I started blogging in 2008 under the title, Coffee With Kim. My blog was all about my trips and food adventures in the Philippines and eventually, internationally.
The main reason I started that blog was to build my portfolio. At the same time I started Coffee With Kim, I was also starting my freelance writing journey. Other freelancers will know how the start is the most difficult part of freelancing because you have nothing to show your clients.
Since I loved traveling and immersing in cultures through food, I decided to build my own portfolio through my blog.
I researched about what content people are looking for, listened to online conversations to see what’s trending, published article after another consistently, and really stepped on the gas to boost my traffic and influence through social media marketing.
It paid off because I wasn’t just attracting readers who are into traveling, but I also started attracting brands and clients who are interested in hiring me as their writer. Win-win!
What I love about the method I used to grow my blog and my business is that it didn’t feel sale-sy at all. I was simply listening so I know what people are interested in and sharing valuable information through the stories I write.
Just like what Shannon Peel, a business influencer, shared in her interview, “The best way is to talk to people… Engaging with them on social media and I find that by engaging with them on social media I learn what they will engage on back because it becomes a two way conversation.”
From my start in 2008, my blog grew into a money making machine through brand collaborations. It also became my main marketing tool to attract client to my virtual support business solutions that has become so big that I’ve had to hire more team members to come and help serve our clients.
Recap: The Steps I Took To Start Making Money From My Blog
- Start a blog. The most important step of all – get started! A lot of people get stuck here due to analysis paralysis. If you want to start making money from your blog, plan AND take action!
- Research. You’ve likely done your research before starting a blog about what to write about. But to get specific, you need to do more research by listening to people’s conversations online about your chosen topic. What’s trending in the industry? What’s the most common questions people are asking?
- Write! And write consistently. Set a publishing schedule and stick to it. You can start posting once a month, but aim to post more on a weekly basis. Make sure your articles are optimized for search as well.
- Promote. Get the word out about your articles through social media. Find 1-2 platforms where your target market hangs out in and share your articles there. Make your shares interesting with a caption that will really capture their interest.
If you are just starting out as a freelancer, I encourage you to utilize blogging as one way to generate leads for your business. Not only can it get you the leads, but it can also turn into an additional income stream through paid collaborations and advertising.
