I’m so excited for all of you who are following along on my how to blog and make money series!
After working two jobs left me physically and emotionally worn down, I decided to quit my part time job and replace that income by monetizing my blog (you can read the full story in step one).
My initial goal was to have my blog bring in $500/month after taxes, I’m happy to say that I hit my $500/month blog income goal. Fast forward a few years and I was shocked to see that my blog was actually bringing in more than my full time corporate salary.
Making full time income from a blog probably sounds super overwhelming, so for now let’s stick with our original goal of making $500 per month from a blog.
First make sure you read: How to Create a Successful Blog
Then Read: How to Blog and Make Money, Step One
All caught up?
Okay, let’s continue…
I was going to show you how I grew my blog while juggling my “real job” and personal obligations, but I’ll save that post for another day.
I want to make sure you’re bringing in extra coins starting today. So, let’s accelerate into Step Two: Join an Ad Network
What is an Ad Network?
Ad networks are companies that connect advertisers to web sites that want to host advertisements online.
How does an Ad Network Operate?
The ad network will provide you with an ad tag (a few lines of code) that you place on your site. You see mine are in the sidebar and up at the top of this page, you may even see one in between the text of this post depending on the day. The Ad Network will then run ads on your site, track everything, and pay you. You’ll have a dashboard to log into so you can see what’s going on, how much you’re making, change your account settings, etc.
Some Ad Network situations pay you each time an ad is viewed on your site, that’s called “CPM” CPM means cost per thousand impressions. Some pay you every time an ad on your site is clicked on, that’s called “CPC”. There are a ton of people who have blog posts based on CPC vs. CPM, so feel free to dig deeper if this interests you.
Which Ad Network Should I Join?
After the Mode Media Ad Network Drama at this time I will only recommend two networks: BlogHer and Adsense.
My very first blogging check was for $50 and it came from the BlogHer Ad Network I love BlogHer because it gave me a sense of community. BlogHer is a hub of information as well as a conference, that I’ve spoken at numerous times. At other times in my blogging career, I’ve used Adsense, which is the Google Ad Network. Both are reputable, both pay on time, and I find them both to be trustworthy companies. Feel free to research other networks that may be a fit for you, but if you’re just starting out my experience is that BlogHer and Adsense should welcome you easily into their network.
Note: You will have to have a history of content when applying for networks, so I hope you didn’t skip step one!
How Much Will I Make from an Ad Network?
I’ll be honest, when I first started using Ad networks I didn’t make that much money. In a day, I could literally make pennies. But don’t be discouraged, Ad Network traffic ads up quickly and over time as my traffic grew, so did my Ad Network income. I’m not comfortable giving specific numbers on what I make, but I understand that you may want a point of reference, so I’ll put it this way.
In the beginning I made $50 every three months from my Ad Network, as my traffic grew it got to the point where my Ad Network checks alone were surpassing my $500 part time job goal.
Hopefully that helps.
Next Steps…
Have you been following along on this series? If you’ve got some good content and your own .com, Leave the link to your blog in the comments!
Questions? Let me know in the comments!
This is some great information. Really insightful and easy to understand. Thank you for taking the time to write this blog. I really appreciate it.
Yay!! You’re welcome!
This is some great information. Really insightful and easy to understand. Thank you for taking the time to write this blog. I really appreciate it.
Yay!! You’re welcome!
CeCe, I have a question for you. I have a blog (and FB page) that I LOVE doing. The blog makes a little money and that’s fine. I’ve used my blog to get on daytime talk shows and in other national media. The trouble for me is that when I think of it as a money making venture it stops being fun. If i’m creating from a place of “how can I get more clicks” it stresses me out.
So I guess my question is: How do you keep it fun and creative when there is pressure to create?
My blog is: HouseholdHowTo.blogspot.com also Kathy’s Homemade on FB.
Well look at how dope you are!
I can expand on this, but what you should be noticing is that I’m showing you how to make money from your blog passively. Once you set up ads, the money comes in. Just focus on what you love to do and all that’s meant for you will come. Clearly that’s already happening for ya! xx
Cece, your blog post has inspired me to step my game all the way up! Today I bought my own domain name, found a fab, free blogger template and upgraded my blog all around! Thanks lady!
CeCe, I have a question for you. I have a blog (and FB page) that I LOVE doing. The blog makes a little money and that’s fine. I’ve used my blog to get on daytime talk shows and in other national media. The trouble for me is that when I think of it as a money making venture it stops being fun. If i’m creating from a place of “how can I get more clicks” it stresses me out.
