How to Make Money Blogging: 5 Strategies that Help Me Make a Full-Time Income from Home

“How do you make money blogging?” If there’s one question I hear most often, that one would be it. I’m not surprised that people are curious– monetizing was such a mystery to me when I first started my blog. While I certainly don’t know everything, I’ve learned a lot since those beginning days, and I’m always happy to share my experience.

In this post I’ll be sharing the five strategies that we’ve used to turn my once hobby blog into a six-figure income-producing business.

If you've ever wondered how to make money blogging, this blogger talks about the strategies she uses to make a full time income from home! Click through to the post to see how!

Before I even get to the monetization strategies, though, I feel like I need to put a few caveats into place. I would never want to give the impression that this is a simple way to make a ton of money right off the bat. While making a full-time income from blogging is certainly possible, it takes time and a lot of hard work.

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So before you even start thinking about making money, remember…

1. Content and relationships come first.

As I say over and over again in my eBook for bloggers, Building a Framework, the two most important things you can do for your blog are to create amazing content and form relationships with other bloggers. If you’re first starting out, focus on these two areas first, and when you feel like they are taking shape and falling into place, then add monetization to the mix.

This eBook is super helpful for helping people to start or grow their blogs! Click over to the post for more info on how to make money blogging!

2. Your readers’ trust is always more important than making money.

This is a biggie. As a rule, I never ever do a sponsored post or affiliate mention for anything that I don’t completely love and/or use myself. My readers come first with me, so if there’s something that I think will benefit them, I tell them about it, but I am very, very choosy about what I’m willing to plug on the blog because without the awesome readers, there would be no blog at all!

3. Blogging is not a “get rich quick” type of thing.

If the only reason I had started a blog was to make money, I wouldn’t have been at it very long. I blogged for several months before I made my first dime. I blogged for several more before I even matched my expenses. And I blogged and blogged and blogged and blogged for many, many more months before it became a full-time income. Everyone’s timeline is different, but it is almost never an instantaneous money maker.

So now that you know the “rules” I follow when talking about monetizing a blog, let’s talk about some strategies that you can put into place to start bringing in some income.

5 Ways to Make Money Blogging

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

1. Ads

The very first monetization strategy I used for Just a Girl and Her Blog was putting an ad or two in my sidebar after I had been blogging for a few months. The easiest way to get started with ads is to go through an ad network like Google Adsense. Adsense and other ad networks do the work for you in that they have connected with many, many companies who want to advertise on websites, and they fill your ad spots with their ads so that you don’t have to go out and find individual companies to sponsor your blog.

How to Make Money Blogging: 5 Strategies that Help Me Make a Full-Time Income from Home | Just a Girl and Her Blog

I used Adsense first, and when I was comfortable with them, I added a few other ad networks like Rivit and Sovrn to the mix, always making sure that my ads were subtle enough that they didn’t make my site look spammy.

As my traffic grew, I knew I needed my ads to grow with me and become more optimized. Donnie and I considered learning to do this ourselves, but then we found Andy and his brilliant team over at AdThrive. They have managed my ads for years now, and I could not be more thrilled with them. It took a lot of work off of my plate, and I have confidence in knowing that my ad spots are in good hands.

2. Affiliates

Another monetizing strategy that I used after I had been blogging for a few months was getting involved in affiliate programs. For example, one of the most common affiliate programs you’ll see bloggers using is Amazon Associates. You can apply to their program, and if you’re accepted, you can generate an affiliate link for any product that they sell that you mention on your site. When people click your link and buy that product (or, in Amazon’s case, anything else on their site), you make a small commission. Eventually, those small payouts add up and can become a great revenue stream for your site.

Like Adsense does for ads, there are also companies that act as a “middleman” for affiliate programs. Once you apply and are accepted, you can be connected with many, many companies’ affiliate programs through their site. A few of these companies that you may want to check out are ShareASale, CJ, and VigLink.

Other than Amazon and middleman companies, another great way to find affiliate partnerships that would be a good fit for you is to think about the products and services you use yourself. For example, I’m an affiliate for my blog’s framework, Genesis, and for my child theme by Shay Bocks. I’m an affiliate for hosting companies I’ve used and trust, Bluehost and MediaTemple. I’m also an affiliate for my email service, ConvertKit.

