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Eight Proven Ways to Monetize Your Mom Blog

By Jennifer James, Founder

I’m here to tell you, most of you won’t make a sizable amount of money from your blog. That’s pretty standard across the board for all bloggers. Unless you have tons of traffic, banner advertising really won’t cut it. However, the factor that sets some mom bloggers apart is they have used their blogs as a springboard to opportunities that pay.

If you are looking to earn money as a mom blogger you need to turn your monetization efforts from your blog and instead look for other opportunities where you can earn a steady income or earn income on a project-by-project basis. Here are some tips to get your ideas flowing.

Build Your Knowledge Base: The more you know the more valuable you will be to companies that want to reach mom bloggers. Although it seems every company in the world has already marketed to our community, you’d be surprised how many are just starting to realize how valuable our voices are.

If you position yourself as someone who not only understands our community, but also understands the dynamics of our community and what ultimately makes us tick, companies may hire you to share your expertise with them. If you have a PR or marketing background this is an avenue you could easily pursue.

Go Local: So many of us see the huge brands with millions of dollars invested in marketing to mom bloggers that we forget there are companies in our local areas that would love to get in on the action, too. Some small businesses haven’t yet figured out how to start a blog or why they’re even vitally important. This is where you come in. You can become a consultant to several local businesses to help them develop their online presence and teach them how to work with bloggers to spread their brand message online.

Position Yourself As a Social Networking Expert: If you are on Twitter and Facebook all day long and know every tip and trick in the book about both platforms, then you could seriously become a social media expert or consultant.

Brands may hire you to manage their social media sites on a daily basis or they may engage your expertise to give them direction in how to set up their social media profiles and successfully navigate the social media waters. Again, even though social networking is easy for most of us, some brands still don’t have a clue how to properly use Twitter or Facebook and could use your valuable knowledge to teach them the way.

Define Your Niche: Oftentimes it is easier to be recognized by potential clients when you are a leader in your niche. For example, if you are vegan and you blog about everything vegan then it is far easier to become an online marketing consultant to companies who sell vegan products. As a leader in your niche you will be able to help companies extend their marketing into the online world because you live it and blog about it every day. Use your blog as an opportunity to figure out what you love blogging about most and then figure out ways to hone in on your niche and become a leader in it.

Blog Professionally: Penning an excellent personal blog sometimes affords you the opportunity to blog for pay for others. Some mom bloggers use their blogging prowess to create authentic content for company sites. This is a great way to earn an income and spread your influence.

Become a Techie: If you know the backend of content management systems from Wordpress to Joomla you could become a web site director for web sites. You would be responsible for maintaining a company’s site, uploading photos, adding content and generally making sure the site is current and in tiptop shape.

Take the opportunity to learn various content management systems in your free time. You never know when what you have learned on your own can land you a job.

Develop a Design Sense: Designing blogs can become a lucrative business for you or, at least a way for you to supplement your household income. Someone is always looking for a great designer, and if you can fill a portfolio with wonderful designs and satisfied customers, you will be well on your way to earning a consistent income.

Cater to New Mom Bloggers: Who knows how many new mom bloggers enter our fold every day. But because of the success we’re experiencing, moms are starting new blogs every day and don’t understand what they’re doing. You can become a consultant to women who need help getting started and then also be available down the road if they have any questions or want to revamp their online image or change the blog's direction.

A few points about putting these ideas into practice:

1) Always Put Your Best Foot Forward. When you blog, be sure to consistently do a great job. You never know who is watching and sometimes those who are watching will give you a job in the near future.

2) Click the Jobs Link: Oftentimes companies have a link on the bottom of their site for jobs. Be sure to check out what a company is looking for and if you think you’re a great fit, be confident enough to apply.

3) Network: The more you network online and in person the more your name will be on the top of peoples’ minds when they’re looking for a freelancer, designer, or consultant. Use as many opportunities as you can to network locally and in person at national trade events and conferences.

