Are you looking to make money on the internet? Monetizing a blog or website is such a fun and creative way to make passive income on the internet. Since 2011, I’ve been making money online, and it’s been an incredible journey. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that owning your platform—specifically a website—gives you a unique advantage. In a world where many influencers focus solely on social media, having a website sets you apart and creates lasting opportunities. I’m excited to share 10 essential steps to help you start making money with your blog or website.

Years ago I was tagged in a local mom’s group on Facebook.  Someone asked if anyone in the group had been successful making money with a blog. I answered honestly that I was making anywhere between $1200-4000 a month depending on the time of year and how much effort I put into it.

Something wonderful happened after that Facebook post. Local moms started messaging me to find out how they could start making money with a blog too. All of a sudden I realized that I’m not just a “small potatoes” blogger. I’m someone who has figured out how to be an active stay-at-home mom who also runs a small business. My expertise isn’t just how to monetize a blog, but how to manage and monetize a blog while staying home with small children.

If I can do it with 3 kids at home, you can make money blogging too!

I’ve since started two new websites and now monetize all three. I consider myself a digital publisher and mostly make money off affiliate marketing and ad revenue.

Whether you want to blog on the side, blog full time, or blog while staying home, my tips will help you start a website/ blog and make money from it!

There are a ton of e-books and e-courses out there that will teach you everything you need to know about blogging. I’d love to find the time to write a course or a book so I could make a little extra money, but the truth is I don’t want to take money away from your family in order to provide for mine. Instead, I’d like to share a lot of my favorite information for free.

The only thing I ask is that if you do decide to start a blog and monetize it, please use the affiliate links in my posts. If you buy something through these links I will make money at no extra charge to you. Another thing I ask is that you share this post on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook. Please share this with your friends who want to start a blog. The more people who see this post, the more money I can make at no cost to you. This way you get free information and I get paid to give it to you!

How to Make Money Blogging- 10 Tips that Have Brought me Passive Income

1. Do Your Research

Congrats, you’re already doing this step by reading this blog post! Don’t stop here. Keep reading books, search Pinterest, do some Google searching, take an e-course or two, and join email lists from bloggers who blog about blogging (yes, that is a blogging niche).

I recommend that everyone start by going to the Elite Blog Academy website run by Ruth Soukup. You’ll find a ton of free training videos on her site to help you get started.

Be aware that most bloggers are trying to sell you something these days. Once you are on a bloggers email list they will probably try to sell you something. I only open emails from four of my favorite bloggers who routinely share blogging tips for free.

2. Start a Blog

After you do your research and know you’re ready to start a blog, you can actually start one!

Read one of my most popular blog posts to learn how to start a blog: How to Start a Blog on a Budget

Once you have everything set up, you will want to write content that is useful and easy to find. What I mean is that you don’t want to waste your time writing something that no one wants to read. You also don’t want to write something that people can’t find. The internet is a big place. Make your content stand out by following these tips:

• Write blog posts that solve a problem, help the reader, or entertain the reader.
• Research your blog topic to find the best search engine optimization (SEO) keywords.
• Read blog posts that teach you SEO tips.
• Get the premium version of the Yoast plug in for WordPress.
• Make your images stand out by taking great photos or using paid stock photography (I use Deposit Photos and buy a discounted package through AppSumo).

When you post on your blog, make sure to share it with the world! If you aren’t confident enough to share your posts on your own social media accounts, how can you expect others to do the same?

3. Set up an Email List

One of the most valuable assets you can have as a blogger is your email list. Unlike social media platforms, where algorithms constantly change and limit your reach, your email list is something you own and control. It allows you to communicate directly with your audience, build a deeper relationship with your readers, and ultimately drive more traffic and sales. Whether you’re promoting your own products, affiliate offers, or sponsored content, having a loyal list of subscribers means you’re not relying solely on search engines or social media for income.

An engaged email list can significantly boost your blogging income by increasing conversions. People who sign up for your emails have already shown interest in what you offer, making them more likely to purchase from you when the time comes. By providing value through helpful content, exclusive deals, or personalized recommendations, you can nurture your subscribers and turn them into loyal customers. Plus, email marketing consistently delivers one of the highest returns on investment in digital marketing—so if you’re serious about making money blogging, focusing on growing your email list should be a top priority.

I personally use Kit. I love that they offer a great free program if you have less than 1000 people on your list. This is a great way to get started for FREE!

4. Grow Your Social Media Following

While social media isn’t essential for building a successful blog or website, it can certainly be a valuable tool. I know bloggers who earn significant income purely through Google search traffic, without relying on social media at all. On the flip side, some social media influencers make money without ever having a website. And then there are those with large followings on both platforms—yet their earnings are minimal. The truth is, you can’t judge someone’s online income based on their follower count alone.

If you’re serious about making money through organic search, setting up a professional Pinterest account to showcase your blog posts is a must. YouTube and TikTok are also great tools for boosting your site’s SEO and expanding your reach. Meanwhile, Facebook and Instagram can be useful for brand-building and influencer partnerships, but they don’t typically drive significant website traffic, as both platforms are designed to keep users engaged within their ecosystem. For that reason, it’s smart to establish a presence on Facebook and Instagram, but use them primarily for engagement and brand awareness rather than traffic generation.

