by Cori-Leigh | Blogging |
Are you a blogger who grapples with how to turn your blog into a source of multiple income streams? You are not alone! Many bloggers dream of monetizing their blogs yet don’t know where to start. Starting on your path to earning money as a blogger can be overwhelming.
Remember, you don’t need to implement every idea on this list to be successful. Instead, focus on the strategies that align with your blog’s purpose and your strengths.
Whether you’re passionate about writing eBooks, offering consulting services, or exploring sponsored content, select methods that resonate with you and fit your audience’s needs.
This post explores 25 ways to unlock earning potential with your blog, from affiliate marketing to selling digital products and beyond.
1. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing involves promoting other companies’ products or services on your blog. When your readers click on these links and make a purchase, you earn a commission.
Start by joining affiliate programs related to your niche, such as Amazon Associates or ShareASale. Promote relevant products, and provide honest reviews to build trust with your audience.
2. Sponsored Content
Sponsored content is when companies pay you to write posts or articles that promote their products or services. Build your blog’s authority by creating high-quality content and growing your audience. Reach out to brands or use platforms to find sponsorships. Ensure sponsored posts are clearly labeled and fit naturally with your blog’s content.
3. Display Advertising
Display ads are visual ads placed on your blog, earning you money based on clicks. Join ad networks like Google AdSense or Media.net to start. Optimize ad placement and monitor performance to maximize revenue. However, be cautious not to overload your site with ads, as this can be distracting for visitors.
4. Selling Digital Products
Selling digital products like eBooks, printables, or online courses can be highly profitable. Identify what would be valuable to your audience, create high-quality products, and use your blog to market them. Consider platforms like Gumroad, Amazon, and Payhip for selling your products. Etsy is great as well for selling your digital downloads.
5. Memberships or Subscriptions
Offer exclusive content or benefits through membership or subscription. Create different membership tiers with varying perks and use platforms like Patreon or MemberPress to manage subscriptions. Promote the value of your exclusive content to encourage sign-ups.
6. Selling Physical Products
If you have an engaged audience, consider selling physical products such as branded merchandise or niche-related items. Develop a product line that resonates with your readers, set up an online store using platforms like Shopify, or Etsy. Expand your reach and market your products through your blog and social media.
7. Consulting and Freelance Work
Leverage your expertise by offering consulting or freelance services. Create a dedicated page on your blog to detail your services and network with other bloggers or brands to find opportunities. Doing this generates additional income and establishes you as an expert in your field.
8. Email Marketing
Email marketing involves building a subscriber list and sending out newsletters or promotional offers. Grow your email list with opt-in forms and lead magnets. Provide valuable email content and monetize with your offers such as sellable and free products.
Examples of what you can include in your emails: are eBooks, courses, printables, or any other products you offer.
9. Online Courses and Workshops
Create and sell online courses or workshops related to your niche. Develop comprehensive and valuable content, and use your blog to promote these offerings. Platforms like Udemy, or Thinkific can help you manage and sell your courses.
10. Hosting Webinars
Webinars are a great way to engage with your audience and generate income. Host live sessions on topics relevant to your niche, and charge a fee for access. Promote your webinars through your blog and social media to attract attendees.
11. Writing and Selling eBooks
Writing eBooks on subjects aligned with your blog’s niche can be a lucrative income stream. Invest in professional design and editing, and sell your eBooks directly through your blog or platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
12. Selling Ad Space Directly
Instead of using ad networks, you can sell ad space directly to companies. This allows you to set your rates and build relationships with advertisers. Ensure that ad placements are relevant to your audience to maintain engagement.
13. Creating and Selling Online Communities
Build a paid online community or forum where members can interact, share ideas, and access exclusive content. Facebook Groups can be used to manage your community.
14. Dropshipping
Start a dropshipping business where you sell products directly from suppliers without holding inventory. Printful and Printify allow you to create your physical products and connect them with your selling platform.
