Monetizing Your Crochet Blog With Ads
There are a number of ways to make money with your crochet blog. The one most people know about is Google ads. Do you use them on your blog? Why? Why not?
In 2011 I added Google ads to my blog as an experiment. The income produced for the year was almost $48 however Google doesn’t payout until you reach $100 so that is just sitting there in the account. I took the ads down in 2012. Right now I use chitika ads and added Google ads back. I want my first payment already.
The Key to Success
In order for these type of ad networks to work for you, you need TRAFFIC. This is how Crochetville, AllFreeCrochet, and Teresa aka Crochet Geek earn a majority of their income. They have sites which generate an insane amount of traffic which is monetized via advertising.
What is an Advertising Network?
“An online advertising network or ad network is a company that connects advertisers to web sites that want to host advertisements. The key function of an ad network is aggregation of ad space supply from publishers and matching it with advertiser demand”. ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertising_network
Depending on the network, you can specify the size, shape, and types of ads you deliver.
Some of the most common ad networks include:
1. Google Ad sense
Probably the best known advertising network out there. You may have Google ads on your blog now or you may have thought about adding Google ads to your website.
2. Project wonderful
An ad network which is popular especially among bloggers. You auction off ads, people bid, and it is very affordable. (http://www.projectwonderful.com/)
3. Blogher
This one caters specifically to women. (http://www.blogherads.com/)
4. Kontera
In-text ad network that provides links directly in the text of your already-created content. If your blog is receiving 25k visitors per day you may qualify for a $50 sign on bonus. (http://kontera.com/publishers/overview) (70% revenue sharing) *fees may apply
Are Ad Networks Right for Your Crochet Blog?
By joining an advertising network, you can reserve space on your website and allow the networks you join to serve ads directly to your site. Ad networks will then pay you per impression [how many people view your ad] or per click [how many people actually see and click on the ad]
Many bloggers find ad networks like Google ad sense an easy way to start advertising on their blogs – I know I did. As your audience grows and your traffic increases you might want to approach advertisers directly.
Hi Sara,
I didn’t realize how many advertisers were available. If I ever add ads I think I will want to be selective in the companies I choose to have listed. I guess I have a bit of a control issue! I want to know what people are going to see when they visit –
Thank you for the information
Thanks! Rhondda
Rhondda, Yes. Even the ads that I have up right now are experimental. It is a 4-week trial to see how they do. The thing about ads is that you are encouraging people to leave your site which may not be your goal. Another thing I have to get over is the sheer ugliness of it. You have to place the ads on very ‘in your face’ places which isn’t very appealing to the eye.
I really needed this reminder that our blogs can create us income.
The more traffic we get – the more potential clicks we have. SO I totally agree that traffic is the key.
I need to increase both ads and traffic on my site – but it will come.
Erica from over at http://startingafter50.com
Erica, yes, traffic is the key to this type of income. It is why the high traffic sites utilize it.
I think the problem for me with advertising, is that I don’t agree with most of the places that would probably advertise on my site! I am totally opposed to the concept of dieting, and I’m sure those are exactly the places that would advertise on my site! But your post gave me some things to consider!
Thanks!
Lianda, exactly. This is another important thing to think about when choosing to put ads from third party vendors on your site. Although you have some input ultimately it is up to them which ads display on your blog AND that changes per user depending on their interests. Ads for content would definitely deliver diets and other things that would conflict with your goals.
Always make sure your goals and that of ads placed on your site work together – not against each other. If you do decide to try ad placement, you can always test it out and get rid of them if your readers find they interfere with their experience.
I just added ads to my blog. So far I have made 5 bucks!
Cute blog!
Miranda, I see you’re on blogger. I have GA on my blogger blogs as well. I’m glad you are able to earn something with it. I found that I didn’t get enough traffic to warrant ads on the blog but I’m giving it a try again.
I haven’t put ads on my site. I do put up links to products I use and am an affiliate for. Thanks for stopping by my blog:) I appreciate it.
Toni, I just started experimenting with using an Ad network. I’m testing the ads right now to see how they do on my site. I think you really have to know your business and who you serve before going in this direction because having ads means you are encouraging people to click away from your site.