Have you ever wondered how to start a lifestyle blog in 2023 and make good money? It’s likely you’ve heard that creating a blog is a fantastic business idea, especially for women (and men) looking to generate income and even passive income online. As a beginner, the concept of making money as a lifestyle blogger might not seem realistic, especially if you’re new to making money online. But chill, let me tell you, that starting a blog is probably one of the easiest businesses you’ll ever start.
I’ve been on a journey of monetizing my blog for almost a year now, which some may label as a lifestyle blog, even though I cover a wide range of topics including entrepreneurship, femininity, blog growth, home decor, and dating. It’s still mind-blowing to me, how much blogging has made me. And funny thing is I can’t help but share my excitement with anyone willing to lend me half a second of their time, they’re all probably sick of me talking about my blog by now.
In this blog post, I will guide you through the process of starting a lifestyle blog in 2023 and making money from it. Whether you’re passionate about fashion, love sharing tips on home decor, have insights into dating, or simply want to express your thoughts on various lifestyle topics, this guide will provide you with practical steps to turn your blog into a profitable venture. So, come, let me spill the tea, let’s unlock the secrets to building a successful lifestyle blog while monetizing your passion.
1. Pick the Right Blog Topic
Once you decide on your topic also try to research current trends and interests in that area to ensure that there is an audience for it. You want to make sure people are interested in reading about what you plan on writing so that your blog can grow over time and gain followers. You can simply do this by googling the topics you plan to write about and using a website like similarweb.com, to see if the site is getting any reasonable traffic.
What if i cant pick a niche for my lifestyle blog?
If making money through blogging is one of your goals, ensure that the topic has potential for monetization. Don’t forget to ask yourself if this is something sustainable? Will I still enjoy blogging about this subject matter years from now?
If you’re stuck on this part, do not let this slow you down. An even better idea is simply use your name as the blog name, that way you can always switch up your content and build a personal brand. Rather than using something like summeroutfits.com, where you can’t write about anything other than outfits. Using your name for example michelleblue.com, the blog can be about anything and everything.
2. Choose a Domain Name
Choosing the right domain name for your blog is a very important step in starting a lifestyle blog. In case you don’t know what a domain is it is simply the name of your website, like this website is Missfeminine.com. Your domain name is the first thing that people will see before they visit your website, and it should be something that people can remember and looks and sounds nice.
Tips for choosing the right domain for your Lifestyle blog:
- Keep it Simple – Simplicity is key when selecting a domain name. Try to keep it short, sweet, and memorable.
- Avoid using hyphens or numbers in your domain name as it can make it harder for people to remember and find.
- Reflect Your Niche/brand – that reflects the theme of your blog. If you’re writing about fashion, then include fashion-related words in your domain name such as Style or Chic. Unless you’re taking the personal brand way by using your name as the domain.
- Think Long-Term, what i mean is do not choose a name that will limit you strongly to a certain topic.
- Check Availability & Social Media Handles Before settling on any final choice.
Where To Buy Your Lifestyle Blog Domain Name
Once you’ve chosen a domain name for your lifestyle blog, do not procrastinate, go ahead and register it with any reputable web hosting service.
I personally recommend Namecheap for cheap domains, like the name says it is super affordable, It costs less than a DOLLAR to register a new .com domain and you even get a free domain when you buy a hosting. They’re page speed is also very good, and they’re platform is good for beginners, so you do not have to worry if you’ve never built a website before. And not to mention excellent customer support.
– This is my Namecheap Affiliate Link
Affiliate income for your blog is something I will go deeper into in a bit.
3. Install WordPress
Installing WordPress is the next step in starting your lifestyle blog. WordPress is the Father of blogging lmao, basically, you need this. And girl, it is super easy to install! First, Log in to your web hosting account. Then look for the control panel, then Look for an option that says something like “Install WordPress” or “One-Click Install.” Click on this option and follow the steps.
Choose your username and password. Let the password be hard to guess, you don’t want anyone hacking into your site! Once you’re done all that’s left is to click “Install.” And you’re done for that part, easy right?! In just a few minutes or even seconds, you’ll have a working WordPress blog ready for use.
