# Types of Blog Posts - Explaining - Demonstrating - Novel Ideas # Writing Style # Monetization Considerations My purpose for writing is to improve my own understanding of topics I find interesting, but .... :) First, start learning about search engine optimization (SEO). This includes on-page, off-page, and technical SEO. This will be important to have a general understanding of before you starting producing content. **Topical Mapping and Keyword Research:** Use keyword research tools to start finding low-competition keywords in your niche. Some tools to consider are Ahrefs (good, but expensive), SERanking (similar to Ahrefs, but cheaper), Keywords Everywhere (cheap and very useful), Ubersuggest, and KeySearch. Watch YouTube videos to learn more about this process. Then, create a topical map to plan out the content structure of your website. Essentially, you are creating clusters of keywords/topics to write about. Here's I post I wrote on my subreddit about how to do this with ChatGPT: [https://www.reddit.com/r/BloggingBusiness/comments/1avlbdw/build_a_strong_topical_map_w_these_2_chatgpt/](https://www.reddit.com/r/BloggingBusiness/comments/1avlbdw/build_a_strong_topical_map_w_these_2_chatgpt/) Use a combination of your keyword research and topical mapping to plan your list of content to produce. Try to stick with a minimum of 80% informational content, with 20% or less transactional/bottom-of-funnel content. Consider scaling back your content production temporarily so you have some mental space to think hard about monetization. The most common ways to monetize your website are display ads (Google AdSense, Mediavine, Raptive, etc.) and affiliate programs (Amazon Associates). AdSense is good for starters because the requirements are low, while premium ad networks (they pay MUCH more per visitor) have higher traffic requirements for you to join. Avoid Ezoic (in my opinion). Your site will be negatively impacted by the slow page loading they cause and they are generally a sketchy company. Get into Mediavine or Raptive as soon as possible. Amazon Associates is a great affiliate program, but you can also find independent affiliate programs in your niche. Just Google [Brand/product] affiliate program. For example, “Advanced Auto Parts affiliate program.” The most rewarding monetization, however, is by creating your own products or services. This can be digital products like courses or memberships, but also physical products related to your niche. If you can sell services, that’s also great. These will have the highest return-on-investment (ROI) if done correctly. Be sure to diversify. Don’t rely on one or two monetization methods for the long-term (in the beginning, it’s okay). [How to Start a Blog That Actually Makes Money : r/Blogging](https://www.reddit.com/r/Blogging/comments/1ayggq7/how_to_start_a_blog_that_actually_makes_money/) 1. **1,500–2,500 Words**: This range is often cited as optimal for in-depth coverage of topics, allowing for valuable information and better SEO performance. The sweet spot is around **2,450 words**, which tends to correlate with higher search engine rankings and more social media shares 2. **1,000–1,500 Words**: Some experts suggest this length as sufficient for providing necessary context and information while still being manageable for readers 3. **Shorter Posts (300–600 Words)**: While these lengths are generally considered too brief for authoritative content, they can be effective for generating discussion or targeting specific audiences 4. **Longer Posts (Over 2,500 Words)**: Posts exceeding this length can be beneficial for comprehensive guides or detailed analyses but may risk losing reader engagement if not executed well