How to Monetize a Craft Blog and Create Financial Success

When you start a craft blog, there’s a lot to figure out: picking a domain, setting up WordPress, and creating content. But once you've got that down, it’s time to dive into monetizing your craft blog.

Trust me, this part is super fun!

Whether you're just starting out or you're already a crafty influencer, these money-making ideas will help you transform your passion project into a thriving business. Let’s break down each method together.

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for craft 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 Craft Bloggers

When it comes to craft blogging, there are tons of affiliate products you can recommend that will resonate with your audience. Here’s a list of some options that can boost your earnings while helping your readers enhance their crafting activities.

Craft Supplies: From specialty papers to premium paints, these products are always in demand. Highlight brands known for quality.

Toolkits: Things like sewing kits, knitting needles, or basic toolsets for DIY projects can be super useful for any crafter.

Online Courses: Offer educational programs focused on specific techniques or projects. People love to learn new skills!

Crafting Books: Look for books that cater to different types of crafts. They make great gifts and resources.

Subscription Boxes: Monthly craft kits sent to a doorstep are a hit. They keep the creativity flowing all year long!

Affiliate Links Benefits:

• Higher Commission Rates: Many craft companies offer generous commissions that can really add up.
• Engaged Audience: Craft enthusiasts are often looking for new tools and supplies, making them more likely to purchase.
• Authenticity: Sharing products you genuinely love builds trust with your readers.
• Variety of Options: There’s a wide range of product types, catering to different crafts and skill levels.

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 craft 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 craft bloggers:

1. Etsy

   

   Commission Rate: 3.2% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 30 Days

   Etsy is a marketplace of handtrafted pieces and vintage treasures from sellers around the world. Get 5% commission per sale with 30-day cookies.

2. The Knot

   

   Commission Rate: 10% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 30 Days

   The Knot is the leading global family of brands that inspire, inform and celebrate communities as they move through life’s biggest milestones.

3. DMC

   

   Commission Rate: 5% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 30 Days

   DMC is the global brand leader in the manufacturing of hand needlework threads with the highest quality, reliability, and consistency.

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

Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Craft Bloggers

Affiliate marketing is a great way for bloggers to earn passive income. You can promote products that fit your niche and align with your audience's interests. When someone clicks your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission. It’s straightforward and can be a fun way to curate products your readers will love.

However, there are some downsides. First, building a solid affiliate income takes time. You won't see instant results, especially if you're just starting out. Plus, finding the right affiliate programs is crucial. You need to choose ones that are reputable and align with your blog's theme.

Another con is maintaining authenticity. If you promote too many products or ones that don’t resonate with your audience, you risk losing their trust. It's important to promote only what you genuinely believe in. Otherwise, it can feel inauthentic, which isn't great for your blog’s reputation.

Lastly, competition is fierce. Many bloggers are jumping into affiliate marketing, making it harder to stand out. You’ll need to create compelling content that connects with your readers while showcasing your affiliate products in a natural way. It's a balance that takes practice, but it's definitely worth it.

2. Display Ads

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

How to Monetize a Craft Blog With Display Ads

Monetizing a craft 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 Craft Bloggers

Display ads can be a great way for craft bloggers to monetize their content. They are relatively easy to set up and require minimal effort once they’re in place. You just need to create engaging content, and the ads will work in the background, generating revenue as your audience grows.

On the flip side, display ads can be intrusive. If not carefully managed, they may annoy your readers and lead to a higher bounce rate. You want to keep your audience engaged, so too many ads or poorly placed ones can detract from the overall usability of your blog.

Another potential drawback is the income variability. Earnings from display ads depend on traffic levels and click-through rates. If your blog traffic fluctuates, so will your revenue, making it hard to predict monthly income. Craft bloggers often have to balance their ad strategy with maintaining an authentic voice.

Ultimately, it’s all about finding the right balance. You want to implement display ads without compromising the quality of your content. Monitoring your ad performance and tweaking things along the way can help you create a more streamlined approach to monetization.

3. Digital Products

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

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

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

• Printable Craft Templates: Easy-to-follow designs for various crafts, like scrapbooking or card making. Customers can download and use them instantly.
• E-books on Craft Techniques: Share your knowledge in a downloadable format. Tutorials on knitting, sewing, or DIY projects can be super popular.
• SVG Cut Files: Create and sell SVG files for use with cutting machines. These are great for those who love personalized crafts like vinyl decals.
• Online Workshops or Webinars: Host live sessions or recorded classes on crafting skills. Perfect for those who want to learn in a fun setting!
• Social Media Templates: Pre-designed templates for Instagram or Pinterest that fellow crafters can use to showcase their projects.

