Starting a blog that makes money is easy, but making real money from it? That’s where the challenge begins. I started my blog with one goal – to eventually make money doing what I love. I didn’t start WittyScribbles to become a walking-talking discount coupon nor to shove products down people’s throats or scream “BUY NOW!” in every post. No. I wanted a space to share my thoughts, rants, and those random insights that pop into my head at 3 AM. But, reality check: blogs don’t run on good vibes alone. If you’re a creator trying to balance self-expression with earning money, here’s the guide I wish I had when I started.
Spoiler: you can make money without turning into an aggressive salesperson.
Learning how to start a blog that makes money is vital for your success.
Learning how to start a blog that makes money can empower you to achieve your financial goals.
Step 1 : Find Your Vibe, Not Just a Niche
People often say, “Pick a niche, stick to it!” But I say, “Pick your voice, and the niche will follow.”
What’s your vibe? Are you the quirky storyteller? The product reviewer? The life coach? The travel wanderer? The type of blog you have should feel like an extension of you, not just an SEO strategy. Choose something that resonates with your heart, because if you don’t feel it, no one else will either.
Here are some evergreen niches you can go with :
- Personal Finance (saving money, investing, side hustles).
- Health & Fitness (weight loss, mental health, diet plans).
- Blogging & SEO (helping new bloggers succeed).
- Tech Reviews (laptops, smartphones, software tools).
- DIY & Home Improvement.
And if you’re unsure, no worries! I didn’t know my vibe fully at first either. I just went for it and let it evolve. That’s the beauty of blogging. Don’t stress if you can’t pick one. Even this blog is chaos.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Google Trends to check what’s trending in your niche.
Step 2 : Set Up Your Blog Without Stressing Over It
Here’s the thing: you don’t need a flashy, high-budget setup to start blogging. The basics are:
Domain Name: A personalized domain makes a huge difference. It’s professional, it’s yours, and you can say, “Yes, I have a website” with pride.
Hosting: For my blog, I use Hostinger to buy domains and get hosting services. It’s beginner friendly, affordable, efficient, and gets the job done. If you’re interested in getting a great deal with Hostinger, here’s my referral link. I’m all about sharing the love!
Also, I get it if you’re nervous about buying a domain at first-but I would say, Go For It, It’s Worth It! P.S. – It was also the first ever real investment that I made, so yeah, I GET IT!!
💡Pro Tip: Do your research. You don’t need to splurge, but you also need something that’ll give you speed and support. Hostinger’s been my go-to, but other options like Bluehost or SiteGround can also work if you’re looking around.
Step 3 : Design Your Blog Without Losing Your Mind
Okay, you know what you’re writing about. Now, you need to make it look pretty. But don’t stress!
You don’t need to hire a designer or break the bank to make your blog look fab. I used Canva to create some quick blog headers. I use the Hestia theme, which is totally free, clean, and super easy to customize. Some other awesome free WordPress themes you can check out :
Struggling to Pick a Brand Color Palette or Font Combo?
Don’t worry, I was right there too. These tools helped me big time:
- Coolors – for generating aesthetic color palettes
- Canva Font Combinations – quick picks for matching fonts
- Fontjoy – helps you mix and match Google Fonts like a pro
- Google Fonts – endless font inspo and easy downloads
💡 Pro Tip: Stick to 2 fonts (a heading + a body text) and 3-4 brand colors max. Keep things clean. Your blog = your vibe, not a color explosion.
A Few Productivity Tools That Kept Me Sane (especially during burnout weeks):
- Notion – for content calendars, brain dumps, and to-dos.
- Trello – easy task boards if you like visuals
- Grammarly – a must for checking grammar before hitting publish.
- Clockify – track your blog work hours to stay guilt-free productive.
- Focus To-Do – Pomodoro timer + task tracker combo.
Also, make sure your website’s fast. No one likes waiting for ages for a page to load. Use tools like GTMetrix to check your speed.
Step 4 : Set Up WordPress and Install Essential Plugins
Once you’ve got your hosting, install WordPress (it’s free!). Then, install these essential plugins:
- Rank Math SEO (for better rankings on Google).
