Using Affiliate Advertising in Your Network Blogs

A few weeks ago, we talked about the different ways blog networks pay. Did you know there are other ways to earn money with network blogs than with base pay and traffic bonuses? Many networks allow you to use affiliate advertising in your blogs. Now, I’m not saying you should go ahead and slap on some ads, but if this idea interests you, do talk to your editors about the possibility of using affiliates.

Here’s a sampling of the affiliates and advertising methods allowed by some networks:

Amazon – Amazon if the most popular affiliate program in use by network bloggers. This can be quite lucrative, especially if you put an ad or link for a book or item pertaining to your day’s topic at the bottom of each post.

All Posters – This was a new one for me, celebrity bloggers might especially enjoy this one. Use one of the poster images from All Posters to illustrate your post. The images are legal to use as long as your affiliate link is there, and you have an image for your blog. It’s win-win.

Video ads – If you use video for your blog, you can sell advertising to appear at the beginning and end of your video. Video sponsors pay handsomely and love the exposure.

Other affiliates – If you sell a particular product and use an affiliate link to sign on others, you might be able to use these in your blog posts providing your not spamming your readers. For instance, I know a food blogger who is allowed to sell cooking items on her blog as long as she’s not pushy or spammy.

Keep in mind…

While affiliates are a good way to earn money with your network blog, you don’t want to do it in a manner where you’ll turn off your readers. If every post is a sales pitch, you’ll find yourself with no traffic. There are subtle ways to advertise. For instance, use your affiliate to illustrate your post. Don’t tell your readers to click or buy. Their eyes will already be drawn to the ad and they can make up their own minds whether or not to buy.

Talk to your editor

If you think your network blog can benefit from affiliate advertising, do check with your editor. Many networks are happy to allow affiliate ads as it motivates their bloggers to action. As long as you don’t turn into a spam blogger, your readers will understand too.

 

Image: stock.xchnge