How to Monetize A WordPress Blog & Get Paid Blogging 2024

Are you asking yourself how to monetize a WordPress blog?

If you’re dedicated to blogging but not making money, it can feel discouraging.

With hosting fees and other costs piling up, it’s easy to doubt your efforts.

But there’s good news! You can learn how to turn your blog into a profitable venture.

In this guide, I’ll share effective strategies for monetizing your WordPress blog so you can start earning from your hard work!

Short Answer: Here’s 15 ways to monetize a  blog.

1. Make Money with Display Ads
2. Make Money Freelancing
3. Be a Consultant
4. Be the Coach
5. Sell Banner Ad Space
6. Make Money with Affiliate Marketing
7. Monetize Ebooks
8. Sell Online Courses
9. Make Money from Sponsorships
10. Promote Exclusive Content
11. Sell Merchandise
12. Promote Private Memberships
13. Make Money Flipping WordPress Websites
14. Sell Online Webinars
15. Make Money from Donations

15 Ways to Make Money Online Blogging with WordPress

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This page have some affiliate links. In other words, if you buy from my links, I may get a commission.

But first. I have to say this.

There is no magic bullet for making money with a WordPress blog.

Every WordPress monetization method has its own pros and cons, and you need more than just a solid following to see serious returns.

• Write unparalleled quality content that leaves your readers hungry for more.
• You will need an email list.
• You have to SEO your blog.
• You have to promote your blog.

With that said.

Here are the best ways to monetize a WordPress blog.

Beginner’s Guide to Blogging Best Practices

1. Display Ads on Your Blog

One of the most straightforward methods to monetize a WordPress blog is by using display advertisements on your pages.

Whether it’s static displays, pop-ups, or native ads, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.

And if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can even install a WordPress theme that specifically has ad space built into it.

When it comes to payment models, you have two main WordPress ad revenue options:

• Pay-per-Click (PPC)
• Pay-per-Impression (PPI).

In a PPC model, you’ll earn money every time someone clicks on a display ad on your site.

On the other hand, with a PPI model, you’ll get paid every time someone sees an ad.

While both models can be effective, PPC models tend to be more profitable as long as users are consistently clicking on the ads.

To place display ads, you’ll need to partner with an advertising network.

These companies pair advertisers with websites to host their ads.

Your network will pay you for your clicks or impressions and will also determine which ads will appear on your site.

So, it’s crucial to choose a reputable network if you opt to show ads.

The most popular ad network for WordPress is, without a doubt, Google AdSense.

It’s free, user-friendly, and offers the widest range of targeted ads on any network.

Plus, it operates on a PPC model.

Now here’s a big but.

Although it is easy to set up, your earning power will be limited because each time an ad is clicked, your earnings will vary.

Of all the monetization models listed here, Google Adsense has the lowest payout.

So don’t limit yourself to just PPC.

Instead, diversify by learning how to monetize a WordPress blog and check out Google Adsense alternatives like Ezoic, Adsterra, Mediavine, etc.

Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives out there that may offer better payouts or looser content requirements.

However, do yourself a big favor.

Research and explore your options before deciding on monetizing WordPress.

Display Ads: What You Need to Know

Display ads are an easy way to earn passive income as a blogger, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

Before You Start

• Meet Network Requirements: Reputable networks like AdSense have strict rules. You’ll likely need a pool of high-quality blog posts before they accept you.
• Traffic is Key: To earn meaningful income, your blog must attract a decent amount of traffic. Some networks even require a minimum number of monthly visitors.

Challenges to Consider

• User Experience: Too many ads can frustrate readers and damage trust. This could lead to users installing ad-blockers.
• Ad-Blockers and Banner Blindness: Both can significantly reduce your ad revenue.

Why Choose Display Ads?

• Display ads are beginner-friendly and a good starting point for earning money.
• They can serve as a stepping stone to more lucrative strategies in the future.

But first, ensure you have enough content and traffic to drive clicks and impressions.

Not a fan of display ads? Keep reading to learn how to monetize your blog without them.

2. Freelance Your Service And Monetize.

You have a skill, a unique talent. You know your niche like the back of your hand, and that’s why I’m talking to you today about the potential to monetize your expertise.

Freelancing is a fantastic way to turn your talent into profit, and the best part?

