Best of How to Make Money from Blogging in 2023: The Ultimate Guide

How to make money from blogging is one of the most frequently asked questions online.

Do you enjoy blogging and want to earn some additional money? Blogging is a low-cost business concept that has the potential to bring in thousands of dollars each month. With 11 revenue sources employed by seasoned bloggers who rely on their websites for a full-time livelihood, this article explains how you can make money blogging.

What kind of income may bloggers expect?

Blogging has nearly endless possibilities. Bloggers with a solid following, like Ryan Robinson, who writes a site on blogging, may earn up to $30,000 per month. Just two years after starting his blog as a side gig in 2019, Adam Enfroy made $1.5 million from it. He did this by writing about the business of blogging.

Bloggers may make money on more than simply monthly income. Many of the blogs listed for sale on marketplaces like Flippa carry hefty six-figure price tags. When their creative effort is bought, bloggers profit.

Sadly, not every blogger can generate millions of dollars from their blog. Your blog’s potential for income is influenced by two things:

Your expertise. Do consumers in your market spend a lot of money on products? For instance, the software sector might be lucrative because of the large number of businesses that offer recurring commissions. Long after the buyer has completed the purchase, bloggers might still make a tiny monthly income. (More to follow on this.)

Your marketing techniques. For novice bloggers who wish to uphold their basic beliefs, some blog monetization strategies are off-limits, such as getting compensated to post information you disagree with. The short-term earning potential may be impacted by this.

How soon can a blogger start earning money?

The majority of the time, people who blog do so as a side business in the hopes of eventually being able to leave their day employment. However, every blogger has a different timeframe for generating a sizable revenue.

Some people with an entrepreneurial spirit earn their first $100 online in a matter of months, like Brittany Berger, the founder of Work Brighter, who began making money almost right away. In her weekly newsletter and on the page where people sign up for her newsletter, Berger advertised a straightforward $20 digital download. In the early stages of the blog’s existence, she claims, “I was able to convert a significant number of the audience.”

“I believe waiting until you have a larger following to launch anything might end up making you feel more pressure on yourself, so I’m pleased I tried with a tiny product while my audience was small.”

In 2008, Mushfiq Sarkar, another blogger, began writing on the side in addition to his day job. Despite having no prior marketing expertise, Mushfiq claims that he quit his job in April 2021 to concentrate on The Website Flip because it was expanding quickly and because blogging and website growth were more important to him than his previous employment.

Despite just being a few years old, the site is currently quite profitable: “I debuted during the height of the epidemic in April 2020. Many people recognized me by name, but they were unaware that I blogged frequently or covered the business. Within a month or two, I managed to make some money.”

In this article, let’s see 11 different approaches to making money from blogging.

Let’s start.

11 ways to make money from your blog

Are you looking for a creative side business to supplement your income? Here are 11 methods to monetize your blog, whether you’re establishing one from scratch or expanding an existing one.

Also read: Best Hosting Web Companies in 2022: Ultimate Guide

1. Pick a lucrative niche

Picking a niche is #1 in this article on how to make money from blogging.

A niche, like vegan recipes, is a particular area of study within a larger field. By deciding on one for your blog, you help visitors connect with it. They are aware of what to expect when they come, which increases the likelihood that you will be their first stop when seeking assistance.

According to Mushfiq, the creator of The Website Flip, “Quality and expertise are everything before revenue if you want to stand out.” Make a persona for yourself to represent who you are in that area after determining what your niche is and why you should be writing about it. After that, you’ll gradually gain a following. Profitability comes later.

Countless niches, ranging from corporate software to pet accessories, have successful bloggers. However, not all niches are profitable.

A successful blog niche satisfies three requirements:

• It’s something you’re good at, interested in, or both. For blogs to grow a following and start earning money, they must continuously produce a ton of high-quality material. Blogging about something you truly care about will not only be more pleasant, but it will also enhance your chances of making money. Maintaining an activity we like is simpler.
• Low level of competitiveness. Evidence that others are generating money in your industry includes popular blogs, brands, or forums. Similarly, run a Google search to determine how tough it is to rank keywords. If well-known companies (with even larger marketing costs) are monopolizing the top page of search results, it will be more difficult to get organic visitors.
• Potential for profit. Consider the revenue potential for each market on your shortlist. Do businesses in that category charge for product advertisements on other blogs? Do a lot of affiliate programs sell goods in that market? Both are great indications of a lucrative blog topic.

2. Create a mailing list

Creating a mailing list is #2 in this article on how to make money from blogging.

You need devoted readers who appreciate your advice if you want to generate money from your site.

Building an email list for your blog is one of the finest methods to do this. When a reader chooses to receive communications from your site, you have their consent to contact them in their inbox, which is the most hallowed area of all.

