5 Amazing Steps to Start Using a Blog as a Side Hustle: Boost Cash
Hey there, small biz rockstar!
Do you own a blog but aren’t sure how to turn it into a money-making machine? You’re in the right place—this post was written just for you! Starting a side hustle with your blog isn’t complicated, but it does take time, effort, and a sprinkle of creativity to become a successful blogger. Some people even use blogging as their main source of income, but many of them started where you are now: using their blog as a side hustle to earn extra money online.
Creativity is key in blogging—it’s not just about art; it’s about thinking outside the box in everything you do, from crafting unique content to finding new ways to connect with your audience. Once you discover what you’re truly passionate about, your performance will soar, leading to better content and a stronger position among your competitors.
In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to start using a blog as a side hustle in 2025, with practical tips to grow traffic, build a loyal community, and monetize effectively. Ready to transform your blog into a profitable venture?
Let’s dive in—no fluff, just the good stuff!
Why Start Using a Blog as a Side Hustle in 2025?
With economic uncertainty in 2025—think rising costs, inflation, and a shifting job market—starting a side hustle is a smart way to earn extra money online. Blogging is one of the most flexible and rewarding options out there, especially for small business owners, entrepreneurs, or anyone with a passion for sharing ideas. Unlike traditional jobs, a blog lets you work on your terms, from anywhere, with minimal startup costs—just a domain, hosting, and your creativity.
In 2025, the demand for niche content (e.g., finance tips, DIY crafts, small biz advice) is higher than ever, making it the perfect time to start using a blog as a side hustle. You can earn $500-$2,000 a month (or more!) once you build an audience and monetize effectively. A friend of mine started a finance blog as a side hustle and now earns $1,500 a month—proof that blogging can be a game-changer!
Step 1: Find Your Blogging Niche
Not sure what to blog about? Finding your niche is the first step to start using a blog as a side hustle—let’s discover yours!
Before you can start using a blog as a side hustle, you need to find your niche—the specific topic you’ll focus on. This is crucial because a niche helps you attract a targeted audience who’ll keep coming back for more. Think about what you’re passionate about and knowledgeable in.
Do you love sharing finance tips? DIY crafts? Small business strategies? Your niche should be something you enjoy writing about consistently, as blogging takes time to grow. It should also have an audience—use tools like Google Trends to see what’s popular in 2025 (e.g., “sustainable living” or “remote work tips” are trending).
Once you find your niche, your content will resonate more, helping you build a loyal following faster. A friend of mine chose “small biz marketing” as her niche and grew her blog to 5,000 monthly readers in a year—proof that passion pays off!
Quick Tip: Brainstorm 3-5 topics you love, then check their search volume on Google Keyword Planner—pick one with decent demand but low competition.
Step 2: Start Adding Traffic to Your Blog
Ready to get eyes on your blog and earn extra money online? Here’s how to start using a blog as a side hustle by driving traffic the smart way! These blogging side hustle tips will help you attract readers in 2025, setting the stage for a profitable venture.
Building traffic is a key step to start using a blog as a side hustle—after all, you need readers to make money! While it might seem daunting, the right tools make it easier. First, focus on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) writing—use tools like Rank Math to optimize your posts with keywords (e.g., “start using a blog as a side hustle”).
Next, leverage social media platforms like Pinterest—it’s a goldmine for bloggers in 2025. Create eye-catching pins with Canva and link them to your blog posts; Pinterest users often search for topics like “small biz tips” or “DIY ideas,” driving traffic to your site. You can also share your posts on Twitter or Facebook groups related to your niche. Consistency is key—post 1-2 times a week and promote each post to grow your audience steadily.
Quick Tip: Use Google Analytics to track your traffic sources—focus on what’s working (e.g., Pinterest vs. Twitter) to maximize results.
Step 3: Get Some Loyal Readers
Want readers who keep coming back to help you earn extra money online? Building a community is key to start using a blog as a side hustle—here’s how! These blogging for beginners tips will show you how to create a loyal audience in 2025.
A loyal readership is the backbone of a successful blogging side hustle—who doesn’t love knowing their ideas are being heard and appreciated? It’s an amazing feeling, and it gets even better when you start earning money from it!
To get loyal readers, stick to your niche—having a specific focus (e.g., finance, DIY, small biz) attracts a consistent audience who loves your content. Engage with your readers by responding to comments, asking for feedback, and creating a newsletter with SendSteed to keep them updated on new posts. (SendSteed has an RSS Feature to broadcast automatically)
Share personal stories or insights to build a connection—readers stay for authenticity. It takes time (6-12 months to see steady growth), but once you’ve built a community, you’ll have a solid foundation to monetize. A friend of mine grew her DIY blog to 1,000 email subscribers in a year—proof that loyalty pays off!
Quick Tip: Add a “Subscribe” button to your blog with a freebie (e.g., a PDF guide) to encourage sign-ups—readers love free value!
Step 4: Monetize Your Blog
Ready to make money and monetize your blog in 2025? Here’s how to start using a blog as a side hustle by monetizing your content the smart way! These blogging side hustle tips will help you turn your passion into profit.