There’s no need for a hefty investment of your time or money.

All you have to do is take your current audience and offer your services, that’s it!

But, there’s one key thing to remember, you need a way to get paid.

And I’ve got the solution for you.

Use either WP Simple Pay or FreshBooks, two of the best invoicing plugins out there, to make sure you get every penny you deserve.

If you want to keep your expenses low, use good ole Paypal.

Alternatively, you can use gig sites like Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, and Upwork to look after the administration stuff so you can deliver on what you promised.

So think about what your readers want and then offer up your service.

3. Be A Consultant Specialist

This is one of my favorite WordPress monetization models.

It’s very easy. It’s quick to set up.

And it’s another way to turn your expertise into cold, hard cash is through consulting.

You see, as a consultant, you’re not just offering your services, you’re offering your clients the knowledge and strategy they need to succeed.

It’s the ultimate expression of your skills and knowledge.

And the best part? You don’t need to put up any upfront investment.

That’s right, no startup costs. Just leverage your existing blog and watch the money roll in.

Now, you may be asking yourself, “Jason, how do I prove that I’m an expert in my field?”

Well, let me give you three examples.

First, you can create case studies that demonstrate your success in helping other businesses.

Second, you can offer free consultations to a select few.

And third, you can demonstrate your expertise through webinars and live events.

By the way.

If you need a consultation with setting up a WordPress blog or want to know more about how to monetize a WordPress blog, you can reach me here.

So, why not cash in on your expertise today? Create that page, put up that form, and watch the clients roll in!

Now that’s how to monetize your WordPress blog.

4. Be The Coach.

If consulting is not your style, you can consider unlocking the full potential of your blog by turning your expertise into a lucrative coaching business.

As a coach, you possess the power to empower your audience to reach their goals and transform their lives.

Whether it’s life coaching, blog coaching, writing coaching, or any other niche, you have the knowledge and experience to guide others to success.

And here’s the best part. Unlike other business models, becoming a coach doesn’t require any upfront investment.

It’s as simple as setting up a booking form on your WordPress blog and letting your readers schedule their own coaching sessions with you.

So why not turn your passion into profit, make money from a WordPress blog, and become a sought-after coach today?

5. Monetize with Banner Ad Space

As a blogger, you have the power to increase your income by directly selling banner ad space on your website.

Think of your blog as an advertising space that’s leasing out a spot to businesses who are keen to tap into your audience.

Instead of relying on intermediaries who take a portion of the profit, you negotiate the price and terms on your own.

Unlike CPC or CPM ads, which pay you per click or per thousand views, most bloggers opt for a flat rate for easier management.

However, directly selling ads requires more effort compared to using Google AdSense.

You’ll need to handle the negotiations, draft an agreement, and handle administrative tasks like invoicing.

But with effort comes reward, as you have the potential to earn more money through direct sales.

The Ultimate Checklist for Achieving Blogging Success

6. Affiliate Marketing

Another awesome way to monetize a WordPress blog is through affiliate marketing.

If you’re looking for a passive income stream that’s better for the user experience and has the potential to be more profitable than advertisements, this is the way to go!

(Real quick. A Business Insider research found that “15% of digital marketing revenue comes from affiliate programs”)

That’s right, you can join the ranks of the top affiliate marketers and start promoting third-party products in your blog content.

Simply mention the products in your blog posts and place special affiliate links for your readers to follow and purchase the products on the third-party website.

Here’s how it works: Your affiliate links are tagged with a unique piece of tracking code, signaling to the merchant that the traffic came from your blog.

And when your readers purchase through your identifying link, you receive a slice of the revenue!

This is how to make money blogging on WordPress.

Blogs are the perfect platform for affiliate marketing, and with WordPress, the opportunities to monetize a WordPress blog are endless.

You can write product reviews, mention products in posts about larger topics, and even use plugins to manage your affiliate links.

(Personally, it is my favorite way to make money on a WordPress blog. Although it does take time to compile the articles, it is worth the effort.)

And with the biggest player in the game, Amazon Associates, boasting over two million affiliates, the possibilities for profit are endless.

But Amazon is just the tip of the iceberg.

There are plenty of alternative affiliate networks and companies with their own affiliate programs to choose from.

