I went from zero to $2,000+ monthly make money blogging income in just 9 months. Here’s the exact strategy, traffic sources, income breakdown, and actionable steps you can replicate today.
The dream of making money blogging feels distant and unattainable for most beginners. Scrolling through income reports showing five and six-figure monthly earnings can be both inspiring and demot
ivating. You wonder: “Is this even possible for someone like me? Or are these outliers who got lucky?”
I asked myself the same questions when I launched my lifestyle blog in March 2020. I had no prior blogging experience, no technical skills, and no audience. What I did have was a systematic approach, relentless consistency, and willingness to learn from data rather than assumptions.
Nine months later, I had built a blog generating $2,000+ per month through multiple revenue streams. More importantly, I had created a scalable system that continued growing long after I sold the blog for a significant profit in March 2021.
This isn’t a get-rich-quick story. It’s a detailed case study showing exactly what worked, what didn’t, the specific strategies I implemented, and the actionable steps you can follow to replicate these results. Whether you’re launching your first blog or struggling to monetize an existing one, this transparent breakdown provides a realistic roadmap to blogging income.
Starting My Blogging Income Journey: From Zero to $2,000/Month
Let me be completely honest about my starting point. This wasn’t my first rodeo—I had experience building and selling websites. By March 2020, I had already launched five blogs, three of which I successfully sold for profit.
However, each blog taught me valuable lessons that compound over time. My college lifestyle blog (the subject of this case study) benefited from all my previous failures and successes. I knew which mistakes to avoid, which strategies accelerated growth, and how to monetize efficiently.
That said, this blog started from absolute zero in March 2020. With no domain authority. No traffic. No email list. Just a blank WordPress installation and a content plan.
The niche I chose was intentionally specific: college lifestyle content targeting students, particularly around shopping, dorm life, graduation, and seasonal events. This laser focus enabled me to dominate specific keywords and attract a defined audience that advertisers valued highly.
Month-by-Month Blogging Income Breakdown: The Raw Numbers
Transparency is crucial in blogging case studies. Too many income reports conveniently omit the slow months or exaggerate results. Here’s my actual month-by-month breakdown from launch to nine months:
| Month | Earnings | Month Number | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | $0 | Month 1 | Launch month – no revenue |
| April 2020 | $0 | Month 2 | Building content foundation |
| May 2020 | $342 | Month 3 | Mediavine approved! |
| June 2020 | $1,156 | Month 4 | Graduation season spike |
| July 2020 | $1,289 | Month 5 | Back-to-school prep |
| August 2020 | $1,445 | Month 6 | Back-to-school peak (3rd highest) |
| September 2020 | $623 | Month 7 | ⚠️ Worst month – post-season drop |
| October 2020 | $1,347 | Month 8 | Halloween content |
| November 2020 | $1,512 | Month 9 | 🏆 Peak month – holiday shopping |
| December 2020 | $1,686 | Month 10 | 2nd highest – Christmas shopping |
| TOTALS | $8,400+ | 9 months | Consistent growth trajectory |
| Average | $933/month | — | Recurring revenue model |
These numbers reveal important patterns. Income growth wasn’t linear—it spiked around seasonal events (graduation, back-to-school, holidays) and dipped during off-seasons. Understanding these patterns allowed me to plan content strategically and maximize earnings during peak months.
How I Generated Blogging Income: Traffic Sources That Actually Worked
Revenue follows traffic, but not all traffic is equally valuable. My blog’s traffic came from three primary sources, each contributing differently to monetization.
Pinterest: The Traffic Goldmine
Pinterest accounted for approximately 65% of my total traffic during the first nine months. This wasn’t accidental—it was strategic.
College students, my target audience, actively use Pinterest for dorm decor, graduation gift ideas, fashion inspiration, and lifestyle content. By creating vertical pins optimized for Pinterest’s algorithm and linking to corresponding blog posts, I tapped into existing search behavior.
My Pinterest strategy included:
Daily pinning schedule: I committed to pinning 15-20 times daily using Tailwind, a Pinterest scheduling tool. Consistency matters enormously on Pinterest. The algorithm rewards accounts that engage regularly.
