How to Make Money Blogging, Even If You're Just Starting Out

Did you know that with the right tools, strategy, and consistency, you can turn your passion for writing into a reliable stream of income? Whether you're blogging about lifestyle, tech, food, finance, or even your personal thoughts, there's room to grow and earn.

But let’s be real: starting a blog is the easy part. Making money from it? That takes work. Here’s a guide to help you get there.

READ MORE: Why should every business have a blog?

1. Pick a Profitable Niche

Before anything else, your niche matters. Not every blog topic has the same income potential. Some of the highest-earning niches include:

• Personal finance

• Health and wellness

• Lifestyle and productivity

• Food and recipes

• Parenting

• Tech and gadgets

• Travel

You don’t need to be an expert. But you should choose something you enjoy and are willing to write about consistently.

READ THIS: The 5 most essential steps you need to start a travel blog

2. Build a Blog That Looks Professional

If you're serious about blogging, skip the free domains. Instead:

• Buy a domain name (e.g., www.yourblog.com)

• Host your blog using reliable platforms like Bluehost, SiteGround, or Hostinger.

• Use WordPress or another content management system (CMS) to customise your design and functionality.

A clean, easy-to-navigate website builds trust with your readers and with brands that may want to work with you.

3. Create Valuable, SEO-Optimised Content

Blogging for money is less about venting your daily thoughts and more about solving problems for your audience. Every post should either:

• Answer a common question

• Teach something useful

• Offer recommendations or reviews

• Share personal insights with a purpose

Use SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) to increase your chances of showing up on Google. This means adding keywords naturally, writing clear headlines, using subheadings, and linking to other helpful content.

RELATED: How to write captivating SEO-friendly blog posts for your audience

4. Grow Your Audience First

No matter how good your content is, you won’t make money without readers. To grow your blog’s audience:

• Share posts on social media (Pinterest, X, Facebook, LinkedIn)

• Build an email list

• Collaborate with other bloggers or influencers

• Join niche forums or Facebook groups

The bigger your audience, the better your chances of earning through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate links.

5. Explore These Proven Ways to Make Money Blogging

Once you have traffic and content, here are ways to monetise:

Display Ads

Use platforms like Google AdSense, Ezoic, or Mediavine to earn based on how many people view or click ads on your blog.

Affiliate Marketing

You promote products you trust, and earn a commission when someone buys through your unique link. Popular programs include:

• Amazon Associates

• ShareASale

• Impact

• Jumia and Konga affiliates (for Nigerian bloggers)

EXPLORE MORE: 5 proven ways to become a consistent blogger

Sponsored Posts

Brands may pay you to write about their product or mention them in a post. Once your blog grows, PR and brand teams may start reaching out to you.

Sell Your Own Products or Services

You can sell:

• Ebooks

• Online courses

• Consulting or coaching

• Templates and printables

Your blog becomes a platform to promote what you’re offering.

6. Be Consistent and Patient

The biggest blogging myth? “I started a blog and made 1m in a month!” Realistically, it takes 3–12 months to start earning anything substantial. Stay consistent. Post quality content regularly. Learn from analytics. Improve your skills.

You don’t need to have it all figured out to start. You just need to start and stick with it. 

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