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Can You Really Make Passive Income from a Blog?
Introduction
Let’s be honest—when you first hear the phrase “passive income from blogging,” it sounds a little too good to be true. Make money while you sleep? Wake up to sales notifications? Write a post once and have it earn for you over and over?
It’s possible—but it’s not magic.
As someone who started blogging during nap times and late-night stretches, I’ve learned that blogging for passive income is real—but it comes with its own myths, tools, and mindset shifts. This guide breaks down what passive income really means for bloggers, the actual ways you can monetize, what to expect (vs the hype), and the tools that make it all possible.
You’ll also see how platforms like Gumroad, ConvertKit, and a good web host are essential to making blogging work long-term.
Let’s get into the honest truth about passive income from blogging—and how to build yours from the ground up.
What Passive Income Really Means
Passive income is often misunderstood. It doesn’t mean “do nothing and get paid.” It means:
Work once, get paid multiple times.
In the case of blogging, this might look like:
Writing a blog post that ranks on Google and brings in affiliate sales
Creating a digital product you promote in your blog content
Setting up email automations that sell for you without live effort
Unlike freelance work or hourly gigs, blogging income continues to flow even when you take a break—once your systems are in place.
It’s not zero work, but it’s work that builds on itself.
Active vs. Passive Income Examples
How Blogs Make Passive Income
There are five main ways bloggers create streams of passive income:
1. Affiliate Marketing
You earn a commission when someone buys a product through your special link. Great for:
Product reviews
Comparison posts
Listicles like “Top 10 Time-Saving Kitchen Tools for Moms”
Recommended Platforms:
Amazon Associates
ShareASale
Impact
Hosting affiliates (like SiteGround or Bluehost)
2. Digital Product Sales
Selling downloadable items like:
Printables
Planners
Budget spreadsheets
Templates or ebooks
You can create these once and sell them on:
(affiliate)
Etsy
Your own blog with checkout software
3. Ad Revenue
Once your blog traffic hits a certain level, you can earn from ads placed on your site.
Popular ad networks:
Google AdSense (beginner-friendly)
Ezoic
Mediavine (requires 50k monthly sessions)
This is the most “hands-off” income stream but takes time to build traffic.
4. Online Courses
You can create a video or email course and sell it through your blog.
Use tools like:
Teachable
Podia
ConvertKit (to sell mini email courses)
5. Email Funnels
This is how you convert readers into customers automatically.
Set up a freebie (lead magnet) like a printable, collect emails with ConvertKit, and set up automations that:
Deliver the freebie
Build trust
Pitch your affiliate product or paid offer
Myths vs Reality of Passive Blogging Income
Myth 1: You Just Write and Wait
Reality: You need to promote your content, use SEO, build your email list, and continually improve your posts.
Myth 2: It Works Overnight
Reality: Passive income from blogging takes time. You may work for 3–6 months (or more) before you see consistent sales.
Myth 3: You Need a Huge Audience
Reality: It’s more about targeted traffic. Even with 1,000 monthly readers, you can earn if your offers match their needs.
Myth 4: It’s Set-and-Forget
Reality: Blog posts need updating, funnels need testing, products need refining—but the income can be mostly hands-off.
Myth 5: It’s Only for Experts
Reality: Anyone can blog. If you’re one step ahead of someone else in your journey, you have something to teach or share.
Tools That Help You Build Passive Blog Income
These are my favorite beginner-friendly tools for monetizing and growing your blog:
1. SiteGround Hosting
(affiliate)
Fast, secure, and beginner-friendly
One-click WordPress install
Great customer support
2. ConvertKit
(affiliate)
Build your email list with forms and landing pages
Create automated email sequences
Tag and segment your audience
Great for selling digital products and courses
3. Gumroad
(affiliate)
Sell digital products without a website
Embed buy buttons on your blog
No monthly fee—just transaction-based
4. Canva
Design lead magnets, product covers, Pinterest pins
Use templates to make work faster
Pro plan available, but free version is powerful too
5. Google Analytics + RankMath SEO Plugin
Track what content is performing
See where your traffic is coming from
Optimize for better passive earnings
How Long Does It Take?
Here’s a rough idea of how passive income grows over time:
Consistency beats speed. Even if you only have 5 hours a week, you can grow a blog-based income stream.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you really can make passive income from a blog—but not overnight. It’s not about luck or being an influencer. It’s about solving problems with useful content, building trust, and setting up smart systems that earn for you in the background.
Start simple:
Choose a niche you care about
Write your first helpful blog post
Add one affiliate link
Collect your first email with ConvertKit
Create one tiny product to sell on Gumroad
Build from there.
The tools exist. The path is proven. The question is: will you stick with it?
Want help getting started?
(affiliate)
(affiliate)
(affiliate)
Blogging can change everything—but only if you begin.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We only recommend products we truly believe in and have used ourselves.
