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I enjoy writing. I’ve been doing it for many years. I used to make my money writing for other people’s blogs. Then one day, I decided it was time to write for myself and make money blogging about what I like and am passionate about. That is helping people live easier and happier lives. This is actually one of my newer blogs. I used to focus only on helping people make money online through their own home business or other online money making venture.
But, since I’m a work at home mom and understand how difficult it can be to not only make money working from home, but also keep up with your other mommy tasks like taking care of the kids, taking care of yourself, keeping the home clean & organized, keeping yourself organized, keeping your hubby happy, etc., I’ve decided to branch out a little more in how I help people. And that’s the aim of this blog. 🙂
Chances are if you’re reading this post, you’re ready to start making money with your own blog. Great choice! Before you begin set up your money making blog with the steps below, I want to let you know that blogging while fun and not too hard, does require you put in the work (and a lot of it) in the beginning before you see any return.
In other words, I wouldn’t quit your day job just yet. You’ll need to give your blog some time to gain some real traction. This can be anywhere from 6 months to a year. Sure, you can definitely make money your first week even, but it’s unreliable income in the beginning stages of your blog growth and I just wanted you to realize this so you’re not disappointed a month from now and nothing’s happening.
I’ll talk more about this and other blogging stuff in other posts so be sure to check my blogging section under the make money online section of RockingHappiness.com frequently. 🙂
Other posts to help you:
How to Write a Blog Post That Drives Traffic
6 Out-of-the-Box Ways to Make Money Online
Learn How to Make Money Blogging – The Wealthy Affiliate Review
Learn How I Went from 257 Monthly Viewers to Over 76,000 in 2 Months
Okay, let’s get to it.
Steps to get your blog set up. This really only takes a few minutes.
1. Create and register your domain name.
A domain is the address people will go to when they go to your blog. My domain name is Rockinghappiness.com.
Do some brainstorming to come up with a domain name that’s going to fit the theme or niche of your blog. Some people use their own name. So that would just be www.yourname.com.
There are many places to register your domain. A popular site where you can get your domain name and hosting is Bluehost. The place I’m with where I get my domain names and hosting (step 2) all under the same roof is through Wealthy Affiliate. Another good thing with Wealthy Affiliate is they offer some seriously comprehensive training on BLOGGING and making money from your blog and they have their own affiliate program and community of like-minded people to network with. You can also create as many as 25 blogs too.
You can even start up an account with them for free and access their blogging training. Plus they give you a way to get your blog started using a free domain name and hosting so you can get started right away without having to purchase your domain name. But, eventually, you’ll want to buy a professional domain name.
But, yes I still DO recommend Bluehost if you don’t want to go with Wealthy Affiliate. While I’m not with them, I’ve heard nothing but good things about them and you can get hosting starting at only $3.95 a month.
2. Host your Blog
There are many places to host your blog too. Bluehost, like I mentioned, hosts your blog too. Again, I host my blogs with Wealthy Affiliate so I have everything under one roof. Plus, hosting comes with your membership there, you don’t have to pay extra for it like you would with the other hosting companies. But you’re free to decide what you want to do. 🙂
3. Install WordPress
Most hosting companies will have a tutorial on how to install WordPress and get your blog set up. Some do it for you. Wealthy Affiliate does it for you so you don’t have to worry about that part. But, if you decide to go with Bluehost, they have a set of instructions you can follow, but here they are in a nutshell:
Bluehost comes with a one-click set-up for WordPress. The instructions are very straightforward and simple and they guide you through it. You’ll have your WordPress site set up in minutes.
Installing WordPress with MOJO Marketplace
MOJO Marketplace offers you the one-click install set up and it’s integrated right into your Bluehost cPanel dashboard.
1. Login to your Bluehost account and go to your cPanel dashboard.
2. Go down to the section marked “website”.
3. Click on one-click install or the Install WordPress icon.
4. Either one will bring you to MOJO Marketplace where there will be an install button.
5. Click the install button.
6. From the drop-down menu, click on your domain name where you’ll want to install WordPress.
MOJO Marketplace will name your site “My Site” and use your email address for your username. It will also generate a password for you. You can change all this information in your settings.
7. Click on the checkbox for the terms and conditions.
8. Click on the “Install Now” button.
That’s it, your done!
4. Choose a Theme
Your theme is what your website will look like when someone visits your blog. When first starting out, you have access to many free themes, but I highly recommend that you eventually (sooner than later) get yourself a professional “paid theme”. That’s what I did. I just uploaded a paid theme, and it was super easy and affordable.
The one I use is the Genesis Framework through Studiopress. This also comes with free child themes, but you can choose more professional ones too. I use Modern Blogger Pro through “Pretty Darn Cute”
Uploading your theme is super easy. Here’s how to do it:
1. Log into your WordPress site
2. Click on appearance and then Themes
3. Click on Add New
4. Click upload theme
When you purchase your theme you’ll be provided with a zip file that you’ll download to your computer. Make sure you save this download, but if you lose for any reason, you can always log back into Studiopress or where you got your theme and there will be a way get the download zip file again.
5. Upload your zip file
6. Click on Activate
That’s it.
If you go with the Genesis Framework and a child theme, you’ll need to upload the Genesis Framework first and then upload your child theme. They have their own tutorial videos that will walk you through step-by-step. But, the process is basically the same as the above steps.
5. You’re done baby! You’re ready to start blogging! Next, you’ll want to learn how to write a blog post that drives traffic.
How easy was that, right?
As far as getting the right plugins, widgets and so forth with your blog, you’ll find tons of free blogging courses out there you can take to learn what to do next with your blog. I’ll also be adding resources and information on blogging tips frequently to my blog in the “blogging” section too. So, definitely come back to RockingHappiness.com so I can help you make money with your blog.
The one thing you’ll notice from successful bloggers who are making a lot of money from their blogs (I’m talking $10,000+ a month) is that they all implement affiliate marketing and Pinterest. Most if not all (myself included) have also invested in themselves to learn how to drive tons of traffic to their blogs and implement affiliate marketing correctly and my advice is YOU should too.
While there are tons of courses out there to help you learn about making money with a blog, here are some I recommend to get you started.
The She Approach To Boosting Your Blog Traffic Ebook
Free Affiliate Marketing Course (Free)
The Affiliate Marketing Training Bundle
Pinterest Primer – Build a Solid Pinterest Foundation (Free)
Pins to Profit – List Building
Other posts to help you:
How to Write a Blog Post That Drives Traffic
6 Out-of-the-Box Ways to Make Money Online
Learn How to Make Money Blogging – The Wealthy Affiliate Review
Learn How I Went from 257 Monthly Viewers to Over 76,000 in 2 Months
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