There is a certain mystery associated with the money making potential of a blog. People often incredulously ask, “Can you really make money blogging?” The skeptics claim the only people who make money blogging are people who teach others to make money blogging.
Bob has a stellar article on how to make money with a blog. However, I think readers often have a lingering unanswered question – what about me? Is blogging really a feasible income generating business for me?
This is not another post on how to make money blogging. I don’t know how to make money blogging. I don’t make money blogging. Instead, today I want to share my personal, inexperienced, novice reflection on how legitimate an option blogging is for a source of income.
This post is my own experience with implementing the suggestions from Bob’s landmark post on how to make money blogging.
Testimonial from a six month old blog that followed Bob’s “How to Make Money With a Blog” post as a guide
Very early in my blogging adventure I came across Bob’s post. Reading and following that post has been an essential part of my blogging experience. I followed the suggestions almost as if they were commandments. It was (and is) the single most important blog resource I have read.
My blog and Bob’s post are only separated by a few months. I write for a new blog (about 6 months old) called www.moneyhelpforchristians.com. Since the very first time that I read Bob’s post I asked myself: if I follow the suggestions from Bob’s post can I reasonably expect to have similar results?
My (in)Experience and Actions:
Host:
I started off with Dreamhost (I even entered in the “Christianblog” promo code and got 25% off). The problem was that I had no idea what to do from there and ultimately gave up and decided to use a blogging platform I knew – blogger. Ultimately, I knew, however, that I needed to be self hosting so I gave Bluehost a try. I currently am still hosting with Bluehost. I’m relatively happy with their service (great for a site my size), but when it’s time to pay again (June 2010) I’ll probably upgrade to another service.
Theme:
I jumped around trying different free WordPress themes. Ultimately, I ended up purchasing Thesis (at around the same time as Bob). It was the right choice for me because it was simple enough for me to understand and (I don’t know why) it seems as though my traffic increased when I switched. I think Thesis might just be more SEO friendly than what I had before.
Time:
I can only think about one thing at a time. I tend to obsess over everything I do, so during my first several months I have probably spent 15 + hours a week blogging. I post every day, which is not a big deal for me because I love to write. I think if I lived during the times of John Calvin I could have given him a run for his money in terms of sheer content.
Guest Posting:
Because I have limited internet access I decided early on that I would write like crazy. It was my best off line promotional option. The guest posting is effective because it introduces you to new audiences and even to experienced bloggers. For me, almost every “door of opportunity” was opened as the direct result of submitting a guest post. However, the guest posting does take time.
I’m not suggesting this type of a game plan – just letting you know what I did.
How Long Does it Take To Start Making Money Blogging?
I’ve been blogging for six months now and here is my answer – longer than six months. Ha!
From my own blog I probably work for about $2.00 per hour. I continue to blog with the assumption that in the future that number will increase. But, if you’re looking to take a blog and make a huge income within a six month time period you might want to reconsider. A blog is initially a horrible short term source of income. For the time you invest, you will not recoup the money in the short term. So far, there has been a lot of hard work with very little revenue. So do I plan to quit my blog? Absolutely not!
If a person were interested and willing they could increase their online income by writing for Hubpages or buying domain names.
Four Short Term Advantages of Blogging
While I have not made a lot of money from my blog, blogging has become a platform for some unexpected blessings.
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Freelance writing
When I started my blog I didn’t know other bloggers would happily pay someone to write for them. Through connections made directly from my blog I have been able to get some paid writing positions. While the pay varies, I’ve been able to earn several hundred dollars a month from writing articles for other people. The blog is a collection of writing samples for potential clients looking for paid posts.
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Friendships
I had no idea I would come to meet a lot of fantastic people through the blogging experience. I thought I would huddle up in a corner and write. The reality is that when I started blogging I joined a community of people. When I talk to my wife about some other bloggers I talk about them like they are my friends even though I have not met any of them and have only talked on the phone to a few. The blog is a medium through which you can meet some fantastic people.
