Show me the money!

I love blogging. I really do! I originally started a blog a few years ago after my first semester in college. I was B-R-O-K-E, and after reading an article about how you could make money off of a blog, I decided to give it a try. I signed up for Google ad sense, made a blog, and I was off!

I really didn't know what to do with a blog. It began as a way to express thoughts, and transformed into more of an on-line journal that existed solely to let my momma know I hadn't fallen off the face of the planet. It started to become more regular and after a while, I started getting e-mails from multiple people expressing thanks for certain things I'd written that they felt they really needed to hear. I was excited to see my blog was reaching people, and not only that, helping people! Every once in a while someone would click my ad and I'd make 8 cents, but for the most part I just loved doing it with or without profit. The more I blogged, the more followers I gained, and though I'm certainly no one special in the blog world, I thought it was awesome! On top of that, my little Google Adsense account began increasing. Now, with Google you have to make $100 worth of clicks before you actually get paid, and my blog was making it's way there, UNTIL one fateful day I received an e-mail that read something along the lines of: "GOOGLE AD SENSE ACCOUNT TERMINATED" (aka we hate your stinkin guts.)

This was my reaction:

 

(pretty accurate eh? food hangin outta the mouth and everything!)

I was so confused! They said that my "clicks" were not valid or something... I had an excess of clicks in Spokane Washington, and Rexburg Idaho so they thought I was paying people to click on ads, It's not like I live in those two cities and that's where most of my followers are from or anything! (not to mention, if I had the money to pay people, I wouldn't have Adsense, you Google smarties!)

Anyways, I appealed the accusation, was denied, and can never again have a Google Adsense account. Bet you didn't know you were reading the words of such a hardened criminal! haha. Alas, that was end of my ad career, and with the exception of a few paid advertisements here and there, my blog is pretty income free, and that's okay with me :) 

I love it when other bloggers share suggestions on how to improve a blog, so If you don't mind, I'm just going to provide a few of my lowly and amateur suggestions on how to create a blog of income!

1. You can have paid advertising. I'm more of a fan of blog swaps personally, but there is nothing wrong with charging for ad space on a blog. Additionally, give people a reason to stop by.  The more followers you have, the more interested people will be in advertising with you (eh, eh? ;) However, don't make money the sole purpose of your blog. If that's the goal, it becomes a job rather than a passion/hobby, and who wants more work?!

2. Start small. Though I'm not a huge fan of Google Adsense for obvious reasons, (They will RUE the day they ever messed with Valerie Braun! haha) but, small ads are a good place to start. Recently I've discovered a little website called Adaconda (catchy right?!) and they are pretty much the same as Google Adsense, however, they have yet to falsely accuse me of anything so they are high on my list! This is great for anyone, who, like me, cannot use Google for advertising. I'm hoping to integrate them into my blog within the near future. I love Adaconda because like any ad company, they place the ads right on your blog, and then your work is done! It's so easy, convenient, and an excellent place to start!

3. Some companies or websites are willing to pay for advertising which is always nice, the trick is having them find your blog. If you want to try something a little different, there are also fun little random websites out there for making money! Take fivver.com for example: You post anything and everything you are willing to do at the expense of $5. ANYTHING! You simply post your service, and wait for someone to bite the bait. For example: 

"I will.... post a YouTube video singing happy birthday in my best opera voice for $5"

or

"I will... advertise your company on my webpage for $5"

Pretty cool huh? Most websites like this are all through PayPal which, you should probably have anyways.

4. And, if all else fails, you may use your blog strictly for business. Advertise your own services, Etsy account and products, after all, you have something to offer! I sport my Etsy account in a tab, and LOVE seeing what others have to offer as well! If you don't have any services, then offer yourself (not in an inappropriate sort of way of course!). You have something to say, and it may be something that someone out there just really needs to hear. I've gotten so many ideas, thoughts, and tips from other bloggers and that truly is a priceless perk to blogging.

Most importantly, just enjoy what you do. Obviously you started a blog for a reason, stay true to that, but at the same time, It's OK to allow your blog to grow along side with you!

So, how'd I do amigos? Did I cover it all? I hope so! On that note, good luck in your blogging endeavors, and I'd like to leave you with something that never fails to make me smile :)

This my friends, is the reason Photoshop was created!

Have a fabulous Monday :)

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