Display ads are often the first thing bloggers think of when it comes to monetization. But let’s be honest—unless you’re getting hundreds of thousands of pageviews a month, ads don’t pay much. The good news? There are plenty of better ways to make money blogging without relying on banners and pop-ups.
Affiliate Marketing
Promote products you already use and trust, and earn a commission on every sale through your unique link. For example, a fitness blogger might recommend workout gear, while a finance blogger could promote investment apps. Done right, this can outperform ads by miles.
Sponsored Content
Brands are always looking for ways to reach audiences. If you’ve built even a modest following, you can partner with companies for paid posts, reviews, or product spotlights. Sponsored content pays better than ads and builds stronger brand connections.
Sell Digital Products
Create once, sell forever. Digital products like e-books, templates, or guides are perfect for bloggers. For instance, a travel blogger could sell downloadable itineraries, while a food blogger might offer recipe e-books.
Offer Services or Coaching
Your blog positions you as an authority. Use it to offer coaching, consulting, or freelance services. A marketing blogger could provide strategy sessions, while a productivity blogger might offer one-on-one coaching.
Build & Monetize an Email List
Email is where the money really is. By building a loyal subscriber list, you can promote affiliate products, sell your own digital goods, or drive readers back to new content. Unlike ads, email marketing grows in value over time.
Ads might bring in a few dollars here and there, but if you want to turn your blog into a business, you need better strategies. Affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, digital products, services, and email monetization all provide much higher earning potential.