I make money blogging in a variety of ways.
I like to keep my income sources as diverse as possible.
But today I want to share one of the easiest ways you can make money blogging - or actually, make more money blogging...
As you know, I'm a Super Affiliate. The majority of my income online comes directly from Affiliate Marketing, and has for a good number of years now.
But lately I've really been branching out. One reason is diversification, the other is testing. I'm constantly studying new ways to make money blogging, and I've been seeing a fast-growing trend I simply cannot ignore...
Working With Brands, Sponsors & Advertisers
There is nothing new about online advertising as a source of income. Advertisers and Sponsorships have been around for as long as I have. Which is forever in Internet years (lol). That said, in the last few years, more and more mainstream brands are coming online to connect with their target markets directly - and they're investing heavily in two things: Facebook and Bloggers.
Over the last year I have been doing tons of research on how those companies choose bloggers to work with, and where the "lucky bloggers" are getting their profitable brand connections.
There's A LOT of money (and products!) changing hands in certain circles. 😉
While doing my research, I've been testing a few options - and I'm very pleased with the results so far. It's true that many brands research, find and contact bloggers directly. And while there are ways you can set yourself up to be selected (which I'm still testing, and will blog more about soon), there's an easier way to get noticed - and more importantly, get paid. 🙂
Make Money Blogging with SocialSpark
One of my best sources is SocialSpark.
They're a network that acts as a go-between for Brands and Bloggers. You simply sign up and submit your blog(s), and companies that are looking for reviews and exposure will choose relevant niche blogs for sponsored blog post opportunities.
I'll give you some live examples of posts I've done for SocialSpark, to give you a better idea how it works. One is this post for Logo Mojo, where I earned $150 to write the post. Payouts are based on your reach and traffic, of course.
Another great example was the Fellowes Shredder Giveaway post. Not only did I earn $150 for writing the post, but I also received a FREE shredder ($239.99 value) AND they gave one away to one of my lucky readers! As you know, giveaways bring in a lot of traffic, so it was a very beneficial opportunity in addition to the payment.
Another Reason to Love SocialSpark!
SocialSpark also has a new Blog Display Advertising Network to help bloggers better monetize their blogs and connect them with as many brands as possible.
I am not using it, because you must have Google Analytics installed to qualify (and I currently do not). But this is another GREAT opportunity to earn money! 😉
I was actually one of the beta testers for their ad network a couple months ago, until they required Google Analytics, and passively earned almost $80 just by displaying the code temporarily (literally, for just 2-3 weeks!). They have me just about tempted to install GA on my properties. LOL. I can be slow.
Basically you put the code in your sidebar, just like you would for an affiliate offer or a sponsor. It rotates relevant advertising, and you get paid monthly. So it's like having a sponsor except you don't have to worry with the management details!
Joining their ad network will help increase your chances for Sponsorship opportunities too, so that's a great reason to use that once you join SocialSpark.
At any rate, I'm going to give you full disclosure here. They are currently running a contest for new referrals, and I would really like to win. I LOVE a good challenge! So if you have ever considered working with brands, or making more money with your blog, I would be thrilled if you sign up through my referral link today. 😀
Once you sign up for SocialSpark, be sure to sign up for the ad network as well. You'll get offers and leads by email, but you can also go into your account and browse the Marketplace for opportunities.
AND you can express interest in specific Brands (go to Account > Brands).
Other Networks I Work With...
While SocialSpark is one of my favorites, there are other networks I am currently working with that you may want to check out as well. Including BlogFrog, Sponsored Reviews, and Escalate Network.
We were discussing SocialSpark on Facebook and my friend Kim said:
Kim, by the way, is the person that introduced me to working online way back in the 90's. We've been friends more than half our lives, since we were 19 years old!
And you don't have to have a "mom blog". I use SocialSpark here on ClickNewz, and also on my Low Carb Blog. And I'll be submitting my new Personal Video Blog there as well - as soon as it hits the 6 month mark in May.
She's right: excellent payouts, always on time, quality topics to blog about, and GREAT staff to work with. Here's the link to sign up again. Enjoy! 😀
Best,
p.s. If you are interested in sponsoring a post on ClickNewz about your website or product, see Get Featured on ClickNewz. 😉
About Lynn Terry
Just recently signed up for Social Spark and Escalate. I'm excited about the opportunities to come. Had no clue I could show interest in specific brands on SS so that was a cool tip, thanks.
Hope you win the contest!
Thank you 😀 I actually didn't realize that either until this morning! I went in and checked brands for each of my sites. Very cool option!
Thanks Lynn,
I'll go check them out right now.
P.S. I always learn something new from you!
😀 Great to see you here, David!
Thanks Lynn!
I did sign up for SS when you ran your other column, now I'll have to go back and submit my sites! I was worried about just what they were going to expect me to write! All you did was mention Logo Mojo and you never really told us if you liked the shredder or not! I also wasn't sure on how to price an article... I realize it depends on audience and reach but do you have some guidelines to help?
