Confessions of a Six Figure Professional Blogger

My Evolution Into a Six Figure Blogger

July 9, 2009 | Blogging, Feature

Before I go on, if you want me to be your personal blogging coach, so you can work with me to realize the income potential of your blogging efforts, you have until this coming Tuesday to decide to join us.

http://www.blogmastersclub.com/signup/

The club forums are already alive with activity. New members are taking the Blog Masters pledge (which I think you’ll find a bit humorous, actually). :)

I have talked, before, of how I have been blogging for a living for the last many years.

And, I was doing it under the radar. I’ve been at this longer than most of the other "gurus" in this space. I don’t know what took me so long to start talking about it, but it wasn’t until last year that I actually went public as a pro blogger.

In high school, I was a complete loner. In fact, I was really uncomfortable with people.

I started college with the idea of going into engineering. Why? Because my Dad is an engineer. I literally had NO idea what I wanted to do with myself.

I started working at Sam’s Club as a college job. I also served a stint at Citibank, in their IT division as a college co-op.

One thing was made VERY clear to me…


I DID NOT WANT TO BE AN EMPLOYEE.

We’re talking cubicle-city! The highlight of the week was "casual Friday".

Are you freaking kidding me?!

Yes, I was still young. But, already, I was tired of living a life dictated by others. I was tired of having my boss tell me when to be at work. I was tired of having to show up to classes at the university. I was tired of that nagging alarm clock.

It wasn’t that I was lazy. I just wanted to be in control.

So, when college graduation time was approaching, and all my buddies were looking for IT jobs, I made a conscious decision to disagree.

In other words, I decided to turn this hobby of mine – online publishing – into a full-time business. I was going to be my own boss!

No more schedules. No more alarms.

By this time, I was running PCMech.com. People found value in what I said. And, apparently, I could write.

Not only that, but I was making money at it. Not a lot, but enough to show it was at least possible. And I figured if I gave it my "all", I could potentially live off it.

In the beginning, I supplemented my income by doing some for-hire web development work. I got to know the technical side of the web very well. However, I still wasn’t in full control. Having clients is still like having a boss. And it was still time-for-money.

In other words, it wasn’t scalable.

But, BLOGGING IS SCALABLE.

But, here we were in 2001, and I had made the decision to be a professional blogger.

It wasn’t even CALLED blogging back then! But, it was the same thing.

Within a short time period, I was able to buy my first house. I had 2 cars in the garage. And I did all this through blogging.

I distinctly remember going through the approval process for my home mortgage and having to explain to the underwriter how I made my money. Talk about being a pioneer!

I met my wife on Eharmony.com. We eventually moved in together. Then, in 2007, something happened…

We got a plus sign. On a pregnancy test.

OH NO! FREAK OUT TIME!

I’m a blogger. I’m the only income in the house (my wife had quit to attend to some things). And now I was going to be a daddy.

In other words, this little baby was going to depend on me to pay her expenses, and there I was blogging for a living. Most people didn’t even see what I did as a job!!

In December of 2007, there I am in the delivery room. Holding this little girl, still a bit dirty from her birth.

I’m emotional. I’m proud of my wife for the amazing thing she just did. And, not only that, I’m feeling the pressure. I HAVE TO MAKE THIS WORK. THERE IS NO B-Sing AROUND.

Blogging isn’t a job. But, what it is is a huge opportunity to generate your own money by being an authority.

And I love it.

But, I knew some people who made more money than me. I mean, I was doing OK, but I wanted to do better so that I didn’t have to worry about my little daughter growing up poor.

These people I knew were internet marketers.

Bloggers don’t like them, right?

But, guess what? They taught me some things. By studying them, hanging out with them at conferences, and a lot of personal networking, my mode of thought changed.

And I realized something HUGE!

There is some SERIOUS POWER when you combine the skills of a blogger with the skills of a marketer.

Since this realization, my business has expanded.

