When I started blogging a few years ago I had no idea that you could actually make money blogging.
I started my blog because I needed an outlet for my creative energy,and I was hoping to open an online shop.
My thought was if I could share my home and decorating style I would have an audience that would also be interested in what I had to sell.
But I honestly had no idea that you could indeed make money blogging.
Once I heard that you could make money blogging I wanted to know how to do that.
As I started searching I found that advertising was how most people made money blogging.
But I have to be honest I was not thrilled with the idea of putting ads on my sidebar.
I really didn’t like the way it looked.
So in my early days of blogging after a brief time of advertising I took the ads off.
I was not generating very much traffic from it anyway,so what’s the point.
So then I also decided to open up my first shop,it was on Etsy.
It was very unsuccessful.
I was not getting the traffic from Etsy,it is so huge and you are competing with the world!
I am not saying that Etsy is a bad market place,it just was not working for me.
So after a few months I stopped throwing my money away and closed that shop.
But I still longed to have a shop connected with my blog,for the time being it was put on the back burner for a time when my blog audience was a little larger.
Well I still wanted to make an income,even though advertising was not why I started my blog.
Because of the many hours of taking photos,editing,writing and promoting my blog I really wanted to make money doing this.
Blogging is not just a hobby for me,I know for some it is and that’s wonderful.
But I put in more hours than I did when I was working full time so I should be paid for the time I am putting in right?
And besides putting time into my blog I also have invested lots of money.
So once again I decided to start advertising on my page.
I know that some of you get annoyed at times with some of the ads,but the truth is that I really need to get some of the money back that I put into it.
I bet many of you didn’t know that I pay to host my blog.
Yep it’s not for free,I have to pay every month just so my blog can go live.
And I pay for a subscriber service,which makes it so much easier for many of you to keep up with what’s going on here on the blog.
I also pay for my blog name,or someone else could use it.
I also pay for any technical issues I have concerning my blog,and for any changes I make to my blog creatively like my header,buttons etc.
See I am a creative person and my brain can’t wrap around all the technical stuff.
Oh sometimes I can manage some of it,but I can’t manage all of it.
And honestly I don’t have the time to devote to doing all of that either.
Besides the time I spend on my blog taking photos,editing and writing.
I also spend lots of time on social media,like Facebook,pinterest twitter,and instagram.
I love instagram because I can snap photos of what’s going on live and share it with all of you.
And please remember,I love sharing pretty photos,but as I have always said ,my home is never….ever perfect.
Please don’t think it is,because it isn’t.
Your my company I am inviting in my home,of course I want to show you the pretty and the not messy.
So why am I sharing all of this with you?
Well I have been over doing it,trying to get everything done,trying to make everyone happy.
And do you know what?
I can’t!
I want to concentrate on why I started blogging in the first place.
Yes I will still be on Facebook, but I need to back off a little.
It’s been sucking the life out of me,and I am not spending as much time writing and creating for my blog.
So I feel like I need to apologize for the neglecting my blog.
I will be getting back to putting out better content here.
I have a question to ask you,since this is a DIY decorating blog…….
What’s your biggest decorating frustration?
Please share I would love to know.
Your responses to this question will be answered in upcoming posts!
Joining:
My biggest decorating frustration is that I like a lot of looks so its hard for me to focus and pick ONE rug, or ONE color of paint, etc. Picking just one is hard for me and I end up taking longer to work on projects that necessary. I hope you get the rejuvenation you need and aren’t gone for long. 🙂
Thanks Jennifer,I am not leaving.Just taking a little break from Social media.I am on Facebook way more than I should be.Yes focus is another issue that many have.I will address this on a future post.
Anne, it is all a time sucker and it is hard to keep up with it all. I am behind on things around the house because I put so much time into this. If I wasn’t making money I would have had to quit long time ago. I think a lot of us feel this way.
I make very little for the time I put into it Kim.But I do love doing it,I just need to manage my time better and what I need to focus on.
