There are many Kenyans who make money blogging. Setting up a free blog is a simple thing that can be done in a matter of minutes. You will then need to create content, drive traffic and monetize your blog.
There are two types of blogs you can set up. These include a free blog and a self-hosted blog. In this post, we will look at how make money online with a free blog.
Free Blogging Platforms
The two most popular platforms offering free blogs are Blogger and WordPress.
1. Blogger
Blogger is great because you can still advertise in their system using AdSense regardless of the fact that it is free. On the other hand, there are many who feel like they do not have the best themes and therefore their outlook is not as attractive visually.
I’ve never used it, nor do I recommend using AdSense. So if you’re to set up a free blog, below is my recommendation:
2. WordPress
I recommend WordPress over Blogger any. This should not be confused with http://www.wordpress.org which provides free blogging software that can be used on self-hosted blogs. The free WordPress blogging platform is found over at https://wordpress.com/
It has the best themes and is very easy to use. They also allow you to monetize your site. The other great thing about WordPress is the fact that you will get some basics on how to use the WordPress system. This information will be very crucial when it comes to setting up your own self-hosted WordPress website.
Learn With A Free Blog
Therefore, feel free to start a free blog right now so that you can learn the tips and tricks of blogging.
You can use the free blog as a learning ground since you don’t pay for your domain name or hosting. Nothing to lose, apart from your time and energy. You still need to study out the basics of blogging so that you do it well. The support pages of these platforms have all the info you need to set up and get going.
FreelancerKenya started as a free WordPress.com blog and later moved on to being a self-hosted site. This does not mean that you should opt to start with a free blog as I did. A free blog is great but the problem is the fact that it has limited options.
You can therefore start decide to start with a free blog and later upgrade it or just go straight into a self-hosted blog. The world’s top earning blogs are self-hosted, so aim to get there soon.
How to Make Money with a Free Blog
There are different methods which you can use to make money with a free blog. These include:
1. Using Google AdSense and Other Advertising Networks
In Blogger, you can set up a Google AdSense account and start making money with your blog. You can also search for other advertising networks that work with Blogger.
I don’t recoommend AdSense though. Most people earn peanuts with it. Those who earn well can earn better using other methods.
Why?
You get paid a few cents per click. In most cases, these don’t add up to anything much. However, if those clicks were linking to affiliate products or your own products, you’d earn much more.
That said, do your own research, and make an independent decision on whether or not you’d want to use AdSense or any other advertising network.
2. Advertising Your Product or Service
You can start a free blog that focuses on your business or service.
We can look at the example of a restaurant owner’s blog. The owner can set up a free WordPress blog, give it a great theme and be posting updates about his own restaurant.
He can also post other crucial information that attracts restaurant lovers. This way, his blog can be a great source of clients.
You can also market your digital product, such as a course, ebook or software, and market it through your blog.
3. Affiliate Marketing
Here, you simply refer people to products you love, and earn a commission when they buy it.
You can do this in both WordPress and Blogger.
Check out the WordPress advertising policy to know precisely what kind of affiliate marketing you can do.
4. Mentions and Sponsored Posts
Once you have a popular blog, you will get people who will pay you to just mention them in your site. Always include your genuine contacts in your blog so that people can contact you for all sorts of stuff.
Be very careful about mentions. I personally would not mention a poor product or a product I have no information about; no matter how much money I am being paid. Value your readers more than money.
You can also be contacted by companies to do sponsored posts. These are awesome and can get you some decent cash.
Bottom Line
You can use the above methods to make money blogging with your free blog.
I recommend free blogs mostly for practice. There you can learn how to write blog posts, search engine optimization basics, adding images and multimedia, monetization social media marketing etc.
If you want to increase your revenue streams, it may be inevitable for you to move to a self-hosted blog. In fact, if you can start with a self-hosted blog, start with it instead. Download my free blogging eBook for more info.
Still following, great tips to keep beginners on toes.
Thanks Ethel!
Make sure you take action with what you learn.
Hi Walter,
I think this was a ton helpful to me, having just started blogging like a couple of months ago. Traffic is still low and i’m still quite just trying to figure everything out. On monetizing my blog, that might take a long time coz i’m really so green about everything at the moment. Hope i figure it out soon though.
