Niche Guides / Writing

How to Monetize a Writing Blog and Pen a Profit

Learning how to monetize a writing blog properly is a crucial part of turning your passion for the word into a full-time business. Here's how:

By Andrew Fiebert Updated

So, you’ve got your writing blog up and running, and now it’s time to start making some money from it. It’s not as hard as you might think!

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at it for a while, there are a few ways to turn your blog into a money-making machine. Let’s dive into the details.

First up, affiliate marketing. This is where you promote products or services and earn a commission for any sales made through your unique affiliate link.

Next, there’s sponsored content. Brands will pay you to create blog posts or other content that promotes their products or services.

And don’t forget about digital products. Ebooks, online courses, and printables can all be big money-makers for a writing blog.

So, now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to start making that writing blog work for you! Good luck!

Why You Can Trust Our Writing Blog Monetization Guide

Lasso is installed on over 8,000 websites, including many writing blogs.

Our team has built multiple 7-figure blogs in a wide range of niches.

We have hands-on experience working with founders to grow and monetize their writing blogs.

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.

TIP: With all monetization methods, the rule of thumb is the easier it is to accomplish, the less money you can make, and vice versa.

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 affiliate products in the writing blogging niche, there are a variety of options to recommend to your audience. Here are some different kinds of affiliate products to consider:

  • Online writing courses: Recommend courses that help improve writing skills, such as grammar, storytelling, or copywriting.
  • Writing software: Promote tools that assist with editing, proofreading, or organizing writing projects.
  • Books on writing: Suggest books on the craft of writing, creativity, or publishing.
  • Freelance writing job boards: Share platforms where writers can find paid writing opportunities.
  • Writing conferences and events: Promote upcoming writing events or workshops for networking and skill development.

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

    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

    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

    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.

TIP: We maintain a database of the best affiliate programs. Click here to see the best writing affiliate programs.

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.

Inserting links into WordPress

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.

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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.

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Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Writing Bloggers

Affiliate marketing can be a great opportunity for bloggers to monetize their content. By promoting products or services and earning a commission for sales or leads generated, bloggers can diversify their income streams.

However, there are also some drawbacks to consider. For example, affiliate marketing requires a significant amount of time and effort to research and select the right products or services to promote. Additionally, there is a risk of damaging your blog's credibility if you promote low-quality or irrelevant products.

On the flip side, the potential for passive income and the ability to leverage your audience's trust to drive sales can make affiliate marketing a valuable addition to a blogger's revenue strategy.

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

NOTE: WordPress is an open-source software found on WordPress.org. WordPress.com is a premium blogging platform, but you never need to pay to install WordPress on your website, even if it’s self-hosted.

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.

TIP: Optimize your display ads for user experience by using your chosen network’s software settings or talking to your account manager. Keep the ads in the sidebar and footer whenever possible.

You’ll make a lot of money in the long run if you put your readers ahead of quick profit.

Display Ad Pros And Cons For Writing Bloggers

Display ads can be an effective way for bloggers to monetize their content. They offer a relatively passive income stream, as once they are set up, they require minimal ongoing maintenance. Additionally, display ads can help to increase brand awareness and reach a wider audience, which can be beneficial for growing a blog's readership.

However, there are also some drawbacks to consider. Display ads can be visually intrusive and may detract from the overall user experience on a blog. They can also slow down page load times, which can negatively impact SEO and user engagement. Additionally, the revenue generated from display ads may not be as substantial as other monetization methods, such as sponsored content or affiliate marketing.

Ultimately, the decision to incorporate display ads into a blog should be carefully considered, weighing the potential benefits against the potential drawbacks. It's important for bloggers to strike a balance between monetization and user experience, ensuring that their content remains engaging and valuable to their audience.

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 some digital products to sell on a writing blog:

  • Writing Templates: Pre-designed templates for different types of writing, such as resumes, cover letters, and business proposals.
  • Writing Workshops: Online workshops or webinars on various writing topics, including fiction writing, non-fiction writing, and poetry.
  • Editing Services: Offer editing and proofreading services for blog posts, articles, or other written content.
  • E-books: Self-published e-books on writing tips, techniques, or personal experiences as a writer.
  • Writing Prompts: Collections of writing prompts and exercises to inspire creativity and overcome writer's block.

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 main pros of selling digital products for writing bloggers is the potential for passive income. Once the product is created and marketed, it can continue to generate revenue with minimal ongoing effort.

Another advantage is the ability to reach a wider audience. Digital products can be easily distributed online, allowing bloggers to connect with readers from all around the world.

On the downside, creating high-quality digital products can be time-consuming and require a significant upfront investment of time and resources. Additionally, there is also the risk of piracy and unauthorized distribution of digital products, which can impact profits.

Despite these challenges, selling digital products can be a lucrative opportunity for writing bloggers looking to diversify their income streams and provide valuable resources to their audience.

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.

TIP: You can still use Lasso to get more clicks to your digital products. Just create a Lasso display with the link pointing to your product’s sales page.

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.

Wondering how to monetize your writing blog? One effective method is through an email newsletter. Here's how to make it work for you.

How to Monetize a Writing Blog with an Email Newsletter

An email newsletter can be a valuable tool for writers looking to monetize their blogs. By offering exclusive content, writing tips, and updates on your latest work, you can attract subscribers who are interested in what you have to offer. Once you've built a solid email list, you can monetize your newsletter by promoting your writing services, selling e-books or courses, or even offering sponsored content to relevant brands.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Writing Bloggers

  • Pros: Email newsletters allow you to connect directly with your audience, build a loyal following, and promote your writing services and products.
  • Cons: It can take time to build a substantial email list, and there's a fine line between providing valuable content and coming across as too promotional.

For writing bloggers, email newsletters can be a powerful way to engage with readers and monetize their content. Newsletters provide a direct line of communication with your audience, allowing you to share your writing expertise, promote your work, and generate income from your 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.

TIP: Again, you can use Lasso to drive more clicks to your coaching pages. Just create a Display with a link to your sales page, and insert it into blog posts.

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 main pros of selling consulting services to writing bloggers is the potential for a steady stream of clients. With the rise of content marketing, more bloggers are looking for guidance on how to improve their writing and grow their audience, creating a high demand for consulting services.

Another advantage is the opportunity to work with a diverse range of bloggers from different niches and backgrounds. This can provide valuable experience and insights into various writing styles and audience demographics, which can be beneficial for your own writing and consulting skills.

On the downside, selling consulting services to writing bloggers can be time-consuming and require a significant amount of effort to build a solid client base. Additionally, some bloggers may have unrealistic expectations or be difficult to work with, which can be challenging to manage.

Overall, selling consulting services to writing bloggers can be a rewarding and profitable venture, but it also comes with its own set of challenges that need to be carefully considered.

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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're all set with the different ways to make money from your writing blog. But here's a bonus tip for you:

Try using multiple ways to make money!

Diversifying your income streams is the best way to protect your business's future. If you promote affiliate offers, use display ads, and sell your own products, it won't hurt your business if one method takes a hit.

With this multi-tiered approach, hard work, and careful planning, 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.

Earn More from Your Writing Blog

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