Anne your not alone! I would always stress out if I didn’t have at least 3 posts ready for the week! It started taking the fun away from blogging and I also felt I was neglecting my family in a way because as you know doing a post is very time consuming. Well I’m not like that anymore if I only post once a week I’m fine with it…to many more important things in life to enjoy!
I am so glad that I am not alone Martina!
Thank you so much for sharing your honest thoughts & feelings about blogging.It`s very interesting and
I always appreciate every single post you made. As a subscriber I didn`t know you have to pay for that service, so in the future when I don`t have a post from you in my mailbox but by visiting your site there is a new one , I`ll let you know. The thing with Ads, well, they are everywhere (in most magazines, JDL is my favorite because there are “No”and I`ve seen you collect them too) For that , let`s face it : a blog is a little “online” magazine.
Have a good start into the new week.
OXO Dani
P.S. biggest decoration frustration : having to many pieces I love….
Thank you Dani for understanding.Yes that is a big one for me,how to work in the things you love.We will address that question soon 🙂
Good morning Anne,
Great post. It is honest and true on what most bloggers feel. I am one of those that does my blog for fun and inspiration. It is a creative outlet for me to find like decor ideas and share mine. The biggest plus to blogging is the friends I have met through my blog that I might have not found without blogging. It is an amazing place to find like minded people and friends from all over the world. I agree that blogging can be like a full time job but I think if you manage your time and only post when you really have something you want to share and not worry about numbers it can be a wonderful place to be. Since you have to pay for your host site and all that goes with that you should advertise and make it pay for those services and your time. Like someone else said you cannot pick up your favorite magazine or watch your favorite show without advertising being involved it is just a necessary part of this process for some. Love that we met and became friends through this World they call Blogland. I am going to date myself with this next comment but ” You have come a long way Baby” to get where you are today with your blog. It is beautiful and full of sweet inspiration and honest thoughts. Glad you are going to concentrate on the blog and cut back on all the social media. I think you will find peace and happiness by doing this. Have a great start to the new week ahead.
Kris
Awe thank you sweet friend (Kris)! So glad that we met through blogging!
It’s funny that you’re talking about this subject because Brenda at Cozy Little House talked about how to make money blogging. Yours is more about how to do that and still enjoy it though! LOL! I don’t make much money on mine, but I don’t have to pay for my blog. So, I have no outgoing costs. I try to post 3 times a week and don’t do a lot of advance planning. I agree that it can be stressful when you feel obligated to post something. At least I’m not living off my income from it. I would be living on the streets then! LOL. I want to keep it fun and share what I like and make friendships. The money is icing on the cake really. It’s good that you’ve tried different things and now know what will suit you best.
Thank you Kelly! Yes it does take lots of time.And I don’t mind,but I just can’t be on every platform all the time.Something has to give.So for now will be spending much less time on Facebook.
I sure do understand what you are saying! But to tell you the truth you have an amazing blog and I look forward to your posts coming in my inbox. I love your beautiful home and the style you decorate with. The light that comes into your house makes everything so beautiful, you are very lucky to have that. As for decorating frustrations I just love new and fresh ideas, I enjoy change in my home, the holidays afford that but during the other times not so much. Just know that you have blessed lives through your blogging Anne, because you certainly have mine.
((WARM HUGS)) Jo
Anne,what ever you choose to do we are with you,we are not just the people you send post to everyday,we care. I love your style and your lovely home,just do what you can,when you can and that will be just fine.Have a wonderful day.xoxo
Your always so sweet Marlene! Thank you so much!
I get frustrated not finishing decorating a room. I feel that my rooms aren’t complete!
Many people have that same frustration Amber.
I am new to your blog but it is one of my favorites. I think ads are fine, especially when they pertain to what you are doing or are tastesfully done. I agree you should be paid for your time. Decorating dilemma, too much stuff and not a defined style.
