How to Make Money Blogging: Complete Beginner’s Guide

By John Cruz

If you want to learn how to make money blogging, good for you.

I think it’s going to be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made in your life, regardless of whether or not you decide to stick with it.

Stick with it, and, you might just be the next big online success.

I have been blogging for over a decade now and I absolutely love what I do.

Through the many changes that came with the internet and search engines, I have managed to come out alive.

The digital space is crazy, but with the right help and guidance, you can learn how to make money blogging.

How to Make Money Blogging

how-to-make-money-blogging

Blogging has become a popular way for people to express themselves and share their interests with others.

However, many people don’t realize that blogging can also be a lucrative way to make money.

In fact, some bloggers are able to turn their blogs into full-time businesses, earning a substantial income in the process.

I mean, lots and lots of money.

If you’re interested in making money from your blog, there are several strategies you can use.

One of the most popular is affiliate marketing (which I love), where you promote other people’s products and earn a commission on any sales made through your unique affiliate link.

Another option is to sell advertising space on your blog, either through direct advertising or through advertising networks like Google AdSense and Mediavine.

Of course, making money from blogging isn’t easy, and it takes time and effort to build up a following and establish yourself as an authority in your niche.

But with the right strategies and a commitment to creating high-quality content, it’s possible to turn your blog into a profitable business.

I want to show you how to make money blogging along with some tips and advice for maximizing your earning potential.

Understanding Blogging

Blogging is a popular way to share knowledge, experiences, and opinions with a wide audience.

A blog is a website that is updated regularly with new content, typically in the form of written articles or posts.

The term “blog” is short for “weblog,” which refers to a log of information that is published on the internet.

Blogging has evolved over the years, and now includes many different types of content, such as videos, podcasts, and infographics.

It has come a long way and has changed many lives.

It can be a fun hobby, but it can also be a way to make money.

However, it’s important to note that making money from blogging is not easy and requires a lot of hard work and dedication.

To be successful at blogging, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your target audience and what they are looking for.

This will help you create content that is engaging and valuable to your readers.

In addition to creating great content, successful bloggers also need to be skilled at marketing and promoting their blog.

This includes using social media, email marketing, and, search engine optimization and other tactics to reach a wider audience and drive traffic to their site.

Overall, blogging can be a rewarding way to share your knowledge and experiences with others, but it requires a lot of hard work and dedication to be successful.

Finding YOUR Profitable Niche

finding-your-niche

When it comes to making money blogging, choosing a profitable niche is almost a must.

Some may think that gone are the days of “go with your passion”, but I wouldn’t follow that just yet.

Of course, you want to learn how to make money blogging and it’s pointless to blog if you can’t make money.

However, with the different ways to monetize a blog, I think that any niche can be profitable, as long as you do your research.

For starters, let’s see what you can do to hone in on your niche and what your blog will be about.

Identifying Your Interests

The first step in choosing a profitable niche is to identify your interests.

You will be more motivated to create content in a niche that you are passionate about.

Make a list of topics that interest you and that you have knowledge about.

Me, I like golf, I have kids, and I also like men’s gear.

And, you can bet that I have websites in those spaces.

Market Research

Once you have identified your interests, it’s time to do some market research.

You want to make sure that there is a demand for the niche you are interested in.

Use tools like Google Trends, Keyword Planner, and BuzzSumo to see what people are searching for and what content is popular in your niche.

Competitor Analysis

It’s important to know who your competitors are and what they are doing.

Analyze their content, social media presence, and monetization strategies.

Look for gaps in their content that you can fill, and see if there are any opportunities to differentiate yourself from them.

ToolDescription
Google TrendsShows the popularity of a search term over time
Keyword PlannerHelps find keywords and estimate their search volume
BuzzSumoShows the most shared content for a given topic
  • Identify your interests
  • Do market research
  • Analyze competitors

By following these steps, you can choose a profitable niche that aligns with your interests and you will see that it’s not hard to learn how to make money blogging.

Setting Up Your Blog

setting-up-your-blog

When it comes to making money from blogging, setting up your blog is the first step.

This includes choosing a blogging platform, selecting your domain/brand, and designing your blog layout.

It’s all really simple and critical on how to make money blogging, but it becomes easier as you progress in your new business.

