How Much Do Bloggers Make? Earn $3K/Month Or More!

Many people wonder, “How much do bloggers make?” and wonder if they can make money blogging. And we used to be one of them!

We started our blog as a side hustle to earn extra income on the side, and it took time and effort for our blog to grow, but now we’re able to earn a full-time income from just the blog.

Blogging can be an excellent option for you, too, if you’re looking for a unique way to earn extra money on the side or want to make it your primary source of income.

The earning potential is unlimited for those who can turn their blog into a successful business. So let’s see how much bloggers make and what ways you can monetize your blog!

How Much Do Bloggers Make?

Most people think that bloggers only write because they love to do it and don’t make any money blogging.

This could not be any further from the truth! Most blog writers make quite a bit of money from their own blogs, all from home and as their own boss.

Now we realize most bloggers don’t make 6 figures from their own blogs; however, a few professional bloggers can make a lot!

Indeed

Average blogger salary: $45,149

We looked up the term “Blogger” on Indeed, and here’s what we found about how much bloggers typically earn:

Indeed reports that, on average, bloggers make over $45K per year for a career blogger. They also broke it down into a monthly salary of a little over $3,200 a month.

Popular Bloggers’ Incomes

We did a little research to answer ‘how much do bloggers make?’ and picked a few successful bloggers to check out.

Now some blogs have income reports you can read, which gives you some background of what bloggers did on their blogs or other blogs and where their money came from!

But here is a quick snapshot of what a few more experienced bloggers make:

Making Sense Of Cents

According to a recent article by CNBC, Michelle Schroeder-Gardner makes an average of $760,000 a year on her blog Making Sense of Cents.

In many cases, bloggers can combine multiple income streams to reach their financial goals.

For example, Schroeder-Gardner also offers online courses, like Making Sense Of Affiliate Marketing, which offers a free eBook to give you insights on affiliate marketing, and coaching services to increase her blogging income.

Millennial Money

Personal finance bloggers like Grant Sabatier are becoming increasingly popular as people seek advice on saving and investing their money, making it a possible money-making blog niche if you know finances.

A 2017 income report reported that Sabatier made over $401,000 from his personal finance blog, Millenial Money. Out of that, he says that 1/3 of it was passive income while the rest 2/3 was active income.

While some successful bloggers tend to focus on personal anecdotes, Grant provides actionable advice that his readers can use to improve their financial situation.

Thanks to his thoughtful approach and engaging writing style, Grant has built a loyal following of readers eager to learn more about personal finance.

Smart Passive Income

Pat Flynn is a well-known blogger who owns the blog Smart Passive Income. Most of his income comes from affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and internet learning.

He hasn’t published blogging income reports for several years and was generating more than $150,000 per month when he stopped publishing income statements.

Income Streams For Bloggers

Though it may seem like successful bloggers have always been successful, the truth is that many of them started as side hustles that didn’t make money right away.

Millionaires don’t happen overnight!

Most bloggers start blogs on the side with regular day jobs bringing in money. Brittany was a teacher, I worked as Jail Deputy, and The Savvy Couple was a side hustle pipe dream.

Over time, as our blog grew in popularity and we increased blog traffic, we used monetization strategies to make more money blogging on our platform and eventually make a living from our writing.

Bloggers have many different ways of monetizing their blog, like affiliate revenue, writing a sponsored post, and more:

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is performance-based marketing in which a business rewards a blogger (an affiliate) for each visitor or customer brought by the affiliate’s marketing efforts like display and affiliate ads. 

There are two primary types of affiliate marketing: CPA (cost per action) and CPM (cost per impression). 

For the affiliate to be paid, CPA affiliate marketing requires that the affiliate drive a specific action, such as a sale or registration. 

For example, we can earn affiliate income when someone creates a blog with our Bluehost link since we’re part of the Bluehost Affiliate Program.

CPM affiliate marketing pays affiliates based on the number of times their marketing materials are viewed, regardless of whether or not those materials result in a sale. 

Google Adsense is one of the most common ad networks you can join as an affiliate marketer. Adsense allows you to place ads on your own website and earn money whenever someone clicks on them. 

You can also use this free eBook to learn how to drive more traffic to your blog, merch, and more, increasing your click-through rate and increasing your income from affiliate sign-ups.

Sponsored Posts

One of the popular monetization strategies used by most bloggers is sponsored posts.

A sponsored post is a piece of content created in partnership with a brand or company. The brands pay the influencer to promote their product or service in a blog post, usually with a product review.

For example, we use Steady for finding side hustles and got a sponsored Steady Review article to show people what it was like and how to use it. We wrote our own thoughts and details, gave Steady our own rating, and made money in exchange.

