Blogging is a very lucrative and profitable business when done correctly and consistently. In fact, I have met numerous bloggers who bring in 6 figures consistently every year by simply creating content that people are looking for, staying on top of their analytics, and focusing on what works.
You are about to learn how you can start blogging as a side hustle and bring in extra income that can turn into a full-time business.
Sounds too good to be true? Here’s a snippet of how it’s done:
You can create your blog in under 30 minutes and monetize it in under 60 days by sending traffic from Pinterest, writing a post per week, partnering with companies you already use and love, and checking your analytics consistently to see what is working and what isn’t.
Blogging as a Side Hustle
Why is blogging a good side hustle to make extra money, pay debts, and build a profitable business? I’m glad you asked!
You can write about topics that you love and are passionate about.
If those topics (your niche) happen to be in demand, people will be willing to pay you for your expertise.
In fact, all of my businesses started because of my blog, where I shared personal finance tips from a college student point of view. That’s how I learned how to blog and how to profit from it with display ads and affiliate marketing.
Then I started to invest in online courses where I learned other profitable skills like copywriting, and worked with copywriting clients 1-on-1.
The more I learned, the more content I created and the more business ventures I started, leading me to where I am today.
Now I published my first book, launched my first podcast, and released multiple programs and done-for-you products that help other entrepreneurs succeed in this crazy path.
That’s why I love blogs.
Start a Blog in Under 30 Minutes
I wrote an entire blog post dedicated to starting a blog from scratch. You can read it by clicking here.
As a summarized version, here is what I covered:
Best blogging platform: WordPress
Best hosting: Siteground
Best website builder: Elementor
Posting consistency: At least 1 post per week
Getting traffic: Pinterest (read my Pinterest strategy here)
You can start a blog from scratch in under 30 minutes or update the one you already have by getting better hosting, a website builder that you can use to create unlimited pages with hundreds of built-in templates, and even design your first pin!
Monetize Your Blog in 60 Days
Although it takes time for anyone to get over 20,000 monthly sessions in order to apply for display ads with some companies, you can monetize as soon as today by applying for affiliate programs.
This means you will be partnering with companies that you use and love, and get paid whenever you refer someone who makes a purchase!
Just type [name of the company] + affiliate program on Google.
Do this for all the products and tools you already use as long as they are related to your niche (whatever your blog is about) and apply.
After applying and upon being approved, create a “tools” hub on your site. This will be a tab where your visitors can go to and find all of the products and tools you use and love so that they can consider them.
The more they get exposed to those tools, the more likely they will be to make a purchase. This is why you have to create content constantly and remind them how those tools can improve their lives.
You don’t have to do affiliate marketing. You can also sell your own products or services! If you want, you can do a combination of both!
When it comes to services, what can you do for someone? Can you manage their social media? Can you be their virtual assistant? Can you be their freelance graphic designer?
When it comes to your products, can you teach someone how to do something that they otherwise wouldn’t do without your guidance? Maybe 1-on-1 mentorship? A membership site where you can teach and bring other experts aboard?
Step-by-Step Guide to Blogging Side Hustle Journey
Step 1: Decide on your niche.
This should be the easiest step for you. What will you blog about? What problem can you help solve for someone? What do you have to share with the world?
Step 2: Create your website (Siteground and Elementor).
We covered this above. I use Siteground to host my websites and Elementor to build my pages.
Step 3: Write 3 pillar posts, 7 problem-solving posts.
Your pillar posts are the main content of your blog. These are the posts that you refer people to when they need to learn something step-by-step.
These are long and helpful.
Your problem-solving posts answer very specific questions.
Step 4: Send traffic from Pinterest & other platforms.
I wrote an entire article dedicated to getting free traffic from Pinterest and how I do it strategically, so read my Pinterest strategy here
Step 5: Apply to affiliate programs.
Just type [name of the company] + affiliate program on Google.
Step 6: Create your products or services (list them on your blog!)
Digital offers, 1-on-1 offers, whatever you can offer.
Step 7: Create content around your offers and how they help (affiliate and your own offers).
Write blog posts and send out emails in which you also mention your offers and affiliate links.
Step 8: Create your posting schedule (at least 1 post per week).
Post at least once per week. Simple.
Step 9: Start collecting emails (I use Flodesk).
Grow your email list. I use Flodesk to collect emails, deliver my freebies, and update my audience. They also created the Flodesk University (it’s free!) where you can learn email marketing strategies that grow your list and income.
Sigh up for a free trial here. This free trial will also give you 50% off their paid plan FOREVER.
Step 10: Send traffic to existing blog posts as you continue to create new ones.
Don’t just focus on creating new content; give life to your existing posts!
This is where my Pinterest strategy comes in handy.