There are many ways to monetize your blog (make money from it) and the first one I would do with out thinking twice, is to build a list of subscribers. It is the best way to monetize.

Today, I’m going to show you a great way to do just that.

I’m doing it here as you can see in the upper right hand sidebar there is a place for you to subscribe and in the first post which is a sticky post, meaning it stays at the top all the time. (That spot is called above the fold meaning what you see without having to scroll and happens to be the hottest part of your blog for eyeballs to look at most.)

One way to offer your visitors a way to join your update list is to add your offer to a popup.

“A POPUP? I HATE THOSE?” you say? Me too! But, what is it about popups that we hate?

1. Can’t close the damn things!

2. They are in your face thus very intrusive.

What is it about popups that prevents us from using them?

1. We can’t get them to freaken work!

2. We don’t want to upset anyone.

Well technology has come along way and I’ve found a popup for Wordpress that releaves our dislikes and gets the job done with no techie skills. See the only popup for wordpress I recommend here.

Now, this gem of a plugin for your Wordpress was made for list building but I like to experiment and found I can easily add banner ads to it as I did on this blog.

Here’s some tips for you when using this popup plugin.

1. Change the position from time to time.

As of now, mine is dropping down from the center of the page and follows you as you scroll. With just a click it can be changed to slide in from other places.

2. Change it from sliding in when people first come or as they leave.

Doing so may reveal more actions taken (a banner click or someone joining your list) and should be tested. Want them to see your offer as they leave -OR- as they arrive? Easy peasy with just one click.

3. Change the background color.

With this unblockable popup, you have the ability to change the background color of your blog’s content so the attention is only on your popup offer. It’s a lightbox affect and it looks real cool.

Here’s what it looks like:

Use this to build your list (that’s what it’s built for) and make sure you give something of value. Many drop the ball because their popup says “Join my list” but in the reader’s mind that triggers a questions… WHY?

Give them a good why. And never recommend crap products you wouldn’t use yourself… They’ll never forgive you.

Get a copy of the only popup for wordpress I recommend here.

Oh, you can install it on all your blogs, and should.

Tags: popup