Do you love to travel? Or do you dream of being your own boss? A career in blogging may be for you! Bloggers, often referred to as ‘digital nomads’ are location-independent entrepreneurs who have the ability to work wherever they can get good WiFi. It might sound like nonsense to you, but there are quite a few people making a good living blogging about what they love. And hey, even if your blog never makes a dime, blogging can increase your exposure, helping you land the job of your dreams.

To find out more, we spoke with Eden Ashley from the blog Mint Notion. Here’s what she had to say about making money as a blogger.  

Workopolis: What is your career background? How long have you been blogging?

Ashley: I used to work in a corporate office doing accounting and admin work before I decided to quit my job and get my MBA. I really didn’t know much about blogging then, but I enjoyed writing and it sounded like having a blog could be a lot of fun. I was also looking for a creative outlet to balance my studies. So less than a week later, I decided to start my blog and Mint Notion was born.

Mint Notion helps millennials save and make money so they can live a more ‘intentional life.’ I have been working on it now for two years now and absolutely love it.

Was writing always a passion for you?

English was one of my majors in university, so it’s safe to say that I’ve always enjoyed writing. Blogging on a regular basis has definitely helped me become a better writer though; I’d written essays in school, but nothing was as challenging as consistently blogging.  

At what point did you realize your blog could be monetized?

For the first year, I kept my blog as a part-time hobby. I wasn’t even keeping track of monthly page views or paying attention to how many people were following me on social media. However, once I installed Google Analytics and got more serious about growing my blog, I started reading other blogger’s income reports. I realized that I was leaving a lot of money on the table with my website. 

So how do bloggers earn their income?

Many people still have the misconception that bloggers earn their income from display advertising. But unfortunately, display advertising doesn’t pay much anymore and bloggers have discovered smarter ways to monetize their passion. 

This can be through sponsored posts (when a company or brand pays the blogger a flat fee to write and publish a post), affiliate marketing (when a blogger is rewarded with a commission for selling other people’s or company’s products), or selling your own products and services. 

Is blogging a profitable career?

I know many bloggers who earn a full-time income through any of these monetization methods, or a combination of all three. But personally, I feel that selling your own products or services is the most rewarding way to earn an income with blogging. When you combine your passion with the right audience, blogging can be a profitable career. 

What is your favourite part about blogging?

My favourite part about blogging is the community. Connecting with my readers and others bloggers is such a joy. It’s an incredible feeling when someone emails me to say that they consistently read my blog, and my posts helped them. It reminds me that you never know who is reading your blog and how your story can make a difference in someone’s life.

Are there any challenges?

One of the main challenges of blogging is that the industry is constantly changing, which is why it’s so important to keep learning about strategies like search engine optimization, social media growth, and email marketing. 

What is a typical day like for a blogger?

No two bloggers have an identical schedule. A typical day for me involves responding to comments or emails, sharing content on social media, and working on new projects for my blog. Right now I just finished creating my first email mini-course and I am currently working on developing a paid eCourse, which I hope to launch in the next few months. 

Are there any common misconceptions about blogging that you would like to clarify?

I know many people seem to think that bloggers just put up a new post and call it a day, but there is more to blogging than just creating new content. There is a lot of behind the scenes work involving content promotion content and getting the word out about your website. In fact, when I work on my blog, I spend about 80% of my time promoting content and 20% of my time creating new content. 

What advice would you give to job seekers interested in the blogging industry?

Many bloggers start out while they have full-time jobs, spending their free time working on their blog to build it up. It’s important to work within your schedule and set realistic goals. If you truly want to grow your blog and earn income from blogging, it will involve putting in a genuine effort. However, the most important part is to have fun with it!