Make money from blogging? Sounds like a dream, right? For example, sitting in a beautiful coffee shop. Sip on a cappuccino/latte (or tea if you’re a Kiwi like me) while spending money on your computer. But the point is at least it wasn’t like that at first. Actually, scratch that. It’s never been like that.

Let me be honest. If you want to invest in your craft. You have to put everything into it. Think of it like planting in rocky soil. You will need to water, feed and maybe even encourage it to grow. And there’s waiting, often, while your blog sits there like a stubborn teenager refusing to do what you want. But when it finally changed, oh boy, it was magic.

Take Darren Rowse from ProBlogger, for example. He started his blog in 2004 just to write about random tech gadgets and photography tips. At the time he probably didn’t know that it would be his full-time job. He now makes money from eBooks, online courses and … affiliate marketing. Yes, a real income opportunity. Not bad for a guy who just wants to share his passion.

But it’s not all about the money. Sure, blogging can be frustrating. But there’s something satisfying about pressing “publish.” It’s like sending a message in a bottle from the internet’s vast ocean in the hope that someone somewhere will find it useful. Oh, and don’t forget the moments of wonder in yourself too. Has anyone read this? Trust me, we’ve all been there.

Now for some practical advice:

1. Find Your Niche. Don’t blog about everything. Unless you’re Elon Musk (he blogs… sort of). People want depth, not superficial fluff.
2. SEO is Your Best Friend. Honestly, Google is like the moody gatekeeper of traffic. Play by its rules.
3. Social Media is Gold. Use Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, whatever you want. Just be consistent.
4. Monetise Smartly. Ads, affiliate links, digital products. Experiment, but don’t spam your readers with pop-ups.

Oh, and one more thing, the road to blogging success isn’t a straight line. There are potholes, detours and sometimes your car might break down. But hey, the journey is worth it, even if you only make enough for a nice coffee or tea every now and then.

For more inspiration, check out Darren Rowse’s ProBlogger; his story might just give you the push you need. Or maybe it won’t. But if you’re reading this, you’re probably already halfway there, aren’t you?

So grab your laptop, jot down your first idea and give it a go. Who knows? Your words might just spark something big. Or at least earn you a few pounds. It’s worth a try, right?