Today’s article covers a topic I’m frequently asked about: how to make money blogging and other ways to earn online.
If you’re planning to start a blog, I created a step-by-step tutorial that explains how to set up a blog for low cost. Hosting can start as low as $3.49 per month through the link in that guide, and signing up for 12 months often includes a free domain. Being self-hosted is important if you plan to monetize: it looks professional, gives you full control, and opens up more monetization opportunities.
Many emails I receive come from aspiring bloggers asking how to turn a blog into a reliable income stream. Others are from established bloggers seeking ways to increase their earnings.
My blog contributes a large portion of my monthly income through advertising, affiliate programs, consulting, and other strategies (I’ve shared detailed income reports in the past). This guide outlines proven methods to earn money blogging, based on practical experience.
When I launched my blog in August 2011, I didn’t expect it to become my full-time business. Over time I transitioned to blogging full-time, built multiple income streams, and now share monthly income reports to show what’s possible and how I achieved it.
My earnings grew slowly at first and then accelerated as I focused more on monetization strategies. I dedicate time to testing new income sources and optimizing existing ones, which has produced consistent growth.
Other helpful posts in this blogging series:
- Tips for Beginner Bloggers Part 1 – The Basics — Practical beginner tips and common mistakes to avoid.
- Blogger or WordPress – Tips on How to Move — Reasons to switch from Blogger to WordPress for better control and monetization options.
- How to Start a Blog – Tips for a Beginner — A practical walkthrough on choosing hosting, selecting a domain, and launching your blog.
- My Monthly Online Income Reports — Transparent breakdowns of how the blog earns each month and lessons learned.
- How To Monetize A Blog: How I Grew A $5 Million Blog — An in-depth look at advanced monetization strategies and scaling a blog into a full business.
Below are practical, proven ways to make money online through blogging.
Use advertising networks to earn revenue.
You can monetize with ad networks like Google AdSense, Media.net, and many others. These networks provide ad code you place on your site, and you earn based on impressions and clicks. Ads can appear in sidebars, within posts, on homepages, in banners above headers, or in footers.
Advertising is straightforward to set up and scales with traffic: more page views generally lead to more ad revenue. Layout and ad placement matter for both earnings and user experience, so test different locations and ad sizes to find what performs best for your audience.
Participate in affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services and earning a commission when readers purchase through your referral links. A single well-written post or product review can generate income for months or years with minimal maintenance, making this an attractive near-passive income source.
Successful affiliate promotions focus on products you genuinely recommend. For example, my guide on how to start a blog drives significant affiliate revenue because it provides clear value and direct recommendations readers can trust.
Popular affiliate networks and programs include AvantLink, FlexOffers, Commission Junction, EJunkie, and Amazon Associates. These platforms let you join programs, obtain affiliate links, and track performance. Choose affiliates that align with your content and audience needs.
Note that affiliate programs often have payout delays (30–60 days is common). Track conversions, optimize your highest-performing posts, and maintain transparency with readers about affiliate relationships.
Related resource suggestions and posts to explore in the series:
- 75+ Ways To Make Extra Money
- 10 Ways To Make Money Online From The Comfort of Your Home
- 10 Things I’ve Done To Make Extra Money
- Ways To Make An Extra $1,000 A Month
Direct advertising opportunities.
Direct advertising means working directly with brands that pay you to publish sponsored posts, reviews, or custom content. Brands might provide their own content or ask you to create material that highlights their product or service.
If you pursue direct advertising, set professional rates and avoid undervaluing your work. Many new bloggers accept low fees, but it’s important to price based on traffic, audience engagement, and the value you deliver to advertisers. A reasonable starting point is to charge at least a few hundred dollars per sponsored post, and established blogs can command significantly higher fees.
Staff writing and consulting services.
Writing for other sites and offering consulting services are flexible ways to monetize blogging skills. Many sites hire staff writers or freelancers for a fixed fee per article. Freelance writing can provide steady income and help build your portfolio.
Blog consulting covers a range of services: coaching new bloggers, offering content strategy and SEO guidance, reviewing monetization plans, or providing market research for brands. If you have proven results, consulting rates can be lucrative and provide another stable revenue stream.
Interested in starting a blog and learning how to earn online?
If you’re ready to begin, check out the guide How To Start Your Own WordPress Blog for a step-by-step walkthrough on setting up hosting, choosing a domain, and launching a blog designed to grow and monetize over time.