So you've got your christian blog up and running, now it's time to make some money from it.
Whether you're just starting out or already have a following, these monetization methods will help you turn your blog into a full-time business.
Let's dive into each method and see how you can start earning from your christian blog.
Why You Can Trust Our Christian Blog Monetization Guide
Lasso is installed on over 8,000 websites, including many christian 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 christian blogs.
1. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for christian 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 Christian Bloggers
Some affiliate products to recommend in the Christian blogging niche include:
- Bibles: Different versions and study Bibles for various audiences.
- Devotionals: Daily devotionals for men, women, couples, and families.
- Christian books: Fiction, non-fiction, and self-help books with Christian themes.
- Church supplies: From church bulletins to communion supplies.
- Christian apparel: T-shirts, jewelry, and accessories with Christian messages.
- Music and movies: Christian music albums, worship songs, and inspirational movies.
- Online courses and resources: Bible study materials, online courses, and other educational resources.
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 christian 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 christian bloggers:
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Commission Rate: $15 Per Sale
Cookie Duration: 45 Days
PureFlix is a video streaming service featuring family-friendly and Christian-focused content. It's a Christian equivalent of Netflix.
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Commission Rate: 20% - 50% Per Lead
Cookie Duration: 45 Days
eharmony is an online dating website that aims to help people find long-term relationships. Its famed 29 dimensions of compatibility are used for matching.
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Commission Rate: 13% Per Sale
Cookie Duration: 30 Days
DaySpring is the largest publisher and distributor of Christian greeting cards and also sells Christian gifts, home decor, jewelry, and more.
TIP: We maintain a database of the best affiliate programs. Click here to see the best christian 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.
How To Monetize A Christian 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 christian blog. If you’re ready to start making a serious affiliate income from your christian site, sign up for Lasso today.
A WordPress plugin that lets you add, manage, and display your affiliate links from any program, including Amazon. Increase conversions. Find new affiliate link opportunities. Earn more revenue! Less than 5 minutes to set up.
Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Christian Bloggers
Affiliate marketing can be a great way for Christian bloggers to monetize their content and earn passive income. By promoting products or services that align with their values and beliefs, bloggers can provide valuable recommendations to their audience while also earning a commission for any resulting sales.
On the downside, some Christian bloggers may struggle with the ethical implications of promoting certain products or services through affiliate marketing. It's important to carefully vet potential partners and ensure that the offerings align with their personal and religious values.
Additionally, affiliate marketing can be time-consuming and may require a significant amount of effort to see substantial returns. It's not a "get rich quick" scheme, and bloggers should be prepared to invest time and resources into their affiliate partnerships.
Overall, affiliate marketing can be a beneficial revenue stream for Christian bloggers, but it's essential to approach it with caution and a strong sense of ethics.
2. Display Ads
The second best way to monetize your christian blog is with display ads. Ads are the internet's favorite monetization method, but they have severe drawbacks.
How to Monetize a Christian Blog With Display Ads
Monetizing a christian 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 Christian Bloggers
Display ads can be a great way for Christian bloggers to monetize their content and generate income. They are easy to set up and can provide a steady stream of passive income as long as your blog receives a decent amount of traffic.
However, display ads can also be distracting and take away from the overall user experience on your blog. They can also slow down your site's loading speed, which can negatively impact your SEO and user engagement.
Another downside is that some display ads may not align with your Christian values, so it's important to carefully choose the ad networks you work with to ensure that the ads displayed on your blog are in line with your beliefs.
Ultimately, the decision to incorporate display ads into your blog should be carefully considered, weighing the potential financial benefits against the potential drawbacks and impact on your readers' experience.
3. Digital Products
Selling your own digital products is a great way to increase your earnings per visitor in the christian niche.
A digital product is anything you can sell on your christian blog that the customer will receive via download.
Here are some digital products to sell on a Christian blog:
- E-books: Offer digital books on various Christian topics such as prayer, faith, or biblical studies.
- Online courses: Create and sell online courses on subjects like Christian living, theology, or spiritual growth.
- Devotional apps: Develop and sell mobile apps that provide daily devotionals and scripture readings.
- Music downloads: Sell digital music albums or singles featuring Christian worship and praise songs.
- Printable artwork: Offer downloadable prints of Christian-themed artwork for home decor or personal use.
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 Christian Bloggers
One of the main advantages of selling digital products for Christian bloggers is the potential for passive income. Once the product is created and marketed, it can generate income without much ongoing effort. This can provide financial stability and the freedom to focus on other aspects of the blog.
On the flip side, creating and selling digital products can be time-consuming and require a certain level of technical expertise. This can be a challenge for bloggers who are more focused on writing and content creation. Additionally, there is also the risk of piracy and unauthorized distribution of digital products, which can impact sales and revenue.
However, for Christian bloggers with a loyal and engaged audience, selling digital products can be a great way to deepen connections and provide value to their community. It allows for the creation of unique and tailored resources that meet the specific needs of their audience, fostering a sense of trust and loyalty.
How To Monetize a Christian 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:
Get Your FREE 20-Page Guide To Making $1000/Day From Your Niche Blog
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 christian 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 christian blog with an email newsletter and the pros and cons of email marketing for christian bloggers.
How to Monetize a Christian Blog with an Email Newsletter
One great way to monetize a Christian blog is by creating an email newsletter. You can offer exclusive content, devotionals, or even product recommendations to your subscribers. By building a loyal email list, you can generate income through affiliate marketing, sponsored content, or even selling your own products or services.
Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Christian Bloggers
- Pros: Email newsletters allow you to build a more personal connection with your audience, share exclusive content, and promote products or services that align with Christian values.
- Cons: It can be time-consuming to create and maintain an email list, and some subscribers may be wary of receiving promotional content in their inboxes.
An email newsletter is a powerful tool for Christian bloggers to connect with their audience on a deeper level. It allows you to share uplifting content, Bible verses, and recommendations for products or services that align with Christian values. This can be a great way to monetize your blog while also providing value to your readers.
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 christian 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 Christian Blog With Consulting Services
Monetizing a christian 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 Christian Bloggers
One of the pros of selling consulting services for Christian bloggers is the opportunity to help others grow in their faith and impact more people with their message. As a consultant, you can provide valuable guidance and support to help bloggers create content that resonates with their audience and spreads the message of Christ.
Another benefit is the potential for financial gain. By offering consulting services, you can generate additional income and create a sustainable business that allows you to continue serving others through your expertise.
On the flip side, one of the cons of selling consulting services for Christian bloggers is the pressure to always provide valuable and meaningful advice. It's important to maintain a high standard of excellence and stay up-to-date with industry trends in order to effectively help your clients.
Additionally, selling consulting services may require a significant time commitment, as you'll need to dedicate time to meeting with clients, developing personalized strategies, and staying connected with the latest developments in the blogging world.
Supercharge your earnings with Lasso. Create no-code product Displays and Tables that convert, find and fix broken links, and gain valuable business insights with revenue analytics.
Learn MoreChristian Blog Monetization FAQs
What Is The Best Way To Make Money From Christian Blogging?
If you want to build a successful christian 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 Christian Blogging?
Absolutely! Some christian blogs, like Christianity Today and iBelieve 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 Christian Blog?
Learning how to start a christian 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 Christian Bloggers Get Paid?
Most christian 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 christian bloggers also sell sponsored posts, consulting services, or their own products. In these cases, a payment processor like PayPal or Stripe is necessary.
Is Christian Blogging Easy?
Nothing worth doing is truly easy, but that doesn’t mean christian blogging isn’t fun.
As a christian 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 Christian Blog?
It’s absolutely worth it to start a christian 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 christian-related industries will take you seriously.
Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Christian Blog
So there you have it - all the different ways to make money from your christian blog.
But here's a bonus tip: don't put all your eggs in one basket!
Diversifying your income streams is the best way to protect your blog's future.
By using multiple monetization methods like affiliate offers, display ads, and your own products, you'll be on the fast track to earning what your online business deserves.
Why You Should Trust Our Christian Blogging Content
You may be thinking, "that's all great, but what does Lasso know about christian blogging?"
Quite a lot, actually.
Here's why you can trust our process for building a successful christian 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 Christian Bloggers Every Day
Lasso's WordPress plugin is installed on over 8,000 websites, including a lot of christian 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 christian 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.
