Anyone making money blogging?

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

I am a SAHmom and just venturing into the blogosphere. I currently have a blog that I am testing out to see if I can write or now. I know I can't make any money until I host my own domain and get ads, but my question is whether or not moms like me can actually bring in some money that way and how long until you do?

Please share your experiences and check out my blog. Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[MrsPooh]

I'm looking into the same thing so I'll be interested in following the thread.

You can make some money by blogging on blogger and placing google adsense ads on your blog. Blogger is free like wordpress but wordpress does not allow you to make money with ads on their system like blogger does.

It looks to me like to set up your own domain & get web hosting with a wordpress enabled system will cost $4 - $10 per month but you must pay in advance (anywhere from 6 months to 3 years). I don't have the upfront cash to get going.

I cannot seem to find anyone who actually has a blog they make money with that wants to share their info.

The biggest challenge is getting readership. Many of the advertisers want to see a blog that has been established at least three months and that has a good history of hits.

I'll check out your blog when I get a chance.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

I just started mine a week ago, as a test. Over the summer I plan to add to it and find new ways of getting readers. My busiest day I got 47, today so far I have gotten 26. At the end of the summer I will have a much larger body of work and I can see what kind of writing schedule that I can maintain, as well as fine tune my writing.

 

[TiffanyK]

I blog (link in my siggy) and I've got ads. I'm still waiting on my first pay and it isn't much but it's something (small). The next should be a bit bigger. It is possible to make money blogging, especially if you're just looking for supplemental income. Not to live on it, but just for some extra fun stuff although there are a few who make enough to live on.

The biggest thing is to get readership. I know that all the pros say you have to be self-hosted to make money and I believe that (I just moved from blogger to self-hosted a month ago), but I needed my time at blogger to build skills, confidence and some readership.

Great sites for bloggers - The Secret's in the Sauce This site is for comments and support. Great place to meet other bloggers and build readership.

Problogger - Everything about blogging. Excellent advice from an expert.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Thanks, I will check those out. What did you think of mine?

 

[mafibisha]

The biggest challenge is getting readership. Many of the advertisers want to see a blog that has been established at least three months and that has a good history of hits.
.

I too have considered a blog. But here's my dilemma:

Like anything, isn't the internet already saturated with blogs?

How many blogs can actually be read - or even clicked on - in a day? The internet is overflowing with *good* things to read; we're on *information overload* in America. In the World!

Maybe some of the original or first bloggers can make it work, but frankly, who has time to read dozens a day, or whatever amount it would take to support them and make them profitable.

I'd really be interested in everyone's thoughts or actual statistics someone might have?

 

[DVCBELLE]

Hi - I just started a blog this week too! I hosted it on blogspot and put google adsense on it. It was quick and easy and I figure I have nothing to lose!

What if we start a blogger thread and we put in the first post a link to all of our blogs so we can all read each other's blogs. It could help us grow together, give us each at least a few readers and we could bounce ideas of each other!!

My blog is called "It was on sale..." and I am hoping to post budget ideas, good bargains etc on there but will probably end up throwing in some other things along the way - here is the link - http://itwasonsale.blogspot.com/

what do you all think about starting a Disboard Bloggers thread?

 

[TiffanyK]

what do you all think about starting a Disboard Bloggers thread?

I think that's a great idea!

I know I said this upthread, but I really encourage those of you with blogs to check out The Secret's in the Sauce Reading and commenting on the blogs I found there is what really gained me readership. I also found all kinds of ideas to try, from free templates, to blog carnivals to participate in, to new bloggy friends. Check it out.

 

[allyphoe]

Any feedback is appreciated.

Sunshine and rainbows feedback, or nitpicky critical feedback?

 

[FoundMyPrince]

Personally, I like blogs with photographs - something to spice them up and make them appealing. If you tell me about what you bought on sale, show me a photo. If you tell me about taking a trip, show me a photo of where you went. Maybe my attention span is just too short, but I can click that little mouse pretty quick to find something else that looks interesting.

