Blogging can turn out to be either an incredible source of passive income or it can be a full-time career. Here are the major ways that bloggers make money:

1. Display Ads

Google AdSense - Easy to set up and simply pays based on either a click or impression.

Once you grow your traffic: Media.net, Ezoic, and Mediavine can pay you higher amounts.

2. Affiliate Marketing

You promote products and services on your blog and when someone buys the product or service through your affiliate link, you earn a commission.

Notable platforms: Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact, ClickBank.

Affiliate marketing works best when you are running a niche blog (example: reviews about tech gadgets, travel gear, beauty).

3. Sponsored Posts

Companies will pay you to write about their product or service.

The rate depends on your traffic, niche, and authority.

You can pitch companies directly or use platforms like Influencer.co or TapInfluence.

4. Selling Digital Products

Examples: eBooks, printables, templates, courses, presets, and so on. Selling digital products can be extremely profitable and benefit any blog, but works well for educational or creative blogs. (examples: design, productivity, cooking, finance).

You have total control over pricing and sales.

5. Memberships & Subscriptions

Platforms: Buy Me a Coffee, Patreon, etc.

You can offer exclusive newsletter content, Q&A sessions, or early access to followers that subscribe or become members. 

6. Freelance Services

Writing, design, marketing, coaching, etc. You can use your blog as a kind of portfolio, and then use it to land clients. 

7. Email Marketing

Set up a newsletter and send it to your readers. You can promote affiliate products or your own product to readers through the newsletter. Tools include - ConvertKit, Mailerlite, or Mailchimp.