10 ways to make money from blogging

June 2, 2012

The topic of bloggers making money on their blog, because of their blog or despite their blog continues to be talked about.

And it should be.

But not in a disparaging or judgemental way.

Last time I looked it was ok for anyone to start their own business or to get a job if they so desired.

So, why, oh, why, do some people have a problem with bloggers earning money from something that they are passionate about? Why do some people have a problem with bloggers making money from something that makes them get out of bed each day, excited to hit the keyboard?

Imagine a world where we were all free to follow our passions and make a living from doing so.

It’d be a pretty happy world, wouldn’t it?

It’s only with the benefit of hindsight that I have this perspective. I used to have a great, regular paying job. But I was at the mercy of other people more important up the media managerial chain when it came to resources and rosters.

I liked my job but I don’t think I ever got to LOVE it because all my energy was always channelled into someone else’s dream and bottom line.

It took me a long time to realise that I had other options. That I didn’t need to stay in the same place, doing the same old thing, battling the same old battles.

I COULD take my passion for writing about fashion and beauty and make my own way.

I was thinking about that the other night while watching Masterchef. This popular TV show continues to offer home cooks from diverse backgrounds a chance to follow their dreams and their passions.

The contestants – from lawyers to bank tellers, mums and uni students were all on otherwise very different career paths … except for landing a spot on Masterchef.

Here they are, beamed into our lounge rooms every night, serving up Peking Duck consomme while we sit down to a chicken tacos. We ooh, and ahh and generally egg them on to win challenges and ultimately win the competition. Yet, as former contestants have shown, they don’t have to actually win the crown to get their “prize”.

For many, it’s a huge stepping stone into following a dream they never imagined possible. And yes, part of that dream coming true is actually making an income from that new career. The exciting part is that there isn’t one way to do that.

Yes, they can work in the kitchen of a famous restaurant – or open their own. Yes, they can open a B & B and serve up the best food from fresh produce to their guests. Yes, they can compile a cookbook. Yes, they can create their own range of food products. Yes, they can endorse a food brand. Yes, they can front a lifestyle TV show. Yes, they can do want they bloody well want.

Are you seeing where I’m heading with this?

Say your passion isn’t making salted caramel macarons but ti’s writing, connecting and communicating with people … then blogging can seriously take you anywhere you want to go. You don’t have to actually be trained in anything related to blogging and writing to make that dream happen.

And yes, you can, GOSH, HORROR, earn and income off the blog or because of the blog.

Let’s work through that list of income opportunities shall we?

This list is not fictitious. It’s based on paid opportunities that many Australian bloggers (who you probably already follow) have been able to generate because of their blog. Many have income streams from a number of the 10 I’ve listed below.

1. Banner and sponsored post advertising.

2. Brand ambassadorships.

3. Online memberships.

4. Blog and website design.

5. Blogging and brand consultations.

6. Social media consultations.

7. Book and Ebook publishing.

8. Offline and online business marketing.

9. Freelance print media and online writing.

10. MC work and keynote speaking.

My point?

How a person chooses to make an income off the back of something that they love doing should not be judged.

Just as there are many ways to skin the proverbial cat (isn’t that the worst saying?), there are just as many ways to make a career off the back of your blog. If that’s what you would like to do.

Instead of the judgey, judgey-ness, why not celebrate the successes of others?

Every day my girlfriends (online and offline) who own and run successful businesses are kicking massive goals. I’m so proud of each and every one of them and what they do to make that happen. We support each through the good and the bad times.

What we have in common is that we don’t see each other as being in competition. Instead we are each other’s support network. That’s girl power in action. Right there.

I learned long ago that looking over the business fence at what someone else is doing or achieving is a waste of time and energy. I have much more important priorities for allocation of that time and energy.

If you’ve been doing too much looking over the fence, look at where YOUR blogging strengths lie and formulate a plan based around how you can use those strengths to make an income stream via – or because – of your blog. Fertilise the grass on your side of the blogging fence.

None of the 10 examples of blogging income listed above are easy or quick solutions to building your blog-based business.

They all take time, commitment and consistency. Just like any business.

It’s up to YOU to turn your passion into the career you’d like it to be. Are you ready to step up to that challenge?

