“How to Monetize a Personal Blog and Find a Path to Profit

Starting a personal blog is exciting, right? There’s a lot to figure out, from registering a domain to setting up WordPress and publishing your first post. But once you’ve got the basics down, it's time to think about making money from your blog.

I promise you, this is going to be the most fun part!

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been blogging for a while, there are plenty of ways to monetize your blog. These methods can help you turn your passion into a full-time gig. Let’s dive into the details of each monetization strategy.

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for personal 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 Personal Bloggers

Looking to recommend some affiliate products in the personal blogging niche? You’re in the right place! Here’s a list of great options that can fit naturally into your blog.

Here are some categories of affiliate products to consider:

• Web Hosting Services: Recommend providers like Bluehost or SiteGround, which are reliable and beginner-friendly.
• WordPress Themes: Highlight elegant themes that can enhance the appearance of a blog, such as Astra or Divi.
• Online Courses: Share courses that teach blogging skills, like SEO strategies or monetization techniques.
• Social Media Tools: Suggest tools like Buffer or Hootsuite that help bloggers manage their social presence.
• Email Marketing Services: Promote platforms like ConvertKit or Mailchimp to help bloggers build their email lists.
• Planners and Journals: Mention resources that help with productivity, such as goal-setting journals or blogging planners.

Why recommend these products?

• High Commission Rates: Many of these products offer attractive commissions, boosting your earnings.
• Aligns with Audience Needs: These are products that bloggers actively seek, making them relevant to your content.
• Reputable Brands: Associating with well-known brands builds trust with your audience.
• Long-Term Benefits: Some products have subscription models, leading to recurring commissions.

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 personal 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 personal bloggers:

1. Affiliate+

   

   Commission Rate: 9-15%

   Cookie Duration: 30 Days

   Affiliate+ is an AI-powered affiliate product marketplace for Lasso users. It's filled with thousands of high-commission Amazon products.

2. Lasso

   

   Commission Rate: 20%, Up to $700+ per sale

   Cookie Duration: 30 Days

   Lasso is a WordPress plugin that allows you to quickly create affiliate link displays that earn more money. Manage all your affiliate links in one place.

3. Keyword.com

   

   Commission Rate: 50% of Revenue for 12 Months

   Cookie Duration: 60 Days

   Keyword.com is a best-in-class Google keyword rank tracking solution for SEO agencies, freelancers and inhouse SEO teams. It provides everything you need to track, pinpoint and validate your SEO efforts and gives you additional features for showcasing and reporting your results.

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

Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Personal Bloggers

Affiliate marketing can be a great way for personal bloggers to monetize their content. It allows you to earn a commission by promoting products or services you love. It’s flexible, meaning you can choose what you want to promote, making it easier to stay authentic with your audience.

On the flip side, building a successful affiliate strategy takes time. You may not see immediate results, and it requires effort to create valuable content that converts readers into buyers. Plus, it can be tricky to find the right products that resonate with your audience.

Another downside is the reliance on third-party companies. If a brand changes its commission structure or decides to end an affiliate program, your income could take a hit. It’s crucial to diversify your income streams instead of relying solely on affiliate marketing.

Ultimately, success in affiliate marketing for personal bloggers relies on trust. If your readers feel you are promoting products genuinely, they are more likely to support your recommendations. Balancing honesty with promotion is key.

2. Display Ads

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

How to Monetize a Personal Blog With Display Ads

Monetizing a personal 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 Personal Bloggers

Display ads can offer a quick way to monetize your blog. They can generate passive income, meaning you get paid without constant effort. Platforms like Google AdSense make it easy to set up, even for beginners.

However, display ads can also clutter your blog’s design. Too many ads can frustrate your readers and drive them away. If they outweigh your content, it can kill the user experience.

Another con is the variable earning potential. You may not make much money initially, as it often depends on your traffic and niche. Plus, ad blockers are increasingly common and can reduce your revenue significantly.

Ultimately, balance is key. Finding the right number of ads and placements can help you earn without alienating your audience. This approach requires careful monitoring and may take some tweaking.

3. Digital Products

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

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

Here's a quick list of digital products you can sell on your personal blog:

• E-books: Create informative guides or stories in digital format. Make sure they solve a problem or entertain.
• Online Courses: Teach what you know through video lessons. Use platforms like Teachable or Udemy to host them.
• Printable Templates: Offer planners, checklists, or trackers in PDF format. Customers love things they can print and use right away.
• Stock Photos: If you're a photographer, sell high-quality images. Bloggers and businesses are always in need of visuals.
• Membership Access: Create exclusive content for subscribers. This could be articles, videos, or a community forum.

