Let’s be honest: learning how to start a blog and make money in 2025 sounds like showing up late to a party that ended years ago.
Every guru out there is screaming about TikTok or some other flashy platform. I get it.
But here’s what most people don’t tell you: blogging still works. And it works damn well if you have expertise to share.
I started my first blog back in 2012.
It was this ugly WordPress site about natural superfruits. Back then, I had no clue what I was doing. I was just some random dude with knowledge to share.
I then created a few other blogs until I finally found something that was working.
Within 2 years, that blog was making me a full-time income. By 2014, I was completely supported by my online business.
The secret? I wasn’t trying to be a “blogger” – I was monetizing my expertise.
Most blogs fail because people think it’s about writing pretty words. It’s not. It’s about building systems that turn your knowledge into money.
I’ve helped hundreds of experts start blogs that actually make money. Not pocket change – I’m talking $10k+ months.
The difference between expertise-based blogging and general blogging is simple: experts solve specific problems that people are willing to pay to fix.
You don’t need millions of readers. You need the right readers who want what you’re selling.
Is it still possible to start a blog in 2025 and make serious money? Absolutely. But you need a strategy, not just good writing.
Let me show you exactly how to do it.
Phase 1 – Strategic Foundation (Month 1)
Most people make this stupid mistake right off the bat when figuring out what’s the best way to start a blog: they buy a domain, set up WordPress, and spend weeks picking the perfect theme.
Don’t do that. It’s a waste of time.
Why?
Because they already have built-in audiences. You get to focus on writing, not technical crap that doesn’t make you money.
I wasted $7,000+ in my first year trying to drive traffic to my own website with ads. What a dumb move. I should’ve spent that time building content on platforms where readers already existed.
People often ask me “how much does it cost to start a blog?” The answer might surprise you: almost nothing if you do it right.
Medium and Substack are free to start. The only real cost is your time.
When you’re first learning how to start a blog post, focus on what I call the “Content Cluster” strategy. It’s simple: dominate one small area of your expertise before expanding.
For example, I didn’t just write about “productivity.” I focused specifically on “note-taking for content creators.” The niche was underserved. So I capitalized on that.
Now, let’s talk about your content system. This is where 99% of bloggers fail. They think inspiration will strike them daily. It won’t.
Here’s how to build a sustainable system:
- Create your idea repository: I keep a Notion doc with 50+ article ideas at all times. When I sit down to write, I never waste time thinking about what to write.
- Analyze successful writers: Find 3-5 writers in your niche and study their article structure. Don’t copy their content, but understand their patterns.
- Build templates that match your style: I have 3 article templates I use for 90% of my content. Sounds boring? Maybe. But it works.
- Establish a realistic schedule: Don’t say you’ll publish daily if you can’t. Start with once a week and actually stick to it.
I learned this the hard way. In my first six months, I’d write like a madman for two weeks, then burn out and disappear for a month.
My audience thought I’d died.
The biggest first-year mistake? Trying to monetize too quickly with low-margin products. I created a $7 ebook that made me $800 total. Great, right? No. I spent 40 hours creating it. That’s $20 per hour – I could’ve made more driving for Uber.
What I should’ve done instead was build a high-value course I could sell for $500+. The work would’ve been similar, but the payoff exponentially higher.
Remember: great marketing can’t fix bad math.
Phase 2 – Content Creation & Audience Building (Months 2-8)
Let’s get into the meat of this thing.
If you want to learn how to start a blog the right way, you need to hit at least 50 posts before you start seeing real traction. That’s your minimum threshold. Most bloggers quit at post 12 and wonder why they’re not making money.
I’m not gonna lie to you – the first few months are a grind. You’ll feel like nobody’s reading your stuff. They probably aren’t. That’s normal.
When I started, I’d post and get crickets. I remember checking my stats obsessively, only to see 3 views, all from my mom (Hi, Mom).
But something magical happens around post 30-40. The algorithms start to recognize you. Readers begin to remember your name. You start building momentum.
Now, let’s talk about SEO for a second – but don’t freak out.
When people ask me “what do I need to start a blog that actually gets traffic?”, I tell them you don’t need to be an SEO wizard, but you do need these basics:
- Long-tail keywords: Instead of “productivity tips,” go for “productivity tips for busy executives with ADHD.” Less competition, more targeted readers.
- Proper content structure: Your posts should be at least 1,500 words. Not because longer is better, but because comprehensive content ranks better. And use those damn headers properly – H1, H2, H3 in order.
- Internal linking: Link to your previous articles whenever possible. It keeps people on your blog longer.
Simple SEO isn’t rocket science, it’s just something most beginners ignore.
But here’s the thing most writers miss completely when figuring out how to start a blog page: your blog is not your business. It’s just a lead generation tool.
The real money is in your email list.
From day one, you need to be converting blog readers into email subscribers. That’s your insurance policy against algorithm changes and platform shifts.
Target a 3-5% conversion rate from visitors to subscribers. So if you get 8,000 visitors a month, you should be adding around 300 new subscribers.
But don’t just say “join my newsletter” – that’s boring as hell and nobody cares. Instead, create a free course or guide that solves a specific problem.
For example, at the end of my AI writing articles, I offer a free AI writing course. For my course creation articles, I offer a free course on… creating courses. You catch my drift?
This approach converts 5 times better than generic newsletter signups.
Remember: building an email list is a long-term game. It takes time. But it’s worth it because these are people who’ve raised their hands saying “I want to hear from you.”
