How to Start a Blog and Make Money in 2026 (From a Blogger of 12 Years)

I started Sustainably Chic on July 7, 2014, as a passion project to talk about sustainable fashion. At the time, I had no audience, no SEO knowledge, and no idea how bloggers made money.

Over the next 12 years, I grew the site into a full-time business through affiliate marketing, advertising, sponsored partnerships, newsletters, and content creation.

If you’re wondering whether blogging is still worth it in 2026, my answer is yes… but it looks very different than it did when I started.

Creating a Blog

1. Pick a Topic

So, what do you want to write about? There are enough traditional fashion blogs, beauty blogs, etc. What makes your topic special? Finding a niche is essential.

2. Pick a Name

I have heard some people say that choosing a name for your brand or blog is not that important because you can always change it later. But in my opinion, it is everything because it is how people remember you and your work. A name that is hard to pronounce or remember won’t stick in people’s minds. When I was coming up with a name for my blog, Sustainably Chic, I spent some time brainstorming and wrote down five options. However, as soon as I wrote Sustainably Chic, I knew it was the perfect one. This process may take some time, but it is crucial, so don’t rush it. Also, make sure to check that no one else is already using the name.

3. Buy a Domain

Yay, you choose a name! Now, buy the domain link. I personally use GoDaddy for all of my domain purchases. This is an easy step, but it’s important because you don’t want to have your blogging platform showing in the link.

4. Choose a Blogging Platform

There are many different platforms you can use to host your website domain. I use Squarespace for mine and have since the beginning. WordPress is probably one of the most famous and widely used in the world of blogging, but I’ve always preferred the simplicity and ease of using Squarespace. (in 2025, I made the switch to WordPress)

5. Pick a Template & Make it Unique

This was always fun for me. Squarespace has a lot of simple-to-use templates where you can manipulate to fit your aesthetic. My blog looks nothing like the Template I use. I think establishing a certain look in the beginning, makes for better consistency for the readers.

6. Write Your First Post

Easy enough, right?! For your blog posts, they should always be over 500 words, and I try not to go past 2,500 because most people don’t want to read all of that from a blog. To me, blogs have always been more of a snippet of a book – like 2-3 page chapters. If you look at my brand features, you can see how I have a format for each post. It’s personal at first, then goes into why you should love the brand, what I’m wearing and where to buy. Consistency, as I stated above, is key.

7. Create a Newsletter

The people who really like what you do, want to keep up with your new content. Make sure you have an email sign-up for them to leave their info so you can send weekly newsletters. I use MailChimp!

8. Create a Contact Email

This is so important for brand inquiries. If brands want to feature their product on your site, they need somewhere to send you the proposals (and NOT through Instagram, please – hah, social media is another story for a different day). Make sure to create your domain name with your website, so it isn’t going to ‘@gmail.com’.

9. Link Up to Social Media

I’ve started to spend more time away from social media, but some people still really love to use it. I think it’s important to share what you are working on with whatever social media platform you can. It helps bring in different people other than google searches. Currently, I only use Facebook and Instagram to share Sustainably Chic posts.

10. Repeat

Just keep it up!! You can start at one post a week and work your way to 2-3, which seems to be the norm in the blogging world. We are starting to post every day, Monday-Friday – and I say WE because I am no longer the only one behind this blog. At some point, you can’t keep up with everything on your own, but you can find really amazing people out there who have the same energy and thought process as yourself.

If you have created a following of 3,000+ visitors a month, it’s time to take things more seriously!!

If you notice an increase in traffic and have over 100 unique visitors a day, it’s time to start charging for your time when brands reach out to you. Even if you don’t necessarily write about brands – let’s say you give tips on how to be less wasteful – there are brands out there who are going to want to put their eco-friendly product on your blog.

*ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS, only take on what you genuinely believe in. While you should always be paid for your time, you must be honest and truthful to your viewers and choose to work with brands that align with your ethos. It’s not about the money. It’s about transparency and building trust on your platform.

How Do Bloggers Actually Make Money?

There are several ways bloggers earn income, and most full-time creators use a combination of multiple revenue streams rather than relying on just one.

