How to start a blog in 2026 (with a normal income)

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Do you known How to start a blog in 2026 (with a normal income)?  Yes, you should absolutely start a blog in 2026.

And before you ask, let me tell you that,  blogging is not dead.

There’s no funeral scheduled for the blogs any time soon.

If you’re still dreaming of quitting your 9-to-5 and making money from the comfort of your bed, keep on reading lovely.

I’m about to walk you through a realistic plan for how you can turn blogging into a money-making cozy business—even in 2025’s ever-changing online landscape.

 

How I Went From Secret Blogger To create my teaching Blogging Lifestyle

Well, in case we haven’t been properly introduced…

Am Akindele Ogunsade {Akinrich} an entrepreneur and blogger I write content on my blog and social media I also do online business.

Back in 2024, I started learning a secret blog that eventually turned into a blooming’ business, that allowed me to quit my job, create for a living, my normal life doing my dream—working in my… you guessed it, teaching’

And now, I’m here to help you do the same.

 and why I create stuff on the internet to teach.

If you’re wondering if blogging can still make you money, the answer is a big YES.

But let’s get real for a sec: blogging may not be dead, but it is different from those early days.

So, I will not waste further to teach you, let’s dive into actionable tips and strategies to start and grow a blog in 2026

Step 1: Set Up Your Blog the Right Way

To start a money-making blog, you need a self-hosted website.

This means you own it, and no one can take it away from you unless you show other people to your password for access.

If you really serious about turning your blog into a business, this step is really profitable non-negotiable.

• Blogging Platform: I warmly recommend WordPress (what I have used since the beginning, it honestly is the best if you’re serious about your blog turning into a full-time thing)
• Hosting: Truehost (and use my discount link). The smooth thing? When you sign up, Bluehost will automatically set up WordPress for you ⎯ win!
• Domain: You can buy your domain during the Bluehost setup process, making everything *chefs kiss* seamless.
• Extras: Add an SSL encryption for website security and hinting to Google and visitors that your website is safe to visit, and domain privacy protection to keep your personal information safe and stored (you don’t need to have your number or address living on the world wide web).

Recommeded for you: top 10 benefit of daily blogging

Step 2: Design Your Blog

Your blog’s design matters, because it is that first impression of your brand, cos this is what others will see to make a decision to stay or move on about blog.

But wait seriously, don’t get trapped in the design phase!

I see so many new bloggers like me when I first started in blogging industry I got caught in the endless loop of tweaking their design and colors, they don’t get to the point where they actually launch their blog.

It’s okay for your website to not look *perfect* at the time of launching, this is fact cos I learn after my first blog.

Hey, it probably will look a little off (sorry, just being honest and I’m speaking from experience over here, just learn calm).

This will only be the first version of your website; you can always go back and perfect it later on.

• Themes: Start with a simple WordPress theme, if you’re into drag and drop, check out Astra (the first theme I started with).
• Templates: Not into drag and drop and just want to input your copy? Check out Creative Market or Etsy for affordable, customizable WordPress templates.
• My Setup: I currently use canva for my web design because I do like doing everything myself (I’m a web designer too)

Step 3: Must-Have WordPress Plugins

WordPress plugins make your blog faster, safer, and easier to manage.

I used to have a long list of plugins I recommend, but some of these plugins have been discontinued or are simply not necessary anymore.

Keep in mind that plugins do slow down your site, so the less the better.

Here are the must-have WordPress plugins for blogging in 2026:

• Wordfence Security: Protects against malicious attacks and login attempts (YOU NEED THIS!) There’s a FREE version and premium (you can use their premium, but you can get by on the free plan for sure)
• Akismet: Filters and blocks sp@m and bot comments (they add up, even if you have a small blog, somehow the robots find you lol)
• UpdraftPlus: Automatically backs up your blog and website content at a timeframe you decide (for example weekly)
• EWWW Image Optimizer: Improves image load times to keep your site fast because Google is not a fan of slow websites (and neither is your audience #slowattentionspans)
• Pretty Links: Makes affiliate links look clean and memorable instead of suspicious and spammy
• word counter: shows how many numbers you input to your article
• Loging Attempt: it will let you know how many time scammers try to login aside from you.
• you can also brainstorm from chatgpt: but do not make it too complicated.