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Showcase your product
You never know who is going to be reading your blog. The blog gives you a fantastic opportunity to build a brand. While there has not been a huge breakthrough for me, I have read about several people who got fantastic non-blogging opportunities because of their blogs. Your blog might not ever make money, but it could open doors for some other employment opportunities. Several weeks ago I emailed Chuck Bentley (CEO of Crown Financial Ministries) thanking him for his influence in my blog (briefly: the MoneyLife radio show interviewed a blogger who writes Free Money Finance. I started reading the blog, found out I could make extra money blogging, and started blogging). When I emailed Chuck to thank him, he said he had actually been to my site. You never know who could be reading your blog. The blog is a venue you can use to showcase your product (for me it is writing, thinking, and Bible study).
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Personal Rewards
I have loved the opportunity to study about the Bible and money in a new and engaging way. The structure of the blog helps create an accountable environment for learning, studying, and growing. I have found blogging to be therapeutic because I have had the opportunity to write about my own spiritual journey with money. For example, I’ve been able to address topics liks Christians, spending, and guilt. I have even changed some of my own views about the Bible and money. The blog is a catalyst for personal (and in my case spiritual) growth.
Is Blogging Profitable?
A blog is a great way to generate an extra income. The income, however, might not come in your timeframe or even according to your frame of reference. If, however, you have a decent writing talent and a lot of determination you will likely be rewarded for your blogging efforts. Your reward might not come from advertisers or affiliates, but there are still a lot of financial and non-financial benefits to starting a blog.
Photo by Don Hankins.
Note from Bob: Craig’s conclusions are spot on. Blogging is a generally a terrible way to make money in the short-term, but if viewed from a long-term perspective, I am proof that it can work out. Like Craig, I was making a couple bucks an hour at the 6-month mark. I would add that most people will need to be extremely determined problem-solvers in order to make it work. This has been one of the most important skills over the last few years. There have been countless times when I had a problem and just had to stick with it until I figured it out – be it hours or days – I had to keep at it because there is no help desk to call. That said, there are so many non-monetary rewards that come with blogging that it is a fantastic hobby – even if you never make a dime.
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post Craig! As one of the sites that you write for, your writing has been a welcome addition to our content, and we look forward to working with you further. I completely understand how you talk about a lot of your blogging acquaintances as friends – I do the same – and I consider many of them to be good friends. Hopefully you and I will be able to talk soon!
Like you and Bob have stated – if you go into blogging expecting to make a whole bunch of money right off the bat, you’re going to be setting yourself up for a letdown. You both mention that you didn’t make a whole lot in that first 6 months – and I agree with that. Neither did I, however, for me I think the 6 month mark is kind of a breaking point for a lot of blogs where they either decide to send their blog to the blog graveyard, or they decide to keep on keeping on. I’d say a majority of them pack it in. If you keep on writing, you’re in the minority.
I think it was in my 8th or 9th month that my blog actually started making enough money to pay for my hosting fees and leaving a little bit left over to have some extra income. I can remember how amazed I was at that – doing something I love (writing) and making some money doing it!
Over time as the amount of content on my site has grown, along with the number of page views that I receive and subscribers to the site – the income has grown as well. If you keep at it, write lots of content (key in my opinion) and network with other bloggers in your sphere – you can be successful and make blogging a nice secondary source of income. Having that second income is nice because it gives you freedom and security – in the event that one source of income dries up, you still have the blog income!
Keep on keeping on Craig, and your story can help to inspire other aspiring PF bloggers!
interesting insights.. but how do you get the $2/hr? who’s paying you? is it the google ads clicked or some other method? *confused*
rose,
I will go ahead an answer for Craig since he is sleeping (he lives in New Guinea) – basically what I think he is saying is that if he takes the amount of income he earns from his google ads and other ads and divides it by the hours he works on the site, it comes out to about $2 an hour.
Craig – great post. I have found myself also referring back to Bob’s guide.
