To make money blogging, always remember that your blog is a business. It’s taken me a while to inculcate this into my brain, but it’s just as true for me as it is for you. I usually laughed along when people rolled their eyes and said, “Oh you’re just a blogger.” The truth is, I make more money and have more longevity than startups that have failed and were a waste of funding.
Next time someone dismisses you as just a blogger, GET MAD! I don’t see these same people making thousands of dollars a year sitting in a bar watching football or whatever interest that captivates them. Sure, maybe all of us bloggers started out blogging simply as a hobby, but there is so much untapped financial potential that we can capitalize on, it’s exciting!
Don’t sit on the sidelines while people talk about their latest startup ideas. Get in on the discussion. Your blog is a business and you are an entrepreneur. Now let’s MAKE SOME MONEY!
The key to making money blogging is to run it like a business. Learn and continue practicing how to sell and market yourself. Then go out and get customers.
Do you deliver value to your readers? Is your blog informative, educational, or entertaining? If your readers derive value from going to your site, then harness that power by monetizing. Ask readers, brands, and local businesses to SHOW YOU THE MONEY!
How do you get people to show you the money? It’s simple. You ask!
To me, making money blogging is like finding a job. We’ve all had to look for employment several times in our lives. Use the steps to finding a job as your template.
Finding a Job | Make Money Blogging |
Know yourself and your skills | Really understand what makes your blog unique |
Create a resume | Put together a media kit |
Network | Network |
Apply for jobs | Canvas for opportunities |
Interview | Approach potential brands, partnerships, customers |
Close the deal | SHOW ME THE MONEY |
Don’t get fired | Follow-up with metrics; ask for continued business |
It’s up to you to do the above legwork as I can’t say what differentiates your blog from others. But let’s walk through the steps.
Really understand what makes your blog unique
The first step in conducting a job search is to fully understand yourself. What are your interests and qualifications? Can you clearly articulate your work experience and skill set? Same thing with blogging. Who is your audience and how well do you know them? Why do readers follow your blog over others? What differentiates your blog and makes it unique? What is your expertise? What’s your value proposition?
Put together a media kit
Determine what your features and benefits are and put together a media kit. You don’t necessarily have to create a media kit, but it’s a good disciplined task for listing out what’s noteworthy about your blog. Frankly, I don’t have a media kit; I don’t need one because I have enough ammunition to succinctly craft emails to potential clients. Yet if you do it right, a media kit can be very beneficial as it’s an added layer of professionalism. I’ve heard that brands ask for them, but I work with big brands and never once have I been asked to provide a media kit.
List out the highlights, not the lowlights! This may seem obvious, but I can already see people putting together a media kit, noting that they only have 100 pageviews because that’s what you’re supposed to put in a media kit. WRONG-O! You don’t list your IQ on your resume if it’s bad. Only put good things on your media kit, whatever they may be. Spend a lot of time researching and brainstorming. Only you know what your highlights are. Mentioned in a publication? Tons of comments? Low Alexa ranking or high Google page rank? Ellen Degeneres follows you on Twitter? Brainstorm every single item you can think of and get it down on paper. Don’t sell yourself short.
Network and Canvas for opportunities
When you’re jobless, do you scan the Want Ads then call it a day? I get the sense that bloggers wait for opportunities to present themselves, whether on Sverve, BlogHer or the Sway Group. That’s fine to apply, but don’t twiddle your thumbs waiting for campaigns to come through your email. I think most of those are a waste of time.
Network with readers, bloggers, colleagues, family, friends. Look at blogs in your niche and reach out to those same sponsors. Many of my own sponsors often ask me to recommend others blogs where they can advertise. Tell everyone that you blog. Market yourself!
Approach potential brands, partnerships, and customers
Let’s say you’re a small blog and you don’t get a lot of pageviews. You have other redeeming qualities right? Even if you’re the only blogger in Small Town, USA, this is a major coup! Canvas every single business in Small Town, USA and get them to advertise on your blog. I’m already seeing the dollar signs!
What if you’re one of a gazillion bloggers in Chicago, but you’re an LGBT blogger who lives in Bucktown. Canvas LGBT-friendly businesses in that neighborhood. The possibilities are endless.
Here’s a guaranteed strategy. Make a list of all the products and services that you cannot live without. Contact the PR reps at those companies and tell them how passionate you are about their product. You are willing to write a post on your blog in exchange for product, because that’s how much you love them. No dent to their budget for a simple shout out on your blog. And you get product in return, which is just as good, especially if you love their product. It’s a win-win! Your phone will be ringing off the hook. Then after you’ve written the post, this client is now part of your media kit arsenal because they’re a satisfied customer.