Lots of thanks for this.
Hi Lenrie,
Thanks for your comment.
Keep learning and implementing. You can do this!
Many thanks!
Very helpful. Just started my blog and I hope I will get to work through it soon.
Be blessed.
Awesome. All the best, Cynthia!
Hi Walter,
I have created a blog site with word press but i dont know how to go about it.
kindly assist
thanks
Hi Judy,
Glad you’ve made it! WordPress has tons of free tutorials on how to go about it. Take at least an hour a day for the next few months learning and implementing.
Hi Walter, i have followed you from facebook and created my free blog but i don’t know where to go next. I sell a variety of items and i would like to market them on my blog.
Hi Milly,
That’s great!
Start creating useful posts around your niche. Build a targeted audience around that and sell them your products. Be reading about blogging daily since it’s something that may take time to fully grasp.
AdSense seem not to be accepting new entries am having difficulty getting a good alternative think al start on jumia affiliates now
There’s way more than AdSense. You can try out the other methods in the course. Jumia is an option. You can also research for others.
hey! does this jumia affiliate pay good?
Hi Johaness,
Never used it. You can research for more info on it.
I think making money via AdSense in Kenya requires a huge number in traffic which is kind of hard to achieve especially for new blogs.
Exactly, Samuel. People should use smarter ways to earn from their blogs.
Very true William.
Much obliged for such posts. you are in reality taking me some place i had needed to be however did not know how.I feel honored and regarded to be a piece of your preparation. you in reality are GOD sent.
Thanks William.
Hi walter,
T.hanks a lot for such posts. you are indeed taking me somewhere i had wanted to be but did not know how.I feel blessed and honored to be part of your training. you indeed are GOD sent.
Thanks Sheila. Happy to help. God bless you.
Nice work out there.It’s when am getting started.Am confident I will make it as i have seen you grow in this profession.
Thanks William. Keep working hard and you’ll get there too.
Nice work out there.It’s when am getting started.Am sure I will make it as i have seen you develop in this calling.
Many thanks. With hard work you can make it.
Quite informative… Thanks for that!
Thanks too Elsie.
A debt of gratitude is in order for the blogging advice.I have an inquisitive question on how your blog produces income and it doesn’t have adsense for cash.
Thanks William. You’re most welcome. I earn from my training, ebook and services offered.
Hello,
Nice work out there.It’s when am getting started.Am confident I will make it as i have seen you grow in this profession.
Thank you Sir.
Hi Chissano. Thanks for your kind words. Yes, with hard work you can make it.
Hi Walter. Great article, thank you.. Please does it take less efforts to move from a free WordPress.com to a self-hosted WordPress.org, compared to moving a Blogger account to either a self- hosted WordPress account or any other self-hosted account? I’m planning on starting my blog soon, and doing research. Thank you once again.
Thanks Joy. I believe WordPress.com to WordPress.org is easier.
Nice post walter.
we are offering jobs for people who are looking to change their carrer, also for people who love to express themselves in tecnical industry.
That’s awesome James. Thanks for your compliment as well.
Hi Walter.
Thanks, that’s so profound.
Looking for more insights to build my blog.
Thanks Charles. Keep researching. Keep implementing.
Wow Walter awesome post dear.
Thanks Bill.
Hi Walter,
You are among a few Kenyans doing a great job.
May the Lord bless you. you have helped many people especially youths across Africa
Hi Cyrus,
Thanks a lot. I’m hmbled.
God bless you too, always.
Hi my blog is called njokkyblog.wordpress.com I want to know how to reach more people and how to make it a blog that gets mentioned please advise. My email is njoxxy@yahoo.co.uk
Hi Njokky. How’s the going so far in terms of traffic creation?
Not so great what could be the issue?
Hi Fridah. I guess you’re not giving it the right push. Use the power of emails, social media and forums. You can feel free to buy my article writing and blogging training and I’ll guide you through these in-depth. You can also Google for lots of info on how to build traffic and implement. Make sure you keep giving excellent value in your blog otherwise people will just click and close. Define your target properly and answer all their questions in your blog.
I have a wordpress blog, just started…wanted to know if i should switch to blogger because my main aim is to make money, or is there a way i could increase my earnings in wordpress.
