Confessions of an Amateur Blogger: Does Blogging Make Money?

The idea of making money by blogging sounds dreamy, right?

Picture this: lounging at home, laptop in hand, crafting blog posts, and watching the cash roll in. It feels so cozy! Writing can't be that tough, can it? Blogging must be an easy way to make a living, right?

Well, as someone who's been passionately blogging for over a decade (and not exactly a pro), I hate to burst your bubble... it's not all sunshine and $$$.

What is it like being a blogger?

I re-founded this blog in 2015 after ditching two cringe-worthy attempts. I started taking my blog more seriously in 2018, but it wasn't until 2021 that I made the leap, switch my niche, and write more 'professionally', if you will. And here we are now! Once I embraced my makeover, I saw a boost in traffic and began getting more opportunities.

I managed to get AdSense approval for this blog in April 2021. I applied on a whim and got the approval the very next day, so yay! Cha-ching, right?

Well, not exactly.

I earned a whopping $10 in my first month. So, I wrote more and hoped for a boost, but after six months, I realized AdSense is not as lucrative as it seems. And trust me, I'd rather be sipping on a cup of tea than dropping this truth bomb, but let's face it – they make it look easy. It takes MORE than just placing ads to earn a decent income.

I'm still rocking my optimistic hat though, and AdSense? Well, let's just say it's not my cup of tea, but I'm not closing the door on it just yet.

On a brighter note, while I'm not making a living from my blog, it's definitely become my "fun money" (and I'm super grateful for that). Just to be clear, blogging isn't my main source of income – I'm a freelance writer and run a business with my sister – but yes, I do make money from my blog.

Can you really make money with a blog?

Yes, you can, but let me say this loud and clear: it's going to take a long time before you see the benefits. Blogging does NOT make you rich overnight. It takes time, continuous effort, and a lot of patience. 

After years of blogging, I've come to swear by two things: consistency and passion. It's like the ultimate duo for turning your words into $$$. If you can write well, engage your readers and meeting like-minded people, then this place is for you. All you need is a domain and hosting, and your posts can reach people worldwide.

On that note, I hate to say it, but to really up your blogging game, you gotta post more often – the more you post, the better your chances of success. Yeah, I know. It sucks because it's a lot and it can be unrealistic, even if you're blogging full-time. Trust me.

So, how does my blog make *real* money, besides AdSense?

• Sponsored posts (product and service reviews)
• Affiliate marketing (I earn a commission from promoting a product or service)

And here's the million-dollar question: What's my blogging income like?

Well, I'm keeping the numbers to myself for personal reasons and apparently, it's a safety precaution – whatever that means! But I'm usually pulling in a three to four-digit (if I'm lucky) sum in US Dollars. It's more than enough to cover my domain and hosting with change to spare for "emergencies". Sometimes the money I make from my blog also helps me pay for my car maintenance and I can buy extra treats for my son (read: cat). And that's pretty much it.

It's pretty rewarding turning my passion and hobby into $$$, but hey, it's not all this sweet. The money really depends on how many sponsored posts and affiliate marketing gigs I land each month. So yeah, you can see the pattern. No work, no cash. Simple as that, really.

The bottom line

Let's get real here – blogging and creating content daily doesn't automatically mean your viewership will skyrocket and the cash will start flowing in. It can be seriously frustrating, trust me. Some people might even give up at this point. 

But lemme tell ya, it's all part of the journey.

For me, it paid off big time. My blog became my golden ticket when I was hunting for freelance writing gigs. Plus, I teamed up with a company to promote their stuff and scored some sweet income. I even landed a year-long gig writing for a skincare company with my own special column. But I would not consider these as my fun money anymore. I just happened to be passionate about writing and blogging, and I got lucky with some opportunities.

Truth be told, monetizing a blog was anything but steady. And I know not everyone has the patience for that rollercoaster ride. Me? I stuck it out because I love what I do and blogging opened doors I didn't even know existed. But that's me and my story.

If you're thinking of diving into the blogging world solely for the cash, well, it's possible, but it's no walk in the park. It's way more complicated than you might think. Here's a few things I would recommend:

• Kick imposter syndrome to the curb
• Create content that really excites you AND your readers
• Have realistic expectations
• Spread the word about your blog
• Keep on making connections, be nice and helpful
• Diversify your income streams from your blog
• Keep nurturing your blog like a growing plant

And most importantly, don't give up. Trust me, it's worth it, money or no money.

What's your thought on this? Do you make money from blogging?