How to earn money blogging
September 17, 2007 by Deb
Filed under Freelance Writing
If you’ve been following the different discussions going on here in the past couple of days, you might have come across questions regarding blogging opportunities. These gigs seem to be popping up everywhere.. Many bloggers do very well, some don’t, and others are confused at the different opportunities available. While blogging might not be for everyone, I can attest to it being a lucrative form of income.
Blogging for Yourself: Advertising revenue
First and foremost, one can begin one’s own blog and play around with various methods of revenue. This isn’t for those seeking instant gratification, however. Bringing in revenue through blogging takes time and patience. It took almost two years before I was receiving a check from Google each month, and now, 2 ½ years after starting FWJ, I earn enough to pay others to help me out here. Because I choose to reinvest back into the blog, I’m not earning much in the way of profit, but I believe that’s only a matter of time.
Blogging for others
You can also blog for others. Depending on the business or network you can earn anything from pennies to big bucks. Some networks only offer a cut of the advertising revenue, while certain corporations pay a decent amount of money. Blogging does seem to pay less than traditional freelance writing, but it’s worked out better for me, and here’s why:
- Being able to write what I want means it doesn’t take me long to write each post.
- A blog post can consist of a single sentence, an image, a paragraph or a thousand words. Thus, if someone wants you to post several times a day, it doesn’t mean you have to post several “articles” a day – unless specified.
- Many blog networks offer traffic bonuses, so while the base pay might not be much, the traffic can bring home the bacon.
- Corporate blogs are a goldmine.
I have a few high paying client mixed in with some lower paying gigs with some well-known networks. This is more enjoyable and rewarding to me than all the web content writing I was doing in the past. While there is SEO involved, I don’t have to deal with horrible keywords, and I have the freedom to write what I want as long as I meet a certain quota per month.
Why would anyone want to blog for a living?
I can’t answer that. All you have to do is take a look around here and see why I love blogging so much. Blogging is all about building up a community and talking about the things that interest me. What’s there not to like?
How much should one charge?
Like freelance writing, one’s fee is up to the individual. There are a couple of factors to keep in mind:
- Generally blogging pays less than traditional writing because blogging is a quick form of writing, you can write what you want, and research isn’t always involved. Plus blog posts can be as long or short as you’d like.
- Advertising on the web, especially blog ads, pays less for the most part than print outlets. Thus you’ll no doubt be offered less for blogging than more traditional writing. Not all blogs receive the same payout from advertisers, either. Some keywords bring in more revenue, while other get higher paying ads as their page rank and web presence increases.
- Most networks offer a flat fee plus traffic bonuses. While the fee might be low, the bonus can make up the difference.
- Never blog for only a cut of the revenue. It’s not worth it.
With that said, don’t be afraid to quote what you feel the job is worth. Either you won’t get the gig or your client will be willing to negotiate a rate that works for both of you. If you don’t get the gig, they couldn’t afford you anyway.
I hope that’s it. Feel free to ask questions in the comments and I’ll try to answer them best I can.
Thanks from the uninitiated.
I tend to mix blogging with traditional writing, which is a good balance for me. But I love to blog for the same reasons you mentioned. Blogging has taught me to be less precious about my writing, which doesn’t mean I just put up anything. It means I have the courage to write more because I am constantly putting myself out there. There’s nothing like the gratification that comes from blogging.
Thank you. I have started a blog and working on ad revenue. It is enjoyable but no, the money isn’t there yet. It’s a money in the future kind of thing and doesn’t take long at all to post each day.
I have a question about google adwords. This revenue that makes blogging for profit possible comes from someone who wants the eyeballs badly enough to pay for them. In many catgegories, they pay quite a lot.
Looking over the particular ads that google places on this page, how do you feel about the sustainability of the model – i.e., do you feel that they are the kind of businesses that will continue to advertise at the same rate or higher in coming years?
I ask because I’ve been on the buying end of ads for Amish Furniture, and the marginal cost of acquiring customers via adwords is extremely high and rather hard to justify in that market. I would venture that this is true in many other markets as well. While google revenue is very high, isn’t the ability to maintain that a real issue given the value these ads deliver? Isn’t this based on an over-investment based on a perception that it is a way to gain market share, a perception that is probably not particularly accurate?
Deb,
Ad revenue was hyperlinked from my earlier post so I looked at that and decided that would work well rather than google. I just put some ads and links in my blog.
I also noticed some hits from this site. Is that because I put my website in when I signed in?
It’s really obvious I’m new to blogging hey? Anything you may have noticed as far as things I can do…just let me know.
I will be looking for pictures also.
Thanks.
