Global interest inside hustles has surged dramatically, with searches for the term skyrocketing by 2,850% since records began. This trend reached its peak in January 2023, as individuals worldwide seek additional income streams to bolster their financial stability.
Digital marketing experts, Authority Hacker, have delved into Google Trends data to reveal this significant increase in interest since October 2004. Their analysis highlights the growing number of people exploring side hustles as a means to earn supplementary income, potentially enough to cover substantial expenses such as mortgage payments.
In response to this heightened interest, Authority Hacker has outlined a method to generate an additional £500 per month. Their strategy centres on building a profitable blog from scratch, a process that includes purchasing a domain name, publishing initial content, attracting free web traffic, and eventually monetising the audience.
Mark Webster, Co-Founder of Authority Hacker, explains, “Building an authority website can be one of the best ways to address the cost-of-living crisis and generate regular, monthly revenue. Although substantial upfront effort is required, the satisfaction of earning money from a website you’ve created is immense.”
Webster emphasises that creating blogs and websites that attract free online traffic from Google searches, with the goal of monetising through ads and affiliate commissions, has become more accessible than ever in 2023. He states, “The idea is to write about topics that people are searching for on Google, generate free traffic, place ads on your website, and get paid for displaying those ads. Once you establish the traffic, income generation becomes automated.”
Steps to Building a Successful Blog
Authority Hacker has outlined a five-step approach to building a successful affiliate site, enabling individuals to make money while they sleep. The key components include:
Step 1: Identify Your Passion
Choose a topic you are passionate about, as you will be researching and writing about it extensively. For example, a pet lover might start a blog on pet care, while a parent could share parenting tips. A gardening enthusiast might focus on gardening advice. Your excitement for the topic will drive your commitment to the blog.
Step 2: Buy a Domain Name
Secure a domain name that reflects your blog’s theme. Websites like GoDaddy, 123Reg, or Google Domains can facilitate this process. Examples include lauralovespets.com or 101gardeningtips.com.
Step 3: Build the Website
After purchasing a domain, you will need hosting services, such as GoDaddy, Hostinger, or Siteground. Install WordPress, a free content management system, to publish your content. Initially, aim to write four to five articles per week, targeting popular search keywords in your niche using tools like Ubersuggest, SEMrush, or Ahrefs.
Step 4: Market Your Website
To generate free traffic from Google, obtain backlinks from other websites. Engage with other bloggers, comment on their posts, and build relationships within your industry. Services like HARO or Featured.com can help you gain coverage and links on mainstream news sites. Aim for two to three new placements and links per week in the first six months to signal Google about the credibility of your content.
Step 5: Monetise Your Website
Once your site attracts around 1,000 daily users, typically within six to ten months, it’s time to monetise. The two primary methods are:
Adverts: Utilise ad networks like Google AdSense, which automatically places ads on your site. Alternatively, consider services like Ezoic, Media Vine, Clickio, AdThrive, or Freestar. You can expect to earn between £3 and £20 per 1,000 visitors. For instance, 5,000 daily readers could yield between £15 and £100 per day.
Affiliate Revenue: Promote relevant products through affiliate links. For example, a blog on dog care might recommend pet products, earning a commission on sales. Popular affiliate networks include Amazon Affiliates, Awin, Clickbank, and Rakuten.
Success Stories
Authority Hacker highlights several successful sites using this model:
- Making a Millennial Millionaire: A business blog generating £2,791 monthly from ads, with 15,122 users.
- Salt Money: A tech and finance site earning £2,925 per month from ads and affiliate sales, with 77,949 users.
- The Tech Education: An entertainment blog making £3,005 monthly from ads, with 92,814 users.
- de hippe vegetarier: A Dutch food and drink blog earning £6,799 monthly from ads and sponsored collaborations, with 136,022 users.
- Down Redbud Drive: A home and garden blog generating £3,228 monthly from ads and affiliate sales, with 60,107 users.
These examples illustrate the potential of turning a passion into a profitable online venture. Webster encourages exploring this opportunity, which has a low barrier to entry and can significantly diversify income streams. “If you do everything right and take massive action, your passive income can match your salary within a year and change your life,” he concludes.
For more information, please visit https://www.authorityhacker.com/.