The Beginner’s Guide to Amateur Blogging: How to Start, Grow and Succeed as an Amateur Blogger

Amateur blogging refers to blogging that is done by individuals who are not professional writers or journalists. 

These bloggers may write about personal experiences, hobbies, interests, or any other topic they are passionate about.

They typically do not get paid for their blogging, and may not have a large following or readership. 

You can create and share your blog posts here for free, BUT you will not have the same resources as professional bloggers.

Starting a blog as an amateur is a great way to express yourself and share your thoughts and interests with the world. 

Honest affiliate disclosure: I want to be transparent and let you know that if you use the links in this guide to sign up for products or services, I may receive a commission. However, I assure you that my evaluations and recommendations are based solely on my honest assessment of the product or service, and are not influenced by my potential financial gain through these affiliations

Can I make money from amateur blogging?

Yes, it’s definitely possible to make money from amateur blogging. 

While it may not happen overnight, there are a number of ways to monetize your blog and turn it into a source of income.

Popular methods Include:

• Advertising: selling ad space on your blog

You can sell ad space on your blog to businesses to individuals who are interested in reaching your audience. 

This can include display ads, sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing.

• Sponsored content. Publishing content that promotes other company products or services.

Companies may be willing to pay you to create and publish content that promotes their products or services.

• Selling your own products or services: e.g. books, classes,

• Selling courses or ebooks: Package your knowledge or skills

As you grow your audience, you can experiment with different monetization strategies to find the ones that work best for you.

5 best ways to make money with amateur blogging

There are a few ways that amateur bloggers can make money, but some methods may be more effective than others. 

Here are a few of the best ways to monetize your blog:

• Affiliate marketing: Promote a product or service on your blog and include a special link that tracks any sales made through that link. If someone clicks on the link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission. This can be a great way to earn money because you don’t have to create your own product, you just need to promote someone else’s.

• Sponsored posts: Get paid to write a post about a company’s product or service. You can make a good amount of money if you have a large audience and your readers are interested in the product you’re promoting.

• Sell digital products: create an ebook, course, or digital product and sell it on your blog. This can be a great way to make passive income over time.

• Advertising: Sell ad space on your blog. This can include display ads, sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing.

• Sell physical products: e.g. If the blog topic is gardening, sell products related to your blog’s topic. For example, you can sell seeds, cookbooks, patterns, etc.

It’s important to note that making money from blogging takes time and effort. 

You need to have a sizable audience, a consistent posting schedule and a good quality content to monetize your blog. 

It’s also important to have a clear disclaimer when promoting products or services and to be transparent with your audience.

Ultimately, the best way to make money with amateur blogging is to find a monetization strategy that aligns with your interests and expertise, and that you enjoy doing.

So, find what works best for you and your audience, and go for it!

What are the best topics for amateur blogging?

When it comes to choosing a topic for your amateur blog, the most important thing is to pick something that you are passionate about and that you can write about consistently. 

Here are a few suggestions for topics that are well-suited for amateur blogs:

• Personal experiences: Many amateur bloggers enjoy sharing their personal experiences and thoughts on various subjects. This can include things like travel, parenting, relationships, and personal development.

• Hobbies and interests: If you have a hobby or interest that you are passionate about, consider starting a blog about it. This can include topics like cooking, DIY projects, gardening, or photography.

• Specific niche: If you have a specific knowledge or skillset, you can create a blog around a specific niche. For example, you can blog about fashion, technology, sports, or anything that you are knowledgeable about.

• Product reviews: If you enjoy trying out new products, you can create a blog to review them. This could be anything from books, to gadgets, to beauty products.

• News and current events: If you are interested in keeping up with the latest news and current events, you can create a blog that covers the latest news and trends in your niche.

The key thing to keep in mind is that you should choose a topic that you are genuinely interested in and that you can see yourself writing about for a long time. 

Once you find a topic you enjoy and you can consistently produce content around, you will be able to build a loyal audience over time.

Learn how to start an Amateur blog in 6 easy steps.