Optimized pin designs: My pins featured bold text overlays stating clear benefits (“10 Dorm Essentials Under $20”), high-contrast colors, and lifestyle imagery that resonated with my audience. I used Canva for design, creating templates I could replicate quickly.
Strategic keyword targeting: Pinterest functions as a visual search engine. I researched keywords using Pinterest’s search bar suggestions and optimized pin descriptions accordingly. Keywords like “college dorm ideas,” “graduation gifts,” and “student budget tips” drove substantial traffic.
Group boards: I joined niche-relevant group boards with established audiences. This amplified my reach beyond my own followers. However, quality matters more than quantity—I focused on highly engaged boards rather than joining hundreds indiscriminately.
The Pinterest traffic I generated was highly engaged. Bounce rates were lower than other sources because users arrived with specific intent, already interested in the topic they searched.
Google Search: The Long-Term Asset
Organic search accounted for approximately 25% of my traffic. While Pinterest delivered immediate traffic, SEO built long-term, compound-ing value.
My SEO strategy focused on:
Long-tail keyword targeting: Rather than competing for impossible keywords like “dorm decor,” I targeted specific long-tail variations: “dorm decor ideas for small rooms under $50.” These longer phrases have lower competition and attract searchers with clear intent.
Comprehensive content: My average blog post length was 1,800-2,500 words. Google rewards thorough, helpful content that fully answers searcher questions. I wasn’t writing to hit word counts—I was genuinely covering topics comprehensively.
Internal linking: I strategically linked related posts together, creating content clusters. This helped Google understand my site architecture and boosted authority for cornerstone content.
Featured snippets: I specifically structured content to target featured snippets (position zero). Lists, tables, and clear question-answer formats increased my chances of ranking at the top.
One post about Christmas gift ideas ranked on Google’s first page for a highly searched term. This single post drove thousands of visitors during November and December, directly contributing to my highest-earning months.
Direct and Social Traffic
The remaining 10% came from direct traffic (returning visitors and bookmarks), Instagram, and Facebook. While these sources didn’t drive massive volume, they contributed to overall authority and brand recognition.
Making Money Blogging Strategy #1: Mediavine Display Ad Revenue
Display advertising through Mediavine accounted for approximately 45% of my total blogging income during these nine months.
Getting Approved for Mediavine
Mediavine requires 50,000 monthly sessions for new applicants. However, because I already had another site approved with Mediavine, I was able to apply with just 10,000 sessions under their existing publisher policy.
I hit 10,000 sessions at the end of May 2020—just two months after launching. By early June, Mediavine ads were live on my site.
This head start was significant. Two months of monetized traffic accelerated my income substantially compared to waiting until 50,000 sessions.
Mediavine RPM and Earnings
RPM (revenue per 1,000 page views) varied significantly month-to-month based on seasonality, content type, and advertiser demand.
| Month | RPM | Change | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2020 | $12.50 | — | Launch month |
| June 2020 | $14.80 | ↑ +18.4% | Graduation season |
| July 2020 | $13.90 | ↓ -6.1% | Mid-summer dip |
| August 2020 | $14.20 | ↑ +2.2% | Recovery |
| September 2020 | $11.30 | ↓ -20.4% | 🔴Lowest |
| October 2020 | $15.60 | ↑ +38.1% | Strong recovery |
| November 2020 | $18.70 | ↑ +19.9% | Holiday rush begins |
| December 2020 | $19.20 | ↑ +2.7% | 🏆Highest |
Holiday months (November-December) consistently deliver higher RPMs because advertisers pay premium rates during peak shopping seasons. My November and December earnings were boosted not just by increased traffic but by significantly higher per-impression revenue.
Optimizing for Ad Revenue
I optimized ad revenue through strategic decisions:
Content length: Longer posts allowed more ad placements without overwhelming readers. My 2,000+ word posts naturally accommodated multiple ad units throughout the content.
Content topics: Gift guides and shopping content attracted higher-paying advertisers. Advertisers targeting shoppers pay more than those targeting casual browsers.
