10 Ways To Generate Blog Income, Part I
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So you started a blog on a topic you like, you’ve added content, promoted the heck out of the blog and are NOW wanting to generate income.
Maybe you waited till you had a certain number of articles, or reached a certain number of subscribers before you decided to monetize. Regardless of the reason, you NOW want to know how to make money with your beloved blog.
Let’s take a look at the various ways to generate some cash NOW.
1.) Private Ads
These are direct ads you get from readers or subscribers to your blog. Usually these ads are in the form of 125 x 125 ad blocks found on the sidebar. But this needent be the case. You can rent out space on your blog anywhere. A 486x 60 on the homepage should fetch a pretty penny.
TIP: Try different formats and rates, to see which works best for your niche and your blog.
2.) Google Adsense
If you’re a new blogger try this money maker first. Why? Because it is dirt easy. It is easy to install, easy to manage, easy to make money with. My favorite thing about Google Adsense is that the ads served to your readers are RELEVANT. The ads are matched to the content on the page. This is wht it is called ad sense. Because the ads make sense.
TIP: Use the 336×380 ad format, and place (above and below) each post. It may not look ideal, but it makes money. If you are blogging for money (and who isn’t) you need to do this. Need help? Shoot me an email, i run an Adsense install and configuration service. Each ad block runs $3. Just let me know.
3.) Performancing Ads
This is a new ad network created by the guys from the performancing blog. This is similar to private ads, the big difference is that you benefit from the traffic built by the network. They also charge a small commission per each ad booked.
TIP: Try pricing your ad spots low, and place above the fold.
4.) ShareaSale
If you write about products, then take a look at ad network Shareasale. In a nutshell you sign up and browse the advertisers available, then choose a few that relate to your niche. For example, if you write a finance blog, look for credit report products, etc. Once you have found something relevant, place the Shareasale link on an article.
TIP: Write an awesome article, stumble it, digg it, email it to your friends, build backlinks to it, etc. Point is that after you write a groovy piece, don’t forget to promote it. Example: On my vegetarian blog, i recently wrote a top 10 list 10 Reasons You Should Subscribe To Ideal Bite, i slapped my affiliate link on the article, and so far i’ve raked in OVER $96. Need any more proof? Let me know.
5.) Amazon Store
Amazon makes it (easy breezy) to create and add a basic store to your blog. The super cool thing about Amazon is that because it is so massively huge, they carry everything. So it doesn’t matter what type of blog niche you’re in, Amazon (most likely) will have something for you. My fave type of store to create with Amazon is a bookstore. Run an automotive blog? Hello, create a book store full of the hottest and awesomest books out there. The only drawback about Amazon if you can call it that, is that their commission is pretty low. They pay 4% on whatever you sell. But like Adsense, those pennies do add up.
TIP: Make your Amazon bookstore stand out, maybe have someone design a sweet logo, or have a contest wherein people promote the bookstore for you. It’s all about promotion. (blogger style, you know social media)
In Conclusion
The 5 methods discussed above will net you blog cash right away. Remember the important thing is 1.) relevancy 2.) promotion 3.) and foundation (the foundation is your blogs content) Your blog CAN be a money maker if you like what you write about. People will pick up on that.
If you’re a geek, start a gadget blog. Your knowledge is money. Your personality is money. Your uniqueness is money. How much you make (of course) is up to you.
Stay tuned for Part II of 10 Ways To Generate Blog Income. I will discuss 5 more money makers which you can use NOW to make money with your blog. Subscribe to my RSS feed via email or your fave feed reader, so you don’t miss part deux.
READER QUESTION
Of the 5 money makers discussed above, which are YOU NOT using and WHY? Share below.

















October 7th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Since the day I bought OIP Publisher, I have dumped Performancing Ads all together, though some say I could integrated the two. I’m yet to find the solution.
I’m not too sure why I’m not into Amazon but I’m sure I haven’t heard of ShareaSale before. Let’s see what it has to offer.
Yan
October 10th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Hi, Yan:
I too have OIO. But as i have not snagged any private ad takers, i don’t use it on this blog.
And as for Performancing Ads, i use them on my veg blog. so far, so good.
