Future ambitious, driven and visionary entrepreneurs who want to know How to Start a Personal Blog That Makes Money by sharing your passion and expertise with the world, this one’s for you! I know you’ve got a fire burning to not just blog for fun, but to actually make some serious cash while you’re at it. And you can absolutely make that happen.
The key is following a clear roadmap to set yourself up for blogging success from the start. We’re talking about choosing a profitable niche, creating killer content, implementing smart monetization strategies – the whole nine yards. It’s all totally doable, even if you’re a total tech novice right now.
I’ve been there myself, feeling overwhelmed but determined to turn my blog into a money-making machine. Through a ton of trial and error (read: hair-pulling frustration at times!), I’ve figured out what works. Now I’m here to share all my hard-won wisdom so you can avoid the headaches and jump straight to the good stuff.
Well, I’ve been there, done that, and I’m here to show you the ropes. Starting a personal blog that makes money isn’t as hard as you might think. A pinch of strategy mixed with hard work can magically turn blogging from just a hobby into a full-blown profitable business.
I’ll be your partner in crime, guiding you through choosing a money-making niche, creating content that ranks and converts, implementing smart monetization strategies – the whole shebang. It’s all totally doable when you have the right roadmap to follow.
Buckle up! We’re about to embark on an incredible journey together. By the time we’re done, you’ll have a thriving personal blog that does more than just share your passion – it’ll be an income generator too. Let’s get this money train started!
Contents
- Choosing the Right Blogging Platform
- Securing a Domain and Web Hosting
- Designing Your Blog with Themes and Branding
- Crafting Keyword-Focused Content
- Promoting Your Blog Across Digital Platforms
- Monetizing Your Blog Through Various Channels
- Building an Engaged Email List
- Analyzing Performance with Google Search Console
- Planning Your Content Strategy with an Editorial Calendar
- FAQs in Relation to How to Start a Personal Blog That Makes Money
- Conclusion
Choosing the Right Blogging Platform
Alright, let’s talk about the foundation of your blogging journey – choosing the right platform. And when it comes to blogging platforms, WordPress.org is the cream of the crop. It’s like the superhero of the blogging world, swooping in to save the day with its powerful features and flexibility.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: “But wait, aren’t there other options out there?” Sure, there are plenty of fish in the sea when it comes to blogging platforms. But trust me, as someone who’s been around the block a time or two, WordPress.org is the way to go.
Why WordPress.org Stands Out
So, what makes WordPress.org so special? Well, for starters, it’s an industry-standard platform that powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. That’s a pretty impressive feat, if you ask me. Plus, it’s totally free to use, which is music to any blogger’s ears.
But the real magic of WordPress.org lies in its customization options. You can make your blog look and feel exactly how you want it to, without any pesky limitations holding you back. And with a massive library of plugins and themes at your fingertips, the sky’s the limit when it comes to functionality and design.
Of course, there’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to using WordPress.org. But hey, nothing worth having comes easy, right? And once you get the hang of it, you’ll be unstoppable. Plus, with a thriving community of developers and users, you’ll never be left high and dry if you need a little help along the way.
Securing a Domain and Web Hosting
Now that you’ve got your blogging platform sorted, it’s time to talk about two other crucial pieces of the puzzle: your domain name and web hosting. These might seem like boring technical details, but trust me, they can make or break your blog’s success.
Choosing a Memorable Domain Name
First up, let’s talk about your domain name. This is the web address that people will use to find your blog, so it’s kind of a big deal. You want something that’s catchy, memorable, and easy to spell. Bonus points if it’s relevant to your niche or brand.
When brainstorming domain name ideas, put yourself in your target audience’s shoes. What would catch their eye and make them want to click? Maybe it’s a clever play on words, or a straightforward description of what your blog is all about. The key is to keep it simple and avoid anything too long or complicated.
Once you’ve got a few ideas, do some research to make sure they’re not already taken. There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a domain name only to find out someone else got there first. And if you’re feeling stuck, don’t be afraid to get creative – sometimes the best ideas come from thinking outside the box.
After securing your perfect domain name through one of the many domain registrars, you’ll want to choose an authoritative DNS provider. According to DNSPerf.com, the top four providers with the fastest query speeds are:
1. Cloudflare – 14.36ms
2. ClouDNS – 14.71ms
3. Edgio – 15.29ms
4. Sectigo Premium – 16.6ms
I personally use and recommend Cloudflare for myself and my clients as the top DNS provider. Their fast speeds and robust security features help ensure your blog loads quickly and stays safe from threats.
