Amateur Blogging 101: How To Start A Blog And Make Money

Overview

Starting a blog can be exciting, but making it a real business can be challenging. It takes hard work, dedication, and creativity to make a blog into a successful business. This blogging tutorial will discuss the steps you need to take to turn your amateur blogging hobby into a real business.

If you like our “Amateur Blogging 101: How To Start A Blog And Make Money”, you might also enjoy 3 Best Low-Cost Start-Up Business Ideas.

What Is Blogging?

Blogging is publishing content online through a platform, such as a personal website or a blog hosting service. It allows individuals or organizations to express their thoughts, opinions, experiences, and knowledge on various topics. 

A blog typically contains articles, known as “posts,” which are displayed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent post appearing first.

Blogging is not just limited to personal thoughts and experiences; it can also be used for professional purposes, such as marketing, journalism, or creating a portfolio. 

Blogs can be used to build a brand, establish thought leadership, or drive traffic to a website.

Blogging is not the same as journalism. While bloggers may publish news and information, they are not held to the same standards as journalists. Not all bloggers have a background in writing or the skills to produce high-quality content. Amateur blogging is a form of self-expression and self-publishing.

Amateur Blogging

Amateur blogging is special because it allows for personal expression, authenticity, niche topics, and community building. 

Self-Expression

It is an excellent platform for self-expression and sharing passions, where amateur bloggers can write from the heart and connect with like-minded people through meaningful conversations. It can be fulfilling and therapeutic to share their thoughts, opinions, experiences, and emotions with the world.

Freedom To Choose Topics

Amateur blogging can focus on niche topics that stem from passions like hobbies, travel, personal growth, and development. And through comments and feedback, readers can engage in meaningful conversations and foster a sense of belonging and connection.

Amateur bloggers try to make their content more relatable and authentic than professional writing.

However, amateur bloggers often wonder if their hobby can also generate income. In this Amateur Blogging 101 course, we will share everything about how to start a blog and make money.

Amateur Blogging VS For Profit

Blogging for profit is different from amateur blogging in several ways:

Business Focus

Blogging for profit is more focused on generating revenue, whereas amateur blogging is typically done for personal reasons such as self-expression or sharing a passion. Profit-focused bloggers may use various monetization strategies such as affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and advertising to earn money from their blogs.

Professionalism

Blogging for profit often requires a higher level of professionalism, such as a well-designed website, a regular posting schedule, and high-quality content that appeals to a broader audience. The aim is to attract and retain a large readership to maximize monetization opportunities.

Targeted Content

Profit-focused bloggers may write about topics that are in demand or have commercial value, such as personal finance, health and wellness, and travel. These topics are often more likely to generate high traffic and engagement, leading to increased monetization opportunities.

Branding

Blogging for profit often requires strong branding, such as a clear mission statement, consistent visual identity, and an effective marketing strategy. The goal is to establish the blog as a trusted and recognizable brand in its niche to attract more readers and increase monetization potential.

Thus, blogging for profit is a more business-focused approach to blogging, focusing on generating revenue, professionalism, targeted content, and branding.

Blogging As A Business

Having a successful blog and making money from it from the start relies on developing a business strategy that includes finding and targeting the right keywords. 

These keywords should be relatively competitive and should still be able to generate money. To find these keywords and opportunities, amateur bloggers must discover new and emerging keywords in their niche that can rank. 

Keep reading to find out how to find these keywords and create a few articles from the start that can make money from ad revenue and affiliate marketing. By the end of this post, you’ll have a strategy to make money from your blog.

