I have now been publishing my online income reports for a solid one and half years. To be completely honest, I debated skipping this month’s report. But, in an effort to be extremely real and open here on the blog, I knew I needed to publish this.
When you work for yourself, you’re going to have slower months. I’m hoping this report is encouraging to those of you who may be experiencing a downswing or are “stuck” at a certain number. I typically bring in between $1200-$2200 per month in side income, which includes both freelance writing and blogging. Last month, however, I decided to eliminate most of my freelancing clients so I could focus more on my blog. The results are not good, which you’ll see below:
Let’s get to my income report, then I’ll share my thoughts.
In January, I brought in $846 in side income. Here is a breakdown:
- Freelancing: $550
- Blogging: $296
The bad news is, obviously, that I only made $846 in side money last month. However, I am still extremely happy with that number. For the first time in a longggg time, I felt like I had free time. I baked countless batches of cookies and cupcakes with my daughters, I started an exercise routine, I have more quality time with my husband, and I feel happier in my day-to-day life. Cutting out a good portion of my freelancing clients was absolutely the best decision for me at this time.
The extremely good news is that I made $296 blogging! Keep in mind that this was money I was paid out on in January, not money that I actually earned in January. You’ll see in February’s income report exactly how much I earned in January, since I’m normally paid one month out. February’s will be higher. You guys, after all this work and effort, my blog is finally at the point of producing a steady income! I have been at this since September 2014, and while it’s been hard at times, it has been so worth it!
Some of you may remember I have a goal to make $10K per month in one year. That one year mark for me is October 2016. While this month’s income was low, I really do think I can hit $10K by October, mostly through blogging! If you want to start your own blog, there is no better time than now! And, if you purchase your domain and hosting through my Bluehost link, I’ll give you a copy of my blogging book – The Beginner’s Guide to Blogging – completely for free! I truly believe us bloggers are in this together and need to support each other, so feel free to reach out at any time with questions or just to chat about blogging and life!
Here’s my tutorial on how to start a profitable blog >>
How exactly I’m making money blogging
I keep very detailed notes on how I’m making money blogging, which you can see below:
- $236.50: Affiliate sales. You guys, affiliate income is incredible. Simply blog about a product that you love and believe in, and earn a commission when someone makes a purchase. I am an affiliate for a freelance writing course, Crystal Paine’s Make Over Your Mornings, Bluehost, Tailwind, and more!
- $59.50: Book sales! I released my very first book last month, The Beginner’s Guide to Blogging.While I didn’t sell millions of copies, I am beyond excited with what I’ve sold so far. This was my very first product and I’m happy to have created something that is helpful to new bloggers. I can’t wait to continue releasing products. I have a bunch of ideas and will hopefully be releasing a new product this summer!
I also make money through Google Adsense, but they don’t pay you until you hit the $100 mark. In January, I crossed over $100 and will receive a check in February. You will see this reflected in next month’s income report.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with my results, even though my income is half as low as what is usually is. You guys, this blogging thing is pretty awesome, and it only gets better and better. If you have any questions about blogging or my income reports, feel free to send me an email or leave a comment!
How was your January? Did you hit your income goal? Share in the comments!
Jef says
atGood on you for being transparent Sarah! I’m sure that you had an awesome time having the opportunity to chill and will learn so much from this 🙂
Keen to see you smash that 10K by October, you got this!
Sarah Brooks says
atHi Jef!! Thanks! 🙂 I debated not posting this month LOL, but figured it’s always best to be open and transparent. Not everyone’s online income just goes up, up and up. I’m living proof! 😉 Hope you are doing well!! Loving the new site, btw!! How is that going?!
Holly@ClubThrifty says
atGreat job on your income and everything else! I definitely think you can hit your goals – it’s all up from here! It just takes time.
Sarah Brooks says
atThanks for the encouragement, Holly!! I totally agree – it takes a while to build up an audience and consistently bring in money blogging. I have high hopes though!! Hope you are having a nice evening!
Christina @ Embracing Simple says
atCongrats on an awesome month Sarah, your blogging income especially is very inspiring. Even if your total side income for the month wasn’t as high as other months, the fact that you had more free time to have fun and enjoy life is truly priceless 🙂 What good is having extra money anyway if you don’t have time to enjoy it a bit, hah! I’m so proud of you and can’t wait for your next product, I’m enjoying your book so much!!
Sarah Brooks says
atThanks, Christina!!! Right back at you 🙂 And yes, lately I’ve been way more focused on relaxing and spending time with my family. And you know, just enjoying life. Dropping the majority of my freelancing clients was absolutely the way to go for me at this point in time. Thanks for the encouragement, friend!!
Harmony @ creatingmykaleidoscope says
atThanks for sharing this – it gives us perspective on the ups and downs of being a blogger/freelancer. My husband is starting to question whether paying for another year of blog hosting is “worth it.” I’m not really making a profit at this point, but remain optimistic that my hard work will pay off. I’m currently on HostGator right now, but thinking about switching to Blue Host to save money – and also take advantage of their affiliate program.
Sarah Brooks says
atBluehost’s affiliate program is awesome!! You get $65 when someone signs up through your link 🙂 If you like blogging, I would absolutely pay for another year of hosting! I was chatting with a friend the other day about how I would blog even if I made $0. It’s a lot of fun, and the potential to make a huge income really is there, which is inspiring!
Shirria @ GDTH says
atSometimes it’s important to determine what is important and worth sacrifice. I have months where I desire more time with my family and as result I sacrifice an increase in side hustle income and vice versa. I also think it’s important to post about “not so great” income reports because it could very well be the reality for whatever reason(s).
In my opinion, any “extra” income is great income especially if it’s still being made to work for you.
