How to Make Money from Your Blog

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When you think of your company blog, you think of it mostly as a way to reach and retain your guests, right? 

And also as a way to grow your base by offering VFOs (valuable free offers) in exchange for visitor’s email addresses that you can then market to? 

But I’ll bet you’ve never thought of it as way to make money in and of itself. 

You can - and you can do it in a way that doesn’t look, well, sleazy. 

Are you thinking that only hobby or personal bloggers monetize? You might be surprised to learn how many businesses actually make money from their blogs. 

And why not? 

Here are a few ways to do that without plastering spammy-looking ads all over your blog page. Before we get started, though, one caveat: 

Whatever you decide to promote, it MUST be aligned with your business. If you decide to do some affiliate marketing, don’t sell perfume, for instance. Think beach toys or eco-friendly sunscreen.

You will totally destroy your credibility if you promote something that has nothing to do with your industry or niche. 

#1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is when you promote a product or service through an ad or link on your website and each time a visitor makes a purchase through that ad or link, you receive a commission. 

You would have to sign up with the good or service provider and receive your unique link. You can also browse programs such as Amazon Affiliates, ClickBank or Rakuten to find an appropriate product or service. 

Important caveat: The product or service you are promoting must be one you or your firm has used personally with great results. Don’t promote anything you’re not familiar with. 

The best way to approach this is to write a blog post surrounding that product or service and how it has helped you. Include a description of the product or service (written from your own perspective) your personal testimonial, additional testimonials if they’re available and add in some photos.

Then just add in a line to the effect of, “If you’d like to try XYZ product yourself, click here!” and include your unique affiliate code. 

Note: You will have to include an affiliate disclaimer somewhere on your site if you decide to promote affiliate products. 

#2. Services

Create a blog post offering additional services to your guests for a fee. 

You can approach this several different ways. Partner with a local business to steer services their way for a commission (always be sure to check your state’s laws surrounding commission payments). 

Offer services yourself for an additional fee. Examples might include: concierge, pet, child or elder care (check for any certifications needed), tours, guided activities, vehicle detailing, additional housekeeping, chef services, family photography, in-house yoga, in-house massages, even chauffeur services. 

#3. EBooks

You don’t have to be a Pulitzer-prize winning author to create and promote a great Ebook. You have to be a good writer and you have to find your niche. 

Of course, your niche is going to be your area. Just a few suggestions: 

The Best Keep Secrets of (your area) An A-Z Guide to (your area) Restaurants Only the Locals Know About Guide to Which Activities are Worth Your Money Best Fishing Spots and How to Find Them

#4. Create a Product or Product Line

This one is definitely thinking outside the box, but hey, why not? 

If you’ve lived somewhere long enough, you notice what’s missing or not well represented in the area. If you can find a creative way to address that need, you will be able to market not only to your blog subscribers, but to your local friends and neighbors, as well. 

For example, when I lived on the Outer Banks, I worked at a fishing resort on Roanoke Island. The bugs there were terrifying and highly carnivorous. And, as many locals said, 90% teeth. 

During yellow fly season (about 3 weeks in the spring), everyone I knew literally ran from their cars to get inside wherever they were going before the attack. I had a friend once get bitten by a horse fly through the pocket on his jeans and he felt it. That’s two layers of denim. I kid you not. 

Imagine if someone invented a bug repellant for yellow and/or horse flies that worked? And if it had the bonus of being environmentally friendly? 

People would LINE UP to buy it, both in person and online. 

And that’s just one example. 

#5. Create a Vlog Series

Go out to a different popular area attraction for each video and talk about what’s going on there, or upcoming events. Share a personal story. Talk about the newest property in your rental program that’s just two blocks from where you’re standing. 

For the sake of argument, we’re going to assume that anyone who watches your video is already familiar with and perhaps emotionally invested in your area. 

By posting a video instead of just a written blog, you’re giving your visitors a true sensory experience. They get to actually see and hear one of their presumably favorite spots. You are likely triggering some great memories and nostalgia for good times they’ve had there. 

If you can then dangle a carrot by offering them a way to experience it again (through mentioning that new property), you may well have just gotten yourself a new reservation and a new guest. 

Marketing study after marketing study has proven that video series convert extremely well. According to a survey from databox.com earlier in 2019, 74% of respondents said videos are more effective than blog posts for generating leads. 

Now, there’s some food for thought. 

I hope these tips have given you some great ideas for additional income streams from your blog. If you’re already putting out time and/or extra money to keep your blog fresh and updated, there’s no reason it shouldn’t be earning some cash for you!

If you need some help with your blog posts, please click here and let’s talk!