1. Brand Partnerships & Sponsored Content

Working directly with brands is often one of the most straightforward ways to earn money from a blog because you’re typically paid upfront for specific deliverables. These can include blog posts, social media content, newsletter features, videos, or other promotional campaigns. As your audience grows, it’s helpful to create a media kit that highlights your traffic, audience demographics, social media following, and available services. This makes it easier for brands to understand how you can work together.

2. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular ways bloggers generate passive income. Affiliate links allow you to earn a small commission when a reader clicks your link and makes a purchase. Many brands offer affiliate programs through networks such as ShareASale, Skimlinks, AvantLink, CJ Affiliate, Awin, and others. If there’s a brand you love, you can usually find affiliate information on their website or by reaching out directly. The best affiliate content typically focuses on genuinely helpful recommendations, product reviews, gift guides, and resource pages that readers are already searching for.

3. Display Advertising

Display ads can become a significant source of revenue as your traffic grows. New bloggers often start with Google AdSense, while larger publishers may qualify for premium ad networks like Mediavine. While advertising income varies depending on traffic and audience demographics, display ads can provide a more consistent revenue stream that doesn’t rely on product sales or sponsorships.

4. Email Marketing & Newsletter Sponsorships

Your email list is one of the most valuable assets you can build as a blogger because you own the relationship with your audience. As your subscriber base grows, newsletters can generate income through sponsored placements, affiliate recommendations, product launches, and exclusive partnerships. Many brands are increasingly interested in newsletter sponsorships because email audiences tend to be highly engaged.

5. Digital Products

Many bloggers eventually expand beyond advertising and sponsorships by creating their own products. This can include ebooks, guides, courses, memberships, templates, workshops, or other educational resources. Unlike affiliate marketing or sponsored content, digital products allow you to keep a much larger percentage of the revenue while creating something specifically tailored to your audience’s needs. Today, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, display advertising, email marketing, and digital products remain some of the most common and effective ways bloggers earn income online.

How Long Does It Take to Make Money Blogging?

One of the most common questions aspiring bloggers ask is: How long does it take to actually make money from a blog?The honest answer is that blogging is rarely a quick path to income. While there are certainly stories of people finding success quickly, most blogs take time to build traffic, trust, and consistent revenue.

Based on my own experience with Sustainably Chic, the timeline looked something like this:

Months 1–6: Little to No Income

In the beginning, I focused almost entirely on creating content, learning the technical side of blogging, and figuring out what resonated with readers. During this stage, I wasn’t making any money. I didn’t even know you could make a sustainable income from blogging. I genuinely started it out of love.

Most new bloggers spend this time building a foundation rather than generating revenue.

Years 1–2: Occasional Affiliate Commissions

Once traffic began to grow, I started earning small commissions through affiliate marketing. It wasn’t enough to replace an income, but it was exciting to see that readers were finding value in my recommendations. I also had brand partnerships, but did not charge a lot.

This is often the stage where many bloggers begin experimenting with different monetization strategies and learning what works best for their audience.

Years 3–5: Meaningful Income

As my content library expanded and my audience became more established, blogging started to feel like a real business rather than a hobby. Affiliate revenue increased, new opportunities with brands emerged, and traffic became more consistent.

This is when many bloggers begin seeing meaningful income and the possibility of turning their blog into a full-time career.

Long Term: Building a Sustainable Business

Today, Sustainably Chic is a full-time business that has supported my family for years. But it didn’t happen overnight. It took consistent publishing, countless hours of learning, adapting to industry changes, and showing up even when growth felt slow.

The reality is that blogging is often more of a long-term investment than a quick side hustle.

Every Blog Grows Differently

It’s important to remember that every blog follows a different path. Some creators build an audience quickly through social media, while others focus on search traffic and see growth over a longer period. Your niche, content strategy, consistency, and even timing can all influence how quickly you earn income.

Rather than comparing your journey to someone else’s, focus on creating helpful content, serving your audience well, and staying consistent. The bloggers who succeed long term are often the ones who keep going long after most people have quit.

Biggest Blogging Mistakes I Made

After more than a decade of blogging, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes. Looking back, there are several things I wish I had understood earlier. While every blogging journey is different, these are the lessons that would have saved me a lot of time and frustration.

1. Writing Without Keyword Research

When I first started blogging, I wrote about whatever interested me that day. While passion is important, I wasn’t thinking about what readers were actually searching for.

