Dive into Blogging as stream of income

Introduction: Blogging Isn’t Dead — It’s More Profitable Than Ever

If you’ve ever thought, “Blogging is outdated,” think again.

In 2025, blogs are still one of the most powerful digital assets you can own.
They bring in consistent traffic, build your personal brand, and generate passive income through ads, affiliate links, and digital products.

I’m Lew Wenwan — a blogger and content creator who built multiple online income streams. But my most reliable and consistent income still comes from blogging — over $10,000 a month across ad revenue, affiliates, and digital products.

And here’s the truth:
You don’t need to be a writer, or an influencer, or quit your day job.
You just need a strategy, focus, and consistency.

This post will show you exactly how to build blogging as a stream of income — what platforms to use, what topics to write about, and how to monetize step by step.

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1. Why Blogging Still Works in 2025

Let’s bust a myth right away:
Blogging isn’t just for hobbyists — it’s a legitimate business model.

Here’s why it’s still powerful:

• Search engines still love written content. People type questions into Google every second — and your blog can be the answer.

• Blogs feed every other platform. You can turn blog posts into YouTube scripts, LinkedIn posts, or email newsletters.

• Blogs are digital real estate. Once published, a good article can earn income for years.

Unlike social media, where posts vanish after a day, a well-written blog post continues to bring in traffic for years.

That’s why many top creators (including me) treat their blog as the home base of their business — where all other content leads back.

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2. Choosing the Right Platform to Start Blogging

Let’s talk tools. Your platform determines your flexibility, control, and income potential.

Here’s a breakdown of the most popular options:

Platform	Ideal For	Pros	Cons
WordPress.org	Long-term serious blogging	Full control, own domain, AdSense + affiliate + product options	Small learning curve
Medium	Writers who want quick publishing	Built-in audience, clean interface	Harder to monetize directly
Substack	Newsletter-style blogs	Great for email audience	Subscription-based, limited SEO
Wix / Squarespace	Beginners who want easy setup	No coding required	Less SEO control
Blogger (by Google)	Absolute beginners	Free, connects to AdSense	Outdated features

💡 My Recommendation: WordPress.org

If you’re serious about building blogging as a long-term income stream, start with WordPress.org.

You’ll need:

• A domain name (e.g., lewwenwan.com)

• A hosting service (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround, Hostinger)

• A WordPress theme (Astra, GeneratePress, Kadence)

Initial setup cost: around $150/year, which is a small price for owning an online business that can grow into a five-figure monthly income.

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3. How to Find Profitable Blog Ideas (Even If You’re a Beginner)

Here’s where most people get stuck:
“What should I write about?”

The secret?
Don’t start with what you want to write. Start with what people search for.

Step 1: Pick a Profitable Niche

You need a niche that has both interest and income potential.
The 5 evergreen niches that always work are:

1. 💰 Personal Finance & Investing (budgeting, dividend investing, financial freedom)

2. 💼 Career & Business (productivity, entrepreneurship, job skills)

3. 🍎 Health & Wellness (diet, sleep, exercise, mental health)

4. 🌍 Lifestyle & Travel (budget travel, minimalist living, Singapore lifestyle)

5. 🎓 Education & Skills (writing, tech learning, data analytics, AI tools)

Ask yourself:

• Can I write 50 articles on this topic?

• Are there products, services, or courses related to this niche?

• Do I enjoy learning about this topic for the next 3 years?

If yes to all three — you’ve found your niche.

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Step 2: Validate Your Niche with Keyword Research

Now that you have a topic, let’s make sure people are actually searching for it.

Use free tools like:

• Google Search Autocomplete – type your topic and note what Google suggests.

• Ubersuggest or Ahrefs Free Keyword Tool – see search volume and competition.

• AnswerThePublic.com – discover questions people are asking.

Example:
If you’re interested in dividend investing in Singapore, search “best dividend stocks Singapore” or “how to invest in REITs Singapore.”

If these have thousands of searches, you’ve found a goldmine.

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Step 3: Create Content Pillars

Once you have ideas, group them into content pillars.

For example, if your niche is “Financial Independence”:

Pillar	Example Articles
Saving Money	“10 Ways to Save $500/Month in Singapore”
Investing	“How to Start Dividend Investing with $1,000”
Side Hustles	“7 Passive Income Streams for Working Professionals”
Mindset	“Rich Dad, Poor Dad: Lessons for Singaporeans”

These pillars help structure your site and build authority in Google’s eyes.

