How To Make Money Blogging Without Google Adsense…
O.K., I have to say it:
“Google Adsense blows chunks.”
Now, maybe I offended a few people here but there’s definitely easier ways to make coffee change online.
None of these ways involve Google Adsense which is basically ancient history…
But why am I putting down Google Adsense specifically?
Simply because Google Adsense takes up valuable advertising space on your websites you could use for high ticket affiliate products or even “baby” affiliate products like Yanik’s Instant Sales Letters that have a great conversion rate.
By the way, I highly recommend you get Yanik’s product even if you just use it to make some money on your blog. It only takes a few sales to pay for itself and it’s totally one of the easiest ways to get started with copywriting.
But enough self promotion, we’re talking about making you money.
And Google Adsense is not the way to go…
But don’t confuse Google Adsense with Google Adwords which is a “crazy good” way to make money if you can avoid the Google “Slap”, “Bodyslam” or “Pedigree”. Yeah, how can you tell I had the TV on last night? Gosh…
Anyhow, I bet you would like to make a little more money while you’re getting your business up and running. And maybe you’re wondering how to do that.
Honestly, I can’t think of an easier way to make money online than to get into affiliate marketing. At least, in a small way.
You might already be an affiliate and not even know it.
Because almost every product you buy online has a program where they reward you for selling their products by giving you a small commission. Some products only payout a couple of bucks. Other products payout as much as 70% of the selling price. Although, that’s the exception not the rule.
But most people go about it the wrong way.
They post flashing banners on their websites. They write crazy reviews for products they don’t use or believe in. They spam people with links.
Those are all good ways to make people hate you…
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Especially when you think about how many products you buy every year.
You could be writing, recording, or filming short reviews. You could be sharing the products you love with your list. You could even use affiliate products to make more money while you’re learning Pay-Per-Click, Copywriting, Or Search Engine Optimization.
Imagine getting paid to learn
And you can get paid to learn…
It’s not hard to write a short product review today, post it on your blog, and send a quick note to your list. In 30 minutes you could make your first affiliate commission online.
And if you don’t make a sale today… don’t worry about it…
Babe Ruth did not hit a home run every time he swung the bat…
But at least he swung the bat.
To your success,
-Jason The “Better Networker”
-The Jason Better Blog
P.S. New Here? Well then, join the circle of friends by signing up for more free network marketing tips delivered straight to your inbox. It’s real easy to do, just put your real name and primary e-mail address in the little boxes below.
45 Comments
Michael Cole on March 10th, 2010
Hi Jason,
I recently got rid of most of the banners on my blog. I did it because I wanted less distractions for my posts.
I didn’t realise that too many banners could actually hurt business,
Thanks for the tip ,
Michael
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 11:38 am
Totally…
And even worse is when you’re trying to read an article but
it’s filled with seven inches of as from Google Adsense. 
[Reply]
Derek Alvarez on March 10th, 2010
Hi Jason,
You definitely made your point, here.
Starting out, I was tempted to use Adsense, but decided against it because…
Like you said, it seemed to me you have to get CRAZY traffic to make any real money with it.
[Reply]
Richard Walsh on March 10th, 2010
I’ve always believed in subtle advertising and it’s nice to hear a confirmation on my belief every now and again Thanks Jason, good tips as always.
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Sometimes I’m a fan of shouting but
only if there’s a fire to shout about.
Mostly I’m with you.
There’s a lot of power in keeping quite and
walking around with a big stick.
[Reply]
Gayle Buchanan on March 10th, 2010
Morning,
Ditto, the getting real Josh.
Professionalism is so much more attractive.
Thank you for the incredible information put out here fantastic community – onward with the education for all – well done
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Hey Gayle..
“Morning” to you too. 
Thanks for dropping in.
[Reply]
Dwayne Huggins on March 10th, 2010
Hey J
Value sells. G.Adsense never peaked my interest.
Quality reviews and a personal stamp is the way forward to make some good affiliate commission. It also helps in the all important branding of yourself.
Thanks for putting the boot into G.Adsense.
Putting Value First
Dwayne
[Reply]
Wayne Vassell on March 10th, 2010
Hmmm, I have to say that is uncanny! I was checking out one of my regular forums recently and there are people on there literally “In love” with Big G’s Banner ads.
I didn’t get it! at first I wondered if I was the only one that felt that way – well at least I am sane then! (ha)
I suppose the only justification could be an “additional” way to monetize an affiliate Niche blog, but even then, in my opinion, why not go for a CPA or affiliate program banner instead?!
Well Said J.
Wayne Vassell, signing out…
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Nice,
It totally could be an additional way to monetize a blog.
