Blogging Fun And Make Money Starting A Music Blog!
Do you want to know how blogging fun and starting a music blog makes money for you? Come follow me and let me teach you the exact strategies that I use to monetize my blog. It all started with a simple passion which is music.
An idea was born together with my partner whom is a real-life guitarist to start our own music blog talking and recommending music tools and gears for our readers through affiliate marketing,
Above Versatile Music, was created for this sole purpose. My partner wanted a space to celebrate and teach music, but we also needed it to be sustainable.
We saw blogging as an art form where a chance to connect directly with fellow producers, listeners, and artists, and turn that connection into a thriving side hustle.
Now, we are fortunate enough to earn income while pursuing the thing I love most.
If you’re sitting there, buzzing with ideas about music production tutorials, artist spotlights, or instrument reviews, this guide is for you.
Today, we are stripping back the curtain and showing you the exact 8-step roadmap we used to turn our passion for beats and melodies into a profitable venture.
1. Laying the Foundation: Why Self-Hosting is Key
If you want to treat your music blog like a real business—where you have 100% control over your income, design, and most importantly, your audience data—you must choose Self-Hosted WordPress (WordPress.org).
While free platforms (like Blogger or WordPress.com’s free plan) sound great, they severely limit your monetization. They often restrict running certain ads, using advanced affiliate links, and can shut down your site if they feel you’ve violated their terms.
To get a self-hosted WordPress site, you need two things: a Domain Name and Web Hosting.
2. The 8-Step Roadmap to Your Profitable Music Blog
Now that we’ve got the necessity of self-hosting covered, here are the 8 crucial steps to launch your music blog:
Step 1: Choose a Name (Your Sonic Identity)
Your blog name is your brand identity. When I was brainstorming for Above Versatile Music, I kept three things in mind:
- Relevance: It must scream “music.” Think keywords like Beat, Studio, Mix, Sonic, Synth, Melodic, Reverberation, etc.
- Brandability: Avoid complex hyphens or numbers. Aim for a name that’s short, catchy, and easy to say aloud.
- The .COM Rule: Always try to get the .com domain extension first. It’s the most trusted, memorable, and globally recognized.
Step 2: Secure Hosting and Your Domain (The Home Base)
Web hosting is the “land” where your “house” (your blog) sits on the internet. For new bloggers focused on growth and affordability, I recommend a quality shared hosting provider like Dreamhost or Bluehost. They all offer excellent one-click WordPress installation, making setup a breeze.
I started with a budget-friendly provider and scaled up as my traffic grew. Most entry-level plans offer exceptional value for the first year.
| Initial Investment Breakdown | Cost (Approximate) | My Personal Note |
| Web Hosting (Shared/Entry-Level) | $2.95 – $4.99 p/m (paid annually) | This is the most critical expense. Always buy at least 12 months upfront for the best discount. |
| Domain Name (.com) | FREE (Often included with 1-year hosting plan) | If not free, expect to pay $\sim \$12-18$ annually. |
| WordPress Platform | FREE | The software itself is always free and open-source. |
| Theme (Starter) | FREE | A basic theme like Astra or GeneratePress is free and fast. |
| Total Startup Cost | $\sim \$35-\$60$ (First Year) | An extremely low investment for a potential business! |
Step 3: Build Your Blog on WordPress for FREE
Once you sign up for hosting, you’ll be directed to a control panel (cPanel or similar). Look for the One-Click WordPress Install. You literally click a button, and the host sets up the entire platform for you! This step makes WordPress accessible even for beginners.
Step 4: Pick a Theme (Your Stage Design)
The theme dictates the look and feel of your music blog.
- Prioritize Speed: Choose a lightweight, fast-loading theme (like Astra, GeneratePress, or Neve). Fast loading speeds keep readers engaged and help with Google rankings (SEO).
- Music Aesthetic: Look for clean layouts that handle lots of images (album art, gear photos) and, most importantly, have great spacing for embedded media like Spotify playlists and YouTube tutorial videos. You can find thousands of free options in the WordPress Appearance > Themes section.
Step 5: Design a Logo (Your Brand Mark)
Your logo is your signature. You don’t need to hire a designer for $500.
- Use Canva: I designed the first Above Versatile Music logo myself using Canva (free tool). Use a simple, modern font and maybe one music-related icon (a waveform, a stylized note, a studio mic).
