12 ways you can make money from blogging

There are many ways to make income from your blog. It becomes a platform for many products and services. Here are a few of the ways that I, Mrs Mummypenny earn money from my blogs, some things I love doing more than others.

1) Sponsorship from brands

This makes up the largest chunk of my earnings. I work with many finance and lifestyle brands, where I write a post about new products, services or marketing campaigns for a one-off fee. All of these posts will be about something I have experienced or about a problem that has been solved. Many campaigns have now turned into ongoing relationship where you will the same brand popping up again and again on my website and social media. The more branded work you do, the more you are approached to do!

2) Affiliate/referral revenue

This is a similar type of writing to a sponsored post, but this time your earnings are based on how many customers you refer to the company. This is known as passive income as it can continue to earn you money whilst you sleep. It’s also continual income that will earn for (hopefully) a longer period of time.

3) Testing and reviewing new products

Companies who are developing products related to your niche may employ you to provide feedback on their new creations. This might be before the point of releasing to the public in test phase, or in early release to help with testing, feedback, or building up subscriber numbers. I’ve worked with several companies building new propositions/apps and services

4) Advertising space on your website

A blogger can sell estate on their blog, in the shape of things like banner adverts. They can also use ad networks such as AdSense or MediaVine to include adverts within blog posts, in more permanent places on the website. In addition, the revenue stream from YouTube can be significant if you can generate high numbers of views.

5) Appear in an advert for a brand

We’re getting into model territory here! Josh – my middle son – starred in an Aldi school uniform advert last year, and I’ve also done a few wine tasting videos for their YouTube Channel. And yes I have been part of a billboard campaign for Pensionbee! Extend your blog into YouTube and show you’re a natural on camera to get these types of commissions.

6) Event attendance

A fee may be paid for attendance at an event, which you’ll then write about after. Many bloggers are sponsored by a brand to attend blogging conferences.

7) Write a book

Writing a book is something you can do when you become an expert in a niche area. I co-wrote Blogging Your Way To Riches with Emma Bradley. We’ve written about everything you need to know to create and grow a successful blog. We cover things like negotiating, networking, pitching and SEO. If you’re thinking of setting up a blog or are keen to monetise it, then you should find it handy!

8) Public speaking events

Once you become an expert in your field you may be approached to speak at events. Attendance fees are payable for these events.

9) Writing content for brands to appear on their sites

Many brands have a blog and are keen for fresh and exciting content to be featured. Relationships can develop to the point of being invited to write content on the brand’s website.

10) Social media

As your social media channels build to significant numbers you will be paid for Facebook posts, Instagram pictures and tweets. An Instagram profile with 50k natural (not paid for!) followers is a valuable asset.

11) Blogger outreach

This is a service that many bloggers offer to brands who might want to outsource their blogger outreach. Emma works closely with Educational Quizzes on blogger outreach every month. A blogger will organise for sponsored posts to be written by other bloggers and will broker the conversation, ensure quality of posts and pay all the bloggers a fee from the brand.

12) Newspapers/magazines/radio/TV

These media sources are always looking for amazing content, and a blogger can be well placed to produce it. Sometimes, you could even be the focus of a story. More often than not the blogger will pitch an idea to a publication. Elsewhere, a TV show might be looking for a blogger with certain experience to feature in a program. Emma and I have a strong of media appearances between us and even some together! We have appears on programs like The One Show, Good Morning Britain, London Live and have appeared in publications such as Huffington Post, Mail Online and the Financial times.

Is blogging looking a bit more attractive now? If you can find the perfect niche, be an engaging writer and win at social media it could be for you. It’s changed my life, it could change yours too!