Not too long ago, a guy contacted me asking me how he could earn money from his blog. He needed some answers. He asked,
Is it really true that you can make money blogging and if so, how much can a person expect to make and how long would it take?
I had to be honest with him. While yes, you can earn money from your blog, it certainly doesn’t happen overnight, a week or in months for some people. There was no way I could give him an accurate prediction, and even though it was an opportunity to gain a new paying client, I refused to candy coat the situation.
Regardless of what others might do to earn money, I refuse to steer someone wrong solely to make money. There are internet marketing blogs that make honest money, but I don’t condone any quick money programs – because now that I know what really goes into blogging, I know that for the average person, those programs are bound to fail.
How do I know? Because I’ve been there and done that – spent it and lost it and I refuse to be the cause of someone else doing the same.
What I did tell the gentlemen, was that if the focus of the blog was on producing quality content, information, or products that provided solutions, then yes, it is possible to earn money from your blog. But earning the money can’t be the sole focus.
I also told him, that depending on quickly his blog grew, which there is no set time frame – he could begin monetizing his blog with ads, affiliate links of reputable products and also by creating quality products such as e-books, and by offering his services for the things he already does well.
Offering your services to your audience has the greatest potential for generating income. If you’re good at what you do, even if you offer tutorials, some people would rather just pay you to do it for them. That’s because everybody can’t do what you do and do it well.
I’ve learned that lots of people hate writing, so I offer my services to them so that they can continue to publish fresh content on their sites. For the people who don’t mind writing, but need someone to go behind them and polish it for them, I offer editing and proofreading services. Then there are the people who want a blog, but don’t have a clue how to get started, I help them by doing that for them as well.
So how can you take what you already know how to do well and start earning money from your blog?
Here’s some tips:
1. Create a “Hire Me” page for your blog that outlines and explains the type of services you provide.
Based on your experience and level of expertise in the field of your choice you could offer services that range from freelance blogging or copywriting, editing/proofreading, design, consultancy, photography, really… anything that logically relates to your blogging niche.
2. Include a form that let’s potential clients contact you for a quote. Or you may include prices on this page – however, if you’d prefer to negotiate prices on an individualized basis, I suggest omitting figures.
3. Make sure a link to the “Hire Me” page is visible within the top fold of your blog for easy viewing.
4. Promote your services by writing a blog post that presents the benefits of your services. Will your services save time? Make life easier for your clients? How will your services compare to what others are doing?
Be sure to tweet and share this post on all social networks that you’re active on.
5. Promote your services further with a giveaway. Give away samples or provide services for free to one or more winners in exchange for permission to include them in your portfolio, list of satisfied customers or testimonials.
If you don’t like organizing giveaways or contests, you could also sponsor a contest on another blog with your services.
6. Contact a few of your blogger friends and have them write a review of your services on their blog or include you in a list of recommended services or products.
7. Start locally, network among your friends or contact a few people in your area who could benefit from your services. Hand out some business cards and offer discount services in exchange for referrals. If you do a good job, word will spread fast.
These are just a few tips. If you’re creative, there are no limits to what you can do to create your own job opportunities and earn more from your blog.
What services could you start offering today? What other tips could we add here?
For more guidance, check out our latest post series: Get Paid To Blog: Freelance Blogging Series.
About Kiesha Easley
I tried that whole HIRE ME thing and it did squat for me. I got NO work at all :(
I guess I could keep trying though, what can it hurt?
Jenny recently posted..Vote for Me!
Thanks for sharing this nice and very important article.
sam recently posted..Gadgets predictions for 2011 – A groovy guide for gizmos
Hi Kiesha–
Love the integrity here. There is so much to be said for creativity and hard work when monetizing the blog.
I’m in the process of connecting with mental health professionals and creating a supportive blogging team to help spread the word. It’s taken eight months for me to earn some cred with my peeps, but it’s been so worth it.
Congrats on the success of your blog, and Happy New Year!
~Linda
Linda recently posted..How to Reinforce Your Mind When The Retaining Wall Collapses
Same here. I never thought of creating a Hire Me page on my blog. Since I’m just new to blogging (yes, I still consider myself new to this field even though I’ve been blogging for almost 5 years now), I want to invest more in establishing relationship with bloggers who’ve been successful on their respected niches. In this way, I could constantly get tips and advices from them from time to time.
Twitter: Blognetworking
says:
Great Read, Kiesha
I have never actually thought about the Hire me page. I have seen other blogs with it, but I have never tried it. I think I will apply this technique to my site. As for the rest of 6 of the tips – They are very useful.
