Can you even make money by blogging?

Yes, you can. But, as with anything in life, it's not going to be easy. Making money through blogging takes time, patience, and a whole lot of hard work. But if you're willing to put in the effort, the rewards can be pretty lucrative.

But let's be honest here, why do people even bother blogging in the first place? Is it for the love of the craft? The desire to share one's thoughts and ideas with the world? Psh, please. It's all about the benjamins, baby. We, bloggers, want to make some cold, hard cash. And who can blame us? After all, we spend hours upon hours creating content, so why not get paid?

Before we dive into how bloggers make money, let's address the elephant in the room: no, you will not become a millionaire overnight by starting a blog. But that's okay! Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day. 

So, without further ado, let's dive into the ways that bloggers make money:

Advertising:

Advertising is one of the most common ways bloggers make money. Bloggers can earn money by placing ads on their websites every time someone clicks on one of those ads. Several different advertising options are available to bloggers, including display ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing. 

The key to making money through advertising is to have a large and engaged audience. The more traffic your website receives, the more money you can make through advertising. However, it's important to note that placing too many ads on your website can be off-putting to readers and negatively affect the user experience.

Affiliate marketing:

Affiliate marketing is another popular way for bloggers to make money. This is where bloggers promote other people's products and get a commission for every sale made through their unique affiliate link. This can be a great way to make money as a blogger, as long as you're promoting products that are relevant to your audience and that you actually believe in. 

To be successful with affiliate marketing, choosing products that align with your brand and that you feel confident promoting to your audience is crucial. It's also essential to disclose that you are using affiliate links and be transparent about your earnings.

Sponsored posts:

Posts are a way for bloggers to make money by writing about a specific product or service. Companies will pay bloggers to write a post about their product or service and promote it to their audience. This is a great way to monetize your blog, but it's essential to disclose that the post is sponsored and that you're being compensated for it. 

Also, it's essential to only accept sponsored posts from companies whose products or services align with your brand and that you feel confident promoting to your audience. Be selective about the sponsored posts you accept, and make sure they add value to your blog and readers.

Selling your own products or services:

Selling your own products or services is an excellent way for bloggers to monetize their blogs and earn significant money. This could include creating and selling e-books, online courses, webinars, consulting services, or physical products. 

The key to making money by selling your products or services is finding something that aligns with your brand and that your audience is interested in. By creating products or services that solve a specific problem or meet a specific need for your audience, you can establish yourself as an authority in your niche and build a loyal customer base.

Subscriptions or memberships:

Another way for bloggers to make money is through subscriptions or memberships. Bloggers can earn money on a recurring basis by offering exclusive content or perks to those who subscribe or become members. This could include access to a private community, exclusive blog posts, or early access to content. 

Subscriptions or memberships are a great way to monetize your content and establish a loyal fan base. It's essential to offer value to your subscribers or members and make sure the content or perks you offer are exclusive and worthwhile.

Also: let's establish a fact: 

Blogging is not just about putting your thoughts and ideas out there for the world to see. It's also about using your blog to drive traffic to the "real thing" you're trying to sell.

"Real thing," you may ask? Oh, you know, the thing that you're actually in it for. The reason why you're putting yourself through the grueling task of staring at a blank screen and typing away like a madman. The thing that's going to make you rich and famous. The thing that's going to make all your blogging struggles worth it. Oh, that "real thing"? Yeah, that thing.

But let's not beat around the bush; the real reason why we bloggers blog is to drive traffic to our "real thing." Be it an e-book, a course, a consulting service, or something else. The blog is just a means to an end, a tool to get people to the "real thing" we're trying to sell.

These are just a few of the ways that bloggers can make money.

And while it may seem daunting initially, remember that it takes time and patience to build a successful blog. So, don't give up! Keep at it, and you'll be raking in the dough.

In conclusion, blogging is not for the faint of heart but can be extremely rewarding. It's going to drive a lot of free traffic, just not in the few weeks of starting. (you will have to wait and get better).