How to Monetize a Counseling Blog and Find Therapeutic Earnings

Starting a counseling blog is exciting! There’s a lot to learn, like registering your domain, setting up WordPress, and creating content. But once you’ve nailed the basics, it’s time to dive into how to monetize your blog.

I promise, this will be the most fun part of your blogging journey!

No matter if you’re just starting out or you’re already a counseling influencer, there are plenty of ways to turn your blog into a money-making machine. Let’s break down some easy, effective methods to help you grow your business!

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for counseling 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 Counseling Bloggers

If you're diving into the counseling blogging niche and looking for affiliate products to promote, you're in the right place. Here’s a quick list to get you started!

1. **Therapy Journals**: These journals help clients track emotions and thoughts. They’re great tools for therapists to recommend.

2. **Self-Help Books**: There’s a huge market for books about mental health, mindfulness, and personal development. Think about current bestsellers or classic reads.

3. **Online Counseling Platforms**: Services like BetterHelp or Talkspace can be beneficial for bloggers. They offer referrals that pay commissions.

4. **Mindfulness Apps**: Apps for meditation and mindfulness, like Headspace or Calm, are becoming essential. They can really enhance a client's well-being.

5. **Life Coaching Programs**: Courses or workshops from certified life coaches can be valuable for readers looking for personal growth.

6. **Mental Health Courses**: Look for online courses focusing on specific issues, like anxiety management or emotional resilience. They provide practical solutions for readers.

7. **Therapeutic Tools**: This includes items like stress balls, fidget spinners, or art therapy supplies. They can aid in therapy sessions or personal coping strategies.

**Why promote these products?**

• Trustworthy Recommendations: Affiliates in this niche are seen as trustworthy sources, enhancing credibility.
• High Demand: Mental health awareness is growing, so there’s a big audience eager for resources.
• Diverse Products: From tangible tools to digital memberships, variety keeps content fresh and engaging.
• Recurring Revenue: Many online platforms offer subscriptions, creating potential for ongoing commissions.
• Impactful Solutions: Helping readers find valuable resources contributes positively to their lives.

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 counseling 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 counseling bloggers:

1. SelfDecode

   

   Commission Rate: up to 25%

   Cookie Duration: 90 days

   SelfDecode combines your DNA, labs and lifestyle to provide you with personalized recommendations based on 350+ health risks.

2. Loka Yoga School

   

   Commission Rate: 40%

   Cookie Duration: 30 days

   Loka Yoga School are world-renowned leading experts in yoga, breathwork and meditation. Their courses are internationally certified and accredited with Yoga Alliance.

3. Sunday Scaries

   

   Commission Rate: $50 per sale

   Cookie Duration: 90 Days

   Sunday Scaries is a leading CBD brand, providing stress relief CBD products for humans and their pets, using high-quality ingredients.

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 Counseling 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 counseling blog. If you’re ready to start making a serious affiliate income from your counseling site, sign up for Lasso today.

Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Counseling Bloggers

Affiliate marketing can be a great way for counseling bloggers to monetize their content. You can earn money by recommending products that you genuinely believe in. This can create a win-win situation where your readers benefit from quality resources while you get a commission on any sales made through your links.

However, there are downsides to consider. First, choosing the wrong affiliate products can damage your credibility. It’s essential to carefully select products that align with your values and expertise. Readers rely on you for trustworthy information, and promoting irrelevant items can feel disingenuous.

Additionally, competition in the affiliate marketing space can be tough. Other bloggers might promote similar products, making it hard to stand out. You’ll need to get creative with your content and build a loyal audience that trusts your recommendations.

Lastly, affiliate income can be inconsistent. Unlike typical job earnings, your affiliate commissions can fluctuate based on sales and seasonality. It’s important to have a backup revenue source or additional strategies in place to ensure financial stability.

2. Display Ads

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

How to Monetize a Counseling Blog With Display Ads

Monetizing a counseling 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 Counseling Bloggers

Display ads can be a mixed bag for counseling bloggers. On the plus side, these ads can bring in extra income. If your blog has decent traffic, these ads can convert well and provide a steady revenue stream. They are also pretty easy to set up, requiring minimal technical skill. Just pick an ad network and plug it in.

However, not all aspects are favorable. For one, ads can disrupt the user experience. Readers come for valuable content, and constant banner ads can be distracting or annoying. Moreover, potential clients might feel put off by a blog filled with ads, seeing it as less professional.

Another point to consider is the relevance of the ads. Sometimes, the ads served are not aligned with your audience’s interests. This could mean lower click-through rates and less income. You want ads that resonate with your niche to truly benefit from this model.

Overall, while display ads can offer some financial benefits, they may not always be the best choice for building trust and credibility with your audience. Balancing ads with meaningful content is essential for a successful counseling blog.

