How to Monetize a Crochet Blog and Stitch Together Profits

Starting a crochet blog involves some tech like setting up a domain and learning WordPress. But the real excitement begins when you start making money from your blog.

Trust me, figuring out how to monetize your crochet blog can be as fun as crocheting itself!

Whether you're just dipping your toes into blogging or you're already a crochet pro on the web, monetization strategies can transform your passion into a profitable venture. Let's dive into the details of each method.

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for crochet 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 Crochet Bloggers

Hey there! If you're diving into the crochet blogging niche, there are tons of affiliate products you can promote. Let's check out some popular ones:

• Yarn: Every crocheter needs yarn, and there are many brands out there. Recommend high-quality yarns that you love to use.
• Crochet hooks: Different projects need different hooks. Showcase a variety of sizes and types, like ergonomic hooks for comfort.
• Pattern books: These are great for inspiration. Share your favorite ones that feature clear instructions and beautiful photography.
• Online crochet courses: Ideal for beginners and advanced crocheters alike. Promote courses from reputable platforms.
• Crochet kits: Perfect for starters or as gifts. Kits usually include everything needed to complete a project.
• Storage solutions: Help your readers keep their supplies organized with recommendations for bags, boxes, or baskets.

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

Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Crochet Bloggers

Affiliate marketing offers a significant opportunity for crochet bloggers to earn income by promoting products they love and use. By partnering with companies that sell crochet tools, yarn, and patterns, bloggers can receive commissions on sales generated through their affiliate links. This not only helps monetize their blog but also aligns with their content, adding genuine value to their reader's crafting journey.

However, one of the cons is the potential for dependency on affiliate marketing as a primary income source. Changes in affiliate program terms or reductions in commission rates can dramatically affect your earnings. Additionally, there's a risk of losing credibility if affiliates are not well-chosen; promoting low-quality products just for the sake of earnings can turn readers away.

It's also crucial to be transparent with your audience about using affiliate links. Transparency builds trust, and readers appreciate honesty about the monetization strategies you employ. Failure to disclose this information could not only alienate your audience but also violate advertising regulations, leading to penalties or fines.

Overall, affiliate marketing needs to be handled with care. It's a powerful tool when used appropriately, complementing your content and providing financial benefits without compromising your blog’s integrity or reader trust.

2. Display Ads

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

How to Monetize a Crochet Blog With Display Ads

Monetizing a crochet 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 Crochet Bloggers

Display ads can be a great way for crochet bloggers to generate revenue. By placing relevant ads next to your content, you can earn money each time a visitor clicks on an ad. It's a passive income source that can grow as your blog’s traffic increases. Plus, ad networks like Google AdSense are easy to set up and integrate into your blog.

However, there are downsides to consider. Display ads can sometimes detract from the user experience, especially if they're intrusive or not well-targeted. This could potentially turn readers away or diminish the aesthetic appeal of your site, which is crucial for a visually-oriented niche like crochet. Overloading your blog with ads might also slow down your page loading times, affecting your SEO and user satisfaction.

Another point to consider is the unpredictability of income. Display ad revenue can fluctuate based on factors like seasonal trends in traffic or changes in ad network algorithms. For crochet bloggers, this might mean lower earnings during off-peak seasons when fewer people are searching for crochet projects.

3. Digital Products

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

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

Here's a handy list of digital products to sell on your crochet blog:

• Pattern PDFs: Offer detailed crochet patterns for everything from amigurumi to afghans. Include step-by-step instructions and photos.
• Video Tutorials: Create and sell instructional videos for complex stitches or entire projects. Great for visual learners!
• E-books: Compile your best tips, tricks, and patterns into an e-book. Topics can range from beginner guides to advanced techniques.
• Crochet Courses: Launch a series of progressive courses that guide users from basic to advanced crochet skills.
• Custom Pattern Design: Offer a service to create personalized crochet patterns based on customer requests.

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 Crochet Bloggers

One major advantage of selling digital crochet patterns or tutorials is the scalability. Once you create a digital product, you can sell it an unlimited number of times without additional production costs. This means more passive income as your blog grows. Digital products also allow you to reach a global audience, not just local shoppers, increasing your potential market significantly.

However, the digital marketplace is highly competitive. Standing out can be challenging when there are numerous free resources available. You'll need to ensure your patterns are unique and of high quality to attract buyers. Additionally, digital products require technical know-how, such as securing your content against piracy and ensuring it can be easily downloaded or accessed by customers.