Think about eBooks you’ve read and found helpful. I so appreciate all of the bloggers who are part of my affiliate program for Building a Framework, and I have loved being able to share helpful resources with my readers as an affiliate for others’ eBooks as well. It’s especially helpful to be able to partner with companies or authors whose products you’re already using because you know and love their work, so sharing that with your readers will come very naturally.

To see a case study on how affiliate sales have worked for us, check out our post When Our Blog Became a Business: How We Made $2000 from One Blog Post.

How We Made $2000 from One Blog Post | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

**Note: Both with affiliates and the next category, sponsored posts, you must provide a disclosure within your post to let readers know that the content is sponsored/affiliate related. See this report from the FTC for more info.**

3. Sponsored Posts

A third way to earn an income from blogging is through doing sponsored posts. Unlike affiliate programs, where payment is typically based on readers taking an action or buying a product, sponsored posts usually involve a company paying a blogger a flat fee to write a post based on their product or service.

A great way to get your feet wet with sponsored posts is by going through a media company like Pollinate or BluePrint Social. Again, these media companies act as a “middleman,” finding companies who want to sponsor blog content and matching them with bloggers who would be a good fit. Typically, you would apply to the media company and once you’re accepted, they will pass along campaigns that you can apply for individually if they would fit in with you blog’s content. Other companies you may want to check out are Massive Sway (SITS Girls), TapInfluence, and Collective Bias (Social Fabric).

Maybe there’s a company you’d like to work with directly, though. You can always send them a pitch that details your project, how you’ll promote them, and how working with you will benefit their company. This might seem intimidating at first, but once you get your pitch down, it’s just a matter of finding the right person to send it to.

If you’re in a community of bloggers (remember that relationships thing I mentioned at the beginning?), that’s a great place to start seeking out contacts. Another way to connect with a brand is to tweet to them on Twitter or reach out on Instagram.

I talk a lot about getting started with brand connections and even provide an example pitch in my eBook Building a Framework, and I also love the eBook Bloggers and Brands by Shannon at AKA Design, which I highly recommend when you are ready to go even more in depth with pitching to and connecting with brands.

How to Make Money Blogging: 5 Strategies that Help Me Make a Full-Time Income from Home | Just a Girl and Her Blog

4. Products

So far all of the monetizing strategies I’ve talked about involve working with other companies or brands to promote outside products, but one of my most favorite (and definitely the most rewarding) ways I’ve monetized my blog is through creating my own products. I love, love, love being able to help others, and products like eBooks have given me a more in-depth way to do this than a blog post ever could because of their longer format.

Think about an area of expertise that you have that could be helpful to others or solve a problem for them. Could you package it in eBook or e-course form? Could you create printables or other electronic media? Or maybe you can create a physical product that people would like to buy. All of these methods can help to create additional income streams for your blog. If you’re interested in writing an eBook, don’t miss this detailed post we did about our entire eBook writing and launching process.

5. Services

In the same vein as products, services are another rewarding method of monetizing your site. Do you have an area of expertise in which you could provide coaching? Could you offer virtual assistant services? How about web design or interior e-design services? There are people out there looking for all of these types of things, and you could be the one to provide them and add to your blog income in the process!

Whew! I feel like that was a long answer, but hopefully it helped to provide some ideas and strategies for blog monetization.

Thank you so much for reading, friends! Happy blogging!

How to Make Money Blogging: 5 Strategies that Help Me Make a Full-Time Income from Home | Just a Girl and Her Blog

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111 Comments

  1. Sabrina | Frugal Italian Family says:

    Thank you so much for you advice! 🙂

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thanks for reading, Sabrina! Have a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

  2. Kristine Puzel says:

    As usual, the level of detail you provide, as well as your clear and concise delivery are such an incredible help. I will save this post and refer back to it often in the future. Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Kristine! I’m so glad it was helpful! Have a great week!

      ~Abby =)

  3. lindsay @ Wild Ginger says:

    Patience is my (anti)virtue. 🙂 God is teaching me timing. I am still working on building visitors. But these are such great tips. I bought your book and man, has it been a HUGE help! Major suggesting to any beginning bloggers like me! Thanks Abby/Donnie!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Oh girl, I so hear you there. It is hard to be patient with this whole blogging thing. I still feel like I’m trying to be patient for things every day! You will get there, though! Have a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

  4. Emily, Our house now a home says:

    These are great tips, I have used some of them and a few companies I have not heard of. I will check them out and see about adding to my affiliate link programs. Thanks for the tips! Also the few times I ave reached out to you for advice, you have been so kind and helpful! Thank you!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Emily! You are the sweetest. Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

  5. Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says:

    So much good info, Abby! Thanks! Hope you have a wonderful week! xo

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you, Kendra! Hope you have a great week too!

