Who knew?
Who knew my measly $33.00 and change in ad revenue would generate so much interest?
And so many questions?
I’m going to start this post with a major disclaimer: I am not an expert on how to make money blogging and am learning as I go …
… and I’m all about the sharing of the learning as I go.
Because, truly, if you calculated the hours I’ve spent working on the blog versus the money earned …
… you know, to figure our my hourly wage …
… that would require math.
And math makes my head hurt. But I’m pretty sure my hourly wage would come out to be a very small percentage of a penny …
… and, in fact, I think I may even owe money to somebody somewhere. Just not sure who or where …
So let’s move on to what I’ve done so far to earn that coveted $33 and change …
(… and I hyperlinked most of the screen cap shots so you can easily visit each site by clicking on the image. And all the hyperlinks open in a separate window. Just because I’m considerate like that…)
1. Signed up for Google Analytics.
Advertisers, sponsors & affiliates need the digits …
… and you’ll need the numbers to set ad rates in the future …
So just go to Google and google “Google AdSense” (I tried to link it up but it kept bringing me to my personal account page) …
And speaking of the numbers, I do have some confusion when it comes to Google Analytics …
… you see, my Blogger stats and my Google Analytics stats do not see eye-to-eye…
My Blogger stats are seriously kicking some Google Analytics butt. But I have no idea why the two numbers do not match up. There is a HUGE discrepancy …
… so any insight would be greatly appreciated. I sent an email to one of the more established Blogger bloggers to see if she could explain (and reassure me that those big Blogger numbers are correct and explain why the Google Analytics are just wrong, wrong, wrong …)
2. Signed up for Google AdSense.
To do this in Blogger, you just need to hit the “Monetize” tab on the Dashboard …
All others will need to go here …
Google AdSense doesn’t make a first payout until you reach $100. And I’m pretty sure their pay-out is 100% linked to click-throughs …
… I know others swear by Google AdSense. Are getting some nice checks from Google AdSense. Me, personally, not so. I know I need to move up their prominence on my sidebar. And I’ve heard the banner up top is the “big moneymaker” …
… just not ready to take that banner up top step yet. Soon, though. Very soon …
3. Created a Lijit Account.
The fabulous “Rooster” of The Rooster and Then Hen pointed me in this direction …
You just need to fill out a few forms, starting here …
… and once you’re approved, they’ll send HTML for sidebar and banner ads. It’s your choice how many to use and where to put them …
So far, Lijit is a keeper. They delivered the best first paycheck.
3. Created a Rivit Account.
Rivit approached me early on …
… I’m pretty sure it was after The DIY Showoff published an amazing feature about my blog …
So, similar to Lijit, I created an account …
… and once approved, placed the HTML tags they sent via email onto my sidebar …
4.5 (NEW) Signed up for Federated Media Consideration.
Now back in the fall, Lijit became a wholly-owned affiliate of Federated Media …
… and at that time, I wasn’t ready to sign up here …
… it’s a bit intimidating, especially when you click on the Lifestyle link and see some of the enormous numbers some bloggers generate monthly (7 million monthly pageviews for Design*Sponge. Really?). But in researching this post I decided it was time to bite the bullet …
…. oh, how I hope and pray those Blogger numbers are the true stats (and trust me, they are light years away from Design*Sponge’s 7 million) …
… and just yesterday submitted my blog for consideration by filling out the form here ….
And now I will wait and see and hope and pray I’m approved to wear and bear their coveted HTML tags. Here’s what they sent me via email …
“Thank you for your interest in working with Federated Media Publishing. Unfortunately, because of the high volume of submissions, it is impossible for us to respond to every inquiry. If your site looks like a great fit for us, we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.”
Now, I haven’t ventured in this direction – yet — but there are a number of affiliate programs like Amazon Associates …
… and The Home Depot Affiliate Program …
… and I will be looking into these options soon. Especially after seeing how effectively The Rooster and The Hen display their Amazon affiliate program on their sidebar under “Favorites”…
… check it out here …
… and oh how I love The Rooster and The Hen …
… in equal parts, of course …
… because their sage advice has been instrumental in my earning anything with this blog …
And now I’m exhausted. See how hard I had to work for those $33 dollars and change? That doesn’t even include all the posting and projects and photo taking and …
My next step is to develop a plan for those cute little Etsy shop and small business sponsor buttons …
I need to set rates, but first will check out what some of the established blogs charge per visitor and/or pageview …
… and when I do put that “Advertise” tab on my blog, I’ll definitely want to invest in this service …
… to handle the billing and payment logistics …
They charge a one-off fee of $47.00 …
… and there’s a question of “having access to my own web host” that I will need to resolve …
But they take care of the math …
… and you know how the math makes my head hurt.
