How to make $ with your computer

Updated 1/04/2012

First of all, I'd be far better off working just about anywhere else if this was just about the money.  I blog for fun, but earning a little money helps me justify the time I spend doing this.  I'm new to all this blogging and am no way an expert, but I thought I'd pass a long what I've learned.  It may be poor manners to discuss money, but I'm putting what I've earned out there so you can judge for yourself if it's worth it.


Google AdSense
So you may have noticed that my blog now has ads.  If you want to make some $ off your blog, go to your dashboard and click "monetize" and follow the directions. I've seen google AdSense on other blogs, but never added it because I didn't know if it would be worth it.  I know it's rude to discuss money, but  I'm throwing etiquette aside so you can decide if it's worth it to you.   So far today I've made a whopping $.02, but I've made about $25 in the past week. I average about 1000 page views/ day. The more people that click on the ads, the more money you earn.  So even if you only have 25 page views but they all click on an ad, you can make some money. It's a big no-no to tell people to click on your ads and google will drop you. However, if you are visiting a blog and there is an ad for something you are genuinely interested in, click away. (especially if you are on my blog)


The ads that pop up crack me up.  Whatever word I mention in a post, suddenly a product w/ that word pops up. Sometimes they have nothing to do w/ my blog.  I've clearly got to do some more craft posts, b/c today all the ads are about skin cancer and investing.

Amazon Associates

I signed up for this the same day as AdSense, but I haven't made any money yet.  Although, I did put their ads at the bottom of my page, so it might be my fault.  When I added them at the top, they kept showing up on top of the posts, and I thought that was annoying.  If you're interested, you can also sign up by clicking the "monetize" button. 
UPDATE: I canceled it, I wasn't making anything and it was just junking up my blog


Social Spark
I signed up for this a month ago.  Basically how it works is that you get offers to write blog posts and then you get paid if they are accepted.  I've gotten offers for about 25-30 companies, but have only accepted the one for Kidzmet and I earned $15. I'm probably too picky about what I blog about.  I am just not good at gushing about a products that I have no intention of ever using, nor do I feel it's very honest. For example, I've gotten a few for online dating services and I just didn't feel that I could blog much about that. Although it might have been funny. I have decided only to accept offers to blog about products I would use and things I think would interest my readers.
UPDATE: Social Spark made me the most $ last year. I've made close to $350 since writing this post.
If you're interested click here  (I'd really appreciate it if you signed up through me-I get a little commision)  .





Swagbucks
We've also recently signed up for Swagbucks.  You earn points by using it as a search engine, taking surveys, watching videos, playing games, buying Groupons, shopping online etc. I figured that since I do all those things anyway, I might as well earn some cash and prizes. Then you can trade in those points to earn prizes.



 My kids are a little obsessed.  They are trying to earn an Ipod Touch (22,000 points).  At their current rate, they should earn one in about a year.  If you want to check it out, click on the button in the top right corner of this blog.  You have to install their tool bar, but it works as well as my old tool bar and in about a year my kiddo's can get an Ipod Touch. I don't really see a down side.
Click on this button to sign up.

I think I may also earn some extra swagbucks if you sign up through me and that would make my kid's day:)
UPDATE: My kids work this way more than I do.  They take all the surveys to try and earn swagbucks and they've earned several $5 gift cards.  I just use the search engine and buy the occasional Groupon and have earned about 3000 Swag bucks (which I could trade in for $30 of gift cards. I didn't do anything that I wouldn't have done anyway, so it's like getting free $.



UPDATE:  I just became a Shabby Apple Affiliate.  Basically I will get a portion of any sales from traffic from my site.

Linking up here.
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and I made a button