9 Untapped Ways To Make Money Blogging TODAY
Blogging is a very time-consuming activity; most of us, bloggers, will definitely and emphatically agree with that.
However, creating a business out of our blogs is something most of us are willing to put in long hours for, at the beginning anyway.
There are many “main stream” ways to make money blogging; most of us are aware of them, if not using them already.
My goal for this post was to dig up some of the lesser known money-generating methods.
Most of them are very easy to implement; however some require a fairly busy blog to succeed.
That’s precisely how I tried to organize these make money blogging strategies: from “any blog can do it” to “some blogs will qualify to do it”.
I did express some personal opinions about some of these ways as far as their worthiness to be placed on a blog, but of course that’s up to you to decide.
1. Pay Per Post Blogging
Pay per post blogging is a really simple way to make money online.
All you need to do is to write paid reviews for various advertisers and publish them to your blog.
To make things even simpler, there are many websites out there that are in business of matchmaking between bloggers and advertisers.
Here are some of the more reputable ones, although don’t take my word for it (I have not personal experience with any of them) and do your own research:
- SponsoredReviews.com
- BloggingAds.com
- PayPerPost.com
- Smorty.com
- Blogsvertise.com
Word of caution: in order to make decent money with this method, you have to do quite a few reviews per month. Make sure it’s worth loosing your readership over. Be smart about it, choose the products/services you would or did buy yourself.
2. Almost Free Products
This method came to me via Heather Stephens of CleverMarketer.com - please check out her blog after you finish this article!
Subscribers make targeted customers. Anyone willing to give up their email address in exchange for that valuable piece of information you give away for free is looking for solutions.
Why not redirect them to a special thank you page with a one-time unique offer for a low-priced product!
I would suggest for the product to be complimentary to what you are offering for free (since you already know that’s the type of information they are interested in) and in the price range of $7-$47 (nothing too outrageous here, this is still a courting period!).
What kind of product can you offer on your thank you page? Anything you want to.
How about:
- hard copy of the free product you just gave away
- service
- coaching session
- ebook you wrote
- affiliate product
A few more things to mention to make your offer more irresistible:
-Don’t send people to a long boring sales letter; write a short copy just for this occasion, put some personality into it, don’t talk about the features but the benefits of your product.
-Offer something special to sweeten the deal: bonuses, special discount, free trial to a membership site, etc.
3. Make Money Blogging for Other Blogs
You don’t even have to have your own blog to make money blogging - imagine that!
Since writing blog posts is a fairly consuming task, many bloggers will choose to hire someone to write for them. They’ll either pay a flat fee per a certain number of posts or some will even share the revenue from the advertisements placed in or around your posts.
Either way, it’s a fairly easy way to make some money without any strings attached.
4. Conduct Paid Surveys and Polls
There are many services out there that will pay you to run a poll or a survey on your blog.
All you need to do to make money this way is to sign up with one of these services, like Vizu Answers, and select the type of survey you are willing to run on your site. Most of these services operate as CPM.
5. Donations
This is a great way to earn some cash from your blog, especially if you have loyal readership that appreciates your hard work and content (wink, wink 
).
The good (or bad, depending on how you look at it) thing about donations is that you never know when they might pop up or how generous one might be.
6. In-text Advertising Links
This method involves you allowing networks like Kontera and Vibrant Media to place sponsored links inside your post.
Any placed sponsored links will be double-underlined to set them apart from regular links. When a reader rolls the mouse over the link, the advertisement will pop up and if they choose to click on it, you’ll make some money.
This is a very simple and passive way to make money, yet could turn off some of your readers. I don’t see a whole lot of major blogs using this strategy to make money off their blogs.
7. Monetization Widgets
Yet another interesting way to make money blogging is to make use of various monetization widgets (see some examples below).
Some of them will work similarly to a PPC setup, others will utilizes affiliate programs, and yet others will appear like text link ads.
The great thing about these widgets is how easy they are to set up and operates on your site.
Here are some companies you can look into for monetization widgets:
- WidgetBucks
- ScratchBack
- SmartLinks
8. Provide Member-Only Content
If you are known to provide killer content that draws readers like bees to honey, this might be a great way for you to make some great residual income from your blog that will come in on a monthly basis.
You can give away part of your content free of charge and create a special membership area open to paid premium members only. You can offer things like tools, tutorials, video courses, and other exclusive content.
For an example of that check out SEOMoz.com where they offers information on all kinds of SEO topics. You can get a lot of good content for free, but if you want to become a member of their premium area, it’ll cost you $48/month (last time I checked).
9. Run Job Boards
This is another make money blogging way that will require a narrow niche and high traffic.
Once you set up the structure to run job boards (via specialized job board software), making money will become a breeze. This method is passive, hands-off, and will bring you up to $100 per listing.
For an example of a successful job board, check out Problogger.net and GuyKawasaki.com.
Make Money Blogging Marketing Takeaway
Making SOME money blogging is not a difficult task. The key ingredient to it is traffic and good content.
However, here’s something important to remember: most major bloggers DON’T make most of their online income blogging. That’s right!
If Darren Rowse or Sonya Simone decide to boost their income, they launch a product, speak at a seminar, etc.
If your idea of good income from your blog exceeds a few hundred dollars a month, you need to start think bigger - FAR bigger than any of the strategies described above.
Now go get them, tiger!
Love it or hate it? Comment to show me that you’ve alive!
PS For more no-nonsense traffic generation and conversion tips from Ana, fill out this short spam-free form:
I am a wife to a great husband of 13 years (here ya go, now I have to make changes to this sentence once a year), a mother to a beautiful and, no doubt, genius little girl, and a successful internet entrepreneur. I also devoted my life to Jesus Christ many years ago, and He remains my true priority, focus, and hope.
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
These are some awesome tips Ana. I especially like the paid survey idea. I am going to look into that. thanks for the awesome value.
You are very welcome, Quaneshia - that method was a new one for me as well.
See you around!
Ana
I like your last comment! Yes I think sometimes we all get too bogged down in the make-money-now mindset and take the actions that will guarantee us a few quick bucks whilst leaving the heavy cash on the table. I always try to envision a bigger picture in life - everything I do is judged by the people who pass my way: if I cheapskate then the high flyers will pass on by since like attracts like.
I like to think of my blogging as a training ground: room for experimentation. Some of my blogs practise SEO tactics and others simply highlight my photography - others enlarge my life experience as I strive to become the kind of person my blogging alter ego appears to be! Essentially it pays most to give out without expecting in return. If you appear to have no need for money you are on a different plane altogether and will naturally attract those who also have no need for money. What you are is clearly perceived by those who pass by: invisible to yourself!
Love your point of view.
The less you ask for money, the more of it seems to come your way.
That should be a clue to many wanna-be netpreneurs out there!
Appreciate your insights; hope to see you back soon.
Ana
There’s some tips there I haven’t seen before. Love your content Ana. I will bookmark and get back to this post as some valuable information for this newbie to explore.
Patricia Perth Australia
Thanks for appreciating it Patricia. I hope you can gain some insights here.
I’m glad you came by. Talk to you soon
Ana
Hey Ana,
Thank you for the helpful insight. All this blogging and marketing can be a big blur. Seems like a lot of trial and error, at least for me, with all this type of stuff.
All your info you send sounds good and informative.
Thanks!!
Amelia
I’m glad that you find my blog informative Amelia. Yes, you’re right blogging involves lots of work and you will encounter troubles along the way but if you will continue , you will definitely get there!
Go for it!
Ana
Those ways that you listed are really untapped ways of making money from blogging. Nice post, Ana!
P/S: I just finished publishing my post about 22 proven ways to make money online; An infographic guide. Check it out if you have time. Have a good day, Ana!
Those are some great tips. I am surprised you didn’t mention affiliate products. If I find a great product that produces amazing results I will write a review of that product and provide an affiliate link.
I only do this if the product is solid and it is priced right.
With the right products this can provide some great income.
Hi, Rob: I agree about affiliate products - it’s actually one of my favorite ways to make money blogging. I mentioned affiliate marketing and other more “common” methods of blog monetization in my previous post on the subject: https://trafficgenerationcafe.online/make-money-blogging/
Glad we see eye to eye on this one.
Ana
Hey Ana,
Intereting ideas you are sharing here. It’s about implementing what would work for your blog. I wouldn’t some of them for my blog.
Thanks for sharing.
All the best,
Mavis Nong
Neither would I, Mavis.
I am all for focusing on the reader first and some of these methods will definitely not help me do that.
I know you are the same way as well.
Ana
Writing paid articles like reviews abouts websites, products and services in the same niche can be a win-win situation because bloggers earn money and add targeted content to their blogs that benefit readers.
I’ve never personally tried to write paid reviews, Andreas.
I am always of the mindset that I only offer the products that I use for my own business; I suppose it won’t be too hard to do a paid review for something I am or will be using anyway, huh?
Something to try out in the future.
Thanks!
Ana
Ana, you never cease to amaze me - not only with your outrageous generosity in sharing, but also the immense content, and variety of it. I am not quite sure where you get your energy and mental clarity from… but could you send some this way! There are days when I have so much going on, I am so full of things that need to be addressed and accomplished…that as I said on your FB page… I have decided to attack one thing at a time. I am very pleased however that I have found a high energy multi tasker like you! Best!
You are so kind, Jayne!
I am actually as overwhelmed as you are, I bet. One of my favorite quotes I dearly hold on to is this:
“The shorter way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time.”~ Mozart
Definitely helps!
Glad you were able to stop by; I noticed you were MIA for a while.
Ana
With all the people you converse with… to notice that I actually was MIA was a real boost to me in a funny sort of way. I did disappear for a bit, I made the conscious decision to focus solely on enjoying my children for the last few weeks before they were both in school full time… and also to get them settled in. I found it too frustrating to not do anything ‘well’…. so now I am back in the saddle with bells on and feel I made the right decision! I am sure you can relate to the importance of that! Thanks again!
Family always comes first - no question about that.
I am glad you were able to dedicate some undivided attention to your kids; sounds like it’s time for your business to get some as well.
