6 Honest Ways to Make Money Blogging (2024)

This post was originally published in September of 2013.

In ourWhat to Expect in Blogging: The Early Years series, we’ve talked about lots of great topics with some good conversation to boot!

Among other things, we’ve chatted about creating a vision for your blog, making a blog schedule that works for you, how to write good content and blog post titles and lots of tips for increasing your blog traffic.

{Click here to read the entire series!}

Now, let’s move on to a question I’m commonly asked: how do you make money blogging?

There are a number of ways to do so and because of that, blogging can be quite lucrative for some people! I started blogging with no intention of making any money, but I was pleased when my efforts resulted in a small amount of extra income for our family. Since the time I made my first affiliate earning about 2 years ago, my blogging income has been growing, slowly but surely.

Here are 6 honest ways to make money blogging!

Affiliate accounts

By and large, becoming an affiliate of various programs, websites and eBooks is a good way to make money in blogging. It takes a bit of strategic thinking and some work to start with.

To get started, think of some ebooks you love, smaller online stores you like to shop at and productsyour kids love and that you use often or every day. Check out those websites and see if they have affiliate programs! You’ll earn a certain percentage or dollar amount for each sale made through your special affiliate link.

Be sure to read the fine print and take note of the percentage you’ll earn. Some programs won’t really be worth promoting, but others have some sensational bonuses and earning potential.

How do you use these affiliate links? You can add a button to your sidebar or a link in your blog posts when you talk about all the things you love. If someone clicks through, it’s beneficial for both of you! Here are some ideas to get you started {I’ve used these at one time or another and have made income from them}.

• ShareASale–Lots of different companies use ShareASale, such as Shutterfly, Dayspring, Craftsy, Zulily, Cents of Style, Flirty Aprons and more! They have plenty of creatives (banners, links, etc) and specials that you can promote on your blog.
• Educents – Educational and homeschool products and deals. They have some fabulous materials that are typically cheap or free, so this program has worked well for me.
• Christian Book Distributors {CBD.com}– Tons of great Christian materials that you can share with readers and earn!
• Ebates– A cash-back website that costs your reader nothing to use–and you earn $5 per referral. This has been extremely successful for me. The blog bonuses and rewards are great and can be earned using very simple steps.
• Heavenly Homemakers affiliates,Motherhood on a Dime affiliatesor any blogger in your niche that has an affiliate program.
• Amazon Affiliates– Probably my favorite! You can link to almost anything!
• Swagbucks–sign up to use it yourself, and then you can refer friends and earn Swagbucks, which can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards and more!
• Truth in the Tinsel– An excellent Advent curriculum/activity book that has earned me hundreds of dollars in the two years I’ve been promoting it.

There are hundreds to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that fits with your blogging niche!

photo credit to ptmoney.com

Advertising from Sponsors

As your blog grows, you may want to create options for those who would like to advertise with you. I’ve been so surprised that people want to pay me to advertise their product or service! You can create an advertising page, similar to mine, or a media kit {here’s an example, just scroll down the page a bit}. Focus on growing your blog before you jump into this! If it’s not a feasible option for you now, just keep it in the back of your mind :)

photo credit

Ad Networks

There are a variety of ad networks that you can join as a blogger. Basically, an ad network isa company that supplies advertising to numerous blogs and websites.Usually, ad networks either supply ad content or manage advertising space on a website based on content on the site or the preferences of the user visiting the site. The network will keep track of the advertising activity on a website or blog and then pay out when a certain threshold has been reached.

I currently use Google Adsense. It is fairly simple to set up ads on your blog–or you can ask a techy friend to help you! Here is a post explainingGoogle Adsense and several other networks and how to choose the right one for you!

Have you ever been to a blog and seen ads from “BlogHer” up on the top or in the sidebar? BlogHer is also an ad network. There are pros and cons to be part of such a thing. Currently I do not belong to this particularad network, but if you’re interested in learning more, check out this helpful post about BlogHer.

Product Reviews

Many bloggers will do reviews for a set amount of money. For instance, I charge $100 to review a product (if the company approaches me about it). Other times I have reached out to ask to review and giveaway an item I believe will be of great benefit to my readers, and in that case I don’t charge.

If you are smaller and are not yet feeling confident asking a company to pay you to review their product, take heart! When you are able to review and possible giveaway, you are saving yourself money because you are receiving and reviewing something your family can use!

Many companies are very willing to work with bloggers, even if you have a blog on the smaller side, so don’t be afraid to find their contact information and just ask! A great first opportunity would be to ask a fellow blogger who has written an ebook {like myself!} if you can review their book!

Please remember to follow through with your reviews in a timely manner. You are receiving a free product in exchange for a review and will look unprofessional if you do not follow through on your commitments.

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Using your blog as a platform for another business

Sometimes your blog can be a springboard for your at-home business or Etsy shop. Caroline from The Modest Mom blogs and also sells beautiful clothing through her at-home business, Deborah & Co {they have an affiliate program too!}. I have seen this done very successfully, when you can integrate the topics you blog about with your business passions!

Write an eBook!

I took the plunge and published my first ebook back in February of 2013, entitled God’s Word in My Heart: A Scripture Learning Guide with Memory Verses. It did better than I’d ever imagined and it allowed me to be invited into some ebook bundles where I earned affiliate commissions. This by far has been the biggest money-maker for me on my blog so far.

But not only has it made money, it has allowed me to reach out and encourage moms and hear from people I have never met that have enjoyed my eBook. I have formed relationships with other bloggers through our similar endeavors. Don’t be afraid to take your knowledge and meet a need for others through an eBook!

Do you have any questions about these things I’ve talked about? Feel free to ask them in the comments and I’d be happy to help you as much as I can!

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