Mobile optimization: Over 75% of my traffic came from mobile devices. I ensured my site loaded quickly on mobile and ads displayed properly across devices.
Keeping readers engaged: Lower bounce rates and higher pages-per-session metrics improved ad revenue. I used internal linking, related posts, and compelling content to keep visitors browsing.
Making Money Blogging Strategy #2: Amazon Associates Affiliate Commissions
While Mediavine provided my advertising foundation, Amazon affiliate marketing became my primary way to make money blogging through product recommendations. This income stream required minimal ongoing effort once content was published.
Why Amazon Affiliate Marketing Worked
My college lifestyle niche aligned perfectly with Amazon’s product catalog. Students constantly search for specific products: dorm supplies, tech gadgets, textbooks, clothing, accessories.
Rather than trying to create comprehensive product reviews (which require personally using dozens of items), I focused on curated lists and shopping guides. These posts aggregated products around themes:
- “15 Dorm Essentials Under $30”
- “Best Graduation Gifts for College Students”
- “Back-to-School Tech: 10 Must-Have Gadgets”
- “Cozy Dorm Decor: 20 Items to Transform Your Space”
- “College Halloween Costumes You Can Buy on Amazon”
These list-style posts performed exceptionally well on both Pinterest and Google. They matched user search intent perfectly—people searching these terms want product recommendations, not lengthy reviews.
Seasonal Affiliate Income Spikes
Affiliate income varied dramatically by season:
May-June: Graduation gift guides dominated. Parents, relatives, and friends searching for graduation presents clicked through and purchased. My graduation gift guide posts generated hundreds of clicks daily during peak season.
July-August: Back-to-school shopping exploded. Posts about dorm essentials, college tech, and student organization tools drove massive affiliate revenue. August was my third-highest earning month primarily due to back-to-school traffic.
September: Significant drop-off after students returned to school and completed their shopping. This explains why September was my worst revenue month.
October: Halloween costume guides drove a smaller spike. While not as profitable as major shopping seasons, holiday-specific content provided consistent revenue bursts.
November-December: Holiday gift guides dominated. Christmas shopping searches drove enormous traffic to gift recommendation posts. Multiple gift guides ranking well in Google created a perfect storm of traffic and purchases.
Amazon Affiliate Commission Rates
Amazon’s commission structure varies by product category, typically ranging from 1-10%. My niche averaged around 4-5% commission rates.
While these percentages seem small, volume matters. When readers purchased multiple items from a single click (common in shopping spree sessions), commissions accumulated quickly. Amazon’s 24-hour cookie period also captured unrelated purchases if visitors continued shopping after initially clicking my affiliate link.
Disclosure and Trust
I always clearly disclosed affiliate relationships at the beginning of posts. Transparency builds trust. Readers appreciate honest disclosure and are more likely to click links when they understand the relationship.
My affiliate disclosure statement was straightforward: “This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I believe would genuinely help you.”
Content Strategy for Blogging Income: What Actually Worked
The content strategy that helped me make money blogging consistently focused on three core formats.
Publishing Frequency
During my first three months, I published 3-4 blog posts weekly. This aggressive schedule built content inventory quickly, giving search engines and Pinterest multiple posts to index and promote.
After establishing a content foundation (approximately 40-50 posts), I reduced to 2-3 posts weekly while updating and optimizing existing content.
Content Types That Monetized Best
Three content formats drove the majority of my income:
1. Gift Guides and Shopping Lists
These posts aligned perfectly with affiliate marketing. Examples:
- “25 Graduation Gifts for College Students Under $50”
- “Dorm Room Essentials: Complete Shopping List”
- “Christmas Gift Ideas for Your College BFF”
These posts ranked well in Google, performed excellently on Pinterest, and had clear commercial intent. Readers arrived ready to shop.
2. How-To Guides and Tutorials
Practical how-to content attracted engaged readers and kept them on-site longer (boosting ad revenue):
- “How to Organize a Small Dorm Room: Step-by-Step”
- “How to Plan the Perfect Friendsgiving Dinner”
- “How to Study Effectively: College Student’s Guide”
These posts weren’t directly commercial but built authority and trust while generating substantial ad revenue from engaged readers.