There have been some other great posts around this topic this week. If you’ve missed them, check these out:

Navigating the Blogosphere

Look How Far We’ve Come

Problogger’s webinar with Sarah Wilson

Would love to hear your thoughts. Do you make an income because of your blog, your blog’s readership or because of the skills you’ve gained from operating in the social media world?

Remember, this is a troll-free community. Personal attacks and nastiness have never been tolerated here and never will be.

And if you’ve blogged about any aspect of blogging this week, feel free to add your post to my Saturday blogging link-up. There is room where it says NAME to include your blog’s name plus the name of the post.

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Glenn

“Imagine a world where we were all free to follow our passions and make a living from doing so.”

I do imagine a world were we’re all free to follow our passions; but it’s impossible for us all “to make a living” in the present economic paradigm. This is why I’m socialist; only when we no longer need “to make a living” to meet basic needs; when even money is becoming redundant, can we really all be free to follow our passions. Where bettering ourselves and the world around us, and creativity, become the arenas for competitive drives (and nobody need starve). In a system that necessitates a few big winners, a lot of loosers, and few in between, most of us will not be free to follow our passions because we’ll be too busy “making a living” doing mind numbing work so a few dollars might be trickled on by those who hoard the world’s wealth.
- Glenn
  
  “…but it’s impossible for us all “to make a living” [that way] in the present economic paradigm”
Julie

Hi Nikki, just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to pass on thanks. I have recently started blogging about a niche which is not conducive to alot of mainstream advertisers – however the list has inspired me that one day I might just make some money out of it – but regardless, I do it because I believe in it and that’s just fine too!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Oh, brilliant Julie. Starting a blog can be like opening a business can of worms. The most important thing is to enjoy the process.
http://www.facebook.com/louisa.gormley Louisa Gormley

Since 2008, I have been on a journey, I didn’t know where this journey would take me, but I knew it was one I had to take. I had become so unhappy, in a role that I thought was my future. I was miserable, yes my job was secure, yes it was stable and yes it paid well. But I worked, slept rarely, drank too much and cried and yelled constantly. Blogging is only a small part of my life right now, but it is growing by the day. I’m able to blog, because I’m happy and the words flow when I’m happy. I thank you Nikki, for being so loyal and generous to your readers, you share your life with us. You have shown me that there is a future for me in the world, I was so lost I didn’t know if I had a future. I’m certain I will one day be a blogger, and be a successful blogger. And I will always have you and a hand full of other bloggers to thank.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Oh Louisa … that is amazing. You will make it happen the way you want it to happen. I know you will. x
http://crashingred.com Maria V

I especially love this phrase – “…looking over the business fence at what someone else is doing or achieving is a waste of time and energy”Seriously, to achieve anything in this life you have to WORK HARD! I can tell right here I came from far far away to Australia… completed Masters degree in second language… worked up from a waitress in a sh..ty bar to a senior accountant in a large CA firm… I started my own company and now blogging. I could comfortably live in the same city I was born and complain about my sad life and all unfortunate circumstances, etc. But I changed that without any help because that’s what I wanted. Trust me there were a lot of tears during that journey, it wasn’t easy. But if you’re willing to sacrifice and work hard, you can reach the stars. There is no such thing as luck in this life… Sorry, if I’m being too straight forward but that’s the reality – no pain no gain. Same rule applies to blogging!
Amakeuplover

Nikki! Would you do a post on how to be involved in all things happening in the blogosphere, etc for when you don’t live in big places like Sydney? I’m in Adelaide so everything is so limited it gets irritating!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I don’t live in Sydney either. When I got serious about the blog part of my business I made a decision to go to the conferences on offer and to attend events whenever possible. Yes, it comes out of my budget but I realised it was something I had to do. Also, realise that not everyone has the budget to do so. Why not see if you can get an Adelaide Beauty Bloggers Group started. Two beauty bloggers in Brisbane have done this and now events come to them because they have a ready-made invite list.
  - Amakeuplover
    
    And now look at your blog! It’s one of the best about Thank you very much for the suggestion it’s a great idea and I’ll certainly get looking into it!
Claireyhewitt

It took about 12 months of very hard work…ok, it wasn’t hard at all, but time consuming and self training before I got my first job in social media.

