***This is a post mainly for bloggers. I bet a lot of you will be bored by this, and some of you may be bugged I make money off this blog at all. To both of you, I say click on another post. 🙂 I just get a lot of questions about the financial side of things on my blog. I am always honest, so this is part of my honesty. If you don’t like it — feel free to comment {and I, may feel free to delete}.
So, I have been pushing hard at Pulling Curls since about mid January, so for the sake of nice round numbers. Let’s say 5 months.
And it is doing WAY better then I had EVER expected. I remember when Laura told me to read the book (which you can find out more about here) I was on the fence. I just felt like I had tried SO many things, and just couldn’t get it going.
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Here’s a few things I’ve done:
1. I pin about 3 times each day to LARGE group boards. If you’re looking for large group boards, Pin Groupie is a good place to start. Find your niche and go from there.
2. I have taken on a “job” over at MommySavers that will help promote my blog through my threads there {sort of, not sure about this yet}.
3. I have worked hard to pump my Hootsuite full of good info, about 75% from other people, and 25% from me.
4. I still pin a lot. A lot of good stuff I find, mostly onto my own boards. Pinterest is certainly still a hobby.
And here are the results:
1. Visits. I have gone from about 30/day (on a normal day) to about 3-4,000/day.
2. I have gone from getting a check maybe every 3 months from Blogher to getting monthly income that actually helps our bottom line.
3. I am adding a few sponsored posts here and there. I try to only pick items I love already and ask people to sponsor the post with a Giveaway. I’m not a big fan of free stuff for bloggers, so we’ll see how that all plays out. Some of the sponsored posts, I elicit. And some I apply for through my ad network, Blogher. some are paid with cash, some in product. Just depends (and I will always state in the post that I am being sponsored).
4. So, in essence I have gone to making maybe 10 bucks/month on the blog — to probably close to 450 this month. That doesn’t include sponsored posts, as those are paid at weird times, but those do bring in a nice amount, also.
**This is a big blessing at a point that we’re not particularly sure about the future. I know God has a plan for us, and I do think this blog is part of mine, for many reasons.
I am spending a LOT of time on this. I promote it, I write it, I promote it, I write it.
The best news is that I really mostly love doing blog work. I love designing (just got new business cards!), I love writing and I love talking to other people about things I am passionate about. So, it does not seem as much like a job, but more like a hobby that I’m getting paid for. Which is nice, but doesn’t mean that it doesn’t take up any less time.
So, what do you think of the new Pulling Curls?
Or liked me on Facebook or followed me on Pinterest?
If you ever see something you like here, please share it. It’s because of YOU this blog keeps growing. Thank you!
Do you have something you want to say? I hope so, I love writing this blog, mostly because of the readers. I love comments and things I learn from you. Pulling Curls is the BEST! 🙂
Anyway, I hope this post is helpful to my readers. I know it’s not my normal genre. If you enjoyed this post be sure to check out my other blog income posts, or my blog income spreadsheet. You’ll see how far I came since January. 🙂 Also be sure to follow my “Business of Blogging” Pinterest board.
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Paola says
Hey! I’m really trying to get some “extra” income since I’m a student from Venezuela who can’t work due to class hours that are not compatible with any job and a university that is 1-2 hours away from my house, so I was wondering if I could still be sponsored if I’m not from the USA but still have an account in the USA and how exactly sponsors work how can I have that much visits I haven’t started my blog mainly e cause I think no one is going to read it and if that happens I will be kind of heartbroken. So, how exactly did u start with 30 visits? Where were your starting visits from ? How do I do to get a paid sponsor? You have motivated me. The economy here sucks & I really need some income
Hilary says
I have ad networks — if you over over my “etc” header — you can see my “blogging for income” posts. Maybe that will be helpful to you. Igot initial visits from friends on facebook — mainly, i think.
Marcia Richards says
Hi Hilary. Congrats on your hard work to increase your readership! I’m a fiction writer so my blog won’t require the amount of work yours does but selling books and getting noticed on Amazon is not something that happens quickly. So, I was thinking about beginning a second blog with my DIY furniture makeovers I’ve been doing as a hobby.
I’m curious about your ads through BlogHer. I belong to that site but don’t spend much time there. Can you tell me where to look on BlogHer to get set up with ads for my prospectively new site?
My husband and I are retired and lost a lot of money in the stock market during the recession. So, I’m looking for an income to supplement social security…something I can do from home. I’d appreciate any info you can offer.
On my blog, I have a page for resources for women and I’d be happy to include a link to your blog as a ‘thank you’. Also tweeting and sharing this blog post as I know it will be helpful to people in my circle.
Hilary says
Hi Marcia. Blogher ads, is different then blogher the website. They are run by the same major company, but you have to apply to be in the ad network. I say apply now, and put on google adsense in the meantime. That one doens’t have a waiting time or anything like that. I still make decent money off it (and would probably make more if they were in the top spots like Blogher is)
I’d love to be on your blog roll. If you have other specific questions, feel free to reply.
Marcia Richards says
Thanks so much for your help, Hilary. I’ll get you on my resources page by tomorrow and plan to begin plans for my new site tomorrow as well. I’ll keep you posted!
Hilary says
Happy to help Marcia. Good luck!