You can connect physical products to Etsy, Amazon, and other platforms You can also use platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce to set up your store and market your products through your blog.
15. Crowdfunding
Use crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo to raise funds for a specific project or product. Promote your campaign through your blog to attract backers and generate support.
16. Writing Sponsored Reviews
Write sponsored reviews of products or services related to your niche. Brands will pay you for honest reviews that include a link to their products. Ensure reviews are authentic and useful to your readers.
17. Offering Paid Content
Create premium content that is available only to paying subscribers. This could include in-depth articles, reports, or exclusive interviews. Promote this content through your blog to attract subscribers. You can do this for example on Substack and Medium.
18. Creating and Selling Templates or Tools
Develop and sell digital tools or templates that are useful to your audience, such as design templates, planners, or spreadsheets. Market these products through your blog and offer them at a reasonable price.
19. Selling Stock Photos or Graphics
If you have a talent for photography or graphic design, consider selling stock photos or graphics on platforms like Shutterstock or Etsy. Promote your portfolio through your blog to attract buyers. You can also create digital graphics using Canva and sell what you make.
20. Offering Personal Coaching
Provide one-on-one coaching sessions on topics related to your niche. Use your blog to advertise your coaching services and share testimonials from past clients.
21. Selling Audio or Video Content
Create and sell audio or video content, podcasts, or video tutorials. Use your blog to promote and sell these offerings, and consider using platforms like Patreon to manage subscriptions.
22. Hosting Contests and Giveaways
Offering free giveaways such as eBooks, mini-courses, and printables increases engagement. Promote them on your blog and social media.
23. Creating and Selling Online Membership Courses
Develop online courses with membership access for ongoing education. Use your blog to promote these courses and offer a subscription model for continuous learning.
24. Offering Expert Reviews and Consulting
Offer expert reviews and consulting services on topics within your niche. Leverage your blog to showcase your expertise and attract clients seeking your advice.
25. Selling Digital Subscriptions
Create a subscription model for exclusive digital content, such as monthly reports, premium articles, or special features. Use your blog to market the subscription and provide ongoing value to subscribers.
Final Thoughts:
Monetizing your blog involves exploring various strategies to find what works best for you. Each method requires dedication and patience, but with consistent effort and creativity, you can transform your blog into a thriving source of income.
Focus on creating value for your audience, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different approaches. Your blogging journey is unique, and with the right strategies, you can achieve financial success while doing what you love.
by Cori-Leigh | Blogging |
A countless number of bloggers start with enthusiasm,
only to quickly give up.
Many bloggers quit when the expected results don’t come.
But why does this happen so often?
These bloggers don’t enjoy the process.
Many fail to understand the dedication required.
Your blog needs to be nurtured and watered with love consistently.
Blogging isn’t just a collection of posts.
One of the biggest traps bloggers fall into is setting unrealistic expectations.
They envision rapid growth, a flood of readers, and instant income.
If you don’t quit blogging, you might find yourself struggling.
Maybe you’re filled with fears and self-doubt that limit your success.
However, there’s hope! By making a few shifts in the way you approach blogging.
You can rekindle your passion and become a blogger who doesn’t quit.
Maybe you’re on the verge of blogging and writing breakthroughs!
Be Helpful and Give More Than You Get
Successful bloggers are helpful bloggers. Influential bloggers are genuine and generous givers.
These bloggers give without expectations.
They gradually grow their blogging business.
When you focus on helping others, you create a positive impact.
One that resonates with your readers and fellow bloggers.
Take a look at the bloggers you admire.
What do they have in common?
Chances are, they’re not just sharing their content but supporting others.
They offer blogging tips and give of their time and resources freely.
By following their example, you’ll find that the more you give, the more you’ll enjoy blogging!
Follow bloggers like Lisa Sicard, Ryan Biddulph, and Sue Ann Bubacz
who are generous bloggers who genuinely help with smart blogging tips.
If you’re struggling growing your blog visit Ryan’s newly created Facebook group.