After WordPress is installed, you’ll be able to log in to your site (usually www.yourblogname.com/wp-admin).
That’s where you can start customizing your site by choosing a theme and installing plugins and writing blog posts.
Overall, installing WordPress is pretty straightforward. If you have any issues or have questions, just text customer support at Namecheap! They’re there to help make sure everything runs smoothly so that you can focus on creating amazing content for your lifestyle blog!
4. Design Your Lifestyle Blog
Congrats on getting your blog up and running! That’s awesome! You’re finally doing it and getting ready to make your share of Internet money. Now it’s time to make your blog look pretty. So, the first thing you have to do is pick a WordPress theme that matches your style and blog’s vibe.
If you like the theme i use for my blog, it’s called Elementor Royal Themes. Click here to download it for FREE.
They have several themes for blogs and businesses. If you like mine it’s called Avena. You can click the link and download the plugin and everything is already set up for you. The blog is literally already in place so you do not have to do much except just put your logo and start writing. I definitely recommend for beginners.
Another good theme you can use for your blog is the Kadence Theme, it loads up very fast and has a variety of templates to choose from and it’s easy to use.
Click Here To Get The Kadence Theme
When you’re browsing, keep in mind the overall feel you want for your blog. If you’re all about that minimalistic and clean look, go for themes with tons of white space and simple fonts. Want something more lively and colorful? Look for themes with bright colors and fun graphics. It’s all about expressing your personality!
Don’t be afraid to test out a few themes before you find “the one.” It’s totally cool to switch between them later if you change your mind. Once you find that perfect match, it’s time to give it your personal touch.
Just remember, the design should complement the content, not steal the show. A well-designed blog keeps people engaged and coming back for more juicy content. Okay, Let’s do it now, do not say you’ll do it later, it only takes a few minutes and you’ll be glad you did it.
4. Install WordPress Plugins On Your Lifestyle Blog
Alright, Let’s talk about WordPress plugins! These little gems can take your blog to the next level and add some serious functionality.
So, without further ado, here’s a list of must-have plugins to supercharge your blogging game:
1. Yoast SEO: This plugin is a lifesaver when it comes to optimizing your blog for search engines. It helps you nail those SEO techniques and rank higher in search results. Trust me, you need this one on your team.
2. Jetpack: This all-in-one plugin is like having a Swiss Army knife for your blog. It offers a bunch of awesome features, from site security and performance optimization to social sharing and traffic stats. It’s a real game-changer!
3. Akismet: Say goodbye to spam comments that clutter up your blog. Akismet filters out the junk automatically, so you can focus on engaging with real readers. It’s like having a personal spam-fighting assistant.
4. WPForms: You need this to add to your contact page, incase brands want to reach out to you through your website. It’s super easy to use and lets you create stunning forms without any coding.
5. UpdraftPlus: Backing up your blog is important. You never know when something could go wrong, and you don’t want to lose all your hard work. UpdraftPlus makes it easy to backup and restore your site, giving you peace of mind.
6. MonsterInsights: Stay updated with your blog’s analytics with MonsterInsights. This plugin integrates seamlessly with Google Analytics, providing you with valuable insights into your audience, traffic sources, and popular content. It gives you very specific information that you won’t find anywhere else.
7. ConvertKit: This is a plugin that will help you collect the emails of the people who come to visit your blog. Why would i want their emails you may ask. Having the emails of your blog visitor is great because you can send them emails whenever you post a blog post, you can send them you products and affiliate links and grow your audience.
Remember, these plugins are just the tip of the iceberg. There are tons more out there, so feel free to explore and find the ones that your blog needs. These are just the basic must haves.
5. Blog Set Up & SEO
Alright, let’s get down to setting up your lifestyle blog for SEO success.
First things first, you’ll need to make sure your website load very fast. Trust me, Google loves a blog that loads quickly and provides a seamless user experience. Don’t forget to install those handy WordPress plugins like Yoast or All in One SEO Pack. They’ll do the behind-the-scenes work to make your blog more “searchable.”
