25 replies
Just after a few opinions on this.

I am about to launch a new blog in the start of 2015.

It will feature portraits (drawings) of people from all over the world, along with a story of each subject. Similar to the Humans Of New York blog.

This is a project of passion and not a money making exercise. However, I would like to ensure that I keep all options open for the future.

Is there anything I should be doing from the get go as far as setting myself up to potentially monetise a blog in the future.?

I have opened various social media accounts and am dedicating time and (some) money to promoting the blog/facebook/instagram. Started running facebook ads to build an audience pre-launch. My temporary page has a mailing list subscription popup.
I have joined art forums to engage with my potential audience.

This blog is not about making money, but I do see it as having some potential if it becomes as popular as I would like.

Thanks for your time.
#blog #monetising
  • Profile picture of the author Breinicke
    This sounds very interesting as pictures seem to be where our attention is being drawn. While I don't have first hand experience of your blog I can think of a number of ways to monetize your blog. First off I would not discount include monetization in the upfront planning stage. I hear you when you say that it is not about making money. It is about bringing the view an experience that would bring them back. When people see something they like or go somewhere they enjoy they want to take a piece of it with them. You would actually be doing your viewer a favor by allowing them the opportunity to have a piece of the experience as their own through monetization.
    Depending on where you are getting your photos from you could make them available for sale. Since the portraits are from all over the world a travel offer could be included also. There many associated offers that could be tied into the place and person in the photo which could be done through Amazon.
    Your new blog sounds very interesting...Good luck with it and may it be a hit this year.
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  • Profile picture of the author seoboyz01
    Maybe you could set up a directory on your site where other artists could pay to display their art for sale. You could use that idea now or later after you build credibility for your website.
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  • Profile picture of the author erob
    There are 4 options to how you can make money off of your blog.

    1)join amazon's affiliate program and advertise niche specific products
    2)add Google adsense advertising
    3)sell banner space
    4)build a list
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    • Profile picture of the author allenmartin
      Originally Posted by erob View Post

      There are 4 options to how you can make money off of your blog.

      1)join amazon's affiliate program and advertise niche specific products
      2)add Google adsense advertising
      3)sell banner space
      4)build a list

      Hi guys,

      i stick with Building a list....

      here is cool guy who made over $900K in 1 year with his blog from scratch - check it out

      http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...ase-study.html


      Have a nice day
      Allen
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      • Profile picture of the author seoboyz01
        Originally Posted by allenmartin View Post

        Hi guys,

        i stick with Building a list....

        here is cool guy who made over $900K in 1 year with his blog from scratch - check it out

        http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...ase-study.html


        Have a nice day
        Allen
        Email list building is essential for anyone in any niche. However, it seems to me like you are just promoting another Warrior's offer.
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        • Profile picture of the author allenmartin
          Originally Posted by seoboyz01 View Post

          Email list building is essential for anyone in any niche. However, it seems to me like you are just promoting another Warrior's offer.

          No, i don't do that!!!

          As i would that, trust me, i would use an affiliate link!

          It's just for inspiration to show that it is possible to make a lot of money with a blog...nothing more.
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          • Profile picture of the author compleks
            You guys are great. Plenty of good ideas to consider.

            At this stage the plan is simple.
            Get my site up and running. Upload quality content. Market/Advertise the blog. Build my list.

            I'll see how this all pans out and what direction this takes.

            Thanks again for the input
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            • Profile picture of the author seoboyz01
              Originally Posted by compleks View Post

              You guys are great. Plenty of good ideas to consider.

              At this stage the plan is simple.
              Get my site up and running. Upload quality content. Market/Advertise the blog. Build my list.

              I'll see how this all pans out and what direction this takes.

              Thanks again for the input
              You're on a really good path, especially wanting to build an email list of potential and current customers. And, considering how unique your site is, this idea could really work. Best of luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author JensSteyaert
    I would think Adsense and direct advertising would be a good option.

    And if there are related products you can promote and you are building an email list the options are endless really.

    I would just start with Adsense and building a relationship with your audience.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nathan Kruz
    The #1 Way of making money with a blog is getting Clients.

    Ads and affiliate products will get you a few dollars here and there, but getting clients will make you so much more money (potentially good enough to make a living).

    You can get clients by providing services ect... (be creative)

    Also be building a list.

    Hope this helps

    Nathan Kruz
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  • Profile picture of the author compleks
    Thanks for the replies everyone, this is a really good forum with heaps of quality information and friendly members.