Step 4: Let me help you Choose Your Niche

(Without thinking much about It)

Now what Next?  → right now, you need to pick your blogging niche {what problem will you be solving and for who}?

Examples of profitable blogging niches:

• Personal Development
• Self-care
• Online Business
• Marketing
• Personal Finance
• Health & wellness
• Food blogs
• Lifestyle (yes, this still works!)
• Travel
• Tech
• Parenting
• … and the list goes on!

Once you have an overarching topic you’d like to explore, also try and think about the kind of person you wish for your content to reach (in my case: introverts) Remember you are not writing for everyone just focus on your niche.

The Fact? ↓

Your blogging niche will likely grow over time, so don’t overthink this in the beginning.

Follow your genuine passion and what you think would be helpful for people of your niche.

As you start writing blogs, build an audience ⎯ you’ll have a better understanding of what works and what you enjoy writing about, this is where thing binging before earning.

Just start! Your first step

So many people don’t, because they either can’t decide on a look for the website or  the niche, and that’s so bad.

Step 5: Create Content That Connects

How you write blog posts in 2026 vs 2017 is very different.

These days, people are busy, they don’t have time ⎯ and have the shortest attention spans known to man.

Because of this, your blog posts need to be highly skill able, TLDR-proof and engaging.

Here are some tips for writing engaging blog posts in 2025:

• Format correctly: Use headings, bullet points, and include lots of white space: it make it looking profession.
• Multimedia: Embed videos, images, and infographics to make your posts visually appealing, more interactive⎯ and let’s face it, a friend of the Google algorithm
• Your 2026 SEO Strategy: I’m about to go against typical blogging advice I would share back in the day → Forget about the expensive keyword tools out there such as Ahrefs and Semrush. Don’t overthink SEO but instead, focus on creating for your person, by writing authentic, story-based content that resonates with your readers. Google values real human experiences over robotic, keyword-stuffed posts, We don’t want robots, we want connection that sparks flying all over the place. Remember Google like much value

Don’t create for search, create for your person when you write for people that the solution you will definitely see result and start   making more money 

Recommeded for you: 15 key ways to make money online

Step 6: Still, leverage Pinterest

Pinterest is still the JAM and BFF to bloggers⎯ even after all these years, Pinterest is what brings in the most traffic to this little blog.

Pinterest is the reason I was able to get 1 million page views to my blog in my first year

Pinterest is not an ordinary social media platform⎯ it’s actually a search engine people need to understand this.

It’s designed to drive traffic from Pinterest to websites⎯ not like with Instagram where it’s designed for you to stay on the platform.

People come to Pinterest to search for solutions to their problems that’s why you need to make things fast on Pinterest.

Rapid fire Pinterest tips for 2026:

• Create eye-catching pins worth the click
• Focus on solving problems your audience is searching for (get into the mind of your audience)
• Be patient though; Pinterest takes time to show results but is SO worth it
• Pinterest is what most sharp bloggers use as a secrets traffic
• once you’re are on top just rest assure that traffic will flow to your blog
• you can create a business account on Pinterest

Step 7: How to make money blogging in 2026

This is where we start from earning, let’s get to the real stuff, and why you probably clicked on this article in the first place.

Honest fact: you’re not going to make $5K in your first month of blogging.

I see so many people get discouraged when they don’t make $5K months freshly signed up for Bluehost and WordPress.

I get it through; a lot of people promise results they can’t hold and shouldn’t promise and this is so bad for people selling course.

The people who have overnight “viral” success is not the norm⎯ but an exception to the rule.

Blogging is definitely a long-term game not fast money making.

You need to have patience, especially when it comes to monetization.

If you show up consistently and implement the right strategies, you can build multiple income streams that sustain and grow over time.

