5 Ways to Use Your Blog to Make Money Online

Maybe you’re getting ready to start a blog, or maybe you already have one. In either case, you want to make money from it. You’ve probably heard about bloggers making a really good income, but figuring out how to make money blogging can be a bit confusing.The truth is that the blog itself is a way to attract and engage an audience. In order to make money from it, additional steps must be taken. The following are some of the most common ways to use a blog to make money.Digital ProductsThere are many bloggers out there that make a full-time income from selling digital products – and there are plenty of options for things to make. Some sell e-courses and ebooks, which can both be great money makers.Others create printables, such as chore charts, weekly or daily planners, games, and more. If you look on stores like Etsy for printables, you’ll see a wide range of products that you can make.The good thing about digital products is that they are considered passive income. You make them once and can sell them over and over again – even while you sleep. You’ll need to make updates occasionally, but they are typically a “once and done” method of making money.Specialty ServicesWhat are you good at? Are you really good at managing social media? Maybe you’re good at writing tutorials or managing administrative tasks. Or maybe you’re really good at inspiring people and helping them achieve their goals.Whatever you’re good at, you can sell it as a service on your website. Add a “Hire Me” page to advertise your services as a virtual assistant, a coach, a social media manager, or anything else you want to dive into.This is, of course, a more active approach to making money. Unlike digital products, you’ll need to put in constant work in order to have an ongoing income.Sponsored Blog PostsDid you know that there are companies out there that pay bloggers to write about products on their websites? For instance, if you write about tech, companies that sell computers might pay you to mention their company or review a product.Does that sound interesting? It’s called sponsored posting, and it’s a great way to make money from your blog. Just be sure that you write truthfully and about companies that you admire. You don’t want to lose your audience’s trust by recommending a product or company that turns out to be untrustworthy.Physical ProductsJust because you’re online doesn’t mean you have to stick to digital products. Many bloggers make money through physical products, as well. Designing T-shirts, backpacks, coffee mugs, phone cases, and similar items can be done through a print-on-demand store. You can sell them through your website, through an e-commerce website, or both.Some bloggers enjoy making products themselves. For example, they might sell handmade jewelry, paintings, or similar items. These can be sold on your website, on a site like Etsy, and on e-commerce platforms.Start a Membership SiteSome bloggers start a membership community. Think about websites like Beachbody. Consumers can pay a monthly membership amount to access all workout videos on demand. Netflix is another membership site.You might – or might not – have a ton of fitness videos or streaming content for your crowd to access, but that’s just one example. You can create a membership site based on anything. Your loyal followers that need what you offer will be happy to pay. Just be sure you are as loyal to them by providing them with great resources and customer service.