There he helps bloggers learn how to blog successfully.
Grow Your Tribe—It Helps You Stay Motivated
We weren’t meant to be isolated bloggers. Blogging becomes more enjoyable and sustainable when you have a community around you.
By growing a tribe of followers genuinely interested in your blog’s topic. Doing this helps you create a supportive network. One that encourages and uplifts you.
My blogging and writing friends have been an invaluable source of support!
Take Ryan Biddulph from Blogging From Paradise, for example. He contributed more than 30 guest posts here on my blog. Many of which arrived during my time of caregiving for my parents.
His guest post contributions not only added great value to my blog but to many other blogs. I’m thankful for friends like Ryan, who genuinely care about helping others on their blogging journey. You can visit Ryan’s contributing author page here.
Supporting one another in the blogging world has been a mutual relationship built on genuine care and respect. This sense of community and friendship has enriched my blogging and writing journey.
Remember, we weren’t meant to go it alone!
Start Simple to Prevent Overwhelm
New bloggers often dive into too many tasks, leading to overwhelm and burnout.
Instead, keep things simple when you’re starting out. Focus on what truly matters: creating content. Don’t get bogged down by complex blog designs or trying to do everything. You won’t be an expert in everything.
A simple start involves concentrating on the essentials. Write quality blog posts, connect with other bloggers in your niche, and gradually build your blog’s design. Try a stress-free approach blog design to create an easy-to-navigate blog.
This approach allows you to ease into blogging, enjoy the process, and give your blog the time it needs to grow.
Don’t Expect Results Right Away
One of the quickest ways to become discouraged is to start a blog with the expectation of rapid growth and immediate income. This mindset sets you up for disappointment and frustration.
The truth is, that blogging takes time, patience, commitment, and consistent effort.
Every successful blogger started with zero readers and minimal traffic.
They learned, adapted, and grew over time.
Allow yourself the space to learn and grow at your own pace.
The results will come if you stick with it and keep learning.
Remember, it’s a journey, not a sprint.
Write About What You Love
When you’re passionate about your blog’s topic, it shows in your writing.
However, many bloggers fail to give this part enough consideration.
They choose a topic based on trends or what they think will make money.
Rather than what they truly love.
Think about it: you’ll be writing on your chosen topic for years to come.
If you’re not passionate about it, you’ll quickly lose interest.
Choose a niche that excites you, that you can see yourself exploring and writing about for the long haul. This passion will resonate with your readers and keep you engaged in your blogging journey.
Allow Your Blog Time to Grow
Growing a blog takes time, and growing a blogging business takes even more time.
Many bloggers don’t allow their blog enough time to grow before they start feeling frustrated. They hold on to the expectation of quick growth and immediate success.
If you’re constantly checking your stats and feeling disheartened by slow progress, it’s easy to lose hope. Remember, every successful blog started small. Your blog needs time to grow, just like a plant needs time to bloom.
Be patient, water your blog with love, and trust the process.
Invest in Your Success with a Blogging Course
One of the best ways to accelerate your blogging success is by investing in a blogging course.
But why should you consider purchasing one?
Blogging courses are packed with valuable knowledge and encouragement from experienced bloggers.
Those bloggers who have already walked the path you’re on.
They offer insights, strategies, and tools that can help you avoid common pitfalls and set your blog up for success.
Investing in a course is an investment in your future as a blogger. It shows that you’re serious about your blog and willing to put in the effort to learn and grow.
Plus, having mentors along the way can provide you with the support and guidance you need to keep going, even when the going gets tough.
Have Fun and Embrace the Process
Above all, blogging should be fun. Enjoy the process of watching your blog grow, connecting with your readers, and sharing your passion with the world.
Don’t give up before your breakthrough and give your blog the time it needs to flourish.
