Can you believe that people like you have figured out how to make money blogging? It’s true, and some of them are raking in big bucks.
In today’s digital age, the art of blogging has evolved from a simple online journaling platform into a formidable avenue for creative expression, knowledge sharing, and yes, even a viable source of income.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a passionate wordsmith, or someone seeking financial independence, the concept of making money through blogging has probably crossed your mind.
Imagine a life where you can pursue your passion, work from anywhere in the world and have the potential to generate a sustainable income doing what you love.
Sounds too good to be true? Well, buckle up, because in this comprehensive guide, we’re going to dive deep into making money blogging, starting from scratch.
What is blogging?
Blogging is the process of creating and publishing online content, typically in the form of articles or posts.
Why do people blog?
People blog for a variety of reasons, including to share their thoughts and experiences, to build a community or to make money.
How can you make money blogging?
There are many different ways to make money blogging, but some of the most common methods include advertising, affiliate marketing, selling products or services, sponsored posts and consulting.
Choosing a niche
When choosing a profitable niche, it’s important to consider your interests, skills, and what you know about. It wouldn’t make much sense to start a mommy blog if you aren’t a parent. You COULD do it, but you will probably struggle.
Understanding competition
It’s also important to make sure that the niche you choose is not too saturated, meaning that there are already a lot of other blogs in that space. Competition isn’t a deal breaker, but you need to understand what you’re up against.
You can learn a lot about potential competitors by doing simple Google searches about the topics you want to cover. You can get more granular and learn details with paid tools such as Ahrefs or SEMRush.
Creating blog content
Once you’ve chosen a niche, you need to create high-quality content that is relevant to your audience. This means well-written, informative, and engaging articles, original images and original videos.
If you are clever, you might use some AI writing software tools to help you with your content creation.
CAUTION: Using AI to write your articles can be dangerous for your search engine rankings. It is not wise to copy/paste from your favorite AI writing tool. The search engines can recognize AI content and they will not reward you for regurgitating what your AI tool wrote for you.
Promote your blog
Perhaps the most important thing you can do if you want to make money blogging is promotion. Just because you post an amazing piece on your area of expertise doesn’t mean that anyone will find your blog and read it.
Promotion can take many forms. The best and cheapest way to promote your blog is with organic traffic. And the best way to generate organic traffic is to create AMAZING and UNIQUE content. There is no way to cheat this one, which is why it works so well.
The most expensive way to promote your blog is with paid traffic. That could mean Google ads or Facebook (Meta) ads or something similar. It is very easy to burn through large advertising budgets if you are paying for ads, so be sure you know what you are doing before you start.
Monetization Methods
There are many different ways to monetize a blog. Here are some common methods for making money blogging:
- Advertising
- Affiliate marketing
- Selling products or services
- Sponsored posts
- Consulting
(We do all of these at Jon Sterling besides the sponsored posts)
Advertising
This is where you allow advertisers to place ads on your blog.
Affiliate marketing
This is where you promote other people’s products or services on your blog and earn a commission for each sale that you generate. Some of the biggest retailers in the world have affiliate programs you can join to start earning affiliate income by promoting their products. You can start with the Walmart affiliate program for an easy way to get started in affiliate marketing.
Selling products or services
This is where you sell your own products or services on your blog. You are only limited by your creativity and your skills here.
Sponsored posts
This is where you write articles or posts that are sponsored by a company. They may pay a little or a lot depending on how much traffic your blog drives to them, and if your targeted niche is valuable to them.
Consulting
This is where you offer your expertise to others in exchange for a fee.
I am a firm believer that everyone is an expert in SOMETHING. That means everyone could be a consultant for their area of expertise, regardless of how niche or obscure that expertise may be.
For example, I know a blogger who makes enough to live a comfortable life by focusing on quilting. That’s right, a full-time salary from blogging for talking about sewing pieces of cloth together.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how much money you can make blogging.
However, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, it is possible to make a significant amount of money from your blog.
Almost nobody wants to hear this, but patience is important if you want to make money blogging.
Is making a six-figure income from blogging realistic? Absolutely.
Is making a six-figure income from blogging realistic starting your first month? Probably not.
FAQ: How to Make Money Blogging
These are the most common questions when people are thinking about starting a blog.
Q: What is blogging?
A: Blogging is the act of creating and regularly updating a website, known as a blog, where you can share your thoughts, experiences and expertise on a specific topic or a range of topics.
It allows you to communicate with your audience through written content, images, videos and other media.
Q: Can I really make money through blogging?
A: Yes, it is possible to make money through blogging. BIG money if you’re good, and average or small income if it’s just a hobby. There’s no right or wrong way to do it.
Many successful bloggers generate income from their blogs through various methods such as advertising, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, selling products or services and consulting services.
