They say you’ve got to speculate to accumulate, and when it comes to monetising a blog it’s a saying that rings true.

What may have started off as a small and unassuming hobby can soon start blossoming into a career, and if you’re blogging on a regular basis – and want to make money out of it – there are certain tools you’re going to need to help you.

I’ve been blogging for six years now, and what started as my small and unassuming hobby has indeed blossomed into a small business.

This means I have to treat it as such, both in terms of investing in equipment and having systems in place to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of my platform.

So, what do you really need to start a blog? What is it worth spending money on, and what else is there to think about? Here are 5 investments worth making if you want to be a professional blogger!

5 investments worth making if you want to be a professional blogger

1. A custom domain name

A custom domain name looks so much better and more professional than a ‘.wordpress.com’ address, for example. It costs less than you probably think (I pay less than £10 a year) and is the first step from hobby blogger to professional blogger!

2. Equipment

If you’ve stepped up your blogging game to the next level, it’s time to invest in the best equipment to suit your needs. As well as upgrading your laptop and camera, instead of settling for the default browser that comes with your computer, it’s also worth looking into upgrading to a more suitable app for you. If you work on a Mac, for example, you could look into how to change default browser for Mac. This can help make your daily blogging tasks much easier by finding an app that works well for you.

3. Branding

Your online presence is extremely important as a blogger, and if you want to up your game it’s worth thinking about and investing in branding. A professional designer can help you to create a slick and sophisticated site that suits your brand and appeals to your target audience. I absolutely love the design Ellie Illustrates came up with for me – there’s no way I could have achieved it myself!

4. An accountant

Keeping your finances in order as a blogger is a lot of work. If you’re trying to create content on a regular basis you might not have time to keep track of your income and outgoings, and you may even have employees to pay on a regular basis. By using an accountant, you can focus on being creative rather than battling with numbers – plus I always say my accountant saves me more than he costs!

5. A personal assistant

A good personal assistant can save you a lot of time and stress if you spend hours trying to organise content and brand collaborations. There are also virtual personal assistants you can hire online who can help you keep on top of your schedule and make your life easier. As a busy blogger this sort of extra help can be the difference between a stressful and smooth day at the office.

Do you blog and have you invested in any of the above? I’d love to hear about your experience!

This is a collaborative post.

If you liked this you may also enjoy reading:

10 reasons blogging IS a proper job

Why I won’t be using the hashtag #freebie

10 things you should never say to a work-at-home mum!