My ‘job’ feeds off my blog in some indirect and non measurable way.

I would certainly have a marketing job earning an income, but I wouldn’t have the flexibility and job satisfaction that I currently do if not for my blog, which was really my ultimate aim when I first started playing around. I just had no idea how good it would all turn out.
Donna @ NappyDaze

I applaud this Nikki – you do explain it so well as to why its just ridiculous to assume that its a bad thing to want to make a living by doing something you love. More power to you and anyone else who putting in the hard yards to live their dream x
http://www.jeweldivas.com.au/ Jewel Divas Style

It’s funny, if you have a journalism degree then you are officially authorised to write and be known as a writer for a living. If you write on a blog, you’re nothing. Talk about stereotypes!
http://www.boxandbrownie.com/ Hannah

This is such a great post. I have never understood why people take such issue with people making money from blogging. I think it is looked down upon more in Australian than overseas – classic Tall Poppy Syndrome, I think. I am not jealous of it – I am inspired by it. I would love to generate an income from blogging one day.

I think the biggest thing to be aware of is authenticity and honesty. Only work with sponsors and partners that your readership knows you would use and wear regardless of compensation. I hope to partner with brands one day and awareness of what my readers know of me prior will definitely be a relevant consideration. I wear a lot of high/low items and could therefore partner with high and low brands. Someone who is a budget blogger can’t suddenly partner with Burberry just as someone who is a high end blogger can’t suddenly partner with Target. It doesn’t work with their readership and it brings their credibility into question. That’s the biggest issue I have had and I think that knowing your brand before taking on sponsorship – and making the right decisions because of it – would be the biggest mistake i have seen people make.

Overall, I hope that the Australian market develops in a direction where bloggers are properly compensated for their work like they are in the US, for example. I think it is a crying shame that they aren’t already and if people take issue with it they don’t have to read the blog anymore. It’s as simple as that.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Very wise indeed Hannah – you’ve hit the nail on the head. Know your readers; and know what you would wear regardless of compensation. I’m very clear on that and it really makes it easy to decide one way or the other when opportunities arise. I’m ok with saying no, especially as there will be a blogger that that brand is possibly more suited to. That’s a win for the that blogger AND the brand looking at blogger engagement.
http://twitter.com/c_oreilly Often called Cathy

I make no money at all from my blog – but I started a job in social media last week as a result I
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Making money off the blog is actually making money from your blog! Congrats!
http://twitter.com/girlclumsy Natalie

I’ll freely admit to being crazy jealous of bloggers who’ve been able to turn a dime from their hard work. I wish I knew how to. I’m not a niche blogger, I’ll probably never have anything of value to advertisers. Who, after all, would want their brand associated with the term “clumsy”?

But kudos to those who are successful; I’ll pick and choose what I read and take note of where content is sponsored, but as long as blog authors are open and upfront, go for it.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  For me Natalie, it’s all been a long, slow process of both networking with PRs and brands while building my blog’s readership. Without the readership base and influence, I don’t have a whole lot to offer to brands. And without consistent content, I don’t have a lot to offer readers. So that’s where my focus lies.
  
  And advertising is just one path to go down. Because of the skills I’ve built up because of my blog, I now get paid to speak about that and run workshops.
  
  One day I hope to write a book or an ebook. Sadly, it’s been on the to-do list for too long. Or in reality, just not the right time.
http://www.facebook.com/rachelknoble Rachel Noble

Thank you Nikki. I really needed this. Sometimes you blog away in your own little blogosphere unsure of where you are really headed. I’ve been worried about the judgeyness as I’m pretty sure my skin is thinner than most. BUT I love feeling connected and being part of a community with a voice, so I’ll keep doing what I’m doing. Thank you for helping the lil bloggers. x
http://trumatter.wordpress.com/ Rukmini Roy

Loved this post Nikki. In fact if I ever make it, I’d love to earn from my blog. I seriously loved this post. Awesomest it is.
http://twitter.com/ShesSonic She’s Sonic

