Makin' Money Monday

Marin at Frugonomics 101 and I are teaming up to bring you this series. Every other Monday I will post an idea for making money (blogging or other ways to make money) and every other Monday she'll be posting and giving you an idea!

This week it is Marin's turn and she is posting all about how to make money with EBates and BigCrumbs!

Go check Marin's post out HERE!

Makin' Money Monday!

Marin at Frugonomics 101 and I are teaming up to bring you this series. Every other Monday I will post an idea for making money (blogging or other ways to make money) and every other Monday she'll be posting and giving you an idea!

For Today's Makin' Money Monday topic I have had a request...

I was emailing a reader back and forth and this particular reader was wanting to know how realistic it is to think that she could start earning compensation from blogging.

I told her that there are a couple of ways to make money right away but it is a slow go - two of which is Google Adsense and Amazon Affiliates which I have talked about. There is also PayperPost which Marin has talked about. In addition, there are a couple of other affiliate programs which we will get to.

But, I'll tell you like I told her - don't get into blogging to make money fast you'll be disappointed. All of the ways I mentioned are slow money makers. I have been blogging for about 6 months and I will just now receive my first check from Google - because I have finally reached $100.

Actually I earned my first check from Google pretty fast- if you can believe that!! My readership grew at an unbelievable pace to most I hear.

So, that said, it is easier to make money with a large audience - so that was my first concentration - and is still my primary concentration - growing a large readership.

So as I told you...I've had a request...

HOW DO YOU GROW YOUR READERSHIP?

First, you might pleasantly surprised to know, one of the fastest growing and most passionate groups of bloggers online are MOMS! That good news for you!

According to Regina Lewis...

The Internet's more than 32.4 million busy moms are connecting 24/7 online on blogs and social-networking sites geared specifically for moms.

Moms have so many balls in the air each day – their "TO DO" list can be endless – and they are sometimes referred to as the "CEO" of the household – CEO in this case standing for Chief Everything Officer.

When moms need advice, they turn to other moms. Moms listen to moms ... they trust each other. While many are fortunate enough to have a relatively tight-knit group of peers they depend on, the Web is broadening those networks exponentially.

Okay, so I can blog ... but what can I blog about?

You can blog about ANYTHING. Lots of moms are sharing their advice online on topics from saving money and spotting online shopping deals to potty training, postpartum depression, baby's first steps ... you name it! The trick is to find something you already know a lot about or are interested in yourself and become an expert. Find content that isn't already every where else that people NEED. Then make it interesting!

But If I Type It...Will They Come?

There are a couple of rules you should follow.

The Five P’s of Successful Blogging: (Thanks to Vicki Knopf)

1. Post often. Blog readers like to see new content fairly often when they check in.

2. Pictures. There are a few rare successful blogs that are driven by words alone but for the most part pictures help tremendously. Many people view blog hopping like flipping through
magazines. Which pages are you most likely to stop on? The ones with interesting pictures that
grab your attention, not those with a lot of words.

3. Personality. Be genuine. Part of the appeal to blog readers is to get a peek into the life of the
author. How personal you want to get depends, of course, on the focus of your blog and your
intended audience.

4. Permutation. (Thank you dictionary.com.) It's great to have a specific topic that your blog is directed to, but the same ol' thing every day can get a bit boring. So keep it fresh by introducing new topics, jokes, tutorials, videos, etc. occasionally.

5. Participate. I was completely shocked to learn that on the whole, there is a blogging community! Get involved. Visit other blogs that interest you and leave comments. Share the link on your own blog. Participate in the community and you'll be more successful than you can imagine.

I would like to repeat that last one #5.... PARTICIPATE!!! I cannot say it enough!
If you want people to know you are out there you HAVE to leave comments. They don't have to be lengthy!

Amy Clark at Mom Advice says it this way:

"Start commenting on other people's blogs and networking within a community of people who will find your stuff interesting. If you blog is about photography, for example, start commenting and linking to the people that you admire most. Do a round-up of great stuff about photography. Highlight blogs that illustrate points you are making in your own entries and email the people that have enjoyed reading to tell them what a big fan you are. Don't spam them, but tell them what their work means to you. Offer feedback, share questions you have (which they could use for future material and even link back to you) and just be a groupie to the people you really love. In turn, they may link to you or might highlight you in an entry."

Take It One Step Further...

If you type an article, find a deal or a coupon, find a super sweet internet find, etc. SHARE! By typing it up on your blog and then sharing it with a larger blog you'll make a friend AND score lots of traffic! WIN - WIN!!

Especially if that larger blog HELPS you. This is what I mean...
If someone shares a really sweet deal with me I try my best to post it in a way that requires the readers to visit the other blogger's blog. This helps me and YOU. I have the latest information on where to score the deal and YOU get the traffic because EVERYONE wants the details!

Take Mercedes's post about Walgreen's last week for instance. Mercedes posted all about a coloring book you could score at Walgreen's for $0.99 that was chock full of coupons! She emailed me to let me know about her post. I read the post - realized how awesome this find was - and reposted the info on my blog in a way that required the readers to visit Mercedes's blog in order to see the coloring book - so they could score one themselves. You can see the post I did HERE to see what I mean (it is at the bottom of the post).

When I first started I did a LOT of sharing with larger blogs. I saw my traffic sky rocket on the days I shared my posts. And, it is likely that those readers not only read that single post but also skimmed around to see what else my blog had to offer.

Which brings me to.... in order to keep those new readers coming back you have to keep new content - and content that they aren't seeing on every other blog!

Find your niche. Find something that everyone is not already doing. Think broad...what will be useful to the majority? Try to take on more than one perspective.

Okay ... But How Will That Put Green in My Pocket?

