Reader Question: Monetizing Your Blog

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Since I get numerous emails about week about blogging, this information should be a useful tool to those of you looking to maximize your earning potential with your blog.

First of all, you have to content that people are interested in. My friend, Andrea, Mommysnacks.net, has created a wonderful “Beginning to Blog” series, which offers helpful advice on how to get started blogging. My best advice is to blog on something you are passionate about.

So once you have your niche and have built up a audience, how do you make money on your blog? This is a common question.

Ad Networks

If you have any traffic, you need an ad network as it is the easiest way to make money on your website or blog. Ad networks pay based on cost per click (CPC) or cost per 1,000 page impressions (CPM). For example if you have 10,000 page impressions, you would divide 10,000 by 1,000 = 10. If your CPM was $2, you would earn $20 (10 x $2). So basically, advertisers pay either when users click on ads on your site or when the ad is shown on your site.

You will also want to check out the rules for the ad network you joining. For example, some ad networks will not allow you to do any pay per post, post about events you attend for companies, or use company logos in your posts. You will want to consider these factors when you sign up for an ad network. Other ad networks will want you to sign a contract for exclusivity. Others have certain placements where they want you to feature their ads.

Google Adsense: Google Adsense is usually the first ad network websites start to use. You can use Google Adsense with other networks. You can integrate Google Adsense into your blog RSS feeds as your email newsletter. On my site by setting up channels to track different ad codes, I’ve found the 300×250 size maximizes my revenue.

Chitika: Can work alongside Google Adsense. This network can be set up so only users who find your site through a search engine see ads related to their search. Obviously, the more search engine traffic you have, the better results you will have. Put the ad nearest the top as possible to get the most impressions.

Burst Media: Similar to Google Adsense.

SyndiGo: These ads show content from the network such as the Today Show as well as advertisements.

Kontera: Kontera offers in site relevant links on your site. You get paid per click with this network. Any double underlined in blue links you see on my site on Kontera in site link ads.

Affiliate Networks

Affiliate networks offer publishers the opportunity to earn money off referrals of some sort, such as a purchase at an online retailer, signing up for a freebie, or various other reasons usually with CPA (Cost per Action). With affiliate networks, you really have to know your audience to maximize the revenue. For example, on my site any freebie, coupon, or way to earn money is going to work well.

Recommended Affiliate Networks:

• Logical Media
• My Savings
• Panthera Network
• Share a Sale
• Link Share
• Commission Junction
• Google Affiliate Network
• Max Bounty
• Escalate
• Amazon Affiliate Program

Any other affiliate or ad networks you use?

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Tagged as: money making