      ~Abby =)

  6. Rachel @ Smart Mom Smart Ideas says:

    Thanks for mentioning all these ideas, especially Google AdSense I had been concerned it would make my blog look spammy, but it sounds like you can choose ads/types of ads to include on your blog. Sounds like a good option for newer blogs.

  7. Malia @ Small Town Girl says:

    Great post! I’m planning on going self hosting and trying some of these out this summer when I’m not working. This post was super helpful! I will be pinning it and using it in depth this summer to help guide me 🙂

  8. Jenny @ Refresh Living says:

    Such great advice, Abby! There are so many great tips and sites that I knew nothing about. I appreciate your advice to just form connections, first and foremost. This is what I’m working on now, and still not very good at it yet. I also wanted to let you know that I’ll be buying and reading your ebook during my spring break next week! Thanks, again!

  9. So helpful as always, Abby! I’m in the “content and relationships” phase right now as I have just now launched my blog! There is SO much to learn and you always break it down so that it is easy to understand. Your blog and Building A Framework have been INVALUABLE to me! Thank you!

  10. Karla @SmallTownRambler says:

    Thanks for all your helpful advice! I’m still learning the ropes and have a lot more to learn!

  11. Anceeta Martis says:

    I don’t want to be a full-time blogger but it’s true about content. We shouldn’t focus on money but on content. I blog because I love to write and talk to people. Money is the last thing on my mind.

    Anceeta.com

  12. Julie@frugallyblonde.com says:

    Thanks for the great advice! I already had Google adsense on my blog, but I just signed up for Social Fabric.

  13. Kim@NewlyWoodwards says:

    These are wonderful tips and steps, Abby. You have a way of making very complicated things seem almost simple. I’m sharing this post with several friends who have asked this very question of me. And I”m pinning it.

    Keep up the amazing work!

  14. I have a blog on blogger. I opted for this because it was free. I have been blogging consistently for over 6 months now. What things should I consider in terms of switching to a paid hosting site/platform?

  15. Courtney Herzog says:

    I just started my blog about a month ago. All of your posts have been very helpful! Especially this one! Thank you so much. I love reading what you write, as I am just getting started it’s a little overwhelming and discouraging at first but reading your blog helps so much.

    I do have a question for you, you mentioned before that a good way for your blog to get more traffic is to get to know other bloggers. How do you recommend doing this?? Just by emailing them and commenting on their posts?

    Thank you so much!

    1. Twitter great way to mingle with other blogger’s, takes awhile get views I’ve had mine for 4 months, and I’m just starting to get traffic. Would love link to your blog so can check it out.

  16. Thank you so much for your continued guidance! Your blog has been a big inspiration for my blog. I am looking forward to reading more in the Ask Abby series. If I think of any questions that come up with my blog, I will let you know!

  17. Sara Borgstede says:

    Thanks for really helpful information! There is so much to learn when it comes to monitizing a blog. It’s a bit overwhelming, but it’s really exciting, too! I just loving learning new things and I’m having a blast learning all there is to know. Other bloggers have been so generous in sharing what they have learned, which is such a blessing. I hope someday I can do the same.

  18. Allie Brown says:

    This was very helpful! Thank you!

  19. I loved this post!! I have really been wanting to find a good stay at home income and I love blogging so your post inspired me so much! Especially the part where you talked about content and relationships. I’ll be starting on that right away. Thank you for sharing! 🙂

  20. Such great information! Will defiantly be following you to learn more about blogging!

  21. This is so helpful! I started my blog four years ago and then let it sit because I had my first baby and was overwhelmed. I just started posting again and am definitely in the content and audience building phase. This gives me such a clear idea of what some next steps should be in the future.

