As a newbie in the blogging world, just a few months shy of my one-year mark, I’ve learned so much along the way through trial and error. One of the biggest challenges I faced was figuring out how to maximize my income from this site—something I couldn’t quite grasp in the beginning. That’s why I’ve curated this list of 7 Simple Ways to Monetize Your Blog as a Beginner—to help anyone just starting out gain more insight into how to earn from their blog. If you’re interested, keep reading!
The Best Ways to Monetize Your Blog: From Google AdSense to Other Ad Networks
Once your blog is live and you’ve published a few posts, Google AdSense is the next thing you should tackle. It’s best to introduce ads early so that your faithful readers get used to the layout of your site with them in place. Trying to add ads later can disrupt the user experience and frustrate your audience.
That said, Google has become stricter with its approval process. I remember when I first applied—it took some time to get approved. But even though it wasn’t instant, the wait was worth it.
If you’re not approved right away, don’t worry! You can tweak your blog, make the necessary changes, and reapply as much as needed. Persistence is key.
And remember, there are other ad networks like Ezoic, Mediavine, AdThrive, and others that you can apply to as your traffic grows.
Monetize Your Blog with Digital Products
Digital products are a huge trend right now, and people are making serious money from them. It’s a great way to generate income without worrying about inventory or shipping. The digital product market is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2026.
So, what exactly are digital products? They’re items like e-books, printable planners, or guides that people can buy and download instantly—no physical product needed.
If you’re wondering where to find digital products to sell, Etsy is a great place to start. You can find pre-made digital products (like templates or planners) that you can easily customize to match your style.
If creating your own is more your speed, writing a digital book is a great option. There are plenty of apps to help you with that, and I’ve shared some of my favorites in this post. You can also offer your digital products directly to your blog readers, turning your blog into a source of income.
Boost Your Blog Income: Cross-Post to Medium
Cross-posting your content to Medium is a smart way to grow your audience. Medium already has a huge community of readers, so your posts can reach more people without much extra effort.
Getting started is simple. Create a free Medium account and copy your blog content over. Just make sure to add a canonical link so Google knows your blog is the original source. This keeps your SEO intact and protects your blog’s ranking.
Want to get paid? Medium’s Partner Program lets you earn money for your writing. To join, you’ll need a Medium membership, which costs $5 a month or $50 a year. Once you’ve posted at least one article, you can apply to the program and turn on the paywall. This allows only Medium members to access your full post, and you’ll earn money based on how much they engage with it.
So.. you get paid based on how many people read and engage with your content. The more people who read your posts, the more you can earn!
Pro Tip: Want even more exposure? Consider joining publications on Medium. These publications have a larger following and can give your posts bigger reach. Also, don’t forget to promote your content on social media to get more eyes on your posts.
Make Money Doing What You Love: Affiliate Marketing for Bloggers
If you’re writing about things you love on your blog, why not make money from it with affiliate links? Affiliate marketing allows you to earn a commission by recommending products or services you believe in. Every time someone makes a purchase through your link, you get paid.
If you want more details about which affiliate programs are best for beginners, read my post here!
Skimlinks Makes Affiliate Marketing Simple and Easy
Since we’re on the topic of affiliate marketing, Skimlinks is another great platform to consider. It’s perfect for bloggers who want to monetize their content without the hassle of manually adding affiliate links. Skimlinks automatically turns regular product links into affiliate links, saving you time and ensuring you’re earning commission every time a reader makes a purchase. With access to thousands of merchants, you can start earning without needing to sign up for individual affiliate programs.
Keep in mind, after applying for Skimlinks, it can take up to 3 days for approval. If you don’t get approved right away, no worries! Just keep adding more valuable content to your blog, and you can always reapply in the future.
Expand Your Reach: Start a YouTube Channel to Increase Your Blog Income
Another great way to boost your income is by diversifying. Don’t rely solely on your blog—consider starting a YouTube channel to share your content. Once you meet the requirements to monetize your videos, you can start earning from ads. Plus, you can use your YouTube channel to promote your blog and drive more traffic to your site. The more traffic you bring in, the more income you can earn from ads!
Grow Your Income: Building an Email List to Boost Your Blog
Last but not least, building an email list is a game-changer when you’re looking to monetize your blog, especially as a beginner. You might be wondering, “Why is an email list so important?” The answer is simple: loyalty. When people sign up for your email list, they’re showing a genuine interest in what you offer. These subscribers are far more likely to engage with your content and help you effectively monetize your blog in the long run.
Once you’ve got subscribers, you can regularly send them updates about new posts, exclusive content, or behind-the-scenes looks at your work. Emails are personal, so it’s an excellent way to build a deeper connection with your audience, and they’ll appreciate hearing directly from you rather than just seeing a blog post.
You can also include affiliate links in your emails. When you promote products or services that align with your content, your email subscribers are more likely to trust your recommendations and make a purchase.
I hope these tips on 7 Simple Ways to Monetize Your Blog as a Beginner have inspired you to start earning from your blog. If you haven’t started a blog yet but want to, check out my post here. On my blog, CuteTrendFinds.com, I share money-saving and money-making tips. Be sure to browse through my other posts for more helpful ideas here.