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 Personal Bloggers

Selling digital products can be a game-changer for personal bloggers. One major pro is the ability to generate passive income. Once you create an e-book, online course, or design template, you can sell it repeatedly without having to restock or manage inventory. This can free up your time for more content creation.

Another advantage is the low overhead costs. Unlike physical goods, digital products have minimal production and distribution expenses. This means you can focus your budget on marketing and improving your blog, rather than worrying about shipping and storage. Additionally, you have the flexibility to price these products however you see fit, allowing you to find the sweet spot that attracts readers.

On the flip side, there are some cons to consider. Building a solid audience is crucial before you can effectively sell digital products. If you don’t have a steady traffic flow or engaged readers, you might struggle to make sales. Plus, competition can be fierce in a saturated market, so you’ll need to differentiate your offerings to stand out.

Another challenge is tech setup and support. You’ll need to navigate payment processing, product delivery systems, and potential customer service issues. This can be daunting if you're not tech-savvy or if you're just starting out. It’s essential to weigh these factors before diving in.

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

How to Monetize a Personal Blog with an Email Newsletter

Email newsletters allow bloggers to connect directly with their audience. For personal bloggers, this is an ideal way to build relationships and create an engaged community. They can share exclusive content, updates, and special offers. With a loyal following, you can effectively monetize your blog through your newsletter.

To get started with monetizing your email newsletter, focus on building your subscriber list. Offer a compelling lead magnet, such as a free eBook, checklist, or exclusive content, to entice visitors to sign up. Make sure to showcase the value they’ll receive by subscribing. Once you have a substantial list, you can monetize through sponsored content or affiliate marketing, promoting products that resonate with your readers.

You can also integrate paid subscriptions for premium content. This could be in the form of a monthly newsletter that dives deeper into your blog's topics or provides insider tips. By presenting your unique expertise and personality, you can create high-quality, valuable content that readers will be willing to pay for. Loyalty and trust are key here, and with the right approach, your personal nature as a blogger will shine through.

Finally, nurturing your email list is crucial. Regularly send newsletters filled with valuable insights and maintain an authentic voice to keep subscribers engaged. This not only builds trust but also encourages readers to check out any products or services you recommend. As they see the value you provide, they're more likely to convert.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Personal Bloggers

• Pros:
  • Direct connection: You communicate directly with your audience, building a loyal community.
  • High engagement: Emails generally have a higher engagement rate compared to social media posts.
  • Content ownership: You own your email list and aren’t subject to platform algorithms.
• Cons:
  • Time-consuming: Crafting quality newsletters takes time and effort.
  • Subscriber drop-off: People may unsubscribe if they feel overwhelmed or uninterested.
  • Initial growth challenges: Building a substantial email list can take time, especially for new bloggers.

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 personal 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 Personal Blog With Consulting Services

Monetizing a personal 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 Personal Bloggers

One major pro of selling consulting services as a personal blogger is the ability to leverage existing expertise. If you have a niche that you are passionate about, offering consulting can allow you to share that knowledge while making money. It's a natural extension of your blogging efforts, and it builds credibility.

On the flip side, one of the cons is that it can be time-consuming. Balancing client work with your blogging can be tough. You'll need to carve out time for both, which can stretch your schedule thin if you’re not careful.

Another positive aspect is the potential for high earnings. Consulting rates can be significantly higher than typical monetization methods like affiliate marketing or ads. If you position yourself well, you could attract clients who are willing to pay a premium for your insights.

However, the competition in the consulting market can be fierce. Many other bloggers are also trying to sell their expertise. This means you’ll need to invest in personal branding and marketing to stand out, which can be an additional effort you may not have anticipated.

Personal Blog Monetization FAQs

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

If you want to build a successful personal 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 Personal Blogging?

Absolutely! Some personal blogs, like James Clear and Zen Habits 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 Personal Blog?

Learning how to start a personal 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 Personal Bloggers Get Paid?

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

Is Personal Blogging Easy?

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

As a personal 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 Personal Blog?

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

Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Personal Blog

You've learned some great ways to monetize your personal blog. Here’s a bonus tip for you:

Mix it up! Use different methods to make money.

Diversifying your income is key to keeping your blog secure. If you rely on just one source, like affiliate sales, you could be in trouble if commissions change.

By combining affiliate offers, display ads, and selling your own products, you create a stable income stream.

With some hard work and smart planning, you'll be on your way to earning what your blog truly deserves!

Why You Should Trust Our Personal Blogging Content

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

Quite a lot, actually.

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

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