How to Make Money From a Blog

Introduction

Do you want to earn money by blogging? A blog is a web log or an online diary that can be for business or pleasure. Many people now earn part-time or even full-time salaries by blogging for money. Find out a few ways that you can monetize your blog and earn money for your efforts.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Start Your Blog

Steps

1.) Choose a blog. There are free hosted blogs online through many sources that can help you by giving you the tools and resources to make it simple to start your own blog. Or you can register a domain name and start your blog from scratch if you have a bit of technical savvy.

2.) Choose a niche. Once you've decided on a blog, decide what you will write about to attract visitors. Some simply use their blog as a place to write editorials or opinions while others blog about a specific subject they are knowledgeable on. Many professional bloggers recommend that you choose a niche so you can build a following.

3.) Promote your blog. Use web services that will get you some attention such as blog directories and social bookmarking. Using these services can help you get indexed in search engines and drive traffic to your blog. Commenting on other blogs can also build links in to your blog and help more people find you. Once you have some material to read and are indexed in search engines, you can begin to really monetize your blog and start earning money.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your blog visually appealing. Ask for advice from friends on the look and layout of your blog. Try to blend advertisements into your blog so they are more appealing and less obvious.

Monetize Your Blog

Steps

1.) Sign up with Google Adsense. Google offers the ability for people to display targeted advertisements on their blog. Google will give you a percentage of that revenue when people: click on the ads, view the ads and purchase something from a sponsor. You need to apply to Google Adsense and wait for acceptance, and then you will have to work with your blog program to embed the code so the advertisements display properly. This is not difficult.

You need to follow Google's TOS (terms of service) in order to maintain good standing. See warning section in this article for more information.

2.) Apply to other websites that pay you to post on your blog. There are many blog sites that will pay you a flat fee for writing a specific advertisement and link into your blog. Sites like Payperpost, Blogitive or Blogvertise offer these services once your blog has been indexed in search engines such as Google.

3.) Apply for professional blogging jobs. Many online classified networks advertise the ability to post on your own blog or on a blog belonging to a company. Many freelance bloggers earn a regular income by blogging this way.

4.) Join affiliate programs like Amazon and Chikita Mini Malls that offer the ability to advertise on your blog. Many affiliate marketing programs exist that allow you to monetize your blog and earn based on click through rates.

Maintain Your Blog

Steps

1.) Update your blog regularly. By keeping your blog fresh, you attract readers who will keep coming back and who might click your ads or purchase advertised services.

2.) Add reader services to your blog such as RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds to allow syndication and to attract more readers. Continually finding ways to grow and improve your blog will increase your money-earning potential.

3.) Advertise. Once you are earning money from your blog, increase your earning potential by paying for advertising in places that fit your niche. You can also accomplish this by trading links and banners with other pro bloggers to increase exposure for your blog.

Tips & Warnings

• Google will ban Adsense participants for fraud click and cancel any earnings owing if fraud is suspected. Do not click your own advertisements as Google tracks IP addresses and suspicious behavior. Do not tell your family or friends to click your advertisements as a favor to you. Google's algorithm is very advanced, and once your account is banned, it's nearly impossible to be reinstated.