How to make money blogging: A step-by-step guide

Did you know that with the right strategies, you can turn your blog into a powerful money-making machine?

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale up, there are countless ways to monetize your content. From passive income streams like ads and affiliate links to more involved methods like selling your own products or offering exclusive services, there’s a strategy for every type of blogger.

This guide will walk you through different monetization strategies, from beginner-friendly methods to more advanced options. We will also share our top tips on how to make money blogging, regardless of your niche or audience size.

How to make money blogging

Let’s go over all the different ways you can make your blog work for its keep.

We assume that you already have a blog; however, if you don’t, we recommend using Hostinger Website Builder to set up your own blog fast and then come back to this article.

1. Display ads on your blog

• Best for: bloggers with consistent medium-to-large traffic

Display ads are one of the simplest ways to start earning money from your blog. If you’re generating traffic but aren’t ready to create your own products or services yet, ads provide a low-effort, passive income stream.

With ad networks like Google AdSense, the setup is straightforward, and the ads are automatically targeted based on your readers’ interests. This method works best for blogs that already have a steady flow of visitors, as more traffic equals more impressions and clicks, which leads to more revenue.

Once you’ve placed ads on your blog, they work behind the scenes, letting you focus on content creation. You don’t need to worry about things like customer service, product development, or shipping logistics –instead, ads offer a hands-off way to monetize your existing audience.

How to start

• Sign up for an ad network like Google AdSense or Media.net.
• Choose high-visibility spots on your blog, like headers, sidebars, or sections within your content.
• Track ad performance using tools like Google Analytics to identify which placements work best.
• Experiment with different ad placements to maximize earnings while maintaining a good user experience.

2. Start affiliate marketing

• Best for: bloggers with niche audiences who want to earn passive income

Affiliate marketing is an excellent way to generate income by recommending products or services to your readers. By joining affiliate programs, you can earn a commission every time someone makes a purchase through your referral link.

This method works well for bloggers who have a niche audience that trusts their recommendations, as readers are more likely to engage with products they see as valuable and relevant.

Affiliate marketing helps you integrate promotions into your existing content naturally, without the need to create or manage your own products. It’s a great way to monetize your blog without taking on the logistical challenges of selling physical products.

How to start

• Join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or other niche-specific programs such as Hostinger Affiliate Program.
• Add affiliate links to relevant content, such as product reviews, tutorials, or listicles.
• Track the performance of your affiliate links using tools like ThirstyAffiliates or Google Analytics.
• Regularly update posts with new or more relevant affiliate links to maximize earnings.

3. Write sponsored content

• Best for: bloggers with engaged audiences who want to collaborate with brands

Sponsored content is a way to earn money by partnering with brands to create posts that promote their products or services.

Brands often seek out bloggers with loyal, engaged readers because these audiences tend to trust the blogger’s recommendations. Sponsored content works well for bloggers who have built credibility and rapport with their readers, as this helps maintain authenticity when introducing sponsored products.

The advantage of sponsored content is that it lets you monetize your influence while creating valuable content that aligns with your blog’s niche. This method provides a direct way to collaborate with companies, and often, sponsored posts come with higher payouts than ads or affiliate marketing.

How to start

• Contact brands that fit your blog’s niche, or sign up for influencer marketing platforms like Aspire or Izea.
• Pitch content ideas that fit both the brand’s goals and your blog’s tone, ensuring it feels authentic to your audience. 
• Clearly disclose that the content is sponsored to build trust and maintain transparency.
• Focus on maintaining the quality and authenticity of your blog while incorporating the brand naturally into the content.

4. Sell products on your blog

• Best for: bloggers with a defined niche who want to create their own products

Selling your own products is a powerful way to monetize your blog and directly connect with your audience.

Whether it’s digital products like eBooks, courses, or printables, or physical products like handmade goods or merchandise, creating products that align with your blog’s focus lets you offer something of value to your readers.

The benefit of selling products is that you have full control over pricing, branding, and marketing. You’re not relying on third-party advertisers or affiliate commissions, and the revenue potential is often much higher.

Selling products can also help you build a deeper connection with your audience, as they view you as a trusted source for not only content but also solutions.

How to start

• Set up an online store using an eCommerce platform like Hostinger Website Builder.
• Create products that resonate with your audience’s needs, such as digital downloads, courses, or physical items.
• Promote your products through your blog posts, email newsletters, and social media channels.
• Consider offering limited-time promotions or discounts to encourage purchases and drive sales.

5. Set up a membership program

• Best for: bloggers with a dedicated, loyal following who want to offer exclusive content

Setting up a membership program is a great way to generate recurring income by offering exclusive content or perks to paying members.

This works well if you have a dedicated audience that values your insights and is willing to pay for premium content, early access, or additional benefits. Membership programs help you create a sense of community and offer a more personalized experience to your most engaged readers.

This method helps you diversify your revenue streams by creating different membership tiers that cater to various levels of commitment. It’s an excellent way to build deeper relationships with your audience while creating a stable income source.

How to start

• Create different membership tiers with exclusive benefits such as early access to content, bonus materials, or members-only Q&A sessions.
• Market the membership program through your blog, email newsletter, and social media to encourage sign-ups.
• Engage regularly with your members by delivering consistent value and maintaining open communication to strengthen the community.

