The Truth About Cats And Blogs
If you want to make money blogging you will have to work hard! And that is the truth.
Blogging was once a leisure activity, but the likes of John Chow, Darren Rowse, and Yaro Starak have truly made blogging into a career choice for many. Their inspiration and the dreams of big dollar paychecks from blogging are driving people into the market like wild fire spreads, but people don’t often see the truth. Making money blogging isn’t easy or guaranteed.
In my experience, which by all accounts is limited, I have found out that it is hard, very hard in fact. September marked a turning point for me as a blogger because it was the month in which I started treating blogging for what it was: a business. In September I netted -$1.00 for 120 hours worth of work. That is right I lost money, my hosting expenses equaled $10.00 and my revenues where $9.00.
As I mentioned before my experience is limited, so I thought it would be more affective to prove my point by sharing with you the experiences of other bloggers. Since I was trying to prove a point I went and asked bloggers that you probably know ( Tom, Ben, Joe ) this question. How much money did you make and how many hours of work did you put in in your first month of blogging?
Tom of StandOutBlogger is what the name of his site implies, a stand out blogger, but things at the beginning weren’t exactly lucrative.
Tom responded to my question with:
I made $30.00 in the first month from 3 125×125 ad sales! In regards to how many hours I invested I am no totally sure but I would estimate 4-6 hours a day for the first month.
Now don’t get me wrong $30.00 is quite a bi more than what I made, and quite impressive for 1 month of blogging, but when it comes down to paying the bills $30.00 just won’t pan out when you are putting in 100-150 hours worth of work.
Ben from BenjaminPatton.com is a rising star in the market as his feed count is quickly growing and is now over 240 subscribers. But Ben wasn’t always sitting so pretty. I seem to have lost my quote for Ben so I will just have to paraphrase. Ben said the he made over $100 dollars in his first month, but much of that money came from other online markets, but when it came down to blogging he had revenues of $25 from roughly 100 hours worth of work.
Normal Joe from ImWithJoe.com is anything but normal as I am sure you know. But his site is growing fast because he puts in more work than anybody around. But like the rest of us that wasn’t always the case. Like most of Joe’s world famous comments he provide a great quote for us.
Normal Joe said:
Dude, my first month lol hahahaha. I put in maybe 20 to 30 hours and made NOTHING from my blog! Sure I made money from other things outside my blog, but nothing, and I mean nothing from my blog.
You’re right man, it takes time, persistence, and hard work.”
Time, Persistence, and Hard Work!
This post was not written to discourage anyone from getting into blogging, but it is meant to be a reality check. You are not going to make 1,000 , 10,000, or even 1 dollar from blogging unless you put in the effort.
Let Me Know:
What has blogging for money been like for you? I would especially like to hear from those who have started to make money, or those who made money right away. How hard did you work? How much time did you spend? Was it luck?
39 Comments
ZK@WebTrafficROI on October 5th, 2008
I though blogging would be easy , it gets tougher each day 
..but I am hangin in there
ZK@WebTrafficROIs last blog post..Are You Making Money with Your Blog ?
Freddie on October 5th, 2008
My first month of blogging sucked, I think I made about $3 bucks. I am closer to the $100 marker now, but that was all Adsense with one site.
Now I have a very different understanding and outlook on blogging. I understand that it can be a hobby, but if you want to make some money you MUST treat this as a business.
Over the last 7 days, I have been treating this like a business, seeing the results, and planning on using these ideas in the very near future to skyrocket my earnings.
I have no doubt that this is going to happen. It is a matter of time. Why is this going to happen?
Because I am willing to put in the hard work!
Great post!
Freddies last blog post..Capitalize on the Long Tail
Freddie on October 5th, 2008
Oh yeah, Adam, Joe cracks me up! You are right, he is know for classic comments and crazy videos as well!
Freddies last blog post..Capitalize on the Long Tail
M. Pence on October 5th, 2008
It’s been slower on my part, I think, because we’re such a mixed bag when it comes to a blog. We have several “niches” here and there as well as a dash of personal blog thrown in. It probably hurts us a little bit when it comes to advertisers–but I’ve got time, patience, and lots of great posts from people like you, Jason, Ben and a plethora of other bloggers to help us.
I’ve made money mostly through sponsored posts by PayPerPost right now. ‘Bought 100$ sprinkled through a few months.
I DO have one question for ya though, Adam–you’re using Brian’s threaded comments, are you? If so–how in the world can I adjust the spacing to be like this? :p Sorry to ask something totally off topic!
Adam on October 5th, 2008
Hard work, determination, and persistence will pay off for all of us. Thanks for sharing your story. I hope this post will inspire others to keep going even if they aren’t making it rich blogging.
Adams last blog post..The Truth About Cats And Blogs
Adam on October 5th, 2008
ZK,
Work it man. Your blog is coming along nicely. I will be by there in a little bit after I catch up on these comments.
