1. Courses
You won’t reach that true “freedom” until you can start making money while not having to be physically present. One way that has worked for many is online courses. If you feel like you are not an expert in anything don’t fret. I may not be able to ever teach Beyonce a thing or two about marketing but that’s okay because she is not my target audience. My target audience is one or two levels below me. I love teaching what I just learned to the group of people that know less than me. I call it the “reach back crew.” If I reach my hand back they are right there but to them, I am so smart because I am always a set ahead of them. Start thinking about the courses you can create AND the target market you will sell to.
Here is what I use to get my courses done.
Teachable: This is the platform that I use for my courses. Some of the courses are included in my major packages and others are available as a one-off deal. To get one-month free trial click this link!
Blue Yeti Mic: I use Blue Yeti to increase my audio quality for courses and for recording my podcast!
2. Master Classes
Master classes can be ANYTHING. What I like to do is download my live videos and package them up on a too good to be true package. Why not sell 30 hours of video for $30 or even $100? Think of how you can repurpose your good content and put it in front of the target that will appreciate it. Blog about a portion of your packages or the solution you are solving with your classes and it will be an easy sell at the end.
3. Ads
Ads are a great way to make money because a person does not have to do anything but click an ad to support you. I suggest starting out with Google Adsense so that your readers and companies are used to ads and know you regularly do ad placements. You will eventually be able to secure sponsorships where companies and brands are paying a monthly or yearly fee for an ad placement on your homepage or blog pages. But I am all about making money from the BEGINNING so Google Adsense will get you used to making money and push you to create useful content because no readers = no coins. With Google Adsense, you get paid Cost Per Click (CPC) or Cost Per Impression (CPI) = Cost per 1,000 Impression (view). Once you make 100 dollars you can opt-in to receive a direct deposit check.
4. Coaching
Coaching is one of my most profitable portions of my business and I can do it in my sleep. I am truly an expert in the field that I coach. Coaching is great because no only can I provide a premium, I provide results. This leads to positive reviews, positive word of mouth referrals and a high percentage that they will come back later in life for another session. This is the reason I began blogging. I used blogging about certain topics as a lead generator to get people to gain my trust and learn my teaching style to book me!
5. Reviews
Reviews are all the rave. Companies know that real reviews have real meaning and will pay for the exposure and positivity needed to gain new followers. Think of it, in a world of yelp, facebook reviews, Amazon and google maps reviews EVERYONE is looking at reviews before they buy ANYTHING! There are a lot of scammers from clothing stores to credit card scammers so we need to do our due diligence before we book with internet strangers. Youtubers + Bloggers when done right can make A LOT of money doing this. Think of your niche/topics and start reviewing and applying for networks to reviews.
Reviews can be done for individuals, working with brands in creator networks and affiliate links.
Here is a list of networks I use.
6. Affiliate Links
Affiliate marketing is going to be an ongoing thing in your brand and in your life lol. So the sooner you get a handle on it the better because it will make your blogging more profitable.
Amazon: Arguably one of the most popular online platforms has an affiliate program where you can promote anything from clothes to household items to technical tools you can find something to promote. Amazon recently rolled out their Influencer Program. The original program is still available at Amazon Affiliate.
Shareasale.com: Once you sign up you can browse companies and apply to be an affiliate. You know ahead of time how much you get per sale.
Related: What is Affiliate Links?
7. Services
What problems are you solving buy blogging? Now it is time to up the ante and start thinking of services you provide to help your reader solve their problem?
Please search my services for ideas on expansion.
8. Products
What products do you have to support your blog? Do you have merchandise, digital downloads or pre recordings? Why not all three! As you grow your following you will grow your potential clients. One person that has done a great job of blog + products combination is Awesomely Luvvie.
9. Speaking
Speakers make BANK! Why can’t you do that too! Hosting your own conferences although can be scary can bring in potential customers to your face, sell your merchandise and if you bring speakers of a higher caliber than you, you can allow yourself to ride their coattails. So get out there and start making a name for yourself. I would also submit your bid to speak at other conferences. One platform that I use is SPEAKERHUB!
Related: Check out my Toolbox page for more information!
10. Sponsorships
Sponsorships really do make the world go round. You want money to sustain yourself and they want to give money for exposure and to bring new clients. Doing video reviews you can have a brand sponsor the video where you do a review, incorporate the product in the video or take time out to talk about the product flat out.
Sponsorships can be used to help fund your conference. One example I like to use is say you want to gift a winner of your conference a shopping spree to get professional clothes for interviews and a new job. You can go to JC Pennys and ask for a $500 gift card and provide in a media kit who it will go to and why. Most major corporations have a budget to give to the community. You just need to go out and find the decision maker and brush up your negotiation skills.
Create your media kit for your blog and create a list of 40 – 100 businesses and brands you would like to work with and start reaching out. Basically, you are becoming your own PR agent!
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