How Can We Earn Money by Blogging Even if We Are Too Busy?

It’s late.

You just finished a ton of emails. Dinner was a quick microwave meal. You flop onto the couch, grab your phone, and start scrolling to relax. Then you see it: “How I Made $10,000 From Blogging While Traveling!” You roll your eyes. Sure, who has time for that?

Sounds familiar?

You’re not alone. I’ve been blogging for over 7 years, and I understand how overwhelming life can get. A lot of people want to earn money online, but think they’re too busy to even try. I used to feel the same. Then I found out it’s completely possible to make blogging work, even with a packed schedule.

I’ll walk you through 7 ways you can earn money from blogging, even if you only have a little time each day. We’ll cover:

• Advertising Revenue
• Affiliate Marketing
• Sponsored Posts
• Selling Products or Services
• Memberships
• Selling Your Blog
• Freelancing

Each method can be started one step at a time, and I’ll help you figure out which ones fit your lifestyle best.

Let’s get started.

1. Advertising Revenue 

Display Ads (Time Needed: Low)

When I first heard about bloggers making money with ads, I wondered how it actually worked. The idea is simple: you let companies place ads on your blog, and you get paid when people see or click on them.

Here’s how I got started:

1. I signed up for an ad network. Google AdSense is common, but Mediavine works better if you have higher traffic.
   
2. Then I added the ad code to my site. You can do this with a plugin or by copy-pasting a few lines.
   
3. After that, I focused on getting more visitors. More traffic means more chances for clicks and views, which means more income.

Pros:

• They bring in passive income once everything is set up.
  
• They’re also simple to get going. You don’t need to sell anything or talk to brands.
  

Cons:

• You need a lot of traffic to make good money.
  
• Too many ads can make your blog feel cluttered, which might turn readers away.
  

If you don’t have much time and your blog gets regular visitors, this is one of the easiest ways to earn without doing extra work.

Direct Ad Sales (Time Needed: High)

When I wanted more control over the ads on my blog, I looked into selling ad space directly to companies. This takes more effort than using something like Google AdSense, but it can pay better.

Here’s what I did:

1. First, I made a list of businesses that matched my blog’s topic.
   
2. Then I sent them a short pitch explaining who my readers are and how many people visit my site.
   
3. I also created simple ad packages with pricing, like one ad on the sidebar for a month or a banner on my homepage.

Pros:

• You can often charge higher rates than you would get from a network.
  
• You get to choose which ads show up, which helps protect your brand.
  

Cons:

• It takes time to reach out, negotiate, and follow up.
  
• You’ll probably need a media kit to look professional.
  

If you don’t mind sending emails and talking to businesses, direct ad sales can be a smart way to make more from the space you already have on your blog.

2. Affiliate Marketing (Time Needed: Mid)

Affiliate marketing is one of my favorite ways to earn money from blogging, especially when I’m busy. I don’t have to create my own product. I just recommend things I already use and like, and when someone buys through my link, I earn a small commission.

Readers need to trust you. If they feel like you’re just trying to make money, they won’t click.

Here’s how I got started:

1. I joined a few affiliate programs. Amazon Associates and Awin were two that were easy to begin with.
   
2. Then I added links naturally into my blog posts. For example, if I wrote about working from home, I’d mention the laptop or chair I use and link to them.
   
3. Over time, I paid attention to which posts brought in the most clicks and sales. I updated those posts to make them even better.
   

A good example of affiliate marketing done well is Wirecutter. It’s a product review website owned by The New York Times. Wirecutter makes money by testing and reviewing products, then adding affiliate links to those products. When someone clicks a link and buys something, Wirecutter gets a small commission. This usually comes from big stores like Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart.

Wirecutter is different because they work hard to stay honest and independent. Their writers do not accept free products from companies. They test everything themselves in real-life situations. This builds trust with readers, which helps the site grow and earn more, even though they are open about making money from links.