There are far too many Judgey McJudges out there, so for those of us blogging it pays to be supportive of one another (pun intended). I take the time to read, comment, retweet and promote others and I’m beyond thrilled when someone does the same for me. If you are in a position to be earning money from your blog, then I admire you because you’ve obviously chased and caught your dream. Thank you Nikki for always practicing what you preach. xx
http://twitter.com/evaiezzi Eva Iezzi

This is faaaantastic Nikki! So rational, not emotional. Good for you, and I wish you continued success.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Thanks so much Eva!
http://twitter.com/Dainty_Mom Martine De Luna

Hi, Nikki! This is a totally liberating post, especially for me, since I’ve recently come across a few who have raised eyebrows at the kind of business I do, which is blogging and writing for hire. I mentioned on Karen Gunton’s blog (at buildalittlebiz.com) that my blog is a “storefront” to my writing services. It’s been great that way, but the blog has also gotten a good number of those other paying ops (that you mentioned above). I consider it a blessing, but perhaps a lot of people are still dubious about this model of business. Thanks for articulating things so well; I feel better and more empowered now to keep on going!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Go Martine! As bloggers, everyday we accumulate and build on a skill set that many others are wanting to tap into. I love that your blog has been a springboard for your business.
My Vintage Vow

I don’t currently derive an income from either of my blogs, but I don’t begrudge anyone that does or wants to. I have hopes, plans and dreams to build on several years of bloggin, when and how it will happen I don’t know, well I do sort of know but I’m not in control of all the answers and outcomes.

At the end of the day I just think of the saying: some will, some won’t, so what.
So let’s just get on with and celebrate our own greatness as well as others.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Here here! And each of our greatness will show itself in different ways. Would be a very boring world if it were otherwise.
http://twitter.com/tinysavages Carli | Tiny Savages

Invaluable advice Nikki, thank you for sharing.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  No problems, Carli. As an aside … have I told you lately how much I admire your blog and your style?
Maxabella

I’ve got no problem whatsoever with any of it. My blog has opened up new worlds for me and I’m loving it.

I don’t think any of it is ‘selling out’ necessarily (what does that even mean!) but sponsored posts are just not something that I would be comfortable doing, regardless of the business. That’s a personal decision and one that I may or not change one day in the future (but probably not).

I’m also wary of the divide that’s happening between bloggers who do advertising on their blogs and those that don’t. There are lots and lots of different kinds of blogs and neither is better or worse than any other kind. One kind is doing all the talking lately and I’m a bit uncomfortable with that. x
- http://www.thirdontheright.com.au/ Le_third
  
  MaxB what would you say the divide is – I’m interested to know le
http://www.thirdontheright.com.au/ Le_third

Nikki I wanted to ask – have you ever said how many hours per week you put into your blog and associated activity ? I bet it looks a lot like a working week, therefore why should you not earn a living at it … best le xox
http://www.thirdontheright.com.au/ Le_third

lovely post Nikki – I say power to you! And the sooner Australian women bloggers hit six figure incomes the better best le xox
http://www.singularinsanity.com/ Dorothy @ Singular Insanity

There is a segment of the blogging community that tends to be completely aghast at those of us that want to make money on or from our blogs. They are very quick to judge and talk about selling out. I’ve long been an advocate of compensation for services rendered, whenever we work with brands or businesses and have always maintained that most of us do it ethically and with integrity.
http://twitter.com/karengunton karen gunton

thanks for writing this fantastic post nikki. thankfully i have managed to avoid drama in this aspect of biz, so far, but i have noticed that many blog readers don’t really see my blog as a business in and of itself. and i truly believe that we should support other little businesses even as we build our own – i call it biz karma! you have inspired me to blog about this too and add a ‘love a blogging biz’ graphic over at build a little biz.
http://www.buildalittlebiz.com/blog/blogging-is-a-biz-too.html maybe i can help spread the word =)
http://fitbodyfifty.com/ Kerryn Woods

I don’t understand the attitude of some who seem to think there’s an 11th commandment: “Thou shalt not earn any money from blogging.” Perhaps they feel that the integrity of their writing would be somehow compromised if they accepted money?

I think that some bloggers do the monetisation thing very well, and others not so well. If a blog reads like one big infomercial, I’m not going to read it; but if there’s a mix of interesting, non-commercial posts with sponsored posts, then I’m likely to stick around.