In 2008, I made $141,860.08 as a blogger.

Just today, I checked my income for 2009. I have generated, as of today, exactly $102,880.61 in 2009.

So, I’ve surpassed the six-figure mark already, and we’re in July.

And this income was generated how? Through applying this deadly combination of skills I have discovered in the last 18 months to my own business.

I have reached a point as a blogger that most people only dream of.

And I want to help you do the same, in much less time.

ARE YOU READY TO START YOUR JOURNEY?

  • It wasn’t luck that I got to where I am. It was sheer  tenacity, necessity level, and simply doing the right things.
  • Blogging as a business is going through SERIOUS GROWTH right now.
  • Many more people are going to make good money as a blogger in the coming years. Will you be one of them?

The Blog Masters Club was created to help bloggers like you rise to the top of the "food chain". I believe that, with the right knowledge and the right help from somebody who has done it the hard way, that you can get your blog off the ground and start making money MUCH sooner than you would think.

So, if you want me to personally coach you for the next 6 months, you have a limited window to join my new club.

The doors have just opened, and they will be open until Tuesday, July 14th.

After that, I have no idea when it will reopen. My students will get my full attention, and it could potentially be 2010 before I open up again.

The course will cost you $97 per month, for only 6 months. Then, you’ll never be billed again and you’ll have lifetime access to the club, including all future content, future coaching calls, forums.

Everything.

I promise you, I am over-delivering.

Oh, and if you have any doubts about it, realize that you have a full 60 days to change your mind.

Bottom line…

I’ve figured out the path to six figure blogging.
I am proof that it works.
And now I want to help you.

Because the "problogger" clubhouse shouldn’t have a lock and key on it.

Now, it’s your turn.

http://www.blogmastersclub.com/signup/

Yours in Blogging Success,
David Risley

I’ll see you in the club.

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  • Al
    I'm with Bill on this one. Seems most of the gurus make their money from selling the tips to be a guru to do the same thing they are doing.
  • Hi Bill, that's a thought provoking comment.
  • Is blogging really a money maker for the individual or just another money maker for the guru who says it is?
  • I always like to read about bloggers personal stories of how they have been successful it is very motivating for me. Thanks for the great post. Enjoyed reading it.
  • SZ
    So many people seem successful with blogging. It takes SO much effort and patience. It makes me wonder if there was ever someone who has been working their tails off for years (but possibly doing the wrong things) and still not reaping any rewards? I mean, there must be some people like this... but you never hear about them... (?)
  • Wow, the price and offer must have been right to sell out spots in only 2 weeks. I hope to hear from you soon that more spaces are open.
  • Blogging takes a lot of work and patience but if you have the resilience then it can be very rewarding. My advice to anyone just starting out is to keep at it and eventually you will reap the rewards.
  • I so can relate. I deffinately have the drive now, but for too long I used the excues 'but I have a family to support' to stop me from leaving the wage slave world and making on my own. But guess what? I have a family to support emotionally, not just financially, and emotionally, being a wage slave is killing me. And which is worse, not keeping up with the Joanses next door, or being that unavailable father to your kids?
  • That's a great story David. I've taken a remarkably similar path to you.
  • David - I've just discovered this blog and I love your writing style. I agree that it's the combination of writing style + marketing sense that makes one successful, but only if there is a constant FIRE under your ass to deliver results, succeed, learn, grow, etc. You have it and you described how that fire was fanned by the birth of your daughter. I can seriously relate! Cubicle world is no fun. I've been there before (in the tech space). Entrepreneurship is way more rewarding.
  • AMEN to the no-employee attitude!!! I've had the attitude for as long as I can remember, but have only been fortunate enough to have brief stints here and there of living it before something would happen to draw me back in to the employee mode. I'm there right now, but in the process of working my way out. I'll get there, but can't quite make the leap yet. I am happy to have found you DR, and look forward to interacting with you down the road (hopefully not TOO far down the road) :o)
  • I totally agree on not being an employe.

    I can work whenever I want (and even whereever).

    Even though I'm not an six-figure blogger (yet), I love my life.
  • I love this idea, but I cant afford the monthly subscription. Maybe if the course was sold afterwards I would definately buy.

    Cheers
  • Having finally caught up with most of your posts I have to say the Blog Masters Club does look pretty neat. Seems like it covers a load of the stuff I would like to learn. Not sure I can afford to stump up the cash right now, but I'll keep following the blog for sure, and maybe I can be in down the line.
  • Thanks DR. Blogging was not my thing but since this year I'm ready to get serious with it.
  • It would be cool to join but the cash isn't there right now also. Greg Ellison
  • The only thing that consoles me of not being able to get into the BMC is to snag the title as YOUR YOUNGEST FAN. :D

    I wish you all the best David! I read the free reports and they were literally AWESOME!
  • David, this is a VERY generous offer.

    I couldn't agree with you more about not wanting to be an "employee." The internet is actually true freedom and we are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible in making a living online.
  • David,

    I hope people realize what a great bargain this course is. For those who want to go pro and be led through each element of getting there, you couldn't ask for more.

    Big thanks to you man!
  • Ok I've read it again: You're well ahead of me. I'm having a blonde moment. Blame swine flu. Ignore the last comment.
  • Have you ever considered selling the course in 2 formats: Those being the online version and the home study course? - Or maybe both for 1 1/2 times the original price. (After the first 100 students get their home-study pack free of course. ;-) ) I don't know if you'd see this as a commercially viable proposition, and I haven't been over the advantages of doing so. - But I thought I'd just submit the idea to you since it flashed across both of my braincells simultaneously.
  • Hi David, thanks for revealing. I agree with deneil, the price is a little steep especially for newbies.
  • David, this is a smart product, and the release is just as well done. No doubt you'll do very well with it, as well as your students who follow your advice. There are few "gurus" I pay attention to in this space...you're the real deal sir :)
  • That is a really nice bonus for the first 100 people. Just like the becomeablogger program. I want in really bad but can't afford it at the moment. Maybe next time it opens I will be the first one in. :)
  • If you're on the fence, jump!

    He doesn't know I'm writing this...sorry Dave, but...

    I've met Dave he's a stand-up honest to goodness nice guy(there goes your tough guy persona).

    So, I've been making sales on the other side of the fence for years in niche markets, and with direct sales pages so I never gave much attention to blogging. DUMB...since I've started focusing on blogging lately I get so much better SEO, and customer interaction, and there's so many cool features in these blog platforms. I'm really curious to learn new tricks, this is just what I was looking for.

    There's nothing out there like this course. Now, I met him in Vegas, only to discover we live in the same city) and I'm about to drive over to his house and put him in a headlock until he lets me into his course ;)

    Wait a second Dave, I just saw the price...you're letting it go for how much??? I don't even need to put you in a headlock at that price. See you on the inside!

    P.S.
    Email me I want to tell my list about this...freaking awesome stuff man seriously.
  • OK, I'll leak it here and see if it gets around. :)

    In short, the Blog Masters Club is going to be developed into a home-study course. That course is going to be put on a huge set of DVDs and CDs, complete with a workbook and some other stuff useful to bloggers (some of which will be unique to the course and not inside the online version of the club).

    I will be shipping this entire package to the first 100 people at the end of our first 6 months. I'd like to send to all students, but shipping a package of this size is going to be a little bit pricey for me and hence I want to limit it to only 100 people. Since I'll be paying for shipping and all.

    So, there you have it.
  • Heh, I'm really tempted but there's nothing outside of tech/gadgets that I even remotely excel at.
  • It would be nice if you could reveal a little on your secret bonus here.

    For those who are sitting on the fence might cross over because of that.
  • Me too don't to be an employee, i wish i could be with you in this program. I guess i will be in soon.
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