Starting a blog as an amateur is a great way to express yourself and share your thoughts and interests with the world. Here are some steps you can take to get started:

1. Choose a topic for your blog. This can be anything that you are passionate about, whether it’s cooking, travel, personal development, or something else entirely.

2. Decide on a platform. There are several popular platforms for bloggers, including WordPress, Blogger, and Medium. Each has its own pros and cons, so be sure to research them to find the one that best fits your needs.

3. Choose a unique & catchy blog name. Try to choose a name that reflects your topic and is easy to remember.

4. Customize blog. Most platforms offer a variety of templates and themes to choose from, so you can make your blog look professional and visually appealing. I recommend Generatepress for WordPress, it’s very easy, fast, and free!

5. Start writing! Create your first blog post and publish it. Regularly post your content and try to be consistent with the frequency of your posts.

6. Promote blog. Share your posts on social media, and let your friends and family know about your blog. As you build your readership, you can also consider using paid advertising or working with other bloggers to promote your content.

Remember, blogging is a journey, it takes time to build an audience and as an amateur, it’s ok to make mistakes. The important thing is to enjoy the process and have fun with it.

The best free blogging platforms pros and cons

There are a number of free blogging platforms available, each with their own set of pros and cons. 

Here are a few popular options when choosing a platform:

1. WordPress.com:

Pros:

• Large community of users
• Wide variety of templates and themes
• Ability to monetize your blog

Cons:

• Limited customization options
• Limited control over your website
• Possibility of having ads on your site

2. Blogger:

Pros:

• Easy integration with Google services
• Simple interface
• Ability to monetize your blog

Cons:

• Limited customization options
• Less flexible than some other options

3. Medium:

Pros:

• Large and engaged audience
• Clean and simple design
• Ability to monetize your blog

Cons:

• Limited customization options
• Not as versatile as some other options

4. Tumblr:

Pros:

• Large and active community
• Simple interface
• Ability to monetize your blog

Cons:

• Limited customization options
• Less professional than some other options

It’s worth noting that with free blogging platforms, you’ll have limited control over your site’s design, branding and functionality, and you may have to deal with ads on your site. 

However, they are a great option if you an amateur blogger just starting out and want to test the waters of blogging, or if you don’t want to invest in a custom domain or hosting service.

Paid Blogging Platforms versus Free Blogging Platforms Pros and Cons

When it comes to starting a blog, you have the option to choose between a free or a paid platform. 

Both have their own set of pros and cons, so it’s important to consider which one is best for you and your goals.

Free Blogging Platforms:

• Pros: They are free to use, no need to pay for a domain or hosting. They have a simple setup process and usually include basic templates and themes. They are also a great option for beginners who want to test the waters of blogging.

• Cons: With free platforms, you may have limited control over your site’s design, branding and functionality. They may also have ads on your site, and the options for monetizing your blog may be limited. Additionally, you may not have full ownership of your website, and your website may be deleted if the platform decides to do so.

Paid Blogging Platforms:

• Pros: Ownership & full control over your site’s design, branding, and functionality. You also have the freedom to monetize your blog the way you want.
• More customization options i.e. feature such as analytics, SEO tools, & support.

• Cons: Require an investment in a domain and hosting. Additionally, you may have to pay for templates, themes, and additional features. It may also require some technical know-how to set up and manage your website.

Ultimately, the choice between a free or paid platform depends on your goals and budget. 

If you’re just starting out and want to test the waters of blogging, a free platform may be a good option. 

However, if you’re serious about building a long-term, professional blog, a paid platform may be the better choice.

How to start an amateur blogging WordPress blog with Bluehost web hosting step by step

If you’re looking to start your own website, Bluehost is a great paid option for web hosting for amateur blogging. 

They offer a variety of plans to suit different needs and budgets, and the sign-up process is straightforward. 

When it comes to starting your own website, the first step is to find a web host provider. 

And if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly amateur blogger option, Bluehost is a great choice. 

They’re known for being affordable, easy to use, and they even offer a free domain name.

Bluehost is a great choice for web hosting because:

• Cancel at any time: You will get a full refund with their 30-day money-back guarantee. 
• Control panel is easy to use: Especially helpful for people new to web hosting and building websites. 
• Free domain name!: unlimited domains, unmetered bandwidth, and unlimited email accounts (except on their basic plan), and even more. 

