How to Monetize a Blog: 7 Ways I'm Actually Making Money (With Real Numbers)
The honest truth about blog income strategies that actually work in 2025
Let me start with some real talk: Making money from blogging isn't as hard as people make it seem, but it's also not the "get rich quick" scheme some gurus sell you.
After 18 months of blogging, I'm pulling in $4,200 per month from my blog. Not life-changing money yet, but enough to pay my car note, cover groceries, and actually enjoy my weekends instead of stressing about bills.
More importantly, I did it without selling my soul, promoting junk I don't believe in, or turning my blog into one giant advertisement.
Here's exactly how I monetize my blog—and how you can too.
Blog Monetization Method #1: Affiliate Marketing (My Biggest Earner - $1,800/month)
Affiliate marketing gets a bad rap because people do it wrong. They promote anything with a high commission rate instead of products they actually use and love.
How I do affiliate marketing right:
I only promote three types of products:
Tools I actually use daily (my blog platform, email service, design tools)
Books that changed my perspective (personal development, business strategy)
Courses I've taken and got results from (only after I complete them)
My top affiliate earners:
Imastories blogging platform: $600/month (because I genuinely recommend it)
ConvertKit email service: $400/month (I've used it for 2 years)
Canva Pro: $200/month (I design everything with it)
The key: Be selective. I probably turn down 90% of affiliate opportunities because they don't align with my values or my audience's needs.
Blog Monetization Method #2: Digital Tips and Donations ($400/month)
This one surprised me. I added a simple "buy me a coffee" button to my blog, and readers actually use it.
People want to support creators whose content helps them. Don't be shy about letting them.
What works:
Ko-fi integration (simple setup, no monthly fees)
PayPal.me links (for one-time tips)
Patreon for recurring support (for super fans)
Pro tip: Platforms like Imastories have tip functionality built-in, so you don't need separate accounts and links.
Blog Monetization Method #3: Email Newsletter Sponsorships ($800/month)
Once I hit 2,000 email subscribers, brands started reaching out about newsletter sponsorships. These pay way better than blog ads because email engagement is higher.
My rates:
$200 for 2,000 subscribers (10 cents per subscriber)
$400 for 4,000 subscribers (still 10 cents per subscriber)
How to get started:
Build your email list from day one
Track your open rates (aim for 25%+ average)
Create a media kit with your stats
Reach out to brands that align with your content
Blog Monetization Method #4: Sponsored Blog Posts ($600/month)
I'm selective about sponsored content. I only work with 2-3 brands per month, and they have to be products I'd genuinely recommend to my friends.
My requirements:
Must use/test the product first
Full creative control over the post
Clear disclosure (builds trust with readers)
Minimum $300 per post (know your worth)
Where to find opportunities:
Collaborate.com (connects bloggers with brands)
AspireIQ (influencer marketing platform)
Direct outreach (my favorite—better rates)
Blog Monetization Method #5: Digital Products ($400/month and growing)
This is where the real money is long-term. Instead of trading time for money, you create once and sell forever.
My first digital product: "The Blog Launch Checklist" ($19)
Took me 3 hours to create
Has sold 127 copies so far
Pure profit after platform fees
Other digital products that work:
Templates (blog post templates, social media templates)
Mini-courses (teach one specific skill)
E-books (compile your best blog posts)
Worksheets (help readers take action)
Blog Monetization Method #6: Consulting/Freelance Work ($200/month)
Blogging positions you as an expert, which leads to paid opportunities.
I get 2-3 inquiries per month for:
Blog strategy consultation ($100/hour)
Content writing for businesses ($50-100 per post)
Social media management ($500-1000/month per client)
Even if you only take on one client per month, that's extra income you wouldn't have without your blog.
Blog Monetization Method #7: Course Sales (Just launched - $0 but projected $800/month)
I just launched my first online course: "Blog to Bank: Launch and Monetize Your Blog in 30 Days."
Early results:
47 people on the waitlist
$97 price point
Projected $800+ for the first month
The course teaches:
How to pick a profitable blog niche
Setting up your blog for monetization
Creating content that converts
Building an email list that actually buys
The Real Truth About Blog Income
Here's what nobody tells you about making money from blogging:
Month 1-3: You'll make maybe $50 total. Don't quit your day job. Month 4-6: Things pick up. Maybe $200-500/month if you're consistent. Month 7-12: This is where it gets real. $1,000+/month is achievable. Year 2+: Sky's the limit. I know bloggers making $10K+/month.
But here's the catch: Most people quit in month 2 because they're not seeing immediate results.
My Biggest Blog Monetization Mistakes (Learn From My Pain)
Mistake #1: Waiting too long to monetize I spent 6 months building an audience before adding any monetization. Big mistake. Start from day one.
Mistake #2: Saying yes to every opportunity Low-quality affiliates and cheap sponsored posts hurt your credibility. Be selective.
Mistake #3: Not tracking what works I was making money but didn't know which strategies were most effective. Track everything.
Mistake #4: Underpricing my services I charged $25 for sponsored posts when I should have charged $100. Know your worth.
The Blog Monetization Stack That Changed Everything
The biggest game-changer for my blog income was switching to a platform that handles monetization for me.
Instead of juggling PayPal buttons, affiliate link managers, email services, and analytics tools, everything is built into my blogging platform.
What Imastories includes:
Built-in affiliate marketing tools
Integrated tip functionality
Email list building
Analytics that show revenue, not just traffic
One-click monetization setup
This saves me 10+ hours per week and increases my earnings because everything works together seamlessly.
Your Blog Monetization Action Plan
Set the foundation
Choose 3 affiliate products you actually use
Set up a tip jar/donation button
Start building your email list
Create your first product
Design a simple template or checklist
Price it between $9-29
Create a simple sales page
Reach out for opportunities
Apply to 3 affiliate programs
Contact 5 brands for potential partnerships
Create a media kit with your stats
Track and optimize
Set up income tracking
Analyze what's working
Double down on profitable strategies
Ready to Turn Your Blog Into Your Side Hustle?
Look, blogging isn't going to make you rich overnight. But it can absolutely change your financial situation if you're strategic about monetization from the start.
The biggest mistake most bloggers make is treating monetization as an afterthought. Don't do that.
Start with a platform that makes monetization easy, be authentic in your recommendations, and track what actually makes you money.
Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.
Want to start with built-in monetization tools? Imastories has everything you need to start earning from your blog immediately—no complex setups or monthly fees for basic monetization features.