How to Start a Blog (and Make Money from It)
Blogging is one of the most powerful tools you can use to build your personal brand, establish authority, and even create passive income. Despite what you may have heard, blogging is not dead—far from it. Every day, people search Google for answers, and more often than not, it’s blog articles that show up.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a blog but feel overwhelmed about where to begin, this guide will walk you step-by-step through the process.
Why Start a Blog?
A blog is an asset you own. Unlike social media platforms—where algorithms and company policies can change overnight. Your blog belongs to you. Even if social platforms shut down or glitch, your blog is still live and accessible.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of having a blog:
Ownership: Your blog is your online real estate, not borrowed space.
No Algorithms: Unlike social media, your blog isn’t affected by algorithm changes.
Evergreen Content: Blog posts can be discovered months and years later, continuing to drive traffic and income long after you’ve hit publish.
Step 1: Choose Your Niche
The first step in creating your blog is deciding what you’ll write about. Ask yourself:
What am I passionate about?
What unique perspective or experience do I bring to this topic?
Is this topic profitable?
Some profitable niches include personal finance, DIY, health and wellness, food and recipes, fashion, lifestyle, and digital marketing.
Step 2: Buy Your Domain & Hosting
Your domain is your blog’s web address (for example: yourname.com). You can purchase it from sites like GoDaddy or Squarespace.
Next, you’ll need hosting, which is where your website “lives.” Popular hosting options include:
WordPress – powerful, customizable (but has a learning curve)
Squarespace – user-friendly with built-in design features
Wix – beginner-friendly with drag-and-drop tools
Step 3: Create Valuable Content
You don’t need to be a “great writer” to blog. What matters most is providing value to your audience. Tools like ChatGPT can help you outline posts, and Grammarly can polish your grammar and sentence structure.
Here’s how to structure your blog posts for SEO:
Catchy, keyword-rich title
Introductory paragraph with the main question you’ll answer
3–5 paragraphs in the main body (use subheadings and keep paragraphs under 300 words)
Conclusion summarizing your key points
Call-to-action (CTA): invite readers to subscribe, download a freebie, or check out your services
Step 4: Monetize Your Blog
While it takes time to grow your audience, blogging can become a powerful source of income. Here are five ways to make money with your blog:
Advertisements – Display ads on your site through Google AdSense or other networks.
Affiliate Marketing – Recommend products and earn a commission when readers purchase through your links.
Sell Your Own Products – Digital products (ebooks, guides, courses) or physical products (merch, drop-shipping).
Services & Consulting – Use your blog to position yourself as an expert and book paid opportunities.
Sponsored Content – Partner with brands to write paid blog posts once you’ve built an audience.
Take Action
The key to blogging success is starting. Don’t just read about it, take the first step today. Brainstorm three potential niches, buy your domain, and commit to writing your first post.
And if you’d like extra guidance, I created a How to Start a Blog Workbook that includes everything we covered in this post plus a section on SEO, complete with an example blog post format.
👉 Download the How to Start a Blog Workbook here
You’ll also find 1:1 coaching available if you’d like my support in setting up your blog from scratch. Apply here.
Final Thoughts
A blog is more than just a website—it’s your online portfolio, your platform to share your voice, and a business asset that can grow with you over time. Whether you want to share your story, teach what you know, or build a stream of passive income, starting a blog is a smart investment in your future.
