Do you have a knack for writing and would like to make some extra money on the side without looking for clients as a freelancer? If so, blogging could be your answer.
Starting a blog is relatively simple. There are free dedicated platforms that let you publish posts without needing to look for a host or build a site from scratch.
Such platforms could be a good way to start growing your audience and slowly becoming recognized in a community. However, once you reach a certain point, you will need to monetize the content. And writing a blog on a dedicated hosting platform like WordPress would make running a blog hassle-free.
Why? Well, first of all, you can have a personal domain without a URL that makes the website look unprofessional. Also, since you have a dedicated host, you will not have to worry about your posts suddenly disappearing.
Sell Custom Merch
Now let’s focus on the monetization methods. Custom merchandise is the first on the list. You can make your own t-shirt with a logo or a wacky design and create a merchandise store that you can add directly on the blog or have a link redirecting to the store.
Of course, you do not have to limit the merchandise line to just t-shirts. Other custom products sell as well. Some of the examples include hoodies, face masks, and stickers.
Another thing to note is that you can expect to make even more if you have a younger demographic of readers. About 60% of millennials in 2019 preferred to buy goods and services online, and that percentage has grown since then.
While older people may prefer to do their shopping in brick-and-mortar stores, you can leverage your young readers and appeal to them by creating a merchandise line just for them.
Create Digital Products
Many bloggers expand their brand and create digital products that they then advertise on the website. For instance, being a person who already writes a book, you could also write an e-book and self-publish it on Amazon. And since you already have a platform to advertise it, which is your blog, there is no need to worry too much about marketing a book on third-party channels.
Online courses are also a popular digital product type. Pick a relevant topic, find multiple sources for it, compile the information into an easy-to-digest guide and sell it directly on your blog or redirect interested people to platforms like Skillshare and Udemy.
Run a Patreon Page
Running a Patreon page is a bit tricky because you would put yourself in the hands of your fans. Only those who are willing to donate would be supporting you on Patreon. Most readers will not bother because they can access the content for free.
On the other hand, if you publish quality content regularly, the audience will appreciate it and encourage you to create more by offering their support. If nothing else, you can try a Patreon for a while and see whether it is worth the hassle or not.
Offer Sponsored Content Opportunities
Other bloggers would be more than happy to publish on your blog since it gives them exposure. At the same time, most of them will also likely ask for a do-follow backlink to boost search engine optimization.
When you establish yourself as a recognizable blogger, you can collaborate with bloggers and offer to publish their content for a fee.
One thing to note about this monetization method is that you should only accept good writers. Otherwise, the overall quality of your blog will go down, and you may lose some of your readers. Make sure not to sell out the blog by giving the readers poor content.
Run ads
Ad networks are one of the oldest website monetization methods. It is no secret that running ads has been quite unpopular recently, and there are two reasons behind it. The first is that ads slow down the overall website loading speed and are a hindrance to the overall browsing experience. The second is that many people use ad blocker extensions.
Similar to crowdfunding, you could try running ads to determine whether they are good or not. If you see lackluster results, focus on other monetizing methods, and if the ads bring you money, you can keep them.
Include Affiliate Links
Affiliate marketing is similar to ads, except that unlike random pop-ups and banners, affiliate links do not get in the way of readers. You can include a link or two in an article and convert some readers by redirecting them to an affiliate page. If they purchase goods or services that you are promoting, a small commission fee will be yours.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, these blog monetization suggestions should give you some ideas on how to make money from your writing skills. And keep in mind that the monetization strategy does not have to revolve around just a single idea. You can combine multiple monetization methods and profit even more.
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