3. Digital Products

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

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

Here’s a list of great digital products you can sell on your counseling blog:

• Guided Journals: Provide prompts that help clients reflect and work through their thoughts and emotions.
• Online Workshops: Host sessions focusing on specific themes like stress management or self-esteem building.
• E-Courses: Create structured courses on various mental health topics, with videos and downloadable materials.
• Printable Worksheets: Offer tools for goal-setting, mindfulness practices, or coping strategies that users can print and use.
• Affirmation Cards: Design a digital deck of affirmations that users can use for daily motivation and encouragement.

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 Counseling Bloggers

One major pro of selling digital products as a counseling blogger is the low overhead cost. Once you create a product, like an e-book or an online course, you can sell it over and over without worrying about inventory or shipping. This means more profit for you!

Another plus is the scalability. Digital products can reach a global audience, so there's potential for high sales, especially if you market well. No need to run seminars in person; your content can be accessed anytime, anywhere.

However, there are some downsides. One challenge is the initial time and effort it takes to create high-quality content that resonates with your audience. You need to establish trust and authority, which can take a while.

Then, there's the competition. The digital market is crowded, and standing out can be tough. You'll need to continually innovate and promote your products effectively to attract customers and maintain interest.

How To Monetize a Counseling 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 counseling 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 counseling blog with an email newsletter and the pros and cons of email marketing for counseling bloggers.

How to Monetize a Counseling Blog with an Email Newsletter

Email newsletters are a powerful tool for bloggers in the counseling space. They allow you to connect directly with your audience, build trust, and share valuable content. For counseling bloggers, this means you can nurture relationships with readers who are seeking support and insights, making it easier to monetize your expertise.

To monetize your counseling blog through an email newsletter, start by growing your subscriber list. Offer a free resource like an e-book, a worksheet, or a webinar related to mental health or personal development. This freebie serves as an incentive for readers to sign up, expanding your reach. Once your list grows, engage your subscribers with regular updates that include counseling tips, success stories, and resources while subtly incorporating monetized content.

After building a relationship through valuable content, you can introduce paid offerings. This can include online courses, one-on-one coaching sessions, or exclusive content like workshops. Use your email newsletter to promote these products by highlighting their benefits and showcasing testimonials from clients. Emotional resonance is often key in the counseling field, so sharing stories of transformation can greatly enhance your pitch and drive sales.

Finally, consider partnering with other wellness brands or products that align with your values. Your email newsletter can include affiliate links, earning you a commission for products your readers trust. Make sure these partnerships feel natural—recommend tools or resources you genuinely believe can help your audience on their counseling journey.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Counseling Bloggers

• Pros:
  • Direct Communication: Reach your audience without relying on social media algorithms.
  • Personal Connection: Build trust through relatable, tailored content delivered straight to their inbox.
  • High Engagement Rates: Emails generally have higher open rates compared to social media posts.
• Cons:
  • Maintenance: Regularly managing your newsletter requires time and effort.
  • Growth Challenges: Building a substantial subscriber list can take time and patience.
  • Legal Management: You must comply with regulations like GDPR and CAN-SPAM, which can be tricky.

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 counseling 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 Counseling Blog With Consulting Services

Monetizing a counseling 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 Counseling Bloggers

When it comes to selling consulting services for counseling bloggers, there are clear pros and cons to consider. One major pro is the high demand for guidance in the blogging world. Many aspiring bloggers crave expert advice on content creation, SEO, and audience engagement, which can make your consulting services valuable and lucrative.

On the flip side, the competition is stiff. With numerous established consultants in the field, breaking into this niche can be a challenge. You’ll need to distinguish yourself and your unique approach to make an impact. Additionally, there’s the constant need to stay updated with industry trends and tools, which can be time-consuming.

Another plus is the flexibility that comes with consulting. You can set your own hours and choose your clients, allowing you to tailor your business according to your lifestyle. However, this also means managing your own schedule and finances, which can be daunting and requires discipline.

Lastly, successful consulting can lead to creating long-term relationships with bloggers, turning them into repeat clients. Yet, there’s always the risk of high client turnover. It often takes time to build trust and credibility, especially if you’re starting from scratch. Balancing these factors is key to a sustainable consulting service.

Counseling Blog Monetization FAQs

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

If you want to build a successful counseling 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 Counseling Blogging?

Absolutely! Some counseling blogs, like Ashley Turner and Good Therapy 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 Counseling Blog?

Learning how to start a counseling 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 Counseling Bloggers Get Paid?

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

Is Counseling Blogging Easy?

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

As a counseling 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 Counseling Blog?

It’s absolutely worth it to start a counseling 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 counseling-related industries will take you seriously.

Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Counseling Blog

Now that you've explored all the ways to monetize your counseling blog, here's a bonus tip:

Use multiple monetization methods!

Diversifying your income streams is a smart way to safeguard your blog's future.

If you promote affiliate offers, use display ads, and sell your own products, you won’t be left in the lurch if one stream starts to dry up.

With this multi-tiered approach, some hard work, and good planning, you'll be well on your way to earning what your online business truly deserves.

Why You Should Trust Our Counseling Blogging Content

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

Quite a lot, actually.

Here's why you can trust our process for building a successful counseling 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 Counseling Bloggers Every Day

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