How to Start a Blog (and Actually Make Money From It!)
Everyone has their own unique story, perspective, or life hack -- and blogging is one of the most powerful ways to share that with others while building a lasting digital asset.
Heads up: a few links are affiliate links, and some include special offers you won’t want to miss.
What is a Blog (And Why It’s a Hidden Gem 💎)
Blogging is one of my favorite platforms because it's personal and powerful at the same time.
Think of it as a way to share the experiences of your life -- the lessons you've learned, the mistakes you've made, the wins you've celebrated -- and help others grow by learning from you.
You don’t need to be an “expert” to start. You just need a real story or experience that you’re passionate about.
Like my friend who’s obsessed with traveling -- she’s been to countless countries, faced some hilarious (and horrifying) experiences, and shares tips so others can avoid her mistakes.
Treat your readers like your best friends. Help them make better decisions, learn faster, and save time.
👉 Think about it: What's one topic you could talk about for hours without getting tired?
That's your starting point. You should always choose something you're passionate about, because it’s that passion that keeps you going when things get tough.
Solve a real problem for your readers, and your blog will have lasting value. Forget chasing trends-- trends fade, but good solutions don’t.
Whether it's how you saved $10,000 in a year, your go-to skincare routine for acne-prone skin, tips for parenting toddlers on a budget, or even your journey healing from burnout -- there are always people searching for answers that align with experiences you’ve already lived through.
If you’ve ever found yourself inspired, uplifted, or helped by that one influencer who shared the exact advice you needed.
Whether it was a money-saving tip, a life-changing product, or simply a story that made you feel seen > then you already understand the power of sharing online.
Now, it’s your turn. Your voice, your experiences, and your lessons learned can be the turning point for someone else. Blogging gives you the platform to pay it forward, to make an impact, and maybe even to build something life-changing for yourself in the process.
Let’s dive in, step-by-step!
And Start you first blog
Finding Your Blog Niche 🎯
If you already have a rough idea (maybe it's self-care, finance, home decor, travel?), narrow it down into a niche.
A niche is like a cozy corner of a big house. 🏡
Instead of trying to "talk to everyone" -- you focus on a specific group with specific needs.
Examples:
"Self-care" becomes "Mental wellness for busy moms"
"Finance" becomes "Budgeting tips for university students"
"Home decor" becomes "Minimalist decor for small apartments"
Tip: If you're stuck between a few ideas, you can even ask ChatGPT to help you evaluate which one fits you best.
⚠️ Important note:
If you’re thinking about medical, legal, or health-related topics, know that Pinterest and Google are stricter. Without proper certifications, it’s harder to rank and monetize in these spaces.
Ready? Time to Brainstorm Some Blog Topics 🧠
Start with 5 blog posts related to your niche -- think about what questions your audience might have, what problems they're googling at 2 a.m.
Example:
Niche: Self-care
Topics:
"5 Self-Care Rituals You Can Do in 10 Minutes or Less"
"How to Build a Simple Morning Routine That Reduces Anxiety"
"Affordable Self-Care Products That Actually Work"
Set your tone:
Friendly (like texting a friend)?
Storytelling (like reading a novel)?
Professional (like giving a workshop)?
Pick one and stick with it -- consistency builds connection.
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Your Domain Name is Your Brand Name 🌟
Once you’re ready to post, it’s time to pick a domain name!
Make it simple, searchable, and relevant to your niche.
You don’t need a “perfect” name -- honestly, the brand is built through your content, not the name itself.
Examples:
"TheBudgetJourney" for finance tips
"BlissfulSpacesBlog." for home decor
"MindfulMomentsCo" for mental wellness
👉 Choose something easy to spell and remember!
Or Something you Like and represent you > It is Up to you
Moving to the Next Step
Once you know what you want to say and who you want to help, setting up your "home base"
your blog becomes the fun part.
Pro Tip: ChatGPT, for example, can help you come up with quick research ideas or evaluate product concepts.
Once you have a clearer direction, cross-check the information by learning from YouTube videos, blogs, or customer reviews to verify your findings and gain more in-depth insights.
Setting Up Your Blog (Hostinger is My Go-To 🚀)
Sign up for Hostinger’s Basic Plan
As a beginner, the basic plan is more than enough -- you can always upgrade later.
Use my discount code and get it for $2.99/month (~$36/year) -- totally within our goal of keeping startup costs under $100!
