10 Blogger Success Stories: From Part-time to Pro

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Your creativity and hard work as a blogger can pay off! If you are new to blogging, or knee-deep in your part-time hobby, read these blogging success stories and learn how they made it big!

If you’re a blogger, you know how challenging it can be to turn your passion for writing into a profitable business.

However, many bloggers have managed to achieve great success and earn a six-figure income through their blogs. In this article, we’ll be sharing inspiring stories and insights from some of the most successful bloggers in the industry.

These blogger success stories will give you a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people who have managed to build successful blogging businesses. They have all had struggles, triumphs, and strategies they used to achieve success.

Whether you’re a seasoned blogger or just starting out, these stories will inspire you to keep pushing forward and pursuing your dreams!

Through these stories, you’ll learn that success in the blogging world is not just about luck or talent, but about hard work, persistence, and a willingness to take risks.

You’ll see that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to blogging success, as each blogger has their own unique path to achieving their goals. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired by these amazing blogging success stories.

If you haven’t started your blog yet, read my easy tutorial on How to Start a Blog. But, if you still need some inspiration read the blogger money-making success stories below.

10 Blogging Success Stories

Blogging can be a long journey, full of hard work! But, it can absolutely pay off. And in a big way!

You could start your own amateur blog today, and soon be making as much as these ten millionaire bloggers!

1. Chasing Foxes, Silas and Grace Moser

Blogging niche: Lifestyle, traveling and making money online

Blog Started in: 2016

When Silas and Grace started their blogging project Chasing Foxes, they were living below the poverty line! Dreaming of a way out and an income of their own, they started  their own blog Chasing Foxes and in just four months after launching they were making enough money to quit their day jobs! 

They quickly became an impressive blogging success story, in record-time. With money coming in from the blog, they were able to live out their passion of traveling full time.

They share tips on everything from home improvement, health, finances and traveling on www.chasingfoxes.com. Silas and Grace Moser also provide lots of great tips on how to make money online and avoid amateur blogging mistakes.

Blogging Income sources:

Ads, affiliate sales

Favorite blogging success learning tip: 

Blogging for success takes a lot of hard work! Grace Moser suggests not wasting any time, instead of watching t.v. in your free time, blog.

If you read a great article with advice on blogging, execute on it! Don’t just bookmark it for later. And really spend a lot of time on your headlines.

Check out the Chasing Foxes blog income report on how they made over $10,000 in one month!

2. Just a Girl and Her Blog, Abby Lawson

Blogging Niche: Money, Planning and Organization

Blog Started In: January 2013

Abby Lawson started her blog in January of 2013 on a whim! What started for her as a simple creative outlet, has turned into a full-time family business. Her passion is “creating a beautiful, thriving home, life, and business and helping others to do the same.”

She blogs about home organization, DIY and decorating tips as well as sharing what she has learned about running an online business. The success of her blog has given her the ultimate work-from-home job.

One piece of business advice for blogging Abby shares is to grow your email list! It helps increase your website traffic.

Blogging Income sources:

Online courses, eBooks, and affiliate marketing like Bluehost and Amazon. She hasn’t published an income report since December of 2016 but in that month alone she made $41,700. A little over 2 years later, I’m sure that number is much higher! Abby is a blogging success story to follow.

Favorite blogging success learning tip:

I love what Abby had to say about personal confidence and what is possible in life. She describes herself as “the girl who was afraid of everything.” She started her blog in spite of feeling like other people were smarter and more talented than her.

Taking that leap has paid off and blogging has shown her that anything is possible!

Read the full story of how she started her blog.

Related reading:

• 17 Must-have Beginning Blogger’s Tools
• 175 Lifestyle Blog Post Ideas and Topics
• Beauty Blog Post Ideas
• 75 Blog Post Ideas for Beginners

3. Pinch of Yum, Lindsay Ostrom

Blogging Niche: Food and Recipes

Blog Started in: 2009

Another blogging success story you can learn from is Pinch of Yum. Lindsay Ostrom started Pinch of Yum as just a casual hobby in her free time while she worked as a fourth grade teacher. But her blogging hobby turned into a full-time income with millions of readers!