Hi Wrylix. You can either self-host your blog or try out Blogger.
Hi Walter you have written a good post and it sounds easy to make money online but how will I mkr money from my blog if for the last three months I have been posting and received no comments at all
Hi Sylvester. You must have a strategy for your blog. Don’t just post stuff. You need to heavily market it. You can get lots of tips from my free blogging ebook at https://freelancerkenya.com/go/list
Hi Walter
Thanks for the great post, i have learned a lot.
Hi Nora
Most welcome.
Thanks
can I be able to earn through my blog above?
Hi Stephen
Yeah, as replied on mail.
This year, I have realized one thing that is beneficial to almost all bloggers (newbies and pros alike).
That is reviewing how one spends their time growing their blog – with the aim of doing away with the 80% of things we like focusing on – the kind that rarely benefit the blogger or the reader.
This way, one learns to focus on their topic, going in-depth, and making their blog a useful resource for the people they are targeting.
Thanks Philos for your comment. Time management is very important for all freelancers, bloggers and alike. It is true that when one is focused their blog can really go far. Thanks again.
Hello Walter
I happened to pass by your blog while exploring freelance writing field. Information in your articles is really useful, and a boon for beginners searching online options.
God Bless!
Narinder
Thanks a lot Narinder. I appreciate your kind words.
Hi Walter good job
Hi Patricia. Thanks a lot.
Hi Walter,since i read about you early this year,you are my mentor and role model.Thats why am here to start where you started and am sure following your steps i will make it,but if i may ask,it take six months to be approved for adsence.does it mean i cant make any money till my blog is 6 months old?
Hi Mercy. Thanks a lot for your comment. Sorry blogging is mostly a long term project. So, yes, you may not make much for the first six months but if you play your cards right you can make lots of cash after that from AdSense and the other avenues detailed above.
hi Walter
am new to the concept of blogging, I got interested after reading about young people who earn through blogging.
after reading your newsletter I can proudly say I have an insight about blogging.
thank you sir.
Hi John. Thanks for your wonderful comment. I hope you are on your way to starting and optimizing your new blog!
Hi Walter,
Thanks a lot for this valuable article, learned much. Be blessed and keep posting more, its really helpful for beginners like me.
You are most welcome Winfred. I will keep posting and informing guys on how things work. Stay blessed too.
Hi Walter,
Thank you for this blog. I’ve learned a lot from you. Thanks
Cheers,
Aandeel
Hi Aandeel. You are most welcome. God bless you.
Thanks for the blogging advice ….I have a curious question on how your blog generates revenue and it doesn’t have adsense
Hi Brian. You are most welcome. Look at the top menu of my blog. I earn money from those pages i.e. my ebook, my financial services, my training and other services as seen above. I also earn from affiliate marketing. I deliberatly decided not to put AdSense.
How to drive traffic to my blog….how do i make as many people as possible to follow my blog
Hi George. There are lots of ways to drive traffic to your blog. Kindly research on search engine optimization, social media marketing, forum posting, email marketing and advertising. You’ll get lots of traffic tips from those.
Hi Walter,
I am still following your blog and read it often. Its getting better with each passing day. Keep up the good work.
Regards
Joe
Hi Joe
Thanks a lot for your kind words. I have not been here for a while but I’ll keep going. Great stuff coming up.
In a time where many youth claim that they have no jobs, online jobs can help them offset most of their needs. There is no need to stay at home and be hopeless instead of hustling just like the other Kenyans. Let us strive to be hardworking and together we shall build Kenya.
Great points Mark. Really great points. I hope many are reading and implementing what you have said.
Hi Walter,
Am jirani wako from Ethiopia. I want to replicate this online business in my land. Can I have your support in getting more clarification how I can go about it. I want to have my blog on online marketing may be if should I need any domain host for this or any other opportunity for free.
Hi Yilma
How is Ethiopia? Good to see you here.
First, get a free blogging ebook here https://freelancerkenya.com/go/list
After that, read and let me know if you have any questions. I’ll be glad to see you soaring in Ethiopia.
Thanks.
