Reality check: You’re not going to make money from your blog
Almost everyone should forget about making money directly from blogging. It’s so unlikely that it’s a total waste of your time trying. I am actually shocked at how ubiquitous the idea is that blogging is a get-rich-quick scheme. Or even a get-rich-slowly scheme. It’s not. Blogging is a great career tool for creating opportunities for yourself. But here are eight reasons you should stop thinking about money from blogging:
1. Big bloggers come from big media.
Usually I’m the first person to rip on print media as outdated and a dead-end career. But here’s something that maybe you don’t realize: Most big bloggers today have a strong background writing for print. For example: Erik Schoenfeld (TechCrunch), Owen Thomas (Valleywag), and I all wrote for Business 2.0 magazine at the same time. Ten years ago. Which means we had a ton of national media experience before we started blogging. Anya Kamenetz (Yahoo Finance) wrote for the Village Voice and had a very serious book published—before she started blogging.
2. Sure, there are exceptions. But you’re probably not one of them.
Let’s look at some people who have big blogs who didn’t come from big media. Heather Armstrong at Dooce. She’s a good one. Here’s what she has that you don’t: She’s a talented writer and a talented designer. She’s married to a developer who does all her tech stuff for free. And she has an amazing story to tell. She has the ability to translate her genius across many media—photography, memoir, twitter, and so on. She is a marvel. And you are not. None of us is. That’s why she is making so much money from her blog.
3. Even if you can do it, supporting yourself with a blog is crazy hard.
Most people had to do their day job and experiment with their blog and figure out what works and then do two, pretty much full-time jobs, and then quit their day job when their blog earned enough money. JD Roth did this at Get Rich Slowly. I did this with my blog (and nearly fell apart). Most people who do this do not have kids. Because if you have kids and a job you already have two full-time jobs, so you cannot add another. Blogging to support yourself is a complete full-time job. Read Gina Trapani’s post about how she is taking a break from blogging because it’s so life-consuming.
4. You probably have to be controversial to make money blogging.
Yes, there are some topics that do not require controversy: Productivity tools, for example. I think it’s safe to say, though, that that market is pretty saturated. You will have to find a good niche for yourself in order to stand out from the crowd. So you will have to be different, and the bloggers who are different have surprising things to say. And if you have surprising opinions, you’ll have people who tell you you’re an idiot. And if you are making good money from your blog, you’ll have hundreds of people telling you how you’re an idiot. Do you want that? Really? Will you be able to write another controversial opinion the next day or will you be too nervous?
5. You can make more money flipping burgers.
If you want to get your opinions out into the world, or you want to write a diary about your life, whatever—do that. But why do you have to make money at it? Most of you would probably like to write a bit, to get new opportunities, and then leverage the blog to do something fun. Most of you do not want to write blog posts optimized for advertisers. Really.
6. Please shut up about your book deal.
Books are not cash cows. They are time sinks. And they are marketing tools for something else. Like a consulting business or a speaking career or a blog. And people who are great speakers are seldom great writers, and vice versa. So don’t tell me you are doing a blog to get a book deal: Dead end. And don’t tell me it’s not a dead end because you’ll turn that into a speaking career. Show me someone that has worked for. Don’t tell me about Seth Godin. He had huge books before he started blogging. Not the other way around.
7. Blog for better reasons than money.
There are a lot of reasons to blog, but for the most part, money is not one of them. In the book, Blog Blazers: 40 Top Bloggers Share Their Secrets, Stephane Grenier asked forty bloggers what their definition of blogging success is. He talked with people like Seth Godin, Neil Patel, Ramit Sethi, and me. We all make a living online, and we all have big blogs, but almost no one in the book said money was the definition of success.
Bloggers defined success as things that mattered in their life: influence, connections, friendships, the ability to lead a conversation that matters to people. Some talked about a blog leading to other business opportunities.
8. Banner advertising is the mafia.
I have not had banner advertising on my site because I am so adamant that people should not blog to earn money—I don’t want to encourage anyone. I did take one ad. For Career Bags. I’m going to tell you something: The amount they paid for that ad was insignificant to me. But they let me do a lot of shopping on the site for free. Which was a huge treat. Shopping was fun. And I think about how much I love my blog every time I put my laptop into my Casauri bag.
I would never say that about a banner ad. But I am about to capitulate and sign a contract with Federated Media, the by-far-biggest company for online ad sales. Federated is sort of doing me a favor. I mean, I have about 400,000 page views a month, which I think is less traffic than any of their other clients. I’m grateful to be part of Federated because I do, in fact, need to make money from my blog. But what I have done to get here—work two jobs at once while raising kids, sell equity in my blog and then almost go out of business, and spend about four hours on each post—you probably wouldn’t want to go through all that just to make money on banner ads. You probably have a way more efficient mechanism for earning money and you can blog on the side.
This seems like a good time to tell you the advice my writing teacher gave our who class in graduate school: Writing for a living is a very, very hard life. If you can do anything else for a living, you should.
So the idea that blogging will help you get rich: Forget it. Your chances of that are so slim, while your chances of gaining the other benefits of blogging are very high. So blog, yes, and do it to reach real goals, just not financial goals.
