How I Make Money Blogging + How to Monetize a New Blog
Sick of scrolling Instagram and Pinterest and wishing you were the one living the life you see those people living?
MEE TOO! That was my life until recently,
I didn’t understand how people could be making a full-time income as bloggers or Instagram influencers.
Making money blogging is a dream job. But how the heck are you supposed to get started when you have no idea what you’re doing?
Today I am going to walk you through how I make $10k+ per month on my lifestyle blog, and how to get started if you want to blog but first here is a little about my blogging story.
My blogging story starts just after I got married a few years ago. I was in nursing school and hated it but I had big dreams when we got married I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, and be able to travel often. The only issue was we were broke, and I had just gotten “eliminated” from my job until things “returned to normal” so needless to say there was no way we could afford for me to be a stay-at-home mom and I really needed to find a new income source. Thankfully I was able to get back to work after two months off but I realized I hated it.
So I headed to Pinterest to try and figure out how I could make money from home so hopefully, I could find a way to work from home so I could be a work-from-home mom if I couldn’t be a stay at home one.
In my search I saw things about surveys, scanning your grocery receipts, and transcribing audio. So for a month, I tried it and after that month I had made $9. Sure, I took my $9 and went to the Starbucks drive-through twice, but it wouldn’t allow me to stay home by any means.
(does this sound familiar?) >> Then I started seeing posts on Pinterest, (much like this very post) about “How I Make $10,000+ per month” so I started reading every one of them I could find.
I was becoming so inspired to start my own blog. So I talked to my husband and, he said If I thought I could make back the $71.40 I had to spend to start my blog then I should give it a try.
So I started my blog. To my surprise the next day someone didn’t just hand me $600 for my efforts. In fact, I had literally no idea what I was doing.
All those blog posts that once inspired me to start my blog actually taught me nothing about running a successful blog they would just say things like: “I made $10,000 last month blogging through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and ads” They didn’t tell you how to set up your blog, get into affiliate programs, or get sponsorship deals.
They were just writing those posts for the clicks because who doesn’t want to know how to make $10,000 per month?.
So I promised myself that if I ever actually figured out how to make money blogging I would actually teach other people who really want to make money blogging like I did.
I was super confused for weeks and had no idea how to do anything for my website. Then three weeks in, after probably 10 hours a day of research and taking notes, I suddenly made $60, then $100, then before I knew it, I made $300 in my first-month blogging.
Then seven months after starting blogging I had saved a ton of extra money so I quit my job to blog full-time.
I decided it is finally time to keep my promise to myself and actually teach other people who want to start blogs how they can do that for themselves.
Here is how I make $10,000+ per month blogging
>> JUST A HEADS UP: Today is the last day to get 30 Days to Blog Success. 30 Days to Blog Success is my course that teaches how to start a blog, and the formula I use to make $10,000 per month blogging. Because today’s the last day that it is open for enrollment I decided to offer 50% off for those of you who read my blog.
A few times throughout this post I mention 30 Days to Blog Success because I am super passionate about it, and it’s my way to truly help people not be confused like I was when I started my blog.
This blog post gives some great guidance but not as much as I give in the course.
If you want to start the course before the 50% off expires and enrollment closes, the code for 50% off is: LASTCHANCE and it makes the course only $30 you can click here to learn more.
LET’S JUMP INTO THE GOOD STUFF:
Here is how I make $10,000+ per month blogging
1. I Start By Creating Achievable Goals
When I started my website I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew that If I wanted to motivate myself to actually go to my computer and work on it every day I was going to have to set goals.
I was dreaming about the things I was going to do with the money I made to make me want to get up and work on it every day.
And I am so glad I did this (and continue to do this) because each month these goals push me hard to engage and grow a community for my blog online which then helps me grow my income.
In the beginning, it was hard-set goals about how much money I thought I could make because I didn’t have anything to base it off of so keep that in mind when you are getting started. Your goals will become more accurate as you get used to blogging.
So when it comes to YOU and your website here is something to think about when setting your initial goals earning 1,000,000 a month when you have nothing to sell and no followers may be impossible, but earning a few hundred dollars or even a thousand is not.
