How to Monetize a Writing Blog and Pen a Profit

So, you’ve mastered the basics of blogging – congrats! Now, let’s talk about making some money from your writing blog.

Trust me, monetizing your blog can be a blast!

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re already a pro, these monetization methods will help you turn your blog into a full-time gig. Let’s dive into each one.

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for writing 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 Writing Bloggers

When it comes to recommending affiliate products in the writing blogging niche, there are several options to consider:

• Writing tools: Recommend software, apps, or tools that help with writing, editing, or organization.
• Writing courses: Promote online courses or workshops that can help improve writing skills.
• Books about writing: Share books on writing techniques, creativity, or the publishing industry.
• Productivity tools: Recommend tools that help with time management, organization, or productivity for writers.
• Self-publishing services: Promote services that assist with self-publishing, such as formatting, cover design, or marketing.

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

Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Writing Bloggers

For bloggers, affiliate marketing can be a great way to monetize your blog. One of the major pros of affiliate marketing is the potential to earn passive income by promoting products or services that align with your blog's niche. This can be a great way to diversify your income streams and earn money while you focus on creating great content.

On the flip side, affiliate marketing can also have its drawbacks. It can take time to build up a steady stream of income, and there is no guarantee of how much you will earn. Additionally, you may need to invest time in building relationships with affiliate partners and managing your promotions effectively to see significant results.

Overall, affiliate marketing can be a valuable addition to a blog's revenue strategy, but it's important to weigh the pros and cons carefully and approach it with a clear strategy to maximize its potential benefits.

2. Display Ads

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

How to Monetize a Writing Blog With Display Ads

Monetizing a writing 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 Writing Bloggers

Display ads can be a great way for bloggers to monetize their content and generate income. They are easy to set up and can provide a steady stream of passive income once they are live on your blog. Additionally, display ads can help you reach a wider audience and increase your blog's visibility.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Display ads can be intrusive and disrupt the user experience on your blog, potentially driving away readers. They can also slow down your website's loading speed, which can negatively impact your search engine rankings. Additionally, the income generated from display ads can vary greatly and may not always be consistent.

Ultimately, whether or not display ads are right for your blog will depend on your specific goals, audience, and content. It's important to carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding to incorporate display ads into your blogging strategy.

3. Digital Products

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

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

Here are a few digital products that you can sell on your writing blog:

• E-books: Create and sell e-books on various writing topics, such as creative writing tips, grammar guides, or how to get published.
• Printable Worksheets: Offer printable writing prompts, character development sheets, or plotting templates for purchase.
• Online Courses: Develop and sell online writing courses, covering topics like storytelling techniques, self-editing, or building a writing platform.
• Exclusive Content: Provide access to premium content, such as interviews with successful authors, behind-the-scenes looks at your writing process, or bonus writing exercises.

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 Writing Bloggers

One of the major advantages of selling digital products for writing bloggers is the potential for passive income. Once the product is created and set up for sale, it can continue to generate revenue without much ongoing effort.

Another pro is the ability to reach a wider audience. Digital products can be easily distributed and accessed by people all over the world, allowing bloggers to expand their reach and impact.

On the flip side, a potential drawback of selling digital products is the need for marketing and promotion. Bloggers may need to invest time and resources into promoting their products in order to drive sales.

Additionally, there may be some challenges in terms of customer support and managing digital product delivery. Bloggers will need to ensure a smooth and efficient process for customers to access and use their digital products.

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

So you've got a writing blog and you're looking to monetize it? One great way to do that is through an email newsletter. Here's how you can make it work for you:

How to Monetize a Writing Blog with an Email Newsletter

One way to monetize a writing blog with an email newsletter is by offering exclusive content to subscribers. This could include writing tips, author interviews, or sneak peeks at upcoming projects. You can also promote your writing services or products in your newsletter, such as editing or writing coaching. Another option is to include affiliate links for writing-related products or books. Just be sure to provide value to your subscribers in every newsletter so they look forward to opening and reading them.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Writing Bloggers

• Pros: Email newsletters allow you to build a loyal audience, promote your products or services directly, and provide exclusive content to subscribers.
• Cons: It can be time-consuming to create and maintain a newsletter, and there's no guarantee that subscribers will open or engage with your emails.

Email newsletters are a great way for writing bloggers to connect with their audience and promote their work. They provide a direct line of communication with your readers and can be a valuable tool for building a loyal fan base and generating income from your writing blog.

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 writing 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 Writing Blog With Consulting Services

Monetizing a writing 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 Writing Bloggers

One of the pros of selling consulting services to writing bloggers is the potential for a steady stream of clients. As bloggers are constantly producing content, they often require guidance on writing techniques, content strategy, and audience engagement.

Another benefit is the opportunity to make a significant impact on the success of a blogger's platform. By providing valuable insights and personalized guidance, consulting services can help bloggers improve their writing skills and grow their audience.

On the flip side, a challenge of selling consulting services to writing bloggers is the need to stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in the blogging industry. As the digital landscape evolves, consultants must continuously adapt their strategies to remain relevant and effective.

Additionally, it can be difficult to differentiate oneself in a saturated market. With many consultants offering similar services, it's important to develop a unique value proposition and establish a strong personal brand to stand out among the competition.

Writing Blog Monetization FAQs

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

If you want to build a successful writing 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 Writing Blogging?

Absolutely! Some writing blogs, like The Write Life and Writer's Digest 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 Writing Blog?

Learning how to start a writing 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 Writing Bloggers Get Paid?

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

Is Writing Blogging Easy?

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

As a writing 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 Writing Blog?

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

Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Writing Blog

So now you know all the different ways to make money from your writing blog. But here's a bonus tip for you:

Try using multiple methods to make money!

Having different ways to earn income is the best way to protect your business in the long run. For example, if you promote affiliate offers, use display ads, and sell your own products, you won't be in trouble if one of them changes their rates.

By using this multi-tiered approach, working hard, and planning carefully, you'll be on the fast track to earning what your online business deserves.

Why You Should Trust Our Writing Blogging Content

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

Quite a lot, actually.

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

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