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to get started with Bluehost:

Step 1: Go To Bluehost.com

First, you’ll need to sign up for a Bluehost web hosting account.

You can do this by visiting the Bluehost website and searching for the prominent “Get Started Now” button on the homepage.

Step 2: Pick the right a web hosting plan

After clicking the “Get Started Now” button, you will be presented with four shared hosting options from Bluehost: Basic, Plus, Choice Plus, and Pro. 

Each plan includes a complimentary domain name, and here are some of the features you can expect from each one

Here’s what to expect with Bluehost.

All of their plans come with a free domain name, and here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from each one:

Basic Plan:

• Host one website with 50GB SSD space
• Unmetered bandwidth
• 5 email accounts with 100MB per account
• Recommended for beginners

Plus Plan:

• Host unlimited websites with unmetered space
• Unlimited email accounts with unlimited storage space
• Included spam protection

Choice Plus Plan:

• Host unlimited websites with unmetered space
• Unlimited email accounts and storage space
• Includes website backups, domain privacy, and more

Pro Plan:

• Host unlimited websites with unmetered space
• Unlimited email accounts and storage space
• Includes spam protection, SSL certificate, dedicated IP, domain privacy, and more

If you’re just getting started, we recommend the Basic Plan as it’s the most affordable and easy to use.

You can always upgrade later if you need more power and features.

Visit Bluehost.com for the latest prices and current deals.

Step 3. Choose the domain name you want

The next step will have you pick your free domain name see below:

When you begin the process, you will be presented with two options: “Register a New Domain” (which is complimentary for the first year) or “I Have a Domain” if you wish to use an existing one.

If you choose to register a new domain, you will be prompted to enter the desired domain name and select the extension (e.g. .com, .org, .net) that you want for your website.

If you decide to skip this step, you can register your domain later.

Step 4: Provide your personal information, and select any additional optional features.

Okay, so once you’ve got your domain name sorted, the next step is to create your account by entering your personal information. 

It’s the usual stuff you see on most websites when you’re checking out, like your first and last name, email, password, country, and phone number.

One more thing, you’ll also be prompted to select a payment method. 

Bluehost gives you the option to pay with a credit card or PayPal, so choose whichever works best for you

Blue Host addons

When it comes to Bluehost addons, Codeguard Basic, Bluehost SEO Tools, SiteLock Security Essential, and Single Domain SSL Certificate are all options to consider. 

• Codeguard Basic: offers automated daily backups and monitoring, but if you are using WordPress, there are plenty of security plugins that offer similar features for free. Therefore, I don’t recommend getting this addon. 

• Bluehost SEO Tools:  provides a personalized marketing analysis and report, but if you are using WordPress, there are plenty of free SEO plugins that offer similar features. So, I wouldn’t recommend getting this addon. 

• SiteLock Security Essential: this is an add-on that provides extra security features such as malware scans and DDoS protection, but it’s mainly suitable for websites that sell products and store payment information. 

• Single Domain SSL certificate: is an add-on that protects customers’ sensitive information, but a free SSL certificate is already included.  So, I wouldn’t recommend getting this addon as well.

Step 5 You’ve signed up!

Okay, so once you’ve picked the add-ons you want, all you have to do is hit the “submit” button and you’re all set! 

You’ll get a confirmation email soon with all the login information you need to start using your Bluehost hosting account. 

And if you haven’t signed up for hosting yet,

I highly suggest you visit Bluehost.com and do it now

Tips for successful amateur blogging

• Choose a niche: Decide on a specific topic or area of interest that you want to focus your blog on. This will make it easier to come up with content ideas and attract a dedicated readership.

• Be consistent: Post new content on a regular schedule, whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly. This will help keep your readers engaged and coming back for more.

• Use visuals: Incorporate images, videos, and other visual elements into your blog posts to make them more engaging and shareable.

• Interact with your readers: Respond to comments, answer questions, and ask for feedback. This will help you build a relationship with your readers and make them feel more invested in your blog.