I’m about six months in also. Even thought I probably could, I haven’t made made a dime so far. However, I have come so far in just six months and most importantly have the energy to keep going.
Good luck Craig with growing your blog.
@Rose – Bob did answer correctly (and yes I was sleeping). Basically I’ve I took my average hours I spent blogging and divided it by the income I made (strictly from my blog) then it would be about $2 per hour.
!
By the way if anyone is looking for a job at $2 an hour let me know – I’ve got some work for you
@Pete – thanks so much for your comment .
If I posted this article on my own site I would have a long list of “blogging buddies” and I would have send my shout out to you.
When you blog you need a lot of supporters – Pete @ Bible Money Matters has been one of my supporters since my very first days.
One of the things that is hard starting is that you never know if you are on track – there is no track! Glad to hear your experience is inline with Bob’s and mine.
Thanks for the post! Bob’s guide has been a huge resource for a LOT of people – me included!
I think you have to treat blogging just like any other business really – provide good product (content), network with others, be responsive to your customers (readers) and continue to give them what they want – great, interesting content!
I’m guessing (since Redeeming Riches is younger than you guys) that if I do that, the readership will grow.
Craig, I think it’s great that you’ve turned the guest posting into an income source – very savvy!
Craig,
I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your writing and following your blog. You’ve got a tremendous talent for writing and I’m amazed at how you’re able to write soooo much for guest posts and your own site. I sometimes wonder if you ever rest?
Successful companies know their customers and provide them the product or service they desire. I think a lot of that is true with blogging too and something I hope to continue to improve. Knowing our audience isn’t always that easy, but I don’t think we can ever go wrong with communicating God’s approach to money. Keep up the good work!
Yep, I’ll chime in too by saying great post, Craig. Thank you for sharing with us.
I’ve read a ton about blogging but only recently discovered Bob’s post. I love posts like that (and this) because they offer a blueprint for how to do it. I can book mark these posts and return to them again and again to see what to do next or just find some encouragement.
And speaking of guest posting, I think this is finally going to push me over the edge to submit a piece for ChristianPF. Thanks for the nudge. :>)
-Marshall Jones Jr.
This site is so encouraging. I just thank God for Bob, Craig and everyone else. God bless you all.
I love the way you put it into perspective. I shouldn’t just be about the money. There is a lot more you can get out of blogging. It sounds like you are appreciative of the other things blogging has provided. I’m sure the money will come if it doesn’t it sounds like you’ll be okay. Thank you for the insight.
@bondChristian
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If you do a guest post with ChristianPf just don’t make it too good because otherwise Bob won’t want me to submit my stuff any more. Ha! Seriously, this is a great site and it would be to your advantage to submit a high quality article.
@Jason@ Redeeming Riches
As for the guest posting as a source of income all I have to say is those opportunities we’re blessings from God. I certainly was too ignorant to come up with the idea.
@ Jason@ One Money Design
Thanks so much for your kind words. That means a lot coming from a talented writer like yourself.
My wife wanted to chime in and say amen to your question about rest. I made a commitment that as much as possible that my blogging would not interfere with my family obligations. As a result, a good part of my writing happens once everyone else is in bed. I think we’re all looking forward to a few long weekends over the Christmas holiday. Personally all I want for Christmas is a full night sleep
Craig, I’ll take a $2/hr job, depending on what it is! email me or twitter MRoseB
Craig,
Thanks for being totally candid (you always are) about your blogging experiences. I am about 5 months into my blog and can relate with much of what you are saying. I might be closing in on that $2/hr
Like Jason, I am amazed at your prolific writing, and always well done. Really…do you ever sleep?
Joe,
)
I think the government should guarantee a minimum wage for bloggers, what do you think? (BTW, I’m just joking. Thought I should say that before my inbox is filled with hate mail
As for as sleep here is my secret weapon …
Living overseas. We have a very uncomplicated and simple life. It gets dark around 6 p.m. and since only 2% of the population has vehicles and less have electricity people rarely go out at night. Except for two nights a week when I have Bible studies around town we are always at home by 6 p.m. When your schedule is free from a lot of the extra activities that come with living in North America you find that you have time to do other things. I write.