So I guess my question is: How do you keep it fun and creative when there is pressure to create?
My blog is: HouseholdHowTo.blogspot.com also Kathy’s Homemade on FB.
Well look at how dope you are!
I can expand on this, but what you should be noticing is that I’m showing you how to make money from your blog passively. Once you set up ads, the money comes in. Just focus on what you love to do and all that’s meant for you will come. Clearly that’s already happening for ya! xx
Cece, your blog post has inspired me to step my game all the way up! Today I bought my own domain name, found a fab, free blogger template and upgraded my blog all around! Thanks lady!
This post is helpful. I’ve heard of Ads like Adsense but never heard of BlogHer Network. Thanks. I’ll have to check it out. I gather patience is key. My blog is Impurrfectlife. Check it out here – http://impurrfectlife.com
This post is helpful. I’ve heard of Ads like Adsense but never heard of BlogHer Network. Thanks. I’ll have to check it out. I gather patience is key. My blog is Impurrfectlife. Check it out here – http://impurrfectlife.com
I just strated my blog it’s http://www.thecrystallyfe.com. Please check it out and let me know what you think.
I just strated my blog it’s http://www.thecrystallyfe.com. Please check it out and let me know what you think.
Thanks so much for these posts! They’re very informative and helpful.
My blog.
http://www.whataprilwore.com
I loved your blog!
Thank you so much. It means Alot to me
Thanks so much for these posts! They’re very informative and helpful.
My blog.
http://www.whataprilwore.com
I loved your blog!
Thank you so much. It means Alot to me
Hi Cece. Thank you for this series, it is truly very helpful. I started my blog in January 2015 and I would love to hear what you think.
You can find it here–> bigcitycurvygirlthinwallet.wordpress.com
Be sure to get your own .com asap (see step one)
Hi Cece. Thank you for this series, it is truly very helpful. I started my blog in January 2015 and I would love to hear what you think.You can find it here–> bigcitycurvygirlthinwallet.wordpress.com
Be sure to get your own .com asap (see step one)
This sereis really helps me 🙂 Thank you CeCe!
My blog is:
http://www.beautifulambitiousqueens.com
Yay!
This sereis really helps me 🙂 Thank you CeCe!
My blog is:
http://www.beautifulambitiousqueens.com
Yay!
I really admire you 😉 I’m in Guatemala and read your blog frequently. I think your succes is also because you are so honest and sweet that it’s not like other blogs that are saturated and really turn noisy. I love your posts, content is very important for a blog to grow 🙂 keep the success going 😉
Thank you so much, Carol!! xx
I really admire you 😉 I’m in Guatemala and read your blog frequently. I think your succes is also because you are so honest and sweet that it’s not like other blogs that are saturated and really turn noisy. I love your posts, content is very important for a blog to grow 🙂 keep the success going 😉
Thank you so much, Carol!! xx
Hey Cece,
I have another question. I have a celebrity friend. Is it tacky to ask her to tweet about my blog? She owes me a favor, but I don’t want to seem, i don’t know, tacky.
People asking me to tweet their stuff is irksome (if I like, I share. Even me encouraging you all to share your links is my way of supporting my people) Now, regarding your situation… ummmm *shrugs* LOL I think that’s for you and your friend to decide the magnitude of the favor?
Hey Cece,I have another question. I have a celebrity friend. Is it tacky to ask her to tweet about my blog? She owes me a favor, but I don’t want to seem, i don’t know, tacky.
People asking me to tweet their stuff is irksome (if I like, I share. Even me encouraging you all to share your links is my way of supporting my people) Now, regarding your situation… ummmm *shrugs* LOL I think that’s for you and your friend to decide the magnitude of the favor?
Thank so much Cece for this very informative information.
Thank so much Cece for this very informative information.
I’m still on free wordpress for my blog, https://thatbloggingweekender.wordpress.com/ I don’t have the following to justify going paid website, I don’t think. Should I just get the website and worry about followers later? I mean I don’t have any followers at all and owning a website is a recurring cost… What do you suggest?
I totally agree that you should not be spending money on your blog until it’s kind of paying for itsself. The ONE area I do think you should invest in is your web domain. I explained all of that in step 1. It shows you’re serious and that makes your new readers and collaborators take you serious as well, ya know? http://plussizeprincess.com/2016/08/how-to-blog-and-make-money-step-1/
I’m still on free wordpress for my blog, https://thatbloggingweekender.wordpress.com/ I don’t have the following to justify going paid website, I don’t think. Should I just get the website and worry about followers later? I mean I don’t have any followers at all and owning a website is a recurring cost… What do you suggest?
I totally agree that you should not be spending money on your blog until it’s kind of paying for itsself. The ONE area I do think you should invest in is your web domain. I explained all of that in step 1. It shows you’re serious and that makes your new readers and collaborators take you serious as well, ya know? http://plussizeprincess.com/2016/08/how-to-blog-and-make-money-step-1/
As I’ve said before you are well beyond your years Cece. Thanks for the advise and here is my new blog: http://www.conqueringcrossroads.com
Awesome, congrats!!
As I’ve said before you are well beyond your years Cece. Thanks for the advise and here is my new blog: http://www.conqueringcrossroads.com
Awesome, congrats!!
Loving this series … thank you so much for taking the time to share with other bloggers just beginning like moi! ox Irene of Petite Plus, Meow! http://www.petiteplusmeow.com
Loving this series … thank you so much for taking the time to share with other bloggers just beginning like moi! ox Irene of Petite Plus, Meow! http://www.petiteplusmeow.com
Hi Cece, thanks for sharing this information, I love how open you are as a blogger and that you are very responsive. After many years of contemplating I finally started my own blog this year, it’s katskoolooks.com. What I love most about reading other people’s blogs and being a new blogger is the sense of community that I feel!!!
Hi Cece, thanks for sharing this information, I love how open you are as a blogger and that you are very responsive. After many years of contemplating I finally started my own blog this year, it’s katskoolooks.com. What I love most about reading other people’s blogs and being a new blogger is the sense of community that I feel!!!
Hey Cece,
I just wanted to take a minute to check back in and give you an update on what happened with my blog after I read this post. After reading your post I upgraded from a blogspot blog to my own .com, then I signed up for AdSense. It took me MONTHS to straighten out some technical issues with them and now the money is flowing! It’s AMAZING to me!
I’m not doing anything different than what I’ve always done with my blog. I just post about my hobbies, crafts and money saving tips. I didn’t want one of those blogs that felt like 1 long commercial. I just wanted it to reflect me. And it does. AND it makes money! Like enough to buy groceries money. We’re a family of 5 so buying groceries is a BIG DEAL!
All of that to say Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Also – one more thing. I have a famous friend who I was thinking about having tweet about my blog. She’s more than happy to do it, but I wanted to see what I could do on my own. I’m getting LOADS of hits and hasn’t said anything about it. So gratifying! This Thanksgiving i’m thankful for YOU and this awesome tip!
http://www.OneBrownMom.com
Hey Cece,I just wanted to take a minute to check back in and give you an update on what happened with my blog after I read this post. After reading your post I upgraded from a blogspot blog to my own .com, then I signed up for AdSense. It took me MONTHS to straighten out some technical issues with them and now the money is flowing! It’s AMAZING to me!
I’m not doing anything different than what I’ve always done with my blog. I just post about my hobbies, crafts and money saving tips. I didn’t want one of those blogs that felt like 1 long commercial. I just wanted it to reflect me. And it does. AND it makes money! Like enough to buy groceries money. We’re a family of 5 so buying groceries is a BIG DEAL!
All of that to say Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Also – one more thing. I have a famous friend who I was thinking about having tweet about my blog. She’s more than happy to do it, but I wanted to see what I could do on my own. I’m getting LOADS of hits and hasn’t said anything about it. So gratifying! This Thanksgiving i’m thankful for YOU and this awesome tip!
http://www.OneBrownMom.com
Hello CeCe, you are such an inspiration. I am an aspiring blogger who has a full-time job and a family, but I refuse to give up on my success as a blogger because of my “lack of time.” I love to help others, so since I am a human resources professional and I love to write, launched my HR blog 1 year ago. My following is still low, so I welcome insight from others such as yourself who have been where I need to go. I just recently began to try and monetize, so your advice is truly relevant, timely, and welcomed. You can visit my blog at http://nnamtique.com. I would love some feedback from you. From one plus-sized girl to another. Continued success to you! Cynthia
Hello CeCe, you are such an inspiration. I am an aspiring blogger who has a full-time job and a family, but I refuse to give up on my success as a blogger because of my “lack of time.” I love to help others, so since I am a human resources professional and I love to write, launched my HR blog 1 year ago. My following is still low, so I welcome insight from others such as yourself who have been where I need to go. I just recently began to try and monetize, so your advice is truly relevant, timely, and welcomed. You can visit my blog at http://nnamtique.com. I would love some feedback from you. From one plus-sized girl to another. Continued success to you! Cynthia
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