However, it’s important to note that it requires time, effort and dedication to build a successful and profitable blog.
Q: How long does it take to make money from blogging?
A: The time it takes to start making money from blogging varies greatly and depends on several factors, including your niche, content quality, marketing strategies, audience engagement and monetization methods.
Some bloggers start earning within a few months, while others may take a year or more to see significant income. Consistency and perseverance are key.
Q: How do I choose a profitable niche for my blog?
A: When selecting a niche, it’s important to consider both your passions and the potential for profitability.
Research different niches to identify if there is an audience interested in that topic and if there are opportunities for monetization.
Look for niches with a balance of audience demand and competition that aligns with your expertise or interests.
Q: What are some popular ways to monetize a blog?
A: There are several popular ways to monetize a blog, including:
- Advertising: Displaying ads on your blog, such as Google AdSense or direct ad sales.
- Sponsored content: Partnering with brands or businesses to create sponsored posts or reviews.
- Affiliate marketing: Promoting products or services and earning a commission for each sale or referral.
- Selling products or services: Creating and selling your own digital or physical products, courses or services.
- Membership or subscription: Offering premium content or exclusive access to a membership area for a fee.
- Donations: Accepting voluntary contributions from your readers.
- Sponsored events or speaking engagements: Collaborating with companies to participate in events or speaking engagements related to your blog’s topic.
Q: How can I increase traffic to my blog?
A: Increasing blog traffic requires a combination of quality content creation and effective marketing strategies. Some tips to boost your blog’s traffic include:
- Creating valuable and engaging content that solves problems or provides useful information for your target audience.
- Optimizing your blog posts for search engines (SEO) to improve visibility in search results.
- Promoting your blog through social media platforms, email newsletters and online communities.
- Guest posting on other relevant blogs to reach new audiences and build backlinks.
- Networking with other bloggers and influencers in your niche to collaborate and cross-promote each other’s content.
- Using catchy headlines, compelling visuals, and clear calls-to-action to encourage readers to click and share your content.
Q: How often should I publish new blog posts?
A: The frequency of publishing new blog posts depends on your capacity and the expectations of your audience.
Consistency is crucial, so it’s better to establish a realistic publishing schedule and stick to it. Whether it’s once a week, twice a month or more, ensure you can consistently deliver high-quality content without sacrificing its value.
One of the saddest (and most common) blog posts we see are the blog posts that start by apologizing for not posting recently because of X,Y, and Z personal reasons. Don’t become one of those people. Nobody likes those posts.
Q: Should I focus on SEO for my blog?
A: Yes, implementing basic SEO practices is important for your blog’s visibility and organic traffic growth.
Optimize your blog posts with relevant keywords, meta tags and descriptive headings.
Provide high-quality, well-structured content that addresses user intent.
Build backlinks from reputable sources. However, remember that user experience and valuable content should always be the primary focus.
Q: Can I start a blog for free?
A: Yes, you can start a blog for free using platforms like WordPress.com, Blogger or Medium.
However, free platforms often come with limitations, such as limited customization options, branding restrictions and potential revenue limitations.
If you’re serious about making money from your blog, consider investing in a self-hosted blog using a platform. This is the best hosing service we have found (that link gets you a discount). It’s not the cheapest hosting provider out there, but it’s very reasonable AND their customer service is top notch. You do not want to skimp on hosting.
Q: How do I stay motivated and consistent with my blog?
A: Blogging can be challenging, but staying motivated and consistent is essential. Here are a few tips:
- Set realistic goals and break them down into actionable tasks.
- Create an editorial calendar to plan your content in advance.
- Find an accountability partner or join blogging communities for support and inspiration.
- Celebrate milestones and achievements along the way.
- Continuously learn and stay updated on industry trends to keep your content fresh and exciting.
- Remember your “why” and the passion that drove you to start blogging in the first place.
Q: Are there any legal considerations when monetizing a blog?
A: Yes, when monetizing a blog, it’s important to understand and comply with legal requirements. Some common legal considerations include:
- Disclosure: Clearly disclosing sponsored content or affiliate links to comply with advertising regulations.
- Copyright: Respecting intellectual property rights and properly attributing sources. This is critical if you are using AI writing software. Don’t accidentally copy someone else’s stuff because the AI wrote it for you. Sometimes AI content writers are copying from other people’s blogs.
- Privacy: Complying with data protection laws and having a privacy policy in place.
- Tax obligations: Understanding and fulfilling tax responsibilities related to your blog’s earnings. Consult with legal professionals or experts in your jurisdiction to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Remember, while these FAQs provide valuable insights into making money from blogging, each blogging journey is unique. Experiment, learn from your experiences and adapt your strategies as you grow your blog and audience.