Welcome back to the second installment of my deeply personal blogging journey! If you’re just joining us, I highly recommend catching up on Part 1 here, where I laid the groundwork for this incredible adventure. Your emails and comments last week were truly heartwarming, and I’m thrilled to know that so many of you are eager to delve deeper into the world of professional blogging. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm! XO
In this series, my goal is to provide a comprehensive look at the realities of transforming a passion into a profession, covering everything from content creation to monetization strategies. So, let’s pick up where we left off, as my blogging journey truly began to accelerate.
Embracing the Full-Time Blogger Lifestyle: A Deep Dive into Content Creation
The moment I decided to leave my traditional job and commit to life as a full-time blogger, a clear mandate emerged: I needed a robust, engaging content strategy. Success hinged on consistently delivering valuable content that would not only captivate my readers but also encourage them to return, week after week. This wasn’t just about writing posts; it was about building a reliable resource for my audience. Content creation quickly evolved from a hobby into my primary focus, consuming most of my waking hours – often from 9 AM to 11 PM. Yet, despite the long hours, it rarely felt like work. It was, and still is, a labor of love.
Optimizing My Workspace for Maximum Productivity and Creativity
To support this intense content creation schedule, I recognized the critical need for an optimized workspace. My existing studioffice – a hybrid studio and office space – underwent a complete transformation. The goal was to create a functional hub designed to accommodate all the diverse roles a blogger plays. I needed distinct zones: a dedicated area for hands-on project creation, a brightly lit space for high-quality photography, and a comfortable setup for writing, editing, and managing the business aspects of the blog. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had a dedicated space in my home to bring this vision to life. It remains my favorite room, a sanctuary where most of my days are spent, save for those essential trips to the craft or paint store for supplies.
This redesigned studioffice proved to be a game-changer for my productivity. With everything organized and accessible, I could seamlessly juggle multiple projects simultaneously. For instance, while waiting for paint to dry on a furniture piece, I could transition to photographing a handmade gift tag for an entirely different post. This systematic approach, coupled with ample space to spread out and work, allowed me to maintain a continuous flow of creative output. As my content archives grew, so did the organic links from other reputable sites, signaling increasing recognition and authority within my niche.
The Evolution of Blog Discovery: From Community Link Parties to Pinterest Power
The early days of blogging were characterized by a unique sense of community and a less polished, more authentic aesthetic. It was a time when content was more niche-based, conversational, and far from the “Pinterest-perfect” imagery often seen today. One of the most effective strategies for blog discovery, and undeniably the primary driver of my blog’s initial growth, was participating in “link parties.”
These virtual gatherings allowed bloggers to share their latest posts, discover new talent, and engage with a wider audience. I regularly contributed to prominent weekly link parties, which served as vital conduits for connecting with my target readership. Popular events included Funky Junk Interiors, Tatertots and Jello, Today’s Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Home Stories A-Z, and Under the Table and Dreaming, among many others. These platforms fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and cross-promotion.
Beyond weekly link-ups, seasonal events, where groups of bloggers collaboratively hosted week-long, theme-specific parties (e.g., Fall decor, Mantels, Wreaths), were incredibly popular. These events brought a surge of new readers to both established and emerging blogs. However, the landscape of blog discovery dramatically shifted with the advent of Pinterest. Pinterest quickly became the dominant visual search engine, offering bloggers a powerful new channel to showcase their content. While Pinterest was undeniably a “game changer” for traffic generation, I often find myself nostalgic for the community-driven spirit of those early link party days, which fostered more direct interaction among bloggers and readers alike.
The Highs and Lows of Viral Content: Traffic Spikes and Content Theft
A true testament to the power of compelling content came about a year and a half into my blogging journey. My “Tuna Can Lantern” project, published in 2011, became one of my most popular posts and continues to generate significant traffic to this day. I receive comments and emails from around the globe, and have even seen translations of the project in various languages.
However, viral success also brings challenges, particularly the issue of content theft. It’s disheartening to encounter “scraper sites” that lift my photos, or even create their own graphics using my images, and present them as their original work without attribution. This is a daily reality for many bloggers. It’s crucial to distinguish between content theft and acceptable content featuring. The latter involves a site using one image from an original post, crediting the source, explaining why they appreciate the project, and providing a clear link back to the originating site – a practice that supports and uplifts creators.
