How to Make Money Blogging: The Complete Free Guide
Focus on building a strong online presence through valuable content, attracting an audience, and then implementing various monetization strategies like affiliate marketing, selling products, and advertising.
What Is Blogging
At its core, blogging is just writing (or creating content) online about topics you care about. It could be travel, food, finance, fashion, fitness, tech, parenting, gaming — you name it. A blog can be a personal journal, a how-to resource, or a niche site targeting a specific audience.
But here’s where it gets cool: a blog can become a money-making machine when you grow an audience and serve them valuable content.
How Do Blogs Make Money
There’s not just one way — there are many. Here are the most common ones:
- Ads- (like Google AdSense or Mediavine)
- Affiliate marketing- (earning commissions by recommending products)
- Selling your own products or services
- Sponsored content
- Email marketing
- Online courses or digital downloads
- Freelancing or consulting via your blog
The trick is choosing the right combination for your niche and goals. More on that later.
Start Your Blog (for Free)
Yes, you can start a blog for free, especially if you’re testing the waters. Here’s how:
1. Choose a Free Blogging Platform
- WordPress.com – Great for beginners; limited monetization unless you upgrade.
- Blogger.com – Simple and owned by Google.
- Medium – Better for writers who just want to focus on content (not ideal for monetization).
- Substack – Fantastic if you want to build a paid newsletter/blog hybrid.
Pro tip: If you’re serious about blogging as a business, consider moving to a self-hosted platform (like WordPress.org) later. It’s more professional and offers more control.
2. Pick a Niche
This is important. Don’t try to write about everything — focus on a niche. The best niches are:
- Something you’re passionate about
- Solves a problem or helps people
- Has monetization potential
Popular niches include personal finance, health, fitness, beauty, parenting, productivity, food, travel, and online business.
Set Up and Design Your Blog
Even free blogging platforms let you:
- Choose a blog name (your brand)
- Customize a theme (how it looks)
- Create a logo (Canva is great for free logos)
- Add essential pages: About, Contact, and maybe a Start Here or Resources page
Don’t get stuck on design forever. Simple is fine — focus more on writing awesome content.
Write Killer Content That Attracts Readers
No readers = no money.
So, what makes great blog content?
It’s helpful
Answer questions your target audience is searching for. Solve problems.
It’s optimized
Use basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization) practices so your posts can show up on Google.
It’s consistent
Create a schedule and stick to it. Weekly or biweekly is great for beginners.
It’s personal
People read blogs to connect with real humans. Don’t be afraid to add your story or personality.
Types of blog posts that work well:
- How-to guides
- List posts (Top 10, Best of)
- Tutorials
- Reviews
- Personal experiences
- Tips & tricks
Grow Your Audience (Free Strategies)
Before you earn, you need readers. Here’s how to get them — without spending a dime:
Use Pinterest
It’s a search engine, not just a social media site. Create pins that link back to your posts.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Learn the basics:
- Use keywords
- Write good meta descriptions
- Link to other relevant posts
Tools like Ubersuggest, AnswerThePublic, and Google Trends can help you find what people are searching for.
Share on Social Media
Facebook groups, Twitter, Reddit, and LinkedIn can bring traffic — just be genuine and helpful, not spammy.
Join Blogging Communities
Engage with other bloggers. Comment, guest post, share — blogging is a team sport.
Monetize Your Blog
Once you have some traffic and a bit of content, it’s time to start earning.
1. Ads
Start with Google AdSense — it’s easy and free to apply for. Once you hit 50,000+ monthly views, you can upgrade to Mediavine or AdThrive, which pay much more.
Pros:
- Passive income
- Easy setup
Cons:
- Requires decent traffic
- Can be distracting for readers
2. Affiliate Marketing
Promote products or services and earn a cut when someone buys through your link.
Where to find affiliate programs:
- Amazon Associates (super easy to start)
- ShareASale
- Impact
- CJ Affiliate
- Independent programs from brands in your niche
How to use them:
- Write product reviews
- Add affiliate links to “best of” lists
- Create tutorials that recommend tools
Tip: Always disclose affiliate relationships.
3. Digital Products
Once you know your audience, you can create your own digital products like:
- Ebooks
- Printables
- Planners
- Online courses
- Templates
Free tools like Canva, Google Docs, and Gumroad let you create and sell digital products easily.
4. Sponsored Posts
Brands will pay you to feature their products or write a post about them.
To attract sponsors:
- Build your traffic and email list
- Create a media kit with your stats
- Reach out to brands or sign up on platforms like:
- Cooperatize
- TapInfluence
- IZEA
5. Freelance Services
Use your blog as a portfolio and offer:
- Writing
- Graphic design
- SEO help
- Virtual assistance
- Coaching/consulting
Build an Email List (It’s Gold)
Even if you don’t want to sell anything — an email list gives you direct access to your readers.
Use free tools like:
- MailerLite
- ConvertKit (free tier)
- Mailchimp
Offer something free (a checklist, mini ebook, printable) in exchange for their email. Then stay in touch by sending weekly or biweekly newsletters.
Tools to Help You Succeed (Free Versions Available)
- Canva – For creating blog graphics
- Grammarly – For error-free writing
- Google Analytics – Track your traffic
- Ubersuggest – Free SEO and keyword tool
- AnswerThePublic – Blog post ideas
- Trello – Organize your blog tasks
Patience + Persistence = Profit
Here’s the truth: blogging is a long game.
You probably won’t make $1,000 in your first month. Or even your second.
But if you keep going, publishing valuable content, and growing your audience — your income potential grows over time.
Realistic timeline:
- Month 1–3: Set up, create content, build traffic
- Month 4–6: Start monetizing with affiliate links and ads
- Month 6–12: Possibly earn $100–$1,000+/month
Real-World Examples
Michelle from Making Sense of Cents– started blogging about paying off student loans. Now she earns over $50,000/month — mostly through affiliate marketing.
Adam Enfroy- turned his blog into a 7-figure business in less than 2 years by focusing on SEO and affiliate partnerships.
Elna Cain used her blog to land freelance writing gigs and now teaches others to do the same.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting too long to start
- Trying to be perfect
- Ignoring SEO
- Not building an email list early
- Giving up too soon
Every successful blogger started where you are now — the only difference is they kept going.
Final Thoughts
Blogging isn’t dead. It’s not too late. You don’t need to be a tech wizard or a grammar expert. You just need to show up, be helpful, and keep learning.