Adams last blog post..The Truth About Cats And Blogs
Adam on October 5th, 2008
Freddie,
That is a great outlook man. Continue to work hard and you will reach your goals. But it isn’t just working hard remember that part of it will be learning and applying what you have learned. Keep up the good work, learn and you will see the success.
Adam
Adams last blog post..The Truth About Cats And Blogs
Adam on October 5th, 2008
Joe is crazy, crazy about sammiches. But he is a dedicated blogger and is growing quickly because of his work ethic.
Adams last blog post..The Truth About Cats And Blogs
Adam on October 5th, 2008
Mel,
You’re blog is great and I wouldn’t say it is slower at all. Your feed count drwarfs mine, but watch out because I am about to take the blogosphere by storm.
As for the comment threading, I am not sure what you question is. If you can email me with a better description of what you are looking for I will see what I can suggest. I can help you write the css to style it pretty much however.
Adam
Adams last blog post..The Truth About Cats And Blogs
Best of the blogs this week - Web TrafficROI | WebTrafficROI.com on October 5th, 2008
[...] been slogging and working hard on his blog and its getting him well deserved rewards and accolades. The Truth About Cats and Blogs is an interesting post on hard work and its rewards in [...]
M. Pence on October 5th, 2008
I fist shake in your general direction sir, and your feed-count upcoming storm!
I will try and e-mail ya what I mean, thanks!
M. Pences last blog post..Sorry, my womb just up and wrote this.
Adam on October 5th, 2008
Mel,
Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time.
I got your email and they styling is most likely on the paragraph tags I will look at it tomorrow.
Adam
PS. Bonus points of you know what movie I am quoting.
Adams last blog post..The Truth About Cats And Blogs
M. Pence on October 5th, 2008
Oh, if I didn’t know that was Monty Python’s Holy Grail, I would phail at being a phat geek!
“Listen, strange women lyin’ in ponds distributin’ swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. “
Thanks very much for offering to help out, I know it can be kinda annoying to get random How Do I Shoot Web? questions on blog entries, and will try my best to avoid such in the future :B
M. Pences last blog post..Sorry, my womb just up and wrote this.
kouji on October 6th, 2008
great reality check here, especially since you reference other bloggers. my blog’s been around for a little over a month, and i’ve barely managed to make more than $2. :O but i’m willing to be patient. and monetization is only one of my goals.
koujis last blog post..haiku poem: poverty (goodsearch)
Danny Cooper on October 6th, 2008
I can’t even count the hours I’ve put in the first month, I know it didn’t equal to any revenue though!
Danny Coopers last blog post..What’s on Your RSS Reader?
Melvin on October 6th, 2008
Damn this is a great post! My first month was intresting. I was like suffered from tonsilitis, low blood and dengue days after my blog was launched so it never get the traction that I want it to have. Anyway, the thing is when you blog nowadays its easier to grow your readership but on monetizing its like playing a strategy game where you have to put stuffs on perspectives. My first monetization strategy was signing to matched.co.uk wherein you can get 5 pounds for placing a banner. thats how it started for me
Adam on October 6th, 2008
Don’t avoid them I am here to help. I might as well use my degree for something.
Adam on October 6th, 2008
Good. I need to learn more about making affiliate sales. My goal is to start earning more now that I am generating some traffic.
Adams last blog post..The Truth About Cats And Blogs
Adam on October 6th, 2008
Danny, I don’t think you are going to have that problem for much longer. Keep up the good work.
Adams last blog post..The Truth About Cats And Blogs
Adam on October 6th, 2008
Thanks Melvin,
I think you might need to be quarantined. Please stay away from me with all of that sickness. Just kidding. I hope it has all gone away and you are healthy again so you can get better and focus on achieving your goals.
Adam
Adams last blog post..The Truth About Cats And Blogs
Danny Cooper on October 6th, 2008
Its not a problem, its a gift, I know you lot would love to earn nothing from your blogs.
Danny Coopers last blog post..What’s on Your RSS Reader?
Blog for Beginners on October 6th, 2008
Well, I don’t recall I made anything on my first month and I don’t remember how many hours I spent on it either. All I remember is that I pretty much enjoyed what I’m doing. Oh ya, I’m not into blogging for money so the pressure to keep doing it right doesn’t exist for me.
Still, a great article.
Yan
Dennis Edell on October 6th, 2008
Just wanted to say I’ve found you through commentluv and have subscribed…good stuff here
Dennis Edells last blog post..Knowledge Link Love #1: What Are Your Favorite Social Networks and Why?
Adam on October 6th, 2008
Dennis,
I went back and checked out your site it looks interesting. I don’t have a minute to read you link love post fully, but expect me to come back to your site tommorrow and check it out. I am interested too see what you have going.
Adam
Adams last blog post..A Little Friendly Competition
Adam on October 6th, 2008
Yan,
I loved your post about finding the right niche and am inspired by your writing. So whether you are doing it for money or not you have me as a reader.