The Amazon affiliate program is pretty neat for promoting books. I’ve seen all sorts of creative uses by bloggers on this. It’s worth a try. And as i said in the article, the coolest part is its flexibility.
Thanxs for stopping by.
Missy.
P.S. If you do sign up for Shareasale, help a blogger out and do use my link above. Appreciate it.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:32 am
eBay is also a good way to monetize practically any blog. Variety of products, variety of niches and pays better than Amazon.
October 16th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Hi, Max:
Yes eBay can be a good blog money maker as well. I am not crazy about some of their creatives though. I wish they had more choices for affiliates.
I checked out your blog. Good stuff and left you a comment. Hope to see you again around these parts.
Missy.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Hi Missy,
I don’t use eBay creatives on my blog and would not recommend it to anyone. To properly monetize eBay, you have to have eBay wordpress plugin (here is a link to my favorite eBay plugin). Using the plugin, one can embed eBay products in posts, pages and sidebar. Very powerful!
Thanks for visiting and leaving comments on my blog, I’ll reply shortly.
Max
October 16th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Max,
Creatives can be banners and or text links, etc. But i know what you mean.
Slapping an affiliate banner on a blog is not enough. I hear ya.
October 16th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I’m curious as to why you picked ShareASale above so many others?
October 16th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
I’d also love a way to subscribe to your feed via email.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Hi, Dennis:
Glad you found me. Nice to meet you. As for why i use Shareasale? They have an EXCELLENT GREEN SECTION, which bodes nicely with my vegetarian blog. Lots of green affiliates.
Their interface is easy and they have simple URL links. For example, i can use the URL links on email, forums, etc. They have html code links and simple URL links, and i use both.
Also the payout is only $50 and they pay via direct deposit or Paypal. A great affiliate network. I only recently started using them, but i like them alot.
You want to subscribe via email? Awesome! I will add a “subscribe via email link” on the blog.
Thanxs for coming by. See ya again soon.
Missy.
October 16th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I’m signed with them but haven’t done much, I’ll look at it more closely.
Thanks for the email link. If I could trouble you once more, how about a subscribe to comments plugin?
Once I close the page, I very rarely actually remember to come back for replies…I kept it open this time and refreshed lol.
October 20th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Hi Missy,
You know I have never done well with the Amazon affiliate program on my blogs. I guess becuase I have never really had a shopping related website to say.
I do however do very well with Google Adsense and swear by them as they have always been a good money maker for me.
October 20th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Hi, Tara:
I’ve only begun experimenting with the Amazon Associates program, as i really like it’s flexibility and its familiarity. IMHO most people know Amazon and probably feel comfortable clicking on an Amazon link. Same goes with eBay.
I too do well with Adsense, and although many vet net marketers will say to remove it. I say “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
Thanxs for dropping by!
October 27th, 2008 at 1:56 am
one thing to remember about Amazon and eBay affiliate programs - they pay rather low. Amazon starts at 4% and eBay is usually around 5% of listed item price (may vary). However, actual earnings can be better than with other programs due to brand recognition.
@Tara - I usually against Adsense as it funnels traffic into other people sale channel. If you can disclose it here, how much Adsense brings you a month? Also, is it Adsense income from the Squidoo lens?
Max@Viliat-Blog’s last blog post..How To Build Blog Making $100+ a Month on Autopilot Under 3 Weeks – Part 1
November 1st, 2008 at 2:49 am
“1.) relevancy 2.) promotion 3.) and foundation”
Right on the button. Making money from a blog is definitely not an immediate thing, but then other than PPC (and only if you’re experienced) what method of making money online really is?
The only method of making money online that can potentially be cashed out within a few hours is building a niche site and selling it on Sitepoint. I’m not a fan of the quick flips though. I like to go big, get indexed and give my buyer and “actual” money making site that’s getting traffic and clicks.
November 1st, 2008 at 10:28 am
In reference to flipping, I love Ryan’s style of flipping. He builds a “hot topic” blog, adds great design and content, then flips it within 24-48 hours. Good stuff.
He is my role model for quick flips. I watch all his auctions on Sitepoint. He also happens to be pretty fantastic with sales copy.
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December 2nd, 2008 at 7:07 pm
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