5 Blog Income Streams You Can Start in Your First 6 Months
You don’t have to wait years to start earning money from your blog. In fact, many bloggers make their first dollars within just a few months—not because they got lucky, but because they chose income streams that actually fit where they were starting from.
If you’re wondering how to set your blog up for income sooner rather than later, you’re in the right place.
In this post, I’ll show you 5 beginner-friendly blog income streams you can start building in your first 6 months—even if your audience is still small.
Let’s look at your options and find the path that fits you best.
TL;DR:
How to choose the best income path for your goals and blog style
Why picking the right blog income stream matters early
5 realistic ways beginners can start earning
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only share products I truly believe in and think will help you grow your blog with confidence.
Why Picking the Right Income Stream Matters
Not every blog—or blogger—is built the same. And not every income stream fits every stage of growth.
There are some of us out there who have the time and mental energy to devote to our blogs like a full-time gig, and others who need to fit in time in the late evenings or early mornings before their 9-5 begins.
When you’re just starting out, choosing the wrong way to monetize can waste a lot of time, energy, and confidence. If you pick a method that feels too hard, too slow, or completely disconnected from your strengths, it’s easy to get discouraged before you even really get started.
Choosing the right income stream early on makes a huge difference. It keeps you motivated, helps you stay consistent, and helps you earn your first wins faster—even if they’re small at first.
The goal isn’t to try everything at once. It’s to find the first path that matches your skills, your style, and your blog’s early strengths.
Let’s look at a few smart options you can start with.
5 Blog Income Streams You Can Start Quickly
There’s no one-size-fits-all way to make money blogging.
Here are five income streams that are beginner-friendly—and that you can start building in your first six months:
Blog Income Stream #1. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing means you recommend products or services and earn a commission when someone buys through your link.
It’s a great fit for beginners because you don’t need your own product—you simply connect readers with things they already need.
Beginner Tip:
Start by recommending products you actually use and trust. A few honest mentions inside helpful blog posts can go a long way without feeling salesy.
Blog Income Stream #2: Offering Services
Services are one of the fastest ways to start making real money with a blog.
You can offer things like freelance writing, virtual assistance, proofreading, coaching, or design work. If you have a skill that solves a problem, there’s likely someone willing to pay for it.
Beginner Tip:
Create a simple service page or even just a pinned blog post. You don’t need a fancy portfolio to get started—you just need one clear offer. If you’d like to check out mine, you can see it here.
Blog Income Stream #3. Selling Digital Products
Digital products like ebooks, templates, checklists, or mini-courses are a smart way to earn without trading time for money. Once you create a product once, you can sell it over and over.
Beginner Tip:
Start small. You don’t need a full course or 100-page ebook. Even a single-page resource can be a great first product.
Blog Income Stream #4. Sponsored Posts
Even with a small audience, you can sometimes land sponsored posts if you have a clear niche and engaged readers. Brands are often more interested in relevance and trust than huge traffic numbers.
Beginner Tip:
If you’re just starting out, reach out to smaller brands or local businesses that align with your blog’s topic. A simple, genuine pitch can open doors.
Blog Income Stream #5. Display Advertising
While advertising usually works best with higher traffic, some beginner-friendly ad networks (like Ezoic or SheMedia) accept smaller blogs. Ads bring in passive income—it’s not huge at first, but it can grow over time.
Beginner Tip:
Focus on building quality content first. A small, steady stream of organic traffic can make ad income worthwhile without stressing over huge numbers.
How to Choose the Right Blog Income Stream for You
With so many ways to make money blogging, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—or worse, stuck in decision paralysis. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to pick the “perfect” income stream. The key is to choose one that fits where you are right now.
Choosing the right blog income stream early on can save you months of trial and error. It helps you stay focused, avoid burnout, and build momentum faster—because your efforts are going into something that makes sense for your strengths, your comfort level, and your audience.
Here’s how to make that decision simpler:
Think About Your Strengths
What are you naturally good at?
- If you’re a strong writer, services like freelance writing, copyediting, or even creating digital resources might be your best path.
- If you’re great at researching tools or organizing information, affiliate marketing could be a natural fit.
- If you enjoy creating systems, templates, or guides, digital products are probably right up your alley.
Your skills are your foundation. Starting with something you’re already good at makes it easier to stay confident and consistent—two things that matter way more than perfection.
Consider What You Actually Enjoy
Just because something is profitable doesn’t mean it’s right for you—especially in the early days.
- Hate pitching yourself? Passive income streams like affiliate links or a low-pressure digital product might feel more doable.
- Love working directly with people? Offering services could give you quick wins and build your confidence.
- Prefer to create behind the scenes? A small product, printable, or toolkit could be a great first step.
Don’t force yourself into a monetization method that makes you dread showing up. The best income stream is the one you’ll actually follow through on.
Start With One (and Give It Time)
Trying to build five income streams at once is a fast track to burnout. Pick one method that feels doable and stick with it for a few months. Tweak it. Improve it. Learn what works. Then think about layering in another option.
Every income stream takes time to grow. The bloggers who earn fastest aren’t doing everything—they’re just doing one thing really well, then building from there.
If you’d like a fast way to turn your ideas into a simple, income-focused weekly plan, my 15-Minute Content Reset can help. It’s a quick system for building content momentum—even if you’re short on time.
Make It Yours
There’s no “right” order to the blog income stream path. What works for someone else might not be your best fit—and that’s okay.
Start where you are. Choose what feels manageable. And remember: your first income stream is a stepping stone, not a life sentence. You can grow, shift, and evolve as your blog grows, too.
Want a simple tool to help you map out content that supports your income goals? Grab my free Content Clarity Workbook—it’ll help you plan your posts with monetization in mind.
Quick Income Stream Match Guide
| If you… | Try this income stream: |
|---|---|
| ✍️ Love writing and teaching | Freelance services, digital guides, or templates |
| 🔗 Enjoy sharing your favorite tools | Affiliate marketing |
| 💬 Like working one-on-one with others | Coaching, editing, virtual assistance |
| ⏳ Prefer low-pressure, passive income | Affiliate links, evergreen digital products |
| 🎨 Love creating resources from scratch | Printables, planners, mini-courses |
| 🧩 Prefer behind-the-scenes work | Design templates, resource creation, ad setup |
Want even more tips for getting your blog monetized quickly? Check out How to Monetize Your Blog Faster.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to wait years—or build a massive audience—before your blog can start earning money. By choosing the right income stream early and staying focused within your strengths, you can create real momentum even in your first few months.
Remember: you don’t have to do everything at once. Pick the path that fits your strengths, stick with it, and let small wins add up over time.
If you’re ready to plan your content, organize your ideas, and start building an income strategy that fits your blog, I’d love to help. Click here to learn more about Content Clarity, my content strategy workbook for bloggers like you.
Remember, it’s super important to have a professional-looking website from the start. I recommend using WordPress.org—it’s intuitive, powerful, and includes everything you need to set up your site quickly.
Your first income stream is closer than you think — and it all starts with one smart step.
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