How to Earn from Blogging: Proven 1-Year Plan

I still remember typing my first blog post while Amara slept next to me, a bottle in one hand and laptop balanced on a pillow. I wasn’t aiming for perfection—just consistency. I committed to writing 600 words a day, and a year later, I can confidently say this: it is possible to earn from blogging, even with just a little time each day.

Whether you’re looking to earn from blogging with zero investment or planning to go the WordPress route, let me walk you through what worked for me.

No-Investment Blogging: Start with What You Have

If you want to earn from blogging without spending money, start with platforms like Blogger, Medium, or LinkedIn. They host your content for free and give you access to an existing audience. I started with Blogger and only later moved to WordPress.

Here’s how to make the most of no-cost blogging:

• Pick a niche: Recipes, parenting hacks, skincare reviews, finance tips, etc.
• Write daily (600 words): Focus on helpful, relatable content.
• Monetize: Use affiliate links (like Amazon), sponsored posts, or drive traffic to your digital services (resume help, Canva templates, etc.).

No, it won’t make you rich overnight. But done consistently, it compounds. In my case, small affiliate sales and a few guest blogging gigs got me to ₹7,000/month by month six.

This is exactly what I mean when I talk about a time SIP—a small, steady effort that grows quietly in the background. I’ve broken this down further in my blog on powerful ways to earn from home. It’s all about stacking simple habits until the results surprise you.

Low-Investment Blogging: Treat It Like a Small Business

When I finally bought a domain and a WordPress plan (~₹500/month), things felt more serious. I had full control, better design, and SEO tools like Rank Math that helped my blog show up in search results.

To earn from blogging with a WordPress site:

• Invest wisely: Hosting (SiteGround or Hostinger), domain, and a lightweight theme.
• Write SEO blogs (600+ words): Use keywords, add images, and link smartly.
• Grow traffic: Share on Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook groups.
• Add monetization layers: Courses, ebooks, newsletter sponsorships, or Google Ads.

My first mini digital product (a Notion planner for moms) made ₹1,200 in the first month. Add that to my blogging gigs and affiliate income, and I started seeing ₹15,000+ monthly within the year.

Year-by-Year Earning Estimate

Consistency > Perfection. Even your 600 words can grow into a full-time income.

Steps That Can Help You Earn from Blogging

Now that you know both no-investment and low-investment ways to earn from blogging, here are some practical steps to help you move forward.

But here’s the most important thing: you don’t need to block out a full day. Just giving one or two focused hours can make a huge difference. That time can be after office hours, post-dinner, or like me, when your food is on the stove and you’ve got that golden hour before it needs attention.

1. Choosing a Platform
Start with where you’re comfortable. Blogger, Medium, and WordPress.com are beginner-friendly. If you want more control and long-term monetization options, go for self-hosted WordPress.

2. Finding a Niche
Think about what topics excite you and help others. Are friends always asking you for skincare tips? Recipes? Study hacks? That could be your niche. Once you know, try to come up with a domain name that’s memorable and reflects your vibe. I used Namecheap to grab mine.

3. Deciding a Topic
Don’t overthink it. Just pick something you can write 600 words about today. For example, “5 Easy Breakfast Ideas for Working Moms” or “How I Save ₹5000 a Month on Groceries.” Real, helpful, and personal always wins.

4. Finding the Right Keywords
This step is gold. Keywords help your blog show up on Google. Think of what people might search for—like “best skincare tips for Indian moms.” Then use a free tool like Neil Patel’s Keyword Tool to find similar terms with low competition.

5. Writing the Blog
Keep it simple. Use short paragraphs, add one image, and speak like you would to a friend. Use your keyword 4-5 times naturally. End with a little action step or tip.

Final Thoughts: Build Your Time SIP

If you want to earn from blogging, don’t wait for the perfect niche or design. Just start. Write in your notes app, publish on Blogger, tweak as you go. Let your blog be your time SIP—small, steady, compounding every day.

Anam Syed

Meet Anam Syed — a freelance writer, side hustle strategist, and full-time mom to little Amara. Based in Pune, Anam started freelancing during her pregnancy and never looked back. With over 5 years of experience in blogging, podcasting, and digital work, she now helps women like you turn their spare time into something powerful. Her mantra? Do one thing every day that builds your “time SIP” — a side project that grows into freedom.