Blogging has evolved into one of the most popular and sustainable ways to make money online. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer, learning how to get paid to blog can open up several income streams.
This guide will show you how to monetize your blog, with real examples of people who have turned their blogs into profitable ventures.
1. Monetize Your Blog with Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is one of the most lucrative ways to make money through blogging. As an affiliate marketer, you promote products and services on your blog. When your readers purchase through your unique affiliate link, you earn a commission.
Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income has made affiliate marketing one of his primary income sources, earning over $50,000 per month in affiliate commissions. Pat’s blog focuses on teaching others how to generate passive income, and he promotes products and tools relevant to his audience. You can check out his blog here: https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/
To get started with affiliate marketing, you’ll want to sign up for programs like Amazon Associates (https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/) or ShareASale (https://www.shareasale.com/). Focus on promoting products relevant to your niche and valuable to your readers.
2. Display Ads on Your Blog
Another method to earn money from blogging is through display ads. By placing ads on your blog, you can earn revenue based on the number of impressions or clicks the ads receive.
A widely used ad network is Google AdSense. For example, bloggers such as Jon Dykstra from Fat Stacks Blog makes over $50,000 per month from ad revenue alone. He shares his strategy of focusing on SEO to drive high traffic to his niche sites, which maximizes ad revenue. You can explore his blog here: https://fatstacksblog.com/
To get started with display ads, you can sign up for Google AdSense (https://www.google.com/adsense/start/) or consider premium networks like Mediavine (https://www.mediavine.com/), which require higher traffic levels but offer better payouts.
3. Sponsored Content
Sponsored posts are another way to get paid to blog. Companies and brands pay you to write content that features their product or service. It’s important to make sure that any sponsored content aligns with your blog’s niche and provides value to your readers.
An example of a successful blogger using sponsored content is Lauren McManus from Create and Go. She earns over $30,000 per month by working with brands in the health and fitness industry. She advises bloggers to only accept sponsorships from companies they genuinely support. Check out her story here: https://createandgo.com/
To start with sponsored content, you can connect with brands through platforms like Cooperatize (https://cooperatize.com/) or reach out to brands directly.
4. Sell Digital Products
Selling your own digital products, such as eBooks, courses, or printables, is another excellent way to make money blogging. This approach allows you to create a product once and sell it repeatedly, making it a scalable income stream.
A notable example is Elna Cain, a professional blogger who sells her course, Write Your Way to Your First $1k (https://elnacain.com/blog/). She generates over $5,000 per month by selling her course to new freelance writers.
To start selling digital products, platforms like Gumroad (https://gumroad.com/) and Teachable (https://teachable.com/) make it easy to create and distribute your products.
5. Offer Freelance Writing Services
Another way to get paid to blog is by offering freelance writing services. Many companies and websites are willing to pay for high-quality content. Blogging about your writing services on your own blog is a great way to showcase your expertise and attract clients.
For instance, Jorden Roper from Writing Revolt built a six-figure freelance writing business by leveraging her blog to attract clients. You can explore her blog and writing tips here: https://writingrevolt.com/
Freelance platforms like Upwork (https://www.upwork.com/) and Fiverr (https://www.fiverr.com/) are good starting points for finding writing gigs.
6. Membership and Subscription Models
Some bloggers offer premium content through membership or subscription models. Readers pay a recurring fee to access exclusive content, resources, or communities. This model is particularly effective for niches where readers are willing to invest in specialized knowledge or advice.
For example, Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/) is a popular platform where creators can earn money by offering premium content to their subscribers. Many bloggers use this platform to generate monthly income, such as Amanda Cook, who runs a successful wellness blog and generates over $2,000 per month in subscription fees.
7. Flipping Websites
If you’re skilled at creating successful blogs, another way to get paid to blog is by flipping websites. This involves building a profitable blog and then selling it for a significant profit.
A great example of this is Shane from I’ve Tried That, who flips niche blogs for anywhere between $10,000 and $50,000 per site. You can learn more about his strategies here: https://www.ivetriedthat.com/
Platforms like Flippa (https://www.flippa.com/) are ideal for buying and selling websites.
8. Offer Coaching or Consulting Services
If you’ve built up expertise in your niche, offering coaching or consulting services can be a lucrative way to get paid to blog. Bloggers who position themselves as experts in their field can charge premium rates for one-on-one coaching or group consulting.
For instance, Melyssa Griffin earns over $20,000 per month offering coaching services in the blogging and business strategy niche. Learn more about her coaching here: https://www.melyssagriffin.com/
9. Write Sponsored Reviews
Companies often pay bloggers to write detailed reviews of their products or services. These sponsored reviews can help you make money from blogging, especially if you have an engaged audience that values your opinion.
Adam Enfroy, a successful blogger, generates around $30,000 per month through a combination of affiliate marketing, sponsored reviews, and digital products. You can check out his blog here: https://www.adamenfroy.com/
To get started with sponsored reviews, you can sign up for networks like Tomoson (https://www.tomoson.com/) or reach out to companies directly.
10. Create a YouTube Channel to Compliment Your Blog
Combining blogging with video content can open up additional income streams. Many bloggers start a YouTube channel alongside their blog to reach a broader audience and generate ad revenue from YouTube’s monetization features.
A great example of this is Ryan Scribner, who blogs about personal finance and also runs a successful YouTube channel, making around $15,000 per month from a combination of ad revenue and affiliate marketing. Check out his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/nodog30
To get started, simply create a YouTube account and link your blog content to your videos to drive traffic between platforms.
Conclusion
There are numerous ways to get paid to blog, from affiliate marketing and display ads to offering services and digital products. The key is to diversify your income streams and focus on providing value to your readers. By leveraging these strategies, you can turn your blog into a profitable business.
Until we speak again, remember…
Be Yourself, Help Others, NEVER QUIT!
Seely Clark IV
