As a busy working mom, I understand the desire to earn extra money on a flexible schedule. When I discovered blogging as a side hustle, it was the perfect fit! Now I proudly run a profitable blog that provides that additional income we ladies need.

If you want to start a blog that makes money too, follow this comprehensive guide. I’ll share the exact steps I took to build my blog from idea to full-time income source. Let’s start making money by blogging on your own terms!

Choose a Blog Niche

The first step is determining a niche that readers will pay for. Consider your interests and expertise. What topics do you love to talk about or help people with?

Lucrative blogging niches include:

• Parenting and family living
• Fashion and beauty
• Cooking and recipes
• Personal finance tips
• Career and business advice
• Health, fitness, and wellness

I went with personal finance for moms since I enjoyed budgeting and wanted to empower other women financially through money tips. Think about your unique perspective and passion areas when choosing a niche.

Register Your Domain

Every blog needs its own domain name – this is your unique web address. The best option is yourniche.com if the .com is available. If not, try .net or add “blog” like yournicheblog.com.

Use a domain registrar like Bluehost, Godaddy, or Namecheap. Expect to pay $15 to $20 per year. Lock this down ASAP so no one else takes your name!

For my money blog for moms, I purchased FinanceMom.com to match my focus. A domain instantly legitimizes your blog and builds your brand.

Get Web Hosting

In addition to registering your domain, you need separate web hosting to actually launch and host your blog online. This gives you server space to store blog data.

I use Bluehost, but hosts like SiteGround and HostGator also offer affordable packages for new bloggers, usually $5 to $10 per month.

Look for managed WordPress hosting to make launching your WordPress site fast and easy. The cost is well worth it for smooth, uninterrupted hosting service.

Install WordPress

Now it’s time to install your content management system! WordPress is the best blogging platform, used by over 60% of all websites.

Most web hosts offer one-click WordPress installation with your package. Or you can manually upload WordPress software and install it yourself.

Either way, get WordPress installed ASAP so you can start setting up your blog using their intuitive dashboard and tools. This software makes publishing content simple.

Select a Theme

WordPress offers thousands of themes to make your blog visually appealing. Browse the WordPress theme store for free and paid options.

Evaluate demo designs to find one that matches your niche look and feel. As a finance blog for moms, I selected a clean, professional theme with calming colors.

Important features include mobile responsiveness, ads placement, and flexible customization options like fonts. Don’t compromise – first impressions matter.

For starters, I recommend choosing a free theme like Astra or GeneratePress to keep costs down as you get started. You can upgrade later!

Add Site Structure

Now build out your blog’s core pages and sections within your theme. These are the foundation your content will live on.

Must-have pages usually include:

• Homepage
• About – share your backstory!
• Contact – allow readers to get in touch
• Services – offerings like freelance writing
• Start Here – introduce new readers

Structure important site areas using the WordPress menu builder. This lets visitors easily navigate around your content.

Craft Compelling Content

Content is the lifeblood of any successful blog! Plan creative content ideas that fit your niche and audience’s needs.

Use search data from Google Keyword Planner to identify topics people search which align with your expertise. Answer those questions or solve problems in your own voice.

Optimizing content for SEO early on will help your blog rank in search engines as it grows. Drive traffic by targeting keywords readers are searching.

Mix informative posts, personal stories, how-tos, and other formats to keep providing value. The goal: Regularly publish amazing content readers love!

Promote on Social Media

Leverage free social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter to promote your new blog content.

Create dedicated business profiles for your blog on each platform. Post blog headlines, snippets, images, videos, and quotes to get clicks back to your website.

Engage followers by commenting, liking, and sharing user content related to your niche. Be helpful, not salesy. Slowly grow your community of raving fans.

Email Collect with Popups

Email is one of the most direct ways to engage readers since it goes right to their inbox! Use a popup tool like OptinMonster to capture emails on your site.

Offer a blog content upgrade like a checklist or resource roundup in exchange for their email. This provides value and incentive to subscribe.

Send out a weekly or biweekly email newsletter recapping your latest posts. Share personal updates to build relationships with your audience.

Join Blogging Communities

Connect with fellow bloggers in Facebook Groups, forums, masterminds, and conferences. I joined the Income Team for Women community to get feedback and support.

Collaborating with like-minded bloggers keeps you motivated, accountable, and continually growing. You gain new mentors, friends, and opportunities.

Being part of a community also leads to guest posting invitations, link shares, podcast features, and other cross-promos that expand your reach.

Monetize with Affiliate Links

Affiliate programs let you earn commissions promoting helpful products to readers. Sign up with sites like Amazon Associates or ShareASale.

Then add affiliate links within blog content where relevant. For my finance blog I link to tools I use for budgeting or investing. If readers click and purchase, I earn up to 10% of the sale value!

Just be sure affiliate links add value for your audience. Transparency is key – I let readers know which are affiliate links helping support the blog.

Sell Advertising Space

As you build an engaged audience in your niche, brands will want to advertise with you! Sell various ad spaces on your site directly to companies.

Offer things like:

• Sidebar banners
• Bottom leaderboard ads
• Sponsored posts
• Email newsletter ads
• Social media endorsements

Determine competitive ad rates based on your site traffic and audience. Manage ads through Google Ad Manager or an ad plugin like Ad Inserter.

My monthly income is $2k+ simply for displaying relevant ads alongside my money tips!

Create Online Courses

Readers craving more of your expertise will pay for online courses and coaching. Leverage your content into premium educational products.

Self-paced online courses with videos, worksheets, Q&As etc can sell for $100 to $300 on platforms like Teachable or Podia.

I built a budgeting basics course and one-on-one coaching program based on blog reader requests – huge new revenue streams!

Information products take more work but earn you passive income for years. Turn your biggest blog wins into premium experiences.

Write Paid Partnerships

Your influence and audience value opens the door to lots of partnership opportunities. Brands will pay you $500 to $5,000+ to create co-branded content.

I stick to promoting only brands that are a natural fit with my niche and genuinely help readers. Being selective keeps your blog trustworthy.

Negotiate sponsored post rates based on your readership size and engagement metrics. Publishing paid partnerships a few times per month provides dependable income.

Diversify Beyond Blogging

Once you build a loyal audience, you can diversify into other income streams beyond blogging.

Tangential opportunities include:

• Speaking at events
• Hosting workshops
• Social media consulting
• Selling merchandise
• Physical products

Branch out once you have an established personal brand. Monetize your expertise through new avenues you genuinely enjoy pursuing.

Key Takeaways

Blogging is an amazing way for us ladies to earn income doing what we love from anywhere. With focus and consistency, you absolutely can build a profitable blog too!

Here are the key steps:

• Choose a distinct niche and domain
• Get managed WordPress hosting
• Install WordPress and pick a theme
• Create site structure and pages
• Craft valuable content consistently
• Promote on social media
• Collect emails with popups
• Join blogging communities
• Add affiliate links and advertising
• Create online courses and coaching
• Write sponsored content
• Diversify income streams

I know you will face challenges and learning curves as a new blogger. But stick with it! The flexibility and freedom of running your own online business makes it all worthwhile.

You’ve got this! Please reach out if you ever have any questions on your blogging journey. I can’t wait to hear about your success story!

Disclaimer: The information provided on MoneyBert.com is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information. Investments carry risks, including potential loss of principal. For detailed information, please read our full disclaimer here.