Blogging business acquires a bunch of your time for a variety of things. From planning to making it real, there’s a huge line of conversions where does the money actually go or how to make it happen.

Let’s say you’ve invested in hosting which doesn’t need to cost a lot (for example, Bluehost is $2.49 for a month) and you’ve invested in theme. Or you may be decided to use one of those free themes. But you bought a high-quality camera and a variety of lenses to make it professional (read more here). Or you decided to use your iPhone camera instead. It really doesn’t matter that much at the very beginning.

However, it IS of great importance to start your blog with a paid domain (your unique name) and a paid hosting (your spot on the internet). If you want to make it a real job in the nearest future.

Also, to make your blog worth the audience and to build trust, you’ll need to invest in it later. You’ll be hiring a web/graphic designer or buying services like Convert kit for your email marketing strategies. You’ll also need to invest in yourself through courses and, for example, fashion items (if you are a fashion blogger). And many other things that will help you be the best at what you are doing.

Luckily, plenty of ways to earn enough (and a lot more) money on the internet to support your blog and your life before blogging becomes your full-time job. Follow along.

Freelance writing

Normally, this would come up to your mind first. However, not every blogger can double his/her writing this way due to lack of inspiration or time. But if you can, wait no longer. There are plenty of freelance sites and magazines willing to pay writers today. The best thing is that most of the opportunities people want are SEO articles or how-to-write SEO articles. Just like those you write for your WordPress website regularly, following the rules of the YOAST SEO plugin.

Since you’re probably new to this, I suggest you apply at those sites where you have a chance at the very beginning. Among many freelance writers, Fiverr is one of the best starter websites. It kinda seems like you are your boss there, you make a “gig” where you say what exactly you have to offer and how much does it cost. According to that offer, costumers contact you and choose one of the three plans that you listed.

Upwork and PeoplePerHour are always great options. But you’ll have to “stay awhile and keep on trying” for the customers to notice you. There are too many competitors out there and they almost always buy a service from those who already have high ratings.

Instead of doing so, if you want quick money, apply for magazines or guest posting. Creative Revolt is currently seeking articles about blogging (how-to articles) and lists articles about websites that pay moms and travellers. Apartment Therapy wants DIY projects or home tours. On Eat Your World blog you can write about food from around the world. And LIVESTRONG.COM offers all things considered fitness!

Proofreading

If you were one of those annoying friends correcting people about grammar, then it’s about time you finally live up to your dreams. Some companies even offer proofreaders from all around the world a full-time job. Proofreading is basically reading content once again to see whether there are no mistakes left. The job exists because not everyone walks face-to-face with his grammar. So they need people like you to correct their blog posts, articles or ebooks. Here’s the list of some companies that hire proofreaders: Proofreadingservices.com, Flexjobs, ProofreadingPal, Srcibendi.

Sell courses & digital products online

To successfully sell an online course, you’ll have to be doing great at something. Meaning: you need the knowledge, the passion, the plan and the influence.

I want to shorten the things up on this. Because I want to spread the words that everyone can do something and make it count money for him. AT LEAST SOMETHING. To teach the thing you are passionate about, you’ll have to go further than just the facts.

You need to act like you are a leading person for that specified area you want to teach people about. That means you’ll have to educate that much that you know the roots. The answer to every question. Even the small ones. Mardi once “said to me”: Find the job that gives you passion flames from inside, understand it and be the best in that area; that way, the money will always shower you. I changed the sentence a bit, but you see the point here, right!

When you are passionate about something, you don’t need anyone to push you into learning. You want to influence in that area. Anyone can make money out of his passion or talent. You play the piano, teach it to others. Meal planning, fitness, or yoga moves are your thing? Teach it. Web design, DIY projects, writing tips, basically anything! It doesn’t take much of your time to create digital products like workbooks, printables, challenges or even e-books, either.

Here’s where to teach courses: Udemy Academy, Skillshare and Teachable. And here’s where to sell products: Shopify, Squarespace etc.

Graphic design

I put graphic design fourth because, unlike the previous skills I’ve listed, graphic design doesn’t dance along with all writers. Usually, bloggers gifts are writing and creativity. Sure some bloggers learned it and some even blog about it. But, not so many of them!

However, graphic design is a very profitable business, even for those who know the very basics of it. If you’re familiar with my story, you know that my husband is a graphic designer. And there are plenty of sites we ran onto searching and applying for graphic design jobs. His choice no 1 is always a 99design website. There are plenty of new contests daily and it’s beginner-friendly!

How to take your business to the next level

No matter your blogging level, you do realize that blogging costs. Hosting costs and not making it dull costs. Even when you passionately blog about something that always inspires you, you’ll have to pay the price of dull content and a dull look of your website sometimes. You’ll need to improve your technology or your clothes. You’ll need to buy services.

By now, you must have been wondering (if you’re a beginner) is it worth your money. Well, it is, only if you don’t give up and choose the right business to support the career. Just in case there are not as many followers to buy stuff through your affiliate links and your ebook. Because there’s not enough traffic when you are a beginner and it’s hard to get to sponsored posts that are worth it.

It takes time to make those first $ and much more time to make it flow constantly. I made my $50 after six months of actively blogging for the first time (through the sponsored post). Not that it couldn’t have happened earlier if I had a plan and enough time to learn the basics of blogging, but I am ok with that now. Anyhow, I wouldn’t suggest any newbie blogger accept any sponsored posts under $200 or so. Working with small companies may hurt long-term results.

Only go slow and careful, protect yourself legally and educate daily. You’ll get to a full-time blogging career if you stay consistent and support the blog by not making it dull while side-hustling.