HOW TO BECOME FULL TIME IN BLOGGING: 3 Best Things To Do
Figuring out how to become full-time in blogging wasn’t something I planned from the start. When I left my corporate job in 2018, I didn’t have a clear roadmap. I just knew I wanted something different. At that time, my blog was more of a passion project than a source of income.
But now that I get to spend more time at home, I have started to see its potential. What began as a personal space slowly turned into something I could actually build on, and eventually, something that could support my lifestyle.
Blogging vs. Vlogging: What’s the Difference?
With the ever-growing landscape of content creation, I’ve noticed that a lot of people still get confused about blogging and vlogging, or think they’re basically the same thing.
No, they’re not the same.
While they can overlap, they’re actually very different in how you create, share, and connect with your audience.
Blogging
Blogging is mainly written content, like what you’re reading now. It’s where you share your thoughts, experiences, guides, or stories through articles on your website. This is where you have full control. You have your own platform, your own space, and your own voice. Meaning, a website.
For me, blogging feels more intentional. You get to organize your thoughts, go deeper into details, and create something that people can come back to anytime.
It’s also more searchable. People can find your blog through search engines, which means your content can continue to bring traffic even months or years after publishing.
Vlogging
Vlogging, on the other hand, is more video-based. This usually lives on platforms like YouTube or even short-form platforms, like TikTok and Instagram Reels, where you document your life, experiences, or share information through video.
It’s more dynamic and personal in a different way. People get to see you, hear you, and connect with your energy.
But it can also be more time-consuming because it involves filming, editing, and showing up on camera, which isn’t always easy, especially when you’re just starting.
This blog post leans more toward becoming full-time in blogging. A lot of creators (including me) use both blogging and vlogging to complement each other. Your blog can be your main hub, while your videos and social media platforms help bring people in and expand your reach.
3 Things on How to Become Full Time in Blogging
I’ve realized there are really three core things you need to focus on if you want blogging to become more than a hobby. Get these right, and everything else starts falling into place.
You Need a Blog Site
If you want to become full-time in blogging, the first thing you absolutely need is your own blog site. This is your home base — the place where all your content lives and where you have full control. Social media platforms are great for reaching people, but technically, you don’t own them. Algorithms change, platforms evolve, and your content could get buried or removed overnight. Your blog, however, is yours.
For me, investing in a self-hosted site was a game-changer. It gave me freedom to design, customize, and organize my content in a way that truly reflects my brand. A few things to consider when starting your blog site:
- Pick a platform (WordPress is popular for flexibility, but others work too.)
- Get a domain name that’s easy to remember and represents your brand
- Invest in reliable hosting. Your site needs to load fast and be stable. (I’m using IONOS.)
- Focus on usability and aesthetics. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just clean and functional.
How to Start a Blog: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Turn Your Blog into an Income Stream
Once your blog is up and running, the next step is figuring out how to monetize it. This is often the part that intimidates new bloggers, but honestly, it’s mostly about experimenting and learning what works for your audience.
One of my first milestones was getting approved for Google AdSense. At that time, it felt like a huge achievement—not because it made me rich instantly, but because it proved that my blog had real potential to earn.
From there, I started understanding how blogging can actually generate income through:
- Ads – Google AdSense or other ad networks can generate passive income, even when you’re not actively posting.
- Affiliate marketing – Recommend products, services, or tools you love, and earn a commission for each sale made through your links.
- Sponsored content – Partner with brands to create posts or campaigns that fit your blog’s niche.
- Digital products or services – Think e-books, guides, or online workshops that provide value to your readers.
New Blog? Do These 5 Things First To Get Easily Approved by Google Adsense When You Apply
Build a Social Media Presence for Your Blog
A blog alone can attract traffic through search engines, but social media is what helps people discover you in the first place. Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and even TikTok can amplify your content and build a loyal following.
When I was starting out, I didn’t have a perfect strategy. I just started it, experimented, and slowly figured out what works.
And until today, I’m still learning.
What Social Media Platforms You Need to Grow Your Blog
You don’t need to be everywhere, but choosing the right platforms can make a huge difference. Social media works best when it’s consistent, authentic, and complements your blog rather than replacing it.