Once you’ve built a community, it’s time to monetize your blog and turn it into a profitable side hustle. Here are the best ways to start using a blog as a side hustle to earn extra money online in 2025:
- Advertisements: Use ad networks like Google AdSense to display ads on your blog. It’s a long-term option requiring high traffic (at least 10,000 monthly views to earn $50-$100), so it’s not the fastest way to monetize, but it’s passive once set up.
- Services: Your blog is a great platform to attract clients for your services. Whether you’re a writer, coach, or small biz consultant, list your services on a dedicated page. For example, if you blog about small biz growth, offer consulting sessions—charge $50-$200 per hour based on your expertise.
- Digital Products: Create and sell digital products like e-books, printables, or courses. If you blog about finance, an e-book like “10 Steps to Financial Freedom” can sell for $10-$50. Use Gumroad to sell easily—some bloggers earn $500-$2,000 a month this way!
- Affiliate Marketing: Promote products you love and earn commissions. Join programs like Amazon Associates, Internet Income System or ShareASale to find products in your niche (e.g., blogging tools like Canva). You can earn $100-$500 a month with a small audience.
A friend of mine monetized her small biz blog with affiliate links and digital products, earning $800 her first year—proof that these strategies work!
Quick Tip: Start with affiliate marketing—it’s the easiest way to monetize early. Add 2-3 affiliate links per post, but keep them relevant to your content.
Step 5: Scale Your Blogging Side Hustle for Bigger Earnings
Want to grow your income? Here’s how to scale your blogging side hustle into a full-time gig in 2025!
Once you’ve built traffic and started monetizing, it’s time to scale your blogging side hustle for bigger earnings. Here’s how to take it to the next level in 2025:
- Increase Posting Frequency: Go from 1-2 posts a week to 3-4—more content means more traffic and more opportunities to monetize.
- Expand Your Offerings: Add more digital products (e.g., a course after an e-book) or offer premium services like one-on-one coaching.
- Grow Your Email List: Use SendSteed to send weekly newsletters with exclusive content or product launches—email marketing can double your earnings.
- Collaborate with Brands: As your blog grows, brands may pay for sponsored posts ($100-$1,000 per post) or partnerships.
- Outsource Tasks: Hire a virtual assistant on Upwork to handle admin tasks, so you can focus on creating content.
A friend scaled her finance blog by adding a course and now earns $3,000 a month—proof that you can turn a side hustle into a full-time gig!
Quick Tip: Use Google Analytics to identify your top-performing posts—create more content on those topics to attract more readers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Blogging Side Hustle
Don’t trip up on your journey to earn extra money online! Avoid these common mistakes to start using a blog as a side hustle the right way and keep growing in 2025—these beginners tips will set you up for success.
Starting a blogging side hustle is exciting, but there are pitfalls to watch out for in 2025:
- No Niche Focus: Don’t blog about everything—stick to a specific niche to attract a loyal audience.
- Inconsistent Posting: Don’t post sporadically—set a schedule (e.g., every Wednesday) to keep readers coming back.
- Ignoring SEO: Don’t skip SEO—use tools like Rank Math to optimize your posts for search engines.
- Monetizing Too Early: Don’t add ads or products before building an audience—focus on traffic and community first.
- Not Engaging: Don’t ignore your readers—respond to comments and emails to build a connection.
Avoiding these mistakes ensures you’ll start using a blog as a side hustle that grows steadily and keeps readers engaged.
Quick Tip: Set a goal to post 1-2 times a week for 3 months—consistency builds trust and traffic!
FAQs: Your Blogging Side Hustle Questions Answered
How long does it take to make money with a blogging side hustle?
It varies, but with consistent effort, you can start earning $50-$100 a month within 6-12 months—faster if you focus on affiliate marketing or services.
Do I need to be a tech expert to start using a blog as a side hustle?
Nope! Platforms like WordPress are beginner-friendly—just pick a simple theme and start writing. (To start learning it is okay, just don't use it if you want to earn money. Than you need to act more professional )
How much can I earn with a blogging side hustle in 2025?
Beginners can earn $100-$500 a month with affiliate marketing or services; established bloggers can make $1,000-$5,000+ with digital products and sponsorships.
What are the best niches for a blogging side hustle in 2025?
Trending niches include finance, sustainable living, remote work tips, and small biz growth—use Google Trends to find what’s hot.
How do I avoid blogging scams?
Stick to legit affiliate programs like Internet Income System or Amazon Associates and avoid “get rich quick” schemes—research on Trustpilot.
How do I balance blogging with a day job?
Set a schedule—dedicate 5-10 hours a week, and use tools like Notion to stay organized. Check our for more!
Your Next Step to Blogging Success
Which blogging side hustle strategy are you excited to try? Drop it in the comments below—I’d love to cheer you on as you kick off your journey! Share this post with your biz bestie, and let’s make 2025 your year to earn extra money online together—imagine the possibilities when you both start using a blog as a side hustle!
Not sure where to begin? Take a small step today: pick your niche, write your first post, and aim for 1,000 monthly views in 3 months. Track your progress with Notion, and join my Newsletter for more tips.
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You can also check out my Ultimate Blog Launch Blueprint to keep more cash in your pocket.
You’re not just blogging—you’re building a brighter financial future, superstar!
