Before I fill in the statement in the title, let me just begin by stating that this topic of conversation has been a long time coming. I’ve wanted to come right out and discuss it, but I’ve been beating around the mulberry bush for some reason. Well, I actually have some theories on the matter. In times past, I’ve viewed the word “monetize” as one of those shush-shush, taboo terms that shouldn’t be uttered from my particular computer keys.
And so, I’ve been slow on the draw when it comes to the whole topic of monetizing one’s blog. Maybe I was thinking of how money discussions can make some people feel uncomfortable. Or, maybe I felt I was being disloyal to my creative side by focusing some of the attention on the “making money” side of being a creative entrepreneur. But, being a creative entrepreneur is just that. It’s combining one’s creative talent with business acumen, allowing the Creative to earn some income from doing the thing he or she creatively does.
Why would I even feel some sort of way about that? Seriously.
I mean whole discussions at Degrees of Maternity have been centered around entrepreneurship for months now. So, why the hesitancy about the monetization part? I don’t know . . . the mind is a complex piece of work. I’ll tell you that much. I should know that using the words “money” and “monetization” (talking directly about the goal of making money with your blog) is not going to cause you to think any less of me or my genuine intentions of trying to help the blogging community. Or, is it?
In any case, I’m stepping out on faith and believing that you’re going to be okay with me discussing today’s topic, because I’m going to do just that. You tune in to hear blogging truths, correct? Well, the truth of the blogging matter is that some people want to generate income from their blogs (yours truly included).
Hey, there’s no shame in it at all. Most people are not endowed with the privilege of having money just fall into their laps for them. They have to earn it by working their behinds off. And blogging is no exception. It’s incredibly hard work, because again, blogging has many more aspects to it than just the writing.
And I know some of the rhetoric out there, especially from family and friends, can be quite deflating at times. You might have even heard something along the lines of . . . “Hey, your blogging thing isn’t a real job. How can you even earn any decent amount of money doing that? Only the 1%ers have any hopes of doing that. So, stop wasting your time and get a real job.” Almost makes you want to rethink your hopes of having a true blogging profession, doesn’t it?
I mean have you ever heard something condescending like that (or similar to that), where what you do as a blogger is somehow discredited because you do it from home (or anywhere you can get Internet access); you don’t have a regular weekly, biweekly, or monthly paycheck coming in on a dependable basis; or you’re putting in a lot of upfront work without seeing any notable results just yet (especially in the area of dollar bills)? (Okay, that was a marathon question. I know.)
But guess what? It’s okay to quiet the noise. I’ve experienced that particular noise in my own life with people close to me. But I say, “I’m determined to quiet that noise by showing them that it’s quite doable for me and for you (just like it has been for many-a-person) to earn income while living the BLOGGING LIFE. Personally speaking, the blogging business stuff is my thing and I intend to spend my professional time doing it. And furthermore, I expect to financially contribute to my family’s well-being while doing it. Is that too much to ask?
Now, not every blogger is seeking to have a blogging business. He or she may be focused on the creative (not entrepreneurial)/personal (not professional) side of things and NOTHING BUT. And that’s okay. Blogging is here to be all things to all people. So, I say to do your thing with your blog and get what you need (in an ethically-appropriate way) out of it.
And for me, that’s both the intrinsic as well as the extrinsic value of the blog. That’s what I’m seeking to get out of it. And if that’s you, then today’s discussion is probably right up your blogging alley. So, let’s actually go back to how I started this post and let me finally fill-in-the blanks on the title.
One way to monetize your blog is to . . .
Tie it to what you love to do (or at least enjoy doing).
Ta-dah! And there you go. Did you guess that “tying blogging to what you do” is how I would finish the statement? If yes, then I’m totally impressed, because you could have said stuff like — place ads on your blog, put affiliate links on your blog, write sponsored posts on your blog, seek donations for your blog, sell products and services from your blog, etc. etc. etc. And actually, all of those options are viable and can be great ways to generate income from your blog if you know how to work them skillfully. (And if you get several of them working simultaneously with one another, then I’m scared of you. You go, girl. You go, boy. Go make that blogging money!)
Let me just state that some of those really specific, income-generating activities (I just mentioned) can even be the very things you love (or enjoy) doing. I know mine is. (Can you guess which one it is out of the bunch I presented?)
And with all of that being said, I think my time today has come to an end. I plan on returning next time with some specifics on this monetization strategy of tying your blog to what you love (or enjoy) doing. It’s really the number one way in which I can see you setting yourself up for sustainable earning potential. So, come ready to get your money talk on in next “Blogging Truths Be Told”.
Hey, and thanks for being a part of my blogging community and for reading this ’til the end. I knew I wouldn’t weird you out by talking about monetizing your blog. We’re all grown-ups here. Whoo Hoo! Okay, signing off . . .
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