How to Monetize a Beauty Blog and Glow Up Your Business

When you dive into blogging, there’s a lot to tackle: setting up your domain, installing WordPress, creating killer content, and more. But once you get the hang of it, it’s time to focus on how to monetize your beauty blog.

You’re going to love this part! Turning your blog into a money-making machine can be a blast.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re already making waves as a beauty influencer, these monetization ideas will help you transform your passion into a full-time gig. Let’s break down each method and make it happen!

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for beauty bloggers because it hits the sweet spot between time investment and earning potential.

Affiliate marketing is a form of advertising where a publisher (the site owner) links to a product in their content and earns a commission from the advertiser (the affiliate program) if readers click on that link and make a purchase.

Also, since you can add links to your existing content, it’s the perfect method for beginners. You’ve already written content, so you’ve already done the hard part.

How to Start Affiliate Marketing for Beauty Bloggers

As a beauty blogger, recommending affiliate products can significantly boost your income while providing value to your audience. Here are some great types of affiliate products you can consider:

• Skincare Products: People are always searching for the best serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens. Focus on trending brands or niche products.
• Makeup Essentials: From foundation to lipstick, makeup is a hot topic. Highlight trendy or cult-favorite items.
• Hair Care Products: Shampoos, conditioners, and styling tools are essential for many. Look for products that promise great results.
• Beauty Tools: Brushes, sponges, and skincare gadgets can make a big difference. Offering reviews on new tools can draw interest.
• Subscription Boxes: Curated beauty products that arrive monthly keep followers excited. They also offer a great value.

Here are a few reasons to recommend these products:

• High Demand: Beauty products are continually in demand, providing a consistent audience.
• Diverse Options: There are countless product types, allowing for creativity in recommendations.
• Engagement Potential: Many beauty enthusiasts love discussing products, leading to more interaction on your platform.
• Seasonal Trends: You can keep your content fresh by recommending seasonal or holiday-inspired products.

Once you’ve identified which products will solve problems for your readers, you need to sign up for their affiliate programs.

You should start by joining the Amazon Associates affiliate program.

Most physical products in the beauty niche will be available on Amazon, and the conversion rate on Amazon is insane.

Yes, Amazon’s commission rates are rough, and they only offer a 24-hour cookie duration, but the conversion rate makes up for it. Plus, you’re nearly guaranteed to get accepted into their program.

For products that aren’t available on Amazon, just Google “[Product] affiliate program,” and you’ll find their program’s signup page.

To save you some time, here are a few of the best affiliate networks for beauty bloggers:

1. Olavivo

   

   Commission Rate: $250+

   Cookie Duration: 30 - 90 Days

   Olavivo is a boutique affiliate network with a focus on Ecommerce, Health & Beauty, Sweepstakes, Gaming, Dating, Finance and Cryptocurrency.

2. Bliss Of Greece

   

   Commission Rate: 20% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 14 Days

   Bliss of Greece is an all-natural beauty brand offering high-end products for skin and hair that are free of chemicals & preservatives as well as vegan and cruelty-free.

3. Elizabeth Arden

   

   Commission Rate: 8% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 30 Days

   Elizabeth Ardens story begins when. Florence Nightingale Graham opened her first ‘Red Door’ salon in New York in 1910 with her new form of makeup.

Once you’ve been approved for the product’s affiliate program, the program will give you your affiliate link, and you can start inserting it into your content.

How To Monetize A Beauty Blog With Affiliate Marketing

To add your link to your content, go to your post editor, highlight the relevant text, and insert the link.

Here are a few best practices for adding affiliate links to your WordPress blog:

• Add links where it’s helpful. Adding too many links to your blog posts is just like adding too many ads; it’s annoying. Add links to product titles, images, CTA buttons, and the first time you mention a product. That’s plenty.
• Disclose your links. Every blog post with affiliate links should have a disclaimer at the beginning, and every CTA or product image should also.
• Use direct sales language. When you are writing your call to action, be direct. It’s not rude to say, “Check the price” or “Buy this product today.” Being too passive makes you look unconfident.

Or, take it a step further by creating product displays.

You Can Double Your Affiliate Sales With Lasso Displays

You can create displays manually using the post editor to add links to images and buttons.

However, it can be time-consuming to create these displays and keep them updated if you’re doing it all by hand.

