How I Monetize my Blog – Blogger Tips

This is kind of a funny topic to blog about, but I know that there are other bloggers out there
who want to find out more about monetizing their blog!
I love blogging and it’s been a great creative outlet for me.
This hobby blog has turned into our family’s main income!
I have a Blogging E-Course where I share everything I’ve learned and done to get to that point today,
and this post shares some of the info included in the course!)
The other day I met up with a blogger friend who wanted to pick my brain on this topic…
so I thought I would share what I told her on here too!

First off, I want to say that you don’t have to do any of these things on your blog.
You can do some…or none at all..it’s really up to you!
There was a time, earlier in my blogging, that I was soooo annoyed with ad networks and
their payout system that I didn’t do any ads on my blog.
But then after a few years I realized that it was silly to hold onto one
bad experience and I found better companies to work with!
There are a lot of different ones you can use…I’m sharing what I currently use.

1. AD NETWORKS:
The Blogger Network
This is the site I use for ad spots on my blog.
They pay twice a month, which is nice, and keep the ad spots filled.
They also have great customer service if you ever have any questions!

2. SPONSORED POSTS/BRAND CAMPAIGNS:
Massive Sway
I have loved working with this group. They approach you with different campaigns.
You can apply and if the brand chooses you then they pay you a set amount.
So far this number has been going up every few campaigns…or some are more than others
depending on the type of content they want you to produce for them.
The only downside is, they pay you when they get payed by the brand…soo..sometimes it takes a while.
I get payed a lot quicker when working with brands directly.
But they have great campaigns and I usually love the topic.

Linqia
This blogger network goes by pays per click.
If you reach your clicks on that campaign, they up the amount of clicks/pay you could get for the next campaign.
These work the same way where you can apply to the ones you are interested in.
Some of the brands/campaigns don’t always make sense for my blog or lifestyle…but others I’m excited to share!
And my kids are always up for eating ice cream so that I can use the HUGGIES on them and photograph it. haha.

Brands contacting me
Again, when choosing to monetize your blog, it’s not black and white.
You don’t have to say YES to every brand that comes your way asking for you to share them.
Your blog is your space.. you can choose what you want to
have included in your content and shared with your readers.
You also need to give value to your time and effort! DON’T do a sponsored post for 20 bucks. lol. just don’t.
I was recently approached by a very well known brand to do a Campaign that included
TWO posts, online reviews and social media shares…
in exchange for product and $15…….NO. no no no.
I understand they are seeing what they can get away with OR working within their budget……..
But it’s not worth the effort of photographing the product, editing the photos, creating the blog content
and sharing across social media. If I’m going to spend my time creating content
for them and away from my kids, I want it to be worth it.
Now, if the product was worth a good amount, then that is a different story. but not when it is $24.99.
Even if you are a new blogger… that’s a “thank you for thinking of me but my
sponsored post rate is higher. happy to chat options” response.
Don’t worry that that will be the last brand that ever contacts you..
You have skills and an audience and your voice has value..don’t ever forget that!

Brands I contact.
(I’ve found Instagram a great source for reaching brands.
Their people who run their social media accounts usually get the benefit of working with bloggers
and either I work with them directly or they have someone contact me.)
I usually do not do sponsored posts in exchange for product.
It depends on the brand and the product… but I usually have a rate that I work with.
I’ve built some great brand relationships just by tweeting or instagraming them!
So don’t be shy, go for it!

2. AFFLIATE PROGRAMS:
Through Brand sites directly
Some brands have their own affiliate system through their website.

Through ShareaSale.com
This site is great if you are already loving a brand or item and want to share
it on your blog, you can apply and earn money for sharing them.
I am signed up with a few through this site that I would share
with or without an affiliate program…but it’s a nice bonus!
If your a brand, wanting to try out an affiliate program, ShareASale might
work for you to get leads. You only pay when it works.

AFFILIATE EXAMPLE:
I first teamed up with Little Cosmetics for an instagram share and we
loved it so much in our house that I told everyone about it!
This brand is a natural and authentic share for me, and that’s important when choosing what programs to join.

3. AD SPOTS + SOCIAL MEDIA SHARES:

I usually reach out twice a month via social media, about
available ad spots and social media shares.
I offer sidebar spots to fellow bloggers and brands.
Their one month includes a share on facebook and twitter.
My instagram shares are usually separate, or saved for sponsored post brands.
I’m a little more picky about the instagram spots…that’s my special space.
Here’s an instagram share of Sienna’s birthday cake with the cute Zurchers Cake stand!
I love this shot during her party..she was so excited to blow out those candles!

Here’s some basic tips for working with brands…
whether you contact them or they contact you:
1. LINK your blog in your email to them….seriously.
I’ve had people reach out to me and not link their brand or blog.
It seems simple enough, but my sister of BLANQI said they get bloggers reaching
out to them all the time who don’t link anything. I link in the first sentence and then again later on in the email.
You want to make it easy for them to check you out.

2. Take good photos. Brands want to see their products in the hands of real people…
but they also want you to be professional photographers haha.
JK. But, I’ve found that taking good crisp bright photos helps a lot when wanting to work with other brands.
They see your work and are more likely to want to collaborate if it looks nice!
So that means you can use your iphone…but edit them so they are bright!
I have a whole post on how I edit my phone photos.

3. Throw a number out..even if you aren’t sure it’s doable. You can always talk details.

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Some people put ads in their blog posts…some put them at the bottom of posts near the ‘read more’ widget…
I’m currently taking a break from those areas and only having ads on my sidebar.

I hope that this info has been helpful!
This is what I’m choosing to do at this time and it’s working for me!
You can check out my full Blogging E-Course to get even more info on how you
can help your family financially through your blog!

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