Let’s see how you can set up your blog without giving you a headache.

Choosing a Blogging Platform

Choosing the right blogging platform is a must but it’s not complicated.

There are several popular blogging platforms available, including WordPress, Blogger, and Wix.

Each platform has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the one that best fits your needs.

WordPress is the most popular blogging platform, and for good reason.

It’s easy to use, customizable, and has a large community of users who can help you with any questions you may have.

Blogger is another popular option, especially for beginners.

It’s owned by Google and is completely free to use.

Wix is a website builder that also includes a blogging platform.

It’s a good option if you want to create a website and blog all in one place.

They all are good, but I definitely recommend WordPress.

Domain Name Selection

Your domain name is the address of your blog on the internet, so it’s important to choose a name that is easy to remember and relevant to your blog’s topic.

Ideally, your domain name should be short, memorable, and easy to spell.

Take roambased.com for example.

As weird as it may sound, it’s still short, tells you what the site is about, and I hope it is somewhat easy for you to remember.

Please do share your thoughts in the comments, though, as I am always open for opinions.

When selecting a domain name, it’s important to consider the availability of the name you want.

You can use a domain name registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap to check if the domain name you want is available.

If it’s not available, you may need to come up with a different name or consider using a different domain extension, such as .net or .org.

I always recommend the .com along with putting in lots of time to finding something that you feel is a good brand for your blog.

As you do it more, you will see that “domaining” is actually a skill that can be a pain in the butt or satisfying.

Blog Design and Layout

The design and layout of your blog are important for attracting and retaining readers.

A clean and easy-to-navigate design can make a big difference in how readers perceive your blog.

When designing your blog, it’s important to choose a theme that is responsive and mobile-friendly.

This means that your blog will look good on all devices, including smartphones and tablets.

You should also consider the color scheme and font choices for your blog.

Stick to a simple and consistent design that is easy on the eyes.

If you want to learn how to make money blogging, setting up your blog properly is a must.

Chose the right blogging platform, pick a solid, brandable domain, and keep your website clean and simple.

Content Creation

creating-blog-content

Creating engaging and informative content is a must, if you want to learn how to make money blogging.

It’s what will make or break your blog, so make this a priority when you start your blog.

The design and overall appearance of your blog is important, but if there’s one thing you should focus on, it’s going to be creating the best content you can.

To do that, here are some tips you can follow.

Keyword Research

When starting out, you can create the base of your website by creating content that you are familiar with.

Once you get the hang of things, you can dive into some keyword research.

This is a must if you want to learn how to make money blogging, as it will help with lots and lots of free traffic.

This will also help you identify what your target audience is searching for and what topics are currently popular.

Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to find relevant keywords and phrases to include in your content.

This is a little advanced, but I will be covering them within other blog posts.

Writing Engaging Content

Once you’ve gotten a feel for your blog and did some keyword research, you can refine your content and see what you can do to improve your blog.

Make sure your content is engaging and informative.

Use a clear and concise writing style, and break up your content into short paragraphs with headings and subheadings just like you see within this post.

This will make it easier for your readers to scan and find the information they need.

Using SEO Techniques

In addition to including keywords, there are several other SEO techniques you can use to improve your content’s visibility in search engines. These include:

  • Using meta descriptions and title tags
  • Including internal and external links
  • Optimizing images with alt tags and descriptive file names

These tips should help you create high-quality content, engage with your readers, and rank well in search engines.

Monetizing Your Blog

selling-products-online

You won’t know how to make money blogging if you don’t know how to monetize your blog.

There are several ways to monetize your blog and I covered a little on that at the beginning of this post.

Along with affiliate marketing and advertising, you can also sell products and services.

There are other ways, but these are the most common ways to monetize a blog.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a way of promoting other people’s products or services and earning a commission for each sale made through your unique affiliate link.

To start affiliate marketing, you need to join an affiliate program and choose products or services that align with your blog’s niche.

You can promote these products or services through blog posts, reviews, or banners on your website.

Some popular affiliate programs include Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and Commission Junction.

There are thousands of affiliate programs and networks out there, so be ready to create a spreadsheet of all your affiliate links.