• Be authentic: Write in a way that reflects your personality and your unique perspective. It will make your blog stand out and make it more relatable to your readers.

• Promote your blog: Share your posts on social media, guest post on other blogs, and reach out to other bloggers in your niche to create collaborations.

Hey, you know how managing social media can be a real time-suck, right? Well, there’s a way to make it a whole lot easier.

You can either do it the old-fashioned way, which can be pretty tedious, or you can do it like a pro and use Hopper HQ.

Heres how it can help you

1. Automatic post scheduling: Hopper HQ’s AI can write and schedule posts for you in advance, across multiple social media platforms, saving you hours of manual work.

2. Optimal posting times: Hopper HQ allows you to schedule posts for the best times to reach your audience, so you don’t have to worry about logging in at specific times to post.

3. Content curation: Hopper HQ offers a feature that allows you to curate content from other sources and schedule them as posts, saving you time on creating new content.

4. Analytics and Reports: Hopper HQ provides you with detailed analytics and reports on your social media performance, so you can make data-driven decisions and optimize your social media strategy.

5. Team collaboration: Hopper HQ allows you to collaborate with your team members, assign tasks, and share calendars, so you can easily manage your social media presence as a team.

6. Social media integration: Hopper HQ supports multiple social media platforms, so you can manage all your accounts in one place, saving you time and effort of switching between different tools.

By using Hopper HQ, you can streamline your social media management process, save time, and ultimately grow your business.

The tool’s automation and reporting features help you to focus on more important tasks, while still ensuring a strong social media presence.

What are some ways to enhance writing abilities in amateur blogging?

There are several ways to write quality content. Here are a few tips:

Understand your audience: Before you start writing, think about who you’re writing for and what they want to know. This will help you create content that is relevant and engaging for them.

Conduct research: Make sure you have a good understanding of the topic you’re writing about. This will help you create content that is accurate and informative.

Use a clear and concise writing style: Use simple language and avoid using jargon. This will help your readers understand and engage with your content more easily.

Try AI writing and paraphrasing tools: They can be a great help for amateur bloggers. 

They can assist with generating new content, editing and optimizing existing content, and even with coming up with new ideas for blog posts. 

For example, you can use a tool that suggests new titles and headlines for your blog posts, or one that helps you rephrase sentences to make them more engaging. 

These tools can save you time and help you create high-quality content, even if you’re not a professional writer.

…read my detailed Quillbot review

Use headings and subheadings: Break up your content into smaller sections using headings and subheadings. This will make it easier for readers to scan and find the information they’re looking for.

Use images and other media: Include images, videos, and other types of media to make your content more engaging and visually appealing.

Proofreading: Always proofread your content before publishing to catch any errors. Grammarly is a powerful tool that can help amateur bloggers improve their writing skills. It can help you catch grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and other issues that can make your writing difficult to read or understand.

It can also help you improve the overall quality of your writing by making suggestions for word choice, sentence structure, and more.

Additionally, Grammarly can help you ensure that your blog posts are free of plagiarism and help you to be original.

Overall, using Grammarly can help you write better, more engaging blog posts that will be more likely to be read and shared.

It can also help you avoid common writing mistakes that can make you look unprofessional and can make your blog less effective in terms of SEO.

So, if you’re an amateur blogger looking to improve your writing skills and make your blog more effective, using Grammarly is definitely worth considering.

Be original: Try to avoid copying content from other sources, instead put your own thoughts and ideas in it.

Be consistent: Try to maintain a consistent tone, format, and style throughout your content.

Be timely: Try to be timely with your content. It will be more valuable if you post it when it’s relevant.

Engage with your readers: Encourage feedback and discussion in your content, and make sure to respond to comments and questions.

How to use Pinterest to drive traffic your amateur blog

Frustrated with the slow process of getting your website to rank on Google? 

I totally understand. 

But, I did some research and found a secret weapon for driving traffic to your blog 

– Pinterest! 

Initially, I thought of it only as a source for recipe ideas, but I soon discovered its potential as a free traffic generator for my website.