Here are a few things to remember if you consider working with a brand on a sponsored post:

First, ensure that the brand is a good fit for your blog or social media channel. Their values should align with your own, and their products or services should interest your audience. 

Second, you’ll need to disclose the nature of your relationship with the brand. The Federal Trade Commission requires that influencers disclose any material connection they have with brands, so it’s essential to be transparent with your audience about sponsored posts. 

Third, a sponsored post shouldn’t influence your honesty about what the product or service is actually like. If you had trouble with the product or it busted after a while, that’s something your readers should know.

Working with brands on sponsored posts can be a great way to get paid for doing something you love – just be sure to do your research and be honest with your audience!

Product Reviews

Nowadays, you can find reviews for about anything, from books to movies to makeup. And while some reviews are more helpful than others, they can all be useful in one way or another.

After all, we all have different tastes and opinions, so it’s essential to read various reviews before making a purchase.

Bloggers have caught onto this trend and have made it a big part of their monetization strategies. They help to increase exposure for the product and drive affiliate sales. 

For example, a food blogger may write a few posts reviewing a product in their food blog niche. This is an excellent way to monetize their blog and earn extra income. 

You can also make money from Amazon as an affiliate- you can create lists of gift ideas, camping supplies, and more, and you’ll earn a percentage when people buy products from your links.

Merchandise

Many bloggers use their blogs as a platform to sell their merchandise, anything from printable worksheets to printable coloring pages to t-shirts.

The great thing about selling merchandise is that you have complete control over the product’s design, price, and quality. This gives you much flexibility to create products your audience will love. 

If you have a cooking blog, you can design cutting boards to sell; if you have a motherhood blog, you could design cute shirts for parents and kids.

Like any other source of income, make sure your merchandise aligns with your blog marketing and values, so it connects well with your readers and audience.

Online Courses

When monetizing a blog, selling online courses is one of the most popular options. Online courses allow bloggers to share their knowledge and expertise with a larger audience.

Remember a few things to consider if you’re considering creating and selling online courses:

• First, you’ll need to decide what type, of course, you want to create. There are many formats, including video courses, e-books, and printable guides. You can learn about creating a great online course here from a fellow blogger!
• Once you’ve decided on the format, you’ll need to develop a pricing strategy. How much should you charge for your course? It’s important to factor in the time and effort it took to create the course and the value it will provide students. 
• And lastly, you’ll need to promote your course. You can do this through your blog or social media channels or by reaching out to other bloggers and influencers in your niche. 

Selling online courses can be a great way to add multiple income streams to your blog. However, it’s important to remember that creating a course takes significant time and effort. 

Online Communities/Memberships

If you have valuable content that people would be willing to pay for, you can create a membership site and charge monthly or annual fees.

This involves creating a private online community or forum where bloggers or readers can interact with their audience/each other and share their thoughts and ideas.

You can think of this like Facebook groups, where you have a paid membership like a gym to get all the benefits.

A great example of this is the Problogger Community, which is a members-only community for professional bloggers. In this community, bloggers can interact with other members, get their blogs’ feedback, and participate in exclusive challenges and contests.

Another example is the Elite Bloggers Club, a membership site for bloggers. In this community, members can access exclusive content, receive one-on-one coaching, and network with other bloggers.

Freelance Writing/Guest Posting

Blogging can be a great way to earn an income, but it’s not the only way. Freelance writing and guest posting are two monetization strategies that bloggers can use.

You can earn money writing as a freelance writer for other blogs, it’s easy extra income since you’re already writing for your own blog! Just be sure to proofread your writing before submitting it to the publications.

Guest posts are when bloggers write posts for other blogs in exchange for exposure. This is a great way to get your blog in front of new readers and can lead to some great opportunities down the road.

YouTube Channels

While it may take some time to build up a following, bloggers can make a good income from their YouTube channel.

You can learn how to monetize your YouTube channel, but just like your main blog, you can make multiple streams of income through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing by creating engaging content and building a following.

But your YouTube channel needs to be well-rounded and have frequent uploads to engage more people. To make the most of your YouTube channel, you’ve got a few things you need to do:

• Create engaging content that people want to watch- consider what kind of videos your audience will be interested in and film accordingly
• Ensure your videos are high quality and well-edited- professional videos mean people will more likely watch them and subscribe to your channel

Podcasts

Blogging is a great way to share your thoughts and ideas with the world, but did you know that many bloggers also use podcasts to make money?

Podcasting is a great way to reach a new audience with your content!

Advertising is the most common way to have an income stream from podcasts. You can sell ad space on your podcast to companies who want to reach your audience.

Sponsorships are another way to monetize your podcasts. You can find companies who want to sponsor your show and get paid for the podcast episode or paid per listen.

Just like your blog, you can earn commissions from affiliate links you include in your podcasts. Just be sure to mention the company, what the product/service is, and your promo code, so you get your payout!