(And if you want to test the waters first -- you can even get your first month FREE.) 30 days cancelation
Register your domain name
Create your account and you’re ready to roll!
Seriously -- if you just saved $40 this month, you could cover a full year of blogging. It’s a super low-risk, high-reward investment. 💸
* And if you click on my referral link you can get 20% off your Hostigner account
How Blogs Actually Make Money 💰 (The Fun Part!)
A blog isn't just a hobby — it’s a real business with multiple income streams.
Here’s how you can turn your blog into a money-making machine:
1. Display Advertising (Easy Passive Income)
Display ads are those little ads you see sprinkled throughout blogs. You get paid either when someone views the page (impressions) or clicks on an ad.
You can sign up for ad networks like:
Google AdSense (great for beginners — no traffic requirement)
Ezoic
Monumetric
Mediavine (requires 50,000 monthly sessions, but pays much higher!)
✨ When I first added Google AdSense to my blog, I remember feeling thrilled earning my first $10 -- it felt like winning the lottery at the time! 🥹
As your blog grows, your ad income grows too. Many beginner bloggers make around $100–$500 per month after about 6–12 months of consistent effort. Intermediate bloggers can make $1,000–$5,000/month, and top blogs earn $10,000+ per month! (⭐)
2. Affiliate Marketing (Get Paid for Recommending Stuff You Love)
You can recommend products you genuinely use and love -- and get a commission every time someone buys through your link!
Where to find affiliate links:
Amazon Associates (great for beginners)
PartnerStack (for software tools)
ShareASale (lots of niches covered)
Think about it -- that phone organizer you bought from Amazon? That cozy blanket? You can review it and link it!
There’s an affiliate program for almost every niche:
Tech gadgets
Home decor
Fashion
Digital tools and AI software
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3. Sell Digital Products (Create Once, Sell Forever)
You can create digital products based on your niche and sell them through your blog!
Examples:
Self-care niche: Printable self-care planners
Home decor niche: E-books on DIY decor tips
Business niche: Canva templates for entrepreneurs
When paired with your blog posts explaining why your product matters, digital products can create a whole new income stream -- and you only have to create them once! 🙌
4. Sponsored Posts (Brands Pay You to Blog!)
Sponsored posts are where brands pay you to talk about their product or service on your blog.
As your blog grows, brands will reach out to you for collaborations (or you can pitch them!).
You’ll get paid for sharing authentic recommendations with your audience -- it’s a win-win!
Sometimes brand may pay you to put sponsor advertisement on your blog.
5. Recurring sales through email marketing
Blogging isn’t just about posting articles—it’s about building a community where like-minded people return for value, connection, and updates. When you blog around a topic you care about, you’re not just sharing info -- you’re creating trust.
Over time, your readers are more likely to subscribe to your newsletter, and that’s where the real relationship begins. Unlike one-time affiliate clicks, a blog helps you build long-term loyalty, allowing you to recommend new tools, share helpful tips, and introduce products to an audience that actually listens.
It’s your own little ecosystem, and it can grow into a consistent, long-term source of income -- just like memberships and loyalty programs.
And this is one of the reasons I recommend blogging for long term passive income
How to Drive Traffic to Your Blog
Now that you know how blogs make money, here’s the truth: without traffic, none of these income streams can actually work.
One of the best (and beginner-friendly!) ways to drive traffic to your blog is through Pinterest marketing.
Pinterest isn’t just a place for pretty pictures -- it’s a powerful search engine where people are actively looking for ideas, products, and solutions. If you set it up right, your blog can get steady, targeted traffic month after month without needing to constantly post like on Instagram or TikTok.
I actually wrote a full guide on how to use Pinterest to grow your blog traffic, with step-by-step actions you can take -- so if you’re serious about building your blog audience, you’ll want to check that out!
👉 Read my Pinterest Traffic Guide here!
Pinterest was a game-changer for me when I started out, and it’s still my #1 recommended strategy for new bloggers!
Final Thoughts 🌟
Starting a blog is one of the smartest investments you can make for your future.
You’re not starting from scratch -- you’re starting from experience.
You’re building something real, something that grows with you.
And the best part? You don’t need huge money to get started. You just need the willingness to begin.
Start your blog today -- imagine where you could be one year from now!
Start with Hostinger for the most affordable webhosting get 20% off > 20% off Hostinger
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Remember, every expert was once a beginner. Your unique experiences and insights can offer immense value to others. Start your blogging journey today and share your story with the world!
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