Have you started your blog writing journey after watching YouTube videos of people making thousands of dollars through blogging, and you’re still struggling to get footfalls on your website?
Don’t worry, I was there too.
When I launched my first blog during Amara’s nap times, I assumed I just had to write good content and wait. I didn’t know anything about keyword tools or indexing or even how blog writing connects to Google search. I kept publishing post after post, writing recipes, reviews, and rants, and… nothing happened. My traffic was zero. My AdSense account? Collecting digital dust.
It took me almost a year to figure out that blog writing isn’t just about writing. It’s about getting seen.
And once I learned how to write for the right audience, use the right keywords, and help Google notice me, things shifted. My posts started ranking. Clicks became income. It didn’t happen overnight. But it happened.
So before you give up on your dream of AdSense income and jump to another hustle, try out my 3-step formula. These are the exact blog writing lessons that helped me turn things around, even as a full-time mom.
Step 1: Strong Keyword Research – The Real Base of Blog Writing
When it comes to blog writing, your words only work if the right people find them. That’s where keyword research steps in. It’s your map, your magnet, and your money-maker.
A focus keyword is the main phrase your blog post wants to rank for. For example, in this post, “blog writing” is my focus keyword. It helps Google understand what this blog is really about. Using it naturally in your headings, paragraphs, and image alt text boosts your chances of showing up in search.
But there’s more to this than just repeating a word. You need to know why someone is searching that keyword. What answers they want, what problems they’re facing, and what action they hope to take. That’s called **search intent. It matters more than volume.
There are four types of search intent:
- Informational: The user is looking for answers or knowledge.
- Example: “how to grow house plants”
- Navigational: They want to go to a specific site or brand.
- Example: “Pinterest gardening ideas”
- Commercial: They’re researching before buying.
- Example: “best gardening tools for beginners”
- Transactional: They’re ready to take action, like purchase or sign up.
- Example: “buy indoor plant kit online”
When selecting keywords for your blog writing, try to match what your ideal reader is thinking at that moment. If you write a detailed how-to blog but your keyword is transactional, it may miss the mark. Matching search intent helps your blog feel helpful and perform well.
If you write a detailed how-to blog but your keyword is transactional, it may miss the mark. Matching search intent helps your blog feel helpful and perform well.
Let’s say a user searches for “home gardening.” Do they want DIY ideas? Products to buy? Or gardening service providers? If you’re not matching the intent, your blog won’t convert.
Tools I Use for Keyword Research
To help you get started, here are the tools I use for keyword research:
| Tool | Use For | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Google Keyword Planner | CPC + competition check | Finds money-making keywords |
| AnswerThePublic | Long-tail keyword ideas | Helps niche down your content |
| UberSuggest | Volume + SEO difficulty | Quick validation for blogging |
Example: Choosing the Right Keyword
Let’s break down one live example from Google Keyword Planner:
Let’s say I want to write a blog on home gardening. I check three key things:
- Monthly Searches: This tells me how many people search for this phrase each month. 1K–10K is a healthy volume. It means people are curious, but it’s not overcrowded.
- Competition: This shows how many other advertisers are targeting this term. A “Low” tag means there’s space for your content to stand out.
- Top of Page Bid (₹6.24–₹34.16): This tells you how valuable the keyword is. Advertisers are bidding up to ₹34 for a click, which could turn into serious AdSense earnings.
Now, take the keyword “house plants.” It has the same search range but much higher competition and a lower top bid. That means more bloggers are fighting for it, and the AdSense value isn’t as strong.
So if I were writing in the gardening niche, I’d pick “home gardening” over **”house plants.”
That’s the art of smart blog writing. You balance traffic, ease, and income potential.
Now compare that with a keyword like “house plants.” It has higher competition and lower bid.
So for blog writing that pays, always pick a keyword with a balance of search volume, low competition, and high CPC. That’s the sweet spot.
And if you’re wondering how blogging can actually turn into a real income stream, especially with tools like AdSense, I wrote a full guide on that here.
Step 2: SEO Rules You Can’t Ignore in Blog Writing
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the invisible thread that connects your blog to your reader. It tells Google what your blog is about, how relevant it is, and whether it deserves to show up on Page 1. Without SEO, even the best-written blog can get lost in the crowd.
For anyone serious about blog writing, SEO is non-negotiable. It’s not just for techies or coders, it’s for every writer who wants their work seen.
Now, how do you apply SEO without feeling overwhelmed? With smart tools.
