How to Start a Blog and Make Money in 2025 (Beginner-Friendly Step-by-Step Guide)
Why Blogging Is Still Worth It, And Why You Should Start Now
If you’ve been wondering whether blogging is still worth starting in 2025, you’re not alone. With TikTok trends dominating conversations and YouTube creators pulling in millions of views, it’s easy to think blogging is “over.”
The truth? Blogging is far from dead: it’s thriving, just differently than before. There are still millions of readers consuming blog posts every single day, and they’re not just reading for fun. They’re searching for answers, tutorials, product reviews, and stories they can trust.
And unlike social media, where posts disappear in a few hours, a single blog post can bring you traffic – and income – for years.
This post is the first in a full series on how to start a blog in 2025 and turn it into a steady, even full-time income. Today, we’re tackling the big question: Is it really worth starting a blog now?
Spoiler: yes, and here’s why.
🎧
Prefer to listen? This topic is also explored in an episode of the John Dawson Blogcast:
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
Mark Twain
Blogging in 2025: Not Dead, Just Different
It is true that TikTok and YouTube dominate online content, at least in terms of attention. But blogs dominate depth. People might scroll TikTok for fun, but they still turn to Google and Pinterest when they need to:
- Find the best travel gear for a solo trip
- Learn how to set up a WordPress site
- Compare two online courses
- Read a personal story about overcoming debt or building a business
These are the kinds of questions blogs answer best. That’s why blogging remains a key part of the creator economy in 2025.
Why Blogging Can Be More Profitable Than TikTok or YouTube
Here’s where blogging still shines:
1. You Don’t Need Millions of Followers
On YouTube, the top 3% of creators get 90% of all views, and most ad revenue. Only 0.3% of YouTubers earn $5,000/month or more. The same “winner-takes-most” rule applies to TikTok.
Blogging works differently. A blog with just a few thousand monthly readers can earn $1,000–$5,000/month with a smart monetization mix (ads, affiliate links, and digital products). The income potential is spread out more evenly.
2. Evergreen Content Works for You Long-Term
TikTok videos vanish in a feed after hours or days. A well-written blog post can rank in Google or Pinterest for months, bringing you traffic and sales on autopilot.
3. Higher Earnings Per Visitor
Certain blog niches, like finance or tech, earn far more per visitor than lifestyle YouTube channels. Advertisers pay premium rates for blog audiences ready to buy, and affiliate programs often pay higher commissions than TikTok brand deals.
Realistic Blogging Income Timelines
Let’s keep it real: blogging is not a get-rich-quick scheme. But if you’re consistent, it can grow into a meaningful income. Here’s what data shows:
- First earnings: On average, it takes ~21 months to earn your first dollar, but 28% of bloggers earn something within 6 months.
- Full-time income: Most bloggers need 3–4 years to hit full-time income. But 1 in 3 bloggers reach it by year two.
- Average earnings: Bloggers who treat it as a business make around $50K–$100K/year after a few years, with some niches (finance, food, lifestyle) averaging even higher.
- Side hustles: Plenty of bloggers earn a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a month: a solid side income that grows over time.
Think of blogging as planting seeds. The first year is mostly preparation: writing posts, building trust, learning SEO. But after that, growth compounds.
Top Niches That Pay Well in 2025
You can succeed in almost any niche, but data shows some areas monetize better:
- Personal finance & online business – highest ad rates and affiliate earnings
- Food & lifestyle – huge audience, great ad RPMs (many food bloggers average $9K/month once established)
- Travel & parenting – strong brand sponsorship opportunities
- Tech & software – excellent for affiliate marketing
But don’t pick a niche just because it’s “profitable.” Pick something you enjoy writing about. Consistency is easier when you love the topic.
How Much Time Do You Need to Blog?
The beauty of blogging is you can start part-time.
- Writing time: Most bloggers spend 3–4 hours per post. One post a week is enough to grow steadily.
- Weekly commitment: Around 5–10 hours a week is typical for new bloggers.
- Tech skills: None required. Platforms like WordPress make setup simple, and you can learn as you go.
You don’t need to quit your job to start. Many successful bloggers built their sites on evenings and weekends.
Why Start Now Instead of Waiting?
You might think: “Maybe I should wait until I have more time or the perfect idea.”
Here’s why you shouldn’t:
- The sooner you start, the sooner you grow. It can take 1–2 years to see results, so waiting only delays success.
- You’ll learn by doing. Your early posts won’t be perfect, and that’s fine. You can always update them later.
