SEM Tycoon

**imported_Anthony** · 06-30-2006, 08:39 PM

Hey Guys,

My blog receives upwards of around 100 uniques per day. I know this traffic isn't anything to boast about but I was wondering how I would best be able to monetize a blog?

How has CPC worked for you?
Has paid plugs worked better?
Private banner ads, do they work?

Do you find that blogs with a custom theme attract more users, and retain their interest and readership?

Anybody experienced or with any ideas please reply, thanks

**Andreas Bard** · 06-30-2006, 08:43 PM

Personally, I would not fill my blog with ads and I would recommend you to take it easy with it ( if its not a content blog meant for profit ).

If I would do it, I would prefer contextual cpc ads, to blend it in as smoothly as possible.

//Andreas

**imported_Anthony** · 06-30-2006, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the fast reply Andreas.

The blog is http://www.moobrack.com (sorry, no plug intended).

I feel as though I am here to make money, what's so bad about doing it on a blog where I post about my attempts to make money

I feel as though starting a blog in a niche would do me the world of good with CPC ads too, so I'm looking into that.

**Andreas Bard** · 06-30-2006, 09:58 PM

Yes, that is good, But my advice is to not overload it with ads.
I have seen some blogs totally destroyed with ads, it takes away that whole bloggy feeling.

//Andreas

**briansol** · 06-30-2006, 11:00 PM

I'm running 1 links ad at the very top, and an inline rectangle after the first post (on the home) or between the post and the comments section (view single post)

you can have a look here: http://www.skeymedia.com

**Bryan Le** · 07-01-2006, 12:45 AM

Ads are not always the way to go, but if you do choose to monetize your blog, then you should definitely go with paid plugs. I do that for my blog, however, I choose wisely and will not accept anyone who knocks on my door and throws me money.

My blog is for information and entertainment purposes. I will only promote the sites which I find worthy, or that I find useful for other parties reading my blog.

The worst way to lose your loyal readers is by filling it with useless information, ads, and making it seems as though they are being alienated from you. Blogs are meant to be personal, and allow a reader to connect to you on a personal level.

**RedMatrix** · 07-01-2006, 01:19 AM

I have a leaderboard under the header, a block between my blog and its comments, and a link-bar in the front page.

**Lpspider** · 07-01-2006, 01:25 AM

I have a half banner on mine... I don't think I've got any clicks from it, but I don't expect to. Honestly, I don't care much... when I post on my blog, I just do it for fun anyway.

**imported_Anthony** · 07-01-2006, 10:19 AM

Thanks for all of the feedback guys, this has really helped me explore more and more options when it comes to monetizing a blog

/me feels cogs in head turn

**Dr. Domaining** · 07-01-2006, 06:45 PM

Just like anything else, use as many avenues as possible.

**tjj** · 07-03-2006, 11:48 AM

<<paid plugs>>

Bryan-
Do they come to you or do you approach them?

**Muhammad Haris** · 07-03-2006, 11:49 AM

Well, I have just a 468x60 banner on http://temtpingbites above the content and below the header which makes me $1/day and If i monetize it properly, I can surely earn much more!

**Bryan Le** · 07-04-2006, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjj

<<paid plugs>>

Bryan-
Do they come to you or do you approach them?

The people who usually ask for the paid plugs approach me.

**ccking** · 07-04-2006, 02:58 AM

I have a fairley low traffic blog and use a leaderboard on it, with out much promotion it has clicked through 214 times, It seems that if it blends in with the site and is not really detracting from what is posted then it works better than something that sticks out like a sore thumb

**Pax** · 07-04-2006, 06:00 AM

Anthony,

I'm a long time reader of your blog and if you decide to monetize it can I just ask that you be upfront about it!

For me, when I read your blog and jon's, tyler cruz's etc it's a pretty personal thing. Kinda like seeing how your life is going and stuff. If you're going to accept paid plugs in your posts then I'm all for it, but do it like Tyler does and let people know "this is a paid plug".

If you do it the other way, such as Bryan Le does, he has one page accessible on his blog that basically says, pay me enough and I will trick my loyal readers into thinking that I actually endorse your product and make them think i'm not being paid cash for comment.

This makes me lose respect for the blog.

**tntcheats** · 07-05-2006, 07:38 PM

I think that paid plugs are stupid unless it's something that you really actually know of before you're approached, have used, and would honestly sell to your best friend, etc.

I'd say to just go with some AdSense ads: above the comments, maybe between posts on the main page, maybe throw an AdSense referrals link in the right nav. Very few people find them intrusive, and you don't have to worry about your blog turning into garbage cause every post is just a paid plug.

**Bryan Le** · 07-06-2006, 03:54 AM

Just for some people's information, I've removed paid plugs from my blog, but have kept post sponsorship.

**Pax** · 07-06-2006, 05:47 AM

Good to see

**Dave Taylor** · 07-14-2006, 02:32 AM

Blogging can be a good way to earn money, but I have to counsel that you have to be patience and you have to be focused. More importantly, to really gain the traction and traffic you'd need to make your blog revenue stream meaningful, you also have to get involved in the overall blogosphere, not just produce your own content and wait for people to show up.

I have three blogs that I run, and they produce $xx,xxx monthly for me through a combination of AdSense, Text-Link-Ads, Adzaar, and a variety of other monetization techniques. The busiest of them is AskDaveTaylor.com, which sees over 250,000+ visitors/month.

But make no mistake, it's a job, and it's a lot of work. I put in 1-3 hours every day writing new content, reading other blogs, adding comments, and researching material, etc.

Oh the other hand, it's really fun, straightforward, and a great way to gain visibility and become a "guru" in your marketplace, if that's of interest to you.

I actually have a course on business blogging that I created with SEO wizard Brad Fallon and we have an entire 75 minute phone call talking about how to monetize your weblog efforts. If you want to check it out, go to Blogsmart.com.

This is a duplicate of a comment I made on "the other blog monetization" thread too: I though it would be useful in both spots.

**5starAffiliates** · 07-14-2006, 04:24 PM

There's a brand new blog ad network that I just blogged about yesterday.
Too many links and pics and don't want to post dup content.
Hope it's OK if I do a summary and link.

Move Over Adsense Here Comes BlogKits - CPA Blog Ad Network

"Imagine the power and ease of Adsense, combined with the greater earning potential of performance based CPA affiliate revenue. The blogosphere meets affiliate marketing in a merge of 2 worlds that could only be accomplished by a master of both. I have anxiously been waiting to announce this news."

Rest of the info:
http://affiliate-blogs.5staraffiliat...og-ad-network/