I’m more worried about some bloggers who throw all
their eggs into the Adsense “basket” so to speak.
When there’s easy ways to use that space to make money.
[Reply]
Twila Jacobs on March 10th, 2010
Hey Jason!
Thanks for getting to the point about G. Adsense. It’s not something I had considered doing and now know I don’t have to. I appreciate your bluntness and honesty, I love a good laugh!
BTW, I can’t quite see Josh peddling for pennies on some street corner downtown…that gave me a good laugh too.
Have a great day!
Twila
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Hey thanks Twila,
Hah, one of my buddies told me:
“Hey, don’t put down Adsense…
we’re finding new ways to use it.”
So I may have to take a step back and write
a “Google Adsense Doesn’t Always Suck”
blog post..
Hah, there’s a way to use every tool. I got a little
carried away today. 
[Reply]
Ronnie Green on March 10th, 2010
Great post as said most people don’t speak about big G’s Adsense business… nice point made on getting paid to learn.. that’s whar it’s all about.
Well done,
Ronnie
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Hey Ronnie,
Thank you. I think sometimes people
are afraid to speak their mind… but I totally hear
the other side of things too.
There are ways to make Adsense work.
[Reply]
Leo Dimilo on March 10th, 2010
I have to disgree here. Adsense does perform well if you know what you are doing. The problem with most websites is that they are trying to make money with adsense from social traffic. Social Traffic simply doesn’t convert.
The proper way to use adsense involves ranking in the search engines that can help answer a specific problem. In this case, the adsense ads become the solution.
I hear ya as far as affiliate products or even selling your own products are concerned though.
People get all wrapped up in how much they are making per click. The better way to access as to which way is the better way to go is to judge it from a CPM perspective…..
If your adsense is running at $10 per thousand and there is an affiliate product that you are selling that isn’t converting at that number (and it happens sometimes…not all keywords have high conversion rates), then adsense would be the smarter way to go.
This is coming from someone who is primarily a niche marketer by the way and who sells products as affiliates.
The thing is that you have to understand your metrics to assess what works and what doesn’t.
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Hey Leo,
Everybody should read your comment.
You hit the nail on the head. It’s all about the
numbers. I think I got carried away here, but you’re
making the point I wanted to make but couldn’t
find the words for.
Thanks Leo.
[Reply]
Chris Owen on March 10th, 2010
Hey Jason,
This is funny. I have three spam emails in my box talking about adsense.I keep hearing that it is coming back, just more creatively.
I don’t say never to anything. If I see some money in it, I will probably jump in. But not with my primary blog. I have enough PPC sites for that. Or hey, here’s an idea. I’ll make an all adsense site and call it a link directory.
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Hah Chris,
Same here. I’m definitely not ruling out the potential
here but as one reader said… it comes down to metrics.
If it pulls better than an affiliate offer in the same space then
I’m all for it.
But directories are another thing… it’s hard to Google anything
without stumbling onto a list of links… or some weird directory
site piled with ads.
Or those review sites without reviews on them.
[Reply]
Ilka Flood on March 10th, 2010
Funny you should bring that up, Jason.
I was just thinking of getting MORE into affiliate marketing when I got the “Boot” from Amazon on Monday because of a legislation that was passed here in Colorado.
While I was just making ‘pennies’ at Amazon I am afraid others may follow their lead and not allow affiliate marketers from CO anymore.
There’s more on my blog if anyone would like to read it.
Thanks for bringing that up, though, Jason!
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Crazy!
I really need to read up on this.
There was something about this a while back.
Honestly, I ignored it, but looks like I was way
wrong.
[Reply]
Ilka Flood on March 10th, 2010
Funny you should bring that up today, Jason.
I was just thinking of getting MORE into affiliate marketing when I got the “boot” from Amazon on Monday because of a legislation passed here in CO this month.
While I was just making ‘pennies’ I am afraid that other companies may follow Amazon’s lead and not allow affiliate marketers from CO anymore.
It’s a shame that the government can dip even more into our business as they already are.
Great topic though, thanks!
[Reply]
Ilka Flood on March 10th, 2010
Oops, sorry for posting this twice. The first time it didn’t take..
Gee, egg on my face AGAIN
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
No worries Ilka,
I read your blog post today and I have to say I
was shocked. I honestly thought that was something that
was never going to happen… but those are usually the
things that get you.
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Yep, you’re right Jason. What you least expect.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts! As always, you’re greatly appreciated.
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
No problem Ilka,
I was a little shocked when I read about that.
Marcus Baker on March 10th, 2010
Hi Jason,
I’ve never used Adsense mainly because it was just another thing to get to on my list that I never got to if you know what I mean?
