Are you trying to figure out how to make money blogging? You’re not alone. A recent study in 2020 found that over 31 million Americans now blog and many of them use their blogs to make money. But, it can be a challenge for beginners to earn enough money to make it worth their time.
In this post, we will share some tips on how to make money blogging. We’ll also share some of the best ways to monetize your blog. So, whether you’re just starting with a new blog or you’ve been blogging for a while, read on for tips on how to make money blogging.
What Is Blogging?
At its core, blogging is simply a form of online writing. A blog content post is typically shorter than a traditional article or essay and is more informal in tone. Blog posts also tend to be more timely than other types of writing, as they are usually posted in real-time and can offer readers a glimpse into the writer’s current thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
What Do You Need To Start a Blog?
First, keep in mind that it takes more than just web hosting, using a service like BlueHost, and creating a domain name. A successful blog requires planning, research, hard work, determination, and time. You don’t have to have all of the above items right off the bat, but if you want to be a successful blogger, you will need some of them.
Below is a list of items that will help you get started on the right foot.
- A clear purpose or focus for your blog: What will your blog be about? What information will you share with your readers, and what value is it supposed to give them?
- A niche: Just like any other small business, blogging is better when you focus on a specific blog niche or target audience. By narrowing your content, you can actually stand out from the competition, and create great articles.
- Content that’s valuable: Writing should not be something you do just for the sake of doing it. Your posts must have informational value and answer questions or solve problems for your audience. This will increase conversions.
- Consistency: This is one thing that most successful bloggers stick to and is a key driver in their success. Without consistency, people will forget about you quickly and may not come back to read new content. Remember, the goal is to keep your readers engaged.
How Much Money Can Someone Make Blogging?
Every blogger’s situation is unique, and each person’s earnings will depend on a variety of factors, including the niche they blog about, the number of hours they devote to their blogging business each week, and their level of experience.
The amount of money earned from a blogging platform also depends on the monetization methods used. For instance, bloggers who rely solely on advertising revenue will likely earn less than those who use a combination of advertising and affiliate marketing apps and WordPress plugins, e.g Amazon affiliate program, ShareASale, and ProBlogger.
How Do Bloggers Get Paid?
A common way that bloggers get paid is through sponsorship. A sponsored post is when a company pays a blogger to write about their own products or services. The compensation for a sponsored post can vary greatly, but it typically ranges from $500 to $5,000 per post depending on traffic, niche, and engagement.
In addition to sponsored posts, many bloggers also make money through affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is when a blogger promotes a product or service on their blog and earns a commission whenever someone clicks on the link and makes a purchase. For example, if I were to promote a pair of shoes on my blog and someone clicked on the link and purchased the shoes, I would earn a commission.
Another way that bloggers make money is by selling advertising space or online courses on their blogs. This is typically done through Google Adsense or another ad network to create passive income. Advertisers will pay the blogger based on a cost-per-click (CPC) or cost-per-thousand impressions (CPM) basis. These can all contribute to a profitable blog.
How to Make Money Blogging as a Beginner
In addition to the digital marketing monetization strategies above, it’s also important to focus on building an engaged audience for your blog.
This can be done by focusing on Search Engine Optimization (SEO), consistently creating high-quality content, hosting webinars and tutorials, and engaging with your readers through social media like LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and other online platforms, FAQs, and forums.
By doing this, you will not only drive organic traffic and increase page views through Google search engines to your blog, but you will also gain the trust and loyalty of your readers, which is crucial for making money as a blogger in the long run.
What Is the Average Income for Bloggers?
There is no definitive answer to this question when it comes to money-making since blog income varies so much from one blogger to the next.
That said, there are some general guidelines that can be followed in terms of earning potential for bloggers. For instance, it is estimated that professional bloggers who make a full-time income from their blogs (which is only 5%!) earn an average of $37,073 per year.
Of course, this is just an average, and there are many experienced and new bloggers and entrepreneurs who earn a lot of money – some make well over $200,000 or $300,00 per year, with the top bloggers making seven figures!
On the other hand, there are also many beginner bloggers and influencers who make less than $37,073 per year from their side hustle.
Here’s a Step-By-Step on How To Make Money Blogging:
1. Choose a Niche
Before you post for the first time, you have to consider: What are you passionate about? What do you know more about than most people? Narrowing down your focus will help you create content that is more valuable to your readers, and it will also make it easier to monetize your site through a profitable niche.
2. Do Keyword Research
Once you have a focus for your blog topics, the next step is to perform keyword research. This will help you identify high-value topics and keywords that your audience is already searching for, which will make it easier to create content that resonates with them and attracts traffic.
3. Make and Stick to a Content Calendar
Having a content calendar can also help you plan out the different types of content you’ll create, so you always have new material to share with your readers on a regular basis.
4. Collect Email Addresses
Another effective way to monetize your blog is to collect email addresses from your readers to create an email list. You can then use these addresses to send out regular newsletters with exclusive content, deals, and offers.
5. Think About Sponsored Product Reviews
If you have a large enough following, you may also be able to interest companies in sponsoring product reviews on your blog.
6. Sell Ads on Your Blog, Email Newsletter, or Social Media Channels
Another option for monetizing your blog is to sell advertising space on your site like the sidebar, in your email marketing newsletter, or on your social media channels.
7. Sign Up for Affiliate Marketing Programs
Another common monetization strategy for bloggers is to sign up for affiliate marketing programs. These programs essentially allow you to earn commissions when you refer customers or subscribers to other products or services.
8. Think About Offering Services
Another option for monetizing your blog is to offer consulting services directly related to your blog’s topic or niche. For example, if you run a food blog, you could offer catering services, cooking classes, recipe development or other gigs.
9. Integrate Ecommerce on Your Site
If you’re selling physical products, you can also integrate ecommerce directly onto your blog. This will allow your readers to purchase products directly from your site without leaving to go to another location. You can use a platform like WooCommerce or Shopify to set up an online store on your WordPress blog, or organize a pop-up shop.
10. Sell Digital Products
In addition to physical products, you can also sell digital products on your blog. This could include items like ebooks, courses, or digital images, and you can use any number of different ecommerce options to upload and sell these products.
11. Sell Subscriptions for Premium Content
If you have a large audience interested in your content and expertise, you may also be able to create a membership site. This will allow your readers to pay an ongoing subscription cost for exclusive content or access to special resources or services on your site.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. The 11 ideas above should help act as a guide when you’re thinking about how to make money blogging. It’s not easy and if we can leave you with a few thoughts, remember the following.
- Niches make riches: Pick a niche and own it. Become an expert on one specific space and build a content catalog for that community.
- Keep consistent. If you post once a month, that’s fine. If you post once an hour, that’s also fine. Whatever cadence you decide, stick with it and stay consistent. This helps build a routine for your audience that they will soon come to know and love.
- Stay persistent. Honestly, sometimes it’s just about outlasting your competitors. You may not see the fruits of your efforts for years. Stick with it and stay persistent.