Why Your Blog Still Isn’t Making Money

And What You Can Do Instead

Photo by Georgie Cobbs on Unsplash

You’ve been showing up, writing blog posts, maybe even publishing regularly for months or years… but the income? Still crickets.

I know how frustrating that is. I’ve been there. There’s nothing quite like pouring your time and energy into content you’re proud of, only to find it’s not even paying for your domain and hosting, let alone giving you the lifestyle you envisioned when you started.

I’ve been blogging since 2009, and during that time, the digital landscape has shifted dramatically. What worked in 2012, 2020 — or even last year — may no longer be effective. But some things are still just as true today as they were when I wrote my first post.

Monetise Your Blog On Your Terms

When I first started blogging, I was laser-focused on getting into one of the big ad networks. And if that’s your dream, no judgment — those networks can be great for some niches.

But over time, I realised something. I didn’t like reading blogs plastered with ads. Especially on mobile, where you can’t scroll without accidentally clicking on a flashing banner and being whisked off to who-knows-where. It just wasn’t the vibe I wanted to create for my readers.

So if not ad revenue, then what?

It turns out there are lots of ways to make money with a blog — and some suited me far better than ads ever did.

I started focusing on digital products and affiliate links — and everything changed. I have multiple blogs, and different strategies work better in different spaces, but when I stopped chasing traffic and started building income intentionally, I saw results faster than I expected.

So if you’re feeling stuck, let’s dig into why your blog might not be making money — and what you can do to turn that around.

Common Reasons Blogs Don’t Make Money

1. You’re Writing Without a Monetisation Plan
Hitting publish feels productive, but content without a purpose won’t pay the bills. If your blog posts don’t have a clear route to income — whether through an offer, a product, an affiliate link, or building your list — then it’s time to rethink your approach.

2. You’re Hooked on Traffic Metrics
It’s easy to obsess over numbers — 10k sessions, 50k sessions, the golden thresholds to get into ad networks. But the truth? You can start monetising long before you hit those figures.

Focusing solely on traffic often means missing out on smarter, earlier income opportunities.

3. You’re Dabbling Instead of Committing
This was me for a long time. Posting inconsistently, switching strategies every few weeks, chasing the next shiny tactic.

If that’s your current reality, the best thing you can do is pause. Choose one income strategy and focus on it until it works. You can layer on more later — but start by getting one thing working well.

How to Start Making Money — This Week

Shift Your Mindset to Passive Income
Think affiliate links, simple digital products, or a low-cost tripwire funnel that kicks in the moment someone signs up for your list. Passive income doesn’t mean no work — but it does mean creating assets that work for you long after you’ve hit publish.

Treat Each Post Like a Tiny Revenue Generator
Writing a blog post takes time, so make sure it earns its place on your site. Each one should either grow your list or make you money — ideally both.

Even if the income is small at first, you’re stacking evergreen assets that will keep working behind the scenes.

Build a List that Connects and Converts
Yes, email marketing still matters — and no, it’s not too late. Your email list is where warm leads hang out. With the right welcome offer (a freebie + a low-ticket tripwire), you can start earning as you grow.

And that list? It’s yours. No algorithm required.

Believe It’s Possible Now (Not “Someday”)
This might be the most important mindset shift of all.

I used to believe I had to wait — for more traffic, a bigger audience, a perfect strategy. But my blog only started to earn consistently when I stopped waiting and asked: What can I create today that could bring in my first $10? My first $100?

You don’t need permission. You don’t need thousands of readers. You just need a simple plan and the belief that your work has value today — because it does.

If you’re stuck for ideas on what to offer, I’ve put together a free resource to help: 25 Blog-Based Passive Income Ideas You Can Start This Weekend. It’s full of real, doable ideas you can take action on straight away. [Download it here].

And if you have questions or want to share your blog story, I’d love to hear from you — drop a comment and let’s chat.