Micah>> yes, it’s because you link to your web site
Congratulations on the new blog, btw!
Thanks. It’s linked how exactly? I’m not a techie kind of person so just wondering how that works.
Hi Deb,
This was a particularly timely post for me, as I might be doing some corporate blogging in the very near future. It’s $$ per post, more if the post is technical, even more if various other conditions are met, etc. Since I have a fledgling blog of my own, in addition to my very demanding day job, I figure this will be about all I can handle writing-wise for the next few months at least!
I don’t expect tons of money to come from either blogging adventure, but it will give me some blogging experience and a better grasp on disciplining myself to make the time to write. I’d like to see more blogging and less day job, but I’m not ready to take that step for another year or so. In the meantime, I’ll keep watching and learning as I go.
Thanks so much Deb, I have finally revamped my own blog and was looking into blogging for others. This really helps
What about 100% ad revenue? Blogging on a network, what’s your opinion on that? Or is that basically the same as going alone?
Thanks!
Okay…how are people from here finding my blog? I don’t see the link to it. I’m confused. Wait..I see…it’s from clicking on the name. That is so cool.
I do agree with most of your post, but I have to say that I’ve had ok experiences blogging for a portion of the revenue. There are certain advantages to blogging for a network that you don’t get when you go at it alone (like a higher starting page rank, not domain name/hosting costs, tech support, etc), and it really depends on your topic. I wouldn’t say that a revenue share is *never* worth it – as long as you’re careful about only going after the best deals!
Blogging is easier because not a day passes when there isn’t something you can write about. My only current problem is learning a new camera, because food and fashion readers WANT PICTURES!
I personally think that SEO blogging is like the Tulip Bubble. They are selling to each other and starting new SEO blogs seems to be what pays. Eventually, every person who can type is doing it and then ka-boom. I cannot think of polite language to describe what its image is in my mind.
For the long haul, original content written in a personal way on a subject that appeals to a wide, but not marginless audience wins.
Judith,
I think you are describing a basic Ponzi scheme, if I understand you correctly.
@Lela – If you’re accepting 100% ad revenue, you’re going to have to check into a couple of factors. Find out first if the blog is already earning – and how much, and find out how much traffic the blog receives. If it’s a brand new blog, you stand a good chance of earning nothing.
I liked your views on blogging, Deb.
For me, blogging gives me the freedom write about what I want to write about. I like the instant gratification it gives me. Unlike, magazine writing, which seems to take forever to go to print.
Of course, I’m cautious and don’t have all of my eggs in one writing basket, so to speak…
Deb,
I believe I’ve said it before, but I’d like to say it again, thank you for looking out for everyone who’s trying to make this work.
I don’t remember exactly how I found your blog, but it is truly a safe haven amongst the “make $3,000 a week!” writing websites.
Keep up the quality, I’m forever a fan.
Thank you.
Deb,
Thank you so much for addressing this topic. I am at the point where I’m feeling a little burned out with only writing web content and I was thinking that blogging might be the way to go.
I have a question for you that I’m hoping you can answer (and I’m hoping it makes sense..lol). When beginning a blog of your own is there a certain method you use in order to pick a topic that will, in time, be profitable adsense wise? Yes, I imagine you’d want to choose a topic you’re familiar with and are willing to write about on a daily basis but if there are very few google adword ads for that topic/keyword does that indicate that you’re less likely to earn a decent profit?
Hope that made sense and any advice you could give is appreciated!
I do prefer attaching links myself. I prefer that option rather than having to do the google thing…which as I have metioned before…is beyond me. The fun of blogging is a definite asset too.
I am very much afraid that the tulip model is real. Guess we shouldn’t quit our day jobs!
I would think that the most successful blogs are the ones that have developed an audience or readers who aren’t also bloggers and are only coming for the content. Just my speculation.
Thanks for the good advice and explanation on how to make money. Maybe one day….
Anne:
For SEO blogging, it’s definately a Ponzi world. Blogs with real content can indeed make money, and I like what Deb has to say here. I’m worried about the long-term sustainability of the google model, but there are other sources of revenue.
I wonder if I should move mine over to something more “real” just to see if I can get anything from it. More than anything, I’d like to have a tip jar …
The overall problem is that no media companies have found a way to be sustainably web-only and profitable. What I’m seeing is that blogs, with tiny overhead, can make a profit. That makes sense to me. Now what can we extrapolate from that? Dunno.
This is more interesting than I thought at first.
As always, Deb, your articles rule. I just re-upped my site and it is now called “creative cottage.” It used to just be where I vented, but now I am focusing more on creative dreams and making them come true. I am trying to get signed up with Pay Per Post, too.
