If you are looking for a way to make money without working, buy a lottery ticket.
If you want to learn how to make money blogging and earn a part-time or full-time income from home while enjoying a flexible schedule, new relationships, and the potential to help millions of people, then starting a blog may be for you.
If you can think of a topic, hobby, or online business idea, someone is probably making money blogging about it, and so can you. That’s why this is one of our favorite side hustle ideas.
In this comprehensive article, I will teach you how to make money with a blog. But before we begin, let’s establish a solid foundation of what to expect as a new blogger.
Before Starting Your Blog
The biggest difference between the late 90s (the dot-com bubble) and now is that free blogging software like WordPress provides the infrastructure for anyone to create a beautiful, high-traffic website that generates income. If other amateur bloggers can do it, you too can start a blog and make money online.
After all, I started with no formal computer science degree. I used to work in finance until I realized the power of the internet and how much I loved building websites.
My goal for BloggingTips is to teach anyone how to blog, which as the domain states, can be as simple as 1-2-3. Making money blogging online doesn’t have to be the most difficult thing you’ve ever accomplished.
What To Blog About
Everyone has an interest or passion they are knowledgeable about. The best topic to blog about is the one that ignites your passion, not the one that seems commercially viable, although that is critical too.
While it is important to provide readers with valuable information, readers can tell when a blogger truly cares about a subject. This creates a sense of trust with your audience, which will keep them coming back for more.
One of the lessons I’ve learned is to always offer your readers more than you ask for in return. If you present the best user experience, information, and insights, why should readers stop visiting your blog?
You’ll have earned their “customer” loyalty and if your readers are existing bloggers, they will refer their own audience to check out your site.
The Riches Are In The Niches
There are blogs about business, technology, news, personal finance, trading/investing, mobile apps, social media, career advice, education, traditional and online marketing, gaming, politics, religion, art and crafts, fashion, food, music, mommy blogs, home decor or interior design, dating and relationships, and any subject you can imagine.
Within each category or market are a number of niches. If this is your first foray into blogging, I highly suggest you start with a very low competition, niche site.
If you are unfamiliar with “niche sites”, they are blog websites focused on very specific subjects, audiences, or demographics.
For example, within the health industry, you could concentrate on “How To Get 6-Pack Abs”, “Weight Loss Product Reviews”, or “How To Make Your Hair Grow Longer” because competing with WebMD or MayoClinic on everything health and medical-related is nearly impossible as a solo blogger.
Remember, ranking on the 1st page of Google for a keyword that gets 5,000 searches per month is significantly better than ranking at the bottom of the 2nd page for a term that gets 500,000 searches per month.
Let’s be honest, not many people visit the 2nd page and you will not make money online with poor rankings and no traffic.
Why You Need Passion
So, why else is it important to pick a topic you are passionate about?
The answer is simple – because there are no overnight millionaires online. Unless you are building technology that revolutionizes an industry, there is no instant fame, traffic, or money. Blogging for money takes time.
Just like any other business, the journey to success is long. It may be 6 months or 2 years before you see any meaningful traffic or income generated.
It really depends on the size of your niche, the competition you face, changes in Google’s algorithm, your networking and social media skills, and a number of other factors. An online business has many of the same challenges a traditional once faces.
If you get lucky within the first few months and a big-time blogger or authority in your niche links to you, then congratulations, you are blessed. Otherwise, love what you do, blog for yourself, and anything else is gravy. Just don’t quit your day job!