Totally other way thinking on earning from Blogging.
Hi penelope, What an article. Its like challenging all those who are not making money from blog that they can make money from blogging. Sort of reverse psychology. Thanks for your views.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to grasp so much about this, such as you wrote the e-book in it or something. I think that you just can do with some percent to power the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is great blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.
I’ve been surfing online greater than three hours today, but I by no means found any attention-grabbing article like yours. It’s lovely worth sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you probably did, the internet can be much more useful than ever before.
No offense intended but it seems like you are trying to link bait with this post of yours. Anyone who thinks you cannot make money with a blog must be sadly mistaken.
Am a newbie blogger, your article boosted me to keep my motto simple and straight “blog for love and love for blog”!
Way to tell your audience they stink and suck.
“You are probably not one of them…”
“She´s talented. You are probably not…”
Wow. And people actually compliment and read your blog.
The world is getting crazier by the minute.
I´ll never set foot in your website again.
Good riddance.
Hey, just wanted to let you know that you have a great blog going on here! Keep up the great work mate.
Making Money
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I love this post, it is so true that for a long time { and even still today } people think that getting a blog and making money is so easy. The truth is that those that succeed work thier blog as if it was a 9 to 5 job. They work very hard to make it work. Good job on the post.
Now, Blogging is not all about passion and stuff, it has expanded and raised in such a beautiful way that it not only supports mental peace but also increases are gravity, thoughts and helps us economically too !!
YAWN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just started a blog not very long ago, so I wanted to see other people’s blogs to get an idea what they write about and really to know what I should do! It is hard to know what to do. I got some knowledge through reading yours…so thanks. I understand it takes time and EFFORT on my part to build my blog up and if I do it right people will eventually go to my blog like they are to yours.
You have ads all over your site. I don’t get it.
Hey, a blog will get indexed much faster than a website. mine is getting views worldwide. But to make money blogging you will need lots of content, and lots of relevant links in your blogs, also lots of advertising . It really will take a long time to be able to make money blogging, but you can do it. Go for sub-niches.
This was really great! Thank you for the awesome post! I am glad I found your blog, because I just want to blog about what is important to me and my art career and hope that its helpful to others and encourages discussion of whatever that might be. I have seen tons of blogs about how to make money from them but its soo saturated and so annoying. Glad to have found you
Steph
Beautiful blog great job
I agree with a lot of your post… However, there is absolutely no reason why someone cannot use banner ads (or even text lnks) to generate a basic income from their blog.
Granted, a blog loaded with nothing but banner ads and marginal content is not somethngn that would work. And I agree that making money with your blog is not the primary reason for starting one.
But some unobtrusive banners that blend in with your blog (think creating your own banners with PhotoShop) or even some text links to a revenue source would not hurt.
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Hi. When I only started reading your post, immediately noticed your rough tone and arguments used to put other people down. Hope that your world of lies will collapse into emptiness!
You are very welcome to argue with this now:
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Stop your lies!
People lie to exploit writers. To put them down, then make them feel bad about themselves so that ones with your mentality could hire them for 12$/ article and make a fortune! What a shame! Why is this happening? Do you feel superior, do you like to abuse others, play a God? It sounds to me like you are another disorder victim from a series of DSM5… google it.. “DSM5” BOOO! :))))))))
I think a blog is a lot like opening a store or business. It is not easy at all, and many who try fail. But there are many others who actually put in the work and succeed. It is a slow process, but if you do it right it will work.
While thousands of new businesses fail, there are plenty others who don’t and make a living at it. The same is true for blogs. I know a few moms who blog and each makes a regular full-time living with her blog while raising her kids at home. Few become very rich at it, but there are plenty who are supporting themselves with a blog and with or without a spouse or partner’s additional income.
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WOW!!! Great tactic to get people to sign up for YOUR course that YOU are making money at -by telling people they will basically never make money at anything related to writing – mean while TONS of people are!! And where are you??? In a small town – not interesting – boring blog – boring pictures – boring content!!! AND your STILL making money!! PROFF ANYONE CaN!!!
I find it really HARD to believe you refuse money (who does that ?!?) unless your Amish
Very negative post!!
And to comment on your 2. – do you think Heather Armstrong is the ONLY one who has a Cush life or connections or opportunity?!!
Here in sunny cali aka California people move here everyday since it is known across the country you can come here and become what ever you like – now with the power of the Internet – websites and NOW social media – blogs,twitter, Facebook, keek etc You can do It ANYWHERE.. After all your on a farm in Wisconsin – case n point!
Oh FYI Heather Is getting divorced
NOTE TO READERS:
Google Heather ARMSTRONG – more than likely the thing that she HAS that you DON’T is her husband helped excel her website/business – she stayed in her mom’s basement in Utah – had children – and wrote about her stays in the psyche ward – she chronicled her life!!! GEE I GUESS she is one of the FEW people who makes a living about their story…Yawn…that’s what everyone does!!! From people we don’t know to people like Rosanne Bar!! BFD
I sort of feel bad for your homeschooled children. Must be so nice to have a mother who will always “reality check” you instead of encouraging you to reach for the stars. But, I guess I’m a heavy dreamer. If you have no big dreams or ambition, what is the point in living?
