Ways to Make Money Online from Blogging

Making money from blogging is not simple.

1. How to Begin Writing a Blog

You can either utilize a free blogging platform or create your own website. Both options have their own pros and cons so make sure to thoroughly research before making a decision.

- Free Blogging Platforms: This is the top choice for regular bloggers and those not interested in monetizing their blogs. The advantage of this option is its easy setup and completely free usage. However, the downside is that you'll be limited in customization, uploading videos/images, unable to place ads or use affiliate links, and the platform retains the right to delete your blog.

Some of the best free blogging platforms currently include WordPress.com, Blogger, and Medium.

The Interface of Wordpress.

- Creating Your Own Website: This is the method preferred by professional bloggers and those aiming to earn money online. The advantage of this approach is that bloggers have full control over design and customization, as well as easy advertising or inserting links. Of course, you'll need to pay for the domain and maintain the website.

2. How to Choose a Blog Topic

Choosing a blog topic can be the easiest or the hardest part when starting your blog.

The Key in this Stage is Selecting a Niche You Deeply Understand. The Biggest Mistake New Bloggers Make in a Diverse Blogging World Like Today's is Starting to Write Without Unique Content.

Best Ways to Find a Topic for Your New Blog:
- Research Other Blogs: This should be your first step to consider how successful blogs look like and, more importantly, what's missing? Try to find gaps in the market.
- Use Google: What are people searching for? Utilize Google's suggested searches and autocomplete to discover everyone's interests.
- Search Forums for Frequently Asked Questions: When people can't find answers to their questions, they turn to forums. What are they asking? What advice do they need? These are crucial questions to identify the readers' needs.
- Keep Up with Current Trends: What topics are 'hot' in the media? It's great to choose a consistent topic, but if you can catch trends early, you'll have the ability to build your account as an expert ahead of most other bloggers.
- Consider Different Types of Content: Can you do guides or not? Or give reviews? Answer questions...? It might not be what you write about, but how you present your content that makes you stand out.
- Identify Your Own Interests and Passions: Although all the above are important, there's no reason to blog about things you're not interested in. You'll quickly lose motivation, and people will notice your lack of enthusiasm. Write about something you truly care about and understand.

3. How to Increase Blog Traffic

Once you've created your own website, write about a topic with broad potential. But even if you've published posts, the next question is how will readers access your content?

Promoting Your Blog on Social Media
- Just like any business today, you can't attract attention without social media accounts. Establish blog pages/accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram... Additionally, you can use social media accounts to share new posts.

Connecting with Other Bloggers
- Show interest in other bloggers - those who write about similar topics as you. Although they are technically competitors, you might be surprised by how supportive the blogger community can be.
- Many even have a 'links' page on their website, used to connect with countless friends in the community in exchange for a link on each blogger's blog.

Creating Viral Content
- Creating viral content will help you reach a new market and subsequently increase readership. This may be easier said than done, but the key to creating viral content is tapping into controversial or highly discussed topics related to your blog's field of interest.

4. Monetizing Your Blog

Once you have your blog, you can start exploring ways to profit.

- Utilize affiliate marketing on your blog: Almost all online e-commerce websites have an affiliate program like Amazon, Topshop, ASOS, and Apple. You can sign up for Affiliate Window - a massive network that allows you to promote thousands of brands and services.
- Add banner ads to your website: This is a more visual form of advertising; you can sell banner ad space on your blog to brands related to your blog's content.- Write sponsored content and ads: One of the best ways to earn money from a blog is to offer sponsored content (or ads). Essentially, these are ads in the form of a blog post or post on your blog.
- Charge for sponsored social media posts: If your social media account attracts a lot of attention, brands may come to you. Some bloggers earn their entire income from their blog through sponsored posts on social media. You can charge for each post/repost, and the amount you earn may surprise you.
- Sell digital products on your blog: If you have skills or credibility in giving advice, another option for you is to charge for access when 'reviewing' products like e-books, video tutorials, courses, or workshops.
- Sell blog newsletter space: This is also an option for brands to pay you in exchange for advertising in your monthly/weekly newsletter (if any).
- Attract attention from employers as a blogger: Use your blog to promote your own 'business' or even land yourself a full-time job as another (albeit indirect) way to make money with your blog.

Making money from a blog is relatively time-consuming and depends on traffic. The more readers you have, the more attractive you'll be to advertisers. Don't forget to use the above methods to increase income from multiple streams. If you want to make money from Instagram, check out the article on making money online on Instagram here.

Aside from blogging, you can also write reviews, product evaluations, services. If you do well, many customers will come to you, and your time spent will be worthwhile, earning more and more money.

Read More: Making Money Online by Writing Reviews