4) Offer Your Services: If you recognize a company is struggling in their marketing efforts to mom bloggers, be bold and tell them how you can help them. They may take you up on your offer.

One of the things you must remember is that as a mom blogger you are a leader in the Web 2.0 community. A lot of the things you know, brands don’t. That alone puts you in a powerful position. It’s all about how you can use what you’ve learned to help companies get better acquainted with mom bloggers and the fast-paced online world.

And finally, whenever you provide services for a company, make sure you are compensated. The brilliant Kelby Carr started this conversation earlier this week about paying mom bloggers. Make sure to check out her post. Value your time, charge for your services, and companies will in turn value you as well.

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Comment by sheila larubis on May 5, 2010 at 10:48pm: i really learned a lot from this post..i am one of those who just blogs for the sake of blogging...lol

Comment by Josie Maurer on May 4, 2010 at 11:59am: I love the "go local" idea. Time to do some brainstorming! Thanks.

Comment by Myrah Duque on April 29, 2010 at 8:49pm: Excellent information, thank you so very much!

Comment by Tayrina Gonzalez on April 27, 2010 at 8:33pm: Very interesting information!!! :-)

Comment by Heather Binkley on April 27, 2010 at 2:56pm: Bravo! What a fantastic post. The blogging community is vast and the guide you just posted is a valuable tool in navigating the expanse. Thank you!

Comment by Lanine Bradley on April 22, 2010 at 4:31pm: I read something today...that's stuck with me all day. I'm para-phrasing so bear with me. Most of your regular readers won't click on banner ads (makes sense) if you post banner ads- frame them for the people who are passing through.

Not sure how to do that exactly... so if anyone has some thoughts -let me know.

Comment by Tumaini Rivera on April 18, 2010 at 2:11am: Thank you for posting!
I'll have to become an "expert" because the whole techie thing is starting to frustrate me. I get used to one thing and then it changes. My three year old gives me enough of that:)
T. Rivera
www.refresheverything.com/garbagetogold
www.flippinfactory.wordpress.com
Twitter: @flippinfactory and @breastmilk

Comment by Beth Grund on April 17, 2010 at 1:22pm: I agree! I don't make much money off of affiliate links..but there is always the promise it will pay off someday to have them up! I make most of my blog cash from companies paying write about products. It's not much but there is always hope it will grow or something fabulous will come of it :)

Comment by Michelle A. on April 17, 2010 at 12:19am: Terrific advice! Thanks so much. :)

Comment by Shelina Ishani on April 12, 2010 at 8:23pm: Great advice. Thank you
Shelina Ishani
http://www.coolmamablog.com

Comment by dimes2vines on April 4, 2010 at 8:01pm: Thank you for this info - I found it helpful because like so many others have been working more on SEO lately!

Comment by Accidental Baby Maker on March 29, 2010 at 12:29am: Total newbie to the world and found this post extremely helpful ... thanks so much!!!

Comment by Valerie on February 25, 2010 at 3:03am: Thanks for sharing this wonderful information! I read it a few weeks ago and that got me started looking into social media jobs and I landed an amazing opportunity. Would've never thought that I could capitalize on my addiction to social media.

Comment by amanada peel on February 14, 2010 at 1:16am: This post was so usefull to me. I've been working on SEO and networking a lot lately; Thanks

Comment by Tiffany Derr on January 27, 2010 at 4:34pm: Thank you for this great note!

Comment by Cheri Elmore on January 18, 2010 at 11:09pm: Good information here. Thx for posting about this. I don't know how I missed this one in the past.

Comment by Tamara Unexperienced on December 26, 2009 at 11:57pm: Great tips. Am starting to branch out from just the blogging world, so these points came at just the right time for me. Thanks!

Comment by Robin Gagnon on December 22, 2009 at 8:40am: I have generated better traffic through a networking approach than I ever did with SEO. Don't underestimate networking.