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 Craft Bloggers

Selling digital products as a craft blogger has some great perks. First, the overhead costs are low. You don’t need to spend a ton on materials or shipping. That means more profit for you! Plus, once you create a product, it can sell over and over again without much extra effort.

However, there are a few downsides. Competition can be fierce, especially in popular niches. You need to market your products effectively to stand out. Also, customers may expect constant updates or new items, adding more pressure on you as a seller.

Another consideration is pricing. Setting the right price can be tricky. Charge too much, and you might scare buyers away. Charge too little, and you may undervalue your work. Finding that sweet spot may take time and experimentation.

Lastly, don’t forget about the technical side. Selling digital products means you need a reliable website to host them. If you're not tech-savvy, this could become a frustrating barrier. Learning the ropes definitely takes time and patience.

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

How to Monetize a Craft Blog with an Email Newsletter

Email newsletters are a fantastic way for craft bloggers to connect with their audience and generate income. With an engaged email list, you can share your latest projects, promote products, and offer exclusive content directly to your subscribers. This direct line of communication creates a loyal community and makes monetization much simpler.

To start monetizing your craft blog through an email newsletter, begin by building your email list. Offer subscribers a freebie, like a downloadable pattern or tutorial, in exchange for their email addresses. Make sure to promote this freebie on your blog and social media. As you collect emails, be consistent about sending out newsletters—ideally once a week or bi-weekly. Keep your content fresh and engaging by sharing your craft projects, tips, and personal anecdotes.

Once you have an established newsletter, you can start integrating ways to monetize it. This could include affiliate links to tools or supplies you recommend, links to your own online shop selling finished crafts, or even sponsored content featuring brands that align with your niche. Offer exclusive promotions or deals to your subscribers to encourage sales and increase loyalty to your brand.

As your audience grows, consider creating a premium content section in your newsletter. This could include exclusive tutorials, custom patterns, or craft classes that your subscribers have to pay for. Not only does this add value to your offerings, but it also creates an additional income stream while providing unique content to your faithful community.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Craft Bloggers

• Pros:
  • Direct connection: Email allows you to communicate directly with your audience without relying on social media algorithms.
  • Loyalty: Consistent newsletters help build relationships and trust with your readers.
  • Multiple income streams: You can promote products, affiliate links, and even offer exclusive paid content from your newsletter.
• Cons:
  • Time-consuming: Crafting quality newsletters takes time and consistent effort.
  • Spam filters: Your emails might land in spam folders, making it tougher to reach your audience.
  • Requires strategy: Building your list and understanding your audience’s interests can take trial and error.

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 craft 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 Craft Blog With Consulting Services

Monetizing a craft 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 Craft Bloggers

When craft bloggers decide to sell consulting services, they unlock potential revenue streams. One major pro is the ability to monetize your expertise. If you’re skilled at SEO, social media, or specific crafting techniques, others will pay for that knowledge. It’s a way to leverage your experience while helping others improve their skills.

However, there are some cons to consider. Marketing yourself as a consultant can be tricky. It requires a different approach than traditional blogging. Plus, establishing credibility takes time, and you might face stiff competition from experienced consultants in your niche.

Another downside is the demand for ongoing engagement and commitment from clients. You’ll need to be prepared to manage your time effectively. Balancing consulting with content creation can be challenging, and burnout is a real concern if not managed well.

Ultimately, selling consulting services has its benefits and drawbacks. It's essential to weigh these carefully to ensure it's the right move for your craft blogging journey.

Craft Blog Monetization FAQs

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

If you want to build a successful craft 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 Craft Blogging?

Absolutely! Some craft blogs, like DIY Candy and Ceramic School 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 Craft Blog?

Learning how to start a craft 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 Craft Bloggers Get Paid?

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

Is Craft Blogging Easy?

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

As a craft 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 Craft Blog?

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

Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Craft Blog

Congratulations! You've learned various ways to monetize your craft blog.

As a parting tip, consider using multiple monetization methods.

Diversifying your income is key to securing your business's future.

By promoting affiliate offers, using display ads, and selling your own products, you'll be better protected from changes in commission rates.

This approach, combined with your hard work and planning, will help you earn what your blog truly deserves.

Why You Should Trust Our Craft Blogging Content

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

Quite a lot, actually.

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

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