By following these tips and learning from influential bloggers, you can set yourself up for long-term success. Blogging is a journey, not a destination, so savor every moment and keep watering your blog with love.
by Cori-Leigh | Blogging |
Grief can deeply affect every aspect of our lives, including our passions and pursuits. As a blogger, sharing your thoughts, stories, and advice with the world can be incredibly rewarding. However, there are times when stepping away from blogging to navigate grief and burnout is essential for your well-being.
I began blogging in 2012, enjoying both the creative process and my online business. However, in 2019, I took on the role of caregiver for my parents. After they were involved in a car accident, my mom sustained serious injuries, while my dad’s were less severe. Meanwhile, my dad’s health was in a slow but steady decline due to dementia, followed by a cancer diagnosis.
By March 2020, the pandemic increased my caregiving responsibilities, as no one could come to help at their home. In the spring of 2022, my dad’s cancer transformed into a more aggressive form, and my caregiving role intensified until he passed away in palliative care at home on November 12, 2022.
In the aftermath, I realized just how emotionally and physically drained I had become. I chose to step away from most of my online business and blogging. Taking a break from blogging became a time of healing, rest, and leaning into the grief I was experiencing.
My break allowed me to fully understand my loss by feeling the grief, acknowledging the absence, and navigating life without my father, other loved ones, and our three elderly pets—two dogs and a cat.
In this post, you’ll find insights on the value of taking a blogging break and eventually returning when you are ready;
Acknowledging the Need for a Break
Like many of you, I regularly poured my heart into my blog, writing, and work for clients. Yet the emotional toll of caregiving and grief affected my ability to focus.
Taking a healing hiatus after my dad passed away was the best choice I could have made. No matter what your reasons may be to consider a blogging break – you can make the right choice for your situation.
If you find yourself in a similar place, here are some signs that it might be time to consider taking a break:
Self-Awareness: It’s important to recognize that grief and emotional pain aren’t things you can’t simply push aside. Ignoring them can make it harder to heal and focus. Practicing awareness can help you determine your next steps.
Signs of Burnout: Are you noticing a lack of motivation, increased stress, and being overwhelmed? These are clear indicators that you might need a break. Pay attention to these signs—they’re your mind and body’s way of telling you to slow down.
Physical Well-Being: Grief can take a significant toll on your physical health. Are you struggling to maintain your self-care routines, or feeling physically drained? Your health is crucial, and taking a step back might help you regain the energy you need.
Remember, taking a blogging break doesn’t mean giving up. It’s about giving yourself the space to heal so you can come back stronger.
Communicating with Your Audience
As I grappled with the decision to take a break, I realized that communicating this to my audience was crucial. If you’re considering a break, here are some strategies that might help:
Open Communication: Consider sharing a brief message with your audience about your need for a hiatus. Being transparent about your situation can foster a deeper connection with your readers, as it did for me.
Setting Boundaries: Think about what you’re comfortable sharing and what you’d prefer to keep private. I found it important to set boundaries about the details I disclosed. Only share what feels right for you, knowing that you can still connect with your audience without exposing everything.
Scheduled Posts: If possible, try scheduling a few posts in advance to keep your blog active during your break. This approach helped me maintain engagement with my audience without the constant pressure of content creation.
Navigating the Grieving Process
Grief is not linear and is a journey that takes time. Navigating it while maintaining a blog presents unique challenges. If you’re facing this, here are some thoughts and strategies that might resonate with you:
Time and Patience: Be patient with yourself, understanding that healing is a gradual process. It’s essential to allow yourself to grieve at your own pace. Rushing through grief can make it harder to heal. Are you giving yourself the time you need, or do you feel pressure to move forward too quickly?
Expression: When blogging felt too public, I turned to private journaling as a way to express my grief. This creative outlet allowed me to process my emotions in a personal space. Have you considered finding a private way to express your feelings, whether through journaling, art, or another medium?
Reflection: This period of grief also became a time of reflection for me. I started questioning what aspects of blogging truly brought me joy and fulfillment. This reflection gave me a new perspective on my work. Could this be a time for you to reassess what you value most in your blogging journey? What brings you joy, and what might you want to change moving forward?
