Are you interested in learning how to make money from blogging as a beginner in 2023? Have you ever wondered how some bloggers earn thousands of dollars every month? Well, you’re in the right place.
Blogging is not just a hobby; it can be a serious business. We, for example, made over $160,000 from our blog last year. However, it’s important to note that blogging is not a quick way to get rich.
It took us nearly 10 years to build a blog that now generates over $10,000 per month.
If you’re patient and willing to put in the effort, blogging can be a great way to make money. In our detailed guide, we’ll share the earnings reports from the last two years, insights into our revenue sources, and proven strategies for making money from blogging in 2023.
How to Make Money Blogging for Beginners: 10 Easy Ways
There are many ways to make money from blogging, but if you’re just starting out, we recommend focusing on these proven strategies:
1. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a fantastic way for beginners to earn money through blogging. At BloggersPassion, most of our income comes from selling affiliate products. It’s a great way to make money, and the potential earnings are limitless.
How much can you earn from affiliate marketing?
The sky’s the limit! For example, we’ve earned over $394,000 from just one affiliate product like Semrush. Successful affiliate marketers like Adam Enfroy have reported over $80,000 in affiliate revenue in a single month.
To succeed in affiliate marketing, choose high-paying products from various affiliate programs. We often promote SEO tools, web hosts, and WordPress-related products.
For instance, the Amazon affiliate program is popular among bloggers due to the vast range of products available. Nathaniell, from “One More Cup of Coffee,” makes thousands of dollars a year from the Amazon affiliate program alone.
Pros:
- – No need to create your own product or service; you can promote other vendors’ products for free.
- – You can work and earn money from anywhere.
- – Low upfront cost; all you need is a website or an email list.
- – Passive income source; you can make money even while you sleep.
- – You help people by promoting useful products, creating a win/win situation.
- – Most affiliate programs are free to join and offer instant account setup.
- – Some programs offer a “10-year cookie period,” allowing you to earn commissions even after a decade.
Cons:
- – It takes time (1 to 2 years) to start earning a decent monthly income ($1000+).
- – If you’re looking for a get-rich-quick scheme, affiliate marketing is not the right choice.
2. Google AdSense
Google AdSense is a great way for beginners to make money from blogging. Many new bloggers start their blogs with the goal of earning money through AdSense.
Google AdSense is like a platform from Google that helps bloggers make money by showing ads on their websites. Advertisers pay Google when people click on their ads, and then Google pays a part of that money (68%, or 51% for AdSense for search) to the bloggers or website owners who displayed the ads.
How AdSense works:
- – Advertisers pay Google when someone clicks on their ads.
- – Bloggers and website owners get a percentage of that money.
- – Your earnings depend on how many clicks you get and the competition in your industry.
To show ads and earn money with AdSense, you need to have an AdSense account.
How much can you earn from AdSense?
Some bloggers, like Harsh Agrawal, have earned more than $50,000 from AdSense alone. But for many bloggers, earning a few hundred dollars a month is common if they have at least 1000 visitors a day.
Your AdSense earnings depend on the competition and the value of the keywords in your niche. For example, if your website is about credit cards, you might earn more compared to a technology-focused site.
Pros:
- – It’s free to join, and Google takes care of creating the ads.
- – You can use one AdSense account for multiple websites.
- – You have control over how the ads look on your site, matching your website’s design.
Cons:
- – Google can close your AdSense account if they suspect fraudulent activities.
- – AdSense doesn’t pay a lot, even with a lot of traffic. Your earnings also depend on the value of the keywords.
- – AdSense ads can slow down your website, affecting the user experience.
3. Selling Digital Products
If you have expertise in your field or want to offer something directly to your audience, consider selling digital products.
Digital products, like eBooks, checklists, themes, plugins, tools, stock photos, and swipe files, are popular among consumers. They can be easily downloaded on a smartphone or computer and used right away.
With the growth of digital marketing, there are numerous payment gateways that make it easy to sell digital products.
How much can you earn from selling digital products?
We earned over $10,000 just by selling our premium eBooks in the past year. The best part? We hadn’t sold any of our own products on BloggersPassion before 2020. Once we started, we were pleased with the profits.
Many bloggers and online entrepreneurs also make substantial money each year by selling digital products.
Pros:
- – It’s a great source of passive income, and you can set the price for your products, like eBooks, as you see fit (there’s no price limit).
- – No need for physical delivery; products can be downloaded as zip files or PDFs.
- – Payment gateways like Razorpay make it easy to accept payments from customers (we use the same gateway to sell our eBooks).
- – Facebook ads can help you reach new customers and make daily sales.
Cons:
- – There’s a risk of piracy; people may buy your products and share them for free on various platforms or forums.
- – Creating a product without validating the idea can backfire; it’s essential to ensure there’s a demand for your product before creating and selling it. Product validation is crucial!
