How to earn money from your blog

The world of blogging can feel like wandering through a fog with a torch that only sometimes works. If you’re new, finding that elusive je ne sais quoi that turns your words into income doesn’t happen overnight. Trust me, I’ve been there.

When I launched Saffron and Cyrus in 2017, I had no grand plan, just an itch to create something original on the back of my pregnancy as someone over 40. I wanted a space where people could share their experiences and connect over the unspoken challenges of pregnancy, health, and wellbeing in later life.

Believe in the brands you work with

Early on, I partnered with One Dear World, a multicultural family business on a mission to teach children self-respect and appreciation for diversity. Their dolls were crafted with care, cultural awareness, and thoughtfulness, values I genuinely shared.

Working with brands that align with your ethos is essential. Promoting something you don’t believe in shows. My early posts featured small businesses, toddler-friendly products, and honest restaurant reviews. As my blog evolves, so does my content, there may be more Botox posts in the future (unpaid, naturally)!

How to make brands actually care

The truth is, they don’t. Businesses aren’t sitting around waiting to collaborate with you. The starting point is not care, it’s apathy and your job is to make them care.

Platforms like Get Blogged simplify the process, connecting micro bloggers with businesses needing content. But even without intermediaries, the principle is the same: offer value. Brands respond to content, not chatter. They want your niche expertise and fresh angles.

What do businesses want from bloggers?

The short answer: content. Businesses want original, engaging, and useful content. Waffle doesn’t cut it. Research potential collaborators, tailor your pitches, and apply only where your blog aligns with their theme. The better you understand them, the less likely your email is ignored.

Don’t just focus on money

Monetisation is tempting, but blogging is slow and steady. Think about your goals: brand awareness, voice, and long-term growth. Over time, organic search, direct traffic, and referral clicks will increase. More traffic means more enquiries. Exposure and backlinks are valuable; don’t dismiss opportunities just because they aren’t glamorous.

Don’t limit your demographic

A big mistake is narrowing your audience too tightly. Forget limiting your readers to 35–40-year-olds with blonde hair who like cats and countryside walks. That’s not influence, it’s limiting yourself.

Be broad. Tell your story. Show businesses the topics you can cover. Nine times out of ten, your blog is a portfolio of your expertise rather than a literal copy-and-paste resource.

Write content that engages

Consistency matters. Regular, compelling content keeps readers returning and brands noticing. Write with personality. Offer value. Make people feel something. Businesses are drawn to bloggers who command attention, provoke thought, and generate engagement.

Blogging isn’t a quick route to fame or fortune. It’s slow, but deeply rewarding. If you’re starting out, my advice is simple: pick your niche, believe in your content, build genuine relationships, and never underestimate the power of consistency.

“So, what’s holding you back from starting your own corner of the internet today?”