Trying to define style can be hard when you like so many different things…I know exactly what you mean.I will give you an answer on an up coming post 🙂
Hi Anne,
My biggest decorating frustration is the cost of framing for pictures and art work. I love art, all kinds and would have my walls full of it, but the cost to frame it is so crazy high! I even wondered if I might be able to figure out how to make some frames, myself. I though maybe I could go haunt the trim aisles at Lowe’s and Home Depot and figure out how to build one on my own. I know I could just do the ‘canvas wrap’ look, but that won’t work with my style.
Anyway, just happened along and read this. I’m sure blogging IS a big, time consuming job. Yours looks lovely though, if that means anything. Thanks for taking the time to share. ct
Oh that’s a great question CT! I will be answering that soon on a blog post!
I love your decorating tips and everything you post. I often wondered how you found the time for all the posts on facebook and this blog. I started a shop on Etsy a couple months ago and have been very disappointed with the outcome and have been considering closing it. I have been very sad about the way my shop has been going, This may sound weird but it made me feel better to see that someone with your skills had some trouble also… You have renewed my hope in being able to find a way to make at least a little money doing what I love…Thank you so much for sharing your home and your life with your readers.
Deb check into Big Cartel.They host my shop and I have been very please with them so far.It was very easy to set up,and it’s very easy for people to navigate too.
Hi Anne,
I love your blog. I’m new to reading blogs, but I love getting yours.
I just delete the ads, I don’t like them but it’s easy to remove them.
Cheers, Philippa
Thanks so much Philippa!
I love your blog! And your decorating style! My biggest decorating dilemma is finding my own style. I have so many things I love…big large antiques; victorian decor; cottage; even junky repurposed items. How do I make them all fit together and look…well like they all go together. It’s like a family…you have the refined college educated mom, the college drop out but genius dad, the shabby chic daughter and the nature loving son. They all fit together to make a wonderful family. I want my decor that I love to all fit together like a family!
Thank you so much Terri! Oh yes trying to incorporate different styles.That is a good one and often asked.I will be addressing this soon!
Hi Anne,
I understand all that link to make extra money on there web/blogs, as for me I kind of want that stress free site that one can come without thinking to hard to navigate around all the ad’s. They do serve a purpose, and have been profitable though for many. I just remember when you went to bloggers with their clean pages just filled with beauty and not pop-up ads or scrolling ads or ads that you have to navigate around.
Anne, I use to worry about a post every week, now I just post when I have something to share and I seam to continue to have the followers and gain new ones. Have you thought to change your domain and go to BlogSpot, you can link your site on your site and followers will follow you right over there.
I am not so sure when everyone one so afraid that someone was going to lose there domain blog name that ones were dot com-ing to protect their names and it being such a big deal. There is always ways of getting around that, plus after blogging for 5 years now I would love to change my name, I’ve grown a bit tired of what it represents and where I have stated and now where I am at in blogging style.
It’s always been an inspiring place to be, here with you that is! what ever you do with your site you will never lose followers.
Thank you dear for taking the time to support my blog and commenting always that encourages my heart.
Xx
Beautiful days ahead of you.
Oh, I can tell you Anne, one thing I do miss with blogging is how play list allowed us to link music to our sites free, and after years they took it away feeling like they did not want to give it away. I would pay to have a music list linked to my site. I loved visiting those who had music serenading our reads and inspiring beauty.
Xoxo
You are always so sweet Dore!
I don’t do social media and I depend on my blog as my main income. I don’t get on Facebook or Twitter or Google+ or Instagram. And it doesn’t seem to hurt me money-wise. I left WP to come back to Blogger and don’t have to pay all that you do, so that helps. But no matter what anyone tells you, and most will, that you have to be on social media or your blog is dead, and I’ve heard it time and again, it simply is not true. For I do it. Good luck. I would hate to think I had to be everywhere at once, for I post at least once per day. I think concentrating on your content is the real key. Write it and they will come.
Brenda
Thanks so much Brenda I appreciate your insight.
Oh, I am so glad you are going to be doing more blogging! I love your blog. Myself, I stopped blogging some months ago because I feel I have nothing to contribute. But I still love to follow my blogger friends,
Hugs
Jacqui
Thank you Jacqueline!