Welcome back, Jayne.
Hey! I think you are spot on when you said most don’t make money with their blog - I know I don’t! But, it is a good place to offer readers advice on places you DO make money, entertain them, and have great connections. Only the top, top bloggers make any serious money from blogs and that is from tons of traffic. Blogging is more of a home base. Thanks!
Oh, blue banner IS still there at this point in time.
Great points, Julie:
-only top bloggers (with some exceptions, I am sure) make SERIOUS money with blogs thanks to their traffic.
-it’s a great point to make your a blog more of a home base for other money-making internet activities.
Ana
PS The blue footer banner is now set to show up every once in a blue moon.
Hi Ana,
interesting ideas. We are in business in order to make money and a profit. However, if - and I say if - we want to build true longterm wealth from whatever we’re doing, we have to resist the temptation of making a few $ or € short-term. Would it really hurt if we gave the 7 $ ebook for free or would rather it create more gratitude and community if we gave it away for free ? I don’t have the turn-key answer, just a few humble thoughts of mine.
Take care
Oliver
It’s certainly a valid point, Oliver.
My thinking behind it is this:
Our readers need to be conditioned that our blog is a business and yes, we do offer products for sale and not just for free.
I think it’s a very important step in our businesses these days, since the public is so conditioned to receive everything at no cost.
Thoughts?
Ana
Hi Ana,
thanks for your reply. That’s an aspect that should be taken into consideration, people might be spoiled by all the free stuff that’s available on the internet. The issue from the standpoint of the business person could be an unwanted shift in focus: from building true residual wealth to selling low-priced stuff and then upselling without residual aspects. Anyway, if something works for somebody, wonderful and if it’s in alignment with their goals and dreams, even better.
Take care
Oliver
Good point as well, Oliver.
I think we can find consensus in this: everything needs to be tested. As you pointed out, what might work for one, might not be a good idea for another.
I always appreciate your insights, Oliver - you always seem to add some meat to any blog post you read.
Ana
Hello Ana,
The 9 ways to make money blogging that you mentioned here are absolutely wonderful. For me, it is very informative since some ideas that you discussed are new to me. I think it will definitely guide not only the beginners but even those who are already considered “veterans” but who still want to explore and learn more. Although some of the techniques are not familiar to me, I think it can surely help those who wanted to go on blogging and make it their source as well to earn online. May you continue to share your knowledge to others.
Thanks, Julie.
I am glad you found this post a worthy read; I do agree with the fact that even more seasoned bloggers don’t sometimes have a clue how to monetize their blogs - go figure.
Ana
Hello Ana,
You have a great post! Keep up the good work. I wish I could start a blog that has many subscribers and advertisers.
You can, Irene.
I did it; no reason you can’t do it either!
Thanks for the comment.
Ana
These are some great tips. I agree, there are TONS of ways to make money with your blog. I personally like niche sites. If you target the right niche, with the perfect keywords, you can easily make anywhere between $50 to $200 or more a month with your little niche site… but it’s very time consuming and requires a bit of knowledge… but worth the learn!
Thank you and you are absolutely right.
There are many creative ways to make money blogging; and these are just a small sampling of it.
Niche sites? I do agree. Both on the fact that they can be lucrative and the fact that they are time-consuming.
Thanks for coming by.
Thanks for that wonderful and very informative information. We’ll I think it’s really true that many of us now are making money through online businesses. In fact, many were getting rich and popular because of these activities but many also are not lucky enough to handle these kind of work so they get stuck and their interests got down.
Very good point, Melanie; thanks for stopping by.
Ana
Ana.. great post on making money - although a few of these are bit on the borderline for me, they are definitely easy to implement.
Creating a quick $7 product will help get the cashflow started and won’t result in a bunch of your readers leaving.. As oppose to doing a bunch of paid reviews where you will definitely kill any type of community you’ve built already (or most of it)
by the way.. I thought you might wanna know. I’m using Firefox and everytime I try to close the blue footer popup, the page refreshes..
talk soon
I agree with you, Hector - there are some ways here that I would never want to implement on my own blog.
I appreciate you letting me know about the footer; I will check into it.
Ana
Hi Ana,
Those are very interesting ideas and figures you mentioned. Several hundred a month just from a blog is useful for anyone. If you’re making that amount just by writing your blog, then that should be a boon for whatever products or services you may be promoting with your blog. I don’t think I’ll ever make any money by talking, though. My voice sounds like The Godfather, and I’d more likely get paid to stop talking.
Lou
Glad to see the funny side of Lou Barba!
Off to work you go then!
Ana
Is Google adwords an alternative?
(I´m viewing your blog in another computer with chrome and i can’t close the blue message on the bottom.)
Did you mean Google Adsense, Samuel?
If so, then yes, it is an alternative and I covered it in my previous post on making money blogging methods.
I’ve never heard of the problem the footer banner; please let me know if it persists.
Ana
I have been blogging for about two years now and I have learn a lot from my experiences. But upon reading your article, I said to my self “I have a lot to learn”. Keep up the good work and looking forward for more articles!
Thanks, Roy - glad you were able to stop by!
Ana
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