. Lots of it. And that takes time. think years not months.
Financialbondage
it’s not easy getting blog traffic or making $. As I am finding out. Adsense or affiliate programs won’t make you money until you get one key element. Traffic. Lots of it. And that takes time. think years not months.
D Banerjee
Thanks a lot for the blog post. . Really Great.
shaina
Does Target have a new coupon affiliate program? I keep seeing blogs with affiliate links for Target now but I’m not sure how to apply for it! Any ideas?
Shaina
Tara Kuczykowski
Shaina, Target has an affiliate link through their program with Connect Commerce. However, you won’t receive income for prints. If someone makes an online purchase from Target.com you’d earn from that.
Christina
When you join Coupons.com’s Affiliate program, I see where you make banners, but what if I just want to list links to their coupons? How do you do that? thanks!
debt managemenmt uk
Good Advice.Thanks.