Read this post to learn how to grow your social media following: How to Become a Social Media Influencer

Read this post to learn how to monetize your social media following: How to Make Money as a Social Media Influencer

5. Join Affiliate Networks, Blogging Networks and Influencer Programs that Pay

Affiliate networks provide you with trackable links to include in your blog posts or social media. When someone makes a purchase through your link, you earn a commission at no extra cost to your readers. For example, on my composting website, I specialize in electric food recycler reviews and earn around $100 per sale when someone purchases through my link. Talk about passive income! Affiliate marketing is the backbone of my three websites, and I love seeing those earnings roll in.

You can become an affiliate for many of your favorite stores and brands, allowing you to share products you already love. Some companies even send emails with exclusive deals, so you can share discounts with your audience before they go public—a great way to build trust and drive more sales.

The easiest way to start is by joining Amazon Associates, which lets you earn commissions on a wide range of products. If you’re serious about increasing your affiliate income, I highly recommend Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing. I rarely suggest buying e-courses, but this one completely changed my strategy—I’m now earning twice as much through affiliate links as I did before taking the course!

Check out this post for some of my favorite blogger network programs. 

6. Sign up for Ad Networks

Ad networks are one of the easiest ways to monetize a blog, allowing you to earn passive income by displaying ads alongside your content. As a beginner, the first step is to focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that attracts consistent traffic. Most premium ad networks, like Journey by Mediavine, require a minimum number of monthly sessions or pageviews before accepting new publishers. However, if you’re just starting out, you can apply to beginner-friendly networks like Google AdSense, which has lower traffic requirements. While these entry-level networks may not pay as well as premium ones, they can still provide a steady income stream as you grow your blog.

Once your blog meets the requirements for higher-paying ad networks, applying is usually a straightforward process. You’ll need to submit your site for approval, ensure your content meets quality standards, and place the ad code on your site (which is typically done through an easy plugin or dashboard integration). Networks like Mediavine, AdThrive, and Raptive (formerly CafeMedia) offer higher RPMs (revenue per thousand impressions), meaning you earn more per visitor. The key to maximizing ad revenue is increasing your traffic and optimizing your user experience—balancing ad placements so they don’t overwhelm your readers while still generating strong earnings. If you’re serious about making money blogging, getting on a premium ad network should be a long-term goal!

I’m currently with Journey by Mediavine. You can learn more about Journey here. 

7. Never Stop Learning

Blogging is constantly evolving, and staying ahead means investing in continuing education and networking with other bloggers. Algorithms change, new monetization strategies emerge, and audience preferences shift—so it’s crucial to keep learning. Whether it’s through blogging courses, SEO workshops, or industry conferences, ongoing education helps you refine your skills and stay competitive. Equally important is connecting with other bloggers. Networking can lead to collaboration opportunities, guest post swaps, and valuable insider tips that you wouldn’t find in a typical online search. Joining blogging communities, attending in-person events, or even engaging in mastermind groups can open doors to new growth strategies and income opportunities. The most successful bloggers aren’t just great writers—they’re always learning and building relationships that help them grow.

For 2025, I’m completing the Stupid Simple SEO Course so I can stay up to date on all the changes to Google.

8. Stay Authentic

There are tons of e-courses, e-books, and blog posts out there that promise to share a secret formula for blogging success. I’ll be honest, most of them are scams!

There is no formula for blogging success. The more bloggers I meet, the more I realize that each successful blogger has a different strength that helps them be the most successful blogger in their niche. No one can tell you your unique blogging genius. You have to figure that out on your own through trial and error and be smart enough to find out what works for you.

Some of my blogging friends take every paid blogging job they can get. Others are picky with brands they work with. There are many ways to be successful!

9. Hustle, Hustle, Hustle then Enjoy the Passive Income

In order to get the most out of blogging you have to hustle. You have to work a lot and you have to constantly be looking for the next opportunity. Yes, companies will contact you for sponsored posts and ads, but the best jobs come from you applying to them or contacting your favorite companies directly. Don’t be afraid to contact your favorite companies and ask what it takes to work with them! Hustle!

I like to hustle for a while and then take a break and enjoy the passive income that comes with my websites. I usually work less in the summer and more during the school year. That is the beauty of owning your own websites.

10. Rinse, Wash, Repeat

Many bloggers make the mistake of constantly chasing new content when, in reality, some of their best opportunities for traffic and income come from resharing existing content. If you’ve written evergreen blog posts—articles that remain relevant over time—you should be regularly promoting them on social media, in email newsletters, and even repurposing them into new formats like reels, carousels, or Pinterest pins. Not every follower sees your content the first time you post it, so resharing helps you reach a wider audience without having to create something new from scratch. Plus, updating and resharing older posts can improve SEO, keeping them ranked in search engines for years to come. Instead of feeling pressured to constantly produce, work smarter by maximizing the content you already have!

Good luck! I know it can seem overwhelming, but I promise it is all worth it when you find a creative career you love. 

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