Know-How Exchange : Social Media

First, make sure your expectations are right. Most general blogs make little, if any, money.

The content of your blog is of primary importance. You need to have content in place that people want to read before any income is going to happen. And promoting your blog without content for people to read would likely be a waste of time.

Once you get some content in place, you can start promoting for readers. One cheap (free) way is to take part in online conversations regarding recipes, and when appropriate, mention a recipe on your blog.

Other areas where you can become considered as an expert that also list your blog URL could help. For example, if you write about food for a local paper and they have an online version (and even if not), that would likely get some readers.

You earn money either: 1) Directly: because people want to pay you for your knowledge or 2) Indirectly: because your website is a font of information and you place advertising (e.g., Adsense ads) on it to hopefully get some clickthru/affiliate revenue.

Open up an AdSense account via Goggle. You will earn money from displaying ads on your blog.

Look at various affiliate marketing strategies and sign up on certain affiliate marketing programs related to your content. Yopu will earn money as folks by related and affiliated products.

If your blog grows to be world renknowned, you might be able to command speaking fees, or writing fees, for specific content.

But on the whole, blogging is much like smiling in the dark, until someone shines a light on you and you develop a core of loyal followers, its a thankless payless task. Sorry to be so abrupt, but honestly, few make it as high paying professional bloggers. There is little if any barrier to entry.