Make Money Blogging As A Side Project In Three Easy Steps
In this personal blog post, I’ll share how I make money blogging as a side hustle. I’ll also wax lyrical about the upside of money-making blog side projects that fund a freedom lifestyle filled with epic experiences.
A Blog on the Side: How I Turned My Niche into Cash
Have you ever wondered how a blog can be more than just a hobby? I’m here to tell you it’s totally possible. Welcome to my journey from casual blogger to side hustle superstar.
In this article, I’ll share my secret recipe for success for blogging as a side hustle in three parts:
- Niche Blogging: Your Golden Ticket
Why go broad when you can go deep? Niche blogging is like finding a hidden gem in a vast internet sea. It’s about focusing on a specific topic you love and know inside out. Whether it’s bicycle touring, mindfulness, or the vibrant life in Goa, niche blogging connects you with a dedicated audience who share your passion. Plus, becoming the go-to expert in a smaller field is way easier! - SEO: Your Stealthy Success Partner
Think of SEO as your behind-the-scenes ally. It’s not just about using the right keywords; it’s about creating content that resonates with your readers and search engines. With 20 years of SEO experience, I’ve mastered the art of making my blogs visible and vibrant. It’s like giving your blog a superpower to be found by the right people. - Squeezing in Side Hustle Time
We all have the same 24 hours, right? Here’s the kicker: making time for your side hustle is not about finding time; it’s about making it. Whether it’s waking up an hour earlier or using your lunch break wisely, it’s about prioritizing the power hours. Remember, even small steps can lead to big leaps in your blogging journey.
Blogging as a side hustle isn’t just a dream. It’s my reality, and it can be yours too. Let’s dive deep into the tools and tactics I use to design a lifestyle filled with epic experiences.
Embarking on a Journey to Niche Blogging
As a digital nomad at heart, the freedom that niche blogging offered was irresistible. My first two blogging businesses were in the travel niche. The thought of turning every new destination into a backdrop for inspiration and every experience into a story waiting to be told was exhilarating.
As a digital nomad, the flexibility to work from anywhere, whether a quaint café in a bustling city or a serene beachside escape, turned my itinerant bicycle touring adventure into a living, breathing extension of my blog.
Read my article about How To Get Started As A Travel Blogger in 2024
But this journey was more than embracing a nomadic lifestyle or indulging in my passions. It was about tapping into the vast potential of SEO to transform these passions into a thriving digital presence.
Blogging as a side hustle is about sharing what you already know with a specific audience to attract, engage, and inspire.
JT, The Superniche Guy
Join me as I take you through the winding paths of my niche blogging business adventure, where each turn brings new insights, challenges, and triumphs. From identifying my niches to mastering the art of SEO and making the time to create as a side hustle. This story is about transformation, growth, and the relentless pursuit of a dream.
Niche Attraction: Blogging As A Side Hustle
The decision to immerse myself in my particular niches was not just a leap of faith but a leap towards my passion. I’d had a go at running a traditional marketing agency and failed pretty hard. The responsibility of staff, ever-increasing overheads, and the relentless struggle to keep clients satisfied was just too much.
As the Sales Director and Founder, I was always the last to get paid and the stress just didn’t feel worthwhile. There were better ways to make a living!
James Thomas, Superniche SEO
Beyond the drama of running a brick-and-mortar agency, the low cost of entry and the huge money-making potential drew me to niche blogging. Solopreneurism, as it’s called today, is still one of the most profitable ways to work. I started two of my current blogging businesses as side projects while I was employed.
Additionally, the fascinating intersection of creativity, strategy, and the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing was still part of my day. In the blogging business niche, every day is a new puzzle, where SEO and digital marketing blend to create a canvas for storytelling and connection.
What excites me most about this business model is the endless opportunity for growth and learning. The digital marketing world is dynamic and constantly changing with new trends, tools, and tactics. It’s a space where creativity is not just encouraged but required. Here, I can fuse my personal interests with my expertise in SEO and digital marketing, creating content that is not only informative but also engaging and relatable.
A decade of expertise in my niches means that I have an abundance of insight to share with my readers. As a topical expert in my niches, I can dive deep into specific subjects, offering my audience a detailed and knowledgeable perspective.
As a serial niche blogger and blog flipper, I’m passionate about sharing best practice from my success and key insight from my epic fails.
James Thomas, Superniche SEO
Role of SEO in My Success: The Backbone of Digital Growth
My journey in niche blogging has been significantly shaped and propelled by the power of SEO. It’s been the engine driving my blog’s growth and the compass guiding my content to its rightful audience. The role of SEO in catapulting my blog from a digital diary to a beacon for like-minded enthusiasts has been monumental.
Strategic SEO Tactics That Fueled My Growth:
Keyword Mastery: I delved deep into understanding not just any keywords but those specific to my niche and audience. Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush became my allies in uncovering long-tail keywords that my audience searched for but only a few were talking about.
Quality Content: SEO taught me content is king, but only if it reigns with quality and relevance. I focused on creating in-depth, valuable content that answered questions, solved problems, and offered unique insights, thus improving my organic search presence.
User Experience: Optimising my blog for a seamless user experience became a priority. I ensured my site’s loading speed was swift, the navigation was intuitive, and the layout was appealing. A user-friendly site meant lower bounce rates and higher engagement – critical metrics for SEO success.