Advertising on blogs doesn’t bother me at all – unless the screen is so crammed full of flashing, twirling ad units that it’s hard to see where the actual content is.

I love that money can be made from blogging; I’ve been earning income indirectly from m y own blog for years and have recently begun exploring sources of direct income as well. I guess it’s like anything else in that some do it extremely well and others get it completely wrong.
Saffron D’oro

Thanks for this post, I read it earlier when I was on the go, it gave me alot to ponder about. A company approached me and asked if they could give me thier product to try out and if I liked it I could promote it for them, with the prospect of making money from it. I’m sure most new bloggers, would be delighted if that happened, I was!

As it is, I really rate the product, it’s just my kind of thing, however, as it stands, I haven’t made any money from it.

It just made me wonder whether or not it is clear on my blog that, I blog because I really enjoy it and where I do mention products its because I like them and others might too, not because I reap benefits from doing so.

My heart isn’t set on making money via my blog but if opportunities came about, I’d consider them because, who doesn’t want to earn a little extra ‘shoe money’ doing something they adore?
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  There is nothing wrong with writing about a product that you really love – even if you haven’t been paid to do so. The Seed maxi tube “condom” dress is a great example of this on my blog and Mrs Woogs’ blog. We blogged about it because we loved it … I went on to buy 4 of them! You can always put a Disclosure on the post or on a Disclosure Policy page that you will feature products that you like but that you haven’t been paid to do so unless marked.
  I also disclose if I’ve been given a product for free.
  - Saffron D’oro
    
    Thanks for that, I’ll make that clear.
    
    Ps. my attached file, above, was an attempt to put my picture in that little thumbnail!
    - http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
      
      To have your avatar show up when commenting, set up a Disqus account and upload it there.
http://www.yTravelBlog.com/ yTravelBlog

I jump out of bed each morning now to get cracking on my blogs and I go to bed late. Before that the alarm would rudely wake me up and scream at me to go to a job I hated to which I would answer “Oh Fuck’
No one should ever greet the day like this.

Everyone should be aspiring to make money from doing what they love period. No one cares that Tiger Woods and Michael Jordon run around with the Nike label everywhere. We all think its okay that they get lucrative sponsorship deals because they are gifted athletes and are the best at what they do. They aren’t touting the Nike brand because it helps them to fly.

No different to bloggers.

I have come to the conclusion that mostly the outcry and negativity comes from other bloggers/ writers who wish to justify and feel better about the fact that perhaps they aren’t getting the success they want. I would be very very surprised if someone came and offered them $15,000 for a sponsored post, they wouldn’t seriously think about it and most likely follow through. Let’s be realistic here. (I don’t get that YET But I do know of someone who does)

IF you provide value, care about your readers and stay true to yourself and only align yourself with brands that make sense then there is nothing wrong with it at all.

I feel that my readers who aren’t bloggers (which the majority aren’t) don’t care and more than likely expect that you would be making money off your blog as would any other form of publication. They are coming to you everyday because they LOVE what you are writing about and how you are helping them so they want you to make money so you can keep doing it.

I actually wrote two posts somewhat about it this week which I’ll link to above.
great post Nikki. You deserve your success
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Caz, you are a very wise and beautiful woman. And the big thing that got me here is that the majority of my readers are not bloggers either – and I have had nothing but positive feedback from them. Let us continue to jump out of bed each day incredibly excited to blog!
kirstin adams

This is always such an interesting topic. I’m all for Bloggers makin money. Why not? The sad fact is I’ll never make the income form blogging that I do from lawyering it the Hell Up , bit if I can make a bit here and there to take the edge off the clothes bill, Hooray xxx
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Nothing like a little shoe money, I say
http://www.edenriley.com/ edenland

THANK YOU for writing this. You made me feel so much better. Because I was starting to feel like shit.