And that attention is worth gold.
Phase 3 – Smart Monetization (Month 8+)
Let’s talk money.
A lot of bloggers try to monetize with low-hanging peanuts like:
- Ads that pay 43¢
- $12 newsletter subscriptions
- or the Medium Partner Program.
It’s nice pocket money. But that’s not how you build your online empire.
Here’s what I call the “Revenue from Relationship” principle: The deeper your relationship with your audience, the more they’ll pay you.
A random blog visitor might click an ad worth pennies. But a loyal email subscriber might spend $2,000 on your coaching program.
After 8+ months of consistent blogging, here are the three monetization methods that actually work:
1. Digital Products & Online Courses ($100-$1,000+ per sale)
This is my bread and butter. I’ve sold close to 100 online courses and made over a million dollars from them.
Forget $20 ebooks. They’re a waste of time. When you’re just starting out, finding keywords can be tricky. Everything seems saturated. But when you dig, you’ll find keywords that you can rank for.
With courses, you can charge $100 to $1,000 per sale. The work to create a $20 ebook versus a $1,000 course isn’t that different, but the math changes everything.
Would you rather find 500 people to buy your $20 ebook, or 10 people to buy your $1,000 course? Both equal $10,000, but one is way easier.
I’ve found that courses in the $500-$1,000 range hit the sweet spot. They’re expensive enough to be profitable, but not so expensive that people need financing.
2. Coaching & Consulting ($1,000+ per month)
Once you’ve established yourself as an authority with your blog, you can start charging premium rates for your time.
I charge a grand per month for coaching. Some of my clients have been with me for years.
A big question I get when people are trying to learn how to start a blog is: “How do I actually make good money from it?” This is how – by using your content to sell your expertise.
The key is structuring your coaching so it’s not just hourly calls (that’s exhausting). Create systems like:
- Group coaching programs
- Voxer/WhatsApp support packages
- Monthly feedback on work
Your blog establishes your expertise so you don’t have to spend hours convincing prospects you know your stuff. Your content does that for you.
3. Strategic Affiliate Marketing ($100+ per sale)
I’m not talking about spamming Amazon links for 4% commissions. I’m talking about high-value tools your audience actually needs.
The best affiliate programs offer recurring revenue. If you promote a $50/month software and get 20%, that’s $10/month per customer, FOREVER.
When I promote software or courses I believe in, I can make thousands per month without creating any new products.
Look for programs that pay 30-50% commissions on products that cost $200+. That’s $60-$100 per sale minimum.
But – and this is crucial – only promote stuff you’d recommend to your mother. Your reputation is worth more than any commission.
Phase 4 – Scaling Your Blog Business (Month 12+)
Alright, let’s talk about when this whole blogging thing starts getting sexy.
Most people think making a full-time income from blogging takes 3-5 years. That’s BS. With the right strategy, you can do it in 12-16 months.
I hit full-time income at month 14 of blogging consistently. That’s a realistic timeline for most experts who follow this system.
Let’s break down the math:
With 2,000+ email subscribers (very doable in year one), a 2% conversion rate on a $997 course launch equals $20,000. Do that quarterly and you’re making $80k a year.
This isn’t fantasy math. These are the actual numbers I use in my business.
Once you’ve hit this milestone, there are three things you should focus on:
1. Transitioning to your own platform
Now is when you should think about moving to your own website. You’ve proven your concept and have an audience that will follow you.
Many ask me “how do I start a new blog after building on Medium/Substack?” The transition isn’t hard because people are following YOU, not the platform.
2. Building multiple income streams
Don’t rely on just one product. That’s stupid.
I have:
- A flagship course ($997)
- A membership program ($49/month)
- 1-on-1 coaching ($1000/month)
- Affiliate income (varies)
When one stream dips, others carry you. December is always slow for course sales, but my coaching and membership income stays steady.
3. Creating sustainable growth systems
This is where most successful bloggers fail. They burn out because they’re still doing everything themselves.
You need systems for:
- Content creation (templates, processes)
- Email marketing (automated sequences)
- Course delivery (self-service as much as possible)
- Customer support (templates, FAQs)
The goal is to build a machine that makes money whether you’re working or not.
Your Action Plan
Don’t just read this and do nothing.
For anyone who wants to start a blog and make money, here’s your week-by-week checklist for your first 90 days:
Weeks 1-4:
- Choose your platform (Medium or Substack recommended)
- Define your content niche (what specific problem do you solve?)
- Create your content idea repository (aim for 50+ ideas)
- Build your first article template
- Publish your first 4 articles (one per week)
Weeks 5-8:
- Create a simple lead magnet (free guide/mini-course)
- Set up your email service provider
- Add call-to-actions to all your articles
- Publish 8 more articles
- Start engaging with others in your niche (if you’re using Substack Notes)
Weeks 9-12:
- Draft your first product idea (course outline)
- Create your welcome email sequence
- Publish 4 more articles
- Analyze which content is performing best
- Double down on what’s working
By the 90-day mark, you should have:
- 12+ published articles
- Your first 100+ email subscribers
- A clear monetization plan
- Data on what content works best
Track these key metrics monthly:
- Article views
- Email subscribers
- Email open rates
- Time spent creating content
Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. But if you follow this system, you’ll be miles ahead of most bloggers who are still trying to figure out which WordPress theme looks prettiest.
Now, go and damn do it.
Want to learn exactly how I start a blog and make money with it?
Click below for my free course on content monetization that’s helped hundreds of experts generate their first $10k online.