Niche Guides / Beauty

How to Monetize a Beauty Blog and Glow Up Your Business

Learning how to monetize a beauty blog properly is a crucial part of turning your passion for skincare into a full-time business. Here's how:

By Andrew Fiebert Updated

So you've got your beauty blog up and running, now it's time to start making some money from it. Trust me, this is where the real fun begins!

Whether you're just starting out or you're already a pro in the beauty influencer world, these monetization methods will help you turn your blog into a full-blown business. Let's dive into each one.

Why You Can Trust Our Beauty Blog Monetization Guide

Lasso is installed on over 8,000 websites, including many beauty blogs.

Our team has built multiple 7-figure blogs in a wide range of niches.

We have hands-on experience working with founders to grow and monetize their beauty blogs.

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.

TIP: With all monetization methods, the rule of thumb is the easier it is to accomplish, the less money you can make, and vice versa.

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

Some different kinds of affiliate products to recommend in the beauty blogging niche include:

  • Skincare products: This can include cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and masks from various brands.
  • Makeup products: Recommend makeup items such as foundation, lipstick, eyeshadow palettes, and brushes.
  • Haircare products: Suggest shampoos, conditioners, styling products, and tools for different hair types.
  • Fragrances: Recommend perfumes and colognes from popular and niche brands.
  • Beauty tools and accessories: This can include skincare devices, makeup brushes, and hair styling tools.
  • Natural and organic beauty products: Highlight products that are eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and made with natural ingredients.

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

    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

    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

    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.

TIP: We maintain a database of the best affiliate programs. Click here to see the best beauty affiliate programs.

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.

Inserting links into WordPress

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.

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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.

Best for Monetization
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Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Beauty Bloggers

Affiliate marketing can be a great opportunity for beauty bloggers to monetize their content. By partnering with beauty brands and promoting their products, bloggers can earn a commission on sales made through their affiliate links. This can be a lucrative source of income for bloggers who have a loyal and engaged audience.

However, affiliate marketing also has its drawbacks. Some beauty bloggers may find it challenging to maintain their credibility and authenticity while promoting products for the sole purpose of making money. There is also a risk of promoting low-quality or ineffective products, which could damage the blogger's reputation and trust with their audience.

It's important for beauty bloggers to carefully consider the pros and cons of affiliate marketing before diving in. By being selective with the brands and products they choose to promote, and maintaining transparency with their audience, bloggers can successfully navigate the world of affiliate marketing while maintaining their integrity.

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

NOTE: WordPress is an open-source software found on WordPress.org. WordPress.com is a premium blogging platform, but you never need to pay to install WordPress on your website, even if it’s self-hosted.

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.

TIP: Optimize your display ads for user experience by using your chosen network’s software settings or talking to your account manager. Keep the ads in the sidebar and footer whenever possible.

You’ll make a lot of money in the long run if you put your readers ahead of quick profit.

Display Ad Pros And Cons For Beauty Bloggers

Display ads can be a great way for beauty bloggers to monetize their content. They offer a passive income stream, as you get paid based on the number of ad impressions or clicks. This can be a reliable source of revenue, especially if you have a large and engaged audience.

On the flip side, display ads can sometimes clutter your website and detract from the user experience. They can slow down your site's loading speed and even distract your readers from your actual content. Additionally, some beauty bloggers may find it challenging to strike a balance between promoting products through display ads and maintaining their authenticity and credibility.

Overall, display ads can be a valuable source of income for beauty bloggers, but it's essential to consider the potential drawbacks and find a good balance that works for both you and your audience.

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 are some digital products you can sell on a beauty blog:

  • Beauty e-books: Create and sell e-books on makeup tutorials, skincare routines, or beauty tips.
  • Online beauty courses: Offer digital courses on makeup techniques, skincare routines, or hair styling.
  • Printable planners: Design and sell printable beauty planners for organizing skincare routines, makeup collections, or beauty goals.
  • Virtual beauty consultations: Offer personalized virtual consultations for makeup, skincare, or hair care.

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

One major advantage of selling digital products for beauty bloggers is the potential for passive income. Once the product is created, it can be sold repeatedly without the need for physical inventory or shipping, allowing for a steady stream of revenue.

Another benefit is the ability to reach a global audience. Digital products can be accessed and purchased by people all over the world, expanding the blogger's potential customer base beyond their local area.

On the downside, creating and marketing digital products can be time-consuming and require a significant initial investment of time and money. Additionally, there is the risk of piracy and unauthorized distribution of the digital products, which can impact sales and revenue.

It's important for beauty bloggers to carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding to sell digital products, and to consider factors such as their audience, resources, and long-term business goals.

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.

TIP: You can still use Lasso to get more clicks to your digital products. Just create a Lasso display with the link pointing to your product’s sales page.

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.

So you've got a beauty blog and you're looking for ways to monetize it? One great method is through an email newsletter. By creating valuable content and building a loyal audience, you can leverage your email list to generate income. Here's how to do it:

How to Monetize a Beauty Blog with an Email Newsletter

First, you'll want to build up your email list by offering something of value in exchange for people's email addresses. This could be a free beauty guide, exclusive tips, or access to a members-only area of your blog. Once you have a solid list, you can start monetizing by promoting affiliate products, sponsored content, or your own beauty products. Be sure to provide valuable content in your newsletters to keep your subscribers engaged and coming back for more.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Beauty Bloggers

  • Pros: Email marketing allows you to build a loyal audience, promote products directly, and drive traffic to your website.
  • Cons: It can take time and effort to build a quality email list, and you'll need to consistently provide valuable content to keep your subscribers engaged.

Email newsletters are a great way for beauty bloggers to connect with their audience on a more personal level. They can provide beauty tips, product recommendations, and exclusive content directly to their subscribers' inboxes. This makes it an ideal method for monetization, as you can promote affiliate products, sponsored content, or your own beauty products to a targeted and engaged audience.

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.

TIP: Again, you can use Lasso to drive more clicks to your coaching pages. Just create a Display with a link to your sales page, and insert it into blog posts.

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

One of the main pros of selling consulting services to beauty bloggers is the potential for a high income. Beauty bloggers often have a loyal and engaged audience, making them willing to invest in high-quality consulting services to improve their content and grow their brand. Additionally, working with beauty bloggers can provide valuable exposure and networking opportunities within the beauty industry.

On the downside, selling consulting services to beauty bloggers can be competitive, as there are many other consultants vying for their business. Beauty bloggers may also have specific preferences and requirements, making it challenging to tailor your services to meet their individual needs. Finally, the beauty industry is constantly evolving, so consultants must stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques to remain competitive in the market.

Earn More Money From Your Beauty Blog

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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

So now you've got all the ways to make money from your beauty blog, but here's one more tip:

Try using multiple ways to make money!

Having different income sources is the best way to protect your business's future.

By promoting affiliate offers, using display ads, and selling your own products, you won't be in trouble if one income stream takes a hit.

With this approach, hard work, and careful planning, you'll be on your way to earning what your online business 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.

Earn More from Your Beauty Blog

Why Lasso Is The Best Affiliate Marketing Plugin For WordPress

Tired of using 3-4 plugins to manage your affiliate links? Lasso is THE all-in-one WordPress plugin made for affiliate marketers.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
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