3. Seasonal and Trending Content
Timely content around holidays and events captured seasonal search spikes:
- “College Halloween Costume Ideas 2020”
- “Back-to-School Organization Tips”
- “Summer Break Activities for College Students”
Publishing seasonal content 1-2 months before peak demand allowed time for Pinterest traction and Google indexing.
Content Length and Depth
My average post was 1,800-2,500 words. This length provided:
- Comprehensive topic coverage (improving SEO)
- Multiple ad placement opportunities (increasing ad revenue)
- More internal linking opportunities (boosting site authority)
- Higher perceived value (improving trust and engagement)
However, I didn’t artificially inflate posts to hit word counts. Every section provided genuine value. Fluff content frustrates readers and increases bounce rates.
Pinterest Optimization
Every blog post included:
- 2-3 Pinterest-optimized vertical images (1000×1500 pixels)
- Keyword-rich pin descriptions
- Clear, benefit-driven pin titles
- Multiple pin variations for A/B testing
I scheduled pins for each post multiple times across various group boards and my own Pinterest account. This multiplied each post’s reach exponentially.
SEO Strategy for Blogging Earnings: Ranking in Google’s First Page
Organic search provided sustainable, long-term traffic that would help me make money blogging passively, even while I slept or worked on other projects.
Keyword Research Process
Before writing any post, I conducted thorough keyword research:
1. Seed keyword brainstorming: I started with broad topics relevant to college students (dorm life, graduation, student budget, etc.).
2. Keyword tool research: I used Ubersuggest and Google Keyword Planner (both free tools) to find specific keyword variations with decent search volume and manageable competition.
3. Competition analysis: I googled my target keywords and analyzed first-page results. If all results were from massive authority sites (BuzzFeed, Real Simple, major publications), I knew ranking would be extremely difficult. I looked for keywords where smaller blogs ranked, indicating opportunity.
4. Long-tail targeting: Rather than “dorm decor” (impossibly competitive), I targeted “small dorm room decor ideas on a budget” (specific, lower competition, clear intent).
On-Page SEO Optimization
Every post followed consistent on-page SEO best practices:
Title tag optimization: Primary keyword appeared in the title, preferably toward the beginning. Titles were compelling and click-worthy, not just keyword-stuffed.
Header structure: I used H2s and H3s to organize content logically. Keywords appeared naturally in subheadings.
Meta descriptions: While not a direct ranking factor, optimized meta descriptions improved click-through rates from Google, indirectly boosting rankings.
Image alt text: Every image included descriptive alt text with keywords where natural.
Internal linking: I linked relevant posts together, creating topical clusters. This distributed authority and helped Google understand content relationships.
External linking: I linked to authoritative sources when relevant, boosting my content’s credibility.
Featured Snippet Optimization
Featured snippets appear above organic results (position zero), capturing significant traffic. I structured content to target featured snippets:
- Clear question-answer formats
- Bulleted and numbered lists
- Comparison tables
- Concise definitions
One of my posts captured a featured snippet for “graduation gift ideas for college students,” driving thousands of monthly visitors despite being a newer site competing against established blogs.
Biggest Mistakes When Starting to Make Money Blogging
Not everything worked perfectly on my journey to make money blogging. Several mistakes cost me significant time, traffic, and potential income.
Mistake #1: Neglecting Email List Building
My biggest regret was not prioritizing email list building from day one. I didn’t implement an email opt-in until month four, missing out on thousands of potential subscribers.
Email subscribers are your owned audience. Pinterest and Google control their platforms and algorithms—they can change rules anytime, devastating traffic overnight. Email subscribers remain yours regardless of algorithm changes.
If I were starting over, I’d install an email opt-in immediately, offering a simple freebie (printable checklist, mini guide, etc.) to incentivize signups.
Mistake #2: Over-Reliance on Pinterest
Pinterest drove 65% of my traffic, which created vulnerability. When Pinterest algorithm changes affected my account (traffic dropped 30% briefly), my income plummeted correspondingly.