Another pro is the ease of delivery. There's no need to worry about shipping logistics or costs, which can be a headache with physical goods. Your customers can download their purchased products instantly, which enhances customer satisfaction. This immediate delivery can also encourage impulse buys during promotions or sales.

On the downside, customer service issues can be more complex with digital products. Issues like download errors, file compatibility, and customer misunderstandings about the nature of the product (thinking they ordered a physical item) can arise. This means having a solid customer support system in place is crucial to help manage and mitigate these issues effectively.

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

How to Monetize a Crochet Blog with an Email Newsletter

Email newsletters are a fantastic tool for crochet bloggers looking to monetize their platforms. By collecting email addresses from your blog visitors, you can create a direct line of communication with your audience. This personal connection is invaluable for promoting your products, sharing exclusive content, or advertising services such as crochet classes or workshops.

To start, offer an incentive for visitors to sign up for your newsletter, like a free crochet pattern or a discount code for your online shop. Once you have a robust list, consider partnering with yarn companies or crochet accessory brands for sponsored content. These companies are often looking for ways to reach dedicated crafters like your subscribers.

Additionally, you can use your newsletter to sell your own crochet patterns or kits. Highlight new designs or offer special bundles to your subscribers. Since they already follow your blog for crochet advice and inspiration, they’re more likely to purchase products directly from you.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Crochet Bloggers

• Pros:
  • Targeted Audience: Subscribers are likely already interested in crochet, making them more receptive to related offers and promotions.
  • Increased Engagement: Regular newsletters keep your blog top-of-mind, encouraging more site visits and longer engagement times.
  • Control Over Content and Timing: You decide what content to send out and when, allowing you to align promotions with your most popular blog posts or seasonal trends.
• Cons:
  • Time-Consuming: Creating engaging, beautiful newsletters can be time-intensive, especially when balancing with blog content creation.
  • Over-reliance on Email: Heavy reliance on email can be risky if subscription rates drop or if email algorithms change, potentially affecting your visibility.
  • Costs: While basic email marketing can be inexpensive, costs can rise as your subscriber list grows and as you use more sophisticated tools and services.

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 crochet 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 Crochet Blog With Consulting Services

Monetizing a crochet 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 Crochet Bloggers

One of the main advantages of selling consulting services as a crochet blogger is leveraging your expertise to diversify income. By offering personalized advice, workshops, or pattern development, you can tap into another revenue stream beyond traditional blog monetization methods like ads or affiliate marketing. This not only boosts your earning potential but also strengthens your brand as an authority in the crochet community.

However, selling consulting services also comes with challenges. It requires a significant time investment, both in delivering the services and in managing the business side of things, like marketing and client communications. For bloggers who primarily focus on content creation, this shift can be demanding and might detract from the time available to produce regular blog posts or develop new crochet patterns.

Another benefit is the direct feedback and interaction with your audience. Consulting allows for deeper engagement with your followers, which can enhance customer loyalty and even provide you with insights for future content based on the challenges and needs of your clients. This can lead to more targeted and useful blog content, further establishing your blog as a go-to resource.

On the downside, consulting requires a set of skills that not all bloggers possess or are willing to develop, such as interpersonal communication, coaching, and possibly conflict resolution. There's also the risk of overextending yourself, leading to burnout. It's crucial to assess whether the personal interaction and the nuances of consulting align with your strengths and business goals.

Crochet Blog Monetization FAQs

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

If you want to build a successful crochet 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 Crochet Blogging?

Absolutely! Some crochet blogs, like Carroway Crochet and Stitching Together 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 Crochet Blog?

Learning how to start a crochet 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 Crochet Bloggers Get Paid?

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

Is Crochet Blogging Easy?

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

As a crochet 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 Crochet Blog?

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

Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Crochet Blog

So, you've got the scoop on all the ways to make money from your crochet blog. Here’s a pro tip before you go: Mix it up with different income strategies!

Why? It’s all about safety in diversity. Whether you’re into affiliate marketing, ads, or selling your own stuff, spreading out your sources of income means you won’t be left hanging if one stream starts to dry up.

By using this multi-layered approach and keeping up the hard work and smart planning, you're setting yourself up for the success you deserve. Go get it!

Why You Should Trust Our Crochet Blogging Content

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

Quite a lot, actually.

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

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