Welcome to Lesson 2 of the 30 Days To Your Profitable Blog Challenge!
As we mentioned in the previous lesson there are 2 main ways to earn an income blogging: advertising and affiliate marketing. Today we are going to go over advertising. Specifically, we are going to be talking about the easiest way to get started making money with ads on your blog. Let’s get started!
If you have ever visited a blog you may have noticed ads in their posts, sidebar, or even as a popup. This is called pay-per-click advertising, also referred to as PPC, this form of ad involves installing code onto your website or blog that displays ads that are targeted to the keywords in your content. You have the opportunity to earn a commission each time a reader clicks on the ads. This option is relatively easy to get started with and can earn a significant income if you approach it with strategy and research. Read on to learn about pay-per-click advertising and whether it might be a good option for monetizing your blog.
How Pay-Per-Click Advertising Works
Pay-per-click advertising is sometimes referred to as cost per click ads (CCP). PPC is an advertising system in which advertisers pay publishers when their ads are clicked.
The process is simple, you’ll place display ad code on your site which will automatically generate ads based on your current content. This ensures the ads will be relevant to your users, thus increasing the chances of ads receiving clicks. The benefit of PPC for advertisers is that it generates traffic to their site or preferred destination. The clicks also allow them to determine which ads are working and to gauge user engagement.
Pay-Per-Click Networks
There are a number of networks that will allow you to place PPC ads on your site. The best known of these is definitely Google AdSense. Google is, of course, the largest search engine in the world. There’s plenty of ads available and Google’s algorithm is pretty good about matching ads to your content. There are other, smaller networks to consider.
PPC networks gaining in popularity include:
- Bidvertiser
- AdRoll
- RevContent
- AdBlade
- Clicksor
Payouts with smaller sites like this, however, can be smaller than with larger networks. This may be something to consider when deciding which one is right for you. In addition, each has their own criteria for publisher acceptance. You may not qualify for each network. Take some time to research which might be a good fit.
What to Know
Getting started is relatively easy. Determine which network or networks appeal to you and apply. Once you’re accepted, you can access a code to place in your sidebar or other location on your blog. Ads will automatically be generated and tracked using this code. It’s a passive way to earn income. There’s no need to reach out to direct advertisers or manage payouts. That’s all done for you.
I did want to add that these networks don’t just accept everyone that applies. So I wanted to give you some quick tips that can help to increase your odds of being accepted to a network. Make sure your blog looks as clean and appealing as possible. Also, it’s important that you’re posting content on a regular basis. Having an inactive blog is a sure way to get denied.
Once you are accepted and place your ads, you may wish to try different placements over time in order to see which converts to clicks better. Also, keep ads to a minimum to avoid being spammy. Don’t place any more than three campaigns per page.
Now that you know a little bit about what PPC is and how it works, you’re ready to give it a shot. One word of warning, it’s not likely you’ll make a ton of money right away. It takes time to build momentum. The best way to earn big with PPC is to have a large audience. However, it’s an easy and accessible way to begin in the world of blog monetizing.
Have you tried pay-per-click advertising? Has it worked for your blog? Comment below.
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