Why Cloudways.com and Rocket.net are Top Choices for Bloggers
Next up, let’s talk about web hosting. This is the service that actually gets your blog online and makes it accessible to the world. And when it comes to web hosting for bloggers, Cloudways.com and Rocket.net are top choices.
Why? For starters, both Cloudways.com and Rocket.net are known for their lightning-fast speeds and rock-solid reliability. In the world of blogging, every second counts – if your site takes too long to load, visitors will bounce faster than you can say “bye Felicia.” But with these hosts, you can rest easy knowing your blog will load quickly and smoothly, even during traffic spikes.
Plus, Cloudways.com and Rocket.net offer top-notch security features to keep your blog safe from hackers and other online threats. They’ve got your back with automatic updates, daily backups, and 24/7 monitoring. And if anything does go wrong, their customer support teams are always ready to help.
But perhaps the best part about these hosting providers is how easy they are to use, even if you’re not a tech whiz. Their user-friendly interfaces and one-click WordPress installations make getting started a breeze. And with various affordable plans, they’re great options for bloggers of all levels.
Designing Your Blog with Themes and Branding
Okay, so you’ve got your blogging platform, domain name, and web hosting all squared away. Now it’s time for the fun part: designing your blog. This is where you get to let your creativity shine and make your blog look and feel like a true reflection of you and your brand.
Selecting the Perfect Theme
One of the easiest ways to give your blog a professional look is by choosing a pre-designed WordPress theme. These are basically templates that you can customize to fit your style and niche. And the best part? There are literally thousands of options to choose from, including plenty of free ones.
But let’s be real – not all themes are created equal. As a blogger, you want something that’s not only visually appealing but also lightning fast and optimized for search engines. After all, nobody’s going to stick around if your blog takes forever to load, right?
That’s why I’m a huge fan of themes like Astra, GeneratePress, and Kadence. These bad boys are designed specifically with speed and performance in mind, so your blog will load quickly and keep your readers engaged (and your bounce rate low).
The best part? All three of these themes come with free versions to help you get started. But if you want to unlock the most value and flexibility, I’d highly recommend going with the premium versions – Astra Pro, GeneratePress Pro, and Kadence Pro. You won’t be disappointed!
These premium themes come loaded with starter templates that are pretty much ready to go right out of the box. Choose blog template from one of the three themes I mentioned and make it your own. Just import the demo content and bam – you’ve got a beautiful, prebuild design to work with. From there, it’s super easy to make it your own by customizing things like colors, fonts, layouts, and more.
When selecting a theme, think about the overall vibe you want your blog to have. Are you going for a sleek and modern look, or something more cozy and rustic? Do you want a minimalist design with lots of white space, or a bold and colorful layout? The key is to choose a template that aligns with your blog’s niche and target audience.
Of course, you’ll also want to consider the practical aspects of a theme, like whether it’s mobile-friendly and easy to navigate. You don’t want to choose something that looks great on desktop but is a hot mess on mobile, since more and more people are reading blogs on their phones these days.
With starter templates from Astra Pro, GeneratePress Pro, and Kadence Pro, you can hit the ground running with a professional design, then easily tweak it to match your unique style. Your readers (and your page load times) will definitely thank you! So don’t be afraid to invest in these premium themes – it’ll be money well spent for your blog.
Examples from GeneratePress, Kadence and Astra Blog Starter Templates
Crafting Keyword-Focused Content
Alright, now that your blog is looking all spiffy and professional, it’s time to talk about the meat and potatoes of blogging: your content. And if you want your blog to rank well in search engines and attract readers like moths to a flame, you need to focus on creating keyword-focused content.
What does that mean, exactly? Basically, it means doing your research to find out what words and phrases people are searching for related to your blog’s niche, and then incorporating those keywords into your blog posts in a natural way. This helps search engines like Google understand what your blog is about and show it to people who are looking for that kind of content.
But here’s the thing: keyword-focused content isn’t about stuffing your blog posts full of keywords until they’re barely readable. That’s a big no-no in the eyes of search engines, and it’s not going to do you any favors with your readers either. Instead, focus on creating high-quality, valuable content that just happens to include relevant keywords.
One way to do this is by using long-tail keywords, which are longer and more specific phrases that people might search for. For example, instead of just targeting the keyword “blogging,” you might target a long-tail keyword like “how to start a successful blog in 2023.” This helps you attract readers who are looking for more specific information, and it can be easier to rank for than broader keywords.
