Tumblr monetization has its own rules and best practices.

Like any other platform, it has its own do’s and don’ts. For instance, as Pinterest users recently discovered, affiliate links are no longer a viable option for the popular image-based network.

So what are your monetization options on the popular micro-blogging network, Tumblr?

This article offers 11 of the top Tumblr monetization tips that you can start using today.

To begin with, you’ll need to cover your marketing bases:

1. Base #1: Traffic

Traffic is essential to making money. If no one visits your blog, you won’t be able to earn clicks, sales, or income. To generate traffic, you can focus on two sources: Tumblr itself and the outside world.

Tumblr itself is probably the best place to start. Here are a few ways to do that:

  • Follow other bloggers who share your interests. Keep following more of them every week. They’ll follow you and – if you share good content – they’ll promote your content and your blog.
  • Make sure you hashtag your posts. And include plenty of keywords in your post content so that they’ll show up in searches.
  • Comment on other Tumblr blogs to draw attention back to your own.

2. Base #2: Turn Visitors into Customers

Convert visitors into customers. That is, develop relationships with people who visit your site. Use time-tested techniques such as distributing free content, acquiring email addresses, and so on.

Like WordPress, Tumblr has plugins of its own. MailChimp, for instance, has a plugin that allows you to subscribe people to your newsletter.

Which brings us to the next point…

3. Base #3: Supplement Your Tumblr Monetization

Other marketing efforts should always go with any blog you own, whether that blog is a Tumblr blog, a WordPress blog, or a self-hosted solution.

Your online content network should be a full-fledged brand – at least, if you want to make the most money from your efforts. The best way to build relationships with customers – and get money from them – is to build a brand that delivers valuable content across multiple channels.

4. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a staple of any marketing strategy. Unlike Pinterest, Tumblr hasn’t chosen to ban affiliate links. So you’re free to monetize your blog by posting relevant affiliate links throughout your content.

As long as you keep your content valuable and non-spammy, you shouldn’t run into any problems.

5. Advertising

There are plenty of ad networks to choose from. Google AdSense is one of the easiest go-to ad networks to try, but there are plenty of others that can earn you cash for every click.

6. Content Locking

Content locking networks – also called pay-per-download networks – are networks that allow you to place a file or other digital content behind a “locked” hyperlink.

To access the content, users complete an action, such as filling out a survey. Each time they do, you earn cash.

7. Sell Products and Services

If you sell your own products and services, then you know how lucrative this monetization strategy can be. In this case, the Tumblr blog would become more like a gateway to your business.

Using your Tumblr blog as the central hub for your brand, your products, and your services may be a good idea if you really like the platform. Or if your audience is made up mostly of millennials.

8. Meme-ify and Promote

And since Tumblr caters to the younger generation: meme-ify. Just take a look at how brands are using Tumblr to reach younger audiences.

Animate gifs, be creative, be fun, and develop blog posts that are likely to go viral.

9. Target Gamers

Gamers are another demographic that flock to Tumblr. If your content appeals to that audience, all the better. So develop content, memes, and blog posts that would appeal to that demographic.

 

10. Create the Right Content

Given the fact that most of the Tumblr audience is made up of millennials, gamers, geeks, and other meme-loving segments, don’t be too serious with your content.

As any marketer knows, targeting is critical to the success of any sales message. So if you try selling irrelevant content to the Tumblr demographic, your monetization efforts might not be very successful.

11. Expanding to Mobile

Like other social networks, Tumblr users are mobile-heavy. Over half create posts with mobile apps.

To monetize the mobile market, focus your monetization strategy on mobile users:

  • For best results, make sure your affiliate links and ads lead to mobile-friendly content. Otherwise conversions and commissions will suffer.
  • As mentioned above, don’t make content too detailed or serious. Short and concise is best. Viral, short-attention-span posts can go a long way.
  • Tumblr is experimenting with new ad formats – from video to app install ads – that are geared towards mobile devices. If you have an advertising budget and appropriate content, test them out and see if they’ll work for you.

 

Like other social networks and blogging platforms, Tumblr offers up its own monetization opportunities. But it does require some effort. Start by building your audience, focusing on a niche, and experimenting to see what your customers want.