Here’s a realistic look at how you can make money blogging in 2026 and beyond ↓

Months 1–6: Laying the Foundation for the blog

Your priority during the first six months should be to focus on creating high-quality, value-stuffed and personality-packed content that resonates with your target audience, this where Google and other search engine look first even people search for result.

• Publish Consistent Content: Commit to posting at least one blog post per week and get yourself a content calendar (oh and stick to it lol).
• Pinterest for Traffic: Use Pinterest for all it’s worth, and pin consistently and strategically to drive traffic to your new blog
• Start Building Your Email List: while writing on your blog also learn how to start building your Email list for more sales if you join an affiliate platform .

Months 6–12: Leveling Up Your Income Streams

By the second half of your first year, your blog should start gaining traction and hopefully, you have a little bit of an audience (pageviews and email subscribers).

Now, it’s time to step up your money-making efforts.

Apply for Premium Ad Networks:

Once you meet the traffic requirements (typically around 25,000-50,000 sessions per month), apply for higher-paying ad networks like Mediavine or AdThrive (I will use  Mediavine if adsense don’t approve my blog on there platform). They just offer better revenue potential compared to Google AdSense. But if your traffic isn’t there yet, you might want to consider signing up for Google AdSense anyway, because it’s exciting to see those first few dollar’s trickle in! You’re actually doing it!

Experiment with Affiliate Marketing

Start promoting products that align with your content and what you think your audience would be interested in for them to get their problem solve.

Only promote products you have a genuine experience with yourself. Sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or niche-specific networks, that align with what you really blog about.

Create content that align with these products, like reviews or tutorials, to drive clicks and conversions, bay-bay.

You can also include affiliate links on a selected page, like a Favorites or Recommendations page for them to see.

Month 6-12 and beyond:

Once you’ve been blogging for a while (well, 12 months-in), built an audience, and got consistent traffic coming from Pinterest and Google, let’s diversify your income streams even more, shall we?

• Create Digital Products: digital products like eBooks, templates, or online courses.
• Coaching: one-to-one, group coaching programs or even a membership.
• Set up shop: Explore selling physical products, printable, or merch that resonates with your brand and audience, or an e-commerce store.  

Your blog is a big marketing tool

At the end of the day, a blog by itself won’t make money—it’s the business behind the blog that makes the dollars.

Your blog is a marketing tool to drive traffic, build trust, and connect with your audience.

Treat it like a business from day one by focusing on value, consistency, and multiple streams of income.

Stay patient, stay persistent, and the results will follow, I promise when you serious about it you make money as others in blogging industry.

Blogs don’t make money; businesses do so you need to Take your blogging as business.

AI Tips For Bloggers in 2026

this is real talk, we need to talk about the elephant in the room.

which is AI

I have absolutely nothing against it and I honestly think it’s a great tool to make that whole blank-screen-blinking-cursor situation, well, not a thing in your life as a blogger even me have be using AI for other things.

AI is not going anywhere but it’s also not taking over the blogs, you can also leverage using AI .

Google (and the searcher) still want authentic, connection and story-based, human-written content.

So, humanize your blog!

even you copy try to modify it to look more sense than Ai so you can qualify for Google presences

Don’t let ChatGPT write your blog post from start to finish⎯ Google’s algorithm is smart enough to know if it’s AI-generated or not.

(Google may not take your blog serious )

This is how I suggest you use AI for your blog:

• Coming up with content ideas
• Market research
• Strategy
• SEO optimization ideas
• Creating outlines
• Repurposing blog content into social media posts

The gist? Use AI as your happy little helper virtual assistant, not your writer.

my Advice for you: Build Your Great Community

Blogging in 2026 is about building relationships and creating a space where your audience feels seen and connected.

Your blog is more than just words—it’s a community

Consistency and persistence through the challenges is key.

Show up, write regularly, and engage with your audience.

Success comes to those who don’t quit (so definitely don’t be one of those people who quit).

So grab a lovely coffee, light a small candle, turn on the fairy lights, sit down at your laptop, and start building your dream blog today.

 

my advice to you is Just start today!