My first-month blogging goals were:
Earn: $250
What I thought I could do with that: half of our groceries, or my nails, or getting my hair done
Pinterest Followers: 1000
(I didn't plan to focus on Facebook and Instagram followers)
Facebook Page Likes: 70
Instagram Followers: 50
Now my goals look much more like this:
Earn: $10,000 A month
What we’re currently saving for fertility treatments, saving for a new house, a new car
Schedule 70+ pins a day (using Tailwind once a week)
Write 1 Weekly Newsletter using MailChimp.
Keep active in my Facebook Group
Grow my Pinterest Following 500 a month.
GOALS ARE SO IMPORTANT!
Thinking about the amount of money I want to make for the things I want in my life makes it so much easier to want to wake up and work for my goals every day.
Thinking about being able to bring a baby into our home because of the blogging business I created for our family is the greatest motivation I could ever have.
Do you want to start your own money-making blog?
I highly suggest you jump into blogging now! People are spending more time on blogs and social media than ever before. When people are on social media more they are more likely to see your blog.
I know starting a blog can be overwhelming, it seems like there is so much you need to know, and how are you supposed to know how to set everything up, and make sure you are getting the best deal on starting a blog?
Also, how are you supposed to know how to design your blog and get traffic?
I kept getting questions from friends, and people who wanted to start their own blogs
So I figured the best way to answer all these questions would be to create a FREE ( did I mention it’s free?) 6 Day email course.
Which will teach you step-by-step how to set up a blog, install your theme, make a logo, and create monetized content. It will completely kick-start your blogging success.
I totally suggest taking it if you don’t already have a blog (or if you do already have a blog and want the advice) because I really want to help you get your dream job. Here is a more detailed guide of what we go over in it!
Day 1: How to choose a name, and blog topics.
Day 2: How to start a blog & install the design of your choice.
Day 3: Planning out your content.
Day 4: Monetizing your website as a beginner.
Day 5: Increasing your website's traffic to make more money.
Day 6: Wrap up & Guide to follow for the future to maximize profit
Free How to Start a Profitable Blog Course
Learn how to start a profitable blog from scratch in this FREE 6-day email course. Trust me, you won’t need any prior blogging knowledge.
2. I Focus on A Few Social Media Sites Not All Of Them
I realized quickly when I started blogging I couldn’t try and grow all my social media accounts at once. So currently, I focus on Pinterest and Instagram.
Pinterest: because it is how you get the most traffic to your blog. Pinning often means the more often your followers are seeing content from your website. So I spend most of my time focusing on Pinterest. (you can click here to learn how I met my goal and got a lot of traffic from Pinterest).
Instagram: because it is how I can best give you guys quick tips, answer questions, or just share my life and get to know you guys.
If you want to follow me or ask me a question my Instagram is: @ByTaylorStanford
side note: Pinterest is the only reason I get traffic to my blog. If you are new to blogging, but really want to increase the money you make blogging there are a few things that I recommend
Tailwind: Tailwind is a Pinterest scheduler I use daily.
With Tailwind you can find new things to pin by using group boards called Tribes, or searching within Tailwind.
By using Tailwind Tribes I have increased the number of views I get on Pinterest monthly from 40,000 to upward of 1,000,000 views a month. Tailwind is amazing and has changed my life. If you want to find out more you can sign up for a free tailwind account here.
3. I Make Most of My Money Affiliate Marketing (probably $9k+/mo)
Affiliate marketing is SO important as a blogger. Not having or making enough money is so disappointing, especially when you so desperately want blogging to become your job like I did in the beginning.
For months I was unsatisfied with my affiliate income because it was nearly nothing.
Now I currently make around $9,000 per month from affiliate marketing which I am super happy with.
After months of research, I finally figured out a method of affiliate marketing that worked! Here are a few of the things I think are key…
The keys to affiliate marketing are:
Knowing where to put affiliate links, and that you shouldn’t have more than 1-2 per blog post.
Knowing where to find the best affiliate programs.