A balanced post. While highlighting the downs of expecting too much from blogging, you have left the door open for aspiring pro bloggers to earn a handsome income in the long run.
I have been blogging on Christian topics for about 18 months and have not earned anything so far, despite being an Amazon and Christianbook.com affiliate. The key is traffic and that too relevant traffic. In the long run, I definitely want to switch over to paid hosting and a suitable theme, as such platforms are better optimised for search engines, I believe.
Congrats on the continued success, Craig! I’d have to agree with you, Bob and Pete about that 6-month mark. I was never about to give up, but I think I’d also have to say that in some ways I didn’t really know what I was doing until the 8-9 month mark, too – despite putting in tons of hours learning and tweaking and all of that behind the front end! Although I’ve nicely passed the point where I can pay for my hosting costs with a bit extra to take care of a bill or two, I’m looking to take things to the next level. There’s a lot of info it seems on your first six months or even a year, but I’d love to hear guidance from people on progressing after that point.
I have been going at it for 4 months. I have 6 different blogs. I have made $5 dollars. You do the math. But that doesnt mean I am going to quit either. I just keep blogging, continue learning, and hopefully will profit eventually.
I’ve never blogged before but I am very interested in doing so. So, for those of you who have blogged for at least 6 months to a year, how much are you earning?
I have 3 blogs that I maintain. On 2 of them I do make some money with my blogging. It is not riches such as the world would want, but it does help each month.
I officially launched my blogging career Jan 01 of this year and have had some pay days. When I add them all up and divide by the hours I don’t think that I have hit the $2 mark. What I have gained in the year is how to lay the foundation for a blogging business, tweak my progress, met a new community of generous and like minded people … that, as the ads say, is priceless.
Wishing you continued success………….valentina
There’s no argument there is money in blogging, though I must admit I’m the kind of person who would let the blog grow from a hobby to something that makes money. Still, nothing beats having fun and making a bit of cash from it!
Such an honest look at the life of blogging. I am only making cents per month but I, too, believe that continuous plugging away may pay off. Thanks.
If you want to make money blogging, you should learn SEO tactics.
The other way is to socialize with readers and get invlove in social sites just to get noticed by huge amount of other bloggers and web savvies.
The shortcut way is to be a professional SEO – this is the best way I believe.
With my blog, which is 6 months old, I earn from Google, Adsdaq and Burst (meanwhile) 90$ a day and it is before I start affiliate programs and direct advertising.
So, to my best knowledge, you don’t have to write like crazy .. and hope that you’ll get paid/earned from who knwos where. It’s a work – smart work.
Thanks for the excellant post! I have just started following Bob’s post and trying to implement the advice into my blog. I am actually excited to hear that both of you were making around $2 an hour at the 6 month mark! I figure at 10-15 hours a week, that would be $40 plus per week! I’d be more than happy with that! I have several other websites with adsense going too, so maybe with them all combined, I might be able to see that sooner,, who knows! (-:
Hey, I just thought of a question I forgot to ask earlier. For those of you who are making around $2 hr or more, how much traffic do you currently have coming to your blog or website?? Thanks!
In my experience, YES it is possible. However, it is very difficult and only getting tougher.
I would say that most bloggers’ income is off ads, and with this deep recession bid prices have dropped and so have blogger incomes. I would suggest to anyone with substantial traffic to create your own products and get an email list to build a relationship with & monetize!
Actually, when you read articles created by Blogger’s Guru and Internet Business Experts, they all come with one conclusion, making money from blogging and all Internet business types are almost a long term business.
So, don’t really expect if those blogs can give profit just as soon as people blogging. It probably can be profitable within 1 year and more….
But, if bloggers not giving up, someday it will worth our times