Promoting Your Blog Across Digital Platforms
Creating amazing content is only half the battle when it comes to building a successful blog. The other half is getting that content in front of the right people. And in today’s digital age, that means promoting your blog across a variety of online platforms.
Leveraging Social Media Channels
Social media sites are a blogger’s best friend when it comes to promotion. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest are all great places to share your blog posts and engage with your audience. But the key is to be strategic about it.
Instead of just blasting out links to your blog posts willy-nilly to drive traffic, take the time to craft compelling social media posts that will grab people’s attention and make them want to click through to your blog. Use eye-catching images, snappy headlines, and a bit of personality to stand out in people’s crowded social media feeds.
And don’t be afraid to get a little bit personal on social media, too. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your blogging process, or fun tidbits about your life outside of blogging. This helps your followers feel like they know you as a person, not just a faceless blog.
SEO Tactics for Organic Traffic
In addition to social media promotion, you’ll also want to focus on optimizing your blog for search queries from the big search engines like Google. This is where those keyword-focused blog posts come in handy – by targeting relevant keywords, you’ll make it easier for people to find your blog when they search for those terms on Google.
But there are other SEO tactics you can use to boost your blog’s visibility, too. Things like optimizing your blog’s meta descriptions and alt tags, building high-quality backlinks from other websites, and making sure your blog is mobile-friendly can all help improve your search engine rankings over time.
Of course, SEO is a long game – it can take months or even years to see significant results. But by consistently creating great content and promoting it strategically, you’ll be well on your way to building a thriving blog with plenty of organic traffic.
Monetizing Your Blog Through Various Channels
Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: making money from your blog. Because let’s be real, as much as we all love blogging for the pure joy of it, it’s also nice to be able to turn our passion into a profitable side hustle or even a full-time career.
Affiliate Marketing Explained
One of the most popular ways to monetize a blog is through affiliate marketing. This is where you partner with companies to promote their products or services on your blog, and earn a commission every time someone makes a purchase through your unique affiliate link.
The key to successful affiliate marketing is to only promote products or services that you genuinely believe in and that are relevant to your blog’s niche. You don’t want to come across as spammy or inauthentic to your readers.
To get started with affiliate marketing, look for companies in your niche that offer affiliate programs. Some popular options include Amazon Associates, Impact, and Benable. Once you’re accepted into a program, you’ll get a unique affiliate link to use in your blog posts and social media promotions.
Display Ads and Sponsored Content
Another way to monetize your blog is through display advertising where you sell ad space on your website. This is where you allow companies to place ads on your blog in exchange for a fee. The most common type of display ad is Google AdSense, which automatically matches ads to your blog’s content and pays you based on how many people click on the ads.
Sponsored content is another option for monetizing your blog. This is where a company pays you to write sponsored blog posts or social media posts promoting their product or service. The key here is to make sure the sponsored content aligns with your blog’s niche and doesn’t feel too “salesy” to your readers.
And of course, there are plenty of other ways to monetize your blog, too. You could create and sell your own digital products, like ebooks or online courses. You could offer coaching or consulting services related to your blog’s niche. The possibilities are endless – it just takes a bit of creativity and experimentation to find what works best for you and your audience.
Building an Engaged Email List
Pop quiz: what’s the one thing that all successful bloggers have in common? An engaged email list, baby! Seriously, building an email list of loyal subscribers is hands down one of the most important things you can do for your blog.
But here’s the thing – not all email marketing platforms are created equal. You need a tool that’s powerful enough to help you skyrocket your subscriber numbers, yet easy enough to use so you’re not pulling your hair out every time you want to send a newsletter.
That’s why I’ve put together this listicle of the 10 best email marketing platforms to help your blog (and business) take off. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro, you’ll find an option that fits your needs and budget.
From user-friendly giants like Mailchimp to more robust solutions like GetResponse and ConvertKit, I’ve got you covered. And let’s be real, setting up automated email sequences and segmenting your lists is a total game-changer.
So grab a coffee (or a cheeky glass of wine, no judgment here), and get ready to discover the email marketing platform that’ll help you build relationships with your subscribers. Your blog’s success depends on it!
Creating Compelling Opt-In Offers
But how do you get people to actually sign up for your email list? The key is to create a compelling opt-in form – with an offer of something so irresistible that people can’t help but hand over their email address to get it.
