How To Start a Blog That Earns Money in 2025
I remember the day I first dreamed of turning my stories into something that could earn me an income. It felt both thrilling and overwhelming.
If you’re here, you’ve probably had that same flutter of excitement mixed with uncertainty.
Maybe you’re a single mom juggling a 9–5, homework help, and bedtime routines, and the idea of starting a blog feels like one more thing on the never-ending to-do list. I get it.
Here’s the honest truth: blogging is not about overnight fame or chasing trends; it’s about building something lasting, something that works for you long after you’ve hit “publish.”
In this free mini-course, I’ll walk you through every step—from setting realistic expectations to launching a “stupid simple funnel” that turns traffic into dollars.
By the end, you’ll not only have a clear roadmap but also a printable checklist to keep you on track. Let’s get started.
Blogging is a Slow Burn
Blogging isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. In fact, it’s more like planting an orchard. The first year you plant the trees, you water them diligently, but you won’t enjoy the fruit immediately. That patience is your superpower.
Set realistic expectations. Tell yourself: “I’m in this for the long haul.” Plan three to six months of content before you promote heavily.
Celebrate small wins. First comment. First subscriber. First share. Each one is proof your orchard is sprouting.
Shift your mindset. Compare your posts to evergreen trees: a helpful tutorial or honest story can bring traffic years after you write it, unlike the instant gratification of a TikTok.
Build habits over hustle. Rather than forcing yourself to publish 10 posts in a week, aim for a sustainable rhythm: one well-crafted post per week, for example.
By acknowledging that blogging requires time, you’ll protect yourself from burnout. You’ll also attract an audience of serious readers—people who value depth over flash. Keep reminding yourself: time is on your side.
Define Your Audience and Topic
I know - this first step sounds cliche. But I PROMISE that it’s the most important thing to turn your readers into customers.
A blog without a clear audience is like a letter without an address. Before you type a single headline, get crystal clear on who you’re writing for and what you’ll be writing about.
Choose one core topic. What lights you up? Parenting tips, budget-friendly recipes, personal finance hacks, DIY décor, or a unique blend that feels true to you.
Identify your audience. Are they single moms juggling two jobs? Stay-at-home parents looking for side hustles? Early retirees dreaming of travel? Pin down age range, interests, and lifestyle.
Niche down, but stay yourself. Instead of “personal finance,” consider “budgeting for single moms on a tight schedule.” The more specific you are, the easier it is to stand out.
Write a mission statement. One or two sentences that capture your blog’s purpose. Example: “I help busy single moms build a side income through simple blogging tips, so they can spend more time with their kids and less time stressing over money.
Dive Deep into Audience Research
Knowing your audience goes beyond demographics. You want to understand their daily struggles, secret hopes, and the questions they type into Google at midnight.
Join online communities. Facebook groups, Reddit threads, Pinterest boards—observe the questions people ask about your topic. Take note of recurring themes.
Read A LOT of social posts. Look for language cues—what words do people use to describe their pain points? Those become your keywords and empathy taps in your writing.
Create reader personas. Give your audience archetypes names and backstories: “Budget Betty,” “DIY Diana,” “Side-Hustle Sandra.” When you write, picture one persona in your head—it makes your advice feel personal.
This level of empathy does two things: it makes your content resonate, and it helps you spot opportunities for digital products and affiliate partnerships that genuinely solve problems.
Choose Your Blog Name and Secure Your Handles
Your blog’s name is your digital handshake. It needs to be memorable, descriptive, and—bonus points—available on social media.
Brainstorm keywords + feelings. Combine topic words (“budget,” “blog,” “mom”) with mood words (“slow,” “steady,” “simple”). Jot down 20–30 possibilities.
Check domain availability. Use a tool like Namecheap or GoDaddy. Aim for a .com if you can, since it’s easiest to remember.
Test for clarity. Say each name out loud. Is it easy to spell? Does it hint at what your blog offers?
Secure social handles. Even if you won’t launch on Instagram or Pinterest right away, grab your username handle in your preferred format: @YourBlogName or @YourBlog_Name. Consistency is key and you don’t want to pick a name that’s already taken.
Make it future-proof. Avoid tying your name too narrowly to one phase of your journey. If “FrugalFoodieMom” serves you today but you plan to expand into broader finance, choose something flexible.