Thanks for sharing all this with us! After doing my taxes I really have been in a "funk" all week... I need to get my revenues up! I am afraid I am on the "outs" with some of my peers in my main niche; I do not think it's right to charge developers to review their apps even if other review sites are calling it an expedited service. It just doesn't feel right to me, and I have to live with me. So I am looking at alternative ways to fund the site... and I appreciate your article!
Each opp is different as far as the requirements, but they'll let you know what they expect when they send you an offer or opp. I was only expected to show a video or photo of the shredder they sent me, not "review it", and of course give one away. So that one was easy!
Just signed up for SS and awaiting offers. Thanks for the tips on the ad netowrk and brands. I didn't know that so you just saved me time figuring it out 🙂
Great! I think you'll really enjoy working with them. They have some great connections! 😉
A lot of small and independent businesses engage with bloggers to spread the word about their brand. This helps when they don't have a set budget and department for marketing.
True. But larger brands and well known companies are engaging with bloggers as well. So there are TONS of opportunities for bloggers right now. 😉
I signed up for SS but I need to ramp up my blog posting because I don't meet the qualifications yet of 20 posts in the last 90 days. Once a week just won't cut it.
Ahh, yes - I have to fix one of my blogs I submitted because it doesn't have a chronological post listing. They're particular, but it's worth it. 🙂
Man!! I want you to install google analytics so you can explain to me why the data from GA is so different from what I read on hostgator.
You always share such great tips, my friend.
Hope it's okay to just jump in here... when I asked that question to those in the know Gina I was told that GA is the true measure of site data. Hostgator is logging ALL the hits to your site including all the bots that crawl it. You don't want them included in your totals because that gives you a lot of false info. Does that make sense? I hope I explained it clearly.
Hmmmm thank you Marge! I thought it said "not counting bots"but it figures google rules the world. MY GA is surely installed incorrectly as it says my daily visits are zero, every day! I manage to get lots of blog comments and product sales, so this is a mystery.
It's not HostGator that offers stats, but they have several stats packages installed you can choose from. I use AWstats. And it does show unique visitors vs hits as well as pageviews, etc.
Gina - have you tried contacting Google Analytics support?
I use the AWstats as well and find there are lots of little treasures you can learn from them. I also use Google and find their's to be a bit more specific.
Hi lynn I signed up with ss would they offer me opp living in the uk or is it just usa.
john
I know they have international bloggers on board, so that shouldn't be an issue!
I will sure sign up SS. IN this post you have revealed that how can we can earn money through blogging and which technique is the most effect in earning.
Great! I think you'll really enjoy it. 😀
Hey,
Just out of curiosity... Why no love for GA? I have my hunches but I'm curious if you'd be willing to disclose why you are against putting google analytics on your properties...
I've been using AWstats since *way* before GA was ever born. I tend to stick with what's working for me, and honestly - don't like change (or learning something new, unless I have to - lol).
It's not that I'm against it, and I may end up doing it for reasons like I stated in the post above, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. And... I can be a bit googlephobic at times, though I'm getting over that a bit (slowly lol).
Lynn, I love the way you put into words whatever you used or learn. Your simplicity definitely has improved the way I do things on my blog. I am going sign up to SS and do what you said.
Thank you James 🙂
HI Lynn thanks for the excellent post!! I have been reading your posts for some time now but have only just opted in to your in so looking forward to receiving blog posts in my in box keep up the good work 🙂
Thank you Joe!
Hey Lynn,
Just signed up with SocialSpark! It was funny - when I got over there, the first screen I see says "ClickNewz signed up, you should too!"
So I did - LOL 🙂
Anyway, Good Luck! Hope you WIN!!
Thank you Wayne 😀
By the way, I saw your other message. The way yours is above, is exactly how it's supposed to work. Unless I misunderstood something in your note - did you not want that keyword phrase as the anchor text?
I just heard that a few mummy bloggers lost their page rank over the last week due to an abundance of sponsored posts. I see that you specifically disclose a post being a sponsored post but what is the best practice?
You definitely want to mix in a good ratio of your own content to sponsored posts. That's an obvious point I suppose. 🙂 Full disclosure is also required, so I work with networks like Social Spark that are up on all of those details and provide you with the necessary links & disclosures - and official rules for contests, etc.
Do you recall where you read that bit? I'd love to read the link too.
Of course, I don't watch PageRank anymore. At all.. But I'd be interested in reading the article nonetheless.
There are forums where people post their offers and demands of advertorials, banners, link and so on. All you have to do is search on Google, find these forums and monitor them.
True, and I offer sponsored/featured editorials here as well. But it's great working with a professional broker for some of the bigger brand offers. 😉
Hi Lynn,
After reviewing your newsletter regarding SocialSpark I was pleasantly surprised by your latest post. I never heard of the program above and an opportunity to make a little income. As a blogger myself, I'll use this resource as another avenue for promotion and as an income earner. That's for the introduction Lynn to SocialSpark !
Ed
You're most welcome, Ed 😉
Thank you I actually went in and checked brands for each of my sites. I am looking at alternative ways to fund the site, your blog is wonderful and I appreciate your blog, many small businesses engage with bloggers to advertise their brand.