  22. Mukta Chauhan says:

    Thanks for sharing so much useful information. I also recently started blogging. I have a question though. I tried to register on AdSense but its asking if it’s for business or personal. My question is if I have plan to use ads on my blog then I need to open a business account for tax purposes?
    Thanks

  23. Thank you for this wonderful resource. I signed up for the blogg challenge. I started a lifestyle blog but I have no idea where to begin. You are pointing me in the direction I want to go in – toward income. I enjoy sharing with others & learning new things. I have a great deal of content to blog about. I have a blended family, I am a homemaker & a Beauty Consultant, I am an artist & a singer. But above all I love Jesus. My kids are my joy & I have a devoted husband.
    Please take a look at my blog & any feedback you might have for me is greatly appreciated 🙂
    https://carolinadietrich.wordpress.com/

  24. I just came across this post on Pinterest and as someone who is thinking of starting a blog this post contains some great info and resources for the future. Thanks very much!

  25. Thank you so much for this! I recently started a blog and your information is a huge help!

  26. Jess @ Make and Do Crew says:

    This is super helpful. I’m definitely pinning it to reference again. Thank you!

    PS. For some reason your site makes my computer go crazy. The hard drive starts spinning and eventually the the page stalls out and stops functioning. Such a bummer because I love to read your blog. Do you know why this would be? Is it something on my end? Maybe some script that my computer isn’t liking?

  27. ValuableTrends says:

    Thank you so much for the post very helpful. I just started blogging recently so this was very helpful!

  28. Great post, it is really helpful in my journey to become a blogger. Thanks.

  29. Suzi Whitford says:

    Thank you Abby for posting this. I especially enjoyed the first part of the post. There should be a lot of love in your blog before you start making money off of it. Any blog that looks like Times Square with a thousand ads is a huge turnoff for me.

  30. Elizabeth says:

    Hi Abby! This is a great post! I don’t know if it’s me, but I find it really hard to build relationships with bloggers. What do you mean by that?

    1. justagirlabby says:

      It can be hard! When I first started, I identified 30-35 bloggers that I wanted to get to know and tried to comment on about 5 blogs per day. Some of those bloggers have become my really good friends! At the beginning, I also met a bunch of bloggers through link parties because I would click over to their posts, leave a meaningful comment, and follow them on social media (and comment there too!). Joining blogging FB groups is another way to meet and interact with other bloggers as well. I hope this helps! Have a wonderful week, Elizabeth!

      ~Abby =)

  31. Anne Gannon says:

    Wonderful post and very informative!! I created my first blog about a year ago and it really got me rolling on ideas and getting a feel for it! I just recently started my professional blog that I own through blue host and it is so much fun! Still so much to learn. I am using your advice frequently with getting the framework done. I have been focusing on putting up quality content thus far and I am now branching out to bloggers! My passion is food and life, I absolutely love sharing this with the world!
    Any way, getting off topic (hehe), just a shout out to you on just how wonderful your blog is and keep up the good work!
    Anne

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much for your sweet words, Anne! They truly mean so much! Congratulations on all of the progress you’ve made with your blog! Have a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

  32. I have been on your blog looking around for a little while now today and you have really inspired me to start my own, (I will be going through your link’s don’t worry!). When you say apply to an affiliates program, for example, and “once your accepted,” what are the requirements? Do you have to have so many view per day for these companies to want to work with you? I would really like some insight on this and to know if it would be possible to start with those recommendations rather than waiting a few months.

    Allison

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Hi, Allison! Some affiliate programs have a pageview requirement, but many don’t. You could start with Amazon Associates right away for example, which is always helpful since you can buy just about anything on Amazon! Best of luck with your blog!

      ~Abby =)

  33. stephtanner13 says:

    Thank you so much for this post! I took all sorts of notes from it to refer back to over and over.

  34. Abby, thanks so much for all the info. How do I become an affiliate (say for your ebook). Do I contact the company and ask? Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

  35. Thank you so much for all your blogging articles. I have found them SO helpful with starting up my blog, giving me the confidence that I could do it, and also showing me how! You’re so the best! I was nervous talking to my husband about getting a blog too, and I’m still pretty shy about it. I mean… I’ve only been at it for a few weeks so we’re talking SUPER NEWBIE! 🙂

    But thanks again. You’re awesome!