Now, let me tell you about Google Analytics. This tool is a game-changer for understanding your blog’s traffic. It helps you see where your visitors are coming from. Plus, you can dig into metrics like how long people spend on your pages, so you can improve your conversion game. It’s like having a personal blog detective by your side, keeping you in the know. You can simply find a YouTube video on how to install google analytics for your blog.
But do keep in mind, high-quality content is key! No matter how much you optimize, if your content isn’t top-notch, you won’t climb those search engine rankings. So, focus on creating awesome stuff that your readers will love. Research trending topics, add your unique spin and make it engaging. Quality over quantity!
6. Write Your First Lifestyle Blog Post!
So you’ve set up your blog, chosen the perfect niche and domain name, installed WordPress, and designed your site. Now, the part you’ve been waiting for, writing your first blog post.
Before diving into writing, take some time to brainstorm ideas for your first post. Consider what topics within your niche interest you the most or what questions people might have that you could answer. Once you’ve settled on a topic, start by creating an outline for your post. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that everything is written according to relevance. It can also help make the writing process smoother and easier.
When it comes to actually writing, focus on creating high-quality content with value for readers. Also, feel free to include your personal experiences and stories, readers love this.
Don’t forget about optimizing for SEO (search engine optimization). If you downloaded the All in One SEO Plugin as I suggested earlier, it will easily tell you what you need to do for each blog post to be SEO-ready.
Do not overthink it, just find a topic, write, and post then on to the next. It doesn’t have to be perfect the good thing with a blog is you can always go back in and make changes.
7. Boost Your Traffic & Master Pinterest with tailwind
Once you’ve created some content and have started to establish your blog, it’s time to start thinking about how you can promote your blog and increase traffic. One way to do this is with Pinterest.
Now let me tell you about my Pinterest journey, at first I started Pinterest and started getting some views and I got excited, but bruh…. non of those views turned into traffic for my blog, so I kind of got discouraged, I figured maybe Pinterest just isn’t for me. Then I stumbled upon a blog post talking about Tailwind, and I was like yeah yeah probably just another blogger trying to make me buy something. But after seeing it repeatedly on several blogs, I was like okay, let’s just try this, whatever you know.
Now, I’m just going to let the pictures do the talking here. This is my Pinterest analytics before I started using Tailwind and after I started using Tailwind. Mind-blowing!
Before Using Tailwind For Pinterest:
After Using Tailwind For Pinterest:
These are my Pinterest Analytics of the last 30 days. You can visit my Pinterest to confirm @Miss_Feminine
How To Use Tailwind To Grow Your Pinterest
Just try it and thank me later. You’re even luckier than me coz you get to try it at the beginning of your blogging journey, not after 5 months like me lmao. Tailwind is a social media scheduling tool that can help you master Pinterest and drive more traffic to your blog. It helps you figure out what the right time to post is and when your audience is more active which helps to get more exposure to your pins and to your blog.
The first step in using Tailwind is to sign up for an account. Once you’ve signed up, connect your Pinterest account to Tailwind and start creating a lot of pins for your blog posts. For this I use Canva, it’s so so easy, the templates are already made for you, you only need to edit the pictures and the text.
Next, use Tailwind’s scheduling feature to schedule your pins for optimal times when your target audience is most likely to be active on Pinterest. This will help ensure that your pins are seen by as many people as possible.
In addition to using Tailwind, also promote your blog on other social media such as Instagram and Facebook. Share links to your latest blog posts on these platforms to get people to click and read more.
By utilizing tools like Tailwind along with promoting on various social media channels and optimizing for SEO, you’ll be able to successfully attract new readers while also growing engagement among existing followers!
8. Build Your Email List
Let’s talk about building an email list for your lifestyle blog. It’s all about connecting with your readers, building a community, and even earning some cash through affiliate marketing. So, here’s how you can get started:
- Sign up for ConvertKit, an awesome email marketing platform perfect for beginners. It’s easy to use and packed with powerful features.
