How do beginner bloggers make money you ask?
This is the story of how I made 17.92 my first year blogging.
Buckle up it is going to be a long one
Do you feel like there is something in your blog that is missing?
Yet, you have no idea what it is.
Welcome to the club!
When you first start a blog you have this assumption that everything will work out in the end.
That is the whole point right?
However, unless you are one of the few with immediate success you eventually reach this stagnant place where you feel like you followed all of the “right” steps yet, your numbers say otherwise
I lived in that place for years!
When things don’t go as planned it is sooo easy to loose perspective.
So, How did I make $17.92 blogging?
The short answer is ad revenue through Google AdSense.
But why only $17.92 for the whole year?
*My blogging schedule wasn’t consistent
*I did not research keywords
*My family and friends did not know that my website existed
*I spent way too much time on the wrong things
So, how do we fix it?
Take a long hard look at your website
How would you feel if your snooty co-worker, boss or crush was going to look at it?
If you would be embarrassed by the state of your website, then there is a good chance that it needs an update.
What would you change?
Take a look at a website that you really love and use those same standards for yourself.
Are You Self Hosted?
I know it is tempting to create a website for free. Unfortunately, that limits your ability to make money online. I personally use Bluehost for all of my hosting needs. For only $2.95/mo Bluehost offers:
- Free Domain for 1st Year
- Free SSL Certificate
- 1-Click WordPress Install
- Expert 24/7 Support
The 24/7 support has saved my bacon too many times to count.
SEO
Is your page being found by users on google?
Use tools such as Google Search Console to determine how many people are viewing links to your website as search results, what keywords are showing your website as results and what position your results are appearing in reference to other posts.
Google has developed a plugin called site kit which will help you access google search console and many other features directly from your website. Also, be sure to install Yoast SEO.
Are you using long tailed keywords?
Long tailed keywords increase the odds that your website will appear in google search results.
The more specific your post the less you will have to compete for a spot.
Are your keywords things people are actively searching for?
While I can appreciate you sharing your babies first Christmas, it is not something people are actively looking for online.
Instead I would share photo and gift ideas for your babies first Christmas.
How is your website speed?
Think about your own browsing habits.
If a website is extremely slow, most people, including myself are going to click off of it before everything is loaded.
Your website is held to those same standards.
Monetize
If you intend to make blogging a career how are you monetizing your website?
Is there another income stream you can explore?
*Sales, either digital or physical products
*Ads (website, youtube etc.)
*Affiliate Marketing
*Sponsored Posts
*Services (Virtual assistant, Editing, etc.)
Now, if you want to turn your blog into a career you must treat it just like you would any other business.
What tasks would need to be done everyday if you were writing articles for the New York Times?
How much effort, research and editing would you put into your writing?
That is the level you need to strive for.
So, you learned different ways beginner bloggers make money. What’s next?
Here are some of the things I do to help my blogging business.
Blogging To-Do List
*Set Daily, Weekly and Monthly Goals
*Check Email
*Post on Social Media (Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram etc.)
*Research Keywords
*Write blog posts
*Edit blog posts
*Stick to a schedule and set deadlines
*Create images for your blog posts (pssstt.. Cava is great for this)
*Make/Edit videos (youtube, instagram etc.)
*Update website
*Learn as much as possible
Content
In order to attract an audience and keep them coming back for more you have to write amazing content that helps you connect with them and solve a problem.
You must keep your audience engaged and excited to hear what you have to say.
If you are struggling to write blog posts take a look at my blog post outline.
Without fantastic blog posts all of the work you put in getting your content in front of the right people won’t get you the results you are looking for.
However, if you stick with it your writing will improve and you will be unstoppable!
Learning how beginner bloggers make money isn’t easy. Congratulations on taking the first step!
If you enjoyed my posts make sure to save them for later and share them with a friend!