Is it just me or is there a shit load of posts out right now about how to make money blogging? Who are these bloggers? How long have they been blogging? Did they have previous blogs or just this one about how to blog?
Inquiring minds want to know. Or maybe it’s just me. I’d ask them personally but most of these “how to blog” bloggers I’ve never heard of and they don’t float in my blogging circles.
But wow, they have all made a ton of money! Or so they say. Funny ’cause in the years I’ve been blogging, I’ve only known a handful of bloggers that have made a livable wage from their blogs. And that was only after years of building their audience.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one of those bloggers that looks down their nose at bloggers who do make money with their blogs. I think it’s great.
What drives me nuts is these “bloggers” that appear virtually out of nowhere, have never blogged before, and are really nothing more than marketing experts/coaches/business mentors extorting money out of new bloggers who don’t have 2 pennies to rub together, preying on their need to make money to make ends meet.
I’m not against buying courses or spending money on someone else’s expertise. How could I? I myself have spent money and made money consulting.
So what’s my point? My point is, yes you can make money blogging. And yes, I believe in courses and mentors.
But please before you go spending money to make money:
5 Things To Consider BEFORE You Spend Money On Your Blogging Business
1. Try to get it FREE! Almost all the information for any given course can be found for free on the web. It takes some research but trust me, it is there. If you can learn how to perform open heart surgery from you tube videos, you can certainly find information about how to blog.
2. Make sure you can afford it. Don’t get in debt or go further in the hole based on someone else’s claim of success with a certain program/course. You must be able to lose the money you invest. Go with the worst case scenario. Can you afford to just burn that money in a fireplace with absolutely no hope of salvaging it?
3. Reputable sellers/coaches always offer a money back guarantee. Make sure that you have some recourse if you are unsatisfied and expectations are not met. You worked hard for your money. Make it work for you or ask for it to come back.
4. A high price tag does not mean better quality. Conversely, don’t over look a cheaper alternative because you think it won’t be a quality product. Whether you are spending $1 or $1000, do your due diligence and check out what’s included. Seek out reviews and past students for real testimonials.
5. Check out the seller. Especially with digital products, you are buying the presenter. Make sure you check them out. How long have they been doing this? What makes them an expert? Do they have the same philosophy as you? Do you trust them? Do you feel a connection? And most importantly, if you need addition help or information, are they easy to contact?
Nothing can turn you off of blogging and make you want to give up all together than getting ripped off. If you are going to spend money on your blogging business, make sure you are making a wise investment and consider all the above points BEFORE you open your wallet.
20 comments
I feel like those “bloggers” are ruining blogging. 95% of the time they are just peddling affiliate products rather than conveying helpful information.
There is a difference to writing an article to help others and writing an article around a product that helps others. One is clearly an infomercial.
I have also found a lot getting their information from marketing mills. They actually have no clue what blogging is. They are just marketers. It is sad really and I hope that it doesn’t make blogging a thing of the past.
There does seem to be millions of people promising to make you a millionaire blogger but without any credentials that I can see.
It can be very frustrating when you don’t know who to trust. Just follow your gut. Besides, I think you could run circles around many of them yourself, Rosemond!
Hi, can you tell me which one is best among WordPress.com or wordpress.org? If we consider it according to money blogging.
You can monetize on dot com but there are rules. If you are strictly looking for making money from ads, then you have to go org.
Umm can you please tell me a little bit about the .com rules you just mentioned above..
Check out my post here but make sure to click through to the links to wordpress as rules may have changed. https://elenaopeters.com/2016/02/07/make-money-on-non-self-hosted-blogs/
I read these a lot too “make money blogging”, uhhh actually you aren’t making money blogging, you are making money selling courses and ad space….
I can’t make six figures writing a blog post about how to hang laundry, I don’t care what anyone says.
You’ve done a post about laundry? Lol
No, but I’ve read a post about how to air dry laundry. “hang the effin shit on the line” end of post.
Thanks for this post. Being a new (and part-time) blogger myself, these types of posts make me feel inadequate at best. Maybe I should be further along by now. I guess the reality is that you just keep plugging away at it. If something happens, it happens. If not, you have a “diary” you can be proud of and share with others.
What a fabulous way to look at things! I totally agree that you just have to keep going, adjust as needed and love the process. That way, no matter what happens, you are a winner!
I so agree!
I’ve wondered the same thing, where do these miracle bloggers come from? My best advice, (that I take myself),is to start small and write about what you love, and don’t be afraid to change it up at some point. The little money I have made blogging/writing stays in my PayPal account and if I choose to buy a premium theme, then it comes out of that.
I totally agree Terri! Passion for blogging and what you write about creates a strong base to build your business on.