Hi,,greatly inspired by your piece of advice.I have a blog http://www.digitisedgeneration.blogspot.com and been posting content to it for like 2 months. Can i start advertising or its early.And how do i get the adverts to advertise?
Hi Joshua
Thanks for you comment.
You can start advertising. Try Google Adsense.
Thanks.
How does one get paid by Google, yahoo, amazon, microsoft e.t.c. what procedures, term and conditions are followed for one to get paid and what methods is one paid through, skrill, paypal or what.
Hi Steve
Those are different sites with different payment mechanisms.
Amazon pays affiliate commissions to bank accounts. Google pays via check. Yahoo and Microsoft you can Google them because I am not sure.
In fact my best advise is you Google each of these separately to learn all about them.
All the best.
Hello Walter,
Thanks for the tutorials here. I am a Ghanaian, living in Ghana and inspired a lot by you.
I got into blogging just this month and will want to make money.
I tried the Google Adsense but it seemed not to work for me.
Please how can I put adverts on my blog?
I also want to get your eBook as well.
Thank you in advance,
Frederick
Hi Fredrick
Glad to know that I have audience in Ghana!
You can try out BuySellAds.com
You can also do affiliate marketing where you go to different affiliate programs and get banners and links. Examples of affiliate programs include cj.com, clickbank.com, shareasale.com e.t.c.
You can also look for standalone affiliate programs such as AWeber and HostGator. In fact those have great commissions.
Feel free to ask more questions.
Anne
Hi Walter,
Can I get the free eBook on how to start a blog please?
Hi Terry,
Kindly join my mailing list on the sidebar and I will send you the eBook instantly.
hey would like to start my own blog but for sure i think am stuck on how to go bout it. how do i get started
Hi Evangelyne
Are you on my mailing list?
If not, check the sidebar and join my mailing list. You will receive a free eBook that will teach you how to start a blog.
Thanks
hi kindly advise me on how to make my law blog popular as well as how i can make money with it
Hi,
The following will guarantee you results
1. Search engine optimization. Check out this post http://www.quicksprout.com/2013/04/22/if-i-had-to-start-my-seo-campaign-from-scratch-i-would/
2. Facebook ads (you can even use a dollar per week there)
3. Twitter ads
4. Creation and use of a Facebook fan page
5. Content marketing – creating useful content that you send every week like what I do here 🙂
These should get you going but if you have some cash to spare, start with the ads, even if you start with a low budget.
At the end of the day, remember that it is the content that will sell you so make sure your content is top notch.
Am so excited about my new discoveries, thanks Walter
You are most welcome Faith. I appreciate.
Hi Walter, thanks for the great post. I just would like you to help me understand something. If If I have my own website- I paid for it t be designened and all stuff- can I integrate it with wordpress? HOw?
If I have a free wordpress account, how can I upgrade it? Do i have the freedom of doing anything I want after the upgrade?
Thanks in advance, Mike
Hi Mike,
You are most welcome.
I am not sure exactly how your website was designed. I believe if you ask your web designer, he or she should be able to integrate.
If you have a free WordPress.com blog and want to upgrade it to a self-hosted WordPress.org blog, do the following.
1. Go to your WordPress dashboard (example.com/wp-admin)
2. Go to store then domains. There you’ll be allowed to buy a custom domain (without .wordpress.com). Currently that goes for $13 per year
3. Set that up as the primary domain
4. Now go to tools then export, choose the free option of exporting instead of the $129 one. Save that file on your computer.
5. Go to your self-hosted WordPress (I believe you got the instructions since you joined my list on the sidebar)
6. Go to tools then import the file from your computer
7. In case you have subscribers, go to plugins in your self-hosted WordPress, then click on “Add New”.
8. Search for “Jetpack” plugin
9. Install and activate it, then link it to WordPress.com (just follow the prompts)
10. Send an email to WordPress.com support asking them to move your post and comment subscribers
Let me know how it goes and feel free to ask any more questions.
Feel free to ask any more questions.
Kindly offer some insights into costing for mentions and other adverts you may post on a personal blog.
Otherwise Thanks you for sharing this article.
Hi Josephine,
It depends on so many variables. If it’s a small blog, someone may not pay you as much as a huge blog. A huge brand may pay more than an individual. And so on.