She shares fresh and flavorful recipes and says her goal is to “inspire you with food that is both approachable AND exciting, whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, your roommates, or your friends.” 

Lindsay also blogs about her personal life and experiences in addition to recipes. Her Instagram account actually features readers every Friday who have tagged her in their own food photography and recipes for a fun interactive element.

After a year of blogging, she placed ads on the site. Within 3 years of monetizing her blog with ads and digital products, she was making the income she needed to quit her day job. Her blogging success dreams a blogging success reality.

While some bloggers claim to find success quickly, as Lindsay’s story shows, it can take time and a lot of hard work before you can go from part-time to pro.

She and her husband created an educational online community at Food Blogger Pro where you can learn tips and tricks on successful food blogging and photography. They share lots of helpful tips to fellow bloggers on Food Blogger Pro.

Blog Income sources: 

Affiliate links (Bluehost and Amazon are two biggies,) sponsored content, online courses and workshops and ads placed directly on their blog from AdThrive.

Favorite blogging success learning tip:

Invest in a good camera and good imagery. Your pictures are a hook to bring in readers and fans. When it comes to blog traffic, Lindsay says that it can plateau periodically, even for a long time, and then get bumped up to the “next level”. So, don’t lose hope in that situation!

Her advice is to make your content available across more platforms to get your blog in front of new faces and increase growth.

Take a look at the food photography on Pinch of Yum!

Easy Click Start

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4. Smart Passive Income, Pat Flynn

Blogging Niche: Making Money with Passive Income

Started in: 2008

Another professional blogger who has experienced major success is Pat Flynn. Pat was laid off from his architectural job in 2008. That year, he started his first website designed to help architects understand LEED.

He quickly realized it was getting a lot of traffic so he created a digital ebook and started selling it. He made $7,000 in his first month!

Wanting to share the success story, he started his own blog called Smart Passive Income. And the rest is a blogging success story of monumental proportions! Between 2015 and 2016, Smart Passive Income made $1.6 Million!

Pay Flynn says one of the best things he did for his business was to give away content and free helpful information. It keeps people coming back! At last public info, his blog was making $200,000 a month!

Blog income sources:

Advertising, affiliate marketing, ebooks and podcasts, speaking engagements and even audiobooks.

Favorite blogging success learning tip:

Pat stresses consistency as a key to success as well as focusing on what is working. Keep at it! He also stresses that you should create and make obvious your personal brand. And, lastly, diversify your income sources.

5. RyRob, Ryan Robinson

Blogging Niche: Entrepreneurship and Content Marketing

Started in: 2014

Another millionaire blogger is Ryan Robinson. His blog RyRob helps freelancers, entrepreneurs and bloggers find success making money.

He earns over $50,000 a month with his blog! Talk about making money blogging. Categories on his site that offer tips include freelancing, blogging, business, podcasting and writing.

He talks about his own success in creating a blog and teaches others how they can make the jump to self employment. He has helped over 300,000 subscribers that are freelancers and entrepreneurs.

He has even developed a lot of tools for bloggers that are available on his website. There is a keyword research tool, AI writer, paragraph rewriter and title generator.

Blog Income Sources:

Sponsored blog content, podcasts, ads, affiliate programs, ebooks, online courses and products. He even offers one-on-one coaching sessions.

Blogging Success Tips:

Ryan Robinson has tons of blogging tips on his site so it is definitely worth a read. He says to publish high quality content consistently. And, work your butt off like he has!

6. Making Sense of Cents, Michelle Gardener

Blogging Niche: Personal Finance

Started in 2011

Another professional blogger making beaucoup bucks is Michelle Gardener. She started her blog Making Sense of Cents to help herself improve her finances. And boy did she ever!

She was able to quit her day job and become a full-time professional blogger. She even spent a lot of time just traveling!

2018 was the last time she disclosed her blogging income but that year she made $1.5 million that year from her personal finance blog.

She has an exciting, million-dollar blogging success story and she gives lots of tips on how to make your blog a success on her website. I highly recommend her course on affiliate marketing.

Blog income sources:

Advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts and partnerships and educational courses.

Favorite blogging success learning tip:

Michelle stresses simplicity. You can take complex topics and make them simple for your audience, which keeps them coming back. It is a way you can differentiate your blog from other’s.

