Earn Money from your Blog

Once you've got your blog running, there's no reason for you to delay earning money off it.

GOOGLE ADSENSE

For starters, you can never go wrong with Google Adsense.  Signing up is easy and embedding the code into your blog is just as easy.  If you're using Blogger, you can do this by (after customizing on the "Monetize" tab, of course) adding the Adsense Gadget.  You can customize the ads there.  Easy!

If you're using WordPress, you can install the Easy Adsense Widget by Manoj Thulasidas.  This widget creates sidebar elements that you can then drag to the appropriate spot.  It also automates the creation of adsense banners/links to your blog post (start, middle, or end of your post).

REFERRALS

Another source of income is the referral/affiliate programs of your online providers. I am a member of the affiliate programs of GoDaddy & HostGator (as you can see on the buttons of my sidebar).  If anyone places an order THROUGH the links on my website, I earn a little money. (Thanks! )

So check your providers and capitalize on the referral/affiliate programs that they have.  It's a win-win arrangement!

DIRECT ADVERTISEMENTS

Think of your website as a virtual billboard.  There are spots on your billboard that can attract potential customers for your potential advertisers.

Now how much you charge is up to you but you do have to remember that you have to place a premium on your blog.  The more blood, sweat, and tears, the higher the premium on your blog.  Also, of course, the more traffic you generate, the bigger the potential return for the advertiser so it also merits a higher price.  Experiment with different price brackets and ask more established bloggers. The nice thing about bloggers is that we're all virtual mavens, all eager to help each other out.

OTHER SOURCES

Now there are also other alternative sources of revenue when it comes to blogging.  These include programs such as CPALead that create a pop-up on your site so your readers either pay you first or take a survey before they reach any premium content.  There are also "text advertising" programs (like Infolinks) that create links on your content -- mousing over those links displays ads.

They're all good & legal but there are 2 things you have to remember:

1. Don't annoy your readers.  The revenue you generate is directly proportional to the traffic you have. Annoying readers is not a good way of increasing your traffic.
2. Check if any of these advertising programs conflict with any of your existing ad programs.  You don't want to invalidate any of your earnings on the other ad companies because you implemented one that directly conflicts with your money maker.

There are a lot more ways to generate money from your blog.  All you need is is a bit of creativity, some technical know-how, and time.  Soon enough, you may reach the ultimate BLOGGER DREAM -- generating (a lot) more money on your blog than what you're earning on your job!

(photo by Andrew Magill)