Welcome to my first post in a new monthly series where I will share my blog income and stats with you. I was inspired to do this because I know of some bigger bloggers (like Pinch of Yum) who share their income and stats but I really didn’t see any smaller bloggers (like me! and maybe you!) who do so. I figured if I was looking for something that I wasn’t willing to publish myself that was pretty messed up so decided that I’d start sharing my monthly stats and income.
September was a really strange month for me, blog wise so I thought I’d actually share my August and September numbers with you guys so you can get a more realistic sense of where I am.
August:
- 8,251 page views
- $90
September:
- 15,093 page views
- $50
So let me break this down for you. In August, I had a fairly typical number of page views – it was up from July, but by a reasonable amount. My income in August was from two sponsored posts I wrote. In September, I earned $50 from a sponsored blog post I wrote. I actually have a few other sources of blog income, but none of them have paid me yet, so I’m not going to include them until the month that the payments actually come in. Those other income sources are google ad sense (right now, I’ve made about $30 to date with that program) and being an amazon affiliate (to date, I’ve only made about $5 from that but I love it because I can share products I love and buy anyway). I’m also a bluehost affiliate and I earn income through my post on how to start a blog – however, I also haven’t been paid yet for that either, so I’m not including it yet. I hope that these numbers will continue to grow and as I get paid out from some of the advertising and affiliate relationships, that will also affect the numbers.
Now, let’s talk about the spike in traffic in the month of September. I had almost a 100% increase in traffic from August to September. If you’ve been reading this week, you can probably guess that my post that went viral is pretty much solely responsible for that increase. My goal has been to do things to help convince some of my new readers (as a result of that post) to stick around — we’ll see how well I met that goal when I look at my blog income and stats from October.
In terms of what goals I have financially for this blog, that’s still a work in progress. I have a lot of big ideas (blogging seminar, blogging ebook, etc.) but I definitely think I need to fully envision a plan and I also need about five more hours in each day (don’t we all?). Right now, I’m continuing to focus on content and quality and learning as much as I can about blogging. I also am thinking about a design overhaul in Q1 of 2015. I’d actually love to find a budding designer who would want to work with this up and coming blogger. 🙂 So if you know anyone, send them my way!
I hope you find these monthly reports helpful. Let me know if you do and if you have any questions!
That’s interesting. I’ve never understood why bloggers keep stats quiet and secret you know? I think it must fall under the comparison trap. I’m always grateful for how open and honest your posts are. Plus they are helpful!
Hollie recently posted…Off the Grid
yeah, i think you are right — people compare themselves to others and end up feeling bad. i figure, this kind of information helps us all!
I too always appreciate your honesty Courtney. Keep up the good work!
thank you meranda – i don’t think anything is gained by not being honest, you know? 🙂
Thanks for being so honest! Your page views are impressive! I’m not sure I’ll ever get there!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Let The Games Begin: The Fitness Games App review
you know, sue it has really been a slow and steady incline. with the exception of september but that was so out of the ordinary and i expect october will be back around where august was!
Very cool, thanks for sharing Courtney! Did companies contact you to do a sponsored post or did you reach out to them? I was thinking about signing up as an Amazon Affiliate because I love Amazon, lol…so much to learn!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Life After the Half Marathon: What’s Next?
great question: my sponsored posts have come through blogging networks / media companies. specifically the posts i’m referencing have come from sverve and markerly. i’m learning so much myself!!
That is interesting and helpful to see what other bloggers do and have for stats. Thanks for sharing. I never went into any of this with the thought of making money but if it happens that would be nice
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…“Fed Up” #The Movie-America’s Health Crisis
yeah, i never went into this to make any money but blogging does have it’s costs and if i can come out even, that’d be great!
Thank you so much for sharing this!! I recently signed up with google adsense and amazon affiliate program and still haven’t made a $1 I just need to remind myself why I am blogging and it’s not because I want to become rich. I love to read how other bloggers make it work though. Good job on doubling your view in September!
Christine recently posted…September 2014
definitely stick with it – it takes time (clearly, because i haven’t made much yet either) but i think it’ll be worth it!
This is really interesting and helpful- especially to bloggers who are only beginning to consider making money off their blogs! It’s not really helpful to see those “huge” blogs and what they make because that’s not realistic starting out. Thank you for being so open and honest!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine recently posted…Thinking Out Loud #19
yeah, i kinda felt the same way about seeing numbers from the bigger bloggers!
This is such a fresh breath of air! Seriously, I’ve never come across a blogger who was so honest on their stats and income. You just made me a reader for life with your honesty.
Heidi recently posted…Jeter’s Farewell Tour
wow, thanks so much heidi! i appreciate your kind words – thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing, Courtney! If I count free books, I guess I make a decent amount from my blog – ha! 🙂 I love your viral post, by the way; it’s great that so many people, including myself, have gained some insight from your tips and suggestions. Keep up the great work!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Book Review: Gravel On the Side Of the Road by Kris Radish
thanks for reading, tara! and yeah, i’ve gotten some good swag as well – i don’t count it as income but i do track it tax reasons! 🙂
you’re a rock star! this is so helpful to know. I’ve started looking into the ad thing and haven’t really explored sponsored posts yet. If it happens, it happens but you’re so honest it’s refreshing!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Running in Fall Weather!
thanks, friend! i figured ‘why not’ — i’m always interested in this stuff and i knew if i was, someone else would be too 🙂
Thanks for sharing! I really love how transparent and honest you are about the blogging process, and I find it very refreshing.