(Commission Junction, ShareASale, ClickBank, Impact, etc.)

Simply find a product you love and check if they offer an affiliate program on their website so you can earn money blogging.

Is Affiliate Marketing Hard

How to Monetize a WordPress Blog with Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a great way to make money from your blog. Here are some simple tips to get started:

Key Tips for Success

• Be Genuine: Only promote products you love and use yourself. Readers trust authentic recommendations.
• Follow the Rules:
  • Stick to the guidelines of your affiliate program.
  • Always disclose affiliate links in your posts. Transparency builds trust.
• Focus on Content First: Create excellent content and grow your audience before adding affiliate links. Without readers, you won’t earn from affiliate programs.

Stay in Your Lane

• Stick to your expertise. Promote products related to your blog’s niche.
• Most topics have affiliate programs, so explore options that align with your content.

Remember, you don’t need to change your blog’s focus to monetize it. Build trust and provide value, and affiliate marketing will follow naturally!

7. Monetize with Ebooks on WordPress

Ebooks are a great choice for digital products.

They are simple to write and produce. If you’ve been blogging for a while, you can reuse your old posts.

Turn them into chapters for your book.

After writing your ebook, design a cover with a software like Canva. And then use it to turn it into a PDF.

Selling digital products on a WordPress blog is easy with plugins or via a site like Gumroad.

8. Monetize with Online Courses on WordPress

Selling an online course is a great way to make money online.

Courses often sell for more than ebooks. You can charge extra for sharing your expertise.

To start, you’ll need to create lessons for your course.

Add supporting materials like slides, downloads, checklists, or templates.

Decide if you want to offer personalized support.

Some courses have two versions:

• The basic version has no support.
• The premium version includes email and phone support.

9. Monetize from Sponsorships

If you’re an established writer, you have the power to secure some serious dough with sponsorships.

That’s right, brands will pay you to mention their products in your posts or even do a full-blown review.

Now, I know you’re thinking, “that sounds like I have to write more.”

But let me tell you, the payouts can be massive.

Way more than you’d earn from affiliate marketing or display ads.

And if you regularly review products, you can even form relationships with brands you already cover.

But here’s the thing, you have to take the initiative.

If brands aren’t reaching out to you, it’s up to you to reach out to them.

And let me tell you, having a solid reader base will make them much more likely to say yes to a sponsorship deal.

So, here’s the deal.

Be choosy about your sponsorships and always be genuine with your opinions and recommendations.

You’ve worked hard to build a following and create buzz, so don’t throw it all away by pivoting from your niche.

Your post matters, and it has to help your readers.

And one more thing.

Don’t confuse sponsored content with native advertising.

Native ads are created by advertisers and blend in with the rest of your content.

Sponsored content is something you author yourself.

So, make it count.

10. Monetize with Exclusive Content

If you’ve been blogging for a while, you’ve likely established yourself as an expert in your niche.

And, as a seasoned blogger, you understand the power of WordPress monetization through premium content.

But, let’s not just throw any old content behind a paywall.

Your premium content needs to take your readers to the next level, providing insights and value beyond your standard blog posts.

Here’s how to monetize your WordPress blog:

• Unlock the Vault: Offer exclusive blog posts, or expand on existing posts, to give your readers access to even more value.
• The Printed Word: Turn your most in-depth blog posts into printable PDFs, complete with bonus content like worksheets or summaries.
• E-book Enlightenment: Create an ebook from old blog content or dive into new territory. Ebooks are an efficient and affordable way to showcase your expertise.
• Class is in Session: Take your knowledge to the next level with a full online course, utilizing existing blog content and e-learning tools like LearnPress.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

You could also explore podcasting, photo collections, and live streams. The possibilities are endless.

But, let’s not forget, before you can sell your premium content, you need to prove your value with free content.

Consider offering free versions of any of these content types.

This will show new and old readers your knowledge and quality, and get them excited to start paying for more.

11. Sell Merchandise

You see this a lot on Youtube and that is selling merchandise (or merch).

And for bloggers, you can make money blogging on WordPress by selling your own merch too.

This is a fantastic way to get your loyal followers to show their support for your work and help promote your brand.

Think of it like paid content.

But instead of just selling access to your content, you’re selling actual physical products (T-shirts, caps, mugs, etc) through your online store.