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4. Creating Blog Content That Actually Ranks and Earns

Step 1: Write for Humans First, SEO Second

Your content should be easy to read, helpful, and conversational — like talking to a friend.

Then, optimize it for SEO by:

• Including your target keyword in the title, first paragraph, and URL

• Using subheadings (H2, H3) to break up text

• Adding internal links to other posts

• Using images with descriptive alt text

Step 2: Follow the “E-E-A-T” Rule

Google rewards content that shows:

• Experience – you’ve actually done what you write about

• Expertise – you know your topic

• Authoritativeness – others trust you (links, mentions)

• Trustworthiness – transparent, honest, accurate

Example: if you’re writing about investing, show screenshots, case studies, and personal experience.

Step 3: Aim for Evergreen Content

Don’t chase viral topics — they fade fast. Focus on “evergreen” content that stays relevant for years:

• “How to Start a Blog in Singapore”

• “Best Budget Apps in 2025”

• “How to Build Passive Income with REITs”

Each of these can rank on Google for a long time — bringing you consistent traffic.

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5. How to Monetize Your Blog — 5 Proven Income Streams

Now let’s talk about the exciting part: turning your blog into money.

Once your blog gets around 1,000–3,000 monthly visitors, you can start monetizing in these ways:

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1️⃣ Google AdSense (Display Ads)

How it works:
Google places ads on your blog, and you earn money whenever someone views or clicks on them.

You can apply after you have around 10–15 quality blog posts.

Income potential:

• 10,000 monthly views → $50–$100

• 100,000 monthly views → $800–$2,000

Later, upgrade to Mediavine or Raptive, which pay much better once you reach 50k+ monthly sessions.

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2️⃣ Affiliate Marketing

How it works:
You recommend products or services in your blog and earn a commission for every sale or signup through your link.

Popular affiliate networks:

• Amazon Associates

• Shopee / Lazada Affiliate Programs

• Booking.com / Agoda

• ShareASale (for digital tools and software)

Example:
If you write “Best High-Yield Savings Accounts in Singapore,” include affiliate links for each bank or financial app.

Income potential:
$500–$5,000/month depending on traffic and niche.

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3️⃣ Digital Products

How it works:
Sell downloadable products like:

• eBooks (“Guide to Dividend Investing”)

• Budget trackers (Excel or Notion)

• Templates or planners

• Online mini-courses

Platforms:

• Gumroad

• Etsy

• Podia

Income potential:
$500–$3,000/month after your audience trusts your expertise.

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4️⃣ Sponsored Posts

How it works:
Brands pay you to write about their product or service.

Example: A fintech company might pay $300–$800 per sponsored article once your site gets traffic and domain authority.

Income potential:
$1,000–$5,000/month (for mid-level blogs).

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5️⃣ Email Marketing & Courses

Once you have steady traffic, build an email list.
You can then promote your own online courses, coaching, or consulting.

Tools:

• ConvertKit or MailerLite for email automation

• Thrive Leads or OptinMonster for signup forms

This turns your blog from a passive ad site into an active business.

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6. Step-by-Step Plan to Build Your Blogging Income

Here’s a realistic roadmap you can follow — even while working a full-time job.

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🗓️ Month 1–2: Foundation

• Choose your niche and blog name

• Buy domain + hosting, install WordPress

• Publish 5 high-quality pillar articles (1,500–2,000 words each)

🗓️ Month 3–6: Build Traffic

• Post weekly (10–20 total articles)

• Optimize for SEO

• Share your blog on Facebook, LinkedIn, Quora, and Reddit

• Start an email list

🗓️ Month 6–12: Monetize

• Apply for Google AdSense

• Join affiliate programs

• Create your first digital product

• Grow your email list to 1,000 subscribers

🗓️ Year 2: Scale Up

• Target long-tail keywords for SEO growth

• Reach 50,000 monthly visitors → join Mediavine

• Add a YouTube channel or podcast to repurpose content

• Collaborate with brands for sponsored posts

🗓️ Year 3: Build a System

• Outsource writing or editing

• Build multiple affiliate pages

• Create online courses

• Aim for $5,000–$10,000/month consistent income

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7. The Tools You Need to Run a $10,000/Month Blog

