Monetizing a blog can be overwhelming…I get it!
There are so many platforms, and companies, and products to promote. Ugh. Where to start?
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, then you know that I absolutely love talking about money, specifically how to make money with your blog. My feeling is that if you are writing…then you should be getting paid for it. Right?
Let me introduce you to Viglink, which is the platform I tell all newbie bloggers to start with. Viglink turns anything you link to into a money making opportunity…(if there is one!)
So for example, let’s say that you are doing a blog post about a new baby onesie from Gymboree. You can link to the Gymboree onesie page (Like I just did!) and if anyone buys the onesie, you make a commission! This is called affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is when you earn money for recommending products and someone purchases that item using your link.
The frustrating thing about affiliate marketing is that there are dozens of different companies. So for example, if you wanted to promote products from Amazon, Walmart, Target & Ebay. You’d have to join 4 different programs to do so. BUT, Viglink has established relationships with over 30,000 brands and retailers, so you can just use a Viglink link and be on your way to earning money.
How Viglink works:
1. Head over here to sign up for an account
2. Download the Viglink WordPress Plugin or put one line of code in your website (Currently Viglink only works with Self-hosted WordPress blogs)
3. Start linking to products around the web
4. Viglink automatically monetizes the link. (If they have a relationship with the company) They keep 25%, you get 75%
5. Get a monthly paycheck via Paypal
Yes, it’s really that easy! Plus, if you get your blogging friends to join Viglink, you’ll earn a 35% commission! This post does contain my affiliate link and yes, I will make a commission if you sign up through my link. Disclosure is very important (it’s the law!) when it comes to affiliate marketing, so you definitely want to let your audience know that you *may* make a commission if they purchase from your link. In my experience, your readers are happy to use your links, because they love and support you! 
wish they had this for blogger!!
Simply Shaunacey
They DO! I just checked. Shaunacey, I’ll email you.
Looking into this, thanks for the recommendation Chrystie!
I have given myself till June 1 to transfer my following on my wordpress dot com blog to my self hosted blog. Three months, and then I can start thinking about monetizing my blog. This is will be one of the first things I check out.. Thank you!!
Ohh I’ll have to test this out. Thanks for sharing!
Yes you’re amazing! Just signed up! Thank you so much!
Sounds like a great plugin!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
I definitely have to look into this!!
I haven’t heard of this one but it sounds great! I’ll have to look more into it. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never heard of this company! Good to know about.
Signed up — thanks for the advice!
This is awesome! Definitely way more convenient than collecting links from 5 places to put in one blog post.
I didn’t start blogging to make money, but every time I hear or read about bloggers making dough (esp in super duper easy ways like this!), I’m tempted to jump on the bandwagon. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise!
This sounds convenient!