Once your readership is large you will have advertisers coming to you. (You'll be easier to find!) Instead of you looking for ways to advertise - but that takes time - and lots of it!

Makin' Money Monday

Marin at Frugonomics 101 and I are teaming up to bring you this series. Every other Monday I will post an idea for making money (blogging or other ways to make money) and every other Monday she'll be posting and giving you an idea!

This week it is Marin's turn and she is posting all about how to make money with Pay Per Post!

Go check Marin's post out HERE!

Makin' Money Monday

Marin at Frugonomics 101 and I are teaming up to bring you this series. Every other Monday I will post an idea for making money (blogging or other ways to make money) and every other Monday she'll be posting and giving you an idea!

Last week Marin's topic was Amazon.com. She talked about how you could sell any unwanted items you had laying around your home that were just causing clutter. What a great way to make some extra money on stuff you know longer need. The easiest things to sell on Amazon are items with ISBN numbers. Marin has had success selling books, CDs, DVDs and computer games. (I have also sold books and made lot more than I would have just selling them at a yard sale! AND it was very simple!) If you want to read more about SELLING your stuff at Amazon go read Marin's post from last week HERE.

This week my topic is also Amazon.com - BUT - I want you to know all about Amazon's affiliate or associate program! If you have noticed, you can see 3 or 4 books on my right side bar - one is a book called Baby Bargains by Denise Fields, another is Total Money Makeover Workbook by Dave Ramsey, and finally The Complete Tightwad Gazette. (If you are reading this later in the day I have also added a fourth book... Your Money or Your Life.

I have these four books on my side bar because they are books I recommend. But, if anyone PURCHASES these books through the buttons on my site (it will redirect you to Amazon) I will make a little money for referring you!

You can do this too! You can refer people to purchase/read your favorite books and make a little money while doing it!

Here's how the program works:

1. Associates drive internet traffic to Amazon.com through specially formatted links that allow us to track sales and other activity.

2. Associates earn up to 10% in referral fees on all qualifying revenue made through their links.

3. We send monthly payments to Associates.

So how do you do it?

1. Complete the online application.

2. Create & post your links to Amazon.com using our Build Links tool in Associates Central.It is simple really. There are a butch of different layouts or widgets you can choose from. Mine are really simple with a separate button for each book. Other blogs are using the one that rotates like a carousel, and you can also sell mp3's.

3. Begin tracking your traffic and earnings reports online. Reports are updated daily.

Who can do it?

ANYONE - anyone with a website or a blog. Even if you do not live in the United States! WOW!

*A frequently asked question is if you can purchase books from your own links (thus earning back some money after you purchase books through your link). The answer is no. You cannot purchase books through your own links.

If you have other questions email me - or leave a comment and I will do my best to help you!

Do you have a tip or idea for a future Makin' Money Monday post? We want to hear about it! Be sure and leave a comment. Don't forget to check out Frugonomics101 for next week's Makin' Money Monday! Marin is planning to post about how to make money with Pay Per Post!

Makin' Money Monday!

Marin at Frugonomics 101 and I are teaming up to bring you this series. Every other Monday I will post an idea for making money (blogging or other ways to make money) and every other Monday she'll be posting and giving you an idea!

This week it is Marin's turn and she is posting all about how to make money with Amazon.com!

She's lettin' you in on how to declutter your home and make some money at the same time! Much like you would on EBAY but cheaper and easier!!

Go check Marin's post out HERE!

Makin' Money Monday!

This is the first of the Makin' Money Monday series so I thought I would start out simple!

If you are new to blogging... or just now trying to figure out how to make a little money with your blogging then you should start by adding Google Ads. Google ads are easy to get started!

First go HERE (Google Adsense)
and sign up! Its FREE.

It goes step by step and you can pick the kind of ads you want. You can do simple small ones, video format, ads with pictures, etc. You also get to pick how BIG the ad is.

There is even a Google Adsense Blog with a link just for Newbies! You can see it HERE

How much can you expect to earn?
Here's a quote directly from Google Ads:

"The Google ads you are able to display on your content pages can be either cost-per-click (CPC) or cost-per-1000-impressions (CPM) ads, while AdSense for search results pages show exclusively CPC ads. This means that advertisers pay either when users click on ads, or when the advertiser's ad is shown on your site. You'll receive a portion of the amount paid for either activity on your website. Although we don't disclose the exact revenue share, our goal is to enable publishers to make as much or more than they could with other advertising networks."

My answer: NOT MUCH - at first. But hey - every little bit counts! Also, it is not something you have to continue to fuss with. Set it up once and leave it alone and it generates revenue all by itself!

You can check you status by going back to your account HERE
and logging in. Click on "reports" to see how you are doing and how much you're earning!
Don't expect to make a bunch of money right at the start.

Which leads me say, blogging isn't a get rich quick idea!
Read this article "Starting a Blog Won't Make You Rich," by Mrs. Micah.

I couldn't agree more with this post! It is definitely something you should read if you are thinking about starting a blog. Blogging is fun! You should start one if you think you would LIKE doing it, not with the idea that you are going to make a lot of money FAST! You will be very discouraged if you do! But, if it is a lot of fun, and the best part...you meet a lot of "like-minded" friends in the blogosphere that are encouraging and helpful on your quest ...be it blogging or frugality!

Hope this helps! There are many more articles to come on the topic of makin' money!
If you have tips or ideas you want to share for future posts - email me!
Or, if you have a question about this post or other money makin' ideas - email me!

Go see the next article in this series at Frugonomics 101. Marin will be doing the Money Makin' Monday post next Monday on Makin' Money with Amazon.com! You don't want to miss it!

What do you think about this tip? Comment below!
What did you think about the article by Mrs. Micah? Comment below!