How to Monetize a Poetry Blog and Verse in Value

Starting a poetry blog is exciting, but it can feel overwhelming at first. You need to get your domain, set up WordPress, and learn the ropes of writing and publishing. But once you have the basics down, it’s time to focus on how to monetize your poetry blog.

Trust me, this is going to be the most enjoyable part of your blogging journey!

Whether you’re just starting or you’re already a poetry pro, these tips will help you turn your passion into profit. Let’s dive into some fun ways to make your poetry blog a thriving business!

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for poetry 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 Poetry Bloggers

When diving into the poetry blogging niche, there are plenty of affiliate products you can recommend. These can enhance your readers' experiences and potentially earn you some income. Here’s a list of some top picks!

• Poetry Books: Save your readers time by recommending classics and new releases.
• Writing Courses: Online courses that help hone poetry writing skills are always in demand.
• Journals & Notebooks: Quality writing journals encourage creative expression.
• Poetry Reading Platforms: Subscriptions to platforms that offer curated poetry collections can spark inspiration.
• Literary Magazines: Recommend subscriptions to magazines that highlight upcoming poets.
• Online Poetry Competitions: Highlight contests that help poets gain exposure and potentially win prizes.

Here are a few reasons why these affiliate products fit well:

• High Engagement: Poetry lovers are always seeking new material to inspire their own work.
• Niche Specific: These products cater directly to poetry enthusiasts, making them a perfect match.
• Recurring Revenue: Subscriptions and courses can provide you with a steady stream of income.
• Community Building: Recommending products helps build a community around your blog and fosters connections.
• Value Addition: Offering helpful resources makes your blog more valuable to your audience.

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 poetry 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 poetry bloggers:

1. Udemy

   

   Commission Rate: 8% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 7 Days

   Udemy is the biggest hub of paid and free online courses on the web. With so many coureses, it has training and content in every niche possible.

2. Grammarly

   

   Commission Rate: $0.20 - $20 Per Lead

   Cookie Duration: 90 Days

   Grammarly is a software suite that assists in English spelling, grammar, and more. Get up to $20 per sale as well as $0.20 per lead.

3. Coursera

   

   Commission Rate: Up to 45% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 30 Days

   Coursera offers over 1,000 courses and specializations. Each course consists of pre-recorded videos, puzzles, and assignments.

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

Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Poetry Bloggers

Affiliate marketing offers poets a way to monetize their passion. By promoting products, you can earn commissions while sharing what you love. It’s like getting paid for recommending your favorite books or writing tools.

However, there are downsides. Balancing authenticity with promotions can be tricky. Your readers might trust your recommendations less if they feel it's just about the money. It’s crucial to choose products that resonate with your poetry and brand.

Tracking your performance can also be a hassle. Not all affiliate programs are user-friendly, and some might have strict requirements. But the potential income can be worth the effort if done right.

2. Display Ads

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

How to Monetize a Poetry Blog With Display Ads

Monetizing a poetry 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 Poetry Bloggers

Display ads can be a mixed bag for poetry bloggers. On one hand, they can generate some extra income, especially if your blog gets decent traffic. It’s a straightforward way to monetize your content without compromising the flow of poetry itself. Ads often blend into the layout without being too disruptive, allowing readers to enjoy your work while also supporting your site.

On the flip side, display ads might turn off some of your audience. Poetry lovers often seek a focused and tranquil reading experience. The presence of flashy ads could distract them from your carefully crafted verses. Additionally, if your blog's load time increases due to heavy ads, you might lose potential readers before they even see your content.

Another downside is that display ads can reduce the overall aesthetic of a poetry blog. A clean and elegant layout is essential for showcasing poetry. Ads might interfere with that and give off a cluttered vibe. Plus, advertisers usually pay based on clicks or impressions, which can be low in niches like poetry, making the revenue inconsistent.

3. Digital Products

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

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

Here’s a quick list of digital products to sell on your poetry blog:

• eBooks: Compile your poems or themed collections. Easy to read and share.
• Printable Poetry Posters: Design beautiful posters with quotes or stanzas. Perfect for home decor.
• Writing Prompts Guide: Create a PDF full of prompts to inspire budding poets. Great for sparking creativity.
• Online Workshops: Offer virtual classes where you teach poetry writing or critique. Engage with your audience.
• Audio Recordings: Sell recordings of your poetry read aloud. Add a personal touch to your work.

