There are basically three ways to make a blog pay for itself:

  1. AdSense - probably the most visible and simplest way. Doesn’t usually earn a ton, but does bring in a trickle for some, a stream for others.
  2. Peripheral Sales - Using it to bring traffic to your primary business, either through direct or abstract promotion. This is our preferred method for some of our blogs.
  3. Prostitute Your Pen - Write paid posts. This is a growing arena - and not one to enter into lightly. Be careful of what you are asked to promote, and of how you are asked to do it.

Research any one of them carefully before you dive in, and then plan it well so that it has a chance of working to achieve your aims.

People make money from blogs - if that is your goal, there is a way to do it.