The examples I mentioned above are for getting businesses to advertise on your blog, but there are many other monetization opportunities. What is your expertise? Be a consultant and charge for your time! My mom, as an example, is a financial wizard. If she could get her hands on your finances and put you on a plan, you could retire without a care in the world. I always tell her that she should be a money manager and charge for her skills.
Same thing when I look at all these blogs. So many beautiful photography, design, or writing blogs. Put a link on your site and tell people that you are available for consultation. Package up your services and market for a set price or charge by the hour. Sell an e-book or guide. We all have skills that others are willing to pay for.
Do you know how I found my virtual assistant? I was so impressed by a blogger’s posts on social media and SEO and graphics (seriously she’s a jack-of-all-trades), that I asked her to help me with small tasks. I asked to hire her. Again…untapped potential! There are so many skills out there, and I guarantee people are willing to pay for your knowledge.
SHOW ME THE MONEY
- Learn how to sell and market yourself and your blog.
- Impressions matter: the most important criterion for a brand in determining the credibility of your blog is your website design. Please do away with the templated Mickey Mouse designs and hire a professional graphic designer. Example: I know of a blogger who has the most beautiful blog. It should be nominated for awards, it’s that pretty. I did some sleuthing and she barely has any traffic. Yet her site looks so professional that she has a whole slew of advertisers lining her side bar.
- If this is your business, everyone should know about it. It should be in your email signature. You should be handing out business cards like they’re going out of style.
- The best way to make money is to ask for it.
- Do not fear rejection. Rejection tells me that I’m in motion vs stagnation. The more rejections I collect, the more success I’ll have. Rejection is awesome.
- Have confidence.
Follow-up with metrics; ask for continued business
Once you start monetizing, make sure to keep your clients happy by providing metrics and analysis. Collect testimonials to add to your media kit. Brainstorm additional ways to continue working with the same brands.
I’ve shared lots of advice and given specific examples on how you can start making money right now. If you found this helpful, please share or click on the Tweet button below. Otherwise, would love to hear your feedback on monetization in the comments.
Here is a link to my previous post on How I Make Money Blogging.
JAnine Huldie
Catherine, this was seriously so helpful and truly gave such wonderful and insightful tips here for all bloggers looking to make a go of it to make money at doing this. I am so pinning this one right now to refer back to and I hope you will link your article this week on Wednesday night when the Pin It Party goes live on my blog, because I swear this one truly is invaluable to all those out there trying to make money blogging. Thank you so much seriously for sharing!! 🙂
AwesomelyOZ
This is very informative and a great introduction into how to earn money from blogging. Honestly, I don’t see my blog as a business or see myself as an entrepreneur, I can barely spell the word! LoL. It’s also because I just began blogging last year so I don’t fee my credibility merits earning money from doing this. For now, it’s still a hobby but for the future this is great reference 😀 Have a great one Catherine! -Iva
Rachel G
You’re hardcore! I haven’t made it all the way there, yet. But you inspired me to really get thinking about my best selling points–I know that my writing is excellent, that’s by far my strongest suit when it comes to blogging, but it’s been a challenge to find a way to market that other than selling articles to magazines.
And I do lack confidence when it comes to approaching brands. I do need to challenge myself a bit there!
dana
You’ve given me a lot to think about Catherine – thank you! One thing I know for sure after dealing with a guest post for a large site that is proving to be a pain in the neck…no more writing for free. I will guest post for blogger friends, and I do post monthly for a site that I think is good experience for me, and something good to add to my media kit. But that’s it. My writing has a value, and I’m not giving it away to anyone who asks.
Tamara
What awesome food for thought! Just like when I do occasionally work on my resume, I have to really think about the things that should go on there. There are plenty of things we all have working for us and we just have to learn how to sell it. And ask.
Patrick Weseman
Very good advice. It makes my old-self think of things in a totally different light.
Thanks.
lukeither willingham
This is great information and gives us the ammunition we’ll need when we launch http://blognobbers. We’d love to have you as a guest writer.
Taylor Brione
Such a WEALTH of information! I’m definitely booking this and pinning this.
The Dose of Reality
Fantastic post, Catherine. Ashley and I were just talking about this subject earlier today and BAM!!! You’ve got my wheels turning! –Lisa
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
There are some great nuggets in here Catherine, thank you! I will be pinning and sharing! And doing some serious thinking about what changes I need to make going forward. 🙂
Krimey
I love this – what great advice! I am planning to create an off-shoot of my blog this year and make it public so your advices comes at the perfect time. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom!