- WP Rocket (to speed up your site).
- Site Kit by Google (to track analytics).
- ThirstyAffiliates (for managing affiliate links).
💡 Pro Tip : Install only 1 plugin for every category. Like initially, I had both Rank Math SEO and Yoast SEO enabled, which led to glitches in my site.
Step 5 : Write Like a Human (Not a Salesperson)
Your blog needs traffic to make money. Follow this formula:
- Find Topics People Are Searching For:: Use Ubersuggest or AnswerThePublic.
- Write SEO-Optimized Content.
- Include your keyword in the title, headings, and first 100 words.
- Write at least 1,500 words for in-depth value.
- Use bullet points and short paragraphs for readability.
- Add Affiliate Links Naturally: Don’t just insert links—recommend products in a helpful way.
Example: If you’re writing a tech blog, recommend this best-selling keyboard on Amazon.
This is the part where many get it wrong. Blogs should add value, not just push products. Here’s my personal rule: if I’m writing about something, it’s because I genuinely believe in it, not because I’m trying to make a sale.
Start with a story, share your thoughts, and add some practical tips. When I write about blogging, I’m not here to sell you anything — just share what’s worked (or hasn’t worked) for me.
How to avoid being “salesy”:
1. Make your post useful — people will appreciate it.
2. Use affiliate links sparingly — only when it fits naturally within the content.
3. Add value through your experience, not just product promotions.
P.S. Like this one time, I wrote about the desk accessories every blogger should have. I didn’t expect much from it, but it’s been getting more and more love lately – you can check it out here. Maybe because we all crave a little work-from-home glow-up.
Moral of the story?? Be real. Be useful. People can tell the difference between a helpful post and a filler post from a mile away.
Step 6 : Monetize Your Blog — Slowly But Surely
This is where I tell you that blogging can eventually make you money, but it won’t happen overnight (or in the first month, probably). Patience is key.
Google AdSense:Okay, so Google AdSense is what most bloggers dream about. But let’s face it: AdSense doesn’t just approve anyone. They’re picky. But don’t get discouraged. If you’ve been rejected, it’s not the end — it’s just a sign to work on getting more organic traffic, more posts, and improving the user experience. I’m still working on it too!
Amazon Affiliates:Now, if you’re in the same boat as me — with an Amazon Affiliate account, here’s the real deal: I don’t bombard my readers with links to random products. I choose what feels right, based on my content. For instance, I’ve linked a couple of products in my posts that genuinely helped me with blogging (like this awesome planner). It doesn’t feel forced, and it works.
BTW, if you’re already ordering that planner for your existential desk corner, maybe use this link? It helps me earn literally ₹2 and avoid selling my kidney. HAHA!!
[Amazon Link: Planner I recommend].
Step 7 : Traffic — It’s All About the Long Game
Traffic is the lifeblood of any blog, and I won’t sugarcoat it. It takes time, consistency, and some smart strategies to get there.
Pinterest is a big one. I’m still figuring out the algorithm (aren’t we all?), but if you’re consistent, Pinterest can bring in serious traffic. Just remember: it’s not a “post and forget” platform.
SEO: Keyword research, internal linking, and creating value-packed posts — this is what gets Google’s attention.
💡 Pro Tip: Start small. Aim for a consistent posting schedule and focus on creating evergreen content that people will search for over time.
Conclusion: You’re Building Something Real
Is it easy? No. But I’ll tell you this — blogging is possible. You can build something that’s truly yours and, yes, eventually, it will make money. Just don’t fall into the trap of thinking it happens quickly or with minimal effort. It takes time to grow traffic, perfect your content, and start seeing returns.
Remember: Be patient, be yourself, and don’t forget why you started in the first place.
If you’re here and still reading, that means you’re probably on the same journey I’m on. So, keep showing up. Keep writing. Keep experimenting.
And someday soon, the money will follow — just like the readers.
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If you’re a newbie blogger or you’ve been at it for a while, drop a comment below! What’s working (or not working) for you? Let’s chat!
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