Pros:

• It can bring in passive income. I still earn from posts I wrote months ago.
  
• I don’t have to handle shipping or customer service.
  

Cons:

• Google’s algorithm does not favor affiliate websites. You need to find other ways to get traffic besides SEO.
  
• Payouts can take a long time. Some programs wait weeks or even months to send your earnings.
  
• Affiliate payouts can change at any time. A company might lower the commission or stop the program without warning.
  

If you’re short on time but still writing helpful posts, affiliate links are a simple way to turn your content into income.

3. Sponsored Posts (Time Needed: High)

Sponsored posts are another way you can make money from your blog (though this is not my favorite). A brand pays you to write a post that features their product, service, or message. It can be a review, a tutorial, or even just a mention within a helpful article.

Here’s how you can approach it:

1. First, focus on growing your blog traffic and building your social media presence. Brands want to see that you have an audience.
   
2. Then join influencer networks like Afluencer or Upfluence. These sites help connect bloggers with brands.
   
3. You can also pitch brands directly, especially if you have already used their products.

When you write sponsored posts, you need to clearly label them as sponsored. The FTC has rules about this. They don’t allow people to promote products or services and pretend it’s just regular content when it’s actually paid for.

Pros:

• You can earn a high amount for just one post.
  
• It’s also a good way to build your name as a trusted voice in your niche.
  

Cons:

• If you do too many, your blog can start to feel less genuine.
  
• You may feel pressure to say only good things about the product, even if you didn’t love it.
  

If you enjoy writing and can find a balance, sponsored posts can be a strong source of income, even if you don’t have a product of your own.

4. Selling Products or Services

Digital Products (Time Needed: Mid)

Once I had an audience that trusted me, I realized I could create something useful for them and sell it. Digital products work well because you only have to create them once, and you can sell them over and over.

Here’s how I started:

1. I thought about what my readers needed help with.
   
2. Then I created something simple, like a planner template or an eBook.
   
3. I used platforms like Gumroad to make it easy for people to buy and download.

Pros:

• You can bring in steady income over time.
  
• There’s no shipping or inventory to deal with.
  

Cons:

• You need to spend time upfront creating something high-quality.
  
• If you don’t already know what your readers want, you might need to ask or test a few ideas first.

Physical Products (Time Needed: High)

Some bloggers also sell physical items. These could be things you make or items with your brand on them.

Here’s how you can make it work:

1. Come up with product ideas and designs. Think about your blog’s topic, your readers, and your brand. What kinds of designs or slogans would your audience like?
   
2. Use a service like Spring to help you create and sell products such as mugs or T-shirts. They also handle shipping.
   
3. Share your products with your community inside blog posts or where it makes sense.

One great example of selling physical products is Epic Gardening. It’s a blog all about gardening, with tips for growing plants, using raised beds, and even setting up hydroponic systems. The site shares tons of helpful articles, but it also makes money by selling gardening tools and supplies.

They run an online store that sells things like garden beds, seed starting kits, grow bags, and high-quality tools. Readers who trust the blog for advice are more likely to buy from their store. Since Epic Gardening owns the store, they make more money from each sale than they would from an affiliate link.

Pros:

• It gives your blog a physical presence.
  
• Readers love owning something that feels connected to a brand they follow.

Cons:

• You have to deal with inventory or shipping, unless you use a print-on-demand service.
  
• It takes more effort to manage compared to digital products.

Services (Time Needed: High)

If you have a skill, like writing, design, coaching, or editing, you can offer it as a service through your blog.

Here’s how it can be done:

1. Add a page to your blog with what you offer and how to get in touch.
   
2. Use blog posts to show your expertise and build trust.
   

Pros:

• You can earn more per client than from ads or affiliate links.
  
• It builds your reputation and can lead to long-term opportunities.
  

Cons:

• It’s not passive. You have to put in the hours to do the work.