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 Poetry Bloggers

When it comes to selling digital products, poetry bloggers can see both upsides and downsides. On the plus side, digital products like eBooks and online courses have low overhead costs. You don’t need to worry about inventory or packing physical items, making it easier to focus on creativity and content.

Another perk is the capacity for passive income. Once you create your product, it can keep earning money while you sleep. This is especially appealing for poets, who often have busy schedules full of writing, performing, and promoting their work.

However, selling digital products requires some marketing skills. If you’re not tech-savvy, setting up an online store can feel overwhelming. Plus, increasing visibility in a crowded market demands time and effort, which can be daunting for busy bloggers.

Lastly, digital products can sometimes lead to pricing dilemmas. As a poet, you may struggle with the value of your work. It’s tough to price creativity without feeling like you’re undervaluing it, which can be discouraging when setting up a shop.

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

How to Monetize a Poetry Blog with an Email Newsletter

Email newsletters are a powerful tool for poetry bloggers. They allow you to connect with your readers directly in their inboxes. This intimate space creates a loyal audience, one that's willing to support you financially. By sharing exclusive content and building a personal relationship, you can effectively monetize your poetry blog.

Start by growing your email list. Use signup forms on your blog and offer a freebie, like a downloadable poetry ebook or access to exclusive writing prompts. This entices visitors to subscribe. Once you have a list, you can send out regular newsletters packed with fresh poems, writing tips, and behind-the-scenes stories about your work. Encourage engagement by asking for feedback or inviting readers to share their own poetry.

Once your audience is engaged, you can introduce monetization options. Use your newsletter to promote merchandise like poetry books, chapbooks, or artwork. Create special promotions for your subscribers, such as discounts or early access to new releases. Additionally, consider offering paid subscriptions for exclusive content, such as advanced poetry critiques or personalized writing workshops.

Another beneficial aspect of email marketing is the ability to cultivate a community. Create a space where subscribers can share their poetry and receive feedback. This not only builds a sense of belonging but can also encourage readers to support your work financially, knowing they are part of something special.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Poetry Bloggers

• Pros:
  • Direct Communication: You connect personally with your audience, fostering loyalty.
  • Control Over Audience: Your subscribers are yours; they aren't reliant on social media algorithms.
  • High Engagement: Email often has higher open rates than social media, leading to more interaction.
  • Monetization Options: Opportunities for selling products and services directly to engaged readers.
• Cons:
  • Time-Consuming: Regularly crafting quality newsletters can be a challenge.
  • Requires Maintenance: You'll need to continually manage your list and ensure it's growing.
  • Subject to Spam Filters: Your emails could get lost in spam, limiting their reach.
  • Building a List Takes Time: Growing an email list can take a while, especially at the beginning.

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 poetry 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 Poetry Blog With Consulting Services

Monetizing a poetry 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 Poetry Bloggers

Selling consulting services for poetry bloggers has its perks. First, it can provide a steady income stream. Many bloggers are eager for guidance on improving their craft. If you have expertise, you can fill that gap and earn money doing what you love.

On the flip side, marketing your services can be tough. The poetry niche is relatively small. You’ll need to clearly showcase your value and attract clients. This requires good marketing strategies and sometimes, even learning new skills.

Additionally, client expectations can vary widely. Some may want hand-holding, while others may seek independent feedback. Balancing these demands can be tricky, so know your limits and set clear boundaries.

Lastly, remember that the competition exists. Many writers offer similar services. To stand out, you need a unique angle or a persuasive personal brand. This might take time and effort but can pay off in the long run.

Poetry Blog Monetization FAQs

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

If you want to build a successful poetry 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 Poetry Blogging?

Absolutely! Some poetry blogs, like Read a Little Poetry and My Poetic Side 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 Poetry Blog?

Learning how to start a poetry 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 Poetry Bloggers Get Paid?

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

Is Poetry Blogging Easy?

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

As a poetry 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 Poetry Blog?

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

Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Poetry Blog

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

Here's a bonus tip for you: use multiple methods!

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

If you include affiliate offers, display ads, and sell your own products, you'll be better protected if something changes with one source.

With this layered approach, a bit of hard work, and smart planning, you’ll be well on your way to earning what your poetry blog truly deserves!

Why You Should Trust Our Poetry Blogging Content

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

Quite a lot, actually.

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

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