For even more ideas on how to monetize your blog, including common misconceptions and affiliate programs, check out this excellent article at firstsiteguide.com. Just click here …
Linda, thank you so much for posting this! I’ve been trying to figure out the advertising world for several weeks now. A lot of the ad websites I’ve seen just appeared shady. It’s reassuring to see which companies are preferred by fellow bloggers! Thanks again. You’ve been a great help!
Hi Linda, thanks for stopping by my blog this week. I use Google Adense, but it took a while for me to start making money on it. I have to credit an in crease in my monthly traffic from getting a mention on Stumpleupon and also pinterest for a LOT of my traffic. I recommend using it, it may take a while, but once you get a lot of page views, you do start to make a little income from it (but nothing to write home about). Kelly
My head is swimming now between the math, the possibilities, and the info. It could be because I have a toddler on my lap and concentration on the math, possibilites and info wasn’t really possible. So I will be back to soak it all in a second time. I want my share of a $33 pie.
~Bliss~
Now who is the teacher? I had no idea Home Depot even had a program, but that’s brilliant, thanks for the tip! I’m going to check out Federated too since that’s a new one for me. We’re going to meet you some day in person and plant a big wet one on your forehead.
My Blogger stats do NOT match my Analytic stats either, and it makes me sad.
I just put my very first paid ad up today – I invoiced via PayPal Business…because that’s the only thing I could think of to use to collect money. Maybe this OIO would have been a better choice?! I’m off to research…
Have I told you lately that I love you?
(If you didn’t read that with the appropriate Rod Stewart-esque pauses, please go back and do so.)
Anyway, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this advice. (I know people are probably thinking, “why does she need to advertise? She’s got $0.29 in her adsense acct.” But I’m greedy. I want at *least* $1.29.)
So thanks.
Love,
Rod
Thanks!!! I only have an ad sense account. I am going to try these other options!! Thank you!!!
Thanks for sharing the $ making love!
Kelly
I’m still in blogging diapers. Sucking my thumb.
But I will bookmark this…..just in case I ever get potty trained!
I am mature enough to thank you for doing this. I have always wondered about the $ end of blogging.
I suppose I’d have to post, though???
Seriously, thank you!
This is so helpful! Thanks so much. I’m a new follower and hope you’ll follow me back.
PS… I’d love to know what you find out about the Google Analytics. Mine are like less than a third of what Blogger stats show.
I know a blogger who is tight with one of the biggies so she, hopefully, will get some insight into this for us next week. If there is something tangible and understandable, I’ll post about it …
Thanks for sharing all the info. I’ve never even heard of some of these opportunities.
This is great info. Thanks for sharing! I have some money built up in Google Adsense, but haven’t hit that $100 mark yet.
Home Depot has an affiliate program?! And how have I never heard of this OIO thing? Brilliant. When the BIG DOLLAS start rolling in, I’ll have you to thank. (I can expect that to start happening soon, right? Next weekish?)
I have just recently started with Google AdSense and haven’t hit the first threshold (not even really close), but just signed up with Lijit and wondering what to do next.
Thanks for listing some authentic places. I had someplace contact me & I didn’t know if they were legit, so I didn’t follow up. I asked a biggie blogger if she had heard of them and she didn’t answer with what was looking for. Taking baby steps….
Thank you so much for laying it all out so nicely. I’m pinning this…and will refer to it when I’m headed in that directions. Thanks so much Linda!
Karah
Thank you so much for sharing this information with everyone. I will definitely be following some of your instructions and signing up for these.
Thank You,
Lisa
If you ever get an answer about WHY Analytics counts are so low compared to Blogger counting please please post about it and then link to every party possible to share the answer. I can not figure it out at all.
Thank you so much for the simply laid out instructions. I also have been trying to figure out the whole adds thing and keep chickening out when I don’t feel I understand them and don’t know if they are legit.
Melissa
redflycreations.blogspot.com
Thanks too for taking the time to stop by my blog and comment.
Linda…thanks for sharing! I enjoyed this post and will be looking into these options. As of today…I still have NOT dabbled in any sort of monetary arrangment with my blog. Talk about behind in the times!!!
Happy Wednesday!
Jessica