The best kind of affiliate sales I’ve had remain those that come by way of my personal recommendation to others when they ask me which brings us right back to attraction marketing.
Cheers
Marcus
[Reply]
George Fourie on March 11th, 2010
I’ve despised Google Adsense for many years, but just recently decided to give it a shot.
The purpose was to test advertising response in general and probably to confirm my anti-adsense attitude.
Well, after a few months of testing, conversion rates of under 1% and almost enough money to buy a round, I think it’s fair to say that it’s wasted space!
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Gosh,
Well at least you were able to buy a round.
That’s better than some people do.
But, it’s still a good option for some people. It takes
a lot of traffic to monetize it… and that’s a big hurdle for
most people.
[Reply]
Volker Schaefer on March 11th, 2010
That is a really great idea, thank you for that post.
Best regards
Volker
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 8:33 am
Hey Volker,
I hope you found it useful. I know that Adsense
does make sense in a lot of cases, but often there’s
an easier way to monetize space.
[Reply]
Tommy DiPietro on March 11th, 2010
Hey JB
Yeah, it does hurt Google slaps you especially when its with a “Stone Cold Stunner”.
Ad(non)Sense has never been my cup of tea, lol. I agree that it does take up too much space and I started a section on my blog where I can “Recommend” products I have used and had success with.
But…you said something interesting in one of your comments
“I think I got carried away here, but you’re making the point I wanted to make but could n’t find the words for.”
One of the great things about your page is besides the off the hook content you provide is the leaders that visit and comment with value.
They always say which would you prefer quality or quantity. Most people would be jealous of this community of networkers because we have both. Josh made a great point and Leo had a great response.
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 11:42 am
Totally,
I’m always open to opposing points of view too.
When you stop making mistakes, you’re dead.
Or as Ray Kroc would say:
You’re either “ripe and rotting or green and growing.”
[Reply]
Mike Paul on March 15th, 2010
I’ve never been a big fan of Google Adsense, either. I used it when I built my first couple of websites a few years ago, just to have some stream of income coming in from them.
And still, for a young site with a shortage of content, you can make a few bucks from Adsense.
But, once you start building your traffic up and get more content posted, get that Adsense off of there and quick!
Your website real estate is much more valuable than the measly 3 or 4 bucks you might make each day from Adsense.
Great points made here as usual!
[Reply]
March 15th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Totally,
But like one reader replied… there are cases when Adsense does make sense.
I wouldn’t know what those are, but I have a buddy who is actually testing it as a traffic source. Waiting to hear back on how that goes.
[Reply]
Devendra Patel on March 16th, 2010
i’ve tried on my first site before 3 years ago and made few bucks, but at this stage im very clear, placing affiliate link of valued courses like megnetic sponsering or mlmtrafficformula are far more better than google adsense.
[Reply]
March 16th, 2010 at 7:31 am
That seems to be most people’s experience with Google Adsense. I can see how it would make “sense” in some cases but it’s hard for me to imagine it pulling in more money than a good affiliate product.
[Reply]
Matt Cassity on March 31st, 2010
I always thought that Google Adsense was a waste of space and money potential, but no one would ever confirm that for me. Also it looks like spam on a website not anything worth it.
[Reply]
March 31st, 2010 at 6:06 pm
It does kind of cheapen the website a little.
With that said, I’m sure there’s a good way to use it.
I just haven’t found a way personally.
[Reply]
How Does Jason Better Get More Sticky Blog Readers Than Your Average Blogger? | Home Based Business Leads Generation Blog by Wayne Vassell on April 22nd, 2010
[...] How To Make Money Blogging With Google Adsense [...]
Paul Germana on May 30th, 2010
Jason are you saying that Adsense doesn’t work or are you saying that Google cheats people? For me getting people to click anchor text and banners is no problem at all. But the so called “high ticket affiliate products” you mention never sell. I can get 1000 hits and day (no exaggeration) and never sell a single one. Most people like to look, so why not get paid when they look from your site? Thats the whole point of Adsense, right?
[Reply]
Hey Jason,
I love this post! Thanks for being real. Most folks won’t say what you just said about Google Adsense.
If you want to collect pennies then that is a great way to do it. I believe you are better off going downtown and collecting the pennies on the sidewalk instead of using the Adsense.
Another great point it drives your readers to other marketers who perhaps are marketing other high paid ticket items.
This is great info…Thanks for the work you put out!
Josh
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 11:31 am
Hey Josh,
I know… almost nobody is willing to say it… but I haven’t heard of a single person making amazing money with Google Adsense without a massive amount of web traffic. And I mean MASSIVE amount of web traffic. Even then I’m sure an affiliate product would do better.
[Reply]