I'm amazed that there are people out there -- somewhere -- who aren't making money from AdSense. It's not as though you need a doctorate in computer studies and a professorship in literature. You just need a website and an AdSense account.
And ever since blogging came along, the website bit has been a breeze. It takes all of about five minutes to sign up on Blogger and it's a perfect match for AdSense.
Which is why Google bought the company.
So I'm certainly not surprised that so many people are blogging, I'm just surprised that so many people are only blogging.
One of the best ways to use a blog is to take your readers behind the scenes of your business, your hobby or your life in general. But blogging isn't the only way to put information in front of an online audience. In fact, the blog can form just one section of a website that has multiple parts, all of them earning from advertising.
An amateur photographer, for example, could have a portfolio of images, tips on photography and reviews of camera equipment... in addition to an AdSense earning blog.
A site about Yoga could have a FAQ, descriptions of different kinds of Yoga, tips on buying mats and choosing classes... and a blog about your experiences with Yoga.
A website about your business could include a blog that explains how your products are put together and what you're working on next.
Each section would fulfill one different need of people interested in the topic, could earn from advertising and could target different keywords. The effect altogether would be to offer information about all of the topic while still giving regularly updated content to keep people coming back.
Blogging isn't just easy, it also comes with a ton of built-in growth opportunities. All you have to do is grab them.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
September 22, 2008 10:39 AM
Hi Joel I would like nothing better than to join in to the adSense rush .... but I got banned for using traffic exchanges "all innocent on my part"
I just did not realize Google had it in for this type of exposure after all I was a newbie at this type of income seeking ... this was more than a year ago and I thought (they Google) would just automatically fire my account back up
... as you NO they apparently do not budge a millimeter on this iron rule they seem to adhere to ... so Joel your the man in the know ... how do I get back into there good books ... please...
All my best to you and your Adsense
Phillip Skinner
September 22, 2008 10:44 AM
Joel, I've been using AdSense since June of 2006. I've made a bit over $200 on it so far.
All my fault, I haven't been doing enough testing/tweaking.
I actually earn far more on Text Link Ads for now.
I agree about missing opportunities.
@Philip: Google doesnt' like traffic exchanges because the pageviews from them are even less useful as pageviews (in terms of advertising pageviews) as StumbleUpon or Digg. People hitting refresh over and over to just build up more site credits.
September 22, 2008 11:10 AM
Hi Joel,
Some people are not crazy about adsense on blogs. They would rather have targeted affiliate products on there. What's your take? I guess you could have both, as they doesn't violate Google's terms of service. I'm slowly putting both on my blog.
btw, I'm earning like $5 so far for about a year, $3 recent months...
-Jeff
September 22, 2008 11:18 AM
Hi Joel, great tips.
I have not been blogging long, and I have made a few bucks from Adsense, maybe $300 or so. On some blogs I have Adsense and other affiliate programs, and on a few others just Adsense and maybe a text ad for a product on Clickbank.
September 22, 2008 02:04 PM
Joel,
I have a question. I have purchased the last few editions, including version 4 of your Adsense Secrets. I currently earn about $300-$400 per month with Adsense. That's nice, and the direct deposit at the end of the month is always welcome.
My problem is, I am getting a poor CTR, mostly on my blogs. For example, so far today I have 402 page impressions on 5 of my blogs. I have only had 4 clicks. Blah!
It's not always that bad, but it's rare for me to get above a 5% CTR on my Wordpress blogs. Quickee background - I have relevant, up-to-date, original content on my blogs. They are not spam blogs. I am using Denis' Semiologic. I have tried variations of ad types and colors, but maybe I am missing something. I mostly stick with white backgrounds, blue links, etc.
Do you have suggestions for increasing CTR with your experience using blogs? Or anyone else? If I could get my CTR to 10%, I could double my income pretty easily, add some more blogs, and go nuts.
Thanks for your time!
Rich
September 23, 2008 02:42 AM
I've just started to use AdSence on my dating website. I find that the most practical advice on the net on how to use AdSence comes from Joel Comm, keep up the good work!
September 23, 2008 06:36 AM
Hi Joel,
Just starting down the track of Adsense earnings, thanks for the great information. Gradually assimilating it to our website at www.captainslacko.com and looking forward to large earnings.
September 23, 2008 04:34 PM
I have been using Adsense, along with TLA for awhile on my blog now. But it seems like I never make more than 10 dollars a day from adsense, which isn't exactly something live off of. So what's the secret?
September 23, 2008 05:52 PM
Well, Joel, the problem is that you can show water for your horse, but you can never force it to drink.
Some people will remain destined for failure because they want fortunes but won't make an effort to achieve it. They won't go those little steps in the right direction, and therefore they will remain skeptics regardless of how you and I present it for them
But I fully agree. Blogging is EASY, it's FUN, it's part of social networking and it's effective. Many of us have discovered the truths behind it, but we focus on the positives - as you do - and therefore failure is NOT an option.
Stick-to-itiveness works, any day. :-)
September 29, 2008 08:07 PM
I have been meaning to get it up on our site for a while just havent had a chance but it is now on the to do list fast.
Rich