Knowing how to drive traffic to your content with affiliate links in it.
Knowing who your audience is.
You can’t advertise $3,000 boots when your audience is full of women who only make $20,000/year.
You can’t advertise Walmart products to women with Gucci taste.
Knowing how to target your audience with what links you use.
Knowing the best seasons to post certain types of affiliate links.
If you want the specifics like:
Where I put affiliate links
How I get traffic to my affiliate links
How I know what affiliate programs to use
How I grew my affiliate income to $7,000+ per month
Then I highly recommend taking my digital course 30 Days to Blog Success which is currently available until Monday, August 8th at 11:59pm CST, before I take it down for a while to help the people who enroll start profitable blogs.
If you didn’t know 30 Days to Blog Success is a course I created to:
Give you my day-by-day guide to figuring out affiliate marketing and making money blogging in 30 Days.
Teach you where to put affiliate links.
Teach you where to find the best affiliate programs.
Teach you how to drive traffic to your content with affiliate links in it.
Teach you how to learn who your audience is.
Teach you how to find out if your audience wants $3,000 boots or $29.99 boots.
Teach you how to target your audience with what links you use.
Teach you the best times to post certain types of affiliate links.
Did I mention that today is the last day to get 30 Days to Blog Success? So I decided to offer it for 50% off for it being the last day just enter the code >> LASTCHANCE at checkout click here to learn more about 30 Days to Blog Success.
Offer expires Monday, August 8th, at 11:59pm CST
BONUS: 4. You Should Offer Services
I don’t currently offer services because my schedule is so variable lately but I know if you are reading this post you are probably interested in starting a blog, or maybe you have one and you probably want to make more money.
So I wanted to include this to inspire you to do go above and beyond so you can make even more money blogging than I do.
I see food bloggers all the time and wonder why they don't offer services to bring in more money.
In 30 Days to Blog Success, I suggest that food bloggers offer services like online video cooking lessons, personal recipe creation, 30-minute meal cooking classes online, offering local prepared meal delivery in your area.
(there are many more ideas for all kinds of bloggers in 30 Days to Blog Success, like ideas for mama bloggers, travel bloggers, fashion bloggers, DIY bloggers, and others!).
Click here to learn more about 30 Days to Blog Success before enrollment closes and coaching is no longer available, don’t forget to use code LASTCHANCE for 50% off (it makes it only $30). Expires: Monday, August 8th at 11:59pm CST
Here are a few services I have offered in the past:
Blog Auditing: where I go do a 4+ page report of someone’s blog and tell them exactly how they can make money with their type of blog, what they should be doing to get more traffic, what images they can post to create more shares.
Social Media Auditing: Where I create a complete a 4+ page complete review of bloggers social media to tell them when they should be posting, what content they should be sharing more, what content they should be sharing less, what social media they should focus on growing next, what they can do to wok less on their social media.
You don’t have to blog about a specific topic to make money blogging, I have made money blogging about food, budgeting, and traveling on a budget.
Everyone has knowledge that someone else doesn't have and wants. The options are endless. Fashion bloggers could offer services helping their readers organize their clothes for that season, or for an event, or personal online shopping. There are so many ways to make money blogging with services.
5. I Don't Use Advertisements
Advertisements are a great way to earn extra money blogging. However, ads really take away from a blog when they are all over the place.
When your reader clicks on an ad they are taken away from your content to go buy something that isn’t making you any money. So sure you may earn $2 from every 1,000 people that see the ad, but you aren’t making the big bucks like the company running the ad is.
You never want your main source of income to be driving people away from your website. This will only lower the quality of relationships you can build with your readers.
I recommend only having 1-3 advertisements on each page of your blog if you choose to have them.
6. I Don't Post Just To Post
I have come to the conclusion that posting every single day will not make you more money blogging. I wasted a lot of my time thinking that I needed to publish a post every day.
The way you make money blogging is by posting good content that is full of information and is actually giving something to your readers.
I currently post about once a week, but If I don’t have anything good to post I just don’t post.
In 30 Days to Blog Success I dive deeper into why posting too much is bad for your blogging career, and how to make your blog posts better.