Diversifying traffic sources is crucial. While Pinterest was lucrative, I should have invested more in SEO earlier to build algorithm-independent organic traffic.
Mistake #3: Not Tracking Everything
I didn’t meticulously track which posts drove affiliate sales, which Pinterest pins performed best, or which traffic sources converted highest. This data would have enabled more strategic content decisions.
I recommend installing Google Analytics, Pinterest Analytics tracking, and affiliate link management tools (like Pretty Links or ThirstyAffiliates) from day one. Data-driven decisions outperform assumptions every time.
Mistake #4: Perfectionism Over Consistency
Early on, I wasted hours obsessing over perfect pin designs, ideal post structures, and flawless writing. Perfectionism paralyzed productivity.
Done is better than perfect in blogging. Consistent publishing beats perfect-but-infrequent posting. I could have published more content faster by embracing “good enough” and iterating based on performance data.
How to Start Making Money Blogging: Your Replication Roadmap
This complete case study proves that make money blogging is entirely achievable. Here’s your step-by-step roadmap for making blogging income:
Step 1: Choose a Profitable Niche
Select a niche with:
- Clear monetization potential (products, services, advertisers)
- Identifiable pain points you can solve
- Audience willing to spend money
- Content opportunities you can dominate
Avoid overly competitive niches (personal finance, weight loss, relationships) unless you have unique expertise or audience access. Consider underserved sub-niches within broader categories.
Step 2: Master One Traffic Source
Rather than spreading yourself thin across multiple platforms, master one traffic source initially. For me, Pinterest proved most effective for lifestyle content.
Identify which traffic source aligns with your niche:
- Pinterest: Lifestyle, DIY, recipes, fashion, home decor
- Google: How-to, informational, local, service-based
- YouTube: Tutorials, entertainment, reviews, tech
- Instagram: Visual products, fashion, travel, food
Become excellent at one channel before diversifying.
Step 3: Create Monetization-Focused Content
Every post should have clear monetization potential:
- Affiliate posts: Product recommendations, gift guides, shopping lists
- Ad-optimized posts: Comprehensive how-tos, listicles, informational guides
- Service posts: Positioning you as expert for consulting/services
Avoid writing solely for passion without considering monetization. Passion projects are great, but income requires strategy.
Step 4: Publish Consistently
Commit to a sustainable publishing schedule. Three posts weekly for three months beats one post weekly for six months. Volume matters initially for building content inventory and domain authority.
Step 5: Optimize Everything
Track performance data religiously:
- Which posts drive traffic?
- Which traffic sources convert?
- Which affiliate links get clicks?
- Which Pinterest pins perform best?
Double down on what works. Eliminate what doesn’t.
Step 6: Monetize Strategically
Apply for Mediavine once you hit 50,000 monthly sessions (or explore alternatives like AdThrive at 100,000 sessions, Ezoic with lower requirements, or Google AdSense with no minimum).
Join relevant affiliate programs beyond Amazon: ShareASale, Commission Junction, individual brand programs.
Consider sponsored post opportunities once traffic reaches 20,000+ monthly visitors.
Step 7: Build for Long-Term Growth
Blogging isn’t overnight riches. My results took nine months of consistent effort. Some bloggers achieve similar results faster; others take longer.
Focus on compound growth. Post adds to your content inventory. Each backlink boosts domain authority. Each email subscriber grows your owned audience.
The bloggers who succeed treat blogging as a business, not a hobby.
Final Thoughts: Is Blogging Still Worth It in 2025?
Absolutely—but with important caveats.
Blogging remains one of the most accessible online business models. You don’t need employees, inventory, or significant startup capital. A domain and hosting cost less than $100 annually.
However, blogging is also more competitive than ever. Success requires treating it as a legitimate business: strategic planning, data analysis, consistent execution, and willingness to adapt.
The path from $0 to $2,000+ monthly blogging income is absolutely replicable. It requires:
- Strategic niche selection
- Consistent, high-quality content
- Mastery of one traffic source
- Multiple monetization streams
- Patience and persistence
My case study proves it’s possible. Your case study could be next.
Now stop reading and start taking action. Your path to make money blogging begins today.