Don’t think it is too late to become a successful blogger! Yes, there is a lot of competition out there, but she was told the same thing back in 2011 when she started out. Just take the plunge and start for yourself.

7. Mommy on Purpose, Carly Campbell

Blogging Niche: Parenting

Started in: 2017

Carly Campbell is a blogger who’s known for her expertise in parenting and motherhood. She started her blog, Mommy on Purpose, in 2017, and has since built it into a six-figure business.

Carly is known for her ability to create helpful, informative content that resonates with her readers on her lifestyle blog.

Blog Income Sources:

Affiliate income, ads and digital products like planners. She is well-known for her Pinteresting Strategies ebook which she also earns a lot of money from. Selling your own digital products is an excellent way to make income from blogging.

Blogging Success Tips:

Carly talks about how you can’t just start writing a blog and expect that readers will come. She stresses that educating yourself, and learning how to start a money-making blog is super important. Investing in courses that will teach you how to succeed are important.

I couldn’t agree more and suggest you start with the Stupid Simple SEO course before you start blogging. It will teach you how to build a blog that ranks and gets money-making traffic.

8. Millennial Money, Grant Sabatier

Blogging Niche: Personal Finance

Started in: 2016

Definitely a millionaire blogger, the Millennial Money website makes bank each year!

Grant started out with a lot of unemployed time after getting a degree in Philosophy. He decided he wanted to make $1 million and retire early. He started creating multiple income streams from side hustles, some in digital marketing.

Eventually he started his blog, to share all the things he had learned. His site is all about how you can increase your income. He went from broke to millionaire in 5 short years!

Blog Income Sources:

Affiliate marketing, personal coaching, speaking at engagements and ads. Grant makes as much as $15,000 per speech as a speaker!

Blogging Success Tips:

Grant suggests focusing a lot of strategy on your affiliate marketing. He also stresses the importance of SEO for building traffic. He suggests that you aim for 70% of your content being informational and 30% “sales” content that you can earn from.

9. The Saavy Couple, Kelan and Brittany

Blogging Niche: Personal Finance

Started in: 2016

The Savvy Couple is a personal finance blog that makes as much as $100,000 a month! Kelan and Britanny are millionare bloggers that worked hard to get where they are.

They started their blog in 2016 and were able to quit their full time day jobs within just 3 years when it became a 6 figure business.

They worked extremely hard and made sure to keep themselves educated on how to blog successfully. They also diversified income streams for monetization.

Blog Income Sources:

Affiliate marketing, ads, courses and sponsorships from brands.

Blogging Success Tips:

As some of the highest paid bloggers, their #1 tip for blogging is to treat your blog like a business. They invested in education for themselves and worked very hard to make it a success.

They also suggest building a brand and not just a blog as well as creating a specific content and monetization strategy.

They also talk about what mistakes you should avoid as a blogger like trying to learn everything at once. Focusing on too many platforms and treating your blog like a hobby are other mistakes to avoid.

10. It’s a Lovely Life, HEather Delaney Reese

Blogging Niche: Travel

Started in: 2014

Heather Delaney Reese’s travel blog It’s a Lovely Life makes over $200,000 a month! That’s a ton of money.

They travel all over the world, writing about their adventures and make more than a full time income blogging. Sponsors actually pay for most of their travel costs! Plus, they make money from the blog.

They have educational courses and support on a Facebook group page for those that want to learn about blogging.

In a 2019 income report, they revealed they made over $1 million in educational courses alone! Their total income that year was over $2 million! They are definitely some of the highest paid bloggers.

They haven’t published any more income reports on It’s a Lovely Life since that one.

Blog Income Sources:

Affiliate income, sponsorsed posts and brand partnerships, and educational courses.

Blogging Success Tips:

Heather says having a blog is not a get-rich-quick scheme, that it does take hard work. And, that you should have a plan in place for your blog and business. She also stresses that it takes time to make your business successful

Tips on Becoming a Successful Blogger Making Money

As you can see from the stories of these successful blogs, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to success in blogging.

Each blogger had their unique journey, challenges, and strategies that worked for them. However, some common themes emerged from the stories.

