How to Monetize a Finance Blog and Build an Investment

So, you've got your finance blog up and running, now what? It's time to start making some money from it.

Monetizing your finance blog can be a blast, trust me.

Whether you're just starting out or you've been at this for a while, these monetization methods will help you turn your blog into a money-making machine.

Let's dive into each method and see how you can start bringing in the big bucks.

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for finance 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 Finance Bloggers

Some different kinds of affiliate products to recommend in the finance blogging niche include:

• Credit Cards: Recommend credit cards that offer cash back, travel rewards, or low interest rates to your audience.
• Personal Finance Books: Suggest books on budgeting, investing, or financial planning to help your readers improve their financial literacy.
• Investment Platforms: Promote platforms that allow users to invest in stocks, mutual funds, or ETFs with low fees and user-friendly interfaces.
• Financial Apps: Share apps that help users track their spending, manage their budget, or save money effortlessly.
• Tax Preparation Services: Recommend services that make tax filing easier and help users maximize their refunds.

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 finance 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 finance bloggers:

1. Vantage

   

   Commission Rate: Up to $1,200 CPA

   Cookie Duration: 30 Days

   Vantage is a global, multi-asset broker offering a robust and efficient service for trading CFDs on Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, and Cryptocurrencies. Vantage has a reputation for delivering high standards of trading to clients by providing a trusted trading ecosystem.

2. QuickBooks

   

   Commission Rate: 10% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 45 Days

   QuickBooks is an accounting software package developed and marketed by the company Intuit. Earn a referral fee by selling QuickBooks software!

3. Xero

   

   Commission Rate: 10% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: Unknown

   Xero is online accounting software that connects you to all things business: accountants, bookkeepers, banks, enterprise & apps.

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

Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Finance Bloggers

Affiliate marketing can be a great way for finance bloggers to monetize their content. By promoting relevant financial products or services, bloggers can earn passive income through affiliate commissions.

One of the major pros of affiliate marketing for finance bloggers is the potential for high earnings. With the right strategy and audience, bloggers can generate significant income through affiliate partnerships.

However, there are also some cons to consider. One potential downside is the risk of promoting low-quality or unethical products, which could damage the blogger's reputation and credibility. Additionally, managing multiple affiliate partnerships and tracking performance can be time-consuming.

Overall, affiliate marketing can be a valuable revenue stream for finance bloggers, but it's important to approach it strategically and carefully consider the potential drawbacks.

2. Display Ads

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

How to Monetize a Finance Blog With Display Ads

Monetizing a finance 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 Finance Bloggers

Display ads can be a great way for finance bloggers to monetize their content. They are easy to set up and can generate passive income as long as you have a consistent flow of traffic to your blog.

However, display ads can also be intrusive and affect the user experience on your blog. They can slow down your site's loading speed and may not be as effective as other forms of advertising, such as affiliate marketing or sponsored content.

It's important to weigh the pros and cons of display ads for your specific audience and blog niche. Consider factors such as ad placement, ad relevance, and the potential impact on user engagement before deciding if display ads are the right monetization strategy for your finance blog.

3. Digital Products

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

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

Here are some digital products to sell on a finance blog:

• Financial planning templates: Customizable templates for budgeting, saving, and investing.
• Online courses: On topics such as investing, retirement planning, and managing debt.
• E-books: Written guides on personal finance, tax planning, and wealth building.
• Spreadsheet tools: Calculators and trackers for income, expenses, and investments.
• Webinars: Live or recorded seminars on financial topics with Q&A sessions.

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 Finance Bloggers

One of the major pros of selling digital products for finance bloggers is the potential for passive income. Once the product is created and marketed, it can continue to generate revenue without much ongoing effort. This can provide a steady stream of income alongside other blogging activities.

Another advantage is the ability to reach a wider audience. Digital products can be accessed and purchased by people all over the world, allowing finance bloggers to expand their reach beyond their local area. This can lead to increased visibility and opportunities for growth.

On the flip side, a potential con of selling digital products is the initial time and effort required to create and launch the product. This can be a significant investment, especially for bloggers who are already juggling multiple responsibilities. Additionally, there may be ongoing maintenance and customer support required for the product.

Lastly, there is also the challenge of standing out in a crowded marketplace. With so many digital products available, finance bloggers will need to find a way to differentiate their offering and convince potential customers of its value.

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

Before we dive into the specifics of email newsletter monetization, let's quickly go over what email newsletters are and why they are a great tool for Finance bloggers. An email newsletter is a regularly distributed email that contains valuable content, updates, and promotions for subscribers. For Finance bloggers, email newsletters are a fantastic way to directly communicate with their audience, share financial tips and insights, and promote relevant products or services.

How to Monetize a Finance Blog with an Email Newsletter

To monetize a Finance blog with an email newsletter, you can start by building a strong subscriber list. Create valuable and engaging content that incentivizes visitors to subscribe to your newsletter. Once you have a decent subscriber base, you can monetize your email newsletter by promoting affiliate products, sponsored content, or your own digital products such as e-books or online courses. Additionally, you can offer premium subscription tiers with exclusive financial insights and resources.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Finance Bloggers

• Pros: Email newsletters allow Finance bloggers to build a loyal and engaged audience, promote affiliate products and sponsored content, and generate a consistent stream of passive income.
• Cons: On the flip side, email marketing requires consistent effort to create valuable content, maintain subscriber engagement, and manage promotional partnerships. There is also the risk of being marked as spam if not executed carefully.

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 finance 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 Finance Blog With Consulting Services

Monetizing a finance 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 Finance Bloggers

One of the pros of selling consulting services for finance bloggers is the potential for high earnings. As a consultant, you can charge premium rates for your expertise and advice, leading to a lucrative income stream.

Another advantage is the opportunity to build a strong reputation in the finance industry. By providing valuable consulting services, you can establish yourself as an authority in the field, which can open doors to new opportunities and partnerships.

On the flip side, a potential con of selling consulting services is the time and effort required to attract clients. Building a client base and establishing your expertise can take time and dedication, which may require a significant investment of resources.

Additionally, selling consulting services can involve a level of pressure and responsibility, as clients will rely on your advice and guidance for their financial success. This can be a challenge for some individuals, especially those who prefer a more hands-off approach to their work.

Finance Blog Monetization FAQs

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

If you want to build a successful finance 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 Finance Blogging?

Absolutely! Some finance blogs, like Money Crashers and Get Rich Slowly 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 Finance Blog?

Learning how to start a finance 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 Finance Bloggers Get Paid?

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

Is Finance Blogging Easy?

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

As a finance 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 Finance Blog?

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

Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Finance Blog

So now you know all the different ways to make money from your finance blog. Here's one last tip for you: Use multiple monetization methods!

Diversifying your income streams is key to protecting your business's future. If you promote affiliate offers, use display ads, and sell your own products, you won't be in trouble if one source of income drops.

By working hard and planning carefully, you'll be on the fast track to earning what your online business deserves.

Why You Should Trust Our Finance Blogging Content

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

Quite a lot, actually.

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

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