Journo, earlier today: “So Eden, WHY would you start taking the steps of monetising your blog?”
Me: “Because I really don’t want to be a waitress in Katoomba.”
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  And you really LOVE writing. And the world needs to read your writing. xx
- http://www.thirdontheright.com.au/ Le_third
  
  too true – I would not want to waitress in Katoomba either
Kimberley

For me, I guess I just feel that bloggers are coming on board, and starting a blog for the wrong reasons. Of course its valid that it could turn into a business, but it just irks me that some ONLY want it to score free things and comment (for cash) and reverse.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Kimberley, they honestly won’t be able to build a business that way. You need to have a readership first – and that only comes from engaging content that inspires, educates or entertains.
  - Kimberley
    
    I’m sure you’re right, I guess I’m just on guard really. I worry that I myself will start to see the lure of freebies, or items and worry I’ll ‘sell out’. And not be as sincere or authentic. I just don’t want to turn to the dark side! lol
BB

I like that you point out when something is sponsored… like The Pioneer Woman, who is always clear on that point. As an ex-journo too, when the lines between editorial and advertorial get muddy, I get uncomfortable.

As always, I think that AS LONG as the sponsored stuff is clear for your audience to see and identify, and that it doesn’t signficantly alter the ‘genuine’ appeal that brought readers to you (and by you, I mean any blogger) then go for it. It’s a balance I am not sure all readers or bloggers completely understand… IS there a rulebook on it??
BB

PS I need to say too that I think your kind of blog is different to mine – it’s understood you will talk about products etc here. I’m just selling Mother Nature!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  And what price can you put on Mother Nature?! Yes, having a journalism background does help in being used to disclosing and labelling sponsored content or advertorials as such. There are no rules here in Australia but there are in the US. I think they should be implemented here but like the Journalist’s Code of Ethics, who’s really going to police them? There is a lot of “commercially considerate” content in magazines and newspapers that is there because of the publications’ big advertisers – that is never disclosed!
Debyl1

Nikki I dont blog but would just like to say I agree with your post completely.
Also I think you are a wonderful soul for all the help and advice you freely offer other bloggers and admire you greatly for doing so.xx
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Thanks Deby … I’ve said before that when I started my business I’ve always come from a position of sharing the info I’ve learned along the way – that has come back to me many times over.
- Maxabella
  
  I agree, Debyli. Nikki is probably the most generous blogger going. x
LaHola

A lot of the nastiness I have seen lately comes from the green eyed monster. Besides it takes a big person to be truly happy for another without a twinge. It is how we manage the twinge that matters.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  So wise LaHola … it is possible to manage the twinge, especially if you are happy with yourself and your life.
http://www.threelilprincesses.com/ Kellie @ Three Li’l Princesses

Oh goodness, I just noticed my link above is just my name and not the title of the post. Not sure how I managed that. I wasn’t even drinking! Apologies. x
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  It’s ok – the linky is confusing because it just says NAME.
http://www.rantclothing.com.au/ Rant Clothing

Like the way you tackle difficult topics head on!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Thanks so much!
http://twitter.com/katiehage KatieHage

I quite like chicken tacos!
I have a great recipe here: http://fiftytwo.biz/wordpress/index.php/2012/02/chicken-lettuce-tacos/

Jesting aside, I have grappled with this topic and I think this is a great post. I hope to be able to make money from what I love to do one day too. Because making money from not being happy, isn’t much of a lifestyle is it?
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  They’re on the menu here every week – thanks for your recipe – I’ll be making them!
  No, making money from not being happy is not fun at all. And last time I looked we all needed to eat and pay rent/mortgage!
shoppegirls

Nikki,
Thank you for sharing your tips. I am currently in my 4th year of blogging and I an slowly starting to see the benefits coming. Although I am not earning an income as yet, I hope to soon and would love to have this as my business as I am so passionate about doing so. If we do not dream big what chance have we got to ever making the dream come true. I love your blog and you deserve everything that comes your way. I am a constant supporter of bloggers of all kinds and if they make money then good luck to them. You are my constant inspiration.

Vicki xo
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I think you’re a good position – both with your blog and your mindset – to make it happen! Good luck to YOU!!
http://www.notunimportant.com/ Cameron Mann

Nikki,

You asked “Who do some people have a problem with bloggers earning money from something that they are passionate about?”

Can you really not know the answer?

It is because they too love blogging, and see monetisation as a threat and an impurity. This is a very old phenomenon. It happens to artists of all kinds—and many bloggers are writers/artists—and is collected under the heading of “selling out.”

