Contrary to popular belief, it is straightforward to create a blog about anything or anyone. Many businesses and even personalities are looking for a side-hustle that uses blogging to build their following and earn money.
However, it can be tricky to create a following and monetise it if your blog isn’t set up correctly. If you plan to make a blog that you can grow into a business, here is a simple guide (with examples!) to help you out:
Know Your Niche
Before you start a blog, you need to pick the niche you are interested in and create the right content that will catch your readers’ attention. It is crucial that you explore the niche you want to focus on and create a plan to help you have a steady content flow and differentiate your blog from your competition.
Example: MiddleMe’s core niche is based on career. Other topics like freelancing, expat, relocation do not separate from the core niche.
Pick A Good Blog And Domain Name
Once you have a niche for your blog, you need to pick the right blog and domain name. Your blog and domain name should be easy to remember and spell, unique and matches your brand. Having a memorable name for your blog and domain can make a great first impression on your readers and give them ideas on what to expect when they check your blog.
Example: MiddleMe represents one being stuck between their personal and work life, trying to find a balance. It is quirky, easy to remember and straightforward.
Pick The Right Blogging Platform
Aside from a unique blog and domain name, you need to pick the best blogging platform that will match the content you want to promote and how you want to monetise your blog in the future. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money and get immediate access to readers, opting for a hosted blog on sites like Blogger or WordPress may be good for you.
Meanwhile, if you want to invest in a website for the long haul, having it self-hosted can be the ideal choice. You will need to pay a fee for a host, like BlueHost or GoDaddy, to host your website and get your blog set up with them. Most hosting sites can set up WordPress.org as your blog platform.
Example: MiddleMe is hosted on WordPress.com because I do not have plans to monetise with pop up or banner ads. But in the future, if I want to do so, I will have to migrate my blog to be self-hosted.
Pick The Best Monetisation Strategy That Fits Your Blog
If you are going to monetise your blog, there are many options you can choose from. You can sell a product through your blog, be an affiliate site or do paid content for brands. See what fits your niche, and don’t hesitate to do more than one monetisation strategy if it works well with your content.
Example: MiddleMe benefits from clients who engage me for freelance gigs through my website.
Publicise Your Blog
Once your site and content are active, you should look for ways to publicise your blog to call in readers. You can utilise keywords to help your site score well in search engine results and optimise your content. You can also share your posts on your social media and get people to share them.
Example: MiddleMe articles are available through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. I also participate regularly in guest posts to spread the word about my blog.
Schedule Your Posts
You will need to ensure that your readers stay with you if you want to turn your blog into a business. Have a set schedule for posts and what topics you will be discussing. At the start, it is expected that you won’t get too many hits for your content, but once you get into the groove of publicising your blog and improving your content, it will grow slowly.
Example: MiddleMe published posts every Monday to Friday at 12noon (Singapore time). Consistency and good content are what will lead your readers to keep coming back for more!
Conclusion
Blogging is a fun way to promote products, services and topics that you want to discuss with your target audience. Whether you are starting a new blog or it’s your second, make sure to focus on what your audience wants to see and provide the right content regularly to help your traffic grow and earn more in the process.
Starting a blog and want to gain more followers? Check out these super tips:
What are The Advantages of Having a Blog Niche
How to Get Your Blog Noticed
How to Drive Traffic to Your New WordPress Site?
Can’t get enough of MiddleMe? You can find me sharing my thoughts here as well:
Instagram @kallymiddleme
Twitter (MiddleMe_net)
FaceBook (MiddleMe.net)
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/kallytay
MiddleMe 
nice information..
thanks for sharing
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Really informative. Thanks for sharinh
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Blogging is fun as long as you have the necessary time, energy and consistency 😉 and yes, I guess is a good platform that can help you grow into a business eventually if you’re interested in it!
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Great tips and I really like how you have included a personal MiddleMe example for each of them.
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Great tips! Let you i chose not to self-host. I get so annoyed when I go to a website that is overtaken with tons of ads.
Our website is designed on Weebly.
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Really liked and appreciated this article. I should be joining on bluehost sometime within the latter part of this year or the beginning of next to monetize my blog better. These have been really good and helpful.
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I appreciate all the suggestions. What do you think of podcasting as a way of monetizing a blog? Have you heard of Anchor?
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Great blog post, many tips are invaluable, helpful, and thought-over.
regards
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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As always you are providing the best tips and advices, Kally! Thank you! I am sure this is very useful for others too. xx Michael
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Have a wonderful weekend ahead!
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Thank you as well, Kally! Please stay save! xx Michael
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Thanks for sharing my posts out! Always appreciate your visits.
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Thank you as well, Kally! You are having wonderful inspirative and thoughtful postings. Thank you for sharing! xx Michael
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Pleasure is all mine, Michael.
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Thank you, Kally! :-)) Enjoy your weekend! xx Michael
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Great information!
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Thank you so much!
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From your blog I got very nice tips. Still I have to know more.
I am busy with content writing.
But I am now interested in monetising.
Thank you so much for sharing this valuable guidance 😊 Regards 🙏
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Hopefully you will succeed in your dreams.
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Thank you so much for your support, good wishes and encouragement 🤗🙏
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That’s pretty helpful. Thanks for sharing.
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Have an awesome weekend!
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please tell us how much you earn … I for example earn about 2 euros for 600 visitors / day 😦
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I benefit differently from you. I don’t actually get paid for readerships but clients hires me for business consultancy through reading my articles.
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Great advice as always, Kally. Will surely be back for more. Yeah, am seriously thinking of how to make money off these crazy scribbles.
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Thank you for your delightful comment.
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Great information, thanks for sharing with us.
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Thank you for your delightful comment.
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Thanks for sharing this, Kally.
Happy Weekend to you and your family. 🤗
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Thank you for your delightful comment. Same to you, Herry. Stay safe.
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Thanks for going over these elements to consider when optimizing a blog! I still haven’t decided whether or not to migrate to a hosted experience yet. It’s reassuring to know that a blog doesn’t have to be hosted to do well, as yours certainly demonstrates!
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It’s been 6 years and it is still hosted by WordPress. 😊
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