“For me, email marketing is the sales channel with the highest profit margin. According to Brittany Berger, the creator of WorkBrighter, “I don’t try to sell directly through other channels anymore.”

Use a pop-up window to encourage blog readers to join your mailing list. The objective is to get new visitors to choose to hear from you by offering them an incentive, such as:

• Checklists for free
• Resources or Product Recommendations
• Content from a blog bundled as a PDF

After they sign up, keep building your connection with them by providing them with interesting or informative information. You’ll develop a customer base that is eager to purchase the things you suggest.

Meet Lily Ugbaja, who founded the site FindingBalance.

“Because I wanted to do something I love, stay at home with my son, and yet generate money at the same time,” she said.

To start making money from her site, Lily had to wait two weeks. “I utilized emails to advertise my products and similar affiliate products with tripwires and Facebook groups. To encourage individuals to join up after reading your content, you add lead magnets to your website. You share a one-time offer—a low-end product at an absurdly low price, in my case $7—instead of a success page”.

Even though the site has less than 1,000 page views every month, Lily claims that her first month concluded with more than $100, and shortly after that, $100 grew to “a few thousand” per month.

“The majority of profitable bloggers monetize using affiliate products and merchandise, and neither of those sources converts without considerable preparation. Build funnels while working backward. Create blog material that promotes the sales of a product you wish to sell by starting with that product.”

3. Compose sponsored product reviews

The sponsored post is #3 in this article on how to make money from blogging.

All companies want their customers to see social proof that their items are worthwhile purchases. They can do it, for example, by paying bloggers to produce reviews.

Ask your favorite companies if they’d be interested in sponsoring a blog review by contacting them. If you use the product for something other than a review, this strategy costs you almost nothing. You are only being compensated for the opinion you already have about a product.

When doing sponsored product reviews, always read and understand FTC regulations. 

Keep your blog out of trouble by:

• stating if you received compensation to write the review. Include the following disclaimer at the opening of your post if you’re being paid to publish a review, for instance: “I’ve been paid to write this review and may receive a commission if you buy this product.”
• being truthful. Let readers know both the good and the negative so they may decide for themselves whether to buy the product you’re reviewing.

4. Market advertising spots

The advertising spots are #4 in this article on how to make money from blogging.

Bloggers can get paid by businesses to display advertisements on their blogs. Give them space that would otherwise be empty in return for money.

There are two ways to develop this revenue source for your blog:

• Deal with businesses one by one. Find businesses in your niche and inquire about their interest in placing an advertisement on your website. It takes more time and requires great negotiation abilities, but it can result in the highest payout if done effectively.
• Make use of ad networks. Do you favor a hands-off strategy? The paying of advertisers is handled via platforms like Google AdSense, Mediavine, and AdThrive that claim space on your blog. Put their code on your website, and you’ll get compensated to display advertising.

The most profitable sales channel for my site is display advertising, according to Emily Brookes, a blogger at Emily May. “Display advertisements make up about 60% of the earnings on my blog,” she claims. Even when I haven’t added any new material, ads constantly bring in money each month.

Driving website traffic should be your first focus if you want advertising to be a significant source of income for your blog.

The average cost per thousand impressions (CPM) for display adverts on ad networks like Google AdSense is roughly $1.25. You’ll generate more money by exposing more visitors to the advertisements on your site.

Before submitting an application to join the network, Mediavine and AdThrive require bloggers to reach minimum page-view thresholds. It’s an investment that will eventually provide returns. Monica Lent, Owner of Not a Nomad blog, generates the majority of earnings from this kind of blog advertising.

Reading Middle Grade is a book blog operated on the side by Afoma Umesi. In her own words, “I had no expertise and started writing as a pastime before choosing seriously to commercialize the site.”

I decided on affiliate connections and advertisements since I needed something passive. Ads were the ideal solution for me because I currently don’t want to create or sell any digital goods or services, and I also don’t like sponsored articles very much. All I require is visitors to my blog.

Three-quarters of Reading Middle Grade’s current monthly income, which ranges between $800 and $1,000, comes from this kind of advertising. Don’t be embarrassed or frightened to employ adverts, advises Afoma. Some people find them annoying, but if you offer something of value and make good use of them, most users hardly even notice the adverts.

5. Join a program for affiliate marketing

Joining affiliate programs is #5 in this article on how to make money from blogging.

The act of making product recommendations to readers of your site is known as affiliate marketing. When people use your unique link to buy the product, you’ll get paid.

Given that the information you give will already be impacting their purchasing decisions, it’s a fantastic revenue potential for bloggers. You may increase the know, like, and trust aspects necessary to close sales by making your blog a hub for educative information.

The appeal of affiliate marketing is that it eliminates the necessity for product creation. Join an established e-commerce company and work as a virtual salesperson for them. You don’t have to bother about creating marketing materials, sending out goods, or handling customer support.

Join an affiliate marketing network like ShareASale, AWIN, or ClickBank to earn money blogging this way. The dashboard allows you to search for programs in your area, submit an application to join them, create unique links, and monitor affiliate earnings.

Additionally, you might look for high-ticket affiliate programs from companies that sell pricey goods like software, jewelry, or gadgets. When bloggers direct users to those products, they receive significant payments. Affiliates who promote Shopify, for instance, receive a 100% commission on the first two installments of any subscription plan.

6. Provide services.

Providing services is #6 in this article on how to make money from blogging.

As your following grows, more people will naturally identify your name with the blog topics you write about. That’s a fantastic method to establish authority, which is something people seek when they are looking to solve a problem. 

“Consulting is a significant source of income if you work in the B2B sector as I do. What type of counsel can you do if people are truly reading your material and you have some expertise? The Website Flip’s founder Mushfiq believes it’s a high-revenue, low-commitment approach to monetize blogging.

Despite the time commitment required to manage a service-based business, it may be a rapid method to earn money online. By leveraging your blog material to showcase your knowledge, you may command a higher hourly rate and attract high-paying clients.

Here are some examples of services you might offer in addition to your blog:

• Consulting services
• Graphic design
• Freelance and Goast writing
• Virtual assistance 
• Classes or workshops 

Utilize time-saving applications like Acuity and Calendly to schedule appointments and collect payments. Start attracting new customers by promoting your service through your blog, whether it be a stand-alone landing page or a display advertisement in your sidebar.

7. Market digital goods

Selling digital goods is #7 in this article on how to make money from blogging.

Selling goods in addition to your blog is a more scalable approach to earning money through digital products. Unlike service-based enterprises, there is no time-for-money trade-off. Additionally, unlike actual goods sales, there are no production or shipping expenses.

The maxim “develop once, sell twice” refers to the fact that you may produce digital items once and sell an endless number of them through your blog.

“I decided to include printables—and subsequently other digital products—to diversify my revenue and increase my level of ownership. Since I let readers choose how much to pay for my printables up to this point, sales figures haven’t been astronomically high. However, I’m proud of the fact that my printables are downloaded more than 800 times” – Swift Salary’s creator, Dylan Houlihan

Use a reader poll asking, “What problem do you require help with that the blog isn’t presently solving for you?” to learn what digital goods your audience might purchase. The responses may reveal concepts you may package and market as:

• ebooks
• Printables
• Workbooks  
• Online courses 

For eight years, full-time blogger Benjamin Houy has been in charge of the website French Together. Digital goods are a component of the blog’s monetization strategy, notably the French course, which generates 90% of its income.

“Based on the niche, Ads and affiliate links can be wonderful monetization tactics, but building a product is both easier and more lucrative than most bloggers realize,” claims Benjamin. “When you launch your product, it doesn’t have to be the greatest thing ever; it just needs to be something your audience would find valuable and be willing to pay for.

“Selling your product is fantastic since you can tweak it in response to customer feedback and you won’t have to worry about affiliate programs being terminated or an increase in ad blockers.”

8. Market tangible goods

Selling physical products is #8 in this article on how to make money from blogging.

Is there a cult following for your blog? Loyal blog readers rapidly turn into rabid followers willing to support their favorite influencer. By selling real goods, you may aid them in accomplishing that while also bringing in money for your blog.

The print-on-demand business model suits tiny blogs since you only incur production expenses when a customer buys a product. When things are produced in volume, there is no extra inventory, no storage fees, and no significant upfront expenditures.

Use a platform like Printful or Printify to make personalized products like:

• Mugs
• T-shirts
• Stickers 
• Posters
• Tote bags
• Phone cases 

Searching for ideas? Her First $100K promotes products with ideas that its target audience would agree with. On branded tote bags and t-shirts, you’ll see words the blog is known for, including “Smash the Patriarchy” and “Financial Feminist.”

Do you prefer something more active? Create your first online store and use the readers of your blog as your initial customers.

Thanks to the founder’s blog, one of the most notorious beauty businesses in the world were born. On her blog, Into The Gloss, Emily Weiss offered beauty advice and gained a following of devoted readers. Later, she created a skincare brand for the audience of the site. That served as the foundation for Glossier, a cosmetics company that is today worth more than $1 billion.

Another entrepreneur who used this strategy was Richard Belton. For over eight years, he has been writing about maple syrup on his blog, Kaito Ridge, and utilizing the site to earn money via Amazon associate revenue.

Richard, however, recently changed his blog’s monetization approach and took charge of the revenue potential of the platform by launching his first Shopify store. “To lessen my dependency on Amazon, I’m currently directing my articles, blogs, and educational postings to connect to my own Shopify shop”, he says.