Adam
Adams last blog post..A Little Friendly Competition
Dennis Edell on October 6th, 2008
Thanks Adam, I appreciate that.
I’d love to see a subscribe to comments plugin at work here, now I have to keep the page open
Dennis Edells last blog post..Knowledge Link Love #1: What Are Your Favorite Social Networks and Why?
Adam on October 6th, 2008
Dennis,
Yeah I need to get one. I have 2 or 3 plugins that I need to get off of my lazy butt and install.
Adam
Adams last blog post..A Little Friendly Competition
Dennis Edell on October 6th, 2008
Ah ok then. Until then, please don’t get upset if I look like a “one off” comment spammer…I never “remember” to return for replies, that’s why I love the plugin so much
Dennis Edells last blog post..Knowledge Link Love #1: What Are Your Favorite Social Networks and Why?
Simon from Otooo on October 7th, 2008
Great post - kinda inspiring
In my first month I made like $6 with adsense - the next month $0, but the traffic stats had doubled …
Adam on October 7th, 2008
I had similar results. Two months ago I made 1.48 from adsense last month my stats doubled and I made 1.16. It is strange.
Adams last blog post..I Choose Darren Rowse.
Chetan on October 7th, 2008
I Agree !!
I am regular visitor of Problogger !!!
Chetans last blog post..Send E-mails with others E-mail IDs.[Fake Mail]
Around the Blogosphere: October 8th, 2008 | Thought Is Possibility! on October 8th, 2008
[...] 4) The Truth About Cats And Blogs - Adam, from Creadiv.com, has a great post title first of all. Then, he follows it up with some interesting discussion about the truth about blogging. He ends the discussion with a question about how has blogging for money gone for you? Many people are talking about their first months blogging. Cool article, check him out! [...]
SuiteJ on October 8th, 2008
I don’t think you should expect ANY money from your first month running a blog. That way, if you do make anything, you’re excited.
My SuiteJ blog is mainly for networking with you silly rabbits, so I’m not overly concerned with how much money it’s making. I do it because I enjoy it, but also so you guys get familiar with my big head.
IMO, your blog (if it’s about YOU), should be your “hub”, where you build a community of friends and like-minded individuals. If you’re straight with them, they will later support your other endeavors and you can support theirs.
With so many other ways to make money online, that actually requires less time for more money, I think aiming at making a living with one blog is pretty risky. This can depend on quite a few factors though, but I’d stand strong on that opinion if we’re talking about a blogging/MMO blog.
Great post (awesome title!)
Cheers!
Jay
SuiteJs last blog post..What’s On Your Desk… And What Does That Say About You?
ChiQ Montes on October 8th, 2008
don’t forget that even when you are working hard on ur blogs.. if it is your passion.. you are still having fun anyway.
ChiQ Montess last blog post..Make Money Online: Creating Content Niche Sites
Adam on October 9th, 2008
Jay,
I agree that making money through blogging is very hard, and that there may be a ton of ways to make money online that are much easier, but I and many others enjoy blogging and that is why we want to make an effort to earn from it.
I think I am going to step back for trying to make money from my blog and start trying to focus on building readership for a while. Hopefully it will look a little less cluttered around here soon.
Adam
Adams last blog post..Link Building For Beginners
Adam on October 9th, 2008
ChiQ,
Thanks for stopping by and adding to the conversation. Blogging has definitely become a passion of mine and I hope to be in a position some day where I can do it full time.
Adam
PS if you can please subscribe as I am trying to win a subscription competition.
Adam
Adams last blog post..Link Building For Beginners
Underdogblogger on October 10th, 2008
Oh man - great post title! MMO blogs are a dime a dozen these days - I think that really, they are more about building up a network than necessarily making money initially. As you (and lots of the comments) point out, there are easier ways to make a few dollars online
Adam on October 10th, 2008
Underdogblogger,
Thanks for stopping by and participating. I am glad you liked the title of the post. I like the title of your name. Yeah MMO Blogs are a dime a dozen, but it is tough to find good ones. I am in between a mmo and a blogging blog I write mostly about blogging and mix in some methods for making money along the way. I hope you like the site and stick around for a while.
IronBlogger on October 5th, 2008
Hey Adam,
I really liked this postand the truthfulness about it. In my first month of blogging I made almost next to nothing on IronBlogger. The next month I made slightly more but it still was pretty crappy to be honest.
I’ve had my blog for about a total of…3 months I think so far. I can honestly say that after a lot of hard work and effort I am getting better. I have already sold ad space for October and it’s only the beginning of the month.
It was so hard in the beginning and I felt like giving up so many times, but I keep pushing myself and to tell you the truth…it’s starting to pay off.
Nice post mate.
IronBloggers last blog post..IronBloggers First Contest Ever $1000+ Prizes