Hello! Today, I’m excited to share insights from a fellow blogger about how making money with a blog can transform your life. If you’re a blogger, you’re probably curious about monetizing your blog, but the usual advice—like placing ads, using affiliate links, or finding sponsors—can often be a time-consuming and low-yield effort, especially for beginners.
There’s a more effective way to make money: creating your own product. I started with a blog that was virtually unknown and made no money, except for a few pennies from Adsense. However, during the six-day prelaunch of my first product, I made just under $500. If I can do it, so can you.
Here are five steps to start making money with your blog:
1. **Create Value Consistently (and for Free)**
To earn money, you first need to earn people’s trust by providing valuable content for free. Avoid saving your best material for paying customers—make every post impactful. Whether you’re inspiring, informing, or entertaining, aim to make your readers want to return and share your blog with others. For example, I created an 11-page illustrated PDF called “Stop Dreaming and Start Doing: How to Actually Do What You Love” and gave it away for free. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and helped build my audience.
2. **Stop Talking to an Empty Room**
Many bloggers struggle because their message doesn’t reach enough people. I learned this the hard way with my first few blogs, which had minimal traffic. The turning point came when I started writing for bigger, well-known sites. Pitch articles to popular blogs in your niche to gain new followers. I did this with The Huffington Post, which brought hundreds of new subscribers to my blog.
3. **Partner with the Right People**
Use sites like Bloglovin’ or Blog Search Engine to find bloggers in your niche. Reach out to them authentically on platforms like Twitter, complimenting specific articles and suggesting future collaborations. Genuine intentions are key to forming valuable partnerships.
4. **Start a Community**
While having an email list is essential, engaging with your readers through a Facebook group can be even more effective. Create a group for your blog and invite your followers to join. This not only fosters a sense of community but also allows followers to interact with each other. I grew my Facebook community to several hundred members by simply inviting my email subscribers. Engaging with them helped me understand their challenges better.
5. **Create a Product**
After building trust and a community, you’re ready to create a product. Your followers will be more willing to pay for a resource you’ve developed. Whether it’s a video tutorial, an ebook, an online course, or coaching services, your Facebook community can help validate your product idea. For example, I noticed many aspiring bloggers in my group wanted to know how to grow their blogs. I asked if they’d be interested in an email course on the topic, and 32 people showed interest. I created the course and made a few hundred dollars during the prelaunch sale.
**Final Thoughts on Making Money with a Blog**
Making money from your blog requires a long-term vision. Focus on providing value, building a community, and creating products that meet your audience’s needs. When you prioritize finding a product for your customers, rather than the other way around, you open the door to making money doing what you love.
Kevin, the founder of People Passionate, shares these insights to help others pursue their creative ideas. Check out his blogging course, “The Blogging Roadmap,” to learn how to grow a successful blog. Are you interested in making money with a blog of your own? Why or why not?