March 2009 Blogging Income Report – The Last?

74 | Posted In Personal by David

Well, we’re a week into April. It has become a custom to post an update on how I’m doing in my blogging business. So, how much money did I generate with my blogs in March?

The numbers are in. I brought in $21,238.21 last month. I actually generated more than that, but some of that money doesn’t get paid until April (which is normal).

The breakdown is roughly as follows:

  • Advertising: $8,370.00
  • Affiliate Promotions: $4,057.74
  • Book/Disc Sales: $311.56
  • Membership subscriptions: $8,670.78

So, that means that the total online income for first quarter 2009 was $54,164.63.

As I always like to make clear, this is GROSS income. All expenses come out of this so this is not net profit. Nevertheless, I’m not complaining. My hard work is paying off and I’m quite happy. Now, looking ahead to the second quarter, I want to see if I can do the same thing.

But, I’ve got a big question for YOU.

Should I Keep Reporting This?

Let me just be real for a minute. I don’t mind publishing these income updates. For me, it is a nice short moment to reflect and see how I’m doing with my online business.

But!

The absolute last thing I want to do is act like I’m bragging. Every time I publish these things, I feel as if it is rather shallow to do so.

The reason I began doing this was simple: (1) to build my own credibility that I actually do practice what I preach and, (2) to hopefully show others (namely you) the potential of blogging as a business.

The credibility thing was important to me. After all, all of us know that there is no shortage of people who talk about making money online who don’t really have records of success doing it themselves. Also, even though I had been making my living online for years, I never really talked about it until I launched this blog. I had been the invisible problogger…just doing it and never talking about HOW I did it. So, when I launched this blog in mid-2008, I wanted to make clear that I actually do know what I’m doing. Hence these income reports.

But, I still feel rather shallow for posting it. I mean, we all want to make more money. At the end of the day, though, it is about ENJOYING life and fulfilling your goals. Money is just a side effect. I don’t want it to seem like it is all that matters.

So, let me just ask you. Should I continue to post income reports to this blog? I don’t mind at all, but only if my audience finds some sort of value in it.

Please post a comment and let me know!

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  • http://thebigpicture.isgfl.com Charly Caldwell II

    David,

    Your posting of your income shows the rest of the community that you’re authentic, this is “for real”, and inspires people to learn more (most importantly, DO more!)

    I use your blog, and your techniques as demos to our clients of what’s achievable out there – if you put your mind to it.

    Thanks again for being so generous with everything you do! It’s refreshing and awesome!

    Charly

  • http://thebigpicture.isgfl.com/ Charly Caldwell II

    David,

    Your posting of your income shows the rest of the community that you’re authentic, this is “for real”, and inspires people to learn more (most importantly, DO more!)

    I use your blog, and your techniques as demos to our clients of what’s achievable out there – if you put your mind to it.

    Thanks again for being so generous with everything you do! It’s refreshing and awesome!

    Charly

  • Herb

    Go for it Dave , Honesty and credibility are true marks of a successful and happy businessman. I like seeing where you are, and it can give a goal to shoot for also.
    Herb

  • Herb

    Go for it Dave , Honesty and credibility are true marks of a successful and happy businessman. I like seeing where you are, and it can give a goal to shoot for also.
    Herb

  • http://bloggerillustrated.net/ Allyn

    I don’t see these posts as bragging. I see them as motivation. I am curious to know how many sites you have that generate this impressive income and if they are evenly generating income or if one or two are creating the biggest amount.
    AL

  • http://bloggerillustrated.net Allyn

    I don’t see these posts as bragging. I see them as motivation. I am curious to know how many sites you have that generate this impressive income and if they are evenly generating income or if one or two are creating the biggest amount.
    AL

  • http://www.blogfully.net/ Barbara Baker

    Yes David,

    I’ll have to agree with everyone so far. I too enjoy reading your posts about what you’ve earned both quarterly and monthly. It helps me to keep hopes that one day I too can reach a milestone like this financially. Keep up the great work!!!
    -barbarabaker :)

  • http://www.blogfully.net Barbara Baker

    Yes David,

    I’ll have to agree with everyone so far. I too enjoy reading your posts about what you’ve earned both quarterly and monthly. It helps me to keep hopes that one day I too can reach a milestone like this financially. Keep up the great work!!!
    -barbarabaker :)

  • http://www.websitesinaflash.com/ Ashton Sanders

    You do an amazing job of not being self-indulgent. From your tag line to your comments, you are obviously a very real person with empathy.

    I don’t think you come across as bragging at all on these posts, although it might be wise to always have a disclaimer paragraph for the newcomers.