 What’s great is that people don’t view the pins as advertisements, rather they see them as helpful solutions to their problems. 

Want to learn how to use Pinterest to boost your blog’s traffic? 

Here are the 5 steps that I personally used to increase my website’s traffic for free!

Step 1: Create an impressive Pinterest profile and convert it to a Business Account

Hey, let me tell you something that makes a huge difference, having a profile picture. 

I know a lot of folks suggest using a photo of yourself, so people can connect with you more easily. 

But for me, I like to keep my privacy, so I went with my logo. 

And you know what?

 It’s been working great for me!

Step 2 : Setup atleast 15-20 Pinterest Boards Relevant To Your Niche

One thing that’s super important on Pinterest right now is to have a good number of boards that are relevant to your audience. 

And let me tell you, having personal boards is a must-have right now.

When it comes to your blog, you should definitely set up at least one board, but if you write about a variety of topics, then you might want to create more than one. 

Trust me, it makes a big difference

For example on my pinterest profile I have

• Digital Entrepreneur Nation Passive income streams – passive income ideas and streams
• Digital Entrepreneur Nation Side Hustles- side Hustles
• Digital Entrepreneur Nation stories – inspiration
• Digital Entrepreneur Nation Business Tips- Tips

Think of this boards as a collection of all the links to your blog posts on your website. To really attract your target audience, you should also create around 15-20 other boards on topics related to your blog that would interest them. 

It’s best to create a separate board for each topic that your audience might be searching for to find your blog.

When you create a personal board, be sure to use keywords in the description so it’s easy for people to find. 

That way, when someone is searching for something related to that board, it will pop up more easily

Step 3: Make sure to create eye-catching images for your Pinterest boards that will make people want to click on them and visit your blog posts.

• The key to success on Pinterest is creating pins that people want to click on. If your pins aren’t getting clicks, all your hard work in creating great content will be for nothing.
• Make sure your pins are easy to read by using readable fonts and not making the text too small.
• Use a call to action and intriguing wording on your pins to entice people to click
• Test different designs by creating 2-3 pins for each post and then experimenting with new pins every week for a few weeks. This will help you figure out what works best.
• Once you find a design that works well, stick with it, but don’t be afraid to experiment with new designs to see what your audience responds to best.

Step 4 Join group boards

Have you heard of group boards on Pinterest? 

They’re basically boards owned by other users where they allow you to post your pins. 

It’s a great way to get your pins in front of more people, especially if you don’t have a lot of followers. 

To find these group boards, you can check out other users’ Pinterest profiles, join Facebook groups dedicated to group boards, or even take a look at the profiles of smaller bloggers and see which group boards they’ve been accepted to.

Step 5: Schedule

Want to make the most of your time on Pinterest? 

Setting up a daily schedule can help you stay organized and make sure you’re using the platform effectively.

First, decide on a specific time each day that you’ll dedicate to Pinterest.

Whether it’s in the morning, during lunch, or in the evening, choose a time that works best for you and make sure to stick to it.

Next, create a list of tasks that you want to accomplish during your designated Pinterest time. This could include things like creating new pins, scheduling pins to be posted at different times, engaging with other users, and analyzing your analytics.

You can also use a planner or calendar to help you stay on track and make sure you’re completing all of your tasks each day.

You know what they say, “Out with the old, in with the new.” 

The same goes for pins on Pinterest, having fresh pins every day is key. Try creating at least 2-4 new pins every day

Finally, make sure to take breaks during your Pinterest time and don’t get caught up spending too much time on the platform. 

It’s important to have balance and not neglect other important aspects of your life.

Starting an Amateur blog: Summary

In conclusion, this guide for amateur blogging has provided a wealth of information for those looking to start their own blog. 

From choosing a niche and creating content to building an audience and monetizing your blog.

This guide has covered a wide range of topics to help aspiring bloggers get started on their journey.

By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, amateur bloggers can set themselves up for success.

You turn can turn your passion for blogging into a profitable career. 

Remember, blogging is not a one-time thing, it’s a continuous process that requires patience, persistence, and hard work.

 Keep learning, experimenting, and enjoy the process!