Luckily, monetizing your blog with affiliate links is simplified when you’re using a tool like Lasso.

Lasso makes it super easy to add links and product displays to your posts. You can add product displays to posts right from the post editor; no coding is required. It’s as simple as clicking your mouse three times.

You can also automatically import product info from retailers like Amazon. Just paste the link into the Lasso dashboard, and Lasso will populate the display with the product title, image, and price.

With all of this, remember to follow the guidelines in the affiliate program’s terms and conditions. Amazon, in particular, is pretty stringent.

But everything Lasso does is compliant with Amazon Associates’ TOS, so you never have to worry about being booted from the program.

That’s just scratching the surface of what Lasso can do to help you monetize your beauty blog. If you’re ready to start making a serious affiliate income from your beauty site, sign up for Lasso today.

Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Beauty Bloggers

Affiliate marketing can be a goldmine for beauty bloggers. You get to promote products you love and earn a commission. That's a win-win! You can choose from many brands, making it easier to find products that match your audience’s interests.

However, there are downsides. It can take time to build trust with your followers. If they feel like you’re just pushing products for money, they might disengage. Plus, you have to disclose affiliate links, which some readers find off-putting.

Tracking and managing your links is another challenge. You’ll need to use specific tools to keep tabs on your sales and clicks. It can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the game. Still, with the right approach, it can definitely pay off!

2. Display Ads

The second best way to monetize your beauty blog is with display ads. Ads are the internet's favorite monetization method, but they have severe drawbacks.

How to Monetize a Beauty Blog With Display Ads

Monetizing a beauty blog with display ads couldn’t be easier.

First, choose an ad network to join. Networks have traffic requirements, so here are the best ad networks to join based on your site’s page views:

• 100,000+ Visitors per month - Raptive
• 50,000+ Sessions per month - Mediavine
• < 50,000+ Visitors per month - Ezoic

Once you’re accepted to an ad network, follow their instructions to integrate their ads into your site. They will have documentation for every type of content management service (WordPress, Joomla, Ghost, etc.).

If your chosen ad network has a dedicated accounts manager, they will guide you through getting their ads on your site.

And… that’s it. Let the ads run and wait for your deposits to hit your account.

Display Ad Pros And Cons For Beauty Bloggers

Display ads offer both advantages and disadvantages for beauty bloggers. One major pro is the potential for significant income. If your blog has good traffic, ads can turn clicks into cash quickly. Platforms like Google AdSense make it easy to set up and manage these ads, allowing you to focus on creating content.

However, there are downsides. Display ads can disrupt the reading experience. If they’re not well-placed or relevant, they might annoy your audience. This could lead to higher bounce rates as readers navigate away from your site. Plus, if ad blockers are prevalent among your audience, you might see dips in your earnings.

Another pro is brand partnerships. Many beauty brands look for bloggers with ad experience. If you’ve successfully placed display ads, brands may be more inclined to collaborate with you on sponsored content. This can further boost your income and increase your credibility in the beauty niche.

On the flip side, managing ads can take time and effort. You need to continuously monitor performance, adjust placements, and ensure the ads align with your brand. This can distract you from your main goal—creating engaging and authentic beauty content for your readers.

3. Digital Products

Selling your own digital products is a great way to increase your earnings per visitor in the beauty niche.

A digital product is anything you can sell on your beauty blog that the customer will receive via download.

Here’s a quick list of digital products you can sell on your beauty blog:

• E-Books: Write thorough guides on skincare routines or makeup techniques. Pack them with tips and tricks that your readers can refer to anytime.
• Online Courses: Offer video tutorials on beauty skills like contouring or mastering a skincare regimen. Interactive lessons can boost engagement.
• Printable Checklists: Create downloadable checklists for beauty routines, packing lists for travel, or seasonal skincare. These are easy to use and super handy!
• Beauty Calendars: Design digital planners that help users stick to their beauty regimes. Include reminders for treatments or product usage to keep them on track.
• Photo Filters or Presets: Create custom filters or presets for social media photos. Everyone wants their beauty shots to pop!

A lot of people search for simple checklists and guides related to different topics. They’d happily pay you for them.

Pros and Cons of Selling Digital Products for Beauty Bloggers

When it comes to selling digital products, beauty bloggers have unique advantages. First, the overhead costs are low. You don't need a physical store or inventory. Your digital product could be an eBook, a beauty guide, or even an online course. All you need is a good idea and some promotional skills.