Start Your Blog Bootcamp

Our Start Your Blog Bootcamp is the perfect resource if you’re interested in starting a blog. This free online course will teach you everything you need to know to get your blog up and running.

The course is broken down into four modules. In our Start Your Blog Boot Camp course, you will learn:

• The perfect blog you should start
• How blogs actually make money
• Simple step-by-step process to start your own blog
• Access to our exclusive blog planner
• Our personal expert blogging secrets we have learned firsthand
• How to stop feeling confused and frustrated

If you’re serious about starting a blog, this is the course for you! Sign up now and get started on your blogging journey.

Profitable Blogging Niches

There are many blogging niches you can blog about, and you should consider your passions and interest to pick the best option. Some people think of just profit when they pick a niche, but your writing may not come across as genuine if you don’t actually have an interest in what you write about!

Here are some of the most profitable blogging categories:

Making Money/Side Hustles

One of the most profitable blogging niches is making money with side hustles. This niche is always in demand because people always look for ways to make extra money.

You can make a lot of money from your blog if you provide helpful information and resources on this topic, like ideas for businesses with no money.

Finance blogs can get affiliate marketing for investment platforms, side hustle apps, or more.

Fashion

If you have a passion for fashion and know how to style outfits, you can succeed in this profitable niche. You will need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and be able to put together outfits that people will love.

There are many ways for bloggers to monetize in the fashion niche, such as by being an affiliate for fashion brands and promoting fashion products.

Collaborating with other bloggers and influencers in the fashion industry is also helpful. Networking is one way to grow your audience, plus gain inspiration and insight into your blog.

Cooking

Whether you are a blogger who likes to share recipes or a writer who wants to provide tips for cooking on a budget, there is always something new to share with your audience.

One of the great things about writing about cooking is that it is a topic that can be approached from many different angles. For instance, you could write about:

• Healthy cooking tips
• Recipes for specific diets (vegan, gluten-free, etc.)
• How to cook on a budget
• Food trends
• Cooking hacks
• And much more!

Gaming

Now you can make money streaming games on Twitch, but you create a gaming blog and make money through gaining affiliates and more!

Blogging about gaming can be a lucrative endeavor. Many gamers are passionate about the hobby and want to learn more about new games and strategies to win games, and they’re willing to spend money on related products.

You could use amazon affiliate links to get commissions on game sales, plus you can sell ad space and get sponsored posts from gaming brands to round out your income and get more information on your blog.

Product Reviews

You can essentially use your blog to get paid to write reviews. This niche can be very lucrative, as many people are interested in learning about the latest and greatest products and movies.

Some companies will send you free products to try out, and you can write reviews on them. This can be a great way to start blogging, as it doesn’t require a lot of upfront investment.

Your other options are buying products with money out of your pocket and hoping to earn money through affiliate links in your article to break even or turn a profit.

Just like we mentioned in sponsored posts, your reputation relies on being honest with readers, so you need to write about the truth.

DIY/Tutorials

Do-it-yourself (DIY) and tutorials are trendy niche blogs. People love learning how to do things themselves, and there are endless tutorials on every imaginable topic.

But what does it take to be a successful DIY or tutorial writer? And how much can you make doing this type of writing?

First, consider what it takes to be a successful DIY or tutorial writer. You need to be an expert on your topic and clearly and concisely communicate your instructions.

You also need to be able to take great photos (or videos) to accompany your tutorial. You won’t come across as honest if you don’t actually have photos to go along with your DIY and show that you were able to do it (hopefully successfully, but hey, some people may want to know about failures, too!).

And finally, you need to be able to promote your work and use SEO techniques to get it in front of potential readers.

Tips For Your Blog

Blogging can be a great way to share your thoughts and ideas with the world and make a little blogging income on the side.

But to have a profitable blog, you must plan and stay organized. Here are some blogging tips for creating and maintaining a successful blog:

Pick The Right Niche

There are many things to consider when starting your own blog, and one of the most important is choosing the right niche.

Picking the right niche means finding a topic you’re interested in and passionate about, but it also means finding a niche with enough potential for monetization.

Not every topic will be a money-maker, but if you pick the right niche, like personal finance, you can make a decent income from your blog.

Remember a few things when you’re thinking about picking a niche for your blog:

• First, think about what topics you’re interested in and passionate about. If you’re not passionate about the topic, you’ll get bored quickly, and your blog will suffer.
• Second, consider whether or not there’s a potential audience for your blog. If you pick a niche that nobody is interested in, you won’t get any traffic.
• Third, think about whether or not there are ways to monetize your blog. If you can’t think of any way to earn cash from your blog or find affiliates for it, it’s probably not worth starting.

Once you’ve considered all of these things, you should have a pretty good idea of what niche you want to pursue.

