How to Monetize a Coupon Blog and Clip Your Way to Cash

So, you've started your coupon blog. That's awesome! There’s a lot to learn, like picking a domain, setting up WordPress, and creating content.

Once you’ve got the hang of the basics, it’s time to dive into how to monetize your coupon blog.

This part is where the fun really begins!

No matter if you're just starting out or you've been at this for a while, these tips will help you turn your coupon blog into a money-making machine.

Let’s break down the best ways to start earning from your couponing passion!

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for coupon 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 Coupon Bloggers

In the coupon blogging niche, there are tons of affiliate products you can recommend. Here’s a straightforward list to get you started!

• Coupon Sites: Promote well-known coupon platforms that offer exclusive deals.
• Cashback Services: Great for users looking to save money from their online purchases while earning some back.
• Discounted Gift Cards: Promote sites that sell gift cards at a lower price, helping people save on their favorite stores.
• Subscription Box Services: Monthly subscriptions often provide discounts for first-time users.
• Online Courses: Recommend educational platforms featuring promos to save on learning new skills.

Here are a few reasons why these products work well:

• High Demand: Everyone loves a good deal, making coupons and discounts always in demand.
• Recurring Purchases: Sites like cashback services create a habit, leading to repeated visits and purchases.
• User Engagement: Coupons drive user interaction, increasing the chances they’ll check back often.
• Easy to Promote: These products often come with appealing visuals and clear savings, making them easy to market.
• Community Influence: People trust recommendations from bloggers, especially when it comes to saving money.

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 coupon 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 coupon bloggers:

1. Academic Superstore

   

   Commission Rate: 4% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 45 Days

   Find academic edition software discounts for students, teachers, and schools. Educational pricing available.

2. Points

   

   Commission Rate: 1.25% - 10% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 15 Days

   Points.com allows you to manage all your different loyalty programs from one interface. Even exchange and redeem points for other things.

3. Ibotta

   

   Commission Rate: $2 Per Referral

   Cookie Duration: Unknown

   Ibotta is a free app that rewards you for purchases you already make. Get cash when shopping in-store. Online shoppers earn via their web portal.

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

Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Coupon Bloggers

Affiliate marketing can be a great way for bloggers to monetize their platforms. One of the major pros is the potential for passive income. Once you set up your affiliate links, you can earn money while you sleep, as long as people are clicking and purchasing through those links.

On the flip side, one con is that earning significant income can take time. It often requires building a solid audience and gaining their trust. If your readers don't find the recommendations valuable, they’re less likely to click your links.

Additionally, there’s the challenge of staying relevant. You need to regularly update your content and ensure your affiliate products are suitable for your audience. Shifting trends can mean reassessing your affiliate partnerships to keep things fresh.

Lastly, some may find it hard to balance affiliate marketing with authentic content. Readers can spot inauthentic promotions from a mile away. Staying genuine and focused on providing value should always be your primary goal.

2. Display Ads

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

How to Monetize a Coupon Blog With Display Ads

Monetizing a coupon 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 Coupon Bloggers

Display ads can be a double-edged sword for coupon bloggers. On one hand, they have the potential to generate quick revenue. Brands pay a fair amount for ad space, especially if your blog attracts a good amount of traffic. This can help monetize your site without compromising the quality of your content.

However, not all is sunshine and rainbows. Display ads can sometimes detract from user experience. Too many ads can slow down your site, which annoys visitors and may make them bounce. This is particularly true in the coupon niche, where speed and easy navigation are key to securing sales.

Another downside is ad relevance. If the display ads don’t align with your audience's interests, they can lead to low engagement. When users see ads for products they’re not interested in, it may come across as noise, rather than value. This can dilute the trust your readers have in your blog.

So, while display ads offer quick cash flow, they also require careful management. The balance between monetization and maintaining a quality user experience is essential. Coupon bloggers must weigh the perks against the potential for increased reader dissatisfaction.

3. Digital Products

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

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

Digital Products to Sell on a Coupon Blog:

• E-books: Create guides on saving money, using coupons effectively, or mastering meal planning.
• Printable Coupon Organizers: Offer stylish, downloadable templates for organizing paper or digital coupons.
• Exclusive Discount Codes: Partner with brands to offer specially negotiated discounts for your readers.
• Online Courses: Teach others how to maximize their savings using coupons and budgeting tips.
• Membership Perks: Create a subscription model providing access to exclusive deals and resources.