Returning to Blogging
If you’re considering returning to blogging after a break, here are some steps that might help ease the transition:
Ease Back In: I started by writing small, manageable posts. This gradual re-entry into blogging helped me regain my confidence and motivation. If you’re ready to start blogging again, consider beginning with smaller tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. What’s one simple post or idea you could start with?
New Perspectives: Navigating my grief journey eventually deepened my writing. Has your time away from blogging changed your perspective? It did mine. You might find that your experiences have given you new insights to share with your readers.
Adaptation: My blogging style evolved as a result. The changes I went through were reflected in the content I began to explore. You might also notice that your style or focus has shifted. Don’t be afraid to let your blog evolve with you—how has your experience shaped the topics or themes you’re drawn to now?
Stepping away from blogging to navigate grief and burnout was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made, but it was also necessary. It allowed me to prioritize my mental and emotional health and return to blogging with renewed strength and purpose.
If you’re facing a similar situation, know it’s okay to take a break. Your well-being comes first
and your audience will appreciate your honesty and resilience.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments: Your story may provide comfort and inspiration
to others going through similar experiences.
Have you taken a break from blogging to cope with grief or any other life challenge?
How did you navigate your journey, and what helped you the most during that time?
by Cori-Leigh | Writing |
I used to be what I call a binge writer. I’d write regularly for a while then fall off the writer wagon. The busyness, distractions, and other circumstances would crash in on my writing time. It got to the point I didn’t love writing anymore.
One day I read a book called You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One) by Jeff Goins. This book actually made me look closer at my writing life. Causing me to decide to make some changes made a positive impact on me as a writer.
One of the most important changes I made was to begin writing every day. I started showing up at my desk and write every day for a minimum of 15 minutes. This doesn’t sound like much time but it didn’t take long for me to increase it to an hour a day.
Writing regularly is like exercise.
The more you do it the easier it gets.
What we do daily becomes a habit.
When you develop the habit of writing every day you’ll be surprised at how your writing improves.
In this post, I offer a few suggestions that will help you focus more on writing.
Make the commitment to write a little bit each day
If you are a writer you will need to commit to your writing life.
Make it a part of who you are.
One of the best ways to do this is to start calling yourself a writer.
Share the fact you are a writer with others.
When you get comfortable publicly calling yourself a writer something happens.
You begin to identify yourself as a writer.
You’ll commit to being a writer and do what writers do.
The practice of writing every day will help you grow as a writer.
The more you write and publish your work the more confidence you will achieve.
Show up every day even when you don’t feel like it.
Sometimes I just don’t feel like writing. When this happens there are other things I would rather do. Many times I gave into the ‘not wanting to write syndrome’ believing eventually motivation and inspiration would come.
The truth is it often doesn’t. We just have to show up and begin to write anyway. Even when things are happening in your life. When you don’t feel inspired. If there are other things you’d rather do.
Set aside a specific time frame to write.
Most of us live busy lives and pack so many activities into each day.
This makes many of us feel as if we don’t have time to write.
I struggled with this problem for quite some time.
Since I work online full time online I get busy doing tasks for others.
It took me a long time to figure out how to juggle all that I do efficiently.
Many times work piled up and I was left overwhelmed.
When this happens I’d become blocked for writing anything.
There never seemed to be any time left for me to write.
Until I began to consistently clear the time to write.
It is a discipline that became a habit over time.
Just me, my thoughts, and writing.
During this time I have a kitchen timer set to amount I’ve set aside to write.
I write at the beginning of my day now before all other things to do grab my attention.
When you figure out what works for you and adhere to that commitment writing daily becomes easier.
Publish your work.
Writing for yourself alone will not help you grow as a real writer.
You need to publish your work.
I promise the more you write, edit, and publish the better your writing will become.
You’ll get feedback on what you write. This too will help you grow.
What are you waiting for?
Go write, publish, and ship!
by Cori-Leigh | Blogging, Social Media Integration |
Many of us complain about all the time we spend on social media. The truth is that without the use of social media, our message would not have the ability as it does to reach a larger audience.