All arts have a range of practitioners, from those who practice for its own sake through to those who practice it for some external purpose (charity, activism, income). Always when people shift from the autonomous end (art for its own sake) to the heteronomous end (art as a means to something) they are derided and defended by people from both ends.

As you admit, there’s a lot of passion behind blogs. It is challenging to see someone take the passion they have already exhibited and yoke it up to some other purpose. As I’ve recently argued, once in the yoke it becomes a different beast. Not better or worse in particular, just different, and some people mourn what is lost.

To be sure, some people mourn it badly, impolitely, unreasonably and (frequently) without even understanding what their own problem with it is. But just like losing your favourite indie band to a runaway cross-over success, or seeing your favourite painting reproduced on the shirts of a million careless teenagers, a blog/blogger that is generating income just looks like they’ve compromised for income and are no longer quite who they were.

The most ridiculous part of this phenomenon is that the audience selfishly punishes an artist for their success.

Cam
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Cameron, this is GREAT. I think it is ridiculous that if an artist or creative person actually makes a living out of their talent that it’s frowned upon. I actually get excited when artists or musicians make it commercially – it means they can better concentrate on their craft.
  - http://www.notunimportant.com/ Cameron Mann
    
    It is not always good for a creative to make it commercially. Plenty of unhappy success, in all fields. Listen to/read Spiderbait’s ‘Buy Me A Pony’: a whole lot of artists wasted and wrecked along the way in creative industries.
    IMHO, monetisation will always save some blogs and destroy others: there’s a compatibility required which can’t be predicted and—at least in part—is out of the bloggers’ hands.
    
    Like you, I encourage all people who want to head that way to give it a go, but caution that expecting only neutral-to-good outcomes is naive. It’s a thing with money and power: some people get chewed up and spat out.
http://www.facebook.com/racheldevine Rachel Devine

I liken it to magazines that people love to read. I don’t hear people complaining that there are ads in magazines…and they PAY to read those. Same with product reviews in publications. I would take any singular review of a product with a grain of salt and use it to base my further research. I was surprised to see such a backlash to some recent mommy-blog articles in Australian press.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Aboslutely, Rachel … if the ads suddenly disappeared from the magazine then there would be no magazine. Not many people realise that the cover price of a print publication doesn’t even cover the cost of printing, let alone the myriad of other business costs.
  - http://www.facebook.com/racheldevine Rachel Devine
    
    It seems like this is just sorting of hitting the media here now though. I would guess a lot of Australians do not yet have a clue the actual costs (time and real money) that goes into the blogs they read. Thanks for letting them know.
Corrine/Frock & Roll

Brilliant, Nikki. Just. BRILLIANT.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Thanks Corrine x
http://theplasticdiaries.com Kimmi @ The Plastic Diaries

Great post as always Nikki. It is sad that so many bloggers feel like earning some money is ‘selling out’. There are so many ways to make money from your hard work without losing your integrity or morality.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Absolutely Kimmi and think of all the amazing skills that bloggers can bring to the table of those who don’t have them. Our skill base is so much broader than before we started blogging.
Lisa Mckenzie

I for one LOVE what you write about and enjoy your Blog so I think you deserve all the success and whatever money you make from ads and endorsements and public speaking and Nikki you can tell You LOVE what you do so ,there is a passion about what you write about ,Don’t worry about negative nasty people ,YOU deserve all the good things that come from writing your blog !
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Thank-you so much Lisa – it means a lot,
Mummaducka

I am not into blogging for a new job, I already have a pretty successful and rewarding job. I think blogging is more of a creative outlet for me and a celebration of success for my children, plus we have a rural lifestyle that is just nice to share. My husband was recently told jokingly that if he could market the business like he markets our kids and their whipcracking we’d all be billionaires!
I also started as a way of teaching myself how to blog in order to run one at school for the kids, and then have them know how to do it, let’s face it our youth are going to have to know how to navigate all this stuff and perhaps earn a living from it( I think I sparked a few ideas on how to earn money from social media last year with some 15 year olds!) Sometimes I find that it is all a bit voyeuristic and can’t work out why people share so much private or nasty stuff on home or-non commercial blogs. I also frequently read with horror obviously small blogs with heaps of unrealistic terms and conditions in their media section- how to scare away anyone wanting to advertise there!

