How to Make Money Blogging: 5 Common Mistakes Beginners Must Avoid

By Seung Lee | April 22, 2025

“I keep writing, but the money isn’t coming…”

That thought echoed in my mind one quiet evening.
It was then I realized — blogging isn’t a gamble. It’s a craft. A strategy.
If you’re reading this with a similar ache in your heart, you’re not alone.
Let’s uncover the 5 most common mistakes beginner bloggers make — and how you can rise above them.

1. Writing Without Purpose – When the Words Serve Only the Writer

Many of us begin with raw honesty, treating our blogs like journals. That’s beautiful — but if your goal is income, you must ask:
“Who am I writing for?”

✅ Solution:

• Research searchable topics (Google Trends, AnswerThePublic, Ubersuggest)
• Follow this golden structure: Problem → Empathy → Solution
• Speak not just from the heart, but to someone else’s heart

Your blog is not your diary. It’s your bridge.

2. Ignoring SEO – Like Opening a Café in the Middle of the Desert

Even the most heartfelt words are invisible without a path leading to them. That path? SEO.

✅ Solution:

• Use SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or AIOSEO
• Optimize:
  • Titles (50–60 characters)
  • Meta Descriptions (120–155 characters)
  • Slugs (short and keyword-rich, e.g., /blogging-tips)
• Include alt tags in images, link to other posts, and reference trusted sources

Search engines don’t guess — they guide.

3. No Monetization Strategy – “I Thought the Money Would Just Appear”

Consistency without a strategy is like watering a garden in the dark. Blogging needs a clear income map.

✅ Solution:

• Apply for Google AdSense, ensure ads are displaying properly
• Explore income paths:
  • Affiliate marketing
  • eBooks
  • Digital courses
  • Coaching or services
• Build a mailing list and nurture your audience

Every post can be a seed of income — if you know where to plant it.

4. Lack of Engagement – A Blog That Whispers, Not Converses

If your blog feels like a one-way street, it’s time to build a village. True success comes when readers respond.

✅ Solution:

• End posts with questions to spark conversation
• Embed newsletter signup forms (use Creative Mail or WPForms)
• Cross-promote on Instagram, YouTube, or wherever your audience lives

Don’t just inform. Invite. Involve.

5. Giving Up Too Soon – “It’s Been 3 Months, Still No Results”

We live in a world of instant likes and same-day delivery. But blogging is like growing a tree — it takes root beneath the surface long before it bears fruit.

✅ Solution:

• Commit to a 6-month minimum of consistent posting
• Track progress monthly: post count, views, CTR
• When you feel lost, revisit your first post — remember your “why”

The blog you water today may shelter your future self.

🌱 Final Thoughts

Everyone starts clumsy. Everyone doubts. But those early, imperfect steps? They’re sacred.

“Financial freedom may seem like a distant star,
but every blog post is a step toward its light.” – Seung Lee

📩 Share Your Story

What’s been your biggest challenge in blogging so far?
I’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to subscribe to receive my next post — sent with warmth, straight to your inbox. 🌿