Selling Products or Services

Selling products or services is another way to monetize your blog.

You can create and sell your own products or services, such as eBooks, courses, or coaching services.

Alternatively, you can offer sponsored content, where you write a blog post or review for a company in exchange for payment.

To sell products or services, you need to set up an online store or payment system on your blog.

Advertising Revenue

This is huge and requires almost no effort to make money.

Advertising revenue is earned by displaying ads on your blog.

You can sell ad space directly to companies or use ad networks, such as Google AdSense or Media.net.

Ad networks automatically place ads on your blog based on your content and audience.

However, you need to have a significant amount of traffic to earn a substantial income from advertising revenue.

Monetizing your blog requires a combination of strategies, including affiliate marketing, selling products or services, and advertising revenue.

By diversifying your income streams, you can increase your earning potential and make a sustainable income from blogging.

Promoting Your Blog

sharing-blog-content

Once you have created quality content for your blog, it is important to promote it to attract readers and make money.

Promoting blog content requires a good amount of effort, but it can bring in tons of visitors to your site.

Here are some ways that you can drive traffic to your blog.

Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn can be powerful tools for promoting your blog.

By sharing your blog posts on these platforms and engaging with your followers, you can attract new readers and build a loyal audience.

To make the most of social media marketing, you should:

  • Create social media accounts for your blog (I at least create an account on each social media channel) and share your posts regularly.
  • Use relevant hashtags to help people find your content.
  • Engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages.
  • Collaborate with other bloggers and influencers in your niche to reach a wider audience.

Email Marketing

Email marketing is another effective way to promote your blog and build a loyal audience.

By collecting email addresses from your readers, you can send them regular updates, exclusive content, and you can also promote products that they might be interested in.

To make the most of email marketing, you should:

  • Offer a freebie such as an eBook or a printable in exchange for email addresses.
  • Send regular newsletters with updates, exclusive content, and promotions.
  • Use a catchy subject line and a clear call to action to encourage readers to open your emails.

Collaborations and Guest Posting

Collaborating with other bloggers and guest posting on their blogs can help you reach a wider audience and build relationships with other bloggers in your niche.

Here are some tips to help you with your collab and guest posting efforts.

  • Reach out to other bloggers in your niche and propose a collaboration or a guest post.
  • Offer value to their audience by creating quality content that is relevant to their blog.
  • Include a bio and a link to your blog in your guest post to attract new readers.

By promoting your blog through social media marketing, email marketing, collaborations, and guest posting, you can attract new readers and build a loyal audience that will help you make money through your blog.

Tracking Your Progress

website-analytics

Once you have started your blog, it is essential to track your progress to understand what is working and what is not.

This will help you to identify areas where you need to improve and optimize your blog to increase your revenue.

It’s also a great way to see how your blog has grown (or not) within the last few days and months.

Using Analytics Tools

Analytics tools are an essential part of tracking your blog’s progress.

Google Analytics is what I use and recommend, as there is no better way to get insights on your site’s traffic than through the biggest search engine out there.

Google Analytics is a very popular tool that provides valuable insights into your blog’s traffic, audience, and engagement.

Some of the key metrics to track include:

  • Pageviews: The number of times your blog pages have been viewed.
  • Unique Visitors: The number of unique visitors to your blog.
  • Bounce Rate: The percentage of visitors who leave your blog after viewing only one page.
  • Time on Site: The average time visitors spend on your blog.
  • Conversion Rate: The percentage of visitors who take a desired action, such as signing up for your newsletter or purchasing a product.

By tracking these metrics, you can gain a better understanding of your audience and what content is resonating with them.

Setting and Reviewing Goals

Setting goals is another way to track your progress and ensure that you are on track to meet your blogging objectives.

Goals can be anything from increasing traffic to your blog, growing your email list, or increasing your revenue.

When setting goals, it is essential to make them specific, measurable, and achievable. For example, instead of setting a goal to increase traffic to your blog, you could set a goal to increase traffic by 20% over the next three months.

Once you have set your goals, it is important to review them regularly to ensure that you are on track to meet them. If you find that you are not meeting your goals, you may need to adjust your strategy or tactics to get back on track.