This could be a free ebook, a mini-course, a printable worksheet, or really anything that provides value to your target audience. The key is to make sure it’s relevant to your blog’s niche and solves a specific problem or pain point for your readers.
Once you’ve created your opt-in form with your offer, make sure it’s prominently featured on your blog. You can create a pop-up or slide-in form that appears when someone visits your site, or include a sign-up form in your blog’s sidebar or footer. The more visible and enticing your opt-in offer is, the more likely people are to sign up.
Analyzing Performance with Google Search Console
Because as much as we all love the creative side of blogging, it’s also important to keep an eye on the numbers and make data-driven decisions about your content strategy.
Tracking Your Blog’s Growth
One of the best tools for tracking your blog’s performance is Google Search Console. This free tool from Google gives you tons of valuable insights into how your blog is performing in search results, including which keywords you’re ranking for, how much organic traffic you’re getting, and which pages on your site are the most popular.
To get started with Google Search Console, you’ll need to verify your blog’s ownership and submit your sitemap. Once you’re all set up, you can start exploring the data and using it to make informed decisions about your blog’s content and SEO strategy.
For example, if you notice that certain blog posts are getting a lot of organic traffic from specific keywords, you might want to create more content around those topics. Or if you see that certain pages on your site have a high bounce rate, you might want to take a closer look at the content and design of those pages to see how you can improve them.
Planning Your Content Strategy with an Editorial Calendar
Last but not least, let’s talk about the importance of planning your content strategy with an editorial calendar. Because as much as we all love the thrill of flying by the seat of our pants, a little bit of organization and planning can go a long way in helping you create consistent, high-quality content for your blog.
Staying Organized with a Content Calendar
Stay organized and plan ahead is crucial for creating high-quality blog content to post consistently for your online presence. An editorial calendar acts as a roadmap, allowing you to map brainstorm blog topics in advance. It helps you plan out your blog posts in advance, so you’re not scrambling to come up with ideas at the last minute while also remembering to include keywords in your blog content. Plus, it allows you to take a big-picture view of your content strategy and make sure you’re covering all the important topics and keywords in your niche.
To create an editorial calendar, start by brainstorming a list of blog post ideas and topics so you consistently create and drive traffic to your website and draw readers in with your blog posts. Then, plug them into a calendar or spreadsheet, along with any important deadlines or publish dates. You can also use your editorial calendar to keep track of your progress on each post, from the initial outline to the final edits and promotion.
The key to a successful editorial calendar is to be realistic about what you can accomplish in a given timeframe. Don’t try to cram too many posts into a short period of time, or you’ll risk burning out and sacrificing quality for quantity. Instead, aim for a consistent posting schedule that you can realistically maintain over the long haul.
FAQs in Relation to How to Start a Personal Blog That Makes Money
How do I start a personal blog and make money blogging?
Pick your profitable niche, set up on WordPress, snag a catchy domain, create killer content using AI writing tools like the ones covered in my listicle “10 Best AI Writing Software for 2024 (Top Picks)” to help craft an seo-friendly blog, then monetize with ads or affiliates.
Can you make $1,000 a month with a blog?
With the right digital marketing strategies like affiliate marketing and display ads, hitting $1k monthly from your profitable blog is within reach. Follow the steps to start making money – pick a profitable niche, set up WordPress, create SEO content, monetization strategy. It’s achievable!
How much do personal bloggers make?
Earnings vary widely. Some rake in thousands monthly while others pocket less. It all hinges on traffic and monetization strategy. For example, Kevin Espiritu grew his gardening niche site Epic Gardening from $400/month to an 8-figure per year brand by leveraging SEO and affiliate marketing. Kevin Espiritu is also a member of Authority Hacker Pro Community.
Can you get paid for a personal blog?
Sure can, you can turn your personal blog into an online business making money blogging that generates long term revenue for years to come. Through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and ads among other strategies to turn those words into cash flow.
Conclusion
So, here’s the scoop – firing up your own blog means diving deep into what excites you while also laying tracks for generating income through an internet-based business. Picking just the right spot to dive in, whipping up some irresistible reads, and playing your cards right with how you make money from it could really turn your blog into something special.
Bear this in mind – patience and elbow grease are key to growing your blog into something great. But with persistence and a willingness to learn, you can absolutely make it happen. The key is to stay focused on your goals, keep putting out great content, and always be on the lookout for new opportunities to grow and monetize your blog.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to take action and start building the personal blog of your dreams. Trust me, the rewards are so worth it. You’ve got this, and I’m cheering you on every step of the way!