I have a blog, but it's not a "money making adventure". Our blog is about our family and mostly our family and friends far away frequent it.

 

[omghidanielle]

I foolishly started a blog this year, failing to realize how difficult it was to keep up when I work 2.5 jobs.

I'm trying to start it up again relatively soon
It's about how random my life is and how I try to take pictures sometimes and how I like to save money a lot.


http://omghidanielle.blogspot.com/

 

[tinkarooni]

I think that's a great idea!

I know I said this upthread, but I really encourage those of you with blogs to check out The Secret's in the Sauce Reading and commenting on the blogs I found there is what really gained me readership. I also found all kinds of ideas to try, from free templates, to blog carnivals to participate in, to new bloggy friends. Check it out.

To OP: You asked for comments so I checked out your blog. An honest opinion is that it was all about your life and not really about the reader. It seemed like the kind of blog friends and family may want to read but not really strangers, I personally like to read hints and tips that I can take back to my life and use. I know that you are just starting so good luck with it in whatever direction you choose.

To PP quoted above, I checked out your blog and enjoyed it, even bookmarked it. It was full of recipes and tightwad cooking ideas. Very enjoyable and I will be back.

It's never easy to put yourself out there so best of luck to both of you.

 

[KimDis]

Joining in as this has been so interesting to read!

I'm not as interested in making money as I am in sharing ideas and finding an outlet to write about my favorite obsession - travel. I'd love to be a freelance contributor to a travel publication one day and this seemed to be the best way to hone my craft. I write about how to have luxury travel experiences without paying luxury prices.

mafibisha, I wondered about the same things when I started writing. What worked for me was picking something I really wanted to write about, regardless of how large the audience was. And I felt like my angle was a good one which has become even more relevant as the world economy suffers. Everyone is looking for a deal and they're out there big time.

Thatsaid, I still think the hardest part has been generating consistent traffic. Thanks to everyone for sharing their great ideas. Hopefully you can visit my site and let me know what you think. One of my earliest posts is about WDW... .

DVCBelle - I'm in! I just subscribed to your blog, even though it's so dangerous for me as your title is already my mantra.

Oh and TiffanyK, you are my favorite person today for sharing the the SITS site and that lentil taco recipe on your blog. Lentils are one of my most favorite foods.

 

[PinkRhombus]

I'd keep one separate for your family, and have a different one that you're going to use to generate your information for your reader.

Within blogger, on your dashboard, you can add multiple blogs in under your account. They would have different web addresses.

Adsense finds key words within your posts and then puts up whatever ads based on that. You'll be much better results if you separate them.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I was so excited today to see I had a follower and a comment!!!

I will start a new thread and put all of our blogs in the first post and then as people add in their blog addresses it can be updated.

I will call it the DIS Blog Circle right now and then if we want to come up with a better name - we can change it!

 

[kingcrab]

I opted to run a few ads on my blog just for the fun of it(my ads are food related), and have "made" $1.10 since december 5th(you dont see the money until you "make" like $50 I think). I get about 15 visitors a day, so about 2,800 people have checked out my blog since December.

With the above said the intention of starting my blog wasnt about money(I have a job, the blog is just an extension of a hobby), but about sharing my pictures, and thoughts on food. If I make $$, even better. I am just appreciative of anyone who visits.

good luck with your blog.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I started a new thread with our blogs all in the first post

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32110351#post32110351

come join in there and maybe we can grow!!

 

[kingcrab]

thats a great idea,

thanks.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

thats a great idea,

thanks.

Your blog made me soooo hungry - and it's only 9a.m.! My DH will love to keep up with your blog!

 

[kingcrab]

Your blog made me soooo hungry - and it's only 9a.m.! My DH will love to keep up with your blog!

thanks.

enjoy, I know I enjoy doing it, but like others have said its hard to keep up with, I am a good 2 weeks behind with pics.