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 Coupon Bloggers

Selling digital products as a coupon blogger can be a great way to diversify your income. One major pro is the low overhead cost. After creating your digital product, the ongoing expenses are minimal since there's no need for physical inventory or shipping. This can lead to higher profit margins compared to traditional retail.

Another benefit is flexibility. You can create products based on your audience's needs. E-books, printables, or courses are just a few examples that can resonate well with your followers. If they love your coupons, they might find immense value in learning more strategies to save or budget.

However, there are some cons to consider. The market can be saturated, so standing out is tough. If your content isn't unique, it might not attract buyers. Additionally, there's the initial time investment to create quality products. You might not see immediate returns, which can be disheartening.

Customer service can also be challenging. Unlike physical products, digital products can sometimes lead to easy refunds or disputes. You'll need to have a clear policy in place, and keeping customers happy should always be a priority. Balancing these aspects helps ensure a smoother selling experience.

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

How to Monetize a Coupon Blog with an Email Newsletter

Email newsletters are a powerful tool for coupon bloggers. They allow you to connect directly with your audience, delivering exclusive deals and content straight to their inbox. This fosters loyalty and keeps your readers engaged, making it easier to monetize your blog.

To effectively monetize your coupon blog through an email newsletter, start by building a substantial subscriber list. Offer valuable incentives, like exclusive discounts or bonus coupons, in exchange for email sign-ups. Making your newsletter the go-to resource for deals will attract more subscribers over time.

Once you've established your newsletter, consider integrating affiliate marketing. Promote products or services through affiliate links, including special offers from brands you work with. When readers shop through your links, you earn a commission. This creates a win-win scenario where your audience saves money, and you make income.

You can also incorporate sponsored content. Partner with companies to feature their promotions in your newsletters. Many brands are willing to pay for access to a targeted audience like yours. Just ensure that the promotions align with your blog’s niche to maintain your readers' trust.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Coupon Bloggers

• Pros:
  • Direct Engagement: You can reach your audience directly and build a loyal following.
  • High Conversion Rates: Email is often more effective than social media for driving sales.
  • Personalization: Tailoring offers can increase relevance and lead to higher earnings.
• Cons:
  • Maintenance: Keeping your email list clean and active requires consistent effort.
  • Regulatory Challenges: You must navigate laws surrounding email marketing, like GDPR.
  • Unsubscribes: Some subscribers may opt-out, which can hinder list growth over time.

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 coupon 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 Coupon Blog With Consulting Services

Monetizing a coupon 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 Coupon Bloggers

There are some great perks to selling consulting services if you're a coupon blogger. For starters, it allows you to monetize your expertise beyond affiliate marketing or sponsored posts. You can develop a more personal connection with your readers, helping them save money while building a loyal audience.

On the flip side, taking the consulting route does come with its challenges. It requires you to invest time in creating a structured offering and possibly change your blog's focus. You also need to be prepared for fluctuating demand, as not everyone will want consulting services continually.

Another pro is the potential for higher earnings. Consulting can often bring in higher hourly rates compared to traditional blogging revenue streams. However, balancing your time between creating content and offering consulting can strain your schedule, especially if your blog is still growing.

Lastly, there’s a risk of overwhelming yourself. It can be tough to maintain your position as a content creator while managing consulting clients. If you’re not careful, the blog might take a backseat, leading to burnout. Learn to set boundaries and market your services wisely to avoid this pitfall.

Coupon Blog Monetization FAQs

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

If you want to build a successful coupon 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 Coupon Blogging?

Absolutely! Some coupon blogs, like Hip 2 Save and Money Saving Mom 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 Coupon Blog?

Learning how to start a coupon 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 Coupon Bloggers Get Paid?

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

Is Coupon Blogging Easy?

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

As a coupon 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 Coupon Blog?

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

Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Coupon Blog

Congratulations! You now know how to monetize your coupon blog step-by-step.

Here’s a bonus tip for you: use multiple monetization methods!

By diversifying your income streams, you’re setting your blog up for success.

If you promote affiliate offers, run display ads, and sell your own products, you’ll be more secure. After all, if Amazon cuts its commissions, your business won’t take a big hit.

So, with this multi-tiered approach and a bit of hard work, you’re on your way to earning the income your blog truly deserves.

Why You Should Trust Our Coupon Blogging Content

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

Quite a lot, actually.

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

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