On the flip side, the market can be oversaturated. Many beauty bloggers are jumping on the digital product bandwagon. This means you'll need a solid strategy to stand out. Crafting high-quality content is essential, as is effectively marketing it to your audience.

Another pro is the potential for passive income. Once your product is created and marketed, it can keep generating sales with minimal effort. Yet, achieving this often requires initial hard work. You need to dedicate time to build your brand and engage your followers.

Finally, selling digital products can help you further establish your authority in the beauty niche. It allows you to share your expertise and connect with your audience on a deeper level. But remember, it also takes commitment and consistency to maintain that trust and grow your customer base.

How To Monetize a Beauty Blog By Selling Digital Products

The first thing to do is create your digital product.

Look at which content your audience interacts with the most, and brainstorm digital products to help serve their search intent.

That’s what I did when I created our Ultimate Blogging Guide:

Then, create the product using whatever tools are at your disposal. For example, use Microsoft Word to create an ebook PDF, or Google Sheets to create interactive spreadsheets and checklists.

Next, you have to figure out how to distribute your product. The easiest way to distribute PDFs is by uploading them to your WordPress media library. Then you can give customers the link, and they can download the PDF from there.

Lastly, you’ll have to set up payment processing and order fulfillment. A plugin like Woocommerce can automate most of this, but you’ll have to tie it to a processor like Stripe or PayPal.

Woocommerce can even connect to an email tool like ConvertKit, so as soon as your customer finishes their checkout, they’ll get an email with a link to their download.

Barring any issues, you won’t have to do anything but watch your bank account grow.

4. Email Newsletter

One effective way to monetize a beauty blog is by creating an email newsletter. This method allows you to build a loyal audience and engage with your readers on a more personal level. Let's explore how to monetize a beauty blog with an email newsletter and the pros and cons of email marketing for beauty bloggers.

How to Monetize a Beauty Blog with an Email Newsletter

Email newsletters are a powerful tool for beauty bloggers to connect with their audience directly. They allow you to share beauty tips, product reviews, and exclusive content straight to your subscribers' inboxes. Plus, email marketing offers a higher engagement rate compared to social media platforms, making it easier to build a loyal community. Here’s how you can turn your beauty blog into a money-maker using email newsletters.

First, you’ll want to start building your email list. To do this, create a lead magnet, such as a free beauty e-book, exclusive how-to guides, or discount codes for beauty products. Promote this lead magnet on your blog and social media channels. When readers see value, they’ll be more inclined to subscribe, which provides a solid foundation for your monetization efforts.

Once you have a growing list, consider pitching sponsored products to your subscribers. Brands are often looking to reach targeted audiences, and with an engaged email list, you can serve as a valuable partner. Send dedicated emails featuring their products, along with honest reviews and beauty tips. This not only supports the brands but also offers your readers insight into products they might want to try.

Finally, use your email newsletter to promote affiliate products. Partner with beauty brands that resonate with your audience, and share personalized recommendations. Include unique affiliate links in your newsletters. It’s a great way to earn commissions while giving value, as subscribers trust your judgement on their beauty purchases.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Beauty Bloggers

• Pros:
  • Higher Engagement: Emails often generate more interaction than social media posts.
  • Builds Trust: Regular newsletters help establish a trusting relationship with your audience.
  • Targeted Audience: You can segment your list to tailor your content to specific groups of subscribers.
  • Direct Earnings: You can directly promote sponsored products and affiliate links to your audience.
• Cons:
  • Time-Consuming: Crafting quality newsletters can take a significant amount of time.
  • Requires Maintenance: You need to regularly clean your email list and manage subscribers.
  • Potential Spam Labels: If you're not careful, your emails could end up in spam folders.
  • Technical Skills: Understanding email marketing platforms may require some learning.

5. Consulting and Coaching Services

Consulting or coaching is exchanging your expertise and time for a fee. Your customers need an expert, and you’ve proven yourself to be that expert.

As you become an authority in the industry, people will reach out to you with questions about topics they consider you an expert in.

Now, you don’t have to charge for being helpful, but you should place a dollar value on your time.

As a beauty blogger, you extensive knowledge of the industry. If a reader reaches out to you asking for help, you should get paid for that effort.

