Can You Make Money Blogging? a Beginner's Guide to Monetizing Your Blogs

The answer is yes…and no. For those considering making money by blogging, it certainly is possible, though it isn't easy. There are many who make more than a $1000 a month, but it isn't with just one blog. It's with a network of blogs. The content might be similar, but might not be. So, where do you start?

First, decide what topic(s) you are interested and passionate and knowledgeable enough to write about on a daily basis. Can you do this for 6-10 different blogs? Fresh content is key for keeping readers returning to your sites. You should aim for writing on each blog every day or every-other day. Second, start exploring different ways to bring in cash. The first (and most talked about way) is putting Google adsense on your sites. You are allowed three ad blocks and earn money from clicks (and occasionally impressions, AKA page views). While Google has many other rules, one of the most important to remember is not to click your own ads. Google can revoke your account at any time (and keep any earned money) if they feel you are trying to commit "click fraud." Adbrite is a similar type site where you can sell ad space to advertisers. Pay attention to where you place your ads. Google recommends certain "hot spots"on your web pages. But, they may not work for you. If you try them and you don't get any clicks, consider moving your ads to another location and see how they do. Remember, give each space time to produce. Be sure to blend the colors of your ads as well. Links that look more like they are part of your site will get more clicks.

One of the best up and coming ways to earn money are through writing text ads. There are several sites like Blogitive and PayPerPost. While they are different in set-up, they both pay you to write ads for various companies. Blogitive goes in spurts, and you are assigned ads for your approved blogs. Each pays $5 for 100 words and you must talk about the press release given to you about the company. You must also put two regular posts in between each Blogitive ad. Payperpost also pays for you to do ads, but you get to choose the opportunities that you want to write about. Your blogs must be approved, and you are only allowed to do three opportunities a day, but at $5.00 per ad (some are as little as $3, and others have been $10-$12 dollars or more), you can easily make over $100 a week. However, posts must remain up for 30 days before payment and there needs to be one "regular" post in-between each offer. Each opportunity is different and you need to pay close attention to the requirements. Other sites like BloggingAds, Blogsvertise and Creamaid.com are all up and coming sites that look promising, though ads aren't quite as a-plenty as Blogitive and PayPerPost. Of all of the sites, PayPerPost offers the most opportunities on a daily basis.

Affliate programs are another way that bloggers make money. Amazon.com has their own program, as does Barnes and Noble. There are other sites like Linkshare and Commission Junction that have partnerships with big companies like Macy's, 1-800-Flowers and so many more. You can also make money by referring people into these programs.

If you frequent message boards, this is another great way to promote your site. Sign up for Feedburner and get a rolling ticker that will display your latest blog article titles. Put them in your signatures and get your internet friends interested in your sites. Visit other related blogs and leave comments with a link to your own blog.

Another consideration is getting traffic to your site. This is not an easy task. Many rely solely on submitting to blog directories, like Technorati, which will increase traffic. Getting into a blogroll (you will probably see many of these while surfing other blogs) or several will also increase your readership (and will also boost your Technorati rating). Be careful with using traffic exchanges. Google frowns upon these and can terminate your Adsense account. It is possible to make money blogging, but it won't happen overnight and it takes a lot of dedication to making it happen. Just keep blogging!