How Bloggers Make Money

So, you’ve seen all those shiny blog income reports and Pinterest pins screaming about six-figure bloggers. You know it’s possible, but you’re sitting there wondering, "How are they rolling in dough while I’m still deciding if I can afford guac at Chipotle?"

The truth is, making money from blogging isn’t rocket science—it’s more like assembling IKEA furniture: confusing at first but totally doable with the right tools. Let’s break it down!

1. AFFILIATE MARKETING

Affiliate marketing is basically “recommend stuff, get paid”—it’s capitalism with a side of passive income. You promote a product, someone clicks your special link, buys said product, and you get a commission. Boom, payday!

When I started, I was hustling Amazon and Target affiliate links like my life depended on it (spoiler: it didn’t, but my coffee addiction sure did). Now, I recommend tools I actually use and love, like

Canva,

ConvertKit,

SamCart. They do the heavy lifting, and I cash the checks.

Pro tip: People can smell fake recommendations from a mile away. So, promote what you actually like unless you want your audience running faster than I do when someone says, "We need to talk."

2. DIGITAL PRODUCTS

Digital products are basically the gift that keeps on giving (and earning). You create them once, and they keep selling, like that one catchy song you can’t get out of your head.

Think ebooks, printables, Canva templates, or even stock photo packs. Sure, they take some time to create, but once they’re done, it’s passive income city, baby. And yes, you’re allowed to take a victory lap in your PJs when those sales roll in.

3. ONLINE COURSES

Courses are my favorite way to make money blogging because, honestly, who doesn’t love being the expert for a change? You package up your knowledge—whether it’s baking sourdough or building a brand—and sell it to people who need your wisdom.

Yes, they take work to create, but once they’re live, you’ve got yourself a passive income machine. Think of it as planting seeds that grow into a money tree. 🌳 (Water with coffee and determination.)

4. COACHING AND SERVICES

For those of you who like actual human interaction (weird, but okay), coaching and services are a solid option. Offer things like graphic design, life coaching, or social media management, and let your blog do the heavy lifting to reel clients in.

Personally, I stick to blogging and group coaching because one-on-one coaching isn’t always my jam. But hey, if you thrive on helping people directly, this might be your bread and butter. (Or gluten-free toast, no judgment.)

5. DISPLAY ADS

Ah, display ads. The OG way to monetize a blog and the reason your favorite recipe site takes 12 years to load.

Sure, they pay pennies per click, but unless your blog traffic is busier than Target on Black Friday, it’s not going to make you rich. Plus, they can make your blog look like a garage sale—messy and overwhelming.

If you’re curious, MediaVine is the crème de la crème of ad networks. But me? I prefer to keep my blog clean and ad-free because clutter stresses me out faster than a Monday morning meeting.

The Big Takeaway

There you have it: five ways bloggers make money without selling their souls (or their sanity). The best part? You don’t have to do them all. Pick what works for you, have some fun with it, and remember—your blog is a marathon, not a sprint. Or in my case, it’s a sarcastic walk with a latte in hand.

Now, go out there and make that guac money. 🌟

"OUT OF YOUR VULNERABILITIES WILL COME YOUR STRENGTH"