Introduction
Have you ever spent hours scrolling through Tumblr? You see funny memes, beautiful art, and cool stories. You might wonder, "can you earn money from tumblr?" The answer is a big YES!
Many people use Tumblr just for fun. But some people use it to fill their piggy banks. It is not a "get rich quick" scheme. It takes some work and some time. But if you love sharing things online, you can turn your hobby into a way to make some extra cash.
In this guide, we will talk about how you can do it. We will use simple words. We will show you the best ways to start. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be creative and ready to learn.
Key Takeaway: Tumblr is more than just a place for blogs. It is a place where your creativity can help you earn real money.
What Exactly is Tumblr?
Before we talk about money, let's look at what Tumblr is. Tumblr is a micro-blogging site. This means you can post short things. You can share photos, videos, links, and text.
Tumblr is special because of "reblogging." If you see something you like, you can put it on your own page. This helps things go viral very fast. When things go viral, more people see your name. This is the first step to making money.
| Feature | Why it is good for you |
|---|---|
| Reblogging | Your posts can reach thousands of people quickly. |
| Tags | Help people find your work through search. |
| Custom Themes | You can make your blog look exactly how you want. |
| Community | You can find people who love the same things as you. |
Can You Earn Money From Tumblr Directly?
The most common question is: does Tumblr pay you? Unlike some other sites, Tumblr does not just give you a check for views. But, they have added some cool tools to help you.
One of these tools is the Tip Jar. If people love your posts, they can send you a small amount of money. It is like a "thank you" for your hard work.
Another way is Post+. This lets you make special posts that only people who pay a monthly fee can see. It is like having a private club for your biggest fans.
- Tip Jar: Great for artists and writers.
- Post+: Great for people who make lots of content.
Is Tumblr a Secret Goldmine? How to Get Paid for Being Weird
Most people think Tumblr is a ghost town. They think it died years ago. They are wrong. The site is still a buzzing hive of artists, writers, and fandoms. But can you actually make money there?
The short answer is yes. But it is not like Instagram. You won't get rich by posting a selfie with a tea brand. Tumblr is different. It is raw. It is niche.
Here is how you can turn those reblogs into actual cash.
Making Money with Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is one of the best ways to earn. This is how it works:
- You sign up for a program (like Amazon Associates).
- You get a special link for a product.
- You share that link on your Tumblr.
- If someone clicks your link and buys the item, you get a small commission.
"Affiliate marketing is like being a digital salesperson. You recommend things you love and get a reward."
This works very well on Tumblr if you have a specific interest. For example, if you blog about aesthetic room decor, you can link to the cool lamps or pillows you show in your photos.
Selling Your Own Stuff
Do you draw? Do you make stickers? Or maybe you write ebooks? You can use Tumblr to sell these items.
Tumblr is a visual place. If you post a photo of a cool t-shirt you designed, people will want to buy it. You can put a link to your shop in your bio or in the post itself.
Places you can link to:
- Etsy: For handmade goods.
- Redbubble: For stickers and shirts with your art.
- Gumroad: For digital things like PDF guides or wallpapers.
| Product Type | Ease of Starting | Profit Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Art | High | Medium |
| Handmade Crafts | Medium | High |
| E-books | Medium | High |
| Print-on-Demand | High | Medium |
Working with Brands (Sponsored Posts)
When you have a lot of followers, brands might notice you. This is called being an influencer. A brand might pay you to talk about their product.
For example, if you have a blog about video games, a game company might pay you to post a review of their new game.
To get sponsored posts, you need:
- A good number of followers.
- People who talk back to you (comments and reblogs).
- A clean and nice-looking blog.
Make sure you only work with brands that you actually like. Your followers trust you!
Using Tumblr to Drive Traffic
Sometimes, you don't make money on Tumblr. You use Tumblr to send people to your other websites. This is called driving traffic.
If you have a website with ads (like Google AdSense), you want as many people as possible to visit it. You can post a "teaser" on Tumblr.
- "Click here to read the full story!"
- "See the full gallery on my website!"
When they click, they go to your site, and you earn money from the ads there. This is a very smart way to use the can you earn money from tumblr strategy.
The Importance of Picking a Niche
A niche is just a fancy word for a topic. If you post about everything, it is hard to get a loyal audience. If you post about one specific thing, people who love that thing will follow you.
