Now that I’m a full-time blogger, I get a lot of questions from people about how I make money with a blog.  In this podcast, I decided to break it all down and let you guys know just how I’m able to do it.

I also provide some tips for those interested in starting a blog and talk about some of the expenses that come up once your blog really starts to grow.

RSG026: How Do I Make Money With A Blog?

If you’d like to read a transcript of this podcast, please click here.

Intro

• I’m back in LA!
• I’m doing a 100 restaurants in 100 days challenge – I’m definitely going to be exploring Long Beach! Any recommendations? Leave them in the comments or send me a message!
• So far: 22 restaurants! Want to read my review? Check out my personal site, HarryGCampbell.com
• Let’s get to a big question people have: how do I make money with a blog?
• As you know, I quit my job to focus on the blog full-time
• Many parallels to being your own boss, being a full-time blogger, entrepreneur, rideshare driver
• Still a big fan of Stride Health – a company that provides health benefits to independent contractors and freelancers that’s 100% free
• Stride Health helps entrepreneurs figure out the health insurance process – a no-brainer for drivers and entrepreneurs

Is it Even Possible to Make Money From Blogs?

• Majority of blogs aren’t making any income at all
• I took a risk to make this blog full-time, but I saw potential down the road
• There are opportunities to turn blogging into (somewhat) a passive income
• So why do it? People blog because they’re passionate about the topic – they’re not in it to make money first
• If you have a passion for a certain topic, blogging is a great way to make yourself an expert and get out your thoughts
• Find something that excites you, something you’re willing to put a lot of your time into. If it has a business opportunity, even better

My History as a Blogger

• This isn’t my first blog – YourPFPro.com was my first blog
• Not the best writer at first, but I was passionate about the topic and still am
• The collaborative nature of blogging is what got me hooked – FinCon conference was a great opportunity for networking and meeting people whose blogs I read
• Secret to blogging success is being able to promote yourself without being spammy
• You have to stand out among everyone else out there
• YourPFPro never killed it, but it did spark my blogging passion and helped me learn a lot about blogging

The Rideshare Guy

• The Rideshare Guy got started after I began driving and had a lot of questions
• I looked out there for resources and advice from reliable sources – it was hard to find a reliable source about ridesharing!
• Started the blog because I was passionate about the topic and knew I could help answer people’s questions
• Being the first in your niche really helps, but you can also be successful by choosing a niche topic that you’re passionate about
• I left my job once this blog started making some money and when I saw the opportunities down the road

Ways I’m Making Money

• Driver referrals is the number one way I make money – Lyft and Uber
• Recently started a partnership with DoorDash
• I don’t sugarcoat things – I give the balanced truth and let you make the decision for yourself. Not trying to sell you anything just to benefit myself, and that’s why this site is so successful
• Consider developing the long-term relationships vs. short-term. Think about the long-term success of your blog

Additional Ways to Monetize

• Google Ads – at first, Google Ads won’t make much money with a small audience, but it does add up with more traffic
• Affiliate partners – like Your Mechanic, Sherpashare, Stride Health
• Insurance Advertisers – advertising on the site
• Amazon affiliate links – you receive a small percentage of any purchase made
• Credit card sign ups
• Create your own product – video course, ebooks, etc.
• Consulting opportunities
• Leveraging opportunities already out there and building networks – ex. writing for Forbes

Keep in Mind Expenses

• You would be surprised by how much running a blog can cost!
• Starting a blog is very affordable – low barrier to entry
• As you receive more traffic, your expenses will inevitably increase (and you may be attacked by out-of-country hackers)

Advice for New Bloggers

• Pick a topic you’re passionate about! Put in a year’s worth of work into your blog and, at the end of the year, make sure you’re still happy writing about that topic
• Be consistent – it’s easy to get pumped up and write a bunch of posts, but you can get burnt out
• Find a niche – this is one of the most important things if you want to make money
• One thing that has helped me a lot is that there isn’t a lot of competition in this niche – has helped me get more advertisers and affiliates
• Just do it. You won’t learn and experience it unless you just go out there and do it.

Outro

• You might not get rich blogging, but it’s very worthwhile – especially if you’re passionate about the topic
• It is possible to make some money blogging, and it helps if you can find a profitable niche
• I hope this podcast answered some of your questions! Leave a comment below if you have a question about something I didn’t cover
• Check out the full transcript here
• Questions, comments, or feedback? Send me an email!
• Thanks to everyone leaving us iTunes reviews! Subscribe here to receive new podcasts every 2 weeks
• Sign up for our email list
• Check out our Rideshare Guy app!

Show Notes

• New to rideshare driving?
  • Sign up with Lyft here
  • Sign up with Uber here
• Financial Samurai
• The White Coat Investor
• Mr. Money Mustache
• Bogleheads Investing Forum
• FinCon
• Sign up with DoorDash
• Google Ads
• Sherpashare
• Insurance Advisors in your area
• Amazon
• Credit card information
• Maximum Ridesharing Profits
• Rideshare Guy YouTube
• Uber Man
• LTK Tech
• Check out Stride Health – it’s free to use!
• Get $20 off your first service with YourMechanic with the code ‘RSG15‘

Stride Health

This episode was sponsored by Stride Health, they’re a company that connects self employed workers with health coverage and health care for free! And even if you already have health insurance, once you sign up, you’ll get access to a personal advisor who you can call to get help with all your health care decisions and more.  Sign up here to get free access today!

If you’d like to read a transcript of this podcast, please click here

-Harry @ RSG