Starting a Christian blog is a journey filled with learning. You’ve tackled domain registration, set up WordPress, and figured out content creation. Now, let’s dive into how to monetize your Christian blog.
This part is going to be the most exciting step of your blogging adventure!
Whether you’re just beginning or have been blogging for a while, these monetization strategies will help you turn your passion into profit. Let’s explore each one!
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
When it comes to affiliate products in the Christian blogging niche, there are plenty of options to consider. Here’s a list of some products that resonate well with the audience:
Bibles: Every Christian blogger can recommend different versions and translations. They’re essential resources for study and devotion.
Devotional Books: These books help deepen the readers' faith and provide daily inspiration.
Faith-based Merchandise: This includes T-shirts, mugs, and wall art that reflect Christian beliefs and messages.
Online Courses: Many churches and Christian organizations offer courses on biblical studies or personal growth, which can be valuable to readers.
Christian Music and Worship Resources: Suggesting albums, playlists, or even streaming services can inspire and uplift audiences.
Subscription Boxes: These might include curated Christian items such as devotional materials, books, or gifts aimed at spiritual growth.
Prayer Journals: These help individuals document their prayers, thoughts, and spiritual growth in a meaningful way.
Here are a few reasons why these products are great for affiliate marketing:
- Broad Appeal: They serve a range of demographics within the Christian community.
- Emotionally Resonant: Faith-related products often connect deeply with individuals' personal journeys.
- Recurring Purchases: Items like devotionals or journals might require updates or replacements over time.
- High Engagement: Users are more likely to engage with content that resonates with their faith and values.
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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 platforms. You can promote products and services that align with your values, which helps maintain authenticity with your audience. It's really benefits-driven; if your readers trust you, they are more likely to purchase what you suggest.
On the downside, affiliate marketing can sometimes feel a little scammy if not done right. You need to carefully choose the products you promote. If they don't match your faith-based standards, you risk losing your audience's trust. Plus, it can take time to build up income without annoying your readers with too many promotions.
Another pro is the potential to create valuable content around the products you endorse, enhancing your blog's appeal. This offers you a pathway for more engagement. Just ensure that your content remains informative and not overly salesy to keep your readers coming back for more.
However, be aware of the competition. Many bloggers are also getting into affiliate marketing, so you need a unique angle or voice to stand out. Balancing faith and business can be tricky, but if you navigate it well, the rewards can be substantial.
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. On the plus side, they can provide a steady stream of passive income. Once set up, these ads require little ongoing work. Bloggers can focus on creating new content while the ads generate revenue in the background.
However, there are some downsides to consider. For one, display ads can sometimes detract from the overall aesthetic of your site. They might clash with the message and values you want to promote. Additionally, excessive ads can frustrate your readers, leading to higher bounce rates.
Targeting can also be tricky. While some ad networks allow you to control which ads appear, it’s not always foolproof. Your audience may see products that don’t align with your Christian message. This misalignment can confuse or even alienate your readers.
In summary, display ads offer both opportunities and challenges. They can be a profitable option, but it’s essential to strike a balance between monetization and maintaining your blog's core message.
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.
Digital Products to Sell on a Christian Blog:
- Devotional E-Books: Short, daily devotionals that inspire and guide readers in their faith journey.
- Printable Bible Study Guides: Engaging and well-structured guides for personal or group Bible study sessions.
- Faith-Based Journals: Digital journals with prompts to help users reflect on their spiritual growth and prayers.
- Christian Music Playlists: Curated playlists for different moods that uplift and encourage your audience.
- Online Courses: Courses that teach various topics, like Scripture interpretation or prayer techniques.
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
Selling digital products can be a game changer for Christian bloggers. One major pro is the potential for passive income. Once you create an eBook, course, or printable, it can keep selling without much extra effort. This allows bloggers to enjoy financial freedom while focusing on their ministry.
Another advantage is the low overhead costs. Unlike physical products, digital goods require no shipping or storage. This makes it easy for bloggers to start selling without significant upfront investments. Plus, you can reach a global audience, which means more potential customers.
However, there are cons to consider. Competition is high in the digital space, so standing out can be a challenge. You need to invest time in marketing and building an email list to effectively promote your products. Additionally, there can be a learning curve in creating high-quality digital content that resonates with your audience.
Lastly, managing customer support can be trickier for digital sales. Even with automated processes, questions will arise. It’s crucial to be ready to handle inquiries and ensure customer satisfaction to maintain a good reputation. Balancing these aspects can be tough, but it’s worth the effort for the right niche.
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
Email newsletters are a fantastic way to connect directly with your audience. They allow you to share valuable content, updates, and promotions straight to the inboxes of your readers. For Christian bloggers, an email newsletter can help foster a sense of community, making readers feel more connected to your mission and content. This arguably enhances your blog’s reach and generates potential income. Here’s how you can effectively monetize your blog through this method.
First, start by building a quality email list. Use signup forms on your blog and encourage readers to subscribe by offering freebies, such as downloadable devotionals or e-books. People love free resources, especially ones that resonate with their faith. By giving them value upfront, you’re nurturing a relationship that can lead to monetization later.
Once you have a growing list, consider sending out regular newsletters featuring curated content, biblical teachings, and inspirational messages. Alongside this, you can promote relevant products, like books or courses related to Christianity, or even offer your products, like study guides or merchandise. Incorporate affiliate links where appropriate; if your subscribers trust your recommendations, they’ll be more likely to make purchases, earning you commissions.
Finally, leverage your email list for promoting online classes or workshops. Christians often seek spiritual growth opportunities; by providing interactive learning experiences, you further engage your audience while generating income. This could be through partner relationships, like hosting a workshop led by a guest speaker, or even presenting your teachings in a seminar format — all facilitated through your newsletter. The key is to be authentic and provide genuine value to your audience while looking for ways to monetize.
Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Christian Bloggers
- Pros: - **Direct Engagement:** The ability to connect with your audience on a personal level. - **High Conversion Rates:** Email generally has better conversion rates compared to social media. - **Loyal Community Building:** A newsletter fosters a sense of community, creating loyal readers who trust your content.
- Cons: - **Time-Consuming:** Crafting quality newsletters can take a significant amount of time and effort. - **Spam Concerns:** Some recipients may overlook your emails due to high spam sensitivity. - **List Maintenance:** Keeping your email list healthy and engaged requires ongoing effort.
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
Selling consulting services as a Christian blogger has its perks. For starters, you can share your faith while helping others. Many people are looking for guidance that aligns with their Christian values. This creates a niche market that can be quite profitable.
However, there are some drawbacks. Not everyone may see the value in paying for advice, especially if they feel they can find similar information online for free. Additionally, charging for services can sometimes create a sense of pressure or conflict, especially if you’re not comfortable discussing money.
Building credibility is essential in this niche. Some bloggers struggle to position themselves as experts, which can make marketing difficult. Networking with other Christian bloggers can help, but it often requires extra effort to stand out.
Ultimately, if you can strike the right balance between providing value and sharing your faith, selling consulting services can be a fulfilling endeavor. Just be ready to navigate both the opportunities and challenges that come with it.
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
Now that you’ve explored the various ways to monetize your Christian blog, here’s one last tip::
Use multiple monetization methods!
Diversifying your income streams is key to securing your blog’s future.
If you mix affiliate offers, display ads, and your own products, you've got backup if anything changes.
This multi-tiered approach, combined with hard work and smart planning, can really boost your income.
You’re on your way to making your blog thrive!
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.