How To Start A Blog And Make Money (10 Steps)

1. Choose a niche: The first step in starting an affiliate blog is to choose a niche you are passionate about and familiar with. This could be anything from fashion to technology to cooking, etc. It should be focused but also leave room for potential changes that you can make as you go along.
2. Purchase a domain name and hosting: Your domain name should be short, memorable, and relevant to your niche. Purchase a hosting plan from a reliable and inexpensive provider like Bluehost or Web.com to ensure your blog loads quickly and reliably.
3. Install and customize your blog: Install and customize your blog by choosing a suitable WordPress theme and setting up the necessary plugins. You can also add custom widgets and pages to enhance the functionality of your blog.
4. Create valuable content: Create useful and engaging content relevant to your niche and target audience. Focus on providing informative and actionable advice or tutorials.
5. Optimize your blog for search engines: Make sure your blog is optimized for search engines (to get indexed by Google) by using relevant keywords, meta tags, and descriptions. You can also use tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics to track your blog’s traffic performance and make necessary changes.
6. Promote your blog: Start promoting your blog on social media platforms and other online communities relevant to your niche. You can also use email marketing, guest posting, and other methods to reach a wider audience.
7. Join affiliate programs: Research and join affiliate programs relevant to your niche and target audience. You can start promoting these programs and earning commission from sales.
8. Join an ad network: Once the blog reaches 10,000 monthly visits, join an ad network like AdSense and optimize ad delivery. 
9. Track and analyze your performance: Regularly track and analyze your blog’s performance to see what is working and what is not. Make changes and try new things to improve your blog and its results continuously.
10. Scale your blog: Scale your blog by outsourcing tasks such as blog post writing, backlink acquisition, or marketing to freelancers from Fiverr or other platforms.

Following these steps, you can start an affiliate blog and earn money. It usually takes some time before an amateur blog can become a source of income. 

Below we discuss a few valuable strategies to speed up the process and increase the chances of success.

Content Assembly Line

A content assembly line is a process that allows you to create and publish blog posts consistently and efficiently. The following steps will help you establish a content assembly line for your blog:

1. Define your niche and target audience: Determine the topics you will cover and the types of readers you want to attract. That will help you create relevant and engaging content.
2. Develop a content calendar: Plan out the topics you want to cover and the frequency at which you publish posts. This will help you stay organized and ensure a steady flow of content.
3. Create an outline for each post: Develop a structure for each post, including the introduction, body, and conclusion. This will help you stay focused and ensure your posts are well-organized.
4. Write the first draft: Use your outline as a guide to creating the first draft of your post. Don’t worry about perfecting it; just focus on getting the ideas down.
5. Edit and revise: Once you have a first draft, go back and revise it. Check for grammar and spelling errors, tighten up the writing, and make sure the post flows well.
6. Add media: Incorporate images, videos, or other multimedia elements to make your posts more visually appealing.
7. Publish and promote: Once your post is ready, publish it on your blog and promote it through your social media channels and email list.

This way, you can create a content assembly line that will help you consistently produce high-quality blog posts. Remember to be patient and persistent and follow best blogging practices, as building a successful blog takes time and effort.

How To Find Low-Competition High-Volume Keywords

The goal is to find low-competition, high-traffic keywords for affiliate and ad revenue.

We will explain how to do that using “Etsy” as an example.

Use Keyword Explorer Tools

Bloggers use the following Keyword Explorer tools to look for keywords. The best are:

• Ahrefs
• Semrush
• The Hoth

To find low-difficulty high-volume keywords using keyword tools like Ahrefs, you can follow these steps:

1. Open Ahrefs Keyword Explorer tool: Go to the Ahrefs website and log in to your account. Then, open the Keyword Explorer tool.
2. Enter a seed keyword: Enter a keyword related to your niche or topic. We type “Etsy.” This will be the starting point for keyword research. It looks like “Etsy” is highly competitive, with a keyword difficulty (KD) score of 83 and 14M in volume. 
3. Set filters for difficulty and search volume: In the Keyword Explorer, you can set filters to find low-difficulty and high-volume keywords. Set the difficulty filter to a low value (e.g., 10-20) and the search volume filter to a high value (e.g., 100+).
4. Analyze the keyword ideas: Ahrefs will generate a list of keyword ideas based on your seed keyword and filters. Analyze the list and look for keywords with low difficulty scores and high search volume. In our example, “Etsy SEO tools” has a KD score of 6. So you can write posts about various Etsy SEO tools like eRank, etc.
5. Check the SERP features: Once you have found potential keywords, click on them to see the search engine results page (SERP) analysis. Look for SERP features like featured snippets, knowledge graphs, and related questions. If the SERP is full of these features, it may be more challenging to rank for that keyword.
6. Analyze the competition: Look at the top-ranking pages for your target keyword and analyze their backlink profiles, content quality, and on-page optimization. If the competition seems weak or you can create better content, it may be a good opportunity to target that keyword.
7. Prioritize and organize the keywords: After you have found low-difficulty high-volume keywords, prioritize them based on their relevance and potential traffic. Organize them into different groups or categories to make it easier to create content and optimize your website for those keywords.

