Online content monetization is the process of generating revenue from your online content. This online content may include text, images, music and video. We’ve all seen major book, newspaper, and magazine publishers moving their content online to reach more people and get more customers. Bloggers have the advantage that being online is their native territory, and they are comfortable there. What most bloggers need to get more comfortable with, though, is the idea that they can make money from the content they create, and how to create content with that in mind from the beginning.
Why do it? Well, first of all, making money is something we all need to do, and if you are already blogging, turning something you are already doing into a profitable venture does double-duty. Even better, if you start making money from something that you already love to do, you will be able to put more time and energy toward doing the thing that you love!
Thinking Bigger
Generally, bloggers who are publishing target a single stream of revenue. This usually means keeping their blog up and bringing in advertisers, often through Google’s AdSense. This is a good start, but it is just cracking the surface of possibility. Let’s examine what else you can do:
- Creating more content: If you have a loyal following of readers, why not ask them what they would like to see more of from you? Maybe they think you are the authority in their mind about where to eat in town, or what books to buy. Chances are, they would pay money for a detailed how-to guide from you. Also, do you have an email newsletter or some other kind of distribution? What about products from someplace like CafePress? What about a paid subscription for premium content? These are all easy add-ons to the work you are already doing.
- Repurpose Content: Speaking of the work you are already doing, why not repurpose your best content? If you write about cooking and often offer recipes, you can put the best 20 together and sell them as a cookbook for the holiday season. Or, recruit other bloggers in your field, write a book with them, and offer it to all of your readers for a small cost.
- Deepen Engagement: You can do more with what you already have. Did you know that you can turn the text you already have written into affiliate links that will make you money? How about turning your content into a paid webinar where you can interact with your audience? Getting more involved with Q&A on your blog or through online chat groups also allows you opportunities to direct people to paid content.
- Find out More: Learn more about how to monetize your blog from my FREE webinar at 11:00am PST (2:00pm EST) on Friday, January 27th. Register here: http://bit.ly/howtomonetize
Murray Newlands is the CEO and Founder of Influence People, and online marketing, video marketing, and PR firm based in San Francisco.
Image: renjith krishnan