How to Earn Through Blogging: My Honest Journey and What I’ve Learned So Far

 

How to Earn Through Blogging: My Journey of Learning and Discovery

Introduction: Why Blogging Caught My Attention

When I first heard people talking about making money from blogging, I honestly thought it sounded too good to be true. How could someone sit behind a laptop, write posts, and actually get paid? But the more I looked into it, the more I realized that blogging isn’t just about writing random stories — it’s about building an online space that can grow into a business.

Now, let me be upfront: I haven’t made money from blogging yet. But I’m learning every day, and I want to share what I’ve discovered so far. Think of this article as both a guide and a personal journal — I’ll tell you what I’ve learned about different ways bloggers earn, the steps I’m taking myself, and the lessons you can apply if you’re also starting out.

So if you’re curious about how blogging can turn into an income stream, come along with me. Here’s what I’ve found so far.

a group of young teens passionate about blogging

1. Ads and Sponsorships – The Most Common Starting Point

One of the first things I learned is that many beginner bloggers start with ads. Platforms like Google AdSense allow you to place ads on your site and earn whenever readers view or click on them.

From my research, this is usually the first taste of income for many bloggers. Some say they started earning just a few cents in the beginning, but as their traffic grew, those cents turned into dollars, and eventually into hundreds or even thousands per month.

Of course, ads aren’t a “get rich quick” method. They require traffic, and traffic takes time to build. That’s why I’ve decided to focus on creating consistent, valuable content first, so that when I eventually add ads, my blog will already have a loyal audience.

Then there are sponsorships, where companies pay you to talk about their product or service. From what I’ve seen, this usually comes after your blog has built some credibility. Even small businesses sometimes look for bloggers to write about them in exchange for payment.

My takeaway so far: Ads and sponsorships are a great entry point, but they work best once your blog has steady traffic. For me, this means I need to keep writing and growing my audience first before expecting income from ads.

2. Affiliate Marketing – Earning by Recommending What You Love

Out of all the methods I’ve researched, affiliate marketing is the one that excites me the most. The idea is simple: you recommend a product or service, and if someone buys through your special link, you earn a commission.

At first, I thought affiliate marketing sounded a little “salesy.” I didn’t want my blog to turn into a constant stream of advertisements. But as I kept digging, I realized the best affiliate bloggers don’t sell — they recommend. They write about products they’ve actually used, or services they genuinely believe can help their readers.

For example, I read about a travel blogger who recommended the luggage and booking sites they personally used. Over time, those simple links started earning them a steady income, because their audience trusted their recommendations. Another case was a food blogger who earned through affiliate links to kitchen tools and recipe books.

What makes affiliate marketing powerful is that you don’t need to create a product yourself. You just need to connect your readers with something valuable. That’s why many new bloggers try affiliate marketing even before ads — because if you recommend the right thing and your readers click, you can earn faster than waiting for traffic to grow big enough for ad revenue.

My takeaway so far: Affiliate marketing is all about trust. People will only click and buy through your links if they believe in you. That’s why I’ve promised myself that when I finally dive into affiliate marketing, I’ll only promote tools, books, or services I truly believe in.

3. Digital Products & Courses – Turning Knowledge Into Income

One of the most exciting things I’ve discovered about blogging is that it can become so much more than just writing posts — it can actually turn into a business. And one of the most powerful ways bloggers earn is by creating and selling digital products or online courses.

I used to think you needed to be an “expert” with a fancy degree before you could create something worth selling. But the more stories I read, the more I realized that’s not true. Most successful bloggers started with something simple: a small ebook, a printable, a guide, or even a short online workshop. They weren’t experts when they began — they were just passionate about a topic and willing to share what they knew.

For example, I once came across a blogger who loved personal finance. At first, they wrote tips on budgeting and saving money. As their audience grew, people started asking for more detailed help — so they created a $15 budgeting workbook. That little workbook eventually made thousands of dollars. Another blogger I follow turned their tutorials into a mini online course, and now they earn passive income every month.

This approach makes so much sense to me because it’s something I can grow into. Even if I’m just starting, I know that as my blog grows and I learn more, I’ll eventually have valuable knowledge to package into something people want — maybe an ebook sharing everything I learned about blogging, or a mini course teaching beginners how to start their own.

My takeaway so far: Digital products and courses are like planting seeds. They may take time to create, but once they’re out there, they can keep earning money over and over again — even while you sleep. And the best part is, they let you turn your passion and experience into something that helps others too.

4. Freelancing Opportunities – When Blogging Opens New Doors

One of the biggest surprises I discovered while researching blogging is that sometimes the money doesn’t come directly from the blog itself — it comes from the opportunities the blog creates.

Think about it: when you run a blog, you’re not just writing random posts. You’re building a portfolio. Every article you write is proof that you can communicate, research, and deliver value. And companies, brands, or even individuals are always looking for people who can do exactly that.

I’ve read stories of bloggers who were offered freelance writing jobs simply because someone saw their blog and thought, “Wow, this person can really write.” Others were hired as social media managers, content creators, or even consultants, all thanks to the expertise they displayed on their blog.

For me, this idea feels encouraging. Even though I haven’t earned from my own blog yet, I know that every post I write is like an online CV. If someone stumbles across my content and sees potential, it could easily turn into a freelance opportunity.

For example, imagine you blog about travel. A local travel agency might reach out and say, “Could you write articles for our website?” Or if you write about fitness, a small brand could ask you to manage their content or create guides for their customers. That’s freelancing — and it often pays much faster than waiting for ads or affiliate income.

My takeaway so far: Blogging is more than just a potential source of passive income — it’s also a door opener. It builds credibility, shows your skills, and positions you for freelance work that can start paying you long before your blog itself becomes a big money-maker.

5. Email Lists & Memberships – Building a Community That Pays

One thing I keep hearing again and again in the blogging world is this: “Your email list is your goldmine.” At first, I didn’t really understand why. I thought social media was enough — post something on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, and people will see it, right? But here’s what I learned: social media changes all the time. Algorithms shift, accounts get shadow-banned, and posts get lost in endless feeds.

Email, on the other hand, is personal. When someone gives you their email, it means they trust you enough to let you show up in their inbox. And if you can build a list of loyal readers, you don’t have to depend on algorithms — you can talk to your audience directly.

Now, how does that turn into money? Here are two ways I’ve seen bloggers do it:

1. Promoting Products Through Email
   Once you have a list, you can recommend your own products, affiliate products, or even share promotions. Many bloggers make the majority of their income through email because their audience is already warm and engaged.

2. Memberships and Exclusive Content
   Some bloggers take it a step further and create a paid membership or subscription. This could be a private community, a newsletter with advanced tips, or even a behind-the-scenes look at their work. For example, I read about a parenting blogger who created a $5/month membership where she shared weekly parenting strategies and personal stories. It doesn’t sound like much, but with just 1,000 members, that’s $5,000 per month — steady income from loyal fans.

For me, this lesson hit differently. I realized that blogging isn’t just about publishing posts and waiting for traffic — it’s about building relationships. If I start building an email list early, even before monetizing, I’ll have a strong foundation when the time comes to launch products, affiliate offers, or even a membership.

My takeaway so far: Don’t wait until your blog is huge to start collecting emails. Start small, offer something valuable for free (like a mini guide or checklist), and slowly build a community. That community can become one of the most reliable sources of income in the long run.

6. Stories of Bloggers Who Inspired Me

While I haven’t started earning from blogging yet, I’ve spent hours reading about people who have — and honestly, their stories keep me motivated. They prove that blogging can go from a simple hobby to a full-time income if you stay consistent.

Here are a few stories that stood out to me:

1. The Food Blogger Who Turned Recipes Into a Business
I once read about a woman who started posting her favourite home recipes on a blog. At first, it was just for fun, but her audience grew because her recipes were simple and relatable. Over time, she began using ads and affiliate links for kitchen tools. Eventually, she even published her own cookbook and launched an online cooking course. What started as a passion for food turned into a six-figure income.

2. The Travel Blogger Who Gets Paid to Explore
Another inspiring story is of a couple who loved traveling. They began documenting their trips on a blog, sharing budgeting tips and travel guides. At first, they earned small commissions from affiliate links (like hotel booking sites). But as their blog grew, tourism boards and brands started sponsoring their trips. Today, they get paid to travel — something most of us only dream of.

3. The Finance Blogger Who Built Wealth by Teaching Others
One of the most eye-opening stories I read was about a man who started writing about his personal journey of paying off debt. He was honest, vulnerable, and practical. Readers connected with his story, and soon his blog became a trusted resource for financial advice. He monetized through affiliate links to budgeting apps and created digital products like e-books and spreadsheets. What amazed me is that he didn’t start as an expert — he just shared what he was learning.

These stories remind me that blogging isn’t about being perfect or knowing everything from day one. It’s about starting where you are, sharing your journey, and growing alongside your audience.

My takeaway so far: Success in blogging looks different for everyone. Some earn through food, some through travel, some through finance — but the common thread is consistency, passion, and a willingness to keep learning.

Final Encouragement: Why You Should Start Today

Even though I haven’t made money from blogging yet, I feel excited about the journey ahead. Every time I learn something new, I realize blogging isn’t just about income — it’s about expression, connection, and impact.

If you’ve ever thought about starting a blog, my advice is: start now. Don’t wait until you feel like an expert. Don’t wait until you think you have it all figured out. Blogging is a journey, and you’ll learn as you go.

Remember, every successful blogger I’ve read about started with one simple post — just like you can. And while the income might take time, the growth, the skills, and the community you’ll build along the way are worth it.

So grab your laptop, pick a topic you care about, and begin. Who knows? A year from now, you might look back and realize this was the start of something amazing.

My promise to myself (and maybe to you, too): I will keep learning, keep writing, and keep building. Because blogging is more than just words on a page — it’s a door to endless opportunities.

for more of this and digital literacy click the link below.

learn more about digital literacy