Rank Math is a free WordPress plugin that gives real-time suggestions while you write. It helps you optimize your blog for search without leaving the editor. I love how it gives a score out of 100 so I can improve step by step.
Yoast SEO is another reliable tool. It’s beginner-friendly and helps you fix readability, keyword usage, and metadata. If you’re just starting out, Yoast makes SEO feel doable.
Once you install one of these tools, you’ll get a checklist for every blog. This is especially useful for blog writing, where SEO can make or break your traffic. This is where Rank Math truly shines.
If you follow the Rank Math SEO checklist, you’re ensuring your blog checks all the boxes Google loves: structure, clarity, trust, and value.
Here’s how to apply each part of it:
✅ Basic SEO
| Rule | Why It Matters |
| Add Focus Keyword to the SEO title | Tells Google exactly what the blog is about |
| Add Focus Keyword to your SEO Meta Description | Helps with click-throughs from search results |
| Use Focus Keyword in the URL | Clean URLs are easier to index |
| Use Focus Keyword at the beginning of your content | Google notices your first 10% the most |
| Use Focus Keyword in the content | Reinforces the topic naturally |
| Content should be 600-2500 words long | Long-form blogs rank better with context |
🔍 Additional
| Rule | Why It Matters |
| Use Focus Keyword in H2, H3 | Helps with structure and boosts topic clarity |
| Add an image with Focus Keyword as alt text | Google can’t read images but can read alt text |
| Maintain Keyword Density around 1% | Avoid stuffing or being too vague |
| Use a short URL | Easy to remember and more SEO-friendly |
| Link out to external resources | Shows you’ve done research and improves authority |
| Use DoFollow external links | Tells Google you trust the source |
| Add internal links | Keeps users exploring your content |
| Set a Focus Keyword in Rank Math | Gives a scoring system to guide you |
| Use Content AI (if available) | Helps structure and improve tone |
📝 Title Readability
| Rule | Why It Matters |
| Focus Keyword near beginning | Clear for both reader and Google |
| Add a sentiment word | Emotional pull improves CTR |
| Include a power word | Makes your title irresistible |
| Include a number | Posts with numbers perform better |
📚 Content Readability
| Rule | Why It Matters |
| Use a Table of Contents | Helps users skim and Google understand your headings |
| Break into short paragraphs | Easier on the eyes |
| Add images or videos | Keeps readers engaged |
If you manage to turn every red cross into a green tick in Rank Math, your blog writing efforts can result in a score of 90+ or even a perfect 100/100.
Want to go deeper into the Rank Math checklist and improve your blog writing SEO score? Read their official guide here.
The second turning point? Understanding SEO without needing a tech degree. If you’re building a side hustle around blog writing, this step alone can boost your visibility.
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. In simple words, it’s how you help Google understand and rank your blog. Without this, your blog writing may stay hidden no matter how useful or well-written it is. And if you’re serious about blog writing, SEO is your best friend.
Step 3: Indexing – The Secret to Rank on Google
Why Indexing Matters
You could write the best blog post in the world, but if Google hasn’t indexed it, it’s invisible. That means no impressions, no clicks, and no AdSense income. Indexing is how your blog gets added to Google’s search database. Once it’s indexed, it becomes searchable.
This is a critical step in blog writing. It’s what tells Google, “Hey, I’ve got something valuable here. Come take a look.” If you skip this, you’re basically whispering into a void.
What is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console is a free tool from Google that helps you monitor and maintain your blog’s presence in search results. You can check if your blog is indexed, troubleshoot issues, and even see which keywords are bringing in traffic.
For serious blog writing, this tool is essential. It tells you how Google sees your site and lets you talk back — with sitemaps, keyword insights, and crawl requests.
Two Tools That Make Indexing Easy
Let’s explore two key features inside Google Search Console that are a game changer for blog writing:
1. Sitemap Submission
Your sitemap is like a map of all your blog pages. It helps Google understand the structure of your site and index your content efficiently. Usually, it’s found at: http://yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml
Once you log into Google Search Console:
- Go to “Sitemaps” under the Index section
- Submit your sitemap URL
- Click submit and wait for Google to crawl your site
Submitting your sitemap improves your chances of ranking because it tells Google what to crawl — especially helpful if you’re posting consistently.
2. URL Inspection Tool
Let’s say you just hit publish on your new blog writing post. Don’t wait for Google to find it randomly. Use the URL Inspection tool.
- Paste your blog URL into the search bar
- It will show whether the page is indexed or not
- If not, click “Request Indexing”
This prompts Google to crawl your page sooner. It’s like raising your hand and saying, “Look here!” — and yes, it works.
