Ah the never ending conundrum—how to make money without looking like you want to make money. The eternal question on all blogger's mind when they are searching for ways to monetize their blog. How do I make consumers click those links? The answer to that never-ending question isn't simple enough for a single pat answer, so I'll give you 5.
I understand, I really do. I am actively involved in monetization, and I know what the affiliate sites look like. They are full of great looking products, that are good sellers, and profitable, and suddenly you have the urge to fit them all in. The problem is, they don't all fit. Make sure you keep your products fitting to the tone and subject of your blog. Focus on a handful of them that are relevant to your topic.
Secondly, the reader will feel cheated: cheated into coming to your site for good, solid information, and quality products in your ads, and then learn that you don't care, and all you wanted was their money, regardless of if the things they bought were any good.
Of course, the best way to find out is to try it, buy it and use it, or know someone else who has it. You don't have to always do that, however. A quick search for reviews on the product will give you a good idea of what others who have used it feel about it. Don't risk your reputation selling a product that isn't what it is cracked up to be.
Transparency is a very delicate balance that many bloggers and Internet marketers of all types struggle with. It doesn't matter how long you've been doing it, or how good you are at it, you will always wrestle with the right balance between being transparent, and not wanting to blatantly shove ads in your reader's faces.
Finding Your Equilibrium
If it all sounds so confusing, don't worry. As you develop your blog, you will find that balance you need. So long as you keep your reader's best interest at heart, and truly provide them with the best information on the subject they are looking for, you'll end up a winner.
Remember, it does not happen overnight. You have to work your blog, and develop reader loyalty. Along the way, you'll likely make a few mistakes. Don't kick yourself too hard, get back up, dust yourself off, and get back on track.
What tips for monetizing your blog with affiliate programs would you add? What nuggets of wisdom would you share?
1. Focus
Too many blog owners start off on the right track. They've determined a niche that is not only popular enough for getting good traffic, but is also not over-populated with millions of other blogs, websites and forums on the same subject and best of all, they like it (an important, but sometimes overlooked aspect in deciding on a niche subject). Then, they start to monetize it, and get all off-track.I understand, I really do. I am actively involved in monetization, and I know what the affiliate sites look like. They are full of great looking products, that are good sellers, and profitable, and suddenly you have the urge to fit them all in. The problem is, they don't all fit. Make sure you keep your products fitting to the tone and subject of your blog. Focus on a handful of them that are relevant to your topic.
2. Sincerity
If you don't care about your niche, it will come through in your posts. If you don't believe in the products, your readers will feel that too. The hazards of that are twofold. If you don't believe in the product, how do you expect to develop excitement in them for it?Secondly, the reader will feel cheated: cheated into coming to your site for good, solid information, and quality products in your ads, and then learn that you don't care, and all you wanted was their money, regardless of if the things they bought were any good.
3. Quality
When you check out affiliate companies for a single product, or a big affiliate program like Amazon or ClickBank, you need to take a little time to really find out about the actual product. Does it really deliver what it says it does?Of course, the best way to find out is to try it, buy it and use it, or know someone else who has it. You don't have to always do that, however. A quick search for reviews on the product will give you a good idea of what others who have used it feel about it. Don't risk your reputation selling a product that isn't what it is cracked up to be.
4. Connected Content
I can't harp enough on the importance of quality content on your blogs or websites, but there's something equally as important as quality-connection. If, for instance, you want your readers to know about Nutrisystem discounts, or Medifast coupons you shouldn't be writing about boating, or dog-friendly hotels. However, if you sell something like dog beds, or travel carriers, the pet-friendly hotel articles fit right in, and make sense.5. Transparency
Readers just aren't stupid. Remember that. Also remember that your number one goal is to not piss off your reader. It's easy to do in a cynical world where everyone is used to receiving pitches from every angle. They expect it, but hate to be blindsided by it. If you build a reader's trust—which you should, but never let them know you are backing a product, and suddenly they find out that your profit ambitions are behind the links, ads and call to actions… well, they'll be mad.Transparency is a very delicate balance that many bloggers and Internet marketers of all types struggle with. It doesn't matter how long you've been doing it, or how good you are at it, you will always wrestle with the right balance between being transparent, and not wanting to blatantly shove ads in your reader's faces.
Finding Your Equilibrium
If it all sounds so confusing, don't worry. As you develop your blog, you will find that balance you need. So long as you keep your reader's best interest at heart, and truly provide them with the best information on the subject they are looking for, you'll end up a winner.
Remember, it does not happen overnight. You have to work your blog, and develop reader loyalty. Along the way, you'll likely make a few mistakes. Don't kick yourself too hard, get back up, dust yourself off, and get back on track.
What tips for monetizing your blog with affiliate programs would you add? What nuggets of wisdom would you share?
Guest author Matthew is a blogger who is fascinated by the earnings potential of affiliate programs. Part of his knowledge so far comes from his monetization experiments with coupons of meal replacement products, such as Medifast coupon codes and an diet promotional code.
