Don’t Wait to Monetize: Here’s What to Do Now (Even If You Don’t Have Traffic Yet)
If you’re holding off on monetizing your blog until you have more traffic, a bigger email list, or a massive social media following, this episode is your wakeup call. This episode of the Ultimate Blog Podcast is part three of our three-part series all about making your first $100 blogging. We’re busting the myth that you have to be a “big” blogger before you can start earning money, and sharing how you can monetize from day one.
Why Waiting to Monetize Might Be Holding You Back
Waiting to monetize can feel like the safe thing to do. You might tell yourself you need more time, more polish, or more followers before you’re “ready.” But that hesitation is often just fear in disguise. It’s a fear of what if this fails, or what if I don’t have what it takes?
The longer you wait, the more you overthink. And while you’re chasing perfection, you’re missing the momentum and excitement that come from just getting started.
How Monetizing Early Fuels Growth
Taking yourself seriously from the start signals to others that they can take you seriously too. When you treat your blog like a business – even if it’s just bringing in a few dollars at first – you’re building confidence, clarity, and trust with your audience.
Early monetization is also about learning what works. You don’t have to launch the next big product to start making money. You can test, tweak, and improve while your audience grows – so that when they do show up, you’re ready.
What You Can Do to Start to Monetize Now
You don’t need a six-figure following to start earning. You just need action and a willingness to experiment. Here are a few low-barrier ways to begin:
Sign Up for Affiliate Programs
Start with something simple like Amazon Affiliates. Link to products in your blog posts and social content. You won’t get rich overnight, but you’ll build the habit of sharing useful things with your audience.
Create a Simple Digital Product
Think of something helpful you already know or use, and package it into a PDF, template, checklist, or mini-guide. Then promote it through your blog or Instagram stories. Even a few sales can be a powerful motivator.
Offer a Workshop or Small Service
If you love teaching, consider running a live workshop. If you enjoy helping others behind the scenes, offer a simple service to fellow bloggers or your current network. Many bloggers land their first clients just by chatting in Facebook groups or DMs.
Just Start Sharing
Got five people following you? Start there. Share what you’re offering, talk about how it helps, and link to it. Remember: you’re not bothering people – you’re helping them.
Why Imperfect Action Beats Overthinking
No, it won’t be perfect. And yes, you’ll feel nervous. That’s normal. But you’re testing out what works… and that way as your audience grows, you’ve got those things figured out.
So let go of the need to get everything just right. Embrace trial-and-error. Focus on helping people and learning along the way.
Your First $100 Starts Now
To make things even easier, we’ve created a guide to help you earn your first $100. It includes five monetization ideas that don’t require a big audience and comes with worksheets to help you take real action.
Grab the guide at: theultimateblogpodcast.com/100
In this episode, we covered:
- Why waiting to monetize might be holding you back
- How monetizing early fuels growth
- What you can start to do now to monetize (even without a big audience)
- Why imperfect action beats overthinking
Links and resources mentioned in this episode:
- Your First $100: 5 Beginner-Friendly Ways to Monetize Your Blog
- Check out last week’s episode on which monetization method is right for you!
We hope you loved this episode on what to do now to start monetizing! Please leave us a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode!