    I will take everything on board and maybe one day be able to implement some of it.
    In the meantime, I'm going to focus on building my list and online presence.

    Thankyou all.
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  • Profile picture of the author DiamondArticles
    Hi Warriors. What about amazon affilate links in text and only one square on top of the right sidebar?
    Is it possible to have this 2 methods on site? I mean is this not harm TOS of this both monetize techniques?

    Thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author smedia11
      If you could offer physical prints delivered you could have a potentially good money maker because of the high price tag.

      If you sell digital copies you are only getting a few bucks or so per image, but an 8x10 print can sell for $19.99 and $30, 40, 50+ for very large prints.

      Then sell framed art work as an upsell!

      I just bought poster size print of Odell Beckham JR for my son for x-mas. Unframed it was around $30 for a high photo quality print.
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      • Profile picture of the author seoboyz01
        Originally Posted by smedia11 View Post

        If you could offer physical prints delivered you could have a potentially good money maker because of the high price tag.

        If you sell digital copies you are only getting a few bucks or so per image, but an 8x10 print can sell for $19.99 and $30, 40, 50+ for very large prints.

        Then sell framed art work as an upsell!

        I just bought poster size print of Odell Beckham JR for my son for x-mas. Unframed it was around $30 for a high photo quality print.
        There are many places where you can turn a digital print (uploaded by a client) into a poster or art print on canvas and have it shipped directly to the customer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Matthew Trujillo
    Understanding exactly who your target audience is with your blog. From their post good content around your niche. Than after that content you can make recommendations to them for whatever it is you have to sell. A smart idea would be to offer a free gift leading to a different page off of your blog, collect the email and from their continue to send helpful tips with recommendations included as well. Not only will you be connecting with an audience with similar interests but you will also be making money at the same time. You can than market yourself where others in your niche hang out and from their your business will continue to grow and thrive.
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  • Profile picture of the author joeho
    try using adsense and also sell banner ads.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Karp
    There are lots of ways to monetize a blog -- sell products, affiliate promotions, sell your services, etc.

    But, for your specific topic, I think the following idea could make you a lot of money, and help people at the same time.

    You could become a central hub for people to buy and sell their drawings.

    The main purpose for your blog would of course be what you're passionate about -- featuring portraits of people from all over the world. That would be the primary focus.

    But you could have a section of your site dedicated to people who want to showcase their portraits and for people looking for portraits to buy. A marketplace.

    Struggling artists could find potential buyers, and you could inspire people who have thought about creating their own work to give it a try, put their work up on your site, and see if anyone would buy it.

    You would collect either a commission from each sale or a fee for joining the marketplace.

    It'd be a cool way to make money from what you're passionate about and help other people do the same thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author jfludin
    Don't worry about money at first. Start the website, build a following, and then once you have traffic, revisit this question. There are a number of ways that you can monetize a blog like this - sell a book (like HONY does), advertising, affiliate marketing, etc. But first, get an established following
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  • Profile picture of the author Lightlysalted
    I would start building an email list from the start to encourage people to sign up for email updates. You can then use this in the future to promote targeted advertising at them. People don't mind this if you don't spam them with lots if emails but a weekly email is perfectly acceptable.
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  • Profile picture of the author TymBolla
    sell your own products or promote other people's products in the niche or similar, close niches
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  • Profile picture of the author compleks
    Finally got to launch my site.

    It's not complete and there are features I am still trying to add. But this gives you a rough idea of the concept at least:
    Drawing Strangers | A global portfolio of people and their stories

    Thanks again for all the help.
    Now back to blogging
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  • Profile picture of the author Rory Singh
    Originally Posted by compleks View Post

    Just after a few opinions on this.

    I am about to launch a new blog in the start of 2015.

    Thanks for your time.
    It seems that you got many suggestions already so I won't add any more. You are writing for passion, good for you!

    Now just make sure that passion does pay off (no not just money) by 'ensuring' that you actually get people to see your stuff.

    Make sure that you don't make my mistake of not promoting your content. Spend more time 'promoting' your value based content so that it gets the respected traffic that it deserves.
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    • Profile picture of the author compleks
      Thanks Rory for the kind words.
      I am working hard to spread the word and build my presence.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bob Reynolds
    Work on the blog building content and value. Make sure you have a easy way for your visitors to hook up with you through email subscription. Then learn email marketing.
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