If you want to monetize fast, offering services might be the quickest way to earn through your blog.

5. Memberships or Subscriptions (Time Needed: High)

At some point, I wanted to connect more closely with my readers and offer something just for them. That’s when I looked into memberships and subscriptions. These can bring in steady monthly income while building a stronger community around your blog.

Here’s how I got started:

1. I created a few pieces of exclusive content, like behind-the-scenes updates or weekly tips.
   
2. Then I used a platform like Substack to let readers support me in exchange for that content.
   
3. Some bloggers use a membership plugin right on their blog to keep everything in one place.

One example is Kevin Indig, who writes a newsletter called Growth Memo. He shares insights about SEO, marketing, and how websites grow online. A lot of his content is free, but he also offers extra value for people who subscribe.

Pros:

• You get monthly payments from people who really care about your content.
  
• It helps build a loyal, close-knit group of readers.
  

Cons:

• You need to keep showing up with new content.
  
• If your audience is still small, it might be hard to get enough members to make it worth the effort.

If you enjoy sharing more personal or advanced content, and you want to build a deeper connection with your audience, memberships can be a meaningful way to earn.

6. Freelancing (Time Needed: High)

Freelancing was one of the first ways I earned money through my blog. I used my blog to show what I could do, and from there, clients started to reach out.

Here’s what worked for me:

1. I used my blog posts to highlight my skills, like writing, photography, or design.
   
2. Then I created a simple portfolio or services page so people knew how to hire me.
   
3. I also reached out to others in my field and let them know I was available for freelance work.

One photography blogger I know landed jobs just by posting helpful photo tips and tutorials. Her blog became a living resume.

Pros:

• You can start making money fairly quickly.
  
• It builds your reputation and can lead to long-term work or bigger opportunities.
  

Cons:

• It’s not passive. You have to spend time working directly with clients.
  
• Some projects can take more time and energy than expected.

If you’re good at something and want to use your blog to find clients, freelancing is a smart way to earn, even if you only take on one or two projects at a time.

7. Selling Your Blog (Time Needed: Low)

At some point, I learned that a blog can be more than a place to write; it can be a valuable asset. If you’ve been growing your blog for a while, you might be able to sell it for a lump sum.

Here’s how to prepare for that:

1. Keep growing your traffic, income, and engagement over time.
   
2. Track everything, use Google Analytics, and keep a simple record of your earnings.
   
3. Make sure your blog is well-organized, with clean branding, useful content, and assets like an email list or social accounts.
   
4. When you’re ready, list your blog on platforms like Flippa, Empire Flippers, or FE International.

For example, a Health and Fitness blog recently sold for $75,000 in 7 days. The site was making $3,226 per month, amounting to $38,712 in annual profit. It was a 9+ year-old site.

Pros:

• It can bring in a large one-time payment.
  
• It gives you the freedom to start something new or invest elsewhere.
  

Cons:

• You give up ownership and can’t keep building that brand.
  
• It can be tough to let go, especially if your blog feels personal.
  

Selling your blog might not be the first option you consider, but it’s worth keeping in mind, especially if you’ve built something with consistent value.

How to Choose the Best Monetization Methods Based on Your Available Time

When you’re short on time, choosing the right monetization method can make all the difference. The table below breaks down common blog income streams by how much ongoing time they require and the type of effort involved. Use it to find options that match your availability and working style.

Conclusion

Most people assume blogging success requires full-time hours and ideal conditions. But what actually matters is consistency, not capacity. Small, intentional steps taken regularly can snowball into a steady source of income. And those income streams often begin with trust rather than traffic.

At its core, this is about changing how we define productivity. You don’t need to blog like a full-time blogger to succeed. You need to blog like a strategist, someone who understands their time is limited, so every post has a clear purpose.

If you’re short on time to write, these sample blog posts use proven templates to help you create content faster. That way, you can spend less time writing and more time focusing on what actually earns money.