- Keep it Simple: A simple, legible logo is better than a complex, confusing one. It should look good as a small favicon in a browser tab.
Step 6: Install Essential Plugins (Your Production Toolkit)
Plugins are like apps for your blog—they add essential functionality. Start with these three must-haves:
| Plugin Name | Purpose for a Music Blog |
| Yoast SEO or Rank Math | Helps you optimize every post to rank on Google for terms like “best budget headphones” or “mixing rap vocals.” |
| WP Rocket or LiteSpeed Cache | These are Caching/Speed plugins. They make your site load lightning-fast, which is crucial for SEO and user experience. |
| Wordfence Security | Protects your site from malware and hackers. Essential for any online business. |
| Audio Player Plugins | Look for one that allows you to embed custom, sleek music players if you host your own tracks or beats. |
Step 7: Learn How to Get Paid (The Monetization Roadmap)
See the table in the previous response for a detailed breakdown of Affiliate Marketing, Digital Products, and Ads—these are your core strategies.
Step 8: Start Driving Traffic to Your Site (The Gig)
Focus on three key areas to bring music lovers to your site:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): This is the long-term game. Use tools (even free ones like Google’s) to find out what music-related questions people are asking. For example: “Is the Shure SM7B worth it?” If you write the best, most detailed answer, Google will send you free, targeted traffic for years.
- Video Synergy (YouTube/TikTok): A music blog must use video. Create short, engaging video snippets (e.g., “3 Pro Mixing Tips”) that are highly shareable on social media, and always direct viewers to your blog for the “Full Gear List” or “Downloadable Checklist.” This drives high-intent visitors who are ready to click your affiliate links.
- Community Engagement: Join music production forums, Reddit communities (like r/edmproduction or r/makinghiphop), and Discord channels. Do not spam your link. Instead, provide valuable, helpful answers, and if your blog post genuinely solves their problem, mention it naturally.
How long does it take to start making money with a music blog?
It’s important to set realistic expectations; blogging is a marathon, not a sprint for profit. Most successful music bloggers start seeing their first income between 6 to 12 months after launch.
What kind of music content monetizes best through affiliate marketing?
Content that involves reviewing tangible products or paid software converts the best in affiliate marketing. This includes detailed reviews of audio interfaces, studio headphones, specific software plugins (VSTs), or online music production courses.
Readers searching for these items are already in the “buying phase,” making them highly likely to click your carefully placed affiliate links.
Do I need to be a professional musician or producer to start a music blog?
Absolutely not; passion and a willingness to learn are far more important than a professional resume.
Many top-earning music blogs are run by enthusiasts who focus on a niche they deeply love, such as indie music discovery or budget home studio setups.
The key is to provide genuine, helpful value from your unique perspective as a consumer, producer, or dedicated listener.
Should I focus on ad revenue or digital product sales when I first start?
When you first launch, you should prioritize digital product sales and affiliate marketing because ad networks require high traffic volumes to pay well.
Instead of waiting years for 50,000 monthly sessions needed for premium ad networks, focus on creating one high-value eBook or beat pack.
Digital products give you 100% of the profit and establish you as an expert immediately. You can always apply for higher-tier ad networks later once your SEO efforts start generating significant traffic.
Conclusion
Now that you have the complete roadmap, from choosing your perfect domain to implementing the monetization strategies we use daily on Above Versatile Music, there’s no reason to delay.
Stop letting your music passion remain just a hobby and start building a genuine, income-generating business today.
Take the first step right now: Click the link below to sign up for your hosting and secure your dream music blog name, and let’s turn your love for beats and melodies into consistent revenue together!
Choose Your Path: Strong Call to Action (CTA)
Option A (For those who haven’t started):
Ready to claim your corner of the internet? > Don’t let another month of “someday” pass you by. [Click here to start your blog with Bluehost for just $3.95/month] and get your free domain name today. Your future self will thank you!
Option B (For those who have a blog but aren’t earning):
Stop blogging for free. > Turn your passion into a paycheck by implementing the strategies above. [Download our Free Monetization Roadmap] and learn exactly which ad networks and affiliate programs are right for your niche.
Option C (Urgency-based):
The best time to start was yesterday. The second best time is NOW. Every day you wait is a day of potential passive income lost. [Launch your professional WordPress site today] and join the thousands of bloggers earning a full-time living online.