Just weeks after its initial publication, my Tuna Can Lantern project was featured by two large, reputable websites on the same day. The resulting surge in traffic was unprecedented. My blog’s server, unfortunately, couldn’t handle the massive influx of visitors, crashing not once, but three times that day. This incident served as a stark lesson in the critical importance of robust hosting. I quickly learned that I needed to upgrade my bandwidth, which meant a higher monthly investment in my blog’s infrastructure. After migrating to a larger shared server, my blog could manage the traffic spikes for a few months. But as traffic continued to climb, I eventually had to upgrade to my own dedicated server. Unlike free platforms like Google’s Blogger, self-hosted WordPress blogs (like mine on WordPress.org) require ongoing monthly hosting fees. This significant traffic spike, largely thanks to the Tuna Can Lantern, was a pivotal moment, helping my blog generate enough income to support both Ed and me.
Demystifying Blog Monetization: How Bloggers Turn Passion into Profit
This brings me to the perennial question, the number one inquiry I receive when someone discovers I’m a blogger: “How do you make money?” If you’re a fellow blogger, you’re undoubtedly nodding in agreement! It took time and dedicated effort to unravel the complexities of blog monetization. Most of my foundational knowledge came from attending the blog workshops and conferences I first mentioned in Part 1 of this series.
Bloggers typically employ several monetization strategies, which vary based on their niche and individual business goals. The most common income stream is through banner advertising. However, depending on the blog’s focus, other significant avenues include sponsored posts and affiliate marketing. Some bloggers also create and sell their own products, such as handmade items, branded paint lines, e-books, or online courses. A diversified income portfolio is often the most stable approach; if one revenue stream slows, others can still provide support. My own strategy is no different, relying on a combination of these methods to generate a full-time income.
Understanding Network Advertising: Targeted Ads and Privacy
One of my primary income sources is network advertising. These are the banner ads you typically see on a blog’s sidebar, within content, or above the logo (header). They often, though not always, display a small “AdChoice” symbol, indicating they originate from an ad network. The process is quite sophisticated: a blogger integrates specific code from an ad network onto their site. When a reader visits a page, that code instantaneously analyzes their browser data and browsing history, then displays an ad that is highly relevant to that specific user.
Indeed, one might invoke George Orwell’s “Big Brother” here; perhaps he simply misidentified the name – it’s often “Google” orchestrating this personalized ad experience. For example, the two ads I’ve shown above, pulled from my sidebar, are perfectly targeted to me: one for LiquidWeb (a hosting company, relevant to me as a blogger) and another for Birch Lane (a decorating site, aligning with my personal interests). The ad network isn’t aware this is *my* blog; it simply recognizes *my* browsing interests.
I recall Ed’s friend once exclaiming, “Di, you have the best ads on your site – Nike Golf, Mercedes, Titleist! How do you get them?” I had to chuckle and explain that those ads were exclusively targeted to *him*. If we were to sit side-by-side, each opening my blog on our respective computers, the network ads displayed would be entirely different. I might see an ad for Target sandals because I was browsing their site a few days prior, while he might see an ad from Macy’s if he was recently shopping for a bracelet. As bloggers, we have limited control over these highly personalized ads, primarily able to opt out of intrusive formats like pop-ups, fly-outs, or ads with audio. While a few might occasionally slip through, that’s largely the extent of our influence.
During the last presidential election, I even received angry emails from readers, predominantly from Ohio (a battleground state), questioning my political affiliations and demanding I remove certain ads. I had to patiently explain that these were network-driven, geographically targeted ads over which I had no control, and that they would cease once the election concluded. Bloggers earn income from these ads based on pageviews – every time a reader loads a page on their site. The more pageviews a blog generates, the higher the potential income. Moreover, larger and more prominently placed ads typically yield greater revenue. Currently, banner ads strategically placed below photos within blog posts are gaining popularity due to their substantial earning potential, making them a difficult option for many bloggers to decline.