From there, it’s just a matter of creating content that your audience will find valuable and promoting your blog to reach the broadest possible audience.

If you do those things, you can make a decent income from your own blog, no matter your niche.

Make A Concrete Business Plan

Treat your blog like a business to achieve your blogging income goals.

To make money blogging, you must make a concrete business plan. You will need to know your blogging goals, strategies, target audience, and competition.

Creating a blog business plan will give you a roadmap to follow to achieve your income goals. It will help you stay on track and minimize blogging mistakes.

Some things that you will want to consider (especially beginner bloggers) when creating your business plan include:

• Your blogging goals
• Your target audience
• Your strategies for monetization and social media marketing
• Your competition

If you are serious about blogging, you need to create a business plan. This will help you determine what to do to achieve your income goals.

Follow the steps above to create a solid business plan for your blog.

Plan Ways To Monetize

We’ve talked about all the ways you can make money blogging, but before you start a blog, you actually have to consider where you can get paid from.

Here are a few blogger’s secrets to get started:

• Whatever ads you have on your website should align with your brand (surprise, surprise!). You can even prioritize advertising your own products if you don’t have a lot of affiliates in the beginning.
• Sell products or services through your blog right from the get-go to make more income from your blog. Printables do really well and take the least effort.
• Start an online store using Etsy, Shopify, or your own website and find ways to drive traffic to your shop through your blog, YouTube channel, or online ads.
• Check out other blogs in your niche to get affiliate marketing ideas- if they’re earning commissions from a brand, odds are you can get into that affiliate program too!
• Accept donations through Patreon or PayPal. If you have a loyal following, you can ask them to donate to your blog. People tend to ask for donations as they’re just starting or for people who blog for fun, not to make a living.
• Use Google AdSense. This program allows you to place ads on your blog and get paid every time someone clicks on them. It’s a simple way to make money, but the earnings can be small.
• Once you have affiliates on your blog, don’t be afraid to turn affiliate marketing into sponsored posts. If you join affiliate programs, you can contact them and negotiate for a sponsored post.
• You can offer consulting services through your blog if you have expertise in a particular area, like search engine optimization.  

These are just a few ways bloggers make money from blogging. Experiment with different methods and find what works best for you. With a little effort, you can start earning money from your blog.

Create A Beautiful Looking Website

Creating a beautiful-looking website is essential for any business, especially for blog owners looking to make money online.

You can attract more visitors by having a well-designed, well-designed, and easy-to-use self-hosted WordPress blog.

It makes it easier for them to do what you want them to do, whether buying your products or signing up for your email list.

You should keep a few things in mind when creating your website:

• First, make sure your site is easy to navigate.
• Second, use clear and concise language so visitors can easily understand what you’re trying to say.
• Also, make sure that your blog has all the disclaimers and legal pages that the law requires bloggers to have on their websites.
• Include an informative About page telling your story and why you are blogging. Read more about our blogging story and why we started blogging.
• And finally, use strong visuals to grab attention and keep people engaged.

By following these simple tips, you can create a beautiful-looking website that will help you make money.

Many blog owners use Bluehost to create their websites, including us.

Bluehost is one of the popular blogging platforms that offer a variety of plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers.

If you’re unsure which plan is right for you, Bluehost’s customer service team can help you choose the perfect plan for your needs.

Use The Right Tools

If you’re looking to make money blogging, using the right blogging tools is essential.

SEO tools can help you increase your blog traffic from search engines and create amazing content, while social media tools can help you reach a wider audience and boost your income.

SurferSEO is an excellent search engine optimization (SEO) tool that can help you improve your blog’s search engine ranking with on-page SEO.

Jasper AI is another excellent tool to help create amazing content.

Both tools can help you increase your blog traffic from search engines and make more money. So if you’re serious about making money from blogging, check them out.

Outsource When You Can

When starting a blog, one of the biggest challenges is consistently creating content. Outsourcing your blog content can be a great way to get quality blog posts without breaking the bank.

There are many platforms where you can find affordable writers to produce quality content for your blog post.

Fiverr is one of the most popular options, but you can also find freelance writers on other sites like FlexJobs and Upwork.

If you’re not sure where to start, try posting a project, like a personal finance blog post, on one of these platforms and see what bids you get. You may be surprised at how affordable it can be to outsource your blog content.

Our Thoughts

We hope our “How Much Do Bloggers Make” post has given you some insights into the different ways bloggers make money and given you a few reasons to start a blog today!

You should look at popular bloggers for ideas of what you can write about and what brands will help you bring home the bacon.

We also encourage you to experiment with different methods to see what works best for you to start a successful blog.

With a little effort, you can start making money blogging. So if you’re serious about full-time blogging and making money, be sure to check out our other posts on blogging tips and strategies.