4. Make Money Selling Online Courses
If you want to make money blogging in 2023 and beyond, the best way is by selling online courses. Selling online courses is a great way to earn money without relying on any service or product vendor—you’re in charge.
Influential bloggers like Brian Dean, Derek Halpern, and Ramit Sethi make most of their blogging income by selling online courses.
How much can you earn from selling online courses?
Bryan Harris from Videofruit made over $220,000 in just 10 days after launching his new course. Ramit Sethi often makes millions of dollars selling his online courses and shares secrets to boost your earnings.
If you’re an expert in your field and create valuable online courses for your audience, you can earn millions, although it takes time to reach that level.
Pros:
- – Easy-to-use platforms like WooCommerce, Teachable, and Thinkific make selling online courses simple.
- – It’s a great source of passive income.
- – You’re in control, able to change course prices whenever you want.
- – You can boost profits by upselling, downselling, or cross-selling other products.
- – Launching online courses can establish you as an expert.
Cons:
- – Time-consuming, as updating courses with new information is often necessary.
- – Building an audience is crucial for significant profits; people must see you as an authority in your niche to convince them to pay for your courses.
5. Offer Consulting
Did you know that successful online marketers like Brian Clark from CopyBlogger and Laura Roeder from Edgar started their online journey by offering services before launching their online ventures?
It’s true! If you want a steady income and to be seen as an expert in your field, consider offering consulting.
How much can you earn as a consultant online?
Your earnings depend on your expertise and niche. For example, fitness consultants get paid based on the brand they build and the customers they target. You can earn more by targeting customers from the US and Canada, and less in Asia.
Did you know that SEO experts like Neil Patel charge up to $5,000 for just an hour-long consultation? There’s no limit to how much you can earn as a consultant. Neil Patel offers a variety of services, from SEO to paid media to content marketing, charging a significant amount.
Build a personal brand, attract high-paying clients, and deliver results—that’s how you keep getting long-lasting customers who pay for your value.
Pros:
- – You can add significant value to companies, brands, or people you work with, helping them grow rapidly.
- – You get to choose who you work with; you’re your own boss.
- – Remote work is possible, and you can conduct everything online through emails, Skype, or Zoom calls.
- – You often get paid more for every hour you work with your clients.
Cons:
- – It’s not a source of passive income; you need to spend your time constantly to make money. Results matter—if your clients aren’t getting desired results, attracting more clients in the long run can be challenging.
6. Sell Your Own Services
If you want to quickly make money from your blog, offer your services. You can showcase your work on your website, telling people about the projects and companies you’ve worked with. This way, you can attract clients who are willing to pay well.
Here are some services you can offer on your blog:
- – Freelance writing (like content writing, editing, ghostwriting, guest posting, and more)
- – Web design
- – SEO services (including keyword research, paid ads, link building, site audits, and more)
- – WordPress installation
- – Logo design, and more
How much can you earn by offering services?
Some successful freelance writers charge several thousand dollars for each article. For example, Jon Morrow charged $3,000 to $5,000 for every blog post he wrote. Most freelancers earn based on their skills and experience, with an average of $50 to $100 per hour, which is decent, especially when you’re starting out.
Pros:
- – You can work from anywhere, anytime, and for anyone. You can choose your clients.
- – There’s unlimited potential. Your earnings depend on your skills, marketing efforts, and attracting high-paying clients.
- – You can work remotely without commuting.
- – Better work-life balance, staying connected with family and friends.
- – You can also work on your own projects or create and sell your products based on your freelancing experience.
Cons:
- – Your income depends on the clients you choose, and some may not pay even after completing projects.
- – It’s not a passive income source; your earnings stop when you stop working.
7. Sponsored Posts or Paid Reviews
Sponsored posts (or paid reviews) are reviews of products or services written by blog owners in exchange for money, sometimes with content provided by the companies.
How much can you earn from sponsored posts?
Bloggers usually charge between $100 to $1,000 for each sponsored post. Earnings depend on your niche, site authority, and competition.
Pros:
- – You get paid without much effort, often receiving both content and money from brands.
- – You’re paid before publishing sponsored posts on your blog.
- – You have control over which sponsored posts to accept or decline.
- – Reviewing paid products may come with free trials or copies.
Cons:
- – There’s a risk of losing trust if you promote mediocre products or services, so choose brands that genuinely help your audience.
8. Sell Banner Ads On Your Website
You can use platforms like Ezoic, Adsterra, Taboola, etc., to make money from banner ads on your blog. Another way is to sell banner ads directly from your website. Share important details like your website traffic and domain authority to attract brands to place ads on your site.
How much can you earn from banner ads?
Earnings depend on factors like your niche, website authority, and the amount of traffic you get. On average, you might earn $50 or more per banner ad, depending on its size. If you have substantial traffic, you could even charge $500 to $2000 per month for banner ads.