Popular niches on Tumblr include:
- Fanart and Fandoms: Movies, shows, and books.
- Aesthetics: Cottagecore, dark academia, or vaporwave.
- Self-care: Mental health tips and nice quotes.
- Art and Photography: Original drawings or cool photos.
Choose something you really like. If you like it, you won't get bored. If you don't get bored, you will post more.
How to Grow Your Audience
You cannot earn money if no one sees your posts. Growing your audience is very important.
- Use Tags: Use tags like #art, #style, or #tutorial. This helps people find you when they search.
- Be Social: Reblog other people's stuff. Leave nice comments.
- Post Often: You don't have to post every hour. But try to post every day or every few days.
- Use High-Quality Images: Tumblr is very visual. Clear and pretty pictures get more reblogs.
Note: Don't just post links to buy things. People will think you are a bot. Post 80% fun stuff and 20% money-making stuff.
Setting Up Your Blog for Success
Your blog needs to look professional if you want to make money.
- Get a Good Theme: Choose a theme that is easy to read.
- Write a Bio: Tell people who you are and what you do. Include a link to your shop or your Tip Jar.
- Use a Clear Profile Picture: Use a photo of yourself or a cool logo.
- Create a "Masterpost": This is a post that lists all your best work or your links. Pin it to the top of your blog.
Displaying Ads on Your Tumblr
You can actually put ads on your Tumblr blog. But, you have to use a "Custom Theme."
If you know a little bit about HTML code, you can paste ad codes into your theme. When people visit your blog on a computer, they will see the ads.
Pros of Ads:
- You earn money while you sleep.
- You don't have to sell anything.
Cons of Ads:
- They can look messy.
- They don't show up as well on the Tumblr mobile app.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many people try to make money and fail. Why? Because they make these mistakes:
- Spamming: Posting the same link over and over. This will get you banned.
- Stealing Content: Don't post other people's art and claim it is yours. Always give credit!
- Giving Up Too Soon: It takes time to build a blog. Don't quit after one week.
- Being Rude: People only want to support creators who are kind and helpful.
| Mistake | Why it hurts you | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| No Tags | No one can find you. | Use 5-10 relevant tags. |
| Poor Quality | People won't reblog it. | Use clear photos and good grammar. |
| No Bio | People don't know what you sell. | Add links to your bio. |
Using Tumblr Tools to Help You
Tumblr has built-in tools that make things easier.
- The Queue: You can set posts to go out at different times. You can spend one hour on Sunday setting up posts for the whole week!
- Tumblr Analytics: This shows you which posts are the most popular. Use this to see what your fans like.
- Mobile App: You can manage your blog and talk to fans from anywhere.
Using these tools saves you time. Time is money!
The Future of Earning on Tumblr
Tumblr is changing. They are trying hard to help creators make money. They want to be like YouTube or TikTok where creators can earn a living.
In the future, we might see:
- More ways to get paid for views.
- Better tools for selling digital items.
- More brand deals through Tumblr's own network.
So, if you start now, you will be ahead of the game!
Conclusion
So, can you earn money from tumblr? Yes, you really can! You can use Tip Jars, sell your own art, or use affiliate links. The secret is to find a topic you love and post about it every day.
Be patient. Be kind to your followers. And most importantly, have fun! If you enjoy what you do, the money will eventually follow. Start your blog today and see where it takes you!
Final Thought: Your blog is your digital home. Make it a place people want to visit, and you will find many ways to earn.
FAQs
1. Do I need 1 million followers to make money?
No! Even with a few hundred followers, you can make money. If those followers really love what you do, they will buy your products or tip you.
2. Is Tumblr free to use?
Yes, it is 100% free to create a blog and start posting. You only pay if you want to buy a special domain name or if you use certain paid themes.
3. How do I get paid from the Tip Jar?
Tumblr usually uses a service like Stripe to send you the money. You will need to link your bank account to Stripe to get your cash.
4. Can I post ads from Google AdSense?
Yes, but you need to put the code into your blog's HTML theme. It usually only shows up on the desktop version of your site.
5. What is the best niche for making money?
There isn't just one. However, art, fashion, and tech are very popular. The "best" niche is the one you know the most about!