- Momentum matters. If you feel motivated now, use that energy. Most people regret not starting sooner.
What’s Next: Your 5-Step Blogging Roadmap
This post kicks off our Beginner Blogging Series, a simplified, beginner-friendly plan to launch and grow a blog in 2025. I’ve broken it down into 5 clear phases. Each one builds on the last:
- Plan Your Blog: Pick a Topic and Name That Can Grow With You.
How to choose a niche you’ll actually stick with and a blog name that feels right (and leaves room to evolve as you grow). - Launch Your Blog: Hosting, Domain, and Basic Setup Made Simple.
A no-tech-stress guide to getting your blog online with WordPress and setting up the basics. - Make It Look & Feel Professional: Themes and Must-Have Pages.
Choose a clean, beginner-friendly theme and add the essential pages that make your blog look trustworthy. - Create & Share Content That Builds Trust (and Your First Readers).
Write posts that people actually want to read, then promote them the smart way to get your first 100 visitors. - Start Monetizing & Grow Steadily Toward Full-Time Income.
The beginner-friendly ways to make your first $100, and how to scale your blog into a steady, possibly full-time, income.
By the end of this series, you’ll know exactly how to take your blog from zero to something that earns, whether as a side hustle or a future full-time business.
Ready to Begin?
The best time to start a blog was 5 years ago. The second best time is today.
Next up: Plan Your Blog: Pick a Topic and Name That Can Grow With You, because step one is choosing what you’ll write about.
Starting a blog FAQ
Sources:
- RankIQ Blogging Income Study (2024)
According to the RankIQ Blogging Income Study, the most profitable niches for bloggers in 2024 include food, personal finance, and lifestyle. The report also details how long it typically takes to earn a steady income from blogging, with some niches seeing faster results than others. - WPBeginner & Blogging.org Blogging Statistics (2023–2024)
General blogging statistics, including the number of blogs online and blog readership habits. - Ahrefs & Semrush Blogging Reports (2024)
Tools like Ahrefs and Semrush have shown that blog posts optimized for search intent can drive consistent traffic for years. Their 2024 reports also highlight how blogs are evolving in response to AI-generated content and changing Google algorithms. - Influencer Marketing Hub Creator Earnings Report (2024)
The Influencer Marketing Hub Creator Earnings Benchmark Report shows how much creators are earning across platforms, including YouTube. It reveals that top earners capture the majority of the revenue, while most new creators earn under $1,000/month. - Statista: Niche Ad Spending & Audience Data (2024)
Data from Statista shows that niches like finance, food, and health attract the highest digital ad spend and the broadest audiences, making them especially lucrative for both display ads and affiliate marketing. - Affiliate Marketing Benchmark Report (2024)
The latest Affiliate Marketing Benchmark Report by Influencer Marketing Hub outlines the earnings distribution among affiliates, highlighting that while many earn under $500/month, top-tier affiliates in evergreen niches earn well into five figures monthly.
Great to have you here! Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
Hi, I’m John Dawson, the creator of DawsonDecoded. Whether you’re here to start a blog, explore new ways to earn online, or rethink your career path, I hope you’ll find something useful, and maybe even inspiring.
Want honest insights on blogging, online income, and simple tools to build something of your own?
Subscribe and get new posts delivered straight to your inbox. No spam, just the good stuff.
You Might Like:
Betting on Yourself: Why Creating Content Will Always Be More Profitable Than Playing the Lottery
Why blog instead of buying lottery tickets? Because the odds and the long-term payoff make content creation a far smarter bet for financial success.
Pinterest: Why It Could Be the Best Platform to Grow Your Blog in 2025
Pinterest is still one of the best ways to grow blog traffic in 2025. Here’s how to use it to get steady visitors for months, even years after posting.
Are Influencer Courses Still Worth It in 2025, or Just Built on Yesterday’s Internet?
Online courses promise to teach you how to make money as a creator. But in 2025, are they worth it or just selling outdated methods?
Can You Really Make Passive Income with Stock Photography in 2025?
Can you really earn passive income selling stock photos? I tested it myself. Here’s what the reality looks like and what it takes to make it work.
What are the best social media platforms to drive traffic to your blog?
Which social platform is best for growing a blog? Here’s a breakdown of the main networks: their audiences, strengths, and weaknesses.
The Truth About Passive Income: What You Need to Know to Succeed
Passive income sounds great, but how real is the hype in 2025? Here’s what the stats say, and how blogging can still be part of the game.
Leave a Reply