Newbie’s Guide on How to Start Blogging for Money

I received an email yesterday from Jen asking ‘can you tell me how u r doing ur blogging business?’ Maybe, I mentioned before that I previously write blogs and earn money and she remembered it. Since I was only waiting for my FTP upload to finish, I tried to write a compressed guide on how to start blogging that can eventually lead to earning money.

Same question have been asked before so to make my life easier, I am posting here a short “Newbies Guide on How to Start Blogging for Money”

1. Create two (2) separate emails with different passwords. One email will be used for programs you will be joining in. The other email will be used for online payment processors. This is highly recommended but not required.
2. Sign-up for online payment processors including
   • Paypal
   • AlertPay
   • E-gold
   • Moneybookers
   • Ikobo

   Paypal, AlertPay and Moneybookers require account verification. If you are hesitant on using your credit card, apply for a debit card preferably Visa. Moneybookers require phone and address verification so be sure that you entered details correctly.

   While waiting for payment processors to be verified, you can start your blog. Or you can start your blog and apply later for payment processors.

3. List down your interests and decide the topic for your blog. The blog can be of general topic or specific.
4. Assuming zero budget on your part, create a free blogger account at Blogger or WordPress.
5. Create your blog and start posting regularly. If you have several interests and you have enough time to write about your interests, then, you can start several blogs.
6. After about 10 quality blog posts, you can apply for a Google AdSense account. You only need one Google AdSense account for several sites or blogs.
7. Increase website traffic. Find other bloggers from forums and directories who might be interested in your topic and who might be interested to partner and exchange links with you. There are other ways to increase traffic but it is another topic.
8. Aside from Google AdSense, there are other revenue-generating income through ads including BidVertiser
9. When you have accumulated about 20 to 30 blog posts and your blog is about 2 months old, you can now apply at get-paid-to-blog sites like PayPerPost, Blogvertise, and PayU2Blog. These programs require a review of site, post the review and get paid when review is approved.
10. Your blog can also be used to promote products and/or services. Find programs or products that will pay you a percentage of every sale. This is called affiliate marketing.
11. Aside from writing paid blog reviews, affiliate marketing and  AdSense  ads,  displaying paid private ads or banners is another way of monetizing a blog.

There are other programs that you may encounter and explore as you continue blogging. Evaluate and find reviews first to be sure that you will get paid for your efforts.

Blogging for money is just like any job or business. It requires hardwork, time, patience, passion and dedication. Some people think blogging for money is easy and expect fast return. They become bored when money does not come pouring in.  Eventually, they abandon their blogs and the blog dies.

Do not just blog for money. Blog about the things you are interested in and enjoy blogging so that when money comes in trickle, you still  look forward  to blog  because you  know, you are happy and enjoy  doing it.

Amendment to the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy

For Paypal users, here’s an update from the Paypal website. Be sure to read the other policies to prevent your Paypal account from being blocked.

Amendment to the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy

Effective Date: November 5, 2008

Beginning November 5, 2008 the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy is being amended as follows:

Section 5 is being revised to include activities with an entry fee and a prize, including games of skill and sweepstakes. The new language is as follows:

Prohibited Activities
You may not use the PayPal service for activities that:

“5. involve gambling, gaming and/or any other activity with an entry fee and a prize, including, but not limited to casino games, sports betting, horse or greyhound racing, lottery tickets, other ventures that facilitate gambling, games of skill (whether or not it is legally defined as a lottery) and sweepstakes unless the operator has obtained prior approval from PayPal and the operator and customers are located exclusively in jurisdictions where such activities are permitted by law.”

If you are not yet a Paypal user, you can start using it by creating an account.
Sign-up for you Paypal account here.