Building Backlinks: I adopted a proactive approach to building backlinks. Guest posting on reputable sites in my niche, collaborating with influencers, and creating shareable content helped me build a network of quality backlinks that boosted my blog’s authority.
SEO: Connecting Content with Audience
The true essence of SEO for me has been its ability to bridge my content with the audience it was meant for. It’s not just about ranking high on search engines but about being visible and valuable to those seeking what I offer. SEO has been instrumental in understanding my audience’s search behaviour and tailoring my content strategy to meet their needs, thus establishing a loyal and engaged readership.
In essence, SEO has not just been a set of tactics for my blog but a strategy for success and growth. It’s how I’ve reached and resonated with my target audience, turning my blog into a trusted resource in my niche.
So, as I continue to explore and evolve in my blogging journey, SEO remains my steadfast companion, guiding my content to new heights and horizons.
Advice for Aspiring Blogging Side Hustlers
To all the aspiring bloggers out there dreaming of carving out your niche in the vast digital universe, this is for you. The road to successful blogging is as rewarding as it is challenging. Still, with the right approach, your journey can be fulfilling.
Embarking on Your Niche Blogging Adventure:
Find Your Niche Passion: Start with what you love. Your niche should be something you’re passionate about, something that excites you. This passion will be your fuel when the journey gets tough. It’s not just about what you know; it’s about what you love to explore and share.
Understand Your Audience: Knowing your audience is as important as knowing your subject. Dive deep into understanding who they are, what they seek, and how they communicate. Your content should resonate with them, address their needs, and answer their queries.
Learn SEO Basics: SEO might initially seem daunting, but it’s a crucial skill for driving traffic to your blog. Start with the basics – understand keywords, on-page SEO, and the importance of quality content. Plenty of free resources and tools online help you get started.
Consistency is Key: Regularly update your blog with fresh, quality content. Consistency helps in building a loyal readership and improves your SEO rankings. Find a rhythm that works for you and stick to it.
Create Valuable Digital Assets: Think beyond blog posts. Ebooks, courses, infographics, and videos are digital assets that can add value to your readers and diversify your content. They can also become additional revenue streams down the line.
Engage and Network: Blogging is not a solitary journey. Engage with your readers, respond to comments, and network with other bloggers in your niche. Collaboration and community building are invaluable for growth.
Stay Adaptable and Keep Learning: The digital landscape is ever-evolving. Stay open to learning new trends, tools, and tactics. Adaptability will keep your blog relevant and thriving.
The Power Hours: 5 PM to 9 PM for Side Hustles
The aspiring side hustler knows that time is precious. A budding solopreneur understands that time is money. Creative freelancers appreciate that productivity is the cornerstone of early success.
Whether you choose to do the 5 am slot or the 5 pm evening shift, these power hours are the golden window for getting shit done and shipping your best work.
- Golden Hours for Creativity: Post-work hours can be a treasure trove of creativity. Your day job’s done, and now it’s time to dive into what you love. From 5 to 9, let your creative juices flow!
- Uninterrupted Focus: This time slot is often free from the hustle and bustle of daytime activities. It’s your personal zone to focus intensely on your side hustle.
- Balancing Act: Juggling a day job and a side hustle? The 5-9 PM slot is your perfect balance beam. It allows you to dedicate daily time to your passion without burning out.
- Small Steps, Big Leaps: Consistently working during these hours can lead to significant progress. It’s not about marathon sessions; it’s about steady, focused work.
- Wind-Down Productively: Ending your day by advancing your side hustle can be incredibly satisfying. It’s a productive wind-down, setting a positive tone for the next day.
This time frame can be a secret weapon for side hustlers. It’s all about making the most of these hours to turn dreams into reality.
The Journey Begins with You
Embarking on a niche blogging journey is a step into a world of endless possibilities. It’s a path of continuous learning, creativity, and personal growth. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.
Are you ready to turn your passion into a thriving niche blog?
Building a Community Together
The beauty of blogging lies in the connections we make and the community we build. Every comment and every shared experience adds a thread to the tapestry of our collective journey. Let’s create a space where support, learning, and inspiration flow freely.
Blogging: A Profitable Side Project
I started out as an ambitious sales guy with an eye for a niche. My bicycle touring blog grew as a side project because it was (still is) my passion project. I love travelling the world on my bike. It’s my juice. So it’s easy to gather useful content and share insights with my readers.
This blog has been years in the making. It’s my platform to share the wisdom of having been in the niche blogging business for over a decade. I want to share my lessons to help you grow your blog as a passive income stream. I’ve done it and it’s enabled a lifestyle that many only dream of.
Flip Mode Is The Greatest
I’ve built a niche travel site from scratch and sold it for profit. I did everything from building the social media following to creating a content strategy and creation process to editing the articles and the SEO keyword research. I even sold space to local businesses to fund the early growth of the business.
Whatever you want to do with your niche blogging business, I can help expedite success and support your growth as a solopreneur. I offer coaching across digital marketing disciplines and on creating a freedom lifestyle as a digital nomad and high-ticket freelancer.
Have you started a side hustle? Are you an aspiring niche blogger? Blogging as a side hustle has been a game-changer for me. Share your story in the comments: