Pause for Monetization

  September 8, 2012

Some of you have been asking for a follow-up on our DIY desk, our kitchen, and other topics such as our curb appeal.

To be honest with you, we have had to pause on all projects. Our flower bed was only trimmed this year, but it never saw the love it needed other than water.

Our kitchen still looks the same, ugly and brown.

And our DIY desk/office still looks as ugly as it is with not even a single piece of art on the wall.

So What’s the Deal? Why the pause on our projects?

This economy, I know, I know. Everyone blames the economy. Honestly it is the reason for the pause on the projects. In the last few months all our utilities bills have risen their prices. From cell phone, to water, electric, food, gasoline, internet. This drought hasn’t helped us either. I frequently check our city utility website for our water levels and wonder when the next 3% of water is going to disappear before our cities emergency water plans go into effect. I know I’m doing as much as I can to conserve water, but with a family of four I feel like I’m barely able to do much.

I can’t help but think of Revelations during these times.

If we do have some money to spare, Jeremiah and I will go out on a date at least once a month and that’s about it. I honestly wonder at times what we can eat for dinner because I don’t want to make a purchase using the credit card.

So, what does Monetization have to do with the title of your blog post?

My etsy business has slowed down the last two weeks, and I’ve made a few zazzle sales here and there, but it’s nothing close like some blogs are profiting from by just doing their thing – blogging and selling eBooks. Blogs like a pinch of yum who has monetized their website and now makes $4,000.00 a month since starting a year ago and house of rose who averages a little over $400 a month from talking about motherhood, life and decorating.

And here I have been blogging for about 6 months, and make less than $5.00 a month from blogging.

So as I work to find creative ways to keep you coming back for me, I want to hear from you. You are the reason that will help me not have to wonder about what I’m going to feed my family or how I’m going to put food on my table.

I want to hear from you. Please leave a comment and let me know the following:

1) Do you have a blog? What is it? What is your monetization strategies?
2) What can I do to improve my blog? What do you want to see more of so you’ll keep coming back for more?
3) What do you really want to know from me, and how would you like it delivered to you? In a easy format, or step by step directions, etc?

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What You Want to Know: How to Manage Your Time Better

  September 4, 2012

I receive a lot of requests for time management. One of my top 10 landing pages is Free Printable Daily Mom Schedules. A lot of busy mom’s are looking for a way to simplify their life. Believe me, I try everyday to simplify my life. I’m the CFO over two business’s and a household. I’m the manager of the household, and my employees are a toddler and a baby that are 11 months apart.

I’ve been a stay at home mom for almost 8 months now, so I’m not expert in any means. However, I wound a cheap and reliable source that can help you schedule your busy days, manage your time, and simplify your life.

Create Time Management

I found a $5.00 PDF file you can purchase, download and read on your computer in one sitting. It includes tips and tricks on how to manage your time including some work sheets. Popular mommy bloggers rave about the product, and it’s indeed a must-have read. Click here to get your copy.

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August 2012 Income Report

  September 3, 2012

Hi Friends,

Each month I share with you how I make money from home. I use my skills and monetize them. I share this information with you because

1) It’s motivating to others
2) I want to document my progress, my failures, and hold myself accountable
3) I want to try to break the standard blog that makes money online by blogging about making money online

My goal for #3 is an interesting one. I’m the CFO in my household. I manage my business, the household income, and my husband’s business. I find it inspiring that others can make half a $100,000 in one month from blogging and using other various tools and resources on the internet. I notice that these blogs who make a high income each month profit by talking about “niche” sites and “making money online.” My goal is to prove that others can make a profit from blogging online, without having to talk about “how I make money blogging online” in every single post.

I’m currently and always adapting to change, and right now I’m shifting Fall For Design to include more DIY projects, decor and interior design. I absolutely love designing wedding stationary and invitations for my Etsy and Zazzle business. I want to include paper stationary as part of my top keywords. I’m combining the two topics of DIY, Decor & Graphic Design.

AUGUST 2012 INCOME REPORT


For personal reasons, I’m not ready to reveal my exact numbers yet, but I can break it down to you this way.

Adsense: Two Boxes of Betty Crocker Blueberry Muffin Mix
Etsy: Enough to Pay our Utility Bill
Zazzle: Two Boxes of Betty Crocker Blueberry Muffin Mix

ZAZZLE SURPRISED ME

I was really surprised when I received an e-mail from Zazzle letting me know that someone purchased my product. I have forgotten about Zazzle and have written the website off as a no-go-to source for selling my graphic design stationary. I thought Zazzle wasn’t user friendly. I forgot about the remaining stationary I had on Zazzle. However when that purchase came through, I was shocked. I started producing a few more pieces of stationary for Zazzle and I saw a little increase in my stats since then. I also learned how to navigate and create stationary templates.

I haven’t been paid by Zazzle yet. Zazzle has a 30 day wait period and the income has to be over $50.00. I’m telling you about it to let you know that it is possible to make money online (by not blogging about how you make money online).

ADSENSE IS SLOW

Adsense is really slow, but I can’t blame them. I don’t click on other people’s ads who I know are trying to make a living online. I guess you can say I’m lazy, so how can I expect other people to do the same? It makes since to click only on relative ads and ads I’m interested in, so I expect the same from you guys. Don’t go click happy unless you’re interested in the ad.

A few changes I did implement is making all my content targetable. I did it with a few tips and tricks I picked up from the Thesis Forums. I also made all my advertising spots “targetable” so I now have various Affiliate Networks targeting my website to just show their advertisement. I make pennies a day using this method, but those pennies and a few clicks add up as you see above.

Adsense hasn’t paid me yet either. I have to make over $100.00 before they will send me a check.

ETSY IS DYING DOWN

Wedding season isn’t over, it lasts all year-long. I do see that my specific designs are no longer in season. I’m looking for creative ways to make some more typography work that can last all season long and never run out of style. I’m also learning that I like to keep up with a lot of the latest trends, so I may not be able to pick one specific design that will never be out of style.

NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN

Please comment and link to your website with your blog income report. Let me know what you’re doing, how you’re doing it, and why you’re doing it. I’m interested to learn from you.

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