How To Monetize A Beauty Blog With Consulting Services

Monetizing a beauty blog with consulting services is similar to selling sponsored posts.

Put a “Coaching” option in your nav bar that goes to a landing page outlining your consulting services and your hourly rate. This will help head off some of the people looking for free advice.

Then, wait for requests to come in, evaluate them, and propose your offer. If the customer accepts, send them an invoice using PayPal or another payment processor, and schedule the call.

Pros and Cons of Selling Consulting Services for Beauty Bloggers

Selling consulting services as a beauty blogger can be a double-edged sword. On the plus side, you get to share your expertise and help others navigate the beauty industry. This can lead to additional income streams and establish you as an authority in your niche.

However, it also comes with its challenges. Some brands might see you as just another influencer and may not take your consulting seriously. Plus, managing clients can be time-consuming and might take away from your content creation.

Another pro is the potential for strong relationships with your clients. As you help them succeed, you could gain loyal followers who appreciate your guidance. Conversely, if a client doesn’t achieve their desired results, it might negatively impact your reputation.

In short, selling consulting services can be rewarding, but it requires careful consideration. Balancing this side of the business with your blog's demands can be tricky, but with the right approach, it can enhance your brand.

Beauty Blog Monetization FAQs

What Is The Best Way To Make Money From Beauty Blogging?

If you want to build a successful beauty blog, then affiliate marketing is the best way to monetize it. It’s the least intrusive way to make a lot of money from your site without much extra effort.

Can I Make A Full-Time Income From Beauty Blogging?

Absolutely! Some beauty blogs, like The Beauty of it Is and The Sunday Girl get hundreds of thousands of monthly visitors. That’s enough for a full-time income for a small team of people.

How Do I Start a Beauty Blog?

Learning how to start a beauty blog is the first best way to use your expertise to start an online business.

You need to register a domain, install WordPress, and publish great content. It's a lot of work, but totally worth it!

How Do Beauty Bloggers Get Paid?

Most beauty bloggers make money through affiliate commissions and advertising fees. Both of these monetization methods pay out one or two months after the fees have been generated.

Some beauty bloggers also sell sponsored posts, consulting services, or their own products. In these cases, a payment processor like PayPal or Stripe is necessary.

Is Beauty Blogging Easy?

Nothing worth doing is truly easy, but that doesn’t mean beauty blogging isn’t fun.

As a beauty blogger, you’ll get to go places, try new things, and meet new people. And it will be part of your business! What could be cooler than that?

Is It Worth Starting A Beauty Blog?

It’s absolutely worth it to start a beauty blog. Not only can you make a living from it, but you can also build a community and control the conversation.

Once you’re an established authority, people in beauty-related industries will take you seriously.

Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Beauty Blog

Now that you’ve discovered the different ways to monetize your beauty blog, here’s a bonus tip:

Use multiple monetization methods!

Having diverse income streams is key to securing your blog's future.

If you rely on affiliate offers, display ads, and your own products, you'll be less affected if one income source takes a hit.

With this approach, a bit of hard work, and smart planning, you'll be well on your way to earning what your beauty blog really deserves.

Why You Should Trust Our Beauty Blogging Content

You may be thinking, "that's all great, but what does Lasso know about beauty blogging?"

Quite a lot, actually.

Here's why you can trust our process for building a successful beauty blog:

We've Built Wildly Successful Blogs

Lasso is built for affiliate marketers, by affiliate marketers. We're not gurus; we've walked the walk.

Our team members have built multiple blogs from the ground up, some of them earning over seven figures in revenue.

We put that experience into every guide we write, so you can trust we're giving you a process that works.

We Talk To Beauty Bloggers Every Day

Lasso's WordPress plugin is installed on over 8,000 websites, including a lot of beauty blogs.

Our team supports those bloggers every day as they create awesome content and earn lots of money.

These communications give us a bird's-eye view of what's new in the beauty industry. We take that information and use it to keep these guides as up-to-date and accurate as possible.

We're Super Nerds

We've put a lot of company focus into learning everything we can about blogging, affiliate marketing, SEO, and anything to do with online entrepreneurship.

We attend conferences, collect high-level contacts, read tons of books, and distill all of that information into our content. We pass information onto you that was previously only available to industry insiders.