Blogging for Beginners: How to Earn Your First $100

Starting a blog sounds exciting, but let’s be real—most beginners struggle to make money. You might have read articles claiming you can earn thousands in a few months, but the truth is, blogging takes time and effort. That doesn’t mean you can’t earn your first $100 fairly quickly. You just need the right approach.

This guide is for beginners who want a realistic, step-by-step way to earn from blogging without waiting years. By the end, you’ll have clear strategies that work—even if you’re starting from scratch.

Your niche determines how easily you can monetize your blog. Many beginners pick broad topics like “lifestyle” or “travel” without a clear focus. This makes it harder to attract readers who are ready to spend money.

Instead, pick a niche with a clear audience and earning potential. Here are some beginner-friendly niches that can generate income faster:

• DIY Home Improvement – People constantly look for budget-friendly home upgrades.
• Affiliate Marketing – Teaching others how to earn online can bring commissions. If you’re interested, check out Affiliate Marketing Demystified: A Beginner’s Guide to Passive Income.
• Tech Reviews – Reviewing gadgets and tools can lead to affiliate sales.
• Budget Travel – People want to travel affordably, and you can promote travel deals.
• Freelancing & Remote Work – Many want to escape 9-to-5 jobs and need guidance. If that interests you, read Forget Cold Emails: The Secret Way Top Freelancers Get Clients.

A good niche should:
✔ Solve a problem or meet a demand
✔ Have products or services you can promote
✔ Have an audience willing to spend money

If you already have a blog, check if your niche allows easy monetization. If not, consider narrowing it down.

You don’t need an expensive website to start earning. A clean, easy-to-navigate blog is enough. Here’s the quickest way to set up your blog:

1. Choose a Platform – WordPress is the best long-term option, but you can also start with Blogger or Medium if you want something free. Learn more in The One Post Strategy: How a Single Blog Post Can Earn You Passive Income for Years.
2. Get Hosting & a Domain – Bluehost, Namecheap, or Hostinger offer affordable plans. If you’re on a budget, start with a free subdomain and upgrade later.
3. Pick a Simple Theme – A clean, mobile-friendly theme improves user experience.
4. Write Your First 5-10 Posts – Focus on useful content that answers real questions.

You don’t need fancy design skills. Focus on content first, looks later.

No traffic means no earnings. While SEO and social media growth take time, you can start attracting visitors without spending on ads.

Easy Ways to Get Your First Readers

1. Pinterest Marketing – If your niche has a visual appeal (DIY, travel, food, fashion), create simple Pinterest pins linking to your blog.
2. Facebook Groups – Join groups where your target readers hang out. Answer questions and drop your blog link when relevant.
3. Quora & Reddit – Find questions related to your niche and provide helpful answers with a link to your post for more details.
4. Guest Posting – Write for other small blogs in your niche and link back to your blog.

Traffic won’t come overnight, but consistency pays off. Focus on solving real problems so people naturally share your content. You can also read SEO Basics Every Blogger Should Know to Attract Traffic to improve your reach.

Once you have traffic, it’s time to monetize. Here are the fastest ways beginners can earn:

1. Affiliate Marketing (Best for Beginners)

Recommend products and earn a commission for each sale. Sign up for affiliate programs like:

• Amazon Associates (for general products)
• ShareASale (for various brands)
• CJ Affiliate (for bigger brands)
• PartnerStack (for software and tools)

Find products that genuinely help your audience. Write reviews, tutorials, and listicles to encourage clicks. Learn about affiliate marketing programs in Stop Wasting Time: The Only 3 Affiliate Programs You Should Focus On.

2. Display Ads (For Passive Income)

Once you have 1,000+ monthly visitors, apply for ad networks:

• Google AdSense (Easy to get approved, but lower earnings)
• Ezoic (Better pay but requires some traffic)
• Mediavine (For high-traffic blogs)

Ads alone won’t make you rich, but they add passive income as your traffic grows. You can explore more ways in Beyond AdSense: 7 Hidden Blogging Income Streams No One Talks About.

3. Sell Digital Products (For Quick Sales)

If you want fast money, create a simple product like:

• A mini eBook (10-20 pages solving a problem)
• A cheat sheet or guide
• A Notion template (popular for productivity bloggers)

Sell it through Gumroad, Payhip, or your own blog. Even a $10 product can quickly add up to $100. Learn more about this in How to Create and Sell Digital Products in 7 Easy Ways.

Earning your first $100 takes effort, but once you hit that milestone, scaling to $500 or $1,000 becomes easier.

Action Plan to Keep Growing

✔ Post at least one new blog post per week
✔ Focus on one main traffic source (Pinterest, SEO, or social media)
✔ Test different monetization methods
✔ Network with other bloggers for guest posting and backlinks

Many beginners give up because they overcomplicate things. You don’t need viral traffic or a fancy website. Focus on:

• A profitable niche
• Simple but valuable content
• A monetization plan from day one

Your first $100 won’t come overnight, but with consistent effort, you’ll start seeing results. Pick one monetization method from this guide, take action, and watch your blog turn into a money-making asset.