How to Earn Money Blogging: TJMS Nikki Woods Edition

Blogging has really opened up many doors for me and recently that door included an interview with Nikki Woods, Tom Joyner Morning Show contributor and producer.  During the 10 minute interview I had a chance to share different ways that bloggers have and can earn money blogging.  Earning money by blogging is something that many bloggers have been doing for several years now.   I know some bloggers have left their full-time jobs because they were earning more money blogging or because the earning potential was there and it was time to pursue it.  Other bloggers, even those that have been blogging for years, still are not making money through their blogs. The important takeaway to reinforce is that the possibility is there. And it does happen and can happen. With a little know-how, entrepreneurial spirit, and an integrated approach to blogging, a blog and good content can help bloggers produce a stream of income to help pay the bills and more. Although we also chatted about social media use among African-Americans and the Niche Parent Conference, this post will focus on monetizing your blog.

How to Earn Money Blogging

1. Sponsored posts. Some established bloggers may get paid upwards of $500 per sponsored blog post. A sponsored post is a post written for a fee to promote or endorse a product or a brand. A payment of $500 or more is not the average rate for bloggers. Most posts pay around $50 -$100. If you are an established blogger with a large following or niche expert you will likely earn more. If you are asked to create recipes, prepare a dish, host an event, etc., this can justify an increased fee.
2. Serving as a brand ambassador. Bloggers can work with a brand on a contract basis to help create content for a brand and promote it. Usually this is a year long contract. Ambassadors are asked to write several posts, usually at least once a month with the expectation that the blogger will help share the content created. Ambassadors usually earn a few hundred dollars per post and may receive other incentives such as blog traffic, recognition, products, or even a trip to headquarters or other location for a brand/blogger retreat.
3. Hosting or participating in a Twitter party. Bloggers that have high following on Twitter can host or co-host a Twitter party for payment. If a blogger is asked to organize the party then the fee is usually much more than if a blogger is asked to  participate as a co-host.
4. Hosting events or speaking at events.  As bloggers curating content on a specific subject matter, they really do become experts in a subject matter.  Whether they write about preparing fresh and healthy lunch menus for children or couponing, bloggers have a voice and an audience.  A blogger can host an event for a brand, speak at events, or host their own seminars or workshops on their niche subject. And of course, as a blogger, blogging workshops and 101 seminars do well with others just starting.  Taking a blog and  expertise off-line is smart, savvy, and certainly a great way to monetize a blog. 
5. Affiliate Links/Programs. There are some bloggers earning a substantial income through affiliate programs. Affiliate blogging involves   sending readers to a company’s site to buy their products or services. For every sale initiated by a link from the referring site,  a percentage–an affiliate sales commission – is earned.  
6. Ad hosting/networks. Bloggers can host ads on their sites to earn some additional passive income from their blog. This is profitable if the blogger has very high page views and hosts several ads on their site. Most bloggers will not earn much money from ad hosting but it certainly can be one of several opportunities to earn income with little to no effort on the part of the blogger. 

Interested in checking out the entire interview? Take a look below!