Use Modifiers

When looking for keywords for a blog post, you can use several modifiers to help identify the most effective and relevant keywords. 

Here are some of the most important ones:

• Long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are longer phrases that are more specific than broad keywords. They often have a lower search volume but can be more targeted and have less competition. Including long-tail keywords in your blog post can help you rank higher for niche topics and attract more targeted traffic.
• Location-based keywords: If you have a local business or are targeting a specific geographic area, including location-based keywords in your blog post can help you attract more local traffic. These keywords can include the name of your city or region and other local-specific terms.
• Action-oriented keywords: Action-oriented keywords are words that encourage the reader to take a specific action, such as “buy,” “subscribe,” or “learn more.” Including these keywords in your blog post can help drive conversions and encourage readers to take the desired action.
• Comparison keywords: Comparison keywords are words that indicate that the reader is looking for a comparison between two or more options, such as “best,” “top,” or “vs.” Including these keywords in your blog post can help you rank for comparison content and attract readers in the decision-making stage of the buying process.
• Question keywords: Question keywords are words indicating that the reader is looking for answers to specific questions, such as “how,” “what,” or “why.” Including these keywords in your blog post can help you rank for content that answers common questions in your niche or industry, which can attract more targeted traffic and position you as an authority in your field.

Using a mix of these modifiers when looking for keywords for a blog post can help you identify the most effective and relevant keywords, attract more targeted traffic, and position yourself as an authority in your niche or industry.

Write Minimum Viable Posts

Perfection is great. But posting minimum viable posts in blogging is essential for several reasons:

• Consistency: Blogging is all about creating a consistent stream of valuable content for your readers. Posting minimum viable posts on a regular blogging schedule allows you to maintain this consistency without burning out or sacrificing quality.
• Testing: Minimum viable posts are a great way to test out ideas, see what resonates with your audience, and get feedback on your writing. By posting more frequently, you can better understand what topics and formats are most effective for your blog.
• SEO: Search engines like Google favor frequently updated websites with new content. Posting minimum viable posts can help improve your website’s SEO and get indexed faster by signaling to search engines that your site is active and relevant.
• Building momentum: Consistently posting, even small posts, can help build momentum for your blog. As your readers get used to seeing new content from you, they may be more likely to engage with and share your posts, leading to increased traffic and growth.
• Building trust: By providing regular updates and valuable information, minimum viable posts can help build trust with your readers. Over time, they may see you as a reliable source of information in your niche or industry, leading to increased engagement and loyalty.

So, posting minimum viable posts is essential to building a successful blog. By consistently delivering valuable content, testing new ideas, and building trust with your readers, you can establish yourself as an authority in your niche and grow your audience over time.

How To Monetize Content

There are several ways to monetize content on  a blog, including:

1. Advertising: You can sell advertising space on your blog to companies looking to reach your target audience. You can do that through display ads, sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing.
2. Affiliate marketing: You can earn a commission by promoting products or services related to your niche and linking to them from your blog. You earn a commission when someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase.
3. Digital products: You can create and sell digital products, such as e-books, courses, or printables, related to your niche.
4. Sponsored posts: You can receive payment from companies to write posts about their products or services. These posts should be clearly labeled as sponsored content.
5. Services: If you have a specific skill or expertise, you can offer services such as consulting or coaching related to your niche.

Finding the monetization method that works best for your blog and your target audience is essential. You may also want to experiment with different approaches to find the most profitable. 

