4 Easy Ways to Start Monetizing Your Blog

Monetizing your blog merely means that you’re looking for ways to start to earn some money from all of your blogging efforts.  While some may call themselves purists/idealists and only blog for the love of it and refuse to run advertising of any kind, many others love it and strive to make it a real-job possibility.  The best kind of job is the job you love, so there is no shame in wanting to make money from a blog all about your favorite subject!

Affiliate Networks. Affiliate networks such as Commission Junction, ConnectCommerce, Linkshare, ShareASale, etc. are all great opportunities to sync up with major retailers.  Some programs require you to apply, other programs you’re in from the get-go, but either way you can become an affiliate of a major retailer (e.g. Overstock.com).  Once you’re an affiliate, you can run banner or link advertising as well as you can merely link to products you’ve reviewed that can be found on an affiliated site.  This way, when someone clicks on that link, you can get a small commission should they make a purchase, too.

Advertising Networks. There are several established advertising networks that you can sign contracts with, and they will take your advertising inventory, sell it as part of their network, and then ads will run on your site.   Just be cautioned that many major advertising networks take large cuts (e.g. 50%) of the revenue.  This is just an easy way to monetize your blog without having to sell your own ad space.

Participate in Google AdSense. Sometimes you’re not ready for an advertising network, and Google AdSense is one of the easiest ways to start running some advertising and see what kind of money you can make.  It’s easy to sign up for, even easier to run, and you can track your earnings daily.

Sell your own ad space. It doesn’t have to be for a lot, and you don’t have to be aggressive about it either.  You can just put up a dummy ad that says “Ad Space Available” or “Your Ad Here,” and then you can have your rates in a file, ready to go, should someone inquire.