Thanks for the tips, Kiesha !
Jeevan
Jeevanjacobjohn recently posted..How to write a Successful E-book
Thanks for the hire me suggestion. I’ve been thinking about adding a page like this for a while now. I just need to come up with a plan on what to offer, for how much, and explanation or details. I guess you never know if it will amount to anything if you don’t try it.
Really useful tips, thanks, Kiesha.
Beside blogging to make money, I’ve read of some PTC sites for making money. Have you tried it and would you recommend it?
Thanks for sharing this. I am planning to create a blog site of my own someday when I have the time. I would certainly revisit this site of yours when the time comes.
Twitter: dragonblogger
says:
Hire Me page is a number one thing for bloggers to do if they want to sell any type of blogging services to advertisers directly, I also highly recommend you check out programs that intermediate between advertisers and bloggers as you are always ensured payment and they can find many opps if your blog has decent traffic and pagerank.
Justin Germino recently posted..November Top Articles on DragonBloggercom
Hey Kiesha,
I think networking and asking people to add you to their future product release sounds good. I’ve recently opt in to feature my article in a new ebook scheduled for release soon. I think I’ve got to ask more around to see if there are willing to allow me more opportunities to be featured in their product.
Thx for the ideas.
Bryan recently posted..The Newbie Twitter Cheat Sheet
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Bryan,
Good luck with your ebook release. Don’t be afraid to ask – if you don’t ask, you won’t get. The worse thing that can happen is that they MIGHT say “no” but if you don’t ask, it’s certain that the answer is “no.”
Hi, Kiesha. While surfing the web for something interesting, I found your blog – I like your writing. It’s easy, interesting and attractive – all things that are necessary to attract visitors and readers. And thanks a lot for the idea of ‘Hire me’ page as it’s really great!
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Anna,
Well, I’m glad you found me. I hope you’ve found something useful and helpful here. Hope to see you again! :)
Twitter: indblog
says:
Awesome. I have three pages with the services that I offers, I could just have a Hire Me page and save some space in my menu by putting all my services into one page. :)
Dean Saliba recently posted..Add Pacman Game To Your Blog
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Dean,
Yes, I suggest combining them – make it easier to navigate and find the information a potential client might be looking for.
Hi Kiesha, Hire me page could definitely increase your chance to be hired and earn money. If you have already stated your online brand the opportunity to make money are really endless.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Adam,
Exactly! I love the idea of the infinite possibilities that the internet offers. It keeps me on my toes :)
Good thoughts Kiesha, I’ve tried contests with product prizes before, but havent thought of offering services. Thanks!
Allan Douglas recently posted..Simple Living and Minimalism
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Allan,
I’ve learned that people are willing to pay others to do those things that they don’t like to do, don’t want to do, don’t know how to do, or don’t have time to do. All you have to do is take what you’re good at and already enjoy doing and capitalize on that.
Kiesha, I had been wondering how people make money by blogging. I’ve offered “online counseling” for about 2 months both locally and through my blog. I have offered a free 25 minute consultation to try out online counseling, but no one has taken me up on it yet. I think it’s harder to market counseling due to confidentiality and privacy. I need to get better at asking for testimonials, even if it’s anonymous.
Marci recently posted..5 Ripple Making Steps to Liberate a Life
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Marci,
I can see why that might be a problem. Getting more testimonials is definitely a good idea, but perhaps for your field, perhaps you could focus on building a local base and then transition to other areas by having them refer family members or friends.
Just a thought.
Hi Marci-
Online counseling can be a tough egg to crack–I’m a LCSW in CA with a brick-and-mortar private practice, and there is a stigma to counseling services.
I just checked out your blog, and it looks nice. One thing I would add is details about your counseling degree. I don’t know what your state licensure requires, but it may be more beneficial to include more about your areas of expertise.
Hope this helps!
~Linda
Linda recently posted..How to Reinforce Your Mind When The Retaining Wall Collapses
I like the idea of a hire me page. Basically you are using your blog to freelance yourself. It’s particularly good for someone who wants to blog as a full time living. I think my personal time constraints holding my full time job and blogging on the side would make it particularly hard for me to freelance. You’re right though, it will take much mire time toearn when one is just blogging and getting money throuh ads or affiliate sales as opposed to freelancing.
Richard recently posted..How to Promote Your Blog Article
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Richard,
Yeah, for anyone who wants to transition into making a full-time income with their blog – while not necessarily working full-time, freelancing and creating a hire me page to support it is definitely the way to go.
GREAT tips and very helpful points to talk about !
loved the first point and i found it very new and useful for everyone who wants more traffic and improvements to the blog ! the promoting remark was important as well so thank you for sharing this good post :)
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Rahul,
It’s always my pleasure to share useful tips. Thanks for stopping by!
Nice article Kiesha! The idea of creating a ‘hire me’ page seems like a profitable one. I recently read on freelance blogging (believe it was on that blog) and the benefits are definitely there. So if you have the time to write for other bloggers, you can make some pretty decent money. Of course in order to make it a success, promoting your service is a must. As you’ve mentioned, asking for reviews is a great idea. A few positive reviews from well known bloggers can make a big difference.
Daniel Sharkov recently posted..7 Blogging Mistakes You Should Avoid by All Means
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Daniel,
Yes, a few positive reviews can definitely get things going in the right direction. Even with all of the high tech gadgets we have these days, word-of-mouth is still the #1 best marketing tool around.
The hire me button is a great idea, never thought about it, really. I will consider this and maybe add it to my blog. Thanks for the post. Claus
Claus recently posted..How much weight will you gain over the festive season
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Claus,
I suggest creating a detailed Hire Me page, that explains exactly what types of services you plan on offering.
You know I have been trying to make money with ads for two years now and it’s been hit and miss. I’ve just started earning some real good money with my rss service I started selling.
I have about 35 customers now and this is the first time I have a serious consistent income flowing in. It’s so good I went and moved all the ads from my website and that has been a big difference in return visits.
I plan on making changes to my products page very soon adding new features and functionality. It’s actually a great service for a very low price.
Thanks for the ideas Kiesha.
bbrian017 recently posted..Blog Engage 1200 USD Guest Blogging Contest
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Brian,
I think offering services just seems more valuable to people, because you’re offering to do something for them that they either don’t know how to do themselves or simply don’t have time to do. Either way, you’re offering something that makes life a little easier for busy bloggers.
Bloggers can also try to add some affiliate links and reviews about affiliate programs on their blogs which may generate some income, the level of income of course depends on how much the blog is promoted and the overall quality of the content.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Andreas,
Yeah, they can definitely benefit from adding those things, but the problem comes when they believe that’s the sole income generator. For many bloggers, that’s just not true.
It’s surprising how many blogs don’t have the “hire me” section. I think that this is the first step if you want to be taken seriously, because if you don’t promote yourself, who will?!
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Mia,
That’s so true – you don’t have to shamelessly “toot your own horn” until it falls off, but you should at least let people know what you’re capable of.
Excellent tips Kiesha.
I’ve recently added a services page to my blog that outlines some of my best skills.
This complements blogs very well since the blog would already have the trust of the audience as well as easy access to new readers and prospects. In this way it should be easier for business to grow.
Robyn from Sam’s Web Guide recently posted..Transforming Passion Into Online Success – Making Millions Through Blogging
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Robyn,
Yes, it can definitely complement a blog – as long as the blogger takes care to build a credible reputation, people will be very eager to pay for services.
Nice tips. :)Networking is the main thing. We have to push our blog in most of the social media tools.
Thanks for the share. :)
Goutham recently posted..Hostgator Black Friday Discount Coupon – 80 OFF
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Goutham,
Yes, networking and “word of mouth” goes a long way. That’s where you truly loyal clients come from.
Hi Kiesha
How good that you didn’t give this guy empty promises or say there was some silver bullet for him to chase. I got scammed several times with so-called internet marketing coaches, before I found the blogging community.
After several months of publishing regular posts, commenting on lots of blogs and getting more traffic to my small niche blog, I have begun selling my sourced products through my Etsy store.
I have not limited my sales to online but am selling offline too. Have already had testimonials and this week had reorders which to me is a vote of confidence in the products and hopefully the customer service I give.
Will be adding appropriate affilate products and writing an ebook, to my business plan in the near future.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia recently posted..So Little Time- So Much To Do
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Patricia,
Congratulations on your re-orders and good reviews. That’s wonderful. Yeah, I can’t bear to make empty promises so, I had to be honest with him.
I never thought of the ‘Hire Me’ idea until now! I just checked your ‘Hire Me’ page too. That is a good idea maybe I should consider it.
You have some other good points too Kiesha, thanks for the good read. :)
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Phil,
Yes, I definitely encourage you to do that. Everyone has at least one service they can offer. Just be sure that it’s something you enjoy.