Hey everyone,
There’s been a lot of discussion on this forum, and I’ve noticed a mix of hobby bloggers and folks wanting to turn their blogs into a real business that makes money.
If you’re blogging for fun, that’s awesome! But for those looking to treat it as a business and earn from it, there’s a lot more to consider if you want it to be profitable.
I’ve been blogging since 2018 and made over $150,000 in the last year, so I’ll be sharing my personal experience. I hope this helps answer some common questions.
Feel free to chime in with any advice or questions. I’m sure I didn’t cover everything!
##Step 1: Get started, choose a niche, and research
Before jumping in and creating your blog, do some research. However, don’t get stuck here forever! Some people keep learning and planning but never start. Spend one weekend learning and planning, and then move on.
SEO:
Learn some basic search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. This will help you when you start producing content. Check out resources like this forum for help with SEO questions.
Niche selection:
Pick a topic to blog about. Finding the right niche can be hard since there are endless things to write about, but focus on something that has low competition but is still popular. Use keyword research tools like Ahrefs or SERanking to find good opportunities.
Choose a niche that’s not a passing trend. For example, saunas are gaining popularity and have been around for years, but something like fidget spinners was a fad that died quickly. Look for something with staying power.
It helps if your niche is something you’re already familiar with. This gives you an edge when creating content, and it can make you more credible in Google’s eyes.
Don’t worry too much about how you’ll make money at first—just focus on driving traffic. If you get traffic, the money will come.
Check out forums like this one to get feedback and ideas.
Know your audience:
After picking your niche, research your audience. Find out their age, their problems, what they use, and where they hang out online. Are they on Facebook? YouTube? Pinterest? Figure out where they are and pick one social platform to focus on. Don’t try to do everything at once. It’ll spread you too thin.
Topical mapping and keyword research:
Use keyword research tools to find low-competition keywords related to your niche. There are plenty of resources and YouTube videos to help with this.
Create a topical map for your website. This will help you plan out content clusters around certain topics.
##Step 2: Set up your website
Setting up your website can feel overwhelming, but it’s doable. Here’s a quick guide.
Use WordPress.org (self-hosted) for your blog. You’ll need a domain name and hosting provider.
For your domain, use a service like Namecheap or GoDaddy. Choose a domain name that’s memorable and relevant, but not too restrictive so you can expand your blog’s focus in the future.
Avoid hosting companies owned by EIG (like Bluehost) because they’re overpriced and slow. Instead, look into hosting services like:
- Cloudways
- WP Engine
- Flywheel
- SiteGround
- Kinsta
Pick a fast, well-supported theme for WordPress. I recommend Kadence because it’s easy to use and comes with starter templates.
Install some basic plugins:
- WP SMTP Mail (for contact forms)
- Kadence Blocks (if using Kadence theme)
- Yoast SEO
- A speed optimization plugin like WP Rocket or Breeze
Set up Google Analytics to track visitors, and Google Search Console to track search performance.
##Step 3: Create content
Once your site is up, your focus should be on creating content. This is where people tend to get distracted or give up, but you need to keep going.
Publish content regularly—at least once a week if you can. Aim for high-quality, well-researched posts based on your personal experience and expertise. Don’t try to hit a word count for the sake of it—focus on covering the topic fully and clearly.
Avoid using AI to write your posts. Use it for brainstorming or outlines if needed, but don’t let it write for you.
Use original images and videos whenever possible. Your content should be valuable enough that readers don’t need to click back to search results to find more information.
Focus on your blog and one social platform where your audience hangs out.
##Step 4: Start monetizing
After a few months of producing content, start thinking about monetization. The most common methods are display ads (Google AdSense, Mediavine, Raptive) and affiliate programs (Amazon Associates).
Adsense is good for beginners, but premium ad networks like Mediavine and Raptive pay better once you reach their traffic requirements.
Amazon Associates is a solid affiliate program, but you can also find niche-specific affiliate programs. Just Google “[Brand/product] affiliate program.”
Creating your own products or services is one of the best ways to make money. You could sell digital products like courses, or physical products related to your niche.
Be sure to diversify your revenue streams. Don’t rely on just one way to make money.
##Step 5: Expand
Once you’ve got a good routine for blogging and your social platform, start expanding. Hire writers if needed and increase content production, but don’t let the quality drop.
Try growing into another social platform. But again, only after you’ve mastered your first one.
Work on branding your site and making it look professional. Add things like a logo, terms and conditions, a privacy policy, and even a physical mailing address.
Look into building backlinks to boost your site’s authority. HARO (Help A Reporter Out) and guest blogging can help with this.
##Common mistakes to avoid:
Here are some common mistakes people make:
- Publishing low-quality content
- Trying to make money too early
- Giving up too soon
- Spending too much time learning and not enough time doing
- Choosing a niche that’s too broad
- Using AI to write content
- Writing about overly competitive topics