Now, the good news is, there are plenty of WordPress e-commerce plugins available. Both free and paid.

This can help you add a store component to your existing blog, or even turn your entire site into a store with a blogging component.

12. Monetize with Memberships

Next up, let’s talk about memberships.

Membership is the key to unlocking a world of riches, both financially and personally.

And I’ve got a little secret to share with you that’s gonna blow your mind.

Have you ever considered the idea of a membership website?

It’s where members get exclusive access to a treasure trove of premium content, along with a bustling community forum where fans can connect, share, and talk about your content.

Now, I know what you’re thinking again. “Jason, this sounds like a lot of work.”

And you’re right, it is.

But here’s the thing: It’s also a more reliable form of WordPress monetization than one-time paid content.

Because membership costs are recurring, you’ll be making a steady stream of income.

To put this into context.

Think gym memberships. Think golf club memberships.

Every member has to pay a recurring fee just to get in.

Make sense?

This is where a platform like Patreon helps.

It’s a platform that lets fans support you monthly, in exchange for exclusive content.

With membership tiers and increasing perks, you’ll be able to offer your supporters a valuable experience.

Plus, with Patreon handling the content gating, membership tiers, and payments, you’ll have more time to focus on creating amazing content.

So, just keep that in mind if you decide to go this route.

But if you’re okay with the cost, Patreon is a much simpler alternative to building a membership site from scratch.

Now that’s how to monetize a blog on WordPress!

13. Flipping Websites

If you can build a WordPress website, you’re ahead of most people.

Many entrepreneurs prefer buying established websites. They use these for their own businesses.

If you can create a WordPress blog and drive traffic to it, you can sell it.

This lets you earn money for your hard work.

To succeed, you need to know which websites are in demand.

You also need to learn how to price and sell them.

Sites like Flippa act as auction platforms and brokers for selling websites.

14. Monetize with Webinar

Webinars are a great way to grow your audience.

You can share your knowledge and build your business.

But did you know they’re also a smart way to make money online?

Webinars are like online courses, but they’re live (or pre-recorded).

Most webinars also have a question-and-answer session.

With WordPress, hosting a paid webinar is simple.

You can use your site to host the event or just advertise and register participants.

Either way, your site plays a big role in your webinar’s success.

Want to learn more? Check out our list of the best automated webinar software for WordPress users.

15. Monetize from Donations

This could be a one-time payment or monthly contributions.

Relying on ‘donations’ isn’t a steady income source.

But it’s a simple option. It lets you focus on what you love most. Your blogging.

Getting started is easy. Add a few call-to-action buttons to a payment tool like PayPal.

If you use WordPress, a PayPal plugin makes it even smoother.

Here’s a tip: avoid using the word “donation.”

People might think it’s for a charity or non-profit. Instead, use terms like “support” or “join my Patreon”.

This makes your intentions clear and avoids confusion.

With this low-effort setup, you can focus on creating great content.

Your readers can support your passion, and tools like PayPal will handle the rest.

Growing an Audience is a Must

There’s no shortcut. To succeed, you need a loyal and engaged audience.

• You build that by creating great content over time.
• Present it in an appealing format.
• Promote it well. (Here’s a helpful article on How to Get Blog Traffic from Pinterest)

That’s the key.

If your site is doing well and you’re earning some money, reinvest it.

Focus on growing your business by exploring new channels.

Try YouTube, podcasts, newsletters, or social accounts.

These are great ways to boost your growth and reach more people.

How to Monetize a WordPress Blog in 2024 – The Wrap

You’re an online master, a WordPress wizard, a digital ninja!

And with the ultimate weapon of flexibility in your arsenal, there’s no stopping you from making money with your blog.

Now, each monetization method I’ve shared has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the secret to success lies in knowing your audience and what they want.

I mean what’s the point in writing when you don’t know what your reader wants most.

But remember, there’s no silver bullet for profitability.

No. Overnight. Riches. Waiting for you.

The real key to success is delivering value to your readers, building a following, testing and tweaking, and experimenting until you get there.

Finally, to answer your question on how to monetize a WordPress blog, let’s round this post off with this question

Can you make money blogging on WordPress?

Hell yes! You can make money blogging on WordPress.

Take action now.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

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