Here’s my personal blogging toolkit — proven to scale income efficiently:

Purpose	Tool	Why It’s Great
Hosting	SiteGround / Hostinger	Fast, reliable, secure
SEO	RankIQ / Ahrefs	Helps find low-competition keywords
Writing	Grammarly / Notion	Write faster, error-free
Design	Canva	Create blog graphics easily
Analytics	Google Analytics + Search Console	Track traffic and rankings
Email Marketing	ConvertKit	Build and automate audience
Monetization	Gumroad / Amazon Associates	Sell products, earn commissions

Investing in good tools saves hundreds of hours in the long run — and helps you earn faster.

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8. Blogging Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned writers fall into these traps. Avoid them early:

1. ❌ Writing without SEO research
   → You’ll waste effort on articles no one searches for.

2. ❌ Giving up too early
   → Most blogs earn little in the first 6 months. Patience is key.

3. ❌ Focusing on too many topics
   → Stick to one niche and build authority.

4. ❌ Ignoring email list building
   → Email subscribers are your most loyal audience.

5. ❌ Not treating your blog like a business
   → Track revenue, reinvest in tools, and set goals.

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9. Example: From $0 to $10,000/Month — A Realistic Growth Path

Here’s what my own income journey looked like:

Year	Monthly Traffic	Income Source	Monthly Income
1	5,000 views	AdSense + small affiliates	$200
2	25,000 views	Affiliates + digital product	$1,500
3	80,000 views	Mediavine ads + eBook	$3,500
4	150,000 views	Courses + sponsors + email	$7,000
5	250,000+ views	Multiple streams combined	$10,000+

It took consistency — not luck.
I spent an hour a day, even while working full-time, building content and learning SEO.

And the best part?
Even if I take a month off, the blog still earns.
That’s true passive income.

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10. The Singapore Angle — Blogging That Fits Our Lifestyle

If you’re based in Singapore or Southeast Asia, you have unique advantages:

• Regional demand: Many English blogs in finance, health, or career niches have little local competition.

• Affiliate opportunities: Shopee, Grab, Agoda, and local fintech companies offer affiliate programs.

• Global audience: Write in English and reach both Asian and international readers.

You can build a blog targeting:

• “Living in Singapore”

• “Side hustles for professionals”

• “Investing in REITs or dividends”

• “Healthy vegetarian eating in Asia”

These topics resonate locally yet appeal globally — a perfect balance.

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11. Why Blogging Is the Best Side Income Stream

Let’s recap why blogging is a smart long-term side hustle — especially if you already have a full-time job:

✅ Low cost to start — under $200/year.
✅ Scalable — one article can earn for years.
✅ Flexible — work on it anytime.
✅ Passive income — ads and affiliates earn while you sleep.
✅ Leverage — blog can lead to speaking, books, or consulting.

It’s not quick money, but it’s steady and compounding money.

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12. The Mindset of a Successful Blogger

Most people fail at blogging because they treat it like a hobby.
Professionals treat it like a digital business.

Here’s how to think like a top 10% blogger:

• Be consistent: One post a week beats ten posts once a year.

• Focus on quality: Depth wins over quantity.

• Track metrics: Traffic, keywords, and conversions.

• Keep learning: SEO, copywriting, monetization.

• Serve your audience: Solve problems, not just write stories.

Remember: every successful blogger you know started with zero views and zero income. The difference was consistency.

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13. Final Thoughts: Build a Blog That Works for You

Your job pays your bills.
Your blog builds your future.

Blogging gives you leverage — you create once, and it keeps working for you.
Start with one post. Then another. Then 50.

In a year, you’ll have a digital portfolio you own — an online business that can earn even while you sleep.

As I always tell my readers:

“A blog is not just a website — it’s your ticket to financial freedom, one word at a time.”

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💬 Quick Summary

Stage	Action	Time Commitment	Goal
Setup	Domain, hosting, WordPress	1 week	Blog ready
Content	1 post/week	1–2 hrs/day	20 posts in 6 months
Monetize	AdSense, affiliates	Month 6–12	First $500–$1,000
Scale	Digital products, courses	Year 2+	$5,000–$10,000/month