Sarah Brooks says
atThat’s exactly how I feel – any extra income is awesome in my book!! 🙂 I also think it’s important to be real; sometimes it seems like income reports only go up and up, but clearly that’s not always the case. I’m a perfect example – my income is normally ALWAYS the same, except for the few really low months mixed in hahaha. Keepin’ it real 🙂
Abigail @ipickuppennies says
atWay to go! I haven’t really done a lot of affiliate stuff, though I know I ought to. At some point I want to do a e-book, which would help blog income I’m sure. But there’s never time. Right now, I’m trying to go through and get old posts ready for/up on Pinterest. Ugh.
Still, as I’m going through the old posts, I’m keep an eye out for promising ones. Maybe I can just slowly collect those and polish them up into a cheap e-book. I’ve been doing this for 7 years, so even I’ve forgotten that I wrote some of this stuff.
Sarah Brooks says
atThat’s a fantastic idea!! I would focus on affiliates, too!! Crystal Paine’s course Make Over Your Mornings has done pretty well for me! As have Bluehost affiliate sales and Gina Horkey’s course, 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success!
Kristin says
atCONGRATS!! Don’t be so hard on yourself – you have done so many awesome things lately, I don’t know how you do it. Wrote a book, launched a new website and more – seriously, you are blowing me away.
Your affiliate sales are amazing. This is something I struggle with – I don’t know why. I slacked in January, mostly because I was tired and just needed a break from being near a screen. I took a paycut too but was fine with it.
Great job!!
Sarah Brooks says
atThanks, Kristin!! Affiliate sales are definitely one area I am trying to grow in and diversify. Such good opportunities and once you crank out a good post, it can make money for a longggg time. Right now, I just don’t have the time to freelance, blog and work FT. I want a life, too LOL! Thanks for the encouragement!!! You did awesome, too!! 🙂
Anna Prokofieva says
atHello! Thank you for posting it. Your report seems realistic and encouraging in the ocean of “I made 100,000$ this month”. It’s pleasant to see that it IS a gradual process and you can accomplish so many things on top of that! I’m pretty sure you can make any money you’d like.
Wish you success!
Sarah Brooks says
atHi Anna! Thanks for the kind words!! Yes, I debated skipping this month LOL because it’s lower than what I normally make. I feel like so many bloggers income reports go up, up and up! But, mine doesn’t. It fluctuates a lot, but that’s life!! I don’t want to give the impression that it’s easy, because it definitely takes a lot of consistent work and late nights! Wishing you success, too!!
Jess | Make and Do Crew says
atCongratulations on a month of balance, priorities AND income. I appreciate your attitude and your transparency.
Latasha @ ArtsandBudgets says
atAwesome post!! Congratttts!! 🙂
Alicia says
atI’ve been a reader for some time now, but haven’t commented. Reading some of your posts about how you freelance and blog from home is a large part of what inspired me to get back at it! I’d been debating about blogging for roughly 5 years, and I JUST launched my blog last week. It took a HUGE leap of faith on my part, as it’s something I’ve been really nervous about. I love reading your income posts! They’re very inspiring and encouraging to those of us just starting out. If I ever get to a point where I’m actually making an income (haha), I’d love to post it too, just to keep it real. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Sarah Brooks says
atHi Alicia!! Thanks so much for the sweet comment! I will definitely be checking out your blog 🙂 Congratulations on starting one!! Commit to keeping at it and giving it your all for one year, and then decide what to do. The 1-1 1/2 year mark for me was the turning point where I really started seeing more traffic and making money. It’s work for sure, but to me this kind of stuff is fun!! Best of luck to you on your journey!!
Alicia says
atThank you so much! 🙂
Carl @ Blog Income Insider says
atHi Sarah – hope you are well!
Riches come in all shapes and sizes. Making batches of cookies with your family is a different type of wealth, but still incredibly important.
If your post had of been; I earned a lot less and I don’t know why, moan moan moan then I am sure people would have been more critical of your month – but truly it was refreshing to see that you were able to weigh everything up and explain to us all the reasoning behind your report.
I see over 50 income reports a month and each offer different value; yours speaks volumes to normal people who might be looking for a next step from hobby to making a side income. You provide that motivation and accessibility people need.
Looking forward to seeing more!!
Sarah Brooks says
atThank you so much, Carl, for the kind words. I’m going to do a post soon going into more details on why I dropped the majority of my freelance clients. I have been hustling for almost four years now, and I’m finally realizing the importance of just being. I LOVE blogging and it truly is my passion, so I would do this even if I didn’t have the opportunity to make money. But, my family is always #1. Thank you for the encouragement!! I’ll be checking out your blog in a few! 🙂
Jen @ WomenWinningOnline says
atI love your honesty! I too do a lot of freelance work and while the money is nice it takes a lot of time and energy.
Congratulations on your book sales! That has to feel like a million bucks.
I too have a goal to hit 10k and do it in 12 months. It’s a challenge but a fun one to me wouldn’t you agree?
Sarah Brooks says
atHi Jen! Yay I’m glad we have the same goal to make $10K per month! I know we’ll eventually get there 😉
Yup, freelancing is a lot of time and energy for sure. Blogging is my passion, so since I work FT that’s my focus. I will be the first to admit that trying to juggle working, blogging and freelancing (not to mention family!!!) was just way too much!!
Best of luck to you on your goal!
Joleene says
atYay you! It’s a process, that’s for sure. But it will pay off. It already has, right? Thank you for the post. 🙂
ofapdai says
atTo be completely honest, I debated skipping this month’s report. But, in an effort to be extremely real and open here on the blog, I knew I needed to publish this. Where such information?