When it comes to content creation, many entrepreneurs just get stuck in publishing mode. We keep publishing content because it’s supposed to help us grow our businesses. You can grow your business this way of course but you need to make your content work harder for you.
Even though content itself is very important, it won’t realize its business growing capacity without the help of a monetization strategy. Most entrepreneurs know this, but we often forget. Or we get busy. Or we just figure we can get back to it later.
It is Imperative You Have a Monetization Strategy
It really is THE most important thing. That’s why it’s often easier for entrepreneurs to outsource content creation and monetization. As a result, you publish high-quality content that is monetized to grow your business.
In order to choose the right professional to help you, it’s essential that you know some basics of how to monetize your content. You don’t have to be an expert because that’s the contractor’s job. You do have to be able to communicate your goals and evaluate if the tactics the outsourced professional(s) proposed are reasonable and targeted to meet those goals.
Keep in mind that monetization doesn’t simply mean the littering of affiliate links and ads in your content. This can actually lower the quality of your content. If done extensively enough, your content will be seen as spam. Think about the content you read. If it is full of advertisements you quickly stop, right? Your audience will feel the same about your content if you aren’t careful. Your monetization needs to be much more strategic than add stuffing and each piece of content should have its own targeted monetization plan.
Monetization plans might include:
Using high-value content as a free gift when people opt-in to your mailing list. Mailing list subscribers are more likely to become customers than a one-time visitor to your website, so get those visitors on your list.- Adding promotions for your products, services, and freebies that are most relevant to each content piece. Or if you don’t have a product, including a relevant affiliate link.
- Selling advertising space on your website or in your newsletter. You’ve worked hard on your content, grown your traffic and your list…you can lease that audience to advertisers. (Caution: Limit the number of ads and be sure they are relevant to your readers.)
- Inviting someone who comments on your post to sign up for your mailing Someone who has just made a comment on your website is a highly engaged audience member. Give them a relevant offer once they leave a comment.
- Offering your content as a bonus to someone else’s information Product. Of course, you need to include a product or opt-in offer inside that content bonus too.
- Guest blogging on high traffic blogs, ensuring your guest posts include information on how and why to get on your mailing list.
Those are just a few ideas to get you brainstorming. The more you think about monetization, the easier it will become to swap ideas with your outsourced team and come up with topics, get your content written and then get it out there.
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