    Dayna @ Nutmegandpeaches.com

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Aw, thank you so much Dayna! You are too sweet! It can definitely be scary at the beginning but I promise it will be worth it! Happy blogging! ~Abby =)

  36. samarajoyce says:

    Your tips are so helpful! Im still reading you ebook and it has been so much help! Thank you 🙂

  37. Northwoods Buttons says:

    Hi Abby! I just purchased your e-book this morning, and I’m almost finished printing it out (WHEW! lol). Can’t wait to use the ideas you have come up with in your blogging adventures- although I do have a blog, I’m also going to put your ideas to use in my etsy store~ thanks so much for an e-book that is so detailed!

    Mary

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Aw, thanks so much Mary! I hope you enjoy Building a Framework! ~Abby =)

  38. Karla Pitzen says:

    This is really helpful. It is so generous of you to share this information. I just started a blog this week, and I am quite clueless! I figure I’ll learn as I go! I don’t expect to make any money right away, but it would be quite nice to get to a point where I’m earning at least some additional income. Thank you!

  39. karlapitzen says:

    I am curious how many visitors/followers you suggest before you begin soliciting advertisers?

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Hi, Karla! You can sign up with Google Adsense pretty much from the beginning. It won’t make much at first, but as your traffic grows, so will your ad income. As far as sponsored posts go, 10K pageviews per month is a good general guideline for those, but if an opportunity would come your way sooner than that, snatch it up for sure!

      ~Abby =)

      1. Thank you for the reply! I have a long, long, long, long way to go to get to 10,000! Hopefully some day. I will check out Adsense. Thanks again.

  40. I am truly enjoying your blog and the content. It is nice to have such helpful advice on a clean slate. I have gathered advice from other bloggers; but, what is your #1 suggestion for reaching that 100,000 page view goal? Thanks again for your blog!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Hi, Rebecca! So sorry I’m just getting back to you on this! I am massively behind on comments! I would say the most helpful thing for growing traffic is creating content that meets a need for your readers or makes their lives easier in some way. People are looking for a shortcut to an outcome, and if you can provide that for them, not only will they visit your blog, but they’ll share with others as well! Have a great week!

      ~Abby =)

  41. Thank you so much for the advice! It was well thought out and explained. I will be using your tips in the future for my blog, Determined Fashionista

    1. justagirlabby says:

      So glad it was helpful for you, Lauren!

      ~Abby =)

  42. anagreyniumata says:

    Thank you for this great post, Abby! I’ve been following you and your husband for the last several months and also jumped on a couple of your webinars and playbacks. All of the information that you provide and experience that you’ve shared has been SO helpful! I am in “research / study” mode and need to get into execution mode for the blog that I have had in my mind for the past year. Time to “just do it!” Now on to your other posts!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      SO glad they have been helpful for you! Love to hear that! Hope you’re having a great week!

      ~Abby =)

  43. Thank you so much for writing this!!!

  44. Thank you for the advice 🙂 very helpful for starting my own blog!

  45. Rachel Thompson says:

    Thank you for this post! Very helpful!

  46. Thank you for your advice and being willing to help others. It says a lot about you. Plus I love your ideas of ways to be organized and can’t wait to read more!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      You’re too sweet! Thanks so much, Takiyah!

      ~Abby =)

  47. Thanks Abby! This has been wonderful! I am diving in….I have had a blog for a couple of years just for photography…now I am trying to expand and blog my thoughts and tips. It’s super scary! But you are making it easier, thanks again!!

    PS I would love for you to check out my site…I would love feedback, but I understand that your blog is keeping you very busy! 🙂

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Hi, Sara! I popped over to your site and it is beautiful! I love your theme and how clean and crisp it looks! Well done! So glad the post was helpful for you. Have a wonderful weekend and happy blogging!

      ~Abby =)

  48. I’ve just started a blog and I feel excited yet a bit overwhelmed but this article was really helpful. Thank you for explaining how things work!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      So glad it was helpful for you!

      ~Abby =)

  49. Jobir Hensley says:

    Hi Abby. I am very new to blogging. I have so many questions, it’s overwhelming. I’m thinking a lifestyle blog is a good fit for me as I am having a hard time narrowing my niche. I love fitness, healthy cooking, beauty, family…I guess everything that’s wife/mom. Lol. I just signed up for your emails and can’t wait to read them. Thanks for all you help in advance.
    Jobie

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Yay! It can be overwhelming at first, but just take it one step at a time and you will get there! Can’t wait to see what you do with your site!