As a result, many of my early posts never received much traffic because they weren’t aligned with search intent. Today, I still write about topics I care about, but I also take the time to research keywords and understand what questions my audience is asking.

2. Not Building an Email List Sooner

If I could go back and change one thing, it would be starting my email list much earlier.

For years, I focused almost entirely on growing traffic and social media followers. What I didn’t realize was that an email list gives you a direct connection to your audience that isn’t dependent on algorithms or search rankings. Your subscribers are often your most engaged readers, and building that relationship early can make a huge difference over time.

3. Focusing Too Much on Social Media

Social media can be a great tool for building community, but I spent far too much time worrying about likes, follows, and constantly changing algorithms.

The reality is that a social media post often has a very short lifespan. A well-written blog post, on the other hand, can continue bringing in traffic for years. Today, I view social media as a way to support my content strategy rather than the foundation of it.

4. Publishing Too Many Low-Quality Posts

In the early days, I believed that publishing more content was always better. What I’ve learned is that quality almost always wins over quantity.

A handful of comprehensive, genuinely helpful articles will often outperform dozens of rushed posts. Readers (and search engines) are looking for content that answers questions thoroughly and provides real value.

5. Not Updating Old Content

One of the biggest opportunities I overlooked was updating older articles.

Many bloggers focus entirely on creating new content, but some of the best traffic gains I’ve seen have come from improving existing posts. Updating information, refreshing recommendations, adding internal links, improving SEO, and expanding content can often have a bigger impact than publishing something brand new.

Frequently Asked Questions About Starting a Blog

Is blogging still profitable in 2026?

Yes, blogging can still be profitable in 2026, but it looks a little different than it did a decade ago. Successful bloggers typically combine multiple revenue streams such as affiliate marketing, sponsored content, display advertising, newsletter sponsorships, and digital products. While the online landscape is constantly evolving, people still use search engines to find answers, recommendations, and resources every day.

How much money can beginner bloggers make?

Most beginner bloggers earn little to no income during their first several months. Some may start seeing small affiliate commissions within their first year, while others take longer to monetize their content. The amount you earn depends on factors like your niche, traffic, content strategy, and consistency. Blogging is generally a long-term investment rather than a quick way to make money online.

How many blog posts should I publish?

There isn’t a magic number, but consistency is more important than volume. I’d rather publish one high-quality, helpful article each week than several rushed posts. Focus on creating content that genuinely answers your readers’ questions and provides value. Over time, a library of strong content can have a much bigger impact than publishing as much as possible.

What is the best blogging platform?

For most bloggers, WordPress remains the best option because it offers flexibility, ownership, and long-term growth potential. While platforms like Squarespace and Substack can be great options depending on your goals, WordPress provides the most control over your website, SEO, and monetization opportunities.

How do bloggers get traffic?

Blog traffic can come from several sources, including Google search, Pinterest, social media, newsletters, and direct visitors. Personally, search traffic has been the most valuable source of traffic for Sustainably Chic because blog posts can continue attracting readers long after they’re published. Creating helpful content and optimizing it for search engines is one of the most sustainable ways to grow a blog over time.

How long does it take for a blog to rank on Google?

There is no exact timeline, but new blog posts often take several months to gain traction in search results. Some articles may rank more quickly, while others can take six months or longer to reach their full potential. Search engine optimization is a long-term strategy, which is why patience and consistency are so important when building a blog.

Can you start a blog with no experience?

Absolutely. I had no idea what I was doing when I started Sustainably Chic in 2014. Like most bloggers, I learned through trial and error, online tutorials, and a lot of practice. The good news is that there are more resources available today than ever before. You don’t need to be a professional writer, web designer, or marketer to get started; you simply need a willingness to learn and stay consistent.

Final Thoughts

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that blogging is a long game.

It’s easy to focus on traffic numbers, followers, and income in the beginning, but the blogs that last are usually built on consistency, patience, and a willingness to keep learning. Small improvements made over time can have a much bigger impact than chasing quick wins.

I know I would have loved to have read something like this when I first started, so I hope you find this helpful, and I wish you the best on your blogging journey!!

Bis,

Natalie | Creator of Sustainably Chic