Overview of monetisation methods

Monetisation methods

Online content monetisation is the process of generating revenue from online content in exchange for informational product(s), service(s). More frequently content owners and publishers (such as bloggers, site owners, social media enthusiasts) focus on a single revenue stream – often advertising, download sales or paid subscriptions in an effort to minimise the adminsistration and management associated with their monetisation efforts. But the most monetisation techniques involve driving multiple revenue streams from their content. This is more time consuming to optimise and track all monetisation methods used but can be very rewarding.

Comparisons of online and offline monetisation methods

Most common online monetisation methods are similar to those used by offline businesses, such as:

• Subscriptions
• Display advertisements
• Classified advertisements
• Shared revenue deals
• Product and service sales
• Sponsorship

All of the above offline monetisation methods (and many more) have been replicated online. There are literally hundreds of monetisation method available which provide publishers and content owners with multiple revenue streams. All of these monetisation methods can essentially be grouped under the following the following main categories:

1: Marketing: Monetisation by becoming an affiliate of third party advertisers and marketing their product/service using referral programs. Examples include:

• Clickbank: One of the most common affiliate  retailer programs online. Monetisation occurs when affiliates promote or sell something from the thousands of items available.
• Commission Junction: If you have a site, you can join Commission Junction. Once enrolled for free, you can choose companies whose ads are pertinent to your site. Companies have the ultimate say on working with affiliates.
• Amazon Affiliate Program: Easily create a store or shopping section on your site instead of sending your visitors to Amazon. Amazon handles the shopping cart and fulfillment.

2: Sales: Monetisation via direct and indirect sales of eBooks, Podcasts etc. Examples include:

• Cafepress: You provide a design, they’ll put it on a t-shirt, hat, etc. No upfront costs. Get a free online shop and promote your products on your site.
• eBay Stores: If you have a real store and want to sell your stock online, this is a decent option to get you started.
• Zlio: Setup an online store and never have to worry about shipping or inventory. They handle it all for you.

3: Advertising: Monetisation by allowing third party advertisements such as Google Adsense to be displayed on your site. Examples include:

• Infolinks: Infolinks is probably the highest paying option for your in-text advertising. Infolinks will be displayed as underlined links scattered throughout articles. They accept all sizes of websites and blogs.
• Azoogleads: Another ad program. They do have some decent companies lined up as advertisers. You provide space, they’ll provide an ad.
• Adbrite: Site owners can buy and sell text ads based on their site’s topic area.

4: Products: Monetisation of online products such as images, videos, webinars etc. Examples include:

• InnerSell: If you have a customer that wants to buy something you cannot sell, you can sell the lead at Innersell.
• Revver: You basically upload your video to Revver and they attach an ad to it. You get 50% of what the ad makes.
• Shopping.com: Add widgets to your site that display products based on keywords. For the ultra-skilled, you can even customise the entire user experience by tapping into their API.

5: Services: These are services you can offer or provide to vendors. Examples include:

• ReviewMe: In order to participate, you must have a blog and it has to be active. Companies go to ReviewMe to advertise a product and ReviewMe asks their members to write a review of the product in exchange for payment.
• Ether.com: If you are an expert on something, Ether provides a way for people to pay you to talk about it in a one-on-one setting. You have to do all the advertising so you should have a blog or site already established.
• Bitwine: Another type of advisor network. If you are an expert or even mildly knowledgeable on something, Bitwine provides a way for you to set a per minute rate and charge people to talk to you in a private meeting space.

Best monetisation advice

Although many of the monetisation methods mentioned above are based on working on behalf of or with a third party vendor, the best and most profitable methods of monetisation should be the direct sales of your own products and/or services. It’s also advisable to deal directly with potential advertising clients and remove any third party advertising intermediary would would be taking a high commission.

Online monetisation points to note

Online content monetisation is the fastest growing area of online business. Currently, much of the content online is free but there is an ever-growing trend for content publishers to build audiences and target specific niche markets, using a range of monetisation techniques. This maximises margins and increases profits. The following ethical issues can also be very challenging:

• Blending your content with the advertisements you are paid to promote
• Being honest and credible with your target market when you are promoting products/services on behalf of  a third party based on the revenue paid.

If you are a business owner, entrepreneur or manage a small to medium size enterprise and need help and advice on online monetisation methods, then contact eCubation today for a FREE consultation.