Whether you’re writing once a week or daily, using these tools ensures your blog writing efforts are seen, ranked, and paid.
Indexing Tip For Pro Blog Writing
Tip 1: Create an Excel sheet with all your blog titles and links. Next to each, add a dropdown menu with status options like ‘Indexed’, ‘Applied’, or ‘Pending’. Each day, pick a few blog URLs to check or apply indexing for. This keeps you consistent and organized.
Tip 2: Fix one specific day of the week for sitemap submission. Maybe every Monday after chai? That way, you never miss out on letting Google know your blog exists.
These tiny habits help your blog writing stay visible and relevant.
You can also explore helpful YouTube tutorials like this one
I’ve shared more ways to turn your skills into income here
Conclusion
Let’s understand what we’ve actually done with a simple example.
Imagine starting a vegetable shop. Choosing the right focus keyword is like naming your shop ‘Fresh Local Veggies’ instead of something random. It tells everyone exactly what you’re offering.
Now, the SEO steps? That’s how you arrange the vegetables neatly, put signs on each crate, and maybe add a chalkboard with today’s deals. People passing by can immediately see what’s inside, find what they want fast, and are more likely to come back.
And indexing? That’s you printing leaflets with your shop location and distributing them around the neighbourhood. Suddenly, not just foot traffic, but people from nearby areas start finding you because you told them you exist.
That’s what we’ve done with blog writing: name, structure, and visibility.
Follow this system regularly. Because blogging isn’t a quick-fix money hack. It’s a digital asset. One that compounds with every post you publish, every keyword you rank for, and every reader who lands on your page.
Treat this like the beginning of something that can actually change how you work, earn, and live. You can also explore more of my articles at Work and Worth.
You’ve got this. Just try one thing today.
FAQ on Blog Writing
1. What is blog writing and why should I start it?
Blog writing is the process of publishing useful, informative, or entertaining articles on a website. It’s perfect for expressing your expertise, passions, and opinions. When done consistently and with a bit of SEO, blog writing can grow into a passive income stream that reaches a global audience.
2. How can blog writing help me make money?
When you do blog writing consistently, you begin to attract organic traffic from Google. This traffic can generate income through AdSense ads, affiliate product links, or even paid partnerships. The more helpful your content is, the more people trust you — and the higher your blog’s earning potential grows.
3. What should I write about on my blog?
Choose blog writing topics that you’re either good at or deeply interested in. Combine this with keyword research to find what people are searching for. Great blog writing solves problems or provides inspiration, and when your content is useful, readers come back — and so does Google.
4. Is blog writing better than YouTube or Instagram?
Blog writing has its own edge. It’s SEO-powered, long-lasting, and doesn’t rely on trends. Your blog post today can rank for years. While Instagram or YouTube is great for visuals and quick reach, blog writing builds a long-term asset that keeps growing without the algorithm anxiety.
5. How long should a blog post be?
The sweet spot for blog writing is usually between 1000–2500 words. This gives you space to cover a topic in-depth, include keywords naturally, and offer real value. Shorter posts may struggle to rank, while super long ones might overwhelm readers. Balance clarity, completeness, and structure.
6. Can I do blog writing part-time?
Absolutely. Blog writing is one of the best flexible side hustles. You can write a post a week or even one biweekly. The key is to be consistent and strategic with keywords and SEO. Many moms and full-timers start part-time and grow their blogs into steady income streams.
7. Do I need to be tech-savvy to start blog writing?
Nope! Platforms like WordPress make blog writing easy, even for beginners. You don’t need coding knowledge — just a basic understanding of layout, images, and tools like Rank Math. Most of it is plug-and-play, and there are plenty of tutorials to guide you step by step.
8. How long before I see income from blog writing?
Blog writing is a slow-burn strategy. Some bloggers see income in 3 months, others take a year. It depends on your niche, frequency, and SEO strategy. But once the traffic comes in, earnings become passive. Treat it like planting seeds that grow with each helpful post.
9. Is it okay to write in Hindi or a mix of languages?
Yes, definitely. Blog writing in Hindi or Hinglish can reach audiences that English blogs miss. As long as your content is well-written and searchable, language isn’t a barrier. In fact, blogging in regional languages can help you stand out and build a loyal, niche audience faster.
10. Do I need to write every day?
No need to burn out. Blog writing thrives on consistency, not quantity. One good post per week, properly SEO-optimized, will take you farther than daily rushed content. Blogging is a long game, and every post adds to your growing digital footprint. Pace yourself, but stay committed.
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.
