A freelance writer’s life can be a lonely one, often peopled by days of monotonous drudgery punctuated by brief moments of creative joy. But now, with the rise of freelance writer platforms like HubSpot, Clio, and ProBlogger, the world of writing has become more attractive than ever to individuals looking for a flexible career. For those looking to dip their toes in, this article will discuss three ways to monetize your writing online.
Affiliate Marketing
One of the oldest and most traditional ways to make money from a blog is affiliate marketing. Essentially, you’ll be earning a commission when someone clicks a monetized link or buys a product that’s promoted on your blog. If you use a tool like Commission Junction, you can effortlessly set up affiliate marketing programs for your chosen products, ranging from virtual assistants to books, clothes, and travel. When someone clicks a monetized link or buys a product that’s promoted on your blog, you’ll earn a commission.
If you use affiliate marketing to promote the products of other businesses, you’re participating in a marketing program called network marketing. More and more companies are discovering the benefits that a marketing program can bring, especially when used in combination with affiliate marketing. You can choose from a wide range of products to promote, from web hosting to vitamin C serums, and you’ll be able to find affiliate partners for almost anything.
Product Reviews
Product reviews are a fantastic way to generate additional revenue from a blog. When someone clicks a product review link, they’re typically directed to a retailer’s site where they can make a purchase. However, you can also use a tool like Amazon’s Product Review System to gain exposure for your reviews and increase the likelihood of someone clicking on your link.
Each product you choose for a review will have a different review distribution algorithm baked in, but the general idea is the same: you’ll be credited for bringing a potential customer to a particular site (usually a retailer’s site). You could choose to review products online or in print, which has numerous advantages. You’ll likely reach more potential customers if you go the latter route, and you can also pitch your reviews to retailers for special promotions. The choice is yours.
Like affiliate marketing, product reviews are a great way to make money from a blog. You’ll just need to find the right products to showcase and the right reviewers for those products. It’s not a quick, easy process but it is a reliable one.
Sale Alerts
Sale alerts are similar to affiliate marketing in that they work on a commission basis but instead of directing traffic to a single retailer, they notify users when certain products listed on a site are discounted or have special offers. You’ll need to sign up for a sale alert service such as TextbookOffer or Vigorous Affiliates to get started, and you can choose from a variety of products to promote.
Sale alerts are a fantastic way to make money from a blog. You’ll be able to choose from a wide range of products, from gift cards to designer bags and travel packages, and you’ll be able to find affiliate partners for almost everything. You can choose to promote discounted products for various reasons – perhaps you’re an individualist who believes in providing value for your audience rather than pitching products that are already discounted elsewhere. Or maybe you want to increase your odds of generating a sales lead and gain some initial credibility with your readership.
There are numerous ways to monetize your writing online. Whether you choose to participate in affiliate marketing, product reviews, or sale alerts, you can use your blog to earn money with minimal effort.