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Great article about money making. I will monetize my blog / website. Thanks for share this information.
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“I have not had banner adveritsing on my site” …three lines up there was a banner ad, OH the hypocrisy!!!
For most people, you’re right. Most people aren’t going to make money blogging. Most people quit blogging after a few months when they figure out that blogging is hard work and not a get rich quick scheme. However, there are some decent affiliiate marketing programs out there where you can make money. But you have to do the WORK. You have to market everyday and advertise.
LIke you said, there are exceptions to the rule. Where did John Chow come from? Not sure if he came from big media or not.
Great humorous post. I genuinely cracked at #5. It’s just so spot on that it’s actually funny. Flipping burgers for a 40-48 hour week can definitely earn someone more than active blogging in a month! Also, you’re so right when you talked about blogs being gateways to opportunities that can earn you money and not the opportunity itself. Making connections certainly is what really matters most.
You are sorely mistaken. The degree and length you have went to, to state your point of no money in blogging. Disgusting! There are many and i mean many of people who make an excellent living off of blogs. You are a downer because you have failed yourself. Stop trying to ruin it for people who have hopes of the opposite of your untrue words.
P.S I used my “junk” email. That is what this site is. I will not be replying to any further comments.
Finally, someone who is BRAZEN enough to dispel the myth and BS about making $$ through blogging. Well said!
penelope sucks big balls
WOW!! My first response after reading everything you wrote about why blogging is so difficult and making money doing it is so hard. I disagree with al ot <—- typo lol of it. A little humor. For example I write reviews about upcoming guru product launches and have quite a few readers who depend on my knowledge so they can make a better decision before buying. Do I make affiliate commissions? Yes I do make affiliate commissions from my blog. I also write one review a week as I don't blog everyday to need to make a livable income.
Glad I caught this article! Well Done :)
Jason Rogers
Personally, if I wanted to write without any acknowledgement whatsoever, be that in monetary or product/item form, I’d have reverted back to good ol’pen and paper. My believe is that very few people start a blog without hoping for something, whether it’s your get rich scheme, or even just scoring a few freebies. Anyway, it’s a controversial but interesting post :-) {oldie but goodie}
Great blog Penelope! I really like your talks of blogging for other reason other that money! That is really great! I want to make blogs with great content that help people, and in the near future write ebooks to sell, and build websites! Any good writer will be able to sell ebooks really well off of websites, and I am a pretty good writer. You really write great content, thanks Penelope!
Pardon me if I seem rash. I personally feel that you took the wrong tone of voice with this particular post. I felt that you almost have the attitude with this post that any person that tries to find a way to earn some extra money through blogging is an idiot. Yes, the majority of bloggers out there are going to struggle with earning money from their blogs. That much is given. But I think you fail to acknowledge that there are people out there that are stubborn and won’t give up until they achieve some revenue from their particular blog. It might take them years and a lot of hard work, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they fit the mold that you outline. It might mean that these individuals found ways to be able to reach new markets and achieve the success that they want.
Follow your passion and the money will follow (maybe) LOL!
I felt a bit of anger rising in me while I was reading through this webpage. But as I began to fill in my name and email to respond, my anger vanished, and I suddenly realized what you did.
You have a gift for reader engagement. I’ll give you that. Although, your style doesn’t need to be as harsh to still get the desired effect of what you are seeking: action from your readers.
A nice twist on it though. Is it better than giving people false hope like most Internet marketers? Maybe it’s safer. Well, this way at least you don’t have to keep looking over shoulder. :)
There are so many ways to make extra money that nearly anyone can find a method that suits their skills and capability. The reason for people failing in their efforts of making money online is not that they couldn’t find an appropriate way or that they couldn’t manage time for their new venture.
lol i am making 40 to 50 quid per day . just by blogpost
Great blog,In order to make money online you have to be patient and know what skills you possess. Work on selling your skills and doing the best job you have when you do get work. Chances are you will continue to see work come in if you do a fantastic job
I read your blog. I disagree. I’ve made millions off of my work and I’m not a big blog. I started making money on the internet in 1995 and saw what it was from the beginning. I understood the internet and have written extensively about this. You are correct that most people cannot make it in blogging. But I’m hear to tell you that most people cannot make it in any business. I have been an Accountant handling businesses for over 30 years in private practice. I’ve specialized in new business startups. Most people are not business minded. So it’s not that most don’t make it in blogging but rather that most people don’t make it in business period. You aren’t so good at it yourself from what I can see. So before you paddle everyone else for what you yourself are doing go look in the mirror and realize that you aren’t any better. Then come back and write something that makes sense rather than discouraging the world. Just say it like it is: Few can do it but some can and the rest of us, including yourself, are amatuers!
I’ve been working on a handful of blogs to serve as my early retirement plan. Yes it is taking too much time and the missus is complaining, but it is the only hope I could see to get out of corporate rat race.
While I am not certain when they will start making money, they do give me a little exposure and if I am applying for a job that asks for sample writing, I just provide them the URL of my blogs.
Nice post thanks for sharing this information ..