Confessions of a Six Figure Professional Blogger

March 2009 Blogging Income Report – The Last?

View Comments | 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!

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...

  1. April 2009 Blogging Income Report
  2. Blogging Income Report: February 2009
  3. Blogging Income Report: Last 3 Months
  4. January 2009 Blogging Income Report
  5. 2008 Annual Blogging Income Report
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  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • 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! :-)
  • You're a balla Risley...

    Can I borrow some money?
  • 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...
  • 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
  • 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 :)
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • I like to see the numbers, so yea keep posting them. They are a nice motivation. And i really like the breakdowns to see where the income comes from.
  • I like the updates, even if they are just to satisfy my curiosity. After-all, your slogan is 'Secrets of a Six Figure Blogger'
  • oh yes please .we want the reports David .you are doing a great job :)
  • Dave, keep the info coming, it's not in any way bragging, instead it's motivational as a lot of people have said, keeps in our minds the fact that this is achievable and what the real potential is.
    Cheers
    Chris
  • Please don't stop reporting the income. I've just started following you recently and it helped me with your credibility.
  • Yup, reporting yr income (especially when it's huge amount$) is tricky, David! :-)

    For yr credibility factor - this step is a great move. And important one too.

    So it'll be a yes - pls continue to share yr earnings here.

    There will be those who are inspired by yr report. There will be those with an eyes of envy big & green.

    Learning more from U,
    Dave :-)
  • Please keep posting your gross revenue. In the numbers you revealed the not-so "secret" secret of truly making money through the internet.

    Thank you.

    What your numbers show is amazing-glaring proof of what probably only 20% of your readers and fellow bloggers understand.

    It's right in your face and its hard to miss, but so many will look right past it and just congratulate you on giving them inspiration...

    Instead of thanking you for the 80/20 principle you unknowingly revealed.

    Kendall Matthews
  • Dave,

    Please keep posting, I don't feel that this is shallow and it very inspirational to many! I think many enjoy seeing some real data and real figures not just some Joe making false claims.

    Jared
  • I think you posting your revenue is inspirational and informative. It shows what is possible, and it's also interesting to see where the revenue is coming from (advertising, affiliate, etc).
  • Dave,

    Please keep posting the figures. It's down right inspirational!

    Mark
  • I think this acts as a kick (a hard one) to the lazy ones out there to act and catch up fast. Still here? go and do something to your blog!
  • Keep posting. Many of us doesn't see your bragging at all. Actually, this is one of the posts that I anticipate every first week of the month.
  • Just report about this blog income only. That would encourage people to start their own blog.
  • Please do keep posting these numbers as often as possible. I find it inspiring and motivational.
  • Congratulations for doing quite well -- it's always wonderful to see people succeed, especially on their own terms. I would vote for you to keep it private. I think the merits of your blog here speak for themselves, and do agree with you that it might be taken more often the wrong way than the right way. If someone feels like challenging you via email or in a comment, have a private exchange where they can discover the numbers and be proven wrong. Til then, I think it's obvious you're not a braggart or a phony.
  • Chris
    Dave, Nice job. Keep up the transparency. It would come off as boasting if you had not explained your reasoning for doing this from the onset of your experiment. You have been open since the beginning and I appreciate your openness and candor about your income.

    Keep up the great work!
  • Don't stop reporting your income. We can tell you're not bragging. Thanks for being so conscientious, though.
  • Keep posting it! It's interesting in which ways you make your money! Also it motivates me! :)
  • Personally I feel that posts like this are useful in 2 ways.

    1) It is motivational in encouraging others who want to make their living online. It shows that it is possible and gives goals to strive for.

    2) As you said it proves that you know what your talking about. While anyone who follows your blog regularly will know that is the case- new readers might not take the time to go through older posts initially and this can help convert new casual readers to long term readers.

    On a side note I love how the breakdowns are shown so that you can see which areas are earning which amounts of your income.
  • No dont stop! What you may feel as bragging is what others see as inspiration! Keep it going and may success bless you and your family for what you continue to teach the rest of us.
  • Pretty nice income for the month.
  • I really enjoy seeing your success! I think you give folks like myself something to model our efforts after. I really like and can relate to what you said that "It's not about the money, these are side effects of the process." David, when I read your Posts, I can tell this is something that your passionate about and fortunately you've found the model to make this financially rewarding.

    I would like to continue receiving these updates.
  • I think you present the numbers in a tasteful way so I think it is fine. It doesn't appear to be bragging at all. I have always been afraid of publishing income reports because you are basically telling people how much money they can make if they become your competitor.

    Your niche is a bit different and I think you almost have to continue to give some sort of income reports moving forward. It just fits well with the transparency that you provide from your blog. You kind of say "Here is EXACTLY what I do, how I do it, how you can do it and here is how much I make."

    Would be good to see a breakdown of how much each blog has generated instead of just your total revenue.
  • I'm interested and would like to continue to see the figures, but I can also understand your reticence to keep publishing them.
    A solution? Make them available to subscribers only as part of our additional content via email.
    Then on the site you can simply update & let the world know that you're (for example) 24% up on last year etc. without using actual figures.
  • I for one do not feel like these posts are bragging. I feel that they are educational, and they help to demonstrate one of your major messages: namely, that success is dependent upon pursuing several avenues (affiliate promotions, etc.).
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