Thank you Taylor - glad you're enjoying ClickNewz! 😀
I am looking at alternative ways spend some money for my site, your blog is wonderful and I appreciate your blog, many small businesses engage with bloggers to advertise their brand and I am going sign up to SS and do what you said.
"googlephobic"--that's FUNNY and a solid reason to diversify by itself!!! I think that as a blogger you always look to diversify. I still freelance write for other blogs. It's easy money when you get into a groove with it, and it's completely unrelated to your own blog, except that it does help you get backlinks.
Like you I'm always looking for new income opps, so I'll check out SocialSpark. It sounds interesting.
It really is a great company to work with. Enjoy! 🙂
Lynn,
Thanks for the heads-up on SocialSpark! Just signed up and looking forward to working with them.
You're most welcome, Iris! 😉
Just recently signed up for Social Spark and Escalate. I’m excited about the opportunities to come, Thanks for sharing all this with us, I'm out of cash too, I can generate some money.
Both are really great companies to work with. 😀
Hi Lynn,
Sometimes I think I just don't get it. SocialSpark emailed this morning that they have an offer... that Quaker Oats wants me to sample their new soft baked bars, and then write a review & share it on all my social media along with the website... I am sitting here shaking my head thinking WHY they would ask me to do this for my Apps for iPads website, which very obviously is a website that reviews iPad apps. HOW would I make that fit my content?
Do they send you off the wall offers? This is the first real viable one they have sent me and it just doesn't seem to fit. Am I missing something?
It would fit well on another of my sites but I didn't even submit that one because I don't have enough traffic on that one yet.
Marge
...scratching her head and wondering what did I miss?
Yes, they sent me that offer too 😛
I just ignore the offers that aren't relevant to me. 😉
I understand... it's just that every offer they have sent has been just as strange and wouldn't fit my site's content. Oh well. Maybe one will finally pan out.
Hi Lynn,
This is an interesting concept you wrote about. I have not heard of socialspark before.
Will social spark also work in the Netherlands you think, because that's where I'm from. And why aren't you using analytics?
It helps me a lot to find out where my visitors come from and seeing what is happening on my site. Do you use something else for that purpose?
Anyway, I think I'll go have a look at Social Spark, because the ad network sounds interessting..
Thanks a lot!
Dennis - The Netherlands
hey, a great post..I use only adsense and infolinks. Once my website rank rises , i will surely sign up for the socialspark.
You are really a great blogger, you always share such nice posts.I really enjoyed reading this post.Thanks for such nice post.
Great information, Lynn.
Social Sparks looks like it may be worth a shot. I will have to go and check out what their site requirements to qualify are, firstly......
It sounds like a great idea to add an additional income stream, whilst still maintaining other methods...
I agree with your advice above in comments, that it would be a good idea to mix(sprinkle) the sponsored posts in amongst our own non sponsored posts, rather than getting too carried away with sponsored posts....(And not forget to disclose the sponsored posts).....
Hi Lynn,
This is an interesting concept you wrote about. I have not heard of socialspark before.
Will social spark also work in the Netherlands you think, because that's where I'm from. And why aren't you using analytics?
It helps me a lot to find out where my visitors come from and seeing what is happening on my site. Do you use something else for that purpose?
Anyway, I think I'll go have a look at Social Spark, because the ad network sounds interessting..
Thanks a lot!
Dennis - The Netherlands
Hi Dennis,
I use analytics installed on my hosting account. 🙂
Hi Lynn, thanks for the awnser. And the PERP e-book. I have read this e-book and my website, rijkwordenmetinternet.org is penelized. I now know what to do after a website is penelized thanks to this e-book! Thanks Lynn, Dan Thies and Leslie Rohde.Dennis
HI Lynn thanks for the excellent post!! I have been reading your posts, so much useful info to share.
Thanks for your tip on Social Spark. I assume, they would be good. Thanks for sharing this informative post.
This is my first time on this blog. It is awesome. I get so inspired by reading your posts here. I need to get better at blogging. I just recently started, trying to monetize with affiliate programs. But I think I'm trying to hard in my posts to sell instead of just informing and providing value and then casually recommending. I have much to learn from successful bloggers such as yourself. Thanks and keep it up Lynn! 🙂
Hi,
Thanks for sharing some useful information about Social Spark. Now a days many people come into blogging as its one of the best way to earn money online.
So if we do it properly than money will flow well. We need to diversify the income from our blog than depending on one source.
Hi Lynn,
I’ve been blogging for 7 years but not making any meaningful money. That was what decided me to read this post, of course, your fame added.
I thought it was going to be one of those “do this”, “do that” and “do that” also but it turned out to be simple and straightforward.
I hesitate to sign up for SS because my blog doesn’t get so much traffic. Just 2 weeks ago I signed up for Google Adsense but saw my application turned down. I guess it was due to traffic problems.
Maybe I’ll have to try them after all. But a question I would like to ask is: how do I price an article? Any guidelines will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for sharing this awesome post with us! Do you think it's right to charge developers to review their apps?