Major publications like Forbes charge thousands of dollars for ads on their site.
Pros:
- – You have control over the banner ads on your site, unlike display ad networks such as AdSense.
- – Banner ads can bring in more earnings compared to AdSense.
- – With enough traffic, you can consistently earn money from banner ads.
Cons:
- – Inappropriate ads can harm the user experience, and displaying many banner ads can slow down your website’s loading times
9. Make Money by Website Flipping
Website flipping, buying an existing website, improving it, and selling it for a profit, is a great way to make money blogging.
How much money do you need to start website flipping?
It can start as low as $100, but be prepared to pay at least 10x to 20x of a website’s monthly revenue. For example, if a website earns $100 a month, you might need to pay $1000 to $2000.
Factors influencing a website’s value include:
- – Domain age
- – Backlinks
- – Monthly income
- – Monthly visitors
- – Content, design, and more
Where can you find websites to flip?
Platforms like Flippa and Empire Flippers are excellent for buying and selling websites. Facebook groups like “Flipping Websites” are also useful.
Pros:
- – You can start small, buying websites for as low as $100.
- – You don’t need to build a website from scratch; you can buy established or high-traffic sites.
- – You can make significant returns, up to 10x or 20x, if you find the right domains or websites to flip.
Cons:
- – Steep learning curve if you’ve never worked on websites before.
- – Be aware of hidden costs of running a website, such as hosting or outsourcing content, which can be expensive.
10. Event Blogging
Event blogging is a way to make quick money without much effort. You focus on a specific event, like New Year’s, and create content related to it. For instance, you can share free images to attract visitors from search engines.
Use affiliate links or AdSense ads to earn from your event blog.
How much can you earn from event blogging?
Earnings depend on the events you choose and the number of blogs you run. For example, during the Black Friday season, we make $10,000 to $15,000. It’s a quick way to make money if you have the right strategy.
Pros:
- – Quick way to make money within a short time, like a week or a month.
- – Requires less effort compared to building a regular blog.
- – Various ways to monetize, helping you diversify income sources online.
- Cons:
- – Income is limited to the event’s duration, e.g., Black Friday happens only once a year.
- – Intense competition; achieving first-page rankings on Google requires regular website SEO improvement.
How to Start a Blog to Make Money Blogging As A Beginner
So, you’re interested in starting a blog on WordPress. While platforms like Blogger offer free blogs, we recommend using WordPress from day 1 to appear professional.
Did you know that WordPress powers 39.5% of all websites on the internet in 2021?
It’s the number 1 Content Management System globally, used by major brands like Sony Music, Tech Crunch, The New York Times Company, Mercedes-Benz, and many more.
To start a WordPress blog in 2023, you need two things:
- Domain name
- Hosting
Here’s a simple tutorial to start a WordPress blog within a few minutes.
Step 1: Register a domain name
You need a domain to start a blog. Hostinger offers a free domain if you purchase their hosting. Visit the Hostinger site, click “Claim Deal,” and choose a hosting plan starting at $2.69 per month.
Step 2: Buy hosting
Once you add to the cart, proceed to the final payment page. Select a hosting plan, e.g., Premium web hosting for $2.69/mo. After payment, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your account details.
If you need help installing WordPress on Hostinger, contact their customer support or email [email protected] for assistance.
6 Blogging Tools that Help Make Money Blogging for Beginners
Blogging is a business that requires investment in the right tools for time-saving, better results, and profits. Here are six essential blogging tools we’ve used for significant results:
1. Semrush: The ONLY SEO Tool You Need!
- – A premium SEO tool used for keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink building, and more.
- – Alternatives: Ubersuggest, KWFinder, SEO audit from SEO Mastering, Screaming Frog, Keywordtool.io.
2. WP Rocket: The #1 WordPress Caching Plugin
- – A premium cache plugin for WordPress, enhancing website speed with features like page caching and lazy loading.
- – Free alternative: W3 Total Cache.
3. Rank Math: No.1 Optimization Plugin for WordPress
- – Optimizes blog posts for target keywords; comes in Pro and Business pricing plans.
- – Free alternative: Rank Math free version or Yoast SEO.
4. Elementor: No.1 Page Builder Plugin for WordPress Sites
- – A page builder with a drag-and-drop editor, templates, and various features.
- – Free alternative: Elementor free version.
5. ConvertKit: An Email Marketing Platform Made for Bloggers
- – A powerful email marketing platform with a free plan for up to 1000 subscribers.
- – Free alternative: Mailchimp (up to 2000 subscribers).
6. GeneratePress: A Widely Used Lightweight WordPress Theme
- – A lightweight theme focusing on speed and performance; premium version costs $59.
- – Free alternative: GeneratePress free version (some features may be limited).
Investing in these tools can enhance your blogging experience and contribute to your success.