Do you want to start a blog but don’t know how to make extra cash to start your blog?
Blogging for beginners can be overwhelming when you are trying to figure out how to get started blogging to make money.
Have you ever sat on your couch as you crunch the numbers for your budget and felt your heart racing? Maybe you start wondering where all your money goes because you definitely aren’t spending it on fun shopping sprees and dinners out.
Pretty sure all your cash is going to diapers, baby food, baby stuff, and bills! Have you ever thought…Â how are we ever going to get out of debt? Buy a “new to us” car? Afford a family vacation?
That was me in 2016. I was pregnant with baby number 3, and I was a stay-at-home mom with a 4-year-old and 2-year-old.
It was at that moment that I thought I had to do SOMETHING to help out with our finances.
Now I make money blogging, and today I’m going to share tips on how I made extra cash to pay for the initial investment to get my blog started.
Blogging for Beginners: Make Extra Cash to Start Your Blog
~ This article may contain affiliate links. I only suggest products or services I believe will benefit my readers. All opinions are 100% mine! ~
So I embarked on a work-from-home journey to help out with my family’s finances. As I scoured the interwebs, I found a bunch of scams, a few work-from-home opportunities that looked possible, and one business idea that had the potential to grow into a substantial income.
I decided that my ultimate goal was to start a profitable blogging business, and I would need extra cash to get started
Find out EXACTLY how much it would cost for you to start your blog today!
Here’s the one thing that takes an hour a day but will kickstart your profitable blog without going into debt.
You need a side hustle to start making some initial money before starting your blog. I spent about an hour a day for 3 months working different online jobs from home. I was able to pay for all the necessary tools to get my online blogging business started without going into debt.
I know if I can do it, so can you!
#1 – Leapforce
Leapforce is a search engine evaluator job that you can work from anywhere that you have an internet connection. This has been my favorite way to make money online while being a stay-at-home mom. The work is kind of boring, but it’s nice because it’s predictable.
I love that they pay on time every single month, and corporate was very easy to work with. There were a few times I missed my project or had problems, and they were always supportive.
I can’t tell how much I make with Leapforce due to their non-disclosure, but you could easily make enough money to start your blogging business in a month!
#2 User Testing
User Testing is a way to test websites and apps for user experience. These tests pay $3 – $10 for a 5 – 20 minute test. You can take the tests on your computer or on your phone. You basically speak into your computer or phone’s microphone and describe your experience on the website or app that you are testing.
I love that User Testing pays 7 days to the minute from when you finish a test, and they pay to a Paypal account. You may not qualify for every test, but you could possibly get 5 – 8 tests per week.
#3 Surveys
Taking surveys is a very easy way to make some extra cash! I would spend a few minutes up to about 30 minutes taking surveys every few days. My favorite survey companies pay to Paypal instead of earning a gift card. I also prefer survey companies that pay you even if you don’t qualify for a survey, which can happen fairly often.
I love taking surveys because it’s something that doesn’t take a lot of mental energy. I can do surveys from my phone while I’m rocking the baby to sleep or the kids are playing independently etc.
My favorite survey companies are…
#4 Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a super easy way to make extra cash to start your blog. There are several ways you can make extra cash with Swagbucks from taking surveys, earning points with free & paid offers, watching advertorials (short videos), online shopping, and referrals.
I love watching videos with Swagbucks. I usually will turn on the videos while I’m folding laundry or washing dishes. You don’t actually have to sit and watch the videos. You can earn points while the videos run and you do something else.
Want more ways to make money from home? Here is a list of 55 Ways to make money online!
When to start a side hustle to save money for your initial investment and why you will regret not starting sooner.
Ok, so I told you that I started making money online to invest in my blog in 2016…
BUT, I actually started thinking about blogging as a work-from-home job in 2011.
Guess what…
I was scared! Maybe you are too?
Have you ever found yourself comparing some *aspect of YOUR life* to other people in your life and then felt totally incapable of doing anything of value?
Like there’s no possible way I could have anything to say that someone else hasn’t already said…and not to mention, I totally don’t have it all together like those other bloggers!
Well, those other bloggers don’t have it all together either (I mean, there are probably a few who do, statistically speaking), but most bloggers just know how to pose a really pretty picture!
All this to say, now that I’m making more money than all my other side hustles combined with my blog (so crazy!!) I wish I had taken a big scary leap of faith and…
started my blog sooner!
Why most new blogs fail in 6 months, and why knowing this will dramatically improve your odds of creating a profitable blogging business.
Can you believe that most blogs don’t make it past 6 months?
Yeah, it’s a tough business to get into because it takes hard work, consistency, and a willingness to always be learning.
But here’s the secret, most new blogs fail because they don’t have a plan. Starting an online business is just like starting any other business it takes commitment and a strategy for success.
If you’re not willing to save some extra money and invest a small start-up fee for your business, then you’re much more likely to walk away when things are tough.
There are so many times when I’ve thought, “I’m not sure I want to do this anymore!” But I don’t walk away because I’ve invested my time and money.Â
The three factors that make a successful blogger and how you can use these to your advantage.
The three biggest factors that make a successful blogger are consistency, perseverance, and willingness to learn.
Blogging can be tough, especially if you are brand new to blogging like I am. There is so much to learn!
And while you may think that a successful blogger knows how to tell stories, connect with people, create amazing products, etc.
The reality is that successful bloggers are those who don’t give up and they keep learning with every new challenge.
With this mindset, you can go into blogging prepared to face challenges and make learning your goal and measure of success.
The one thing that’s keeping you stuck while millions use this exact tactic to start their dream blogging business every single day.
Here’s a fact that just might come as a surprise to you… fear is the number one reason people never get started on their dream.
Whether your dream is to start a blog, lose weight, run a marathon, do a pull-up (this is totally me), or anything else, you can imagine. FEAR is what holds you back.
And trust me, I get it there’s a lot to lose when it comes to putting yourself on the line and trying something new and different. You probably don’t know any bloggers in real life, so it seems kinda scary.
But there’s hope! Have you ever heard the phrase “doing it scared”? It’s a mindset that is all about taking hold of your dreams and chasing them even if you are scared!