Deb says
Great post, Hilary….and thanks for sharing the insider information. I’ve held back from putting any ads on my blog — http://www.TitusTwoFriends.blogspot.com — because it is my “ministry” (encouraging a mentoring relationship between older & younger women, after the fashion described in Titus 2 of the New Testament) and I didn’t want my blog littered with pop-ups and such–because that just irritates me so much when I’m on other blogs.
I’ve got another blog, Nature Study Lessons, which I’ve neglected terribly for the past couple years, busy with other things, but for which I think would be easy to do some Amazon affiliate work (linking to nature study books or supplies). I’m just so clueless (and busy with other things).
Mostly I need to develop a master plan and get cracking on it! You’ve inspired a bit, to get on the stick and treat this as a business.
Thanks for the encouragement and the peek into the back-side of your blog!
Deb – an older woman!
Hilary says
I certainly don’t think ads are for everyone, but they can help recoup some of your time costs. Good luck!
Erin says
Hilary it’s so great to see people who are doing such a great job with their blogs. I’ve just very recently started mine so I’m always looking for tips and tricks so this was a terrific post. Best of Luck to you!!
Erin ~ Pinteresting Treasures
Hilary says
Erin, I am hoping to do them weekly! 🙂
Julianne says
Thank you so much for this! You’re so honest, which is really helpful. I just started a blog and I’m already really enjoying it. I’m not so sure what I want the end goal to be, but I’m having fun right now. I’ve pinned this and am following you on Pinterest!
xo Julianne
reallifesurreallife.blogspot.com/
Hilary says
Julianne, I’m glad I could be of help. I do love blogging. Off to check out your site!
Julianne says
Thanks so much for the reply and for checking out my blog (and for the Pin)!! I really appreciate it!
Hilary says
Happy to do it Julianne, it was a great blog, I wouldn’t have pinned it otherwise!
Catherine says
I have never heard of BlogHer but I will take a look. I need to find something to monetize my own blog. Adsense isn’t the best.
Thanks for the helpful tips.
Hilary says
I have heard of people having a hard time getting onto blogher lately… There are plenty of ad networks!
jamie says
I love that your so open to share your experience!!
Great job!!
Hilary says
I hope you found it helpful! I plan to do it frequently. 🙂
Lori Hil says
Congrats! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Hilary says
Oh good! I hope it was helpful!
Katelyn F says
I recently wrote a blog post about how I’ve make money blogging – http://www.whatsupfagans.com/2014/06/how-do-you-make-money-blogging/ – but I’m still not at the point where you are at. It sounds to me like you really lucked out in some ways getting approved by Blogher’s Ad network. I’ve applied like 3 times, but am always denied. Honestly, I am thrilled with my growth in the last 9 months, since I started doing this thing “for real.” I’ve gone from 4k PVs a month to 60k+. Thanks for sharing a little of what works for you.
Hilary says
Katelyn, that is GREAT growth! I’m not sure I mentioned it, but I have been on Blogher for years. I was making maybe 10 bucks/month since about 2010? Maybe before that? It’s just this year I’ve jumped hard on Pinterest and seen the growth. It seems like there are a lot of great networks out there (especially after you get over 100k). Blogher does have restrictions. I just applied to Today’s Mamma and I’ll see how that works for me.
Timeka says
I just read this post today. Fell in love with your honest and take me ad I am attitude. Your post is very informative and just what I needed. Thank you.☺
Hilary says
Thanks Timeka — I plan to do another one in the next day or so. Be on the lookout! 😀
Angela says
Hilary,
Your transparency is refreshing and encouraging. Thank you for it and for not giving up! I’ve realized that I have a lot to learn and thanks to you, I have an idea where to go to learn it!
Hilary says
Thanks Angela!
Leigh Ann Houston says
This was SO helpful…thank you! I’ve already started putting your advice into action. How in the world do you ask to join a group board on pinterest? I can’t even figure out how to message most people!
Hilary says
Leigh Ann — the person to the left of the contributors is the board creator. If you go to my MomHacker board you’ll see my smiley face there on the left. Make sense?
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Hilary says
Hmm…. I have no idea WYSWYG is…. so, I mam not much help. My friend Katie at http://www.clarkscondensed.com answers all my tech questions. She has a link on there to her “blog help” page which is great.
There's Just One Mommy says
That is amazing! I need to be more proactive at using Pinterest, and I am definitely needing to join more group boards! I have seen some growth on my blog this year, but nothing like this— congrats and I hope it continues for you!
Hilary says
Thank you! Pinterest is GREAT for growing traffic. Good luck!
Gabe @ My Life on a Whim says
Thanks for this! I found your post on Pimterest and I will definitely be repinning, and taking your advice on the pin groups.
Thanks again!
Hilary says
Pinterest has been great for me. I feel like too many eggs are in that basket, and I’m working to build other baskets, but for now Pinterest sure helps! 🙂
Jasmin says
Hi Hilary,
Thanks for being transparent. Many bloggers are reluctant to share their earnings! I too am a mommy of 3, hoping to turn my blogging into a profession. Thanks for the wonderful tip on pinning to large Pinterest groups – it never occurred to me to try this. I’m going to give it a shot 🙂
Cheers,
Jasmin
Hilary says
I hope it’s helpful! Thank for commenting!