I have been asked many times over by many people whether or not to start a blog, for financial gain, and so here’s the truth, if you are asking me this question, my answer is going to be an unequivocal NO.
No you should not even contemplate starting a blog if you are on the fence and need to ask someone if it is worth it.
I clearly think that it IS worth it, but here are some things I also know.
Blogging Is NOT Easy Money
I make quite a bit of money off of my blog. I do this through advertising, affiliates and sponsored posts, but none of it is easy and it did not start right away. I made my first 100 bucks about 4 months into blogging and then nothing came in for the next 4 months. It has taken time, hard work and determination to get me to the point where blogging is financially worth it and none of it happened overnight.
Blogging Is A Way Of Life
Financially successful bloggers know what I mean when I say blogging is a way of life. You are ALWAYS on. I check my comments, Twitter interactions, Facebook updates, IG tags and sundry other details multiple times a day. I try to do it in a way that does not disrupt my life, but sometimes it does. And this is blogging. So think real hard in your mind if all of this is something that you and your family situation can handle before you start a blog, because if what I said sounds like a nightmare to you right now, it will be even worse when it is actually you and not me doing all of these things.
To Make Money In Blogging You Need To Be Able To Diversify
A lot of people prior to starting blogs, have a grand idea for what they are going to blog about. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to at least have a starting idea for your blog, because I can promise you if you don’t, you will burn out. Content isn’t something you can fake, and writer’s block is a thing. It just isn’t a thing you have the luxury to entertain. Make sure that you are covering a topic you can talk about in your sleep, because you may be called on to do that.
I make money off of my blog because I am willing to diversify. As a blogger I will absolutely never partner with a shady product or company. I owe my audience both my loyalty and honesty. Anything featured here on JENerally Informed is going to have my stamp of approval. I hope that over the years that has come to mean something. The professional term is “brand.” It is hard to build and easy to destroy.
But that being said, in order to make money blogging I have had to be wiling to promote and share information about products I never thought I would. It has been fun learning new skills, but if you had asked me 5 years ago if I would be changing my own car air filters and blogging about it, or trying to concoct and make recipes with cereal, I would have never even thought it was something in my skill-set. I have done both of these things, and more, and have done well with them. So if prior to blogging you think that you will ONLY do a certain type of paid post that works with a certain type of company, I say good luck to you. You had better be really, really good and committed to be able to see financial solvency in such a niche market. There is a reason stock brokers tell you to diversify. It works. The same can be said for blogging.
Blogging Has Changed My Life
I feel like there are two versions of me. One that was prior to blogging and the other one that came after blogging. I really like the person that has emerged from her days and years blogging. This person has learned to fight trolls, make life long friends on the internet (that really are dear friends), she can type a 140 character tweet faster than you can blink and she does it all with confidence and a bit of humor. I like her and I know others do too, because they keep coming back to this little space on the vast internet.
It has taken both the good and the bad to get me to this point as a blogger and I won’t say I have loved every minute of it. I do love where I am at right now and I am no longer afraid of change or growth and I actually kind of look forward to each metamorphosis that blogging has brought me, I am always happily surprised at the person that emerges from each one of those blogging transitional phases.
So if none of this sounds like your thing, then perhaps blogging for profit isn’t the right path for you.
If after reading this you are still all in, I would like to say, “Welcome”! Blogging is a crazy, amazing ride and you are going to love it!
Love,
Jen
Go ahead and share this post, you know you want to!
Comments
Love that last line and seriously you are so right about blogging not being easy by any means but very rewarding as I have found it to be this and more for me, too!! :)
Janine Huldie recently posted…How to Make Truly Customized Thank You Cards Using Basic Invite
I think you and I are both lifers for sure! You are so VERY good at it too my friend. You are my idol!
Jen recently posted…Should You Start A Blog
I’m curious who you do get your sponsored post opportunities through? I am way too small to ever qualify for any of the SITS Girls opportunities and I rarely have gotten anything through Sverve/Activate over the years. I’d say my biggest blog revenue maker (and don’t get jealous because I’m talking just a bit of pocket money each year) isn’t even on my blog. It’s the Blogher Social Media Influencer stuff on Twitter and Facebook.
Katy recently posted…5 Instagram Posts You Won’t See From Me on Unremarkable Files
I actually logged into SITS girls last week to see what they had. It seems kind of slim pickings these days. BlogHer does have a lot of great social media sharing jobs! So I get some of my jobs are through Social Fabric, some are from PR firms who contact me that represent companies and products. Some are from direct contact I made with a brand on social media. You have a booming social media profile so I would say use that girl and start rolling in the dough :)
Jen recently posted…Should You Start A Blog
I can’t really imagine starting a blog today. I feel like things have changed so much over the years (I started in 2007) for good and bad. I do love it, and I won’t stop anytime soon…but it helps that I’ve been doing it for so long too.
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Come What May by A.M. Arthur
You are one of the grand dames of blogging! I started in 2011 and feel old! I think though you are right, it gets easier with time, but that first learning/earning curve really is steep!
Jen recently posted…Should You Start A Blog
I’ve had fun blogging, but I don’t really do anything special. I have met a bunch of great folks through blogging though and many are still very close friends.
Great advice.
Have a fabulous day Jen. ☺
Comedy Plus recently posted…Awww Mondays
You actually have met your blogging friends in real life. I am jealous of that and hope to be able to meet some of mine someday as well :)
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up # 9
YES! I loved all of this, especially the diversify part. Flexibility is a must. I just wish I lived in a state that allowed amazon affiliates *sigh* That would really help out the ol’ pocket book, lol.
Great advice Jen!
Beth recently posted…Fueling For Success, Crushing Fitness Goals
I had no idea there were some states where that was a thing?! Bummer, but at least I think you really have the whole diversifying thing down and are rocking it :)
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up # 9
I literally almost wrote this same post! I love blogging and am so glad that I found my niche.
It’s true that once you find the place that feels right in the blogging world, it is the best place to chill out ever! Glad you found yours!
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up # 9
And as you know, because I’m a strange breed myself, all of those things are me. So yes, I’m a blogger! I feel like I could have written this – we share a lot of thoughts.
Tamara recently posted…Creating My Favorite Barbecue Spread.
I am not sure that strange is the way I would describe you. I would instead say awesome, but yes I guess we kind of do have to be a little strange to love all that blogging brings. So long live the strange bloggers!
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up # 9
Such a great post. I have people asking or telling me all the time that they are going to start a blog and this is an awesome resource for them. Will share. xoxo
Caryn recently posted…Inspire Kids to Eat Veggies with Gardening Fun
Thanks Caryn, I am glad you liked this. I don’t want to be mean, but I also hate seeing bloggers burnout because of unrealistic expectations.
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up # 9
I love this Jen! I have no regrets about starting my blog… I just think it’s insane how much things have shifted for me. From wanting to do it for fun, to wanting to make money from it, back to wanting to do it for fun.
You shared some refreshing and honest thoughts here.
Wishing you a lovely week.
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…The Most Candid and Honest Outlook on Blogging You May Ever Read
Thanks Jennifer! I know you and I have had long “talks” about balance before and how that is just a made up word for juggling, but in blogging I feel it just hast to be balanced or it is miserable. For me that balance is making sure it has elements of fun to make it worthy of both my time and talent. Otherwise I should take that time and talent and use it somewhere that gives me more fulfillment.
Hugs to you and I hope you too have a great week. School is out for the summer starting tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up # 9
Blogging has changed my life too! But you know what, I’ve really had to stagger comments and responding. I try to do it twice a week in batches. It’s overtaking life, and we all need to live. Great post!
Kristen recently posted…What I Learned From a Social Media Time Out
Good for you! That means you are a very smart blogger who knows they have great content to share, but wants to avoid burnout. Plus right now it is summertime, so there are pools to swim and beaches to conquer! Have a great one!
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up # 9
Hi Jen, excellent advice. It’s not until you start blogging that you realize how much work goes into it, my friends have no real idea of how much work goes into my blog, but ask my family and they’ll tell you.
Writing posts is probably the easiest part (assuming you have a post idea), it’s everything else that takes the time. In the last few months I have started to realize that I would like to start earning some pennies (or cents) from blogging, but had that been my main aim when I started out I wouldn’t have bothered.
My advice to anyone would be to try it before they buy into the idea of blogging, there are enough free blogging platforms to get a taste of what it’s like to blog and if they don’t like it, no harm done.
xx
Debbie recently posted…How To Colour Code Your Dog’s Poop And When You May Have To
Isn’t that truth. I think some people think it sounds like a fun hobby! Kind of. It should be fun, but it is a heck of a lot of work!
I agree don’t invest big time before you are sure you will like it. Heck, many years in and I am still a cheapskate blogger looking for the free tools to use!
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up # 9
Well said Jen! I’m so glad that I spent the last several years just blogging for me. Things have changed so much since I started almost 6 years ago. I haven’t even tried to make a dime (yet, that’s going to have to change soon), but I’m grateful to have my eyes wide open about the amount of work necessary.
Leslie recently posted…5 Tips for Photographing Children’s Parties
Wow six years! You have an a amazing blog Leslie, really. I am glad you found happiness with it before trying to head down the money road. It has to be fun or it isn’t worth it. When you are ready to make money, I think there will be a bunch of fabulous partnerships in store for you with your amazing photography, recipes and beautifully constructed DIY projects!
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up # 10
What bold, important, and true advice, my friend! I agree with every word. I really need to learn to diversify. I’ve been blogging for almost 3 years and still don’t even make enough to pay for my blog expenses. This is definitely not for someone trying to make a quick buck or for the weak-hearted. I’ve changed a great deal through writing and am so thankful for everything it’s given me, but there are certainly days I could throw in the towel ;). Your words here should be required reading for all who want to start a blog!
Candace recently posted…Why I Quit Talking & Started Listening to God
Thank you Candace what a compliment! I do think your writing and blog share such an incredibly powerful and much needed message. I know your writing and words touch others, so hugs my friend as you share this message with others. I know it is not easy, but I truly hope you don’t stop anytime soon.
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up # 10