How to Hit 6 Figures Blogging in 2021

Blogging is an industry that changes every single year, especially with so many new tactics and strategies that “marketing gurus” put out there.

I’m going to tell you one thing before I continue with this post: continue doing what is already working for you. For instance, if you have display ads on your blog and they bring in consistent revenue, keep them.

Don’t listen to the people telling you to remove them only because they think ads decrease your site’s credibility. Whatever works, works.

I used to believe that ads were evil once I came across these gurus and missed out on thousands of dollars. Don’t make that same mistake.

If something is already working for you, keep it. I’ll talk more about ads shortly.

Okay, so let’s dive right in!

Before we even talk about how to monetize your blog, we need to talk about how to send traffic to your blog.

After all, a blog is worthless with no traffic even when all the monetization components are there.

COLD TRAFFIC FROM PINTEREST

Pinterest is every blogger’s best friend. When used correctly, it can bring up to thousands of daily visitors!

And if your blog is also set correctly and optimized for conversions, Pinterest can help you make thousands of dollars, even more than 6 figures.

I’ve been on Pinterest for over 5 years now doing lots of testing and keeping up with the constant changes of the platform.

Needlessly to say, Pinterest has been sending lots of traffic my way whether I’m consistent with my pinning or not. Of course, the more consistent I am, the more traffic I get.

When I first launched my blog, I was literally getting 2 visitors per day (including my own visit!), then within a few months of using Pinterest, I started getting over 100 visitors per day. All organic, cold traffic.

Due to a recent platform update, Pinterest now allows pinners to post video pins without having to wait for approval; meaning that video pins get posted immediately after clicking “publish” instead of having to wait for them to be approved by Pinterest. This is important because video pins can help pinners get viral FAST and get lots of engagement.

UPDATE: This is currently available for some accounts

Also, Pinterest favors fresh pins (new pins) as well as fresh URLs. This means that you need to create and post new content to link pins to, but if you’re a blogger, you shouldn’t have any issues with this.

I also have to add that “more” doesn’t mean “better.” This means that instead of trying to post 50 pins every day, you should instead post 10–15 (or less) that are high-quality, relevant, timely, and designed to convert pins that literally hook your viewers in and get them to stop and click.

Posting high-quality, relevant and fresh pins that get engagement will show Pinterest that you are an authority figure on their platform who abides by their rules and also help its users by solving whatever problems they have.

Pin design is key.

So, here’s what I recommend you do for your Pinterest traffic strategy:

1. Write at least 2 new blog posts (or any type of content you create) every week.
2. Create at least 5 different pins for each URL.
3. Make sure your pins are high-quality and ready to convert.
4. Post your video pins directly on the Pinterest platform; don’t use Tailwind for this.
5. Schedule your pins. If adding the same pin to multiple boards, have a gap of at least 2 days.
6. Take advantage of Tailwind communities!

COLD/WARM TRAFFIC FROM PODCASTS

Did you know that pitching yourself to podcasts AND landing those interviews is one of the fastest ways to get organic traffic, grow your list, gain credibility, and even make sales?

Because of this, I decided to invest in The Visibility Vixen’s Podcast Pit Kit to make sure that I knew how to find the right podcasts to pitch to, how to write email pitches that actually get attention, and how to create a press page that gets me booked.

Whether you decide to invest those $27 in the podcast pitch kit or not, you should still take the time to find shows that you can be a guest in and pitch yourself.

Make sure you have the following before you even pitch:

1. A press page where the host can learn about you and your qualifications, including topics you speak about.
2. A link that you can share with the podcast host’s audience. This link can be a freebie or even a $7 offer.
3. A topic or two that you KNOW you can educate their audience on, preferably with actionable steps so that they can implement them right after tuning in.
4. Your preferred social media platform where they can find you.

COLD TRAFFIC FROM GUEST BLOGGING

There are a lot of websites out there that allow you to submit guest posts.

Stay away from those who want you to pay unless their audience is huge.

You can find these websites by simply searching for your niche. For instance, if you’re in the digital marketing field, you can search up “digital marketing for beginners” and click on the results that show up.

Some, if not most of those websites accept guest posts and are eagerly expecting them.

Now that we covered three ways to get traffic, let’s talk about blog monetization. MONETIZE WITH DISPLAY ADS

This is a controversial one but hear me out. I wrote about this briefly up there.

If you already have display ads on your blog via Mediavine, Adsense, Ezoic, or whatever provider you are using AND are already generating revenue, keep them.

If you want to have display ads on your blog because you want to generate money that way without having to worry about offers or affiliate income, apply.

You need to take a break from listening to the gurus out there who tell you things like “ads decrease your credibility! Omg avoid!”

Calm down! If display ads are already working, or if you just want to easily make money without having to lift a finger, GO FOR IT.

A LOT of bloggers are successful and bring in 6 figures from their blogs all while having ads. They are still authority figures. They still have credibility. In fact, if you want to be credible you just have to show up as the expert you are and share your knowledge. Ads will not take that away from you.

Of course, there are minimum monthly sessions requirements to apply to certain display ads companies (some starting at 50,000 monthly sessions) but we already covered how to get traffic.

MONETIZE WITH AFFILIATE MARKETING

This is perfect for those who don’t want to create their own products, or those who also want to promote other people’s products as well as their own.

PRO TIP: If you want to make big bucks with affiliate marketing, don’t rely on Amazing affiliates. They made changes that decreased the percentage affiliates get when someone purchases via their affiliate links.

BUT when you are recommending something that they can easily get from Amazon, feel free to use your link.

The best way to find affiliate programs is by thinking of all of the programs, products, services, and websites you already use and love, and find out if they have an affiliate program.

You can find out by Googling “the name of your program” followed by “affiliate program.”

Most are very generous! They give you a recurring revenue if they have a subscription model, like Shopify.

Some also give you up to 50% of your sales as a one-time-payment for each person you refer.

So go ahead and make your list of favorite programs, products and services you already use and love. Then find out if they have an affiliate program and apply.

After getting approved, start promoting them.

MONETIZE WITH YOUR OWN PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Maybe you also want to create your own offers like an online course or an eBook.

Here’s the thing: if you are a beginner when it comes to creating digital products, you should take it easy at first until you truly learn what you’re doing.

Or invest in a course that will teach you step-by-step how to create a profitable digital program.

There are also a lot of blog posts, podcasts, and content everywhere where you can learn about creating profitable offers.

You can start with just a simple eBook or an entry-level online course, which usually sell for about $27-$37.

If this is not your first rodeo with digital programs, then this should be a no-brainer.

THE KEY TO MAKE MONEY BLOGGING

Want the answer? It’s not about your strategy. It’s about consistency.

You have to show up every day and create new content. If Pinterest is your main traffic source, create fresh pins.

If Instagram is your main traffic source, post several times per day.

If your podcast is your main traffic source, release new episodes at least twice a week.

The more you show up, the more your audience will grow.

Originally published at https://elennyfrometa.com on January 26, 2021.