I’ve been blogging for over three years… and today I may go on a little rant… But I also am looking for your input! {honestly! I’m asking for help!} I really want to make blogging my part time job, and right now, its taking the time, but I just don’t seem to see the returns that I see on other blogs. Here are my current stats {after 3+ years}
Google + {only joined last December} 180 have me in circles
Pinterest 554 followers {don’t remember when I joined… a couple of years}
Feedburner 691 readers… although not sure how many of these will still read along when the reader goes away.
E-mail subscribers… over 100 {will this keep being delivered after the July 1st changes?}
Facebook 562 followers
Bloglovin 152
So, yes, I am doing okay, but I am trying to REALLY DO WELL. Do you know what I mean? I want this to be more than a hobby. I spend 15-20 hours a week on this blog. Here’s what I do:
Create content, edit photos and write posts
Link up to other blog parties (around 50 a week)
Comment on posts from my party (around 100 a week)
Comment on blog posts from other parties (another 100 a week)
I try to respond to e-mails in a timely manor, offer giveaways around once a month and take up others on guest posting offers.
So, is it just that my content isn’t that good? {NOT fishing for comments} or am I missing something. This is where I want your honesty {honestly!!!} please leave me a comment or e-mail me at [email protected] if you have a suggestion that you think would help me.
I am making a small amount of money from advertising, but you just need lots and lots of pageviews to get a huge return. I’m trying to get them up… but its slow…
I’m using share a sale
Escalate Network
I took this Mom Blog to Money Blog Course at the beginning of this year and got some good tips, but I still need more {thats where YOU come in}
and of course I have an Ad sense account.
Ok… lay in on me!!! What do you have for me? Honesty is the best policy!!
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Looking forward to seeing you around the blog…. don’t be a stranger!
DesignGeek says
May 24, 2013 at 5:32 amThanks for writing this post. I have read every single comment so far and feel so enlightened. There is already a great collection of wisdom and experience here. I am a very new blogger, but I second earlier opinions of Talk to Deby at Moms Make Money. I am really impressed by her blog content and knowledge.
Paula Parrish says
May 24, 2013 at 11:59 amI am new to your blog, and starting following along today. After reading your post it seems like you are doing everything right, nice work. My suggestion would be to host a giveaway on another blog, I gained new followers doing it. ;o)
Crystal @ Serving Joyfully says
May 24, 2013 at 12:18 pmAlso, Crystal Paine from moneysavingmom.com has a series (I think she even turned it into a free ebook for easier access) about how to make money blogging. It’s an easy read and couldn’t hurt 🙂
Teresa says
May 24, 2013 at 3:56 pmI followed your link from Kitchen Fun with my 3 Sons and just wanted to say how interesting I found your post. I’m too new at this malarkey to be able to offer anything constructive but should I find the “magic button” I’ll come back and let you know.
Miachel @ Spiced Curiosity says
May 24, 2013 at 4:01 pmThat’s a tough question.
From what I see, you do a great job. The only suggestions I have (which are also echoed above) are to showcase other bloggers and have them showcase you. This boosts Google search ratings, along with increasing your audience.
And just keep doing what you love!
KerryAnn @ Cookingtf.com says
May 24, 2013 at 5:20 pmI recommend you take a three-pronged approach. First, network with other bloggers so you can get more visibility. Joining an already-established network is a good route to go, and in some cases, you can join multiple networks. Second, work to drive more traffic to your site through marketing, facebook and pinterest. Third, work to get more linkbacks- linkbacks are where people link to a post or a page on your blog. That helps gain traffic and raise your rankings, as well.
Daniela Schiena says
May 24, 2013 at 2:45 pmI think your blog is very nice! I’m a new blogger and a new follower of Nap-Time creations and I surely will keep reading 😉 I don’t think I have enough experience to give constructive feedback, but I would like to say “Keep up the good job!” because it really is good. from a personal opinion I can suggest to make a small reasearch about videos or books that can help or give tips on “how to make money”, that’s what I do when I want to improve on something – I manage a team of 7 people so I always try to improve my way of communication and leadership in order to get the good results I want, and I do this with workshops, presentations and books. Hope I helped a little!! Have a great week, Daniela
Natasha Mairs says
May 24, 2013 at 9:08 pmI’ve been blogging for 2 years this July.And I’m learning new things all the time. But I would say that my biggest source of traffic is pinterest. I am a member of a few group boards which brings me even more traffic because these have 1,000’s of followers. So that would be my first suggestion. I would properly say that most of my earnings come from paid guest posts and sponsored post. I have at least 2 people/company’s contact me a week requesting if they could do a guest post on my blog. I don’t charge much. I also have a lot of offers for sponsored post, where I write the content.
But one of the main things that you must do is socialize!! share your posts on facebook, google+, twitter, pinterest etc. But make sure you share more of other people’s posts. and tag them in it, so that they know that you have shared something of theirs. Having good relationships with other bloggers is key. you share their content and they might return the favour. It can take up a lot of time, but it’s worth it
Christy @ Creating A Beautiful Life says
May 24, 2013 at 10:00 pmEmily, thank you for taking a risk and writing this post. I found you from the Peek Into My Paradise link party. Like many of the other commentors, I’m new-ish to blogging and don’t have tips, but have enjoyed reading what others wrote. I do hope you will consider a follow up post with what you learn from posting this.
Be well,
Christy @ Creating a Beautiful Life
Amber Heidi says
May 24, 2013 at 11:40 pmThank you for your sweet comment on my blog!! I can’t really offer you any advice since I am very new at this and really just doing it as an outlet for my major need for creativity 🙂 I would like to make money with it sometime for sure, and reading all these comments has been very informative. Hope you find some answers!! I love following your blog!
Heidi @ handmadefrenzy.blogspot.com
Laura @ The Salty Kitchen says
May 25, 2013 at 2:11 amEmily, you are so smart for asking for feedback! I am in the same boat – my goal is to make enough money on mine to stay at home once the kids are in school (I was late in the game on trying this blogging thing out).
I personally, have been following you for quite a while, and I’m interested in what you learn. I am such a fan of yours, and I hope you continue to grow in this venue. I think you are a gem, and I grow learning from you!
Keep your chin up, and know you have a devoted group of bloggers looking for you to succeed in what you want to do.
Angela Conley says
May 24, 2013 at 11:29 pmHmm, kinda a toughie to answer because I’m also newer to blogging and am learning something new all the time.
I do recommend a book I bought, “Blogging for Creatives” which has lots of great info and tips. It was well worth the $20.
It does seem the ads make your page appear jumbled or disoriented. Maybe that’s because I’m not a fan of ads. So I guess my advise would be, if you don’t benefit that much from them, maybe reconsider the small amount you make off em. Myself, I see ads on a blog and I just skip over them.
Another thought is to organize your site and links better (and I’m sure I could benefit from this also!). This is just coming from my perspective, someone who likes things neat and orderly. I also think things to pop out at me and am very visually oriented. So I pay attention to colorful sites, great images and catchy words.
Hope this helps! Kudos to you for asking for the feedback. That takes courage and vulnerability!
Jenna LaFevor says
May 28, 2013 at 2:05 pmI know how you are feeling girl! Sometimes blogging is just so overwhelming and you just want to throw in the towel! The biggest thing that has grown my blog is Pinterest. Recently, I have even went back and updated old posts with better photos and re-pinned them to Pinterest and linked them up at blog parties. This has helped some! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof