How to Make Money Blogging in 2026: 7 Easy Wins for New Bloggers
How to start a blog and make money in an era dominated by AI and short-form content? Is it still a profitable option to earn money online? If these questions are stopping you from getting started, we are here to tell you that blogging is still alive, but you have to know where to invest your time to make it work. In this article, we’ll cover seven practical, proven methods you can use to monetize your writing skills in 2026.
Is blogging still profitable in 2026?
If you have spent any time researching blogging, you have probably heard people say it is dead. That belief usually comes from seeing crowded niches, short but engaging social media posts, and AI content everywhere you look.
It looks discouraging, but in reality, blogging is not dead. What has changed is the strategy, not the opportunity. Blogging now rewards clarity, usefulness, and patience more than volume or hype.
Take Emma Jackson from the Bee Money Savvy finance blog. In 2025, she shared that her blog was bringing in around £5,000 per month, with some months going beyond £10,000. This proves that focused blogging can still produce real results today.
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7 proven ways to make money off a blog today
Now that you know blogging still works, the real question is where to focus your time so your effort actually pays off.
1. Display ads through ad networks
When you are just starting out, display ads are often the best monetization strategy you can try. You do not need to sell anything, pitch anyone, or build a complex funnel. You only focus on publishing, and the ads take care of the rest.
The idea is simple. Ad networks like Google AdSense and Mediavine place ads on your site and pay you based on impressions or reader clicks.
The key difference between these two networks comes down to traffic and earning potential:
- Google AdSense works well when your traffic is still low, but payouts are usually modest.
- Mediavine requires more traffic, but once you qualify, earnings per visitor tend to be significantly higher.
This is why display ads are often described as passive income. Once the ads are live, they earn while you focus on creating content. At the same time, you should be aware of the trade-off of your income rising and falling with your traffic.
Display ads work best when:
- Your content attracts consistent page views
- You are comfortable relying on traffic volume
- You want a hands-off monetization method
Pro tip: Test different ad placements to see which positions generate the most clicks and impressions without hurting readability.
2. Affiliate marketing for beginners
After display ads, the next common way bloggers make money online is through affiliate marketing.
The concept is straightforward. You promote products or services using a special tracking affiliate link. When someone clicks that link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission. Nothing changes for the reader, and you are not responsible for creating, shipping, or supporting the product.
Because of this, affiliate marketing does not rely as heavily on traffic volume as display ads do. Instead, it rewards relevance. The more closely your recommendations match what your readers are looking for, the better your chances of earning.
If you are just starting out, it helps to begin with the following established affiliate platforms that are easy to join and widely trusted:
- Amazon Associates is a common entry point and works well for physical products
- Awin offers access to many tools and services across different niches
- Impact focuses on higher-quality brands and software products
Typical affiliate-friendly content includes:
- Product reviews based on real experience
- Comparison or roundup posts
- Tutorials that show how a product solves a specific problem
Affiliate marketing works best when:
- You write blog posts for a specific audience with clear needs
- You recommend products you would use yourself
- You focus on helping first and earning second
Pro tip: Start small. Choose one or two affiliate programs and build focused content around them instead of spreading links across your entire site.
3. Sponsored content and partnerships
Once you have a steady blog traffic and a defined target audience, sponsored content becomes another realistic way to earn. At this stage, brands are not paying you for clicks or impressions. They are paying you to reach the people who already trust your voice.
A brand pays you to write a new blog post, feature a product, or mention a service in a way that fits naturally into your content. In return, you get paid a flat fee, regardless of how many clicks or sales the post generates.
If you are wondering how bloggers find these brand collaborations, it usually happens in two ways:
- Brands reach out once they see consistent content and engagement
- You pitch your ideas to brands that already align with your blogging niche
When it comes to rates, sponsored posts can vary widely. Smaller blogs might earn a few hundred dollars per post, while larger or more established blogs can charge four figures or more.