- Create an irresistible opt-in offer, like a free e-book or a helpful checklist. Give your readers something valuable in exchange for their email addresses.
- Place Convertkit forms strategically on your blog. Make them visible and enticing, like in your sidebar or at the end of your blog posts.
- Promote your email list everywhere. Share it on social media, mention it in your blog posts, and include a call to action in your emails.
Just know, building an email list takes time but it’s definitely worth it. ConvertKit is here to help you grow your list and stay connected with your audience. Good luck, and happy list-building!
9. how to Make Money With A Lifestyle blog, or any blog at all!
Let’s talk about the different ways you can make money with your blog. It’s not just a dream—it’s absolutely possible to make money blogging! With some creativity and hard work, you can turn your lifestyle blog into a profitable venture. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s mind-blowing!
So, let’s dive into the monetization methods that have worked wonders for me:
Add Display Ads To Your Lifestyle Blog
Display ads is the easiest way to make money blogging from day 1 Literally. It’s like having your own little money-making machine that just keeps growing day by day. Even when you’re sleeping money is coming in. The best ad network you should start with is Ezoic. They help optimize your ad placements and maximize your earnings.
I’ve had great success with Ezoic, earning $300 a month just from display ads when my blog was still relatively new. And the income has only grown since then. It’s like getting paid for every visitor who sees those ads! They usually only take bloggers with more than 10,000 views but by using my link you can start making money even if your blog is new.
Affiliate Marketing
Get ready to earn some serious cash by recommending products or services you love. When your readers make a purchase through your special affiliate links, you get a sweet commission. It’s like getting paid for sharing your favorite things! I’ve made over $500 a month just by spreading the word about products I believe in.
Almost every company has an affiliate program, you can usually find it on their website. But the easiest way to start with affiliate marketing is through ShareASale.
ShareASale is an affiliate network that connects bloggers like you with thousands of merchants. It’s super beginner-friendly and offers a wide range of products and services to promote.
Sell Digital Products to your lifestyle blog readers
Start making money selling your own digital products. Tap into your expertise and create valuable resources for your audience. Think e-books, online courses, or exclusive membership content. You set the price, you control the profits. This is probably one of the most profitable ways to make money blogging.
It’s not the easiest, so if you want me to write another blog post going into detail on how to create and sell digital products on your blog, just drop a comment to let me know.
Sponsored Posts
As your blog grows, companies will start knocking on your virtual door, eager to collaborate. They’ll pay you to create content that showcases their products or services. It’s like being a brand ambassador!
Plus, you get to try out cool stuff, get free stuff, and share your opinions with your readers. You can charge up to $200 per sponsored post and even more as your blog grows. Some even charge up to $2000 per sponsored post.
Make Money With Memberships On Your Blog
To make money with memberships on your blog, follow these steps:
Choose your niche: Decide on a specific topic for your membership content.
Create valuable content: Develop high-quality, exclusive content like tutorials or interviews.
Use the “Restricted Content” plugin: Install and configure the free “Restricted Content” plugin by Stellar WP to manage memberships and restrict access.
Define membership levels: Determine different tiers with various pricing and benefits.
Promote your memberships: Market your offerings through your blog, social media, and newsletters.
Engage with members: Foster a sense of community and regularly update your content.
With the “Restricted Content” plugin by Stellar WP, you can easily monetize your blog and provide exclusive content to your members. Start building a successful membership program today!
Monetize your blog through affiliate marketing and display ads with Ezoic in the beginning then grow from there. The possibilities are endless, and your blog has the potential to become a thriving money-making machine. So, don’t wait, don’t say you’ll do it tomorrow, do it now. There’s so much money to be made online. Start making yours today.
Conclusion: How To Start A Lifestyle Blog And Make Money
Monetize your blog through affiliate marketing and display ads with Ezoic in the beginning then grow from there. The possibilities are endless, and your blog has the potential to become a thriving money-making machine. So, don’t wait, don’t say you’ll do it tomorrow, do it now. There’s so much money to be made online.
Start making yours today!
