Hi - I just wondered if there was anyone already on here who was earning a part-time salary (or more!) blogging?
I'm wondering whether it's like one of those startup business statistics where the vast majority of people fail!
I suppose it all depends what you mean by 'part-time salary'. I have earned very little from my blog but that is mainly my fault. I write what I want, when I want, and rarely do I go out looking for paid sponsored posts.
There are loads of people who look at blogging as a business and that works, in varying degrees of success, for them. They put in the amount of time they want and they get the 'rewards' that come with that.
You can start a blog for very little money. The Host Presto offer of £33 for a year will keep the costs down and with a bit of effort on your part, you'd earn that £33 back.
It does require effort though, and that is where most people fall down.
The other thing you have to think about is whether you are happy being paid money to promote anything, and how 'hard and fast' you want to play with the ASA guidelines. If your morals are loose then there is plenty of sites where you can get content, and cash, for a very low price. If you are happy promoting gambling on your blog then you'll find more money opportunities. I don't do either so I can't help too much on that stuff.
What I do is write about things I want (recent post about tea), write about things I'm interested in (the Cycle to Work Scheme), write about money making oppertunities (10 passive income/premium bonds/other free cash offers), and I've had 2 sponsored posts in nearly 4 years. I'm not retiring off my blog income anytime soon, but it continues to improve and I will investigate other ways to help bring in income from it.
People make full-time salaries from blogging. Amounts of money you'd not believe. You'd also not know who they are or recognise them if you passed them in the street. The one thing they will all tell you is that blogging isn't passive, you must constantly have content. You also need content readers will engage with if you want to earn Affiliate income from it.
The Internet is massive and there is always room for another blog. Spend the £33 and see if it works for you
Thanks,
The Reverend