When social media networks are utilized effectively, they provide massive opportunities for blog growth. Social media networks allow you to expand your reach to a larger audience and establish connections and friendships with other bloggers.
Through using social media to grow your blog/business, you’ll, over time, build your tribe of loyal readers and followers. Those who are interested in what you share with the world!
Sharing is caring!
The numbers don’t matter as much as you may think!
The numbers of fans and followers you have is not where your focus needs to be.
I know so many bloggers and writers who get caught in the snare of fixating too much on their number of followers.The point of social media is about connections. It is about being social with your readers and other bloggers.
Simply set up your networks and begin connecting with people and sharing your work and theirs.
Show up often and be interested in what others do there too. Comment on their posts.
Be a part of what others are doing. The numbers will take care of themselves.
Be consistent and
generously helpful.
To make an impact using social media networks you need to be consistent. If you show up once and a while people will not take you or your work seriously.
Facebook has a great feature where you can schedule your posts in advance. If you are tight on time you can batch up what you want to share and set the date and time you want them to publish.
Consistently connect and engage often with others in you niche. Remember that social media is about having social interactions.
Better to focus on a couple of social networks starting out. Otherwise you’ll struggle to be consistent on any of them. Facebook and Twitter are great places to start.
Be intentional about the frequency of your posts and shares.
A couple of times per day to Facebook is good enough. Share something of yours and content from someone else.
Twitter is faster moving so you can get away with more frequency there. The trick here is to spread out your shares throughout the day.
Be sure to retweet and share the work of others too. Always thank your blogging buddies who repost and share your content.
Share and post content that is the same as what you blog/write about.
When we share a mix of everything it confuses people. You’ll want to leverage social media to eventually become known as an expert in your niche area.
Here I help writers and bloggers find their wings of confidence. The content I provide is about everything blogging, writing, and WordPress.
On my social networks I post about those topic areas and follow other bloggers and writers. While I’m interested in many other topics my social media accounts don’t reflect those other interests.
Set up a Facebook page
Set up a Facebook page separate from your personal account. Doing this enables you connect your page to your blog.
There are benefits of keeping your personal account separate from your blog/business page.
A few are;
- Keeps your personal and business/blogging separate from your personal life.
- With your personal account you decide who you let into your inner circle.
- Your page audience is most likely not comprised of close immediate friends and family.
- Your page is a place where you can point others back to your blog.
- You can embed your Facebook page to your blog but not your personal account..
You can easily connect with other bloggers and your readers. Overtime you will establish decent a following of fans and other bloggers.
Facebook is a powerful social media resource that helps grow your blog. Share the work of other bloggers in your niche to your page.
Consider doing Facebook Live Videos
While video can be intimidating at first using video has grown in popularity. Consider connecting with your audience via video.You’ll feel fear in the beginning and lack confidence. The more you do it the easier it gets.
There are those who lean more toward video, while others prefer podcasts, and those who enjoy reading blog posts.
Grow a following on X
X (Formerly Twitter) is a great place to share your work and of others.
You can grow a following and connect with your followers.
Some are on Twitter more than Facebook and vice versa.
In my case, I established Twitter followers faster than Facebook followers.
I primarily use Facebook and Twitter, and passively use Pinterest and Instagram.
For further reading, check out ;
The Complete Guide to Using Twitter (X) to Grow Your Business
10 Smart Ways to Promote Your Blog on Social Media by Ryan Biddulph
Conclusion
We were not meant to hide behind our blogs and using social media networks helps you to connect with others. Your work is in front of more eyes and you can expand your reach to a larger audience. Social media is a fun way to grow your blog.
It is not as complicated or time consuming as people think. It’s less about marketing and more about connecting and establishing relationships with your readers and other bloggers. Now go get social and grow your blog!
Let’s hear from you!
What are your favorite social media networks?
How has social media helped you grow your blog?