Additionally, it is important to always disclose any sponsored content or affiliate links by following advertising and consumer protection regulations.

Look For High Ticket And Recurring Products 

When searching for affiliate programs, looking for high-ticket and recurring products is important in affiliate marketing for several reasons:

• Higher commissions: High-ticket products typically have a higher price point, which means you can earn a higher commission per sale. This can translate into more revenue and profits for you as an affiliate marketer.
• Recurring income: Recurring products, such as subscription services, can provide ongoing revenue for as long as the customer remains subscribed. This can provide a reliable stream of income over time, which can be especially valuable for affiliate marketers looking to build a sustainable business.
• Less competition: High ticket and recurring products often have less competition than lower-priced, one-time purchase products. That means ranking for relevant keywords and getting your affiliate links in front of potential customers may be easier.
• More value for customers: High-ticket products often offer more value to customers than lower-priced products. This can result in higher customer satisfaction and retention, which can benefit both the product owner and the affiliate marketer.
• Higher perceived authority: Promoting high ticket and recurring products can help position you as an authority in your niche or industry. That can lead to more trust and credibility with your audience, which can, in turn, lead to more sales and revenue.

Looking for high-ticket and recurring products can be a smart strategy for affiliate marketers looking to maximize their earnings and build a sustainable business. Promoting products that offer more value and revenue potential creates a win-win situation for yourself and your audience.

Link Building

Link building is the process of acquiring links from other websites that point to your blog. These links act as “votes of confidence” from other websites, indicating that your content is valuable and relevant to search engines. 

As a result, having a strong backlink profile can help improve your search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your blog.

Here are some ways to build links for your blog:

• Create valuable content:  If you create something of value, others will find it helpful and want to link to it naturally. It can be an informative, original post or a useful tool like a mortgage calculator.
• Guest posting: Reach out to other bloggers in your niche and offer to write a guest post for their blog. Make sure the post is high-quality and includes a link back to your own blog.
• Broken link building: Search for broken links on other websites in your niche, and offer to replace the broken link with a link to one of your blog posts.
• Infographics: Create eye-catching infographics related to your niche and offer to share them with other websites in exchange for a link.
• Resource pages: Look for resource pages in your niche that list helpful resources and tools and offer to have your blog included on the list.
• Social media: Share your blog posts on social media and engage with others in your niche. When your content is shared, it may lead to natural links back to your blog.
• Commenting: Leave thoughtful comments on relevant blog posts, including a link to one of your own blog posts.

Remember that link building is a gradual process and that the quality of the links is more important than the quantity. Focus on building relationships with other bloggers and creating high-quality content to which others will want to link. 

Avoid using black hat tactics or buying links, as these practices can result in penalties from search engines.

Secrets To Successful Blogging

There is no single secret to successful amateur blogging, but several key factors can contribute to a blog’s success. Some of these include:

• Passion: Choose a topic you are passionate about, which will help you create engaging and meaningful content for your audience.
• Consistency: Publish new content regularly, whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly. Consistency is key to building an audience and maintaining engagement.
• Quality Content: Make sure your blog posts are well-written, well-researched, and provide value to your readers. Your goal should be to create content that is informative, entertaining or both.
• Search engine optimization (SEO): Optimize your blog for search engines, including keywords, meta descriptions, and image optimization. This will help you rank higher, along with quality backlinks, in search engine results pages, making it easier for people to find your blog.
• Social Media: Use social media to promote your blog and interact with your audience. Share your blog posts on your social media channels, join relevant groups, and engage with others in your niche.
• Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, answer questions, and engage with your audience through your blog and social media channels. That will help you build a strong community and foster a sense of connection with your readers.
• Experiment: Try new things, be creative, and not be afraid to experiment. You may find new ways to engage with your audience, monetize your blog, or expand your reach.

Following these tips can set you on the path to successful blogging. Remember that building a successful blog takes time and effort, but the rewards of having an engaged audience and a platform to share your passions can be well worth it.