Start with Squarespace for an All‑in‑One Solution
When you’re just getting started, simplicity is vital. Squarespace shines as an all‑in‑one platform that handles your domain, hosting, and site design in one user-friendly place—no technical headaches, just intuitive tools. I use it for this blog and it’s been very easy to learn and remain consistent!
Built‑in domain and hosting. Squarespace often includes a free custom domain for the first year when you sign up, plus SSL security out of the box.
Stunning templates. Choose from a library of designer‑crafted themes that look modern and adapt seamlessly to mobile devices. Perfect for showcasing your blog posts and lead magnets without extra plugins.
Drag‑and‑drop site builder. No coding required. Customize fonts, colors, and layouts in minutes—ideal when you need to focus on content, not tech.
Integrated email marketing. Use Squarespace Email Campaigns to send your lead magnet and nurture your subscribers without juggling separate services.
Built‑in analytics. Track page views, visitor summary, and popular content right within your dashboard.
Getting started:
Visit squarespace.com and choose the “Blog” template category.
Sign up and claim your custom domain (often free for the first year).
Pick a template and customize your branding (logo, colors, fonts).
Create essential pages (Home, About, Contact, Privacy Policy).
Install the Squarespace Email Campaigns extension to set up your lead magnet delivery.
Squarespace routinely offers introductory discounts for new users, so keep an eye out for seasonal deals to save on your first year.
If you ever want more flexibility, you can export your content to WordPress later, but for now, Squarespace gives you everything in one calm package.
The “Stupid Simple Funnel” to Earn Money with your Blog
This is where the magic happens: turning readers into subscribers and, eventually, customers. My favorite framework is easy to remember and even easier to execute.
Pick relevant affiliate programs.
Aim for products you trust and use.
Look for programs with recurring commissions (e.g., email marketing tools, membership sites).
Add your unique affiliate links into helpful blog posts.
Create one digital product.
A mini-course, e-book, template, or workbook.
Keep it focused on solving a specific pain point you discovered in Step 3.
Price it affordably (e.g., $7–$27) to encourage impulse buys.
Design a lead magnet (a free valuable resource!).
Make it tightly related to your most-popular beginner post.
Deliver it instantly via email in PDF format or Notion link.
Use your blog sidebar, welcome banner, and end-of-post calls to action to promote it.
Publish blog posts with affiliate links + opt-ins.
Write tutorials, listicles, and case studies.
Include at least one affiliate recommendation per post.
Sprinkle your lead magnet invitation throughout (e.g., “Want a quick-start guide? Grab my free checklist.”).
Create short-form content.
Turn your blog posts into faceless Reels, Stories, or TikToks.
Use text overlays like “3 steps to monetize your blog” and a voice-over to tease the full post.
Link back to your blog (with clear “link in bio” or sticker).
Repeat and scale (15x that process!).
Aim for 15 pillar posts in your first 30-45 days. This may sound like a lot but this will help you rank faster.
For each, promote via social media, email, or Pinterest graphics.
Track which posts earn the most affiliate commissions and digital-product sales—then create “part 2” or update those posts to boost performance.
Apply for Google AdSense.
Once you have consistent traffic (1,000 sessions/month is a good benchmark), apply for AdSense.
Place ads strategically (e.g., after the intro, mid-post, and at the end).
Monitor RPM (revenue per thousand impressions) and adjust ad placement for optimal earnings.
Continue the cycle.
New posts → new affiliate and product opportunities → more traffic → more ad revenue.
Every month, audit your funnel: Which posts need refreshed links? Which lead magnets could be split-tested?
This step-by-step approach is stupid simple, but it’s powerful because it’s repeatable. With each new blog post, your funnel grows—more evergreen content, more opportunities for commissions, more passive income rolling in.
Staying on Track
You’ve just mapped out the blueprint for a blog that doesn’t just look pretty—it earns money, too. Now it’s time to take action. Block out time each week in your calendar for blogging tasks: research, writing, design, promotion.
Celebrate every milestone, even small ones: first 10 subscribers, first $5 in affiliate sales, first 100 pageviews.
Remember: your blog is more than a side project. It’s a pathway to freedom—freedom to choose your schedule, freedom to invest in what truly matters, and freedom to grow at your own pace. Keep moving forward, one post at a time.
