Love FoxTrot.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the relationship between transparency and money making and how a number of professional bloggers handle this relationship.
I’ve seen a number of successful secular bloggers that either consistently share how they are making money and/or even how much they are making monthly and annually. Perhaps by doing so they are gaining more trust with their audience and really “practicing what they preach” in terms of authenticity, transparency, and the like.
I don’t see any bloggers in the evangelical space sharing that type of information.
What do you think? Would it be more helpful if more christian bloggers opened up their numbers to the world? Is this a place that makes you hesitant? (I hearken back to my Presbyterian days where everyone in the congregation knew how much the Pastor was making…)
Steve says
I'm doing it for the love. I get zero, gratis, nix for what I blog.
human3rror says
today you do… but tomorrow?
Steve says
Tomorrow too! I have a full time job – blessed beyond belief. I just want ot pay forward what others have done for me!
human3rror says
very cool!
James says
Yes I'm launching a new blog that I hope to monetize and this information would be invaluable.
human3rror says
neat! is it workinginmusic.com
Daniel Decker says
I'd love to see the numbers from those willing to share, even if it’s a ball park break down of what they are generating from blog ad sales, Amazon affiliate links, sponsored posts, etc. Numbers alone aren't a big deal but being able to look at numbers as a gauge/tool to see what they are doing (best practices from those actually making $), etc. would be helpful. Might encourage the rest of us utilize or focus in on the best options.
No doubt there are some who are capitalizing on their reach and traffic while others may not be (personal choice of the blogger and their platform). To me, the craft of blogging and the content should always be primary but making supplemental passive income as a byproduct is plain smart. It just needs to be done in a classy way. Bloggers who are concerned about “ads” don’t have to “sell” big display ads on their sites as their only way to make $ (although it may be the best choice for some). They can resort to the plethora of affiliate programs out there… which can generate income but do it in a less “commercial” way. Amazon affiliate links work great.
human3rror says
Daniel,
thanks. this is encouraging.
Daniel Decker says
PT 2 — The blogger can decide to keep the revenue they generate, donate it, use it to support a ministry/charity… eventually turn it into their primary income if it gets high enough… etc. Collectively via just a few affiliate programs and reseller deals I am a part of (all 100% legit with not much intentionality on my part to really maximize it), I generate an extra $1000 – $1800 residually each month on average (not via my blog as it hasn't been live in months).
human3rror says
Daniel,
Wow, that is a considerable amount! What other properties are these sitting on?
Atomic Popcorn says
Content is king. Content brings in visitors, visitors bring in visits and visits is what is paid for. Right now I am getting around the same number of traffic that church crunch is (via alexa) and bring in anywhere from 200 to 1000 a month via ads. So I sit here asking why aren't you. This is passive income to share treats with the kids, clothes for the wife and toys for Dad!!
If anyone has questions or comments hit me up. I have tried differing ad companies, locations of ads, colors etc. Affiliate links are a waste to be honest. Go for CPC and CPM IF and when you monetize your site.
human3rror says
Was that a rhetorical question I assume? Good work on the ads! can only go up from there…!affiliate links aren't very good in my experience, but, i know i haven't been promoting it very well… yet.
stephenbateman says
I think christian bloggers should follow industry standards & not necessarily release their earnings. we don't expect christian small businessmen to release their numbers…
I on the other hand, have never made a dollar off of a website. But that's ok, if I tried to blog for money, my ROI would be so low I would quit altogether…
human3rror says
well, actually, a lot of top bloggers do in fact release their numbers.
stephenbateman says
hmm that's interesting, I didn't know that.
human3rror says
even darren rowse from problogger released his figures for a time. ๐
Adam Lehman says
I get so annoyed with Christian bloggers who continually push books or their ads or whatever. Aren't we supposed to have a message. I have no problem with people making money on a blog (someday, I'd love for that to be me), but we need to rethink how advertising shapes our message.
human3rror says
good point. thanks for that. i agree.
Steve says
we need to rethink how advertising shapes our message.
Great point Adam. Perception is everything!
rodlie says
I don't see why you would have to publish what you make from this blog? I suppose it could help to engender a feeling of authenticity. But…ehh….I think there are two important things: a) you produce good and helpful content. If you didn't, people wouldn't visit the site. And b) I think the ads you do show also provide valuable content. You don't just throw or allow any ads up there, but they are ads that are relevant and helpful to this community.
I do think it's interesting, though, that for any other website (secular) we come to expect ads, but if a Christian blog or website has ads, we tend to get a little funny on it. Not sure why that is….
human3rror says
because we're all so stuffy when it comes to money. ;)i don't have to do anything, but, I am curious about how it would impact and/or change things.;)
Justin Wise says
Gary V's "Crush It" has given me a whole new perspective on monetizing.
