Anil Agarwal Shares Insights on How to Make $10,000 Monthly Through Blogging

Introduction:
In this exclusive interview with Anil Agarwal, the founder of Bloggers Passion and Hosting Monk, we delve into his journey in the blogging and SEO industry, spanning over a decade. Anil’s expertise has earned him features on prestigious platforms such as Forbes, Semrush, and Neil Patel. Discover the strategies and insights that have propelled him to a consistent $10,000 monthly income from his two successful blogs.

Back Story and Revenue Model:
Anil commenced his career in SEO, gradually climbing the ranks in various companies. Dissatisfied with the limited income from his job, he ventured into blogging, starting with a Free Blogspot platform. In 2007, he created his first blog on blogging, which he later sold for $35,000 on Flippa in 2011. Subsequently, he launched Bloggers Passion in 2010, focusing on the blogging and SEO niche. Over the years, he transitioned to full-time blogging, achieving a monthly income of $10,000 through affiliate marketing, ebooks, and free courses, with a significant portion stemming from Bloggers Passion.

Why the Blogging Niche:
Having initially explored blogs on weight loss and credit history, Anil found his true passion in blogging and SEO. His first self-hosted blog in 2008 was centered around these topics, laying the foundation for Bloggers Passion.

Motivation During the Initial Stages:
Balancing a job and blogging simultaneously, Anil acknowledged the slow growth of his blog. Limited resources and mentorship in the early days prompted him to persevere. Unlike present-day bloggers who dedicate their entire day to blogging, Anil’s journey was one of gradual success due to the lack of guides and mentors.

Target Audience Selection:
Anil strategically focuses on beginners, recognizing the broad potential and monetization opportunities in this niche. While his blog primarily caters to beginners, he includes content beneficial to both mid-level and advanced bloggers.

Evolution of Business Model:
Initially relying on Google AdSense for his free Blogspot blog, Anil diversified his revenue streams upon transitioning to a self-hosted WordPress blog. Over the years, he incorporated sponsored posts, banner ads, and eventually shifted towards affiliate marketing, emphasizing products related to SEO tools, hosting, WordPress themes, and plugins. Diversification continued with the introduction of ebooks.

Creating Recurring Income in Affiliate Marketing:
Anil highlights the importance of promoting products with recurring affiliate models, citing Semrush as a prime example. Recurring commissions for renewals provide a stable income source compared to one-time affiliate products.

Building and Choosing a Team:
Anil’s team comprises individuals with blogging and SEO expertise. When hiring, he seeks out new bloggers struggling to make money online but possessing strong writing skills and blogging knowledge.

Overcoming Challenges:
One notable challenge Anil faced was the suspension of his Google AdSense account. This setback led him to explore alternatives such as direct ad selling, paid reviews, text links, and eventually affiliate marketing.

Future Plans:
Anil envisions expanding the ebook section of Bloggers Passion, launching paid courses, and comprehensively covering topics related to blogging, SEO, and marketing. The incorporation of YouTube videos and active participation on platforms like Quora reflects his commitment to engaging with a wider audience.

Tools Used for Business Management and Growth:
Anil relies on tools such as Semrush, Ahrefs, ConvertKit, WPX for hosting, RankMath for SEO, Camtasia for video editing, and draws inspiration from Russell Branson’s “Traffic Secrets.”

Advice for New Bloggers:
Anil recommends starting blogging on the side while maintaining a job until reaching a decent level. He emphasizes the importance of analyzing data over at least 6 to 12 months before making significant decisions.

Key Learnings:
Anil’s key learnings include maintaining clarity about your niche and having a genuine passion for it, along with a focus on SEO from the beginning. These principles have played a crucial role in his sustained success in the competitive world of blogging.