As a blogger, I frequently encounter the question: “Are you making money from your blog?” It’s an intriguing inquiry—how often do people approach strangers to discuss their income? This seems unique to our community of parenting bloggers. Nevertheless, to satisfy the curiosity, I’ll give you a straightforward answer: Yes, I earn money from blogging, but it’s far from a substantial amount.
For the past three years, I’ve treated this blog not just like a job, but as a hobby, a passion, and even a fourth child. I’ve invested more effort into it than any of my previous positions—likely more than all of them combined (which may reflect my past work ethic). If I were compensated hourly for my efforts here, I’d be quite affluent. Unfortunately, the blogging realm doesn’t operate that way.
When I first began blogging, monetization was not on my radar. It started as a hobby, an experiment. However, inspired by other blogs, I decided to place some Google ads on my site to see if I could generate a little income. Months passed without any earnings, leading me to remove them.
After a year, I joined BlogHer’s ad network, earning around $60 monthly. However, considering the space they occupied on my blog, it felt inadequate, so I removed them and spent the next two years ad-free. Recently, I connected with Federated Media through Clever Girls, which I believed would finally lead to significant earnings. However, even with over half a million page views last month, the ads only appear on certain pages, and I’m only compensated for the ads that run or are clicked.
In summary, relying on advertising won’t yield substantial income unless your blog garners millions of page views each month. Once you factor in expenses for coding, hosting, and modifications, it becomes essential to find alternative revenue streams. Here are several strategies you can explore:
- Sponsored Posts: Payments for sponsored posts can range significantly, from ten to thousands of dollars. While I wouldn’t write about a product for a mere ten bucks, I might consider it for two thousand. It’s crucial to be selective about the products you promote, as too many sponsored posts can alienate your audience.
- Sponsored Campaigns: These are similar to sponsored posts but run for a certain duration. Ensure you genuinely support the product or company before committing. I once promoted a movie without seeing it first, only to find it was one of the worst films I had ever encountered—a valuable lesson learned.
- Writing Opportunities: If you write for platforms beyond your blog, you should seek either exposure or monetary compensation. Earnings can vary from $25 to over $500 per post. For instance, I recently contributed to cnn.com, which didn’t come with payment but provided invaluable exposure that I couldn’t afford otherwise.
- Product Reviews: Though I’m not suggesting you accept payment in the form of soap bars or small gift cards, I have had the pleasure of reviewing high-value items that I wouldn’t have purchased otherwise. Remember, you’ll need to report these items on your taxes, so ensure you want them enough to justify that.
- Employment Opportunities: Many bloggers have transitioned their blogging experience into full-time positions. I, for example, worked for a year with a popular parenting network based solely on my blog. In today’s world, your blog can serve as an impressive resume.
It’s important to note that these opportunities won’t materialize overnight. If you’re searching for a quick way to make money from home, blogging may not be the right choice for you. However, if you’re prepared to dedicate significant time and effort over the years, it may ultimately prove rewarding. I certainly hope so.
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Summary
Blogging can be a rewarding venture, but it requires dedication and time before it becomes profitable. Techniques like sponsored posts, campaigns, and writing opportunities can help generate income. However, success doesn’t happen overnight, and being selective in your partnerships is key.