Gracielle
I think this is one of the few advice posts on making money on your blog that doesn’t beat me over the head with page views, unique visitors, and big numbers on your media kit. It’s often discouraging to read those advice posts and I think, “Darn, guess I’m not ready to make money because I don’t have XX,XXX amount of page views per month.” You’re right, there are so many attributes and selling points to my blog besides the stats that I should leverage. Thanks for the great tips!
Stephanie
Great info and so clearly written I feel like it’s a bit of a ‘to do’ list – which is perfect! So glad I found this post and your blog!
Roaen
Great post and tips! And i love the comparison with “finding a job” and “make money blogging”! If I ever get serious and one day decide to want to make money from the blog, I’ll be sure to come back here. 🙂
Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life
Ugh I hate the eye rolls that follow “I’m a blogger”- though they’re not as bad as the “I’m an actor” ones 😉
I don’t think people understand how much persistence it takes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been rejected by the Huffington Post. I honestly think all my pitches are getting sucked into a black hole somewhere because I get ZERO response. But that’s why I diversify and am now a weekly contributor to US News & World Report.
ps. If anyone has Huffington Post leads I’m not giving up, send me your tips 🙂
Shauna Lynn
Just found this through the sitssharefeast. Go glad I did!! I just bookmarked this page, and blog….I love it!
Savvy Working Gal
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed both of these posts. You do such a wonderful job with your sponsored posts – they are so unobtrusive I don’t even realize they are sponsored. You’ve also motivated me to spend more time on twitter – I am really impressed with your 7000+ followers. I heard from a major radio personality this week that the one social media platform he visits regularly is twitter. I’ve set goals for my blog and myself for the year then plan on taking it to the next level. I still kind of struggle with what niche to pursue???
Chris Carter
You are amazing. I am SO glad I found you at SITS sharefest. You just gave me SO much good information and advice- now, to go re-read and take notes and DO SOMETHING about this!!! 🙂
I am your new fan and follower!!! XO
Rea
Wow, you’ve seriously helped us a lot through these practical tips. I’d have to reread them and understand them more. I haven’t done money blogging in my life and figured that maybe I can try. Rejection is awesome – that just makes you more confident! Thank you so much for sharing this to us Catherine!
Real Life parenting
So much good information here. Not really rocket science, but I needed your positive shot in the butt. This is so well organized, it makes me feel like I can definitely get it together and get some $$ coming in!
Jelli
Great ideas, Catherine. I love that you took this from how even the smallest bloggers can make money and the way through to the top. Sharing this one and visiting from Sits Girls.
jhanis
I’m so glad I dropped by. I just got self hosted and needed to find the encouragement that I can do this. After reading, I felt more confidwnt. I usually rely on PR folks emailinge. I will try reaching out this time. Thanks!
Dani mosleY
Great advice! I’ve read a lot of articles dictating how to make money by blogging, but this is definitely one of the most explanatory with key examples! Taking the first step can be the most difficult, but I really hope to make the plunge into monetizing my blog soon! Thanks for the tips!
Georgia
Your headline drew me in! If only I made more than some guy watching football in a bar! 😉
Great post. Off to my job. 🙂
Kanettra
Stopped by from SITS sharefest :). I really enjoyed this post. As a semi new blogger I am always looking for new tip/advice when it comes to blogging. Whether it’s about design, content, making money, gaining followers etc. i am always interested. Look forward to reading more of your posts.
Britt@MyOwnBalance
Great tips Catherine! I’ve read a lot of articles on this that are extremely repetitive but your take is fresh and full of constructive advice. Thanks so much for sharing! This is really great!
amber
Omg. This is the best post ever, and exactly what I needed right now. THANK YOU! totally bookmarking.
So glad to have discovered your blog! 🙂
Joi @ Rx Fitness Lady
As always, when it comes to money you are spot on. I can relate to everything you say in here. I have for some reason had a problem putting most of it to action. Therefore, transitions are happening as we speak over at my blog. I will be using your tactics for sure going forward. Thanks for sharing.
Savvy Working Gal
I have a question for you. Periodically I am asked to review an eBook, add a link to my site or to host an interview on my site. These are not paid. I am never sure if I should consider the request or not. Do they help or hurt my site? How do you respond to these requests.
Tina @ Girl with a New Life
What a great post. I’m linking to the next post you mentioned to read more.
Andrea
Good stuff Catherine. Let’s see if I can put some of this to good use…
Charlotte
OMG, Catherine. THIS? Is incredible. THANK YOU so much. I am always looking for new opportunities of networking and expanding my freelance work and your post really gave me a lot of great advice. Going to work on a media toolkit and really need to stop procrastinating about making my professional blog, too.
You are the best 🙂