In conclusion, tracking your progress is essential to the success of your blog. By using analytics tools and setting and reviewing goals, you can gain valuable insights into your audience and ensure that you are on track to meet your objectives.

Scaling Your Blogging Business

Once you have learned how to make money blogging and you’ve implemented the tips and strategies I have mentioned, it’s time to find ways to make the most out of your blog.

As your blog grows, you may find yourself needing to scale your blogging business to keep up with demand.

You might’ve hit a plateau and you might need to adjust some things.

Here are some ways that you can scale things and make the most out of your blog.

Hiring Content Writers

One way to scale your blogging business is to hire content writers to help you create more content.

This can help you publish more frequently and cover a wider range of topics.

When hiring content writers, it’s important to find writers who are knowledgeable about your niche and can write in a style that matches your brand.

Here are some tips for hiring content writers:

  • Look for writers who have experience writing in your niche.
  • Ask for writing samples to see if their writing style matches your brand.
  • Set clear expectations and guidelines for the content they create.
  • Provide feedback to help them improve and stay on brand.

I’ve done this many times, but finding a solid writer that doesn’t charge you an arm and a leg is not easy.

Shop around and find at least one that is willing to work with you.

Expanding Your Niche

Expanding your niche can also help you scale your blogging business.

By covering a wider range of topics, you can attract a larger audience and create more opportunities for monetization.

However, it’s important to make sure that any new topics you cover are still relevant to your brand and audience.

Here are some things to consider when expanding your niche.

  • Research new topics to see if they are relevant to your audience.
  • Start small by adding one or two new topics at a time.
  • Use keyword research to find new topics that are popular in your niche.
  • Monitor your analytics to see how your new topics are performing.

Scaling your blogging business takes time and effort, but it can be a great way to take your blog to the next level.

By hiring content writers and expanding your niche, you can create more content, attract a larger audience, and increase your monetization opportunities.

Conclusion – Now You Know How to Make Money Blogging

Becoming a blogger was never something I thought I would be doing and the idea that you could make money blogging never crossed my mind.

Fast forward ten years and I can’t believe I’ve been doing it for such a long time.

If you have the passion for helping others through blog content, I am more than confident that you too can become a successful blogger.

If you have any questions or still want to comment on anything about my site, feel free to do so in the comments section below.

Besides that, I hope you have found the best tips on how to make money blogging.

Put in the time and effort now and you will see that a full-time income on the internet is definitely possible.

Who knows, you might just end up living the digital nomad lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective ways to monetize a blog?

There are several ways to monetize a blog. Some of the most effective ways include affiliate marketing, sponsored content, display ads, and selling digital or physical products. It’s important to choose the monetization method that aligns with your blog’s niche and audience.

How can affiliate marketing be used to generate income from blogging?

Affiliate marketing is a popular way to generate income from blogging. By promoting products or services on your blog and including affiliate links, you can earn a commission for each sale made through your unique link. It’s important to only promote products that you believe in and that align with your blog’s niche and audience.

What are some successful blog niches that can generate income?

There are several blog niches that have proven to be successful in generating income. Some of these niches include personal finance, health and wellness, food and recipes, beauty and fashion, and travel. However, it’s important to choose a niche that you are passionate about and that has a demand from your audience

How long does it typically take to start earning money from a blog?

The amount of time it takes to start earning money from a blog varies depending on several factors, such as the niche, the quality of content, and the marketing strategy. Some bloggers may start earning money within a few months, while others may take a year or more. It’s important to focus on creating high-quality content and building a loyal audience before monetizing your blog.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when trying to make money from blogging?

Some common mistakes to avoid when trying to make money from blogging include choosing the wrong niche, not focusing on building a loyal audience, not optimizing your blog for search engines, and not diversifying your income streams. It’s important to have a clear strategy and to continually learn and adapt to the changing landscape of blogging.

Can a blog realistically generate a full-time income?

Yes, a blog can realistically generate a full-time income. However, it takes time, effort, and dedication to build a successful blog that generates a substantial income. It’s important to have a clear strategy, focus on creating high-quality content, and continually engage with your audience to build a loyal following.

About John

Dad, human, and digital entrepreneur who lives the digital lifestyle to the fullest. You'll mostly find him at coffee shops trying to get work done or at the mall with his kids.

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