How to Earn your Bread by Blogging as a Teenager...

I wish I knew these things before I started out.

Back then, in lockdown… I started out a lone warrior from my family of conventional thinkers… I thought that I could start blogging and change the world by earning money.

Yeah, childhood dreams.

I remember it very clearly… lying on the floor, just finished my online Zoom classes of school, thinking very hard about how to make money as a teenager. Just some no one trying to be some one. We can all relate to that feeling.

I so, as I used to watch lots of animes, movies, etc. I decided to start a review blog on different things which I watched. I fought over my laziness and started off my first blog post. 2 days past, no views. 15 days went… no views… 1 MONTH WENT AWAY… STILL NO VIEWS!!! (Btw I was posting every alternate day).

And here’s what happened… I quit that blog after 2 months.

And here I am, with over 2 years experience almost, at this blogging… trying to tell you how easy it is to start off with your first blog (probably and PROFITABLY) with my experience to help you :)

How to Earn Your Bread by Blogging as a Teenager

The digital age has unveiled opportunities unimaginable to previous generations. One of the most attractive prospects is the ability to earn money through blogging. You might be thinking, "But I'm just a teenager; can I really make money blogging?" The answer is a resounding YES! With passion, persistence, and the right strategies, the blogging world can become your oyster. Here’s how to dive in.

There are 4 things you need to select before blogging…

1. What would be your blogging platform? It could be WordPress, blogger, ghost, substack… etc. But trust me, if you have no money and you are a noob, NEVER GO WITH BLOGGER!!!

   Platforms like WordPress, Blogger, and Medium are great starting points. As a beginner, pick one that’s user-friendly and scalable as your blog grows.

   Go with SubStack. It’s better like 100x. You are currently seeing my blog on Substack itself. Trust me it gives a very smooth feeling as a writer :)

   While this might require a small investment, having a custom domain adds professionalism to your blog. Won’t recommend for newbies.

2. What would be your NICHE? Think about what you love, what you could talk about for hours. Whether it's fashion, technology, films, music, or even a school subject, there's an audience for everything. Your passion will drive your content, and authenticity is the magnet that pulls readers in.

3. What would be your schedule? How frequent could you manage posting a good blog post? And trust me, I previously thought that it took like 10 minutes to post (nowadays, yes if you make AI do your work). But trust me, to make a personalized, satisfying blog post, with decent SEO, etc. … you need like 30-50 minutes.

Here are some other things which you must know about :)

1. Design Matters:

Aesthetics are crucial. Invest time in designing your blog or choose appealing templates. Remember, your blog's appearance is the first impression visitors get, so make it count. And add pictures! They love it like you love this picture of CUTE PUPPY!

this guy is really kawaai!

BTW, check HubSpot’s Guide on choosing the best Blogging Platform…

Personally I love Substack though :)

2. Quality Over Quantity:

It's tempting to post frequently, but always prioritize quality. A well-researched, thoughtful post will gain more traction than several hastily written ones.

And it largely depends on you.

I write twice weekly…

Once in this blog, and another in my personal The Teenager’s Diary: https://theteenagersdiary.substack.com/

3. Learn the Basics of SEO:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the magic wand that makes your blog visible to a larger audience. Learn the basics: keyword usage, meta descriptions, and backlinking. This will boost your site's visibility on search engines.

Just write and write and let that writing of yours into dump. Because here’s what happens if you don’t use SEO to boost up your BLOG on search engines: it dies.

And you need to know how search engines work so that you can leverage them for your own benefit.

Might make an SEO blog post later on ;)

4. Engage with Your Audience:

Reply to comments, create polls, ask questions. When readers feel a connection, they're more likely to return and share your content.

Comments… Please kuch bhi likhdo :) I would really appreciate it.

Ask questions which help to build up relations.

Why is the reason you are doing what you are doing?

Why do you think that God exists? I ask you seriously :)

5. Monetize Wisely:

There are various methods to earn through blogging:

• Affiliate Marketing: Recommend products and earn a commission on sales.

• Ad Networks: Google AdSense is a good starting point.

• Sponsored Posts: Brands might pay you to write about their products or services.

• Selling Products or Services: E-books, courses, or even merchandise related to your niche.

6. Promote Your Content:

Share your posts on social media, collaborate with fellow bloggers, and consider investing in paid ads if you have the budget.

See this blog post embedded in this picture: https://ahrefs.com/blog/how-to-promote-your-website/

Social Media is a great tool.

And it can work wonders.

Use natural On Page SEO and create VALUE BASED CONTENT and let time do the other works.

7. Patience and Persistence:

Blogging isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It requires time, effort, and patience. But with consistent hard work, the rewards, both financial and personal, can be significant.

You can’t expect to rank 1 on Google for a decent common keyword even if you had the best SEO in the world. It takes time.

Off Page and Technical SEO show their magic with the advance of time.

And On Page is good for temporary shits…

In Conclusion

Starting a blog as a teenager offers numerous advantages. You have the time, the energy, and often a fresh perspective that can be very appealing to readers. Embrace the learning curve, and remember: every successful blogger started with a single post. So, carve out your niche, type out your passion, and earn that bread!

And there’s a relief in sharing out things on a piece of paper/doc file… because paper truly has more patience than people.

And you get clarity in your life if it’s a personal blog… like mine at https://theteenagersdiary.substack.com

Happy blogging! 🖋🍞