Hey, Melanie, all these people are making serious bank from their blogs, what am I doing wrong?  Don’t believe everything you read. Most people are not making thousands of dollars a month from their blogs. It’s more likely that they’re using their blogs as a place to sell products and services or build authority so they can build a consulting business. Those products and services are where they’re making their money, and you can do that too.

Buy the books, blow the doors off your money making potential.

Well, kids, here’s the deal: Making money from blogging is hard, it takes a long time, and above all, it takes a plan. Making money online isn’t just throwing up AdSense and affiliate links or writing sponsored posts. Those things may all work together, but it’s not willy-nilly. I’ve found some books that will help you find your way. Some are specific to mom bloggers who want to make money, others appeal to a wider range of bloggers who need a foundation in online marketing.

Found It: A Field Guide for Mom Entrepreneurs

by Jill Salzman

This book is a quick read, but packed with information. I read it in a day on my Kindle, but I keep going back to it and re-reading the parts I’ve highlighted. The book is funny, but makes its points clearly — you’ll be taking notes a LOT. Jill is up front about what it takes to be an entrepreneur and be a mom. She takes you through thinking about taxes and trademarks, the mistakes she’s made, and provides advice on networking. What I love about this book is that it feels like Jill is talking directly to me. She shares her own mistakes and tells you how to avoid them. She’s not afraid to put it all out there.

MOM, Incorporated

by Aliza Sherman and Danielle Smith

Here’s a stat for you: Over 10 million women own and operate their own businesses. Aliza and Danielle want you to know you can do it too (and rock at it). They’ve generously shared  a glance at MOM, Incorprated. This meaty snippet shares the authors’ thoughts on how to know why you’re starting your own business, finding your magic money number, and how to get past the guilt and identity crisis of being a mompreneur. You’ll definitely want to buy the book.

The Bloggers Guide to Online Marketing

by Darren Rowse

You ready to start making money? Excellent. You’re going to need to market yourself and your blog. The marketing part has always been a sticking point for me because everything I’ve learned about marketing I’ve learned the hard way: baptism by fire. I say let Darren spare you that trouble. “This kit is all about helping you to turn your blog into a business. (It’s) a comprehensive, 31 chapter blueprint for your blog’s ongoing profitability – right from the ground up.”

The kit includes templates, worksheets, and example documents.

The Digital Mom Handbook: How to Blog, Vlog, Tweet, and Facebook Your Way to a Dream Career at Home

by Audrey McClellan and Colleen Padilla

This book is “the ultimate guide for work at home moms who want to blog, vlog, skype, tweet, and Facebook their way to a successful career by doing what they already do online…only better.” Audrey and Colleen have built their online brands from the ground up while raising families.

Blogging For Your Business

by Darren Rowse

Blogs aren’t just for hobbyists. They’re an integral part to any business’s online presence. Doesn’t matter if you’re big or small, a blog helps you build and connect with your community, sell your products, help with SEO, and acts as a hub for your entire social presence. It’s tough work to keep up a blog, but the ROI is worth it. If you’re a business just getting started with your blog, check out Blogging For Your Business. This guide takes you “step by step through how to set up a blog, thinking through goals for a blog, developing a content strategy, finding readers and growing traffic, establishing and growing a social media footprint and much more.” Perfect for small businesses that want to learn to blog (or blog better).

Extra Money Answer: How to Create, Promote, and Monetize an Affiliate Site

by Shawn Collins

Affiliate marketing hasn’t been a primary focus for me over the years. Over the past year I’ve been talking to people about affiliates and I’m realizing what a mistake I made by not utilizing that option in my blogging. My friend Missy Ward, the owner of Affiliate Summit, recommended this book to her community. When Missy says ‘do this’ then you do it, so I snatched up the book on Amazon (it’s pretty inexpensive on Kindle). Shawn’s book gives you an overview of affiliate opportunities, how to find and use affiliate links, and an honest discussion about how much time and effort it takes.

Spill: Secrets from a Former Agency Executive & Spokesblogger

by Jessica Smith

If you’re new to blogging, this resource will help you understand and navigate the waters of working with brands. Jessica gives you the skinny on what it takes to get started, so if you’re new to blogging or haven’t really thought about what it takes to step up your game, this is your resource — you’ll hit the ground running and can avoid some mistakes we all make. However, if you’ve been at this for awhile, this book won’t tell you anything you haven’t already learned in the trenches. It’s a good one, but I recommend it for new bloggers.