One important thing to keep in mind is transparency. Sponsored posts must be clearly disclosed so readers know when the content is paid. This builds trust and keeps you compliant with advertising guidelines.
Pro tip: Create a simple “Work with me” page or media kit that explains your audience, traffic, and collaboration options. This makes it much easier for brands to say yes.
4. Sell digital products (ebooks, templates, courses)
Selling digital products refers to creating downloadable or online resources that help your readers solve a specific problem. Instead of linking to someone else’s business, you offer your own products and earn directly from each sale.
There is no inventory, no shipping, and no ongoing fulfillment. A reader buys, downloads, and gets value immediately.
If you are new to this, it helps to start with products that are easy to create and are closely connected to your existing content.
Common beginner-friendly options to explore include:
- Printable planners, checklists, or worksheets
- Short ebooks that solve one specific problem
- Mini-courses focused on a single skill or outcome
What makes selling digital products especially appealing is the margin. Your main investment is time. Once the product is finished, each sale costs you almost nothing, which means most of your revenue stream is pure profit.
You do not need expensive software to get started. Many bloggers create and sell their first products using free or low-cost tools like Google Docs or Canva.
Pro tip: Start small. Create one simple product that solves a clear problem before spending time on complex product bundles.
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Turn your time and skills into extra income with simple, beginner-friendly tasks.
5. Offer freelance services
Another practical way to make money early is by offering services directly through your blogging platform. To become a freelancer and get paid to write, your blog needs to be presented as a portfolio that shows what you can do.
Instead of waiting for search engine traffic to grow, you use your content to demonstrate your skills. Readers who like how you explain things, structure ideas, or solve problems can become paying clients.
The type of services you offer will depend on your background and niche, but some of the most common options are:
- Writing or content creation
- Design or website support
- Consulting or strategy work
- Coaching or one-on-one guidance
You can expand your services to review-based work, where you can get paid to write reviews for relevant products or services, or editing-focused roles like online proofreading jobs, if you prefer refining content rather than writing from scratch.
You can also explore more specialized writing paths, including opportunities to get paid to write letters for job applications, formal requests, or business communication.
What makes services appealing is speed. You can start earning with relatively low traffic as long as the right people are reading your content. One client can often bring in more income than thousands of ad impressions.
When it comes to pricing, avoid guessing. Look at what others in your niche charge, factor in your experience level, and start with rates that feel sustainable. You can always raise them as demand grows.
Pro tip: Add a simple “Hire Me” or “Services” link to your navigation so visitors immediately know how to work with you.
6. Launch a paid membership or community
Once you have a group of readers who keep coming back, a paid membership or community can make sense. Instead of one-time purchases or individual services, you offer ongoing access to your own blogs in exchange for a monthly or yearly fee.
This model works by giving members something they cannot get from your public blog. That might be deeper content, direct access to you, or a space where they can connect with others who share the same goals.
A paid membership can include things like:
- Exclusive blog posts or resources
- A private forum or community space
- Live group calls, Q&A sessions, or coaching check-ins
What makes memberships appealing is recurring income. Rather than starting from zero each month, you build a base of members who support your work over time. At the same time, this model requires consistency. Members will only stay if they continue to see value.
You do not need complicated tech to get started. Many bloggers use simple, reliable platforms to manage access, communication, and payments, such as:
Pro tip: Start with a small founding group at a lower price. This lets you test the format, refine the value, and grow the community without pressure.
7. Get paid to write for others (freelance blogging)
Freelance or paid blogging works by contributing articles to publications, brands, or established blogs that pay you per post or per project.
What makes this option appealing is speed. You can start earning as soon as you land your first assignment, even if your own blog is still small.
