When I first started blogging, I thought there was only one way to monetize: Google AdSense. The truth is there are numerous ways to advertise. Here are a few below:
- Google AdSense (of course)
This allows Google to display ads on your site and you can get paid per click. It is a passive monetization method.
- Selling merchandise (T-Shirts, Mugs, Posters, etc.) on your site
This requires you to design, print, and ship merchandise, or outsource the work. It also requires an E-Commerce site. It is a more active and committed monetization method.
- Allowing direct ad postings and sponsors
This requires recruiting, and marketing. You will most likely need to have a specific location to display sponsors on your site. It requires some work and regular maintenance depending on the time slots you allow sponsors to sign up for.
- Affiliate links
This is where you plug in a link to a product or service to your article and the company pays you a portion if someone buys through your link. It requires some effort in order to conveniently plug it into articles and to find the right affiliate links.
The truth is monetization is different for everyone and depends 100% on how you wish to operate your blog and how much effort you wish to put in