    As always, thank you for sharing!
    Ashton

  • http://www.websitesinaflash.com Ashton Sanders

    You do an amazing job of not being self-indulgent. From your tag line to your comments, you are obviously a very real person with empathy.

    I don’t think you come across as bragging at all on these posts, although it might be wise to always have a disclaimer paragraph for the newcomers.

    As always, thank you for sharing!
    Ashton

  • http://www.marte-cliff.com/ Marte

    I love reading the numbers – they give inspiration. But I’m curious… You said:
    * Advertising: $8,370.00
    * Affiliate Promotions: $4,057.74
    * Book/Disc Sales: $311.56
    * Membership subscriptions: $8,670.78

    When you say “advertising” do you mean people pay to advertise on your blogs? Also, what are the membership subscriptions for?

    I’d be curious to know how many blogs you have and what some of them are…

  • http://www.marte-cliff.com Marte

    I love reading the numbers – they give inspiration. But I’m curious… You said:
    * Advertising: $8,370.00
    * Affiliate Promotions: $4,057.74
    * Book/Disc Sales: $311.56
    * Membership subscriptions: $8,670.78

    When you say “advertising” do you mean people pay to advertise on your blogs? Also, what are the membership subscriptions for?

    I’d be curious to know how many blogs you have and what some of them are…

  • http://www.ChrisBlackerby.com/ Chris Blackerby

    You’re a balla Risley…

    Can I borrow some money?

  • http://www.ChrisBlackerby.com Chris Blackerby

    You’re a balla Risley…

    Can I borrow some money?

  • http://www.creativewebguru.com/ Teddi

    Seeing the numbers definitely helps with credibility, and with answering my question of “well, what CAN be done? what is ACTUALLY being done out there?” (in this case, by you)

    I’d say you don’t need to give *exact* numbers to accomplish those purposes. Saying it was “over $8K” of something or “$50K+” is enough to give me the idea.

    However, showing the breakdown of what income comes from which types of monetization really helps give an idea of how YOUR philosophy (which you talk about in your blog) results in what kind of income flow. That’s very cool, rather than just having a lump number for the quarter.

    Thanks for your willingness to share that info, and to share your experiences and advice! :-)

  • http://www.creativewebguru.com/ Teddi

    Seeing the numbers definitely helps with credibility, and with answering my question of “well, what CAN be done? what is ACTUALLY being done out there?” (in this case, by you)

    I’d say you don’t need to give *exact* numbers to accomplish those purposes. Saying it was “over $8K” of something or “$50K+” is enough to give me the idea.

    However, showing the breakdown of what income comes from which types of monetization really helps give an idea of how YOUR philosophy (which you talk about in your blog) results in what kind of income flow. That’s very cool, rather than just having a lump number for the quarter.

    Thanks for your willingness to share that info, and to share your experiences and advice! :-)

  • Pingback: April 2009 Blogging Income Report | David Risley dot com

  • http://uberoops.com/ Marc

    I appreciate your honesty on how you make your money David, it helps us new bloggers out immensely and gives us hope. As a new blogger I am busting my hump (and loving it mind you) to make this work. You proof that it can! So many other pro’s out here are tight lipped and afraid they will give away the golden egg, hahaha!

  • http://uberoops.com/ Marc

    I appreciate your honesty on how you make your money David, it helps us new bloggers out immensely and gives us hope. As a new blogger I am busting my hump (and loving it mind you) to make this work. You proof that it can! So many other pro’s out here are tight lipped and afraid they will give away the golden egg, hahaha!

  • http://www.honestholly.com/ Holly Mann

    I agree with the majority – please keep sharing these stats. It helps motivate others and definitely demonstrates that “it can be done” and build your credibility. I think it’s awesome! I love your site – and it is one of the very few i have ever found that is REAL and honest.

  • http://www.honestholly.com/ Holly Mann

    I agree with the majority – please keep sharing these stats. It helps motivate others and definitely demonstrates that “it can be done” and build your credibility. I think it’s awesome! I love your site – and it is one of the very few i have ever found that is REAL and honest.

  • Pingback: Blogging Income Report: Last 3 Months | David Risley dot com

  • http://twitter.com/AtticManTrader Stock Trader

    I think posts like this are invaluable and motivational. Being transparent as you are helps others to really understand that hard work as a proBlogger does yield its rewards. Keep up the good work David, I really enjoy browsing your blog.

  • http://twitter.com/AtticManTrader Stock Trader

    I think posts like this are invaluable and motivational. Being transparent as you are helps others to really understand that hard work as a proBlogger does yield its rewards. Keep up the good work David, I really enjoy browsing your blog.

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