I’m so glad you posted this Deb! I have finally startd a blog too. I don’t expect it to be a money maker (although it would be nice) however, I am enjoying it and I think I will start another one soon.
One question: How old should your blog be before submitting it to blog directories?
Ok, one more question.
I am sitting here reading an email newsletter that I subscribe to and it is also about blogging.
Anyhow, it says the average rate is $1000 to $1500 a week from two to five posts per day.
Is this really “average”? It sounds like unusually good pay to me. So ofcourse, I’d like some expert input.
Kathleen:
I’d like to see that … if you don’t mind sharing.
My email is wabbitoid47 at yahoo.com if you are in a sharing mood.
Another thought came to me – what if a bunch of us went in on a blog together? Would there be some advantages to having a shared space, if we all agreed on a topic? The idea of 3-4 talented writers in one place seems appealing to me. Then again, we’d have to split the expenses and income … Anyone interested?
Thanks so much, Deb. I love reading your entries – and it’s great to have such a strong community of writers to help each other out. I, too, would love to blog for a living, and am in the process of trying to make it happen.
As always, I appreciate all your advice and support.
Erik and Kathleen,
I don’t see how that kind of pay could possibly be true for anyone but the very top tier of bloggers (the Instapundits of the world). Most of the bloggers who have revealed their income that I have read say it’s more in the $500/month/blog range, and it takes a lot of work to get to that. I hope I am wrong, but that’s what I’ve gathered. One of these bloggers reported that with four blogs going and a couple of years of advertising under her belt she has yet to earn enough to get cut a Google check. Pretty grim. I’m not going to bother with AdSense, or at least, put it way down on the list.
I’m not advertising yet because my blogs are new and I haven’t figured out how to mess with the HTML (scared to touch it) to put in the Pay Direct Widget. Don’t know if that’s a good place to start.
One of the ad companies (I’ve read so much my brain is overloaded — sorry I can’t remember which one) won’t run advertising on sites with multiple authors. You might want to look into that before starting a multi-author blog. Though it would be fun and would attract many more readers.
Here is my total sum of knowledge about making money blogging.
Hi Anne,
It is possible for that kind of pay but I would expect it would be for a corporate blog, rather than a purely “write what you like” type of blog.
Mariella –
I finally posted pictures of my Brontë books on my blog!
Sorry for the off-topic comment, everyone, but I couldn’t remember which thread it was that Mariella and I originally discussed our shared interest in the Brontës!
Katharine>> I’m on it! ♥
I’ve also tried, by the way, to monetize a blog before — and failed miserably. I think to be able to earn as much as the big earners do, you also have to invest big money into it (which I didn’t have at that time as a college student).
I want to pick up where I left off and try again. Unfortunately, what I don’t have right now is the time to do it.
Speaking of earning money, or rather the lack of, did you guys see the Craigslist Curmudgeon this mornin? He’s on a roll. I can’t stop laughing.
I can’t seem to click on that link, Heather
Let me try, Mariella. My friend, The Craigslist Curmudgeon, can be found at Craigslist Curmudgeon.com.
Mariella,
Link didn’t work for me initially, but it did when I tried it later. When link doesn’t work, either it is broken or the site itself is busy (too much traffic for bandwidth) at that time.
Happens some with Disney-related sites during rush times and with much smaller sites as well.
Ok the link didn’t work so I’ll try one more time before giving up.
Craigslist Curmudgeon
Thanks Deb!
LOL! That post about writing for donuts was funny. Goodness, I didn’t think craigslist job posts are that bad…donut coupons are (marginally) better than working for free.
Mariella –
I responded to your comment on my blog.
I’m willing to bet that I love Dunkin’ Donuts Munchkins more than the average person, but that doesn’t mean I’d work for coupons! LOL that blog makes me laugh! =D
^I don’t know. Maybe if it’s my birthday, I’d work for coupons so I won’t have to worry about buying a cake
Hello All…
So, I have been reading up on blogs and have decided to give it a go…
I have always wanted to write and since no one around the house has been listening… I created my own blog (I know original – right…wrong..I know). But hey I figure it’s worth a shot (maybe more like a shot in the eye). I wanted to thank all of you guys for the wealth of information. I am a long time viewer and this is my first post… so here goes nothing… I’ll keep you guys posted!
this is my 1st time to write this im interested about earning money but how can you help me guys……….
i whould like to make some partime or hobby while sitting on this hard chair while im on the pc make some money
thanks alot
erick,,,,,i visit your website sound like your really a busnesminded can you help how to earn a few boxz online ccoz i really need it,,,,everybody who read your words will be amazed by the way im jade interested in learning few things………how can i do this on blog