Here are the platforms I personally use to support my blog:
Facebook Page
My Facebook page (@ohmisskhae) was one of the first platforms I created when I decided to take blogging seriously.
I use it to share short videos, updates, photos, and content from my blog. It’s a good platform to build a community and reach a wider audience.
This is where I connect visually and share snippets of my life, travels, and everyday moments. Reaching over 5,000 followers on Instagram was a big milestone for me, not just because of the numbers, but because it showed that consistency and authenticity matter.
Instagram can feel intimidating, but it’s one of the best platforms to build your personal brand as a blogger.
Pinterest is one of the most underrated platforms for bloggers. For me, it’s not just social media, but it’s literally a search engine.
Even with minimal effort at the start, I saw how it could drive traffic to my blog. That’s when I realized how important it is to create and schedule pins consistently. If your goal is blog traffic, don’t ignore Pinterest.
Youtube
I started my YouTube channel as a personal outlet in 2019, but eventually, I saw its potential as an extension of my blog, which can also be monetized if you reach its requirements for monetization.
Video content allows you to connect with your audience in a more personal way. It doesn’t have to be perfect, you just have to start.
When I started, I was overwhelmed. There were so many platforms, so many strategies, and so many things I felt like I needed to learn.
But over time, I realized this: You don’t need to do everything at once. Focus on one platform. Build consistency. Then expand. That’s how you grow without burning out.
Is Becoming Full-Time in Blogging Worth It?
The short answer: it depends.
Yes, if you genuinely love writing, sharing your experiences, and creating content that reflects your passions. Picking a niche you care about makes it much easier to stay consistent and motivated. For me, that’s travel. That’s why I naturally lean into travel blogging. When you enjoy what you do, even the challenging days feel worth it.
Is Travel Blogging Hard? Top 3 Challenges for Travel Bloggers (And How I Overcame Them)
No, if earning money is your only focus. Blogging takes time, effort, and patience before it becomes a reliable income stream. If your main goal is quick profit, you might feel frustrated and burned out quickly. Full-time blogging is more about building something sustainable and meaningful than chasing instant money.
At the end of the day, being a full-time blogger is rewarding, but only if your heart is in it. Your blog will reflect your passion, and that’s what will attract readers, opportunities, and eventually, income.
Khae Santiago
Thanks for reading! ❤ I'm a solo female traveler, freediver, and coffee enthusiast sharing raw, inspiring stories from the road. I hope my adventures help spark yours! :>>


Nicole San Miguel
Congrats on your achievements and GoodLuck sa MK Studio 🙂 I agree with what you said, loyal clients helps us keep the business going that’s why I’m also thankful to my regular clients for their trust.
Dianne
Congrats on your wins! I enjoyed reading this. This is my first time on your blog but I’m already itching to click your pages. Like you, I’ve been blogging for a long time already but never really earned that much. Who knows? I might also take this seriously soon. And oh, I love pinterest. I just started creating pins. haha.
Hazel Salcedo
Congrats on all your milestone! It’s hard to grow social media accounts organically haha that’s one of my goals this year. 🙂 and good luck with your digital freelancing career! ?
sarrahsstories
Congratulations! You have achieved a lot. I know it’s not easy but you did it. Hopefully, I can do the same. Lookin forward to read your blog about adsense approval.
iamraediant
Girl, you got skills! I am so happy for your achievements. It is inspiring to see fellow bloggers who excel! Keep it up! 🙂
Pinaynursemeetsworld
Congratulations on your Instagram growth and Adsense Appoval. I was approved by adsense but I removed it because it makes my blog so slow. But I am thinking of putting back the ads…to see how it’s gonna work this time! Keep it up!
Julius Mananquil
Nice one Khae. Congrats sa imo naabtan karon and enjoy lang sa process. 🙂
Misskhae
Thank you, Jul! ☺️ I will and let’s collab again for another travel article next time ?
mytravelatte.com
Yay, congrats! You’ll do great and excel on your field that’s for sure. This post made me encouraged to strive more for my digital works.