For our last post on monetization of blogs, let’s summarize what we’ve learned and then top it off with one tip I had in mind:

• There are many types of advertising methods to work with
• Placing Ads where users click is much more effective than where they don’t click
• Adsense works very well when you know how to use it
• Making money from blogging takes time

From this we can derive the conclusion that monetizing your blog is effective and regardless of how you do it, your can benefit financially from your blog whether it be through direct blog advertisements, or indirect methods.

The other part of successful monetization to ads is for the ads to be seen by the appropriate audiences. Certain types of traffic that you will receive will not click your ads, or even see them!

This includes:

1. Traffic from foreign countries - You might think how can I possibly be getting significant traffic from foreign visitors when I don’t even speak their language, but it is very possible. Especially if you advertise in the wrong places. If you’re buying links, or visitors question that company’s sources. Where are they getting their traffic? If you’re using services that provide cheap and paid visitors it is unlikely that you will benefit much from them.
2. Social Networks - Social networks like Digg and StumbleUpon may get you a lot of visitors, but depending on you’re niche, they may not bring in much money. Unlike from #1 in our list, it does not hurt to submit yourself to these sites, but keep in mind that the visitors from these blogs are unlikely to click as a result of their fast paced browsing. They will click through eventually (as a returning visitor) if you:
   • Design your blog properly
   • Give a great first impression
   • Position your ads well
   • Do everything to make the visitor come again

   Most of the time, only when your visitors return then they actually have time to look around and get deeper into your blog. While they’re surfing on Digg and related networks, it’s the same as if they’re flipping through channels.

3. Unrelated Traffic - Some visitors may land on your pages simply by ‘accident’. In that case, if they’re not interested in your niche, they’re probably not going to stay very long, let alone click on anything. This is the purpose of SEO - to filter out as much unrelated traffic as possible and make yourself as open as possible to the traffic you’re really after.

This being said, it never hurts to have any kind of traffic coming in to your site. It does hurt however, to try to focus and expect monetary gain from the wrong traffic.

Further Reading:

• Link Baiting for Traffic and Backlinks
• Using Heatmaps to Effectively Position Ads
• Everything You Need to Know About Adsense In One Post
• Money Gives Blogging a Whole New Meaning