There are two common ways bloggers find paid writing work:
- Applying to job listings on blogging job boards
- Pitching your own article ideas directly to websites in your niche
If you are just starting out, job boards can make things easier. A few well-known places to look for your first gigs include:
- ProBlogger job board for writing and content roles
- Contena for curated freelance opportunities
- Blogging Pro for daily writing listings
One thing to watch out for is low-paying content mills. While they can offer quick work, pitching your own ideas to relevant websites usually leads to better pay and stronger bylines.
Pro tip: Use your blog as your main writing sample. Even a few strong posts can be enough to show potential clients what you can do and land paid opportunities.
Which blog income stream is right for you?
At this point, you do not need to choose everything. You only need to choose what makes sense for where you are right now.
Each income stream serves a different purpose, and the best option depends on your goals, timeline, and comfort level.
Use this as a simple way to decide where to start:
- If you want more passive income over time, start with display ads or affiliate marketing.
- If you enjoy writing but need money sooner, focus on freelance services or paid writing.
- If you enjoy teaching online courses or explaining things, digital products or memberships are a strong fit.
- If you already have an engaged audience, sponsored content, or a community can turn that trust into full time income.
The most important thing is not to do everything at once. Go step by step and start with one or two methods, learn how they work, and give them time to perform. As your blog grows, you can layer in additional streams.
Other bloggers do it too. They do not rely on just one source of income. They combine three or four strategies to create stability and flexibility.
What matters most is testing, tracking results, and adjusting based on what actually works for you, not what sounds best on paper.
How long does it take to earn money blogging?
This is usually the question that matters most, and it is also where many people get discouraged too early.
The honest answer is that blogging is not instant income. Most blogs do not make much money in the first few weeks or even the first couple of months. That is considered normal, rather than a failure.
For most new bloggers, the timeline to make money blogging looks something like this:
- First 0–3 months: You are building content, learning what drives traffic, and setting up the foundation. Income, if any, is usually minimal.
- Months 3–6: Traffic starts to grow slowly if your content is focused and optimized. Small wins may come from affiliate links, like a special Amazon affiliate link, freelance services, or paid writing.
- Months 6–12: This is where consistency starts to pay off. With solid SEO, clearer positioning, and basic digital marketing efforts, blogging starts to look more like a full-time career with a steady income.
Consistency matters more than speed. Publishing helpful content regularly, improving older posts, and staying focused on one niche will do more for your income than chasing trends or viral traffic.
Start earning online today
Turn your time and skills into extra income with simple, beginner-friendly tasks
Final thoughts
How to make money off a blog? It comes down to choosing the right strategies, applying them consistently, and letting them grow over time.
If you want to turn blogging into a full-time job, just remember:
- Blogging is still profitable in 2026, but it rewards focus, clarity, and long-term thinking rather than quick wins.
- You do not need massive traffic to start earning. Services, freelance writing, and affiliates can work early.
- More passive income streams, like ads and digital products, grow as your content and authority grow.
- Digital marketing, SEO, and consistent publishing play a major role in how fast your blog gains traction.
- The strongest blogs combine multiple income streams instead of relying on just one.
FAQs
Blogs that focus on a specific niche, like personal finance, career growth, or health, or digital usually make bigger bucks because readers arrive with clear problems and buying intent.
The fastest route is offering freelance services or paid writing, such as content creation, reviews, or editing, since you can earn with low traffic and existing skills.
They can make some money, but limited SEO control, branding, and monetization options usually make it harder to scale compared to a self-hosted website.
Not at all. You only need practical experience, a willingness to learn, and the ability to explain things clearly to readers who are earlier in the process than you.
Monika Ivanauskaite
Content Manager
Meet Monika, your go-to person for turning side-hustle ambitions into real income. As a content manager at JumpTask, she makes digital earning opportunities easy to understand and follow. With a Communication degree from Vilnius Tech and studies in International Communication at Hanze, Monika knows how to turn tricky money earning topics into practical tips. She’s been where you are and knows how hard it can be to start. That’s why her advice is always honest and clear. No empty promises, just real ways to make money online.
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