Jess recently posted…October 2014 Goals
thanks jess! i appreciate your kind words!
I love how honest you are with all of us, Courtney. Your surge in page views is AMAZING! I have yet to get anywhere close to that, but I have noticed a slight increase over the past couple of months. I’ll take any progress over none! And like Mar said, I never went into blogging to make money, but if it happens along the way, then great!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…2014 Clarendon Day 10k Recap
well, september was really odd (which is why i included august as well) because of that viral post. the traffic from that post just totally skewed my numbers!
The topic of making money while blogging is so interesting. Thanks for sharing. I love reading your blog. I am the newbie
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner recently posted…Hello October! New Month…New Goals
thanks for reading – hope it was helpful!
Great post! I love when bloggers are more open and honest. I think it helps everyone!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted…Petite Creme Biscuits with Jam Recipe
i agree 100% 🙂
This is a great post- love the honesty and the sharing of ideas! I might just have to copy you (:
Lindsay @brokeandbougie recently posted…BOOT SEASON (the only season that is this stressful and wonderful all at once)
do it! 🙂
Love this post. Its so funny because Monday I posted my monthly income for the first time and so many people wanted to know how… it got me to thinking that sharing might be better its not like its a major secret but it may help others. Great idea for a post Courtney.
Kristy @Runaway Bridal Planner recently posted…My Take On Running Streaks
so funny! i just went and checked out your post — loved it!
Blogging for monetary gain…. Requires you to really put forth a fulltime effort and so many people don’t really have time for that because they…. HAVE A full time job! ha ha! I have been lucky enough to really put my blog as my fulltime job (and have my other jobs as part time ones) so I have been able to grow it and main a profit, however, it takes SO MUCH TIME! patience, patience! You will attain your goals! 🙂
GiGi Eats recently posted…Joan Rivers: A Toast To You!
yeah, i hear ya! i don’t blog for the money, but i have begun to develop a strategy on how i can make some money. that’s awesome that it’s your full time job — what you said is SO true – making money blogging really IS a full time job. 🙂
Great to hear your site is so succesful amd look forward to an article about adsense soon?!
yes — but probably not until i’ve actually gotten a solid 6 months or so under my belt with it!
Great post! As someone who was just offered her first sponsored post with compensation this was interesting. Do you know about blooging and taxes and about how to add your blog into your taxes if it’s not your full-time job?
Lauren recently posted…Pin it Party 6
if you receive more than 1000 (roughly – check that amount) you need to declare it. value of products counts. i track everything and then give it to my tax guy 🙂
Good going and YAY for a viral post!
Dani recently posted…Grown Up Stuff #timewellspent #clevergirls #sponsored
thanks dani!
What an amazing September. Thanks for sharing, Courtney! Your blog has been one of the best ones to help guide the blog newbies (I suppose mine is a toddler now haha). Blogging has been a great creative outlet for me plus been meeting a bunch of great people. As a numbers person, it has been fun poking around with Analytics. No sponsored posts have happened for me, but if it happens in the future great, if not that is fine with me 🙂
Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – Happy 1 Year of Blogging
yeah, september was CRAZY — that post just took off. i’m interested to see how october pans out 🙂
Love your transparency.
thanks abby!
I have Amazon Affiliate, but only link to it if I’m talking about a product that I would be mentioning anyway. I’ve made $18 this year, and when I saw an amazon credit on my bank statement I spent forever trying to figure out what I had returned (never dreaming it was income)! LOL
I love your posts on blogging tips, and look forward to this series. You’re a great teacher!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…A Group Run, Fat Bastard, And Katy Perry
that’s my philosophy as well. surprise checks are fun! and thanks so much for the compliment 🙂
Thanks for being so open and honest! I was just wondering, who do you use as ad network (if you do) and how much that breakdown is! I feel like I’m being super nosy but I LOVE these types of breakdowns!
Carmy recently posted…Inside My Mind: THE TAPER HAS STARTED! How to Stay Motivated!
google adsense and blogher. i haven’t actually taken in any income yet from them (some has generated but not been sent to me). when i do, i’ll add that in my monthly income report! 🙂
Ah. Same! I have somehow collected like $80 from Google (over like …. 4 years haha. Old ads on a blog from years ago) and it just sucks that I can’t get paid until I hit $100 (Canadian problems…) so I probably won’t get paid until another 2 years haha. I recently started with Blogher too and I’m pretty excited to see where that leads!
Carmy recently posted…WIAW! #15
Thanks for sharing – it’s always good to get new ideas and think about things from a business perspective!
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! recently posted…Cinnamon Wheat Bread Recipe