How to Monetize Your Blog

Blogging is big business today and getting started as a blogger is easier than ever! Once you have a blog, you can use a number of simple and free techniques to drive traffic to your blog. Here are some EASY and EFFECTIVE means to make money off your blog and turn it into a profitable venture today!

Google AdSense: Google's AdSense is a popular option among bloggers and web marketers by placing ads throughout their blog. Once you have signed up with Google, you are given a code which you need to put on your blog. Following this, Google will display relevant ads on your blog and you earn money for every click on the ad. Although it was a very profitable option until a few years ago, Google has tightened its rules. However, advertising remains one of the most popular blog monetization techniques and you can take advantage of options like:

• Yahoo! Publisher Network

• ValueClick Inc

• Tribal Fusion

• Indeed

• AdSonar

Sell Products on Your Blog: Apart from selling informative guides and e-books, you can use your blog to sell T-Shirts and other merchandise depending on the blog you are marketing. Find out more about your options at CafePress and GoodStorm [Which has been acquired by Zazzle recently]. By selling products, you can give your blog visitor a chance to shop and you can encash on the merchandising opportunities.

Affiliate Programs: If you have an industry specific blog, you can take advantage of affiliate programs of companies which are selling the products you are discussing on your blog. All you have to do is recommend or link these products through your blogs. The most common affiliate merchant used by bloggers worldwide is Amazon.com. You could also use ClickBank, iTunes Affiliates and LinkShare Corp.

Sponsored Posts: You can choose from a number of programs that allow you to choose what you will blog about, including a number of products and services. You can take a look at ReviewMe, Blogsvertise, Smorty and Payu2Blog for complete information on sponsored posts for your blog.

Consulting Services: Depending on your level of expertise you can offer consulting services on your blog for an hourly fee. All you need to do is create a page outlining your services with a standard contract and details on accepted mode of payment.

Seek Donations: You can also seek donations if your blog has a loyal user base and a large volume of visitors who are constantly commenting on the usability of your blog posts. Remember, if you are seeking donations; don't use ads on your blog. You'll just come across as a greedy blogger, with the sole intention of blog monetization.

Sell Your Blog: The most extreme blog monetization method, this is the best option for a blogger who blogs primarily for profit. All you need is a good blog with a good amount of traffic. Log on to Sitepoint Marketplace or eBay to find a buyer for your blog.

If you're passionate about blogging, you can find a number of ways to monetize your blog as well. Have you tried any other method, apart from the methods mentioned here? Share them, now!

Michelle Crossley, http://www.studio1c.com, is an award-winning art director, graphic designer, illustrator and photographer, and an Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator guru. Ms. Crossley has worked on both Macintosh and PC platforms since 1989 in the areas of layout, design, logo development, website development, visual identity, desktop publishing, typographic design, photographic manipulation/restoration and computerized illustration.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com