Over this weekend, I made a number of changes to my personal blog in an effort to generate some extra income. In addition to helping businesses learn to leverage social media, I am also trying to earn some money with affiliate marketing. Here is what I am doing:
Content Pruning
While shoveling snow and listening to episode 200 of the Smart Passive Income podcast, I learned about the importance of trimming a blog to increase readership. So I spent part of the weekend deleting about 125 posts that were not adding value from my personal blog. I think it is easier to find content now. Episode 200 also provided great strategies for auditing a blog for better performance. I recommend listening to it if you have a blog.
Affiliate Marketing
Throughout my blog, I am now leveraging the power of affiliate marketing, specifically, Amazon, Evernote, and Dropbox affiliate marketing. All of my book reviews are pointing back to Amazon. If someone uses my link to purchase a book or subsequently anything else, I will make a few dollars from the sale at no additional cost to the purchaser. If readers decide to use my link to subscribe to Evernote or Dropbox, I am able to collect points or get a discount on my subscriptions.
I also added an Amazon affiliate link to other products I discuss in my blog articles such as scanners, Chromebooks, and Bluetooth speakers.
During the weekend, I also created an account on Goodreads where I can list my book reviews. Naturally, these book reviews will be pointing back to my blog as well as to the Amazon links I included.
Next Steps
In the days ahead, I plan to rework how I am listing books on my personal site and the Tubarks Consulting site. I plan to categorize them into logical groups.
Additionally, I plan to rate the books I have read on Goodreads as well as provide a review that links back to Amazon and my book reviews.
Finally, I will be increasing subscription possibilities to book reviews and my different blogs in general. I am still figuring out the best way to build my email lists.
I will let you know if any of these changes have made a difference.
Recommended Reading
For a detailed explanation of affiliate marketing, you should read The Ultimate Guide to Making Money with the Amazon Affiliate Program by Darren Rowse.
Are there additional things you could be doing with your business to generate some passive income? What do you think?