9. Establish a membership group.

Creating a membership program is #9 in this article on how to make money from blogging.

Give your most dedicated readers a special experience for which they must pay a little cost.

This kind of community is crucial to social interaction, which is crucial in a society that is more centered online. Communities have been shown to improve mental health, and 52% of consumers will spend more on companies (or blogs) that reflect their beliefs.

Take it from Peak Freelance blog owner Michael Keenan, who also oversees a membership community: “If you want a reliable money source for your blogging activities, consider a membership program. You may provide members-only access to guides and courses, rewards, and even a Slack channel like the one we provide for Peak Freelance members.

“Decide whether to charge membership dues on a monthly or annual basis. Offer a slight discount to customers who pay annually. This provides you with a wonderful financial stream that you can utilize to create new products and content for members”.

10. Make money from YouTube videos

Creating Videos on YouTube is #10 in this article on how to make money from blogging.

Have you signed up for an affiliate network to try to make money from your blog? By diversifying the material you provide, you may increase your audience and, consequently, your revenue sources.

To increase affiliate commissions, include video marketing on your list. Approximately 88% of individuals have been persuaded to purchase after viewing a commercial. Make it your review, haul, or instructional, and you’ll be compensated when a viewer purchases as a result of your suggestion.

By using each piece of information on your blog as the basis for a video script, you may increase the amount of money you make from it. Make a video of yourself discussing the same subject, edit it, and post it on YouTube.

For instance, the writers at A Beautiful Mess produced a YouTube tutorial on how to build built-in bookcases. The blog post, which includes affiliate links to the goods used in the instruction, is referenced in the video description.

This tactic is effective for several reasons. To begin with, not everyone likes reading internet stuff. Some individuals like watching videos. Creating merely written content might alienate thousands of individuals.

Second, the two most widely used search engines worldwide are Google and YouTube. The probability that your target reader will locate and use your content on both platforms will increase the odds of affiliate product purchases.

Google’s algorithm includes YouTube videos on the search engine results page for selected queries (SERP). For instance, a YouTube video on the subject will appear as the first result when you search for “how to groom your dog at home.”

11. Create a podcast and secure a sponsor

Creating your own podcast is #11 in this article on how to make money from blogging.

Podcasts, another alternative format, are more popular than ever. A podcast has been listened to by more than 50% of US consumers, up from 33% in 2015.

However, episodes do more than merely pass the time on morning journeys. According to studies, 53% of listeners who learn about a product through podcast sponsorships will look it up online to learn more. 35% more people will bring up the item in a discussion with a friend. They are appealing proposals for businesses trying to broaden their audience due to both of these factors.

By creating your podcast, you may take advantage of your audience’s interest. Record yourself discussing a subject related to your area of expertise, then upload each episode to a streaming service like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Offer sponsorship possibilities to companies in your niche. Give businesses a direct route to their target market in exchange for a sponsorship fee by renting out ad space.

This calculator for podcast earnings shows a blogger with:

• 10,000 downloads of episodes
• the monthly release of four new episodes
• two advertisements (one pre-roll)

…may generate an extra $16,000 in revenue annually.

The drawback of using podcasts for marketing is that they may be expensive, both in terms of time and money. Building a rapport with a new audience requires patience. To create the podcast itself, you’ll also require equipment like a top-notch microphone and editing software.

But if you do it correctly, you could be able to expand your blogging business with a new, profitable source of income.

Make money off of your blog

It takes time to establish a successful blogging business. The most profitable source of income may vary depending on your topic, your relationship with your audience, and the type of material you are providing. Before experimenting with these revenue strategies, concentrate on developing excellent content and a committed readership.

FAQ about monetizing your blog

How are new bloggers able to generate money?

Display advertising is the easiest way to monetize a blog. While you don’t need any specific knowledge to rent out space on your blog to Google AdSense, you will be compensated for every 1,000 people that view the advertisement.

Do you need to have the experience to blog?

You may earn money blogging without having any prior professional expertise. Your website is completely under your control, which provides you the opportunity to practice and learn new digital marketing techniques.

How can I blog my way to $100 a month?

You may quickly earn your first $100 online by blogging. Select a lucrative topic, create an email list, and promote affiliate-friendly items to begin. If customers buy thanks to your suggestion, you might make hundreds of dollars each month.

What kind of blogs generate revenue?

A solid bond with their audience is a characteristic of high-paying blogs. You are more likely to make money blogging if more people read your blog and believe the information you offer.

What blog platform is most effective for generating income?

The most popular blogging platform is WordPress, however, some people choose to use Blogger, Squarespace, or Tumblr instead. The article’s monetization tips will assist you in generating income from your blog regardless of the platform you decide on.