How Do You Make Money Blogging?
We kicked off The Business of Blogging series with a little bit of tough love in the post Think Like a Boss!
Today, we’re shifting gears and sharing some #MondayMotivation! Here goes…
How do you make money blogging? That’s the most asked, most repeated question in nearly every blogging community.
And there’s advice around every corner of the web: SEO strategies, image sizes, platforms, sharing schedules, and so on.
We want to let you in on a little secret though.
How do you make money blogging?
Well, it’s not about the tips, tricks, and techniques.
That’s part of your marketing strategy, for sure, but the key to making money as a blogger lies in building an audience that generally cares about you and what you have to say.
It’s all about your audience.
By building an audience that likes you, that trusts you and what you have to say, and that’s genuinely invested in you and your work, only then will you be able to make money.
It’s no longer enough to think of it as monetizing your blog. It’s most accurate to say you’re monetizing your influence.
We’ve talked a lot about how to earn an income from your blog. We’ve mentioned methods such as:
- Ads
- Affiliate Relationships
- Products
- Passive Income
- Services, like consulting
When it comes down to it, though, none of those will sell unless you already have an audience that trusts you.
And here’s where the motivation comes in: The best way to build an audience is by being 100 percent YOU! Write from the heart. Share meaningful photos. Cover topics that inspire you. You’ll find that, in turn, you touch the hearts and inspire an audience.
No, your audience won’t ever be everyone. No one is for everyone. By being truly authentic in your work, you’ll attract the right people. Your audience will be comprised of those who feel an affinity for you.
Then, once you’ve assembled your tribe, you can start to implement monetization strategies, as long as you choose ones that remain true to you and true to your audience.
How?
Here are a few of our favorite tips:
- How to Follow the Rules of Blogging While Staying Authentic
- Are Traditional Blogs Dying?
- How to Write Any Kind of Blog Post Authentically
To turn your blog into a business that actually makes money, you must create your best work. Only through being true to you–consistently–can you build an audience that trusts you enough to buy from you!
Now what? Join the SLC Mastermind Discussion!
All month long, we’ve discussed the business of blogging in the Social Learning Community. Soon you’ll have the opportunity to download a free workbook that shares all the insights from the month’s theme.
Not yet a member? Sign up! Or, if you’re already part of the community, head over to the Courses page and look for The Business of Blogging course.
Images: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com
