Last Updated on September 10, 2023 by melissanreynolds
Can you make money blogging with a chronic illness? I share how you can in this post.
It’s been 10 years since I started an online diary sharing my experience of pregnancy with fibromyalgia when no-one seemed to know what to do with me. The doctors here couldn’t help me and there wasn’t information online back then.
I have been industriously sharing my journey on this blog through four pregnancies with fibromyalgia, becoming a yoga teacher and now thriving with fibromyalgia.
Let’s be clear from the outset – if you want to blog about chronic illness, you will not be doing it to make lots of money. Your purpose will be to help others and share your journey. Whatever the sales pitches tell you, there is no get rich quick or even slow in blogging. But I will share what I’ve learnt about making it sustainable.
My Experience Blogging and What I did Wrong
It started with a word only, diary-like set of entries. Then I learnt how to create images. I then had to figure out social media. And newsletters. Then hosting. If I had to start again today I would not even try without someone to help me out. There is a lot involved in blogging. Besides setting up the actual website. Every single blog post takes hours to create, publish and share around. Every single yoga video that I share takes hours to create, film, edit and publish.
Thankfully, I have gotten very efficient. I can record a video that requires little editing. My blog post system is down.
But I did it all with way too much trial and error. I had to learn everything the hard way. If I could have had some help I would have taken it. Below I share my top six tips if you are blogging with a chronic illness and my only recommendation for a course for making an income from your blog when you have a chronic illness.
Affiliate notice: Please note that some of my links are affiliate links, if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may make a commission at no extra cost to you. Every little bit helps me to run this blog.
I’ve learnt six key things, so I am sharing these with you today. I am also sharing with you how to grab the shortcut that I wish I had, because I wasted far too long Googling, playing, YouTubing and experimenting when I could have had the information at my finger tips.
My Six Tips for Making Money Blogging with Chronic Illness
Newsletter list
This is your own home, followers are your rental home. I started with a free WordPress website because I just started writing. I thought that all my WordPress followers would just migrate when I did. They didn’t. Start a newsletter list immediately.
Traffic
Traffic is important but the right traffic is best – I found Pinterest and YouTube more engaged than Twitter or Facebook people, so apportion your time and energy on the places that matter
Hosting
Hosting is tricky but important. My first hosting experience went terribly. I am now with GreenGeeks and they are great. You can check out their awesome hosting deal here.
Canva
Use Canva for images, my energy-friendly tip is to make Pinterest size images and use as the blog images and then it is easily shareable to Pinterest. If you want to get fancy make two pin images and one Facebook image for Facebook group sharing. It is worth learning to use Canva immediately.
Your Content
Long form content makes useful resources but make sure its very easily readable in short paragraphs. I have found a mix of personal experience, research and other anecdotal experience to be great.
Purpose
It is so fulfilling to be able to simultaneously write and help others. There was a time I thought I wouldn’t be able to complete my number one life list goal of writing a book but I did! Bit by bit. You just have to start.
Have you wanted to start your own blog in order to share your experience and maybe make money?
I created the Paced Guide to Starting a Blog micro course for you.
It’s broken down into easily achievable steps. It’s the pacing friendly guide I wish I had when I started.
From choosing your topic, goals and purpose. To creating your blog. How to write blog posts in an energy friendly manner. Brainstorming how to monetize. And more.
Don’t forget, this is not an overnight thing. It take time, diligence and patience.
I think we need to really consider WHY we want to start a blog. And be intentional from the outset.
Once you’ve built your blog you might like these ideas for legitimate small business ideas with a chronic illness, using your blog as leverage.
There are bloggers who make a full-time income from their blog (and the accompanying opportunities). It wasn’t until 2019 that I considered making an income from my blog and my yoga offerings (I didn’t even know I could become a yoga teacher until 2019!). So join me as I journey through this and share what I learn with you. Join our team and receive my updates direct to your inbox in the form below or to the right.
Tell me, have you considered blogging?
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