      ~Abby =)

  50. The Broke Dad says:

    Thank you so much for all of the information and advice and for sharing your recommendations for companies to work with as I build my blog. Everytime I learn something new I realize how complicated and amazing the blogging world is, I had no clue just a few months ago there would be so much to learn. Really love the layout of your posts as well, very clean and easy to navigate, really well done.

    Thank you again for all your advice.

    The Broke Dad

  51. This was SO HELPFUL ! , thank u Abby ..
    I have one question though, now that there is Instagram, do people still visit blogs? I mean is it better to start with Instagram or a website? Thank u ;*

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Hi, Ann! There are definitely people who just do Instagram, but blogs are still going strong! I get about a half million pageviews per month, and I am small potatoes compared with some people. If income is your goal, blogs also provide a platform to diversify your income a lot more than you would be able to with Instagram. I hope this helps! Have a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  52. This is so helpful! Will I be successful with ads and affiliate links if my blog doesn’t have a lot of traffic?

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Hi, Emily! You can definitely be successful but obviously, your revenue will grow as your traffic does! Early on, we made hundreds of dollars in one day from affiliate links after making hardly any money previously to that! It was such an exciting day! Enjoy your journey!

      ~Abby =)

  53. Thank you so much for sharing this! Such valuable information to everyone looking to make money with their blog!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      So glad it was helpful, Angela!

      ~Abby =)

  54. bemissity says:

    Great advice! I have a blog and I am just starting to monetize it. Thanks!

  55. Sonia Jones says:

    Six months ago I had never read a blog before. I just didn’t see the point in them and understand who would read them. Around the same time, I decided to leave my job as an accountant to spend more time with the kids and start a new career.

    I started reading blogs and finally the penny dropped that blogs are a means of sharing useful information for people in need. And I decided that I wanted to be part of it.

    I started blogging about 2 months ago and it’s been slow going but a fun journey. I feel like I have started a few careers along the way – writer, graphic designer, website designer, editor and photographer.

    I am still not happy with the way my blog looks, I seem to constantly tweaking it, but I am getting closer every day. Justagirlandherblog has been my ‘go-to’ through every part of my journey. So I just wanted to say thanks.

    Thanks in particular for this post (How to monetize your blog) which seems to be the question that I get asked most by my friends and family!

    I hope you are recovering well.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Aw, so glad it has been helpful for you, Sonia! Love to hear that! Blogging certainly is a journey… one step at a time, getting a little better every day! Glad you’re enjoying it. Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

    2. I know what you mean about tweaking your website. I think I’ve redone mine 4 times now. Every time I come across a new one I like I wonder if I shouldn’t change mine agsin based on ideas they have that I like. I finally had to just quit changing things and concentrate in my message. I’ve learned through others that are way more successful that people aren’t looking or judging on perfection of what your site looks like but in what you are saying..
      Blogging is fun and I’m glad you are enjoying it but most of all you get to watch your kids grow up. That’s the important part!!

  56. Thank you for this post! I am really hoping to one day make some income off my blof, but it seems very overwhelming at times. Your post was informative, simple and encouraging. Thank you!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      So glad it was helpful, Keri! Enjoy your blogging journey! <3

      ~Abby =)

  57. Kacey from Simply Starting Over at Friendly Acres says:

    I really like your blog. You provide great content without the barrage of spam and pop-ups that are found on too many blogs today (IMHO). Thank you for that! ~Kacey *C’mon over and sit a spell at Friendly Acres sometime!

  58. Breezy Williams says:

    Thanks for these tips! I am about four months into blogging and get so frustrated because I want people to read what I have come up with and use it. Eventually I’d like to make some money doing it as well but so far I’m holding tight to that $1.31 I made of amazon affiliate for some motivation that it will happen but in time. Thanks again for sharing!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Hi, Breezy! It took me MONTHS to make my first $8. I totally have been there! Keep on working hard! 🙂

      ~Abby =)

  59. It’s definitely not a get rich quick scheme! And as a Blogger I feel that what you said about being honest and truthful to your audience is extremely important. I see so many people out there with the promises of making a million dollars in the first month only to read between the lines and wonder how they can even sleep at night conning people like that.
    Ethics and honesty should always be the backbone of any business .
    Thanks for a great post and I am glad to have found a Blogger out there with ethics and morals . Gives me hope that an industry I love so much isn’t all about the money first.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      You’re so right… not a get rich quick scheme AT ALL! It takes SO much hard work, so much time to even start making any money at all. It really is unfortunate that it is sometimes portrayed that way!

