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

Starting a coupon blog is exciting! There’s a lot to learn like registering a domain, setting up WordPress, and publishing your first posts.

But once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to dig into monetization. Trust me, this part is a blast!

Whether you're just starting out or already a coupon pro, there are plenty of ways to turn your hobby into a money-making blog. Ready to explore the options? Let’s dive in!

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

When diving into the coupon blogging niche, showcasing the right affiliate products can make a big difference. Here’s a list of some top affiliate products to recommend:

• Printable Coupons: These are great for users looking to save on groceries and household items. Easy to find and share.
• Cashback Apps: Recommend apps like Ibotta or Rakuten. They give users cash back on purchases—who doesn't love that?
• Subscription Services: Think meal kits or beauty boxes. Offer exclusive discounts to drive sign-ups.
• Online Courses: Many people want to learn how to coupon efficiently. Courses can guide them, while you earn commissions.
• Affiliate Networks: Joining networks like ShareASale lets you access a plethora of products easily.

Here are some reasons why these products work well:

• Community Appeal: Couponing is all about community and sharing deals. These products encourage that.
• Recurring Revenue: Many subscription services offer monthly commissions. This means steady income for you.
• Widely Sought After: Printable coupons and cashback apps are consistently sought after by savvy shoppers.
• Flexible Promotion: You can promote these products through various platforms—blog posts, social media, or email newsletters.
• High Conversion Rates: Many users grab discounts from these products, making the chances of earning commissions higher.

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 content. The benefits are straightforward. You earn a commission on products and services you promote without having to create or manage inventory. It's a win-win for both you and the brand.

However, there are a few downsides. For one, it can take time to build a loyal audience that trusts your recommendations. If you're just starting out, don’t expect immediate payouts. Plus, if the products you choose don’t resonate with your audience, you might not see any income at all.

Another challenge is competition. The affiliate marketplace is crowded, with many bloggers pitching similar products. You'll need unique content and promotion strategies to stand out. Lastly, some affiliate programs have strict rules. Violating these can lead to being kicked out, so be sure to read the fine print.

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 offer a straightforward way to monetize your blog. When placed strategically, these ads can generate a steady stream of passive income. They're often easy to set up, and networks like Google AdSense make it simple to start earning.

On the downside, display ads can clutter your blog. If you're showcasing too many ads, it can overwhelm your audience. This might lead to slow loading times and a poor user experience, which might chase away your readers. Plus, frequent ad interruptions can dilute the value of the coupons you’re promoting.

Another downside is the unpredictability of income. Earnings can fluctuate based on traffic, seasonality, and ad competition. Sometimes, specific topics gain traction, and others fall flat. This makes it hard to predict how much you'll earn from month to month. It’s essential to strike a balance between ads and content to keep your readers engaged.

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.

Here’s a quick list of digital products you can sell on your coupon blog:

• E-books: Write guides on saving money, couponing tips, or budgeting. E-books are easy to create and sell.
• Online Courses: Teach others how to maximize their couponing efforts with step-by-step videos. It's a great way to share expertise.
• Printable Planners: Design planners for budgeting, meal planning, or savings tracking. Printables are popular and low-cost to produce.
• Membership Sites: Offer exclusive content like advanced coupon tips, members-only discounts, or community access for a subscription fee.
• Discount Aggregator Tools: Create software or tools that help users find and apply coupons easily.

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

When coupon bloggers dive into selling digital products, several pros come into play. First, the overhead costs are minimal. Unlike physical products, digital goods don’t require inventory or shipping. This means more profit in your pocket. Plus, once you create the product, you can sell it repeatedly without any extra effort.

Another major benefit is the ability to establish authority in your niche. By offering unique items like e-books or online courses, you can showcase your expertise. This can lead to increased traffic and followers on your blog. Your audience is likely to trust you more, which can help enhance your blogging brand.

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:

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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 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 reach your audience directly with exclusive deals, tips, and personalized content. A well-crafted newsletter can boost your engagement and conversion rates. Coupon bloggers, in particular, can thrive in this space because subscribers are often eager to discover the latest discounts and offers.

To monetize your coupon blog with an email newsletter, start by building your subscriber list. Offer a free incentive, like a printable coupon book or exclusive access to high-value deals, in exchange for signing up. This not only helps increase your list but also attracts genuine interest from potential customers. Make sure your sign-up form is visible on your blog and encourage sharing it on social media channels to widen your reach.

Once you have a solid subscriber base, focus on crafting content that resonates with your audience. Share weekly or bi-weekly newsletters featuring top deals, seasonal discounts, or budget-saving tips. Incorporate affiliate links where you promote products or services that align with your blog’s theme. When your readers click on these links and make purchases, you earn a commission, turning your newsletter into a lucrative revenue stream.

You can also collaborate with brands for sponsored content, showcasing their products or services within your newsletters. This approach can be particularly beneficial for coupon bloggers, as brands are often eager to reach an audience looking for deals and savings. Keep your newsletters visually appealing and cohesive with your blog’s branding to foster trust and loyalty among readers.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Coupon Bloggers

• Pros:
  • Direct Engagement: Reach your readers directly in their inbox, increasing chances of interaction.
  • High Conversion Rates: Emails typically have higher conversion rates than social media posts.
  • Audience Segmentation: Tailor content based on subscriber preferences, making promotions more effective.
  • Cost-Effective: Most email marketing tools are affordable, especially for small bloggers.
• Cons:
  • Spam Filters: Your emails might end up in spam folders if not managed correctly.
  • List Management: Keeping your email list clean and engaged requires constant effort.
  • Unsubscribes: Some users may unsubscribe if the content doesn’t meet their expectations.
  • Compliance Challenges: Need to comply with regulations like GDPR for collecting email addresses.

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.

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 Coupon Bloggers

Selling consulting services can be a smart move for coupon bloggers, but it has its ups and downs. On the plus side, it allows you to monetize your expertise directly. If you’ve got a knack for saving money and navigating deals, people will pay for your insights and strategies. Plus, it can elevate your brand and build trust with your audience, making them more likely to stick around for future content.

However, there are also challenges. First off, it requires a different skill set—like marketing and client management—that might not come naturally to all bloggers. You also need to find the right pricing strategy, which can feel tricky. Overpricing may scare off potential clients, while underpricing can undervalue your work.

Another downside is that providing consulting services can be time-consuming. Unlike writing blog posts, consulting requires real-time communication and personalization for each client. This could eat away at your blogging time, which might lead to less frequent content updates. Balancing both can be a juggling act.

In summary, while consulting services can open new revenue streams and enhance your blog's reputation, they also come with potential pitfalls that need careful consideration. Finding what works best for you is key.

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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've learned all the ways to monetize your coupon blog.

Here's a bonus tip: use multiple methods!

Diversifying your income streams is key to securing your blog's future.

If you promote affiliate offers, display ads, and sell your own products, you're less likely to feel the pinch if one income source dries up.

With this strategy, some elbow grease, and a solid plan, you'll be well on your way to maximizing your blog's earnings.

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.