How Do You Measure Success In Blogging

Bloggers can use several metrics to measure the success of a blog:

• Traffic: The number of visitors to your blog is a good indication of its popularity and reach. This can be tracked using tools like Google Analytics.
• Engagement: Measuring your audience’s engagement level is important as it shows how interested and invested they are in your content. Engagement metrics include comments, shares, likes, and social media followers.
• Subscriber count: Having many email subscribers shows that people are interested in your content and want to stay updated on your future posts.
• Revenue: If your blog is monetized, measuring the amount of money it generates can also be considered a measure of success. This can include ad revenue, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing.
• Search engine optimization (SEO): A successful blog should get indexed and rank well in search engines for relevant keywords, which can lead to increased visibility and traffic.

It’s important to note that these metrics do not solely determine success in blogging, and different bloggers may have different goals and definitions of success. 

Additionally, some metrics may be more important for some blogs than others, depending on the blog’s niche, target audience, and goals.

Obstacles To Becoming A Successful Blogger

Blogging as a business can be challenging, and several obstacles can hinder its success. Some of these include:

• Competition: The blogging world is highly competitive, and it can be challenging to stand out among the millions of blogs.
• Lack of audience: Without an audience, your blog won’t have the reach it needs to be successful. Building an audience takes time and effort, but it’s essential for your blog’s success.
• Monetization: Monetizing a blog can be challenging, especially if you need to figure out which methods will be most profitable for your blog. Finding the best monetization strategy for your blog may take some time and experimentation.
• Consistency: Maintaining a consistent blogging schedule for publishing new content can be difficult, especially if you have other commitments or distractions in your daily life.
• Technical challenges: Blogging requires a certain level of technical skill, and it can be frustrating when things don’t go according to plan. Many technical challenges can arise from dealing with website design issues to fixing broken links.
• Writer’s block: Creating new and engaging content on a regular basis can be challenging, and writer’s block can be a real obstacle for bloggers.
• Balancing time: Running a successful blog as a business requires a significant time commitment, and balancing your blog with other obligations in your life can be challenging.

You can overcome these obstacles with persistence, dedication, and a willingness to learn and grow.  You can create a successful blogging business by being proactive, seeking help when needed, avoiding amateur bloggers mistakes, and staying focused on your goals.

How To Start A Blog For Free

Free blogging platforms allow you to create a blog without paying for hosting or a domain name. Some popular examples include:

WordPress.com

This is a free version of the popular WordPress content management system. The downside is that you are limited in customization options and may have to display advertisements on your blog.

Blogger.com

Blogger is a free blogging platform owned by Google. The downside is that content monetizing can be more difficult compared to other blogging sites, and you may also be limited in terms of customization options.

Wix.com

This is a website builder that also offers a free blogging platform. The downside is that you may have to deal with branding from Wix on your blog, and your website may load slower than other platforms.

Tumblr

Tumblr is a microblogging platform that also allows for longer blog posts. You can see how to start a blog with no money, but the downside is that monetizing your blog can be difficult, and your audience may be more limited than on other platforms.

The downside of free blogging platforms is that they often need more customization options and may restrict monetization. Additionally, they may display advertisements on your blog or place branding on your site.

Why Pay For Hosting?

Using a paid hosting platform for affiliate blogging can offer several advantages over free hosting. Here are a few reasons why it’s generally best to use paid hosting for affiliate blogging:

• Better performance and uptime: Paid hosting platforms generally offer better performance and uptime than free hosting platforms. This means that your website will load faster, be more responsive, and be more reliable, which can lead to a better user experience for your visitors.
• More control and customization: Paid hosting platforms typically offer more control and customization options than free hosting platforms. They allow you to customize your website to suit your brand better, optimize it for search engines, and integrate it with other tools and services.
• More security and backup options: Paid hosting platforms often offer more advanced security and backup options than free hosting platforms. This can help protect your website from security threats and ensure that your data is safe and backed up in case of a disaster.
• Better support: Paid hosting platforms generally offer better support than free ones. If you encounter any issues with your website, you can get help from a dedicated support team that can provide more personalized and timely assistance.
• Compliance with affiliate program terms: Many affiliate programs require that you have a self-hosted website to participate. By using a paid hosting platform, you can ensure that you meet these requirements and avoid any potential issues with affiliate program terms and conditions.