      ~Abby =)

  60. Post is very good, i learn a lot of. Tnaks

  61. Thank you so much for this post, I just started building my blog website, I have so many content ideas. So far I’ve only written 5 posts but have so many more to write. I’m excited and nervous at the same time. I haven’t even been able to come up with a catching name. I will keep all those ideas in mind. Thank you!!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      So glad it was helpful, Rose! Wishing you the best on your blogging journey! <3

      ~Abby =)

  62. Morgan Kania says:

    Thanks for the awesome advice! Really helpful coming from a brand new blogger looking to gain more traffic. The frustration is real! Thanks again, Abby
    Xoxo, Morgan

    1. justagirlabby says:

      It really can be frustrating in the beginning… I totally understand! Keep going and enjoy the journey! <3

      ~Abby =)

  63. This is awesome! Will try out your advice on my new blog. Do you have a 2017/2018 version of this post?

  64. This is an awesome post Abby, I really enjoyed reading it every step of the way! I also love the way you write your content, very easy to understand even for a newbie like myself!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      You’re too sweet! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week! <3

      ~Abby =)

  65. Hey Abby,
    I finally got around to monetizing my travel blog last month, but only made $11 so far. But it’s a start. I found your post while searching for tips on how to monetize better. Really great advice all the way! Looks like I need to sign up with a few more good affiliates, instead of just the one I’ve got. Here’s hoping I find the right ones. 🙂 Thanks for your post.
    Abby

    1. justagirlabby says:

      So glad it was helpful, Abby! $11 is awesome! It took months for me to make my first $8! 🙂 Wishing you the best on your blogging journey!

      ~Abby =)

      1. Thanks Abby.
        It’s also fun happening across other Abby’s. 🙂

  66. Paris Forlidas says:

    Thanks Abby for these mind opening ideas and advice which are valuable for new bloggers like myself. I am glad you offer the realistic view that blogging is hard and takes time (I am facing that vividly) while other bloggers promise wonders with their posts and offered products.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      So glad it has been helpful for you, Paris! It is certainly a TON of hard work but it can certainly pay off. Wishing you the best!

      ~Abby =)

  67. April @ Work That List says:

    Thank you! This post was so helpful! I’m just starting blogging and am trying to learn as much as I can.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      So glad it was helpful for you, April! Enjoy your blogging journey! <3

      ~Abby =)

  68. thewhisperinggal says:

    I randomly found your blog and start reading it. all the information are very helpful. I have started my blog 5months ago but still struggling to get enough views.. Hope, Your tips and idea may help me as well in some ways.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much for your sweet words! I’m so glad it has been helpful! If you haven’t seen it yet, our free “Launch a Blog that Thrives” course is designed to help gain momentum and grow your following: https://www.abbylawson.com/p/thrive ! I hope you’re having a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

  69. Katherine Cutter says:

    Hi Abby,

    I just wanted to send a quick thank you for your 2018 How to Start a Blog Guide. I was able to easily follow your steps and use your links to create my blog: PainfullyLovingMyBody.com.

    Thanks!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      So glad it was helpful for you, Katherine! Enjoy your blogging journey! <3

      ~Abby =)

  70. Nikki Mulligan says:

    Hi Abby! I finally launched my blog just last week! And I couldn’t thank you enough for your Definitive Guide to Starting a Blog because that really helped get me on my feet (even with just 1 post so far)! So I wanted to say thank you again 🙂 for THIS post on how to begin making money. It is my goal, but I am realistic that it will take time. Thank you for the pointers and advice!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Yay! Congrats on your launch! So glad the post was helpful for you. Love to hear that. Cheering you on as you begin your blogging journey! <3

      ~Abby =)

  71. Thank you so much for the article. As a high school student I really wanted to write a blog. Do you have any tips regarding what topics I should stay away from and what I should write about. I was thinking sports or food in NYC?
    Any recommendations?
    Thank you.

    1. Abby Lawson says:

      Either of those sound like great topics! I think the biggest thing to remember while you’re choosing your topic is to pick something that you’re really passionate about and will be able to find content to write about for a long time. Best of luck with your site!

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