So you’ve seen all the blog income reports and pins from bloggers making six figures, so you know it’s possible, but how in the world do bloggers actually make money?

The answer is actually super simple, and they are things you can quickly and easily start doing yourself!

In this post, I’m going to show you the top 5 ways bloggers make money, PLUS exactly which of these in-the-know 6-figure bloggers use!

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest and most accessible ways bloggers generate income, and it's the perfect way to monetize your blog without creating your own products or services.

So, how does it work?

When you become an affiliate for a company, you share their products or services on your blog using special tracking links. Every time someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission. It’s as simple as that! These commissions can range from a small percentage to a more substantial cut, depending on the affiliate program and the product.

Why Affiliate Marketing Works:

• It’s low-effort, especially if you already create content and write product recommendations naturally.

• It’s scalable. The more traffic you get, the more affiliate sales you can make.

• And best of all, it doesn’t require creating your own products.

I always make sure to promote products I truly believe in and that align with my blog’s values. This is key to maintaining trust with my audience. I would never recommend something I wouldn’t use myself or something that wouldn’t genuinely help my readers on their journey.

2. Sponsored Posts

Another major income stream for bloggers is sponsored posts. This is when brands pay you to create content featuring their products or services.

How It Works: Brands often reach out to bloggers to promote their products or services in an authentic way. This can range from writing an in-depth blog post, mentioning the product in a round-up, or even creating social media content.

Why Sponsored Posts Are So Effective:

• They’re great for earning a lump sum of income.

• They allow you to work with brands you love and align with your blog’s values.

• Sponsored content is often highly tailored, so you have the chance to create content that fits seamlessly with your usual writing style.

But here's the thing: not all sponsored posts are worth it. I make sure to work with companies whose products resonate with my audience and align with my blog's niche. Authenticity is crucial, and I never want to compromise that for a paycheck.

3. Selling Products

One of the most rewarding ways to make money from your blog is by selling your own products. These can range from digital products like e-books or printables to physical merchandise like T-shirts or planners.

Types of Products I Sell:

• E-books: Offering readers deeper insights into topics I’ve covered on the blog.

• Digital Products: Things like checklists, worksheets, or guides that add value to my readers' lives.

• Merchandise: Fun products like T-shirts or mugs that speak to the blog's ethos or the community I’ve built.

Why Selling Products Works:

• You own the product, so the income is yours to keep.

• Products can be created once and sold indefinitely, making it a great passive income stream.

• Selling products allows you to directly add value to your readers’ lives while earning income.

The key here is creating products that are useful, relevant, and aligned with your blog's content. When your audience finds value in your products, they’re more likely to buy from you again and again!

4. Coaching or Consulting Services

Offering one-on-one coaching or consulting is an incredible way to leverage your expertise and directly engage with your audience. Whether you're an expert in a particular niche or just passionate about helping others, this service can be both fulfilling and lucrative.

How It Works:

• Readers who need personalized guidance reach out for one-on-one sessions, where they can get advice, solutions, and actionable steps tailored to their specific needs.

• You can offer packages ranging from single sessions to multi-session coaching programs.

Why Coaching Is a Great Income Stream:

• It’s a service you can charge premium prices for.

• It allows you to build deeper connections with your audience.

• Coaching can be customized to fit the exact needs of your clients, which makes it a win-win situation.

I personally offer personalized coaching sessions and help people navigate various challenges in their lives. It’s deeply rewarding to watch clients achieve their goals with the help of the guidance I provide.

5. Advertising

Advertising is a classic method of making money on your blog. This involves placing ads on your site through ad networks or working directly with brands.

How It Works:

• Ad Networks: You can sign up for ad networks like Google AdSense or Mediavine, which display ads on your site. You get paid either per impression or per click.

• Direct Ads: If you have enough traffic, you can sell advertising space directly to companies in your niche.

Why Advertising Works:

• It’s passive income. Once the ads are set up, you earn money every time someone visits your site.

• Ad networks handle the technical aspects, so you can focus on creating content.

• It’s scalable – more traffic means more ad revenue.

That being said, it's essential to balance the number of ads on your site with maintaining a pleasant user experience. Too many ads can slow down your site and make it frustrating for visitors.

Additional Income Streams: Partnerships, Workshops, and More

Building business partnerships with other bloggers, influencers, and brands is another great way to generate income. These partnerships can take the form of joint ventures, cross-promotions, or even affiliate partnerships where you get paid to promote each other’s work.

Offering workshops and webinars is also another fantastic revenue stream. These live events allow you to connect with your audience in real-time, offer valuable insights, and monetize through ticket sales or promotions.

Finally, content creation itself is an income-generating activity. The more content you produce, the more traffic you attract, which opens up the door to all of the revenue opportunities listed above. Blogging can be a lucrative business when done right, and it has the potential for long-term growth and brand expansion.

As you can see, there are several ways to make money blogging. From affiliate marketing to sponsored posts, selling products, and offering consulting services, there are countless opportunities to turn your blog into a thriving business. The key is to focus on building value, staying authentic to your niche, and diversifying your income streams.

If you’re thinking of starting a blog or growing your existing blog, I hope this post gave you some actionable insight into how bloggers make money. The best part is, you don’t need to wait for years to start earning. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your income grow