Using a paid hosting platform for affiliate blogging can help you create a more professional and reliable website, improve the user experience for your visitors, and ensure that you comply with affiliate program requirements. 

While free hosting platforms may be a good option for blogging for beginners or hobbyists, using a paid hosting platform is generally the best choice for affiliate marketers looking to build a sustainable and profitable business.

Best Affordable Hosting Service Providers

Bluehost

Bluehost is a web hosting provider that offers various hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, and WordPress hosting. They are known for their affordable prices, user-friendly interface, and reliable uptime.

Web.com

Web.com is a web hosting provider that offers a range of services, including web design, marketing, and e-commerce solutions and hosting. They specialize in helping small businesses establish an online presence and provide tools to help companies to optimize their websites for search engines.

Namecheap Hosting

Namecheap is a web hosting provider that offers domain registration, shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting plans. They are known for their low prices, easy-to-use control panel, and reliable customer support. Namecheap also offers a range of security features, such as SSL certificates and two-factor authentication.

Amateur Blogging FAQs

Q: What is the meaning of blogger?

A: A blogger is a person who writes and publishes content on a blog, usually on a specific topic or niche. The term “blogger” can refer to both the individual who creates the content and the platform on which the content is published.

Q: What does blog stand for?

A: According to Wikipedia, the term “blog” is a shortened form of “weblog.” A weblog is a website or section of a website that features regularly updated content, usually presented in reverse-chronological order (with the most recent post appearing first).

Q: How can I start blogging as a beginner?

A: Starting a blog as a beginner involves choosing a niche, selecting a platform, choosing a domain name and hosting, designing your blog, creating and publishing content, and promoting your blog through social media and other channels. There are many resources available online to help you get started with blogging.

Q: Do beginner bloggers make money?

A: Beginner bloggers can make money, but it typically takes time, effort, and persistence to build an audience and monetize a blog. Some common ways bloggers can make money include advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and selling digital or physical products.

Q: How do I blog with no experience?

A: Amateur blogging with no experience requires learning the basics of blogging, including how to choose a niche, create content, and promote your blog. You can learn these skills through online tutorials, courses, and resources and by practicing and refining your blogging skills over time.

Q: Can I start a blog if I’m not an expert?

A: Yes, you can start a blog even if you are not an expert in your chosen niche. Many successful amateur bloggers have started out with limited knowledge or experience in their subject area but have developed their skills and knowledge through research and practice.

Q: What are the basics of blogging?

A: The basics of blogging include choosing a niche, creating content, promoting your blog, and engaging with your audience. Other important considerations include selecting a blogging platform, choosing a domain name, and optimizing your blog for search engines.

Q: How do bloggers get paid?

A: Bloggers can get paid in various ways, including through advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and selling digital or physical products. Some bloggers also make money through crowdfunding or membership programs.

Q: Do’s and Don’ts of blogging?

A: Some important do’s of blogging include choosing a specific niche, creating high-quality content, engaging with your audience, and promoting your blog through social media and other channels. Don’ts of blogging include plagiarizing content, spamming your audience, neglecting to update your blog regularly, and failing to engage with your readers.

Q: Why do bloggers fail?

A: Bloggers can fail for a variety of reasons, including lack of focus or consistency, poor content quality, lack of engagement with the audience, failure to monetize the blog effectively, and lack of promotion or marketing.

Q: What should a beginner write on a blog?

A: Beginners can write on various topics, depending on their interests and expertise. Some common topics for amateur blogging include personal experiences, how-to guides, product reviews, and commentary on current events or industry news.

Conclusion

Making a blog into a successful business takes commitment and dedication. You can turn your amateur blogging hobby into a successful business with the right strategy and mindset. Start by creating content people want to read, and then use that content to build an audience and monetize your blog.