Private Advertising: A Direct Path to Revenue
Beyond network ads, another significant revenue stream comes from private advertising. These ads may resemble network ads in appearance, but they originate from a company that has directly partnered with the blogger. The company pays the blogger a set fee to feature their ad on a specific spot, usually a sidebar, for an agreed-upon duration. Unlike targeted network ads, private ads are visible to every visitor on every pageview, as they are typically chosen to be highly relevant to the blog’s overall niche and audience. This direct relationship gives me complete control over content and pricing. I usually reserve three dedicated spots for these types of ads, determining the monthly rate based on my blog’s traffic and influence.
Affiliate Marketing: Earning Commissions on Recommendations
Affiliate marketing represents another powerful monetization strategy. Here, a blogger promotes another company’s products or services and earns a commission on every sale generated through their unique affiliate link. This method is particularly prevalent among fashion bloggers, who might showcase an entire outfit and provide direct links to every item, from the clothing itself to the smallest accessory. Similarly, home decor bloggers often create inspiration or mood boards for room designs, featuring images of various items and linking directly to retailers where readers can purchase them. If a reader clicks these links and makes a purchase, the blogger earns a percentage. Commission rates can vary significantly, with more popular blogs often negotiating higher percentages from advertisers.
Major retailers like Amazon and Target, along with most large brands, operate their own affiliate programs. Furthermore, specialized platforms exist that aggregate affiliate codes from various merchants, simplifying the process for bloggers to create monetized posts.
The Power of Evergreen Content: Long-Term Value and Maintenance
My blog’s content is largely what’s known as “evergreen.” This means that the information and projects I share remain relevant and valuable over extended periods. For instance, while a fashion blogger’s post about a specific outfit from Nordstrom three years ago would likely have lost its relevance as trends change and products sell out, my Tuna Can Lantern project from 2011 is still just as useful and popular today. This long-term relevance is the essence of evergreen content. A key consideration with affiliate marketing, especially for evergreen content, is the risk of broken links when products are discontinued or sell out. Maintaining and updating these links can be incredibly time-consuming, which is why I primarily rely on banner advertising for my income.
Sponsored Posts: Authentic Partnerships and Ethical Disclosures
Another significant income stream comes from sponsored posts. When you see a sponsored post on my blog, please know that it’s a product or company I genuinely like and am enthusiastic about. I receive dozens of sponsored post opportunities in my inbox every week, but I typically reject about 98% of them. My stringent vetting process ensures that I only collaborate on sponsored content if I believe the product or service aligns with my brand and will genuinely benefit you, my valued reader. Compensation for sponsored content varies widely; some companies offer only product in exchange, while most provide a combination of monetary payment and product. Every blogger must determine their own rates, as there’s no universal formula for sponsored content compensation.
Expert Contributions: Writing for Other Platforms
Beyond my own blog, I also generate income by contributing as an expert writer for other platforms. My specialization lies in painting and DIY projects. I regularly write monthly posts for the Glidden paint blog, My Colortopia, and for True Value Hardware’s DIY blog. These opportunities not only provide additional revenue but also help to further establish my authority and reach within my niche.
Managing the Business of Blogging: Streamlining Operations for Growth
The cumulative compensation from all these diverse income streams is what allows me to support myself. Bloggers have a tremendous opportunity to significantly boost their monthly revenue, especially if they offer their own products for sale or provide valuable downloads like unique fonts, printables, or comprehensive online courses that consistently attract and engage readers. While managing ad networks can itself become a full-time endeavor, I recently made the strategic decision to partner with a company to handle this aspect for me. It had become excessively time-consuming, diverting my focus from the creative core of my blog. Although I share a percentage of my earnings with them, the regained time and mental space are invaluable – it’s one less “hat” I need to wear, allowing me to concentrate on what I do best: creating inspiring content.
Join me next week as I continue this journey, revealing how I mastered photography and Photoshop, and my detailed process for taking a project from initial inspiration to a polished, completed blog post.
How You Can Support Your Favorite Bloggers: The Power of Sharing
Do you know the single best thing you can do to support a blogger whose content you enjoy?
- Share their content! Whether it’s on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Google+, every share matters. The more a post is shared, the more Google’s powerful algorithms recognize its value and relevance, boosting the blog’s ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). When a blogger’s post appears at the top of the first page of search results, it dramatically increases their readership and pageviews, directly contributing to their ability to continue sharing their world and expertise with you. Your shares are a direct investment in the content you love!
Click here to continue reading: Part 3 of My Blogging Journey