Can you still make money from blogs/sites? How? What should it

If you can build up enough traffic to dictate your ad price.

I have a page that literally mirrors random posts from iFunny, funnyjunk and a few others, slapped some advertisements on Facebook using some of the more popular posts, made $170 (profit after ads) in October

>>1599543
You can, its just the most over saturated market in the world. You cant make money just half-assing a sports blog anymore. The only way to make money is to become the leader in whatever your writing about. Chances are its really not worth the effort, unless you know a sure fire way to get six pack abs in less than a week and doctors hate you.

>>1599543
First thing.
Realize that any success you would have with a blog or website would be ephemeral: either competition from another blog or a change in Google's algorithm or something could kill you.
So always keep it as a side biz like you say.

Second thing.
Are you going to make money from adsense or affiliate marketing?

Third thing.
KNOW. YOUR. AUDIENCE.
Are you doing offering practical reviews on the best Microwave to buy?
Are you a mommy blog offering cleaning advice?
Do you offer "lazy portfolio" advice to the passive investor?

Because once you know your audience, and what "value proposition" you're offering (each one of your articles is adding value to their life). Don't think in terms of demographics, think in terms of getting shit done. You want to answer questions, solve problems. That way you can optimize your S.E.O. so when someone googles: "How do I make money blogging about Thai Food restaurants" BAM! You're article "make money blogging reviews about restaurants" comes up... It's a shit example I know, but hopefully the point isn't lost on you.