6. Offer online services

• Best for: bloggers with specialized knowledge who want to turn their expertise into a business

Offering online services through your blog is a great way to monetize your expertise, whether it’s through coaching, consulting, or workshops.

If you have a specific skill or knowledge that your audience values, selling services is a great way to get up and personal with your clients. This method is ideal for bloggers who want to build a personal brand and connect with their audience in a more hands-on way.

Offering services lets you charge higher rates than most passive income streams like ads or affiliate marketing. It’s also a great way to build authority in your niche and strengthen your relationship with your audience.

How to start

• Clearly define the services you want to offer, such as coaching, consulting, or group workshops.
• Promote your services on a dedicated page of your blog, outlining the benefits and including testimonials or case studies.
• Add an eCommerce store to your website to enable appointment scheduling and set up PayPal or Stripe to manage payments.
• Share success stories from clients to build credibility and encourage more sign-ups.

7. Collaborate with other blogs

• Best for: bloggers looking to expand their audience and increase traffic

Collaborating with other bloggers is a fantastic way to grow your readership and income by tapping into a wider audience.

Whether it’s through guest posts, joint projects, or cross-promotion, working with fellow bloggers in your niche can boost your blog’s visibility and attract new readers. This method is ideal for those who want to expand their reach without spending on ads or marketing, as it leverages the audiences of others.

Collaboration helps you build relationships with influencers in your field, which can lead to more opportunities like joint webinars, interviews, or co-authored content. It also helps drive traffic to your blog, improving your overall credibility and influence in the blogging community.

How to start

• Identify bloggers in your niche whose audience aligns with yours and reach out to them for collaboration opportunities.
• Suggest ideas like guest posting, content swaps, or cross-promotion through social media or newsletters.
• Create high-quality content for any collaboration to ensure it resonates with both audiences.
• Track traffic and engagement to see how well each collaboration boosts your blog’s reach.

8. Partner with brands

• Best for: bloggers with a strong personal brand who want to work with companies for product promotions

Partnering with brands lets you work directly with companies to promote their products or services through your blog.

This method is perfect if you’ve built a solid reputation in your niche. Brands often look for bloggers who can authentically promote their products to a loyal audience. Whether through product reviews, giveaways, or brand collaborations, this approach lets you generate income while providing value to both the brand and your readers.

The key benefit is that partnerships often come with higher payouts than traditional ad networks or affiliate programs. Plus, it helps position you as an influencer in your field, further strengthening your personal brand.

How to start

• Create a media kit that outlines your blog’s statistics, audience demographics, and any past collaborations.
• Reach out to brands that align with your blog’s content, offering ideas for product reviews, sponsored posts, or giveaways.
• Ensure that any brand collaboration feels authentic and fits naturally within your content to maintain trust with your readers.
• Clearly disclose partnerships to maintain transparency and build long-term trust with your audience.

9. Ask for donations and crowdfunding

• Best for: bloggers with a loyal, engaged audience who want to support your content

Asking for donations or using crowdfunding is a great way to generate income if your readers value your content and want to support your efforts.

This method works particularly well for bloggers who offer valuable, consistent content but may not want to monetize through ads or product sales. Platforms like Ko-fi or Buy Me a Coffee let readers contribute financially, helping you maintain and grow your blog while keeping it free from ads or heavy commercialization.

The main advantage is that you can maintain a direct relationship with your audience, offering them the chance to support your blog while keeping it focused on the content they love. It’s also a good way to fund new projects or series, as readers can directly contribute to the content they want to see.

How to start

• Set up a profile on platforms like Buy Me a Coffee or Ko-fi to accept one-time donations or monthly contributions.
• Clearly explain why you’re asking for support and how the funds will help improve your blog or content in general.
• Promote your donation options on your blog, social media, and newsletters, making it easy for readers to contribute.
• Consider offering small perks, like exclusive content or shout-outs, to donors as a way to say thank you.

10. Sell ad space directly

• Best for: bloggers with high traffic and influence who want more control over their ad revenue

Selling ad space directly to brands or companies gives you more control over your blog’s monetization compared to using ad networks.

By cutting out the middleman, you can negotiate ad rates, choose which brands you work with, and tailor ad placements to your blog’s layout and audience. This method is ideal if your blog has significant traffic and influence, helping you set competitive pricing for premium ad space.

The benefit of selling ad space directly is that you can potentially earn more than through ad networks, and you retain full control over which ads appear on your site. This can help maintain the quality and relevance of the ads for your audience, leading to better engagement and a more cohesive blog experience.

How to start

• Create a media kit that includes your blog’s traffic stats, audience demographics, and available ad spaces.
• Set clear pricing for different ad placements based on their visibility and traffic potential.
• Reach out to potential advertisers, particularly brands relevant to your niche, and pitch your ads.
• Update your media kit and pricing regularly as your blog’s traffic and influence grow, adjusting rates to reflect increased value.

Conclusion

There are numerous ways to make money blogging, each with different levels of involvement and earning potential.

Whether you prefer the hands-off approach of display ads and affiliate marketing or want to engage more actively by offering products, services, or memberships, there’s a strategy that works for your blog.

The key is to choose methods that align with your blog’s niche and audience while staying authentic to your brand. With the right approach and consistent effort, you can turn your blog into a sustainable source of income.

How to make money blogging FAQ