5 Tips to Start a Blog and Make Money

Everyone seems to have a blog these days. However, what makes a blog stand out above the rest and make money? Sometimes it’s luck, but most of the time it’s making the right decisions about your blog. So, if you are looking to make money off your blog, follow these five tips and you will be headed in the right direction.
1) Buy your own domain.
While there are free blog services such as blogger and wordpress, you are more likely to catch the interest of advertisers as well as come across as a legit online presence if you purchase your own domain. Find the right hosting service for your blog and choose a name the embodies what you are hoping to deliver to your readers.
2) Pick a niche topic.
It may be tempting to choose a subject for your blog that is broad, but you would be surprised how beneficial it is to narrow your niche subject. If you want to start a travel blog, consider a new approach. What can you say that is new? Will you visit roadside tourist traps and talk about those? Or ways to save money while visiting out of the country? There are millions of blogs to be read and more being created each day, so the more narrow and unique you can make your subject, the better.
3) Track your success via Google Analytics.
How do you know if something is working right? Ideally, your monthly users will be high and your bounce rate low. Track your success each month via Google Analytics. This is important as well because many advertisers will request this information as proof you are worthy of them partnering with.
4) Focus on social media.
One of the key ways people find blogs and blog posts is through social media. Seek out a specific platform you are more likely to find new readers. Have a blog that is primarily photo based? Focus on Instagram. Are you a DIY princess? Focus on Pinterest. There are benefits to each platform, but the more focused you are with social media, the better the outcome and the more engaged your following.
5) Read and interact with your competition.
Is there a blog in particular you are hoping to emulate? Read them and find out who their readers are. Often times, the people who read blog, write blogs themselves. Follow these people on social media and promote their blogs while also promoting your own. Also, observe how they are making money through their blog – is ad placements, payment through products, or other type of sponsorship. Figure out how you can tailor your content towards the same type of audience while also focusing on making yourself stand out above the crowd.