It’s 2024, and AI is everywhere!
With rumours that blogging might be dying, many beginners wonder if starting a blog is still worthwhile in 2024…
Is it true?
I believe nothing truly dies; it just evolves. Think about newspapers: they were the main source of news before the internet. Today, that same news is online! Big media companies didn’t disappear; they adapted digital. That’s the power of adaptation and dedication.
The same applies to blogging. People will always enjoy reading about others’ experiences. That curiosity won’t fade.
So, don’t be scared to start! If your blog focuses on solving problems, it has the potential to thrive.
Okay, let’s learn how I started my blog in 2017 and how you can start a blog in 2024…
How I Started a Blog In 2017
I have been blogging since 2017. And back then, in 2017, starting a blog was a super lengthy process.
There was no AI, and you had to do everything manually, from buying a domain name to setting up hosting and creating pages and writing publishing content. But it was considered a badge of honour to have your blog.
But now everything has changed. Today, with the help of AI, things are much simpler. You can start a blog in minutes using AI. You can generate content in minutes using AI writing assistant tools.
With that said, Let’s learn how to leverage the power of AI to help set up a blog quickly.
But before that, I would like to share the exact steps I took to start my blogging journey in 2017.
Here are the steps I took to start my blog in 2017 (you can use a similar approach if you don’t want to use AI):
I Borrowed a debit card from my friend and bought a Domain Name from Godaddy (my first domain name was Mechaplant). (At that time, Godaddy was the top domain registrar company, and still holds the top 10 positions).
I Watched several videos to learn what I needed to do next. And then I learned about Hosting. I chose HostGator and bought a 3-month baby plan. It’s a great hosting service. (Now I use Hostinger.com).
I Learned about how to connect a domain name with hosting. (Simply copy the Nameservers from your hosting provider, log in to your domain registrar and head to the Manage DNS setting. And update the Default Nameservers with the New Nameservers Provided by your Hostinger Provider).
Set up a theme.
Created pages: About Me, Privacy Policy, And Contact Me.
Finally, I started publishing content.
It took me 1-2 weeks to build a fully functional blog.
But in the process, I’ve learned much about what makes content successful. I now know what type of content works well and what kind of content can make me money.
While my experience helped me learn the ropes, it wasn’t strictly necessary. Even without it, you can get started quickly using AI.
The point is that the initial setup process isn’t crucial. What matters is that are you driving traffic to your blog? Are you enjoying the process and making some progress?
Fast forward to today, you can set up a website in minutes with tools like 10WEB.io.
So, If you dream of starting a blog but don’t want to get bogged down by the technical details, AI has your back!
AI-powered tools can help you get your website up and running incredibly fast.
How To Start A Blog Using AI In 2024
1. Website Setup: I used 10Web.io to build my blog in under an hour. They handle the domain, hosting, and all the technicalities, saving you major setup headaches. You just need to follow three steps and you are done!
2. Visuals: Canva AI is my go-to tool for generating images, featured images, logos, and eye-catching infographics for my posts.
3. Content Creation: I rely on two fantastic AI content tools: ContentShake AI (by SEMrush) and Frase.io. These help me generate data-driven content that’s valuable to my readers. I also use Keyword research tools like KWfider, SEMrush and Ahrefs to generate strong content ideas. While all of these tools are valuable, I find SEMrush particularly useful for my content research process.
4. Search Optimization: For pinpointing what people are searching for, I use Google Search Console. This helps me identify keywords and topics where my website has a good chance of ranking.
5. Copywriting: While I sometimes turn to ChatGPT and Google Gemini Pro for copywriting assistance, ContentShake AI usually has most of my needs covered.
Now that your website is live, it’s time to start publishing content! ContentShake AI, SEMrush, and Google Search Console can help you find winning blog topics and write valuable content.
Here’s what you can do with ContentShake AI:
- Find resonating content ideas: Enter details about your niche and get multiple topic ideas. The tool analyzes your competition as well as questions your audience asks online.
- Create SEO-friendly content with AI and data: Get your entire article written in an instant with AI and real-time competitor data. Generate ready-to-go content optimized for traffic and engagement.
- Leverage the power of AI for social media: Create catchy posts for any social media platform in just one click. Turn your articles into engaging posts or write them from scratch.
BUT Remember, only writing isn’t enough for growth. That’s why, I decided to talk about how you can incorporate AI to grow your blog in 2024
Let’s begin…
How To Grow a Blog in 2024 Without Google
Growing a successful blog is a challenge. It takes time, dedication, and the right approach.
In my six years of blogging, I’ve learned that it is more than just writing. It’s about solving problems, sharing real experiences and stories, helping others, and ultimately, growing a business. A successful blogger understands how to educate beginners and convert them into customers.
Remember: A good blogger can be a good writer, but not every good writer is not a blogger. It is a business, not a hobby, and it takes time to grow your network, build an email list, and generate consistent traffic and revenue.
If you’re serious about blogging as a business venture, embrace the long-term mindset and strategies that will make it thrive.
Here are a few AI TOOLS & tips that can help you rapidly grow your blog In 2024
To grow your blog, you need a consistent supply of helpful content and targeted traffic.
Here is what I do to come up with helpful content
To generate helpful content, I do research some potential keywords. For this, I use Google Search Console and SEMrush.
I use Google Search Console to figure out exactly what people are searching for to find my blog posts. That makes it way easier to write new articles targeting those same searches and getting more traffic.
Another tool I love is SEMrush. It’s perfect for finding new keyword ideas and seeing what kind of content my competitors are ranking for. This helps me come up with winning articles that’ll bring in even more readers.
I also go to social media platforms like Reddit, Pinterest, Flipboard and Medium to find new content ideas. REDDIT is my favourite.
Consistent Traffic
I don’t rely solely on Google for traffic; I diversify my efforts across various platforms. Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Reddit are key sources for me.
To streamline content creation, I use ContentShake AI to generate ideas and draft posts for these platforms. I also monitor top-performing social media content, aiming to create even more valuable and engaging versions to attract attention.
For a consistent flow of traffic, I utilize email marketing.
To build my email list, I offer a simple lead magnet.
I designed my squeeze page using Systeme.io. When a user enters his/her name and email and clicks the ‘download now,’ they’re redirected to a thank-you page, and their data is captured within my funnel.
This allows me to send regular emails, nurture potential leads, and hopefully generate sales conversions.
Systeme.io is a fantastic tool for bloggers and affiliate marketers. It offers a drag-and-drop landing page builder, sales funnels, email auto-responder, workflow, and a free plan for up to 2000 contacts. If you are serious about driving consistent traffic, I highly recommend you check out Systeme.io and sign up for free – No credit card is required!. It’s going to blow your mind.
I sometimes use Pinterest and Facebook for paid advertising to drive targeted traffic.
I also use Google Stories to get some traffic from Google Discover. It takes time and effort to gain traction and generate real traffic from Discover. Make sure to consistently publish 3 – 5 Google web stories every day for 6 months to see traffic fluctuations.
Now the LAST step is Monetization…
How To Monetize Your Blog In 2024
Method: 1
I use affiliate marketing to earn money from my blog.
Here’s my process:
- Identify a problem: I start by finding a common issue or challenge that my target audience faces.
- Research solutions: I thoroughly research potential solutions to ensure they are effective and genuinely helpful.
- Create informative content: I write a detailed article or blog post that educates readers about the problem and potential solutions.
- Recommend a product/service: Within the article, I recommend a relevant product or service that can help readers address the problem.
- Find your audience: I actively seek out people who are looking for solutions to the problem I’ve addressed. I use platforms like Reddit, Facebook, LinkedIn, and relevant online forums to connect with my target audience.
This is a basic overview of how you can get started with affiliate marketing. For a more in-depth guide, check out these two articles to learn everything you need to know:
That’s the one way I use to monetize my blog.
Method: 2
Secondly, I use display advertising to earn passive income. Several display ad networks pay per click or impression, such as AdSense, AdThrive, and Mediavine.
For your convenience, I’ve compiled a list of the 10 best ad networks to help you make more money displaying ads on your website.
More Monetization Methods:
But that’s not all! There are even more ways to monetize your blog content. Consider repurposing your blog posts into engaging videos, informative podcasts, or downloadable PDFs. AI tools like InVideo.ai and Pictory make it easy to transform your written content into short videos in minutes.
Upload these videos on various social media platforms to drive traffic and make more money.
You can use tools like Printfriendly to turn your blog post into a PDF in seconds. Share them on Slideshare and scribe to boost traffic to your Website/blog and make more money.
Method: 3
You can create an online course to teach advanced skills and strategies in your area of expertise. For example, if you blog about recipes, you could compile your expert cooking recipes in a course.
Remember, always conduct thorough market research before launching your course to confirm there’s a strong demand for the course content you plan to create.
Use AI tools copy.ai for copywriting, ChatGPT for course outlining, Systeme.io for managing and hosting your course.
Method: 4
Paid sponsorship is another monetization method for generating extra income, though it’s most effective when your blog has significant reach and traffic that aligns with your potential brand partners’ target customers
You can make $30 – $200 or even more for each successful sponsored deal. In fact, top bloggers charge $500 – $1,000 for sponsored content.
Here is a recap of AI tools that can help you start and grow a blog in 2024
- 10Web.io – To generate a website in minutes.
- ContentShake AI – To generate SEO-optimized content that is likely to rank on Google
- Systeme.io – To build an email list, create your squeeze pages, lead magnets, and funnels and set up an email autoresponder.
- SEMrush – For keyword research and competitor’s analysis
- Copy.ai – To generate marketing copy, titles and product descriptions.
- Canva AI – To generate graphics, features images, Pinterest pins, and infographics
Now it’s your turn to use these AI tools to start & grow a blog.
Get Started Today!