When I first started blogging, I didn’t even consider the fact that I could make money through it. I just wanted to promote my Etsy shop and other Etsy sellers. Then I found some other “mom bloggers” through a forum and started chatting with them daily. I learned all about product reviews and thought it sounded like fun! I mean, who doesn’t like “free stuff”!
I quickly learned that there is no such thing as “free stuff” and that this blogging thing was a lot of work; sort of like a job. I got on some really exciting campaigns, like the Sharing the Savings Sam’s Club Blogger program, went on an airplane for my first time to visit Sam’s Club headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas and bought my husband a new TV that Christmas. It was exciting to be able to contribute to my family in this way, while being home for the kids any time they needed me.
Through the years, things just kept getting better. Each year, I made more money than the last and I hope that it continues this way because I love what I do. It gives me an outlet and allows me to be creative without having to “sell something” as was the case with my Etsy shop. In fact, I closed my Etsy shop some time ago because blogging turned out to be much more profitable for me and I just didn’t have the time to do both.
I make my money through many different companies as well as by hosting Twitter parties. There are some really great networks out there for bloggers and I’ve shared my list of the top 10 that I made money with last year.
10 Blogging Networks You Should Join to Monetize Your Blog
Social Fabric – A network that sends bloggers on “Shoppertunities” to shop for a specific product for a brand, Social Fabric is a great place for the creative blogger with an eye for detail who takes nice photos. Most of the shoppertunities require creative ideas but the community is there to help each of us grow. They offer workshops, support and encouragement. This was my #1 source of income for 2014 as I work with them as a Twitter Party Host as well.
Clever Girls Collective – Another network in which you can apply to campaigns that seem fitting to you, Clever Girls Collective offers campaigns for blog posts and social media shares with a variety of different clients.
Izea – Offering paid and non-paid subscriptions, Izea offers many campaigns for bloggers from blog posts to social media shares.
Influence Central – Formerly Mom Central, Influence Central offers a variety of campaigns, many of which pay through gift cards. I’ve also worked with brands like Frigidaire and Sprint on Ambassador programs.
The Motherhood – A network who reaches out to bloggers with a specific fit for their campaigns, The Motherhood is full of great opportunities. I’ve worked on a number of campaigns to help fight hunger, something that I am very passionate about.
Linqia – A network that pays based on performance, Linqia offers compensation for each blogger based on their click performance.
Find Your Influence – Another network, connecting bloggers and brands, Find Your Influence is one that I work with occasionally.
TapInfluence – A network that works with a variety of clients, TapInfluence reaches out directly to bloggers for campaigns that might be a fit.
SheSpeaks – SheSpeaks is another one that is community based and will reach out to bloggers through a newsletter where you can sign up for campaigns that are a fit for you and your blog.
Lunchbox – A network that generally pays rather well, Lunchbox will reach out to individual bloggers for fitting campaigns. I just started working with them last year, but it’s definitely one of the networks to get in with.
There are many more networks out there and if you’re really serious about putting in the work to make an income blogging, the possibilities are endless!
*This post does contain referral links for some of these networks.