Here are some takeaways that you can apply to your own blogging journey:

Passion is key:

The most successful bloggers are those who are passionate about their niche. They genuinely care about their readers and want to help them solve problems, learn new skills, or entertain them. So, find a niche that you are passionate about and start creating content that resonates with your audience.

Consistency pays off:

Blogging is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It takes time, effort, and patience to build a loyal audience and monetize your blog. You can’t just publish a blog post and be done! You need a loyal following and high quality content.

Therefore, you need to be consistent in your content creation, promotion, and engagement with your readers. Set realistic goals and stick to them. Publishing on the same day or days every week for is also a good plan.

Monetization is possible:

While blogging may not make you an overnight millionaire, it can be a lucrative side hustle or a full-time income stream.

The bloggers in these success stories used various monetization strategies like affiliate marketing, sponsored content, digital products, and advertising. Find the ones that work for your niche and audience. The most profitable blogs have several income streams.

Success is subjective:

Finally, remember that success means different things to different people. It could be financial freedom, creative fulfillment, personal growth, or community building. So, define your own version of success and work towards it.

Learn from the Best:

Education is key as it is in everything! Invest in yourself and your education before you start a lifestyle blog or any other type of blog.

Learn from other successful bloggers like these who are making money. Leverage their mistakes and successes and use their tips yourself in your own blogging journey. Plus, invest in some courses from other successful bloggers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it take to become a top-earning blogger?

To become a top-earning blogger, you need to have a clear understanding of your niche, create high-quality content, and be consistent in your efforts.

You also need to be patient as building a successful blog takes time and effort. It’s important to focus on building an engaged audience and providing value to your readers. And, pay attention to search engine optimization from the beginning! (Invest in the Stupid Simple SEO course.)

How often do bloggers actually reach millionaire status?

While it’s not impossible for bloggers to reach millionaire status, it’s not a common occurrence. Most successful bloggers earn a comfortable living, but it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to reach that level of success. It’s important to remember that blogging is not a get-rich-quick scheme, and it takes time to build a successful blog.

What are some inspiring success stories from bloggers?

There are many inspiring success stories from bloggers, like Carly Campbell from Mommy on Purpose, who was able to bring her blog to six-figure success in just two years.

Another example is Michelle Schroeder-Gardner from Making Sense of Cents, who earns over $100,000 per month from her blog. These success stories show that with hard work and dedication, it’s possible to achieve success as a blogger.

Can you still make a good living through blogging today?

Yes, you can still make a good living through blogging today. While it’s true that the blogging landscape has become more competitive, there are still many opportunities for bloggers to earn a comfortable living. It’s important to focus on providing value to your readers and building an engaged audience.

What are the common traits among highly successful bloggers?

Highly successful bloggers have several common traits, including a clear understanding of their niche, the ability to create high-quality content, consistency in their efforts, and a willingness to learn and adapt. They also have a strong work ethic and are passionate about their blog and their readers.

How much can a dedicated blogger expect to earn on average?

The amount a dedicated blogger can earn on average varies widely depending on their niche, audience size, and monetization strategies.

Some bloggers earn a few hundred dollars per month, while others earn six figures or more. It’s important to focus on building an engaged audience and providing value to your readers, and the earnings will follow. If you want a six figure business from blogging, it will take a lot of hard work.

Start your own successful blog

There are plenty more stories of successful bloggers making big money out there! With some hard work and dedication you could be the next one.

Ready to start your own money-making blog? Learn the simple steps here and start today!

More Blogging Tips for success:

My First Blogging Income Report

Blog Examples for Students

Best Blogging Platforms to Make Money

7 Best Free Social Media Schedulers

How to Write a Good Blog Description

6 Best Cameras for Bloggers

Most Profitable Blog Niches

Best Laptops for Bloggers

7 Best AdSense Alternatives

MY FAVORITE HELPFUL BLOGGING TOOLS:

Tailwind for Pinterest to help boost your blog traffic

ConvertKit for email automation and landing page conversions

Keysearch for keyword research

WP Forms for creating contact and email subscriber forms

OptinMonster to create beautiful landing pages and lead generating forms

Elegant Themes for design themes

Canva for graphic design

Stupid Simple SEO course for SEO tactics and organic traffic

Long Tail Pro keyword research

Fiverr for freelance designers