money and blogging

07 June 2012

this is an interview I did over at Homemaker on a Dime~she did a great series on Blogging for Dollars.
1) Can you please share how you started earning income from your blog?I get most of my income from BlogHer ads. I love them because I really don't have to do anything, just post when I can. I don’t take private ads, because honestly, I don’t want to make the time to keep up with them and it would put more pressure on me to post, post, post. Occasionally, I also do product reviews for Blogher, I have google ads, and am an Amazon affiliate. It’s a perfect part-time job for me right now and I sometimes have to pinch myself that I’m getting paid to do something I love.

2) Can you give advice on how bloggers can attract advertisers without turning off readers at the same time?Most readers understand that blogs are awesome and chock full of crazy good information and insights. Because they are FREE, the ads have got to be part of it. It comes down to this for me: if I’m going to take time away from my family to write and manage the blog, it’s got to give back to me and my family. And it does: it’s a hobby/outlet for me and gives to my family financially.
family pic

3) Can you tip bloggers on how to balance family life and blogging?The B-word! Oh goodness, balance is something that every single person I know struggles with.
I do!
We are bombarded with so much information and so many good things, but choosing the best for our families is not easy. I always think of what Stephen Covey says: “begin with the end in mind.” In the end for me, being my best as a wife and mother will be most important, so that’s where I try to put most of my focus. I say no a lot, and it’s hard, especially when amazing opportunities arise. I pray every day that I will have the strength to choose the best for me and my family.
For the blog and projects, I take what I can get. 15 minutes here. A half an hour there. 3 hours on Saturday if I’m lucky. Most days, I’m in my paint clothes. I try to get as much done as possible during naps, preschool, when my little boys are engrossed in train-building or a tv show downstairs, early in the morning, or after they are in bed at night. Projects happen with them around and my family is all used to it ~ I can always find a little job for them to do if they want to help. At 3:00 pm when the kids come home, I try to do things in the kitchen like loading the dishwasher or folding laundry on the kitchen table while everyone is doing homework/practicing so I can be there with them, then it’s usually carpool and making dinner. We do everything possible to be all together every night for dinner. Sundays are sacred: just church and family time. No blog and no projects. On Sunday night, my husband and I sit down and plan the week and make some goals for ourselves and for our family. I would be a mess without Sundays.
IMG_0566
My husband is also my great balancer~he makes sure we make time for fun together and as a family, otherwise I’m pretty sure I would just keep working. :) I don’t have a strict schedule, but I try to make a rough draft of the week and I like to know the next day’s goals before going to bed. I think a big key is that it doesn’t feel like work to me~I love what I do and I would be doing it anyway, even if I didn’t have the blog.

9 comments

  1. Came across your fabulous blog a few weeks ago and have been addicted to it ever since. I have been visiting your blog as much as I visit Pinterest (and that is saying A LOT!!)  I am a brand spankin' new blogger and cannot wait to plug some of your amazing ideas and posts. In fact, i am mentioning you in my first post :) Thanks so very much for the inspiration!! Thank you, thank you , thank you for this week's tips. It really hit home for me.

    Becci B
    http://twopennies2.blogspot.com/2012/06/thrifty-thursday-chalk-it-up-to.html

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  2. This is wonderful advice, Melissa. Thank you for sharing!

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  3. This is just one of the reasons why I drop by your blog daily. It's informative, insightful and very humble. Thanks for the useful tips and pointers. Keep up the good work!

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  4. Great advice! I've only been blogging for less than a year and I'm really enjoying it. I have some ads on my site, but I haven't gone the google route yet. I thinking about it.

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  5. Hayley@Come to the Mouse House1/16/14, 10:59 PM

    I am also on BlogHer and it is so awesome to get that money every month for something we already enjoy doing!
    I have been following your blog for years now and I still love it!

    :)
    Hayley

    p.s. That is my husband's account and I can never switch it on your blog for some reason, haah!
    My blog is http://cometothemousehouse.blogspot and I am not Garrett!

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  6. Miss Mustard Seed1/16/14, 11:02 PM

    Great post.  I love the picture of you and your family at the end.  :)  I hope to get to share a mexican dinner with you again one day...

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  7. melissa*320 sycamore1/16/14, 11:02 PM

    Thank you, Marian! Can't wait to see you next week at HAVEN!! :)

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  8. God bless you and your family! I do not know you in other way than through your blog but what transpires is humility and goodness. Keep up the good work!

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  9. Great tips, Melissa! I like your very practical approach to ads on blogs.  I never feel bombarded by ads when I'm here.

    Question: you have Google AdSense as well as BlogHer?  I've never added Google ads--I've wondered if I should do that. Any suggestions?

    Love ya!

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