I like how you're leading and pioneering the "openness" movement amongst Christians. It seems the Christian community has always been skittish around making a profit … Probably because of a misunderstanding of Jesus' words regarding the topic. That's my guess, anyway.
I make money on my blog and want to monetize in more ways in 2010. In the same way that authors write from passion as well as a need to make a living, I write with the same energy. I don't know how (or why) anyone could disagree with that.
Good question, dude.
dannyjbixby says
Do you post about how much money you make from blogging anywhere or regularly? Or is it just something that happens behind the scenes?
Curiosity. ๐
Justin Wise says
Right now it's behind the scenes, but I'm thinking about bringing it into the light.
Of course, one could go to my sponsors page:
http://bedeviant.com/sponsors
And then look at my sidebar and see how many ads are filled. Do some simple math and you have how much we pull in at BeDeviant.com.
dannyjbixby says
Ah yes…one COULD do that… ๐
human3rror says
math. psh.
dannyjbixby says
adblocker. puaha.
human3rror says
i think i'm going to post something publicly.
;0
dannyjbixby says
You should. I'd be interested. But I'm nosy. Like most people on the internet ๐
Jim says
i love to see the pubic numbers…i think it would help…we have this tainted view of what the world does vs what the church should do…Paul had a business…why can't we?
human3rror says
dude. love it.
human3rror says
word. keep it up!
Tom says
Nope – I make no cash. I think it'd be cool to do so, but I'm not really setting out to accomplish that. There are a couple of web-based projects that I put online along with a "Donate" link that people actually used (much to my surprise, really) but I've never earned anything via blogging.
I'm not against doing so, but I am against how some people sell out to do it: for example, they start up a personal blog and it takes off after a couple of years. After that, people ask them to review products because of the number of subscribers said blog maintains. Over time, the blog turns into a review site and has lost all personal flair (read: stuff that initially attracted me).
human3rror says
good point. love it. and a good reminder too.
Jonathan says
Brother, if I could just figure out how to be strategic and make some income from my blog, be a bit savvy, I would no doubt offer some good commentary for you. lol
๐
human3rror says
๐
dannyjbixby says
I think it would be more helpful if Christian bloggers opened up their numbers. I can't say why some (read: all) don't…because it would just be conjecture.
If I was a "pro Christian blogger" I think I'd be open about it. And try to promote it to others.
I have no problem with people getting paid for what they do, especially if it's something they're passionate about.
Kyle Reed says
I make nada. To be honset, I wish I did. I do not have a job and treat blogging like a job/passion. It would be nice to be paid to have ads and sponsered post on my site but I just do not have the numbers to make any money.
I do think there needs to be some honesty, Mainly because most of the big christian blogs generate money and traffic because of their readers. (BTW, I think churchcrunch is different, mainly because you give away a lot of great info and in turn I think that is what drives traffic) but most christian blogs that are big are authors or leaders that have been promoted by the christian community and in turn have a lot of followers.
It is a very gray area that has a variety of opinions. I know if the numbers were shared it would just depress me more that I have made nothing, and they are able to live off the money they make.
Interesting question though
human3rror says
thanks kyle. passion is key. trust me on that.
JoelWalkley says
I've had a few blogs over the years – the most successful has been my secular math tutoring blog. I've made quite a bit from it (mostly from client referrals). And then I have my "Christian blog." It's that second one I that I find difficult to monetize without selling out.
Google AdSense promotes causes I might actively oppose in the post, and makes pennies a day anyways. I haven't found many good Christian affiliate marketing products, and selling direct ad space on my small site probably won't happen.
I'm happy just for it to be a make-no-money-hobby for now. But please do write more about monetizing blogs, specifically Christian ones – without selling out.
human3rror says
ok. i'll try.
๐
thanks for your thoughts. i've written how i'm not really interested in google adsense… but i may try again.
Heath says
Great post and thread here. Launched a Christian resource blog in October to do this very thing. It's all about traffic which I'm still working on through various social media outlets. The big guns tell you that you've got to have your own product to make the big bucks. It would be great to have a blogging membership site/video training from a Christian perspective. I'm a youth pastor and my goal is for my primary income to be made online to provide for my family and get out of debt. Once I figure it out, I will be sure to let you all know.
human3rror says
cool!
Faith Echoes Online says
Great info. We are a Christian blog dedicated to Christians all over the word. We are building a social network for Christians also that is free to join and will be a blessing for all Christians to connect, meet new people, and learn and grow in faith.
Christians blog