Here are a few of the examples of how you can write good blog posts, that make people connect with your blog more:
Let your personality shine through, it is the only thing that sets you apart.
People want to know about your old jobs, your kiddos, your husband, and what makes you able to create content.
Make sure you are always teaching.
Sharing a story is what is going to build a personal connection, but teaching is what is going to make people believe in your value as a blogger.
Believe what you are saying.
If you are talking about products you don’t believe in just to make a dollar people will see it in your writing. Only talk about things you believe.
If you want to know how to make your personality shine through without boring people, or how you can get more people to your blog posts, I talk about it all in 30 Days to Blog Success (which is my story, and teachings of how you can be successful blogging in 30 Days.)
>>> DON’T FORGET this is the last day to get 30 Days to Blog Success use the code: LASTCHANCE for 50% off (that makes it only $30)
The offer expires Monday, August 8th at 11:59 pm CST
Click here to buy it or learn even more about 30 Days to Blog Success: Don’t forget the code: LASTCHANCE
7. I Always Stay Educated Always
Blogging is something that is nearly impossible to figure out all on your own, without hours of research, months of work, and tons of confusion.
I was confused for a long time when I started running my blog.
I was confused for a long time despite spending 8+ hours a day researching blogging.
I am so glad I figured it all out.
Now a few of my favorite ways to stay educated are:
Keeping notes and looking back at them often so I don’t make the same mistake twice.
Using Pinterest looking at blogging tips and changes.
Reading other blogger’s books/courses.
If you’re interested in blogging, and you want to know:
To know how to affiliate market like a six-figure blogger.
To know what to day-to-day on social media and Pinterest in order to run a successful blog.
To know how the heck bloggers become successful.
To know what you need to do to increase your blog traffic.
To know when it comes to branding what is important, and how to do it yourself for free.
Then I highly recommend grabbing 30 Days, to Blog Success while it’s still open for enrollment this week.
The reason I keep preaching 30 Days to Blog Success is that I have walked blogging alone, and I know blogging is better with someone (actually many people, especially in the 30 Days to Blog Success Facebook Group) in your corner. 30 Days to Blog Success is a great resource that will teach you exactly how to start a profitable blog over the next month.
Click here to buy it or learn even more about 30 Days to Blog Success.
>>> REMINDER: 30 Days to Blog Success is 50% off with code: LASTCHANCE (that makes it only $30) so join before the enrollment closes.
The offer expires Monday, August 8th, at 11:59pm CST
8. Final Thoughts
I see so many bloggers post about everything under the sun even though they really want to be a fashion blogger, or they really want to be a mommy blogger.
To make money blogging you need to stay true to yourself. Talking about something you don't care about to get people to click affiliate links, or get more traffic makes your blog seem unprofessional and boring.
Talking about something you love makes it a lot easier to be dedicated to blogging. Being dedicated to blogging makes it a lot easier to make it a career.
If you are interested in learning my blogging method, which has makes me over $9,000 per month from affiliate marketing, and sponsorships, check out 30 Days to Blog Success before enrollment closes at 11:59 pm CST.
Click here to buy it or learn even more about 30 Days to Blog Success.
>>> LAST CALL 30 Days to Blog Success is 50% off with code: LASTCHANCE
The offer expires at 11:59 pm CST.
I also want to give you ONE MORE final chance to get my SUPER FREE 6-Day email course that will teach you how to set up your blog in order to get it ready to make money. Here is what we go over in it:
Day 1: How to choose a name, and blog topics.
Day 2: How to start a blog & install the design of your choice.
Day 3: Planning out your content.
Day 4: Monetizing your website as a beginner.
Day 5: Increasing your website's traffic to make more money.
Day 6: Wrap up & Guide to follow for the future to maximize profit.
Free How to Start a Profitable Blog Course
Learn how to start a profitable blog from scratch in this FREE 6-day email course. Trust me, you won’t need any prior blogging knowledge.
I'm just a small-town girl who built a blog that changed my life and now I'm sharing my life to hopefully help you realize you are capable and worthy of your dream life.