I certainly have no problem with anyone making money from blogging as a business, um we live in a free trade world don’t we? It does seem the main media, or whoever, are running scared of all the lost revenue for advertising to bloggers. So why don’t they become joiners and employ their own journos to write interesting blogs? Perhaps they don’t have the skills or resources(hardly)??

As you say there’s more than one way to skin a cat!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Mummaducka you are so wise! I love that you’re blogging so that you can run one at school. I’ve actually mentored 6 high school students over the past two years and they now have started blogs. Some have continued with them, for some it was for the length of the project, but you never know what they might do with them in the future!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=543659163 Deborah Cook

I blog because I love writing, but if I could make some money from it – all the better. I don’t begrudge anyone who can make $ from doing what you love / enjoy! I hope to get there myself someday!

I’ve cut back to a 4-day week to give myself some writing time (and for work / life balance)… but the reduction in pay is an issue as a single mortgage-holder. So sadly – for most of us, money is always going to be important.

Deb
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Deb, if you want to make it happen it will happen in some way. You write so well so think about all the avenues open to you to bring in an income from your blogs. Most bloggers earning money from their blog do so from more than one income stream. You can do it!
http://www.threelilprincesses.com/ Kellie @ Three Li’l Princesses

I haven’t weighed into the debate much to this point. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and watching to see what others think. But I do have an opinion!
I’ve been a brand ambassador, written sponsored posts, gained paid writing gigs, had paid advertising, released an ebook and started a business (now with two team members) where I’ve helped others have those same opportunities – all off the back of my li’l blog! If not for that little space online (and a lot of hard work), I’d still be sitting in an office making someone else rich!
Throughout life we’re told to DREAM BIG, but then as soon as we do we often get told to “be realistic”. I think those who want to monetise their sites or take on managers to help make their site a viable business should go ahead and do it. Imagine if Mark Zuckerberg listened to the negative talk or the people who dissed the future financial benefits of his little social media site.
Block out the noise and focus on what you love, I say! x
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Here, here, Kellie – and well done to you! Our blogs can be our online CVs and such a powerful springboard to opportunities we could never have dreamed or planned for. It is about Dreaming Big but it’s also about each person’s vision of that dream. x
http://sugercoatit.blogspot.com/ Melissa Walker Horn

I’m lucky enough to derive an income from my blog and blogging, I’ve done so now for 12 months with varying results. I keep changing my mind about what is the best way to do that. What I like and what I don’t like. This is my right to choose. Simple as that. I get a comment or email occasionally with negative feedback but I thank them for their opinion and remind them, that this is MY space.

On the other foot, I think we allow ourselves to be open to judgement a little too much on it. Enter into conversation too much. It is what it is. Conversation over. When we stop feeding the negative feedback it moves on. Not always, but mostly. I don’t even defend my right to earn money from my blog any more. Of course I should be allowed the opportunity. The end.

Oh wait AND, is anyone surprised that mainline media is a bit off on bloggers? We’re basically pinching their advertisers, writers, content opportunity and working for ourselves on our own schedule…. Would you ask a girl who’s boyfriend you pinched to write a reference for you? Um, nope.

{Holy, too much?? Sorry. Comment explosion.}
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Your comment explosion rocks, Melissa! It’s funny, I’ve never had to defend my position on earning money from my business before until it involved income derived from blogging. I’m also not a person who attacks others so it’s not fun being on the receiving end. I love that you’re playing around with the best way for you to make an income from blogging – there are no set in stone ideas. You have to go with what suits you, your blog and your life!
http://www.absoluteamy.com/ Absolute Amy

I also had a moment with ‘salted caramel macarons’……MMMMMM! I am only a newbie blogger and doing it for fun at this stage, but Nikki thank you so much for sharing your business knowledge with us. It’s so generous of you. I really love that you are celebrating your girlfriends’ success, it’s what we should all be doing – supporting and inspiring each other. And to any media who are dissing bloggers, think again. Very carefully. Amy xxx
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Haha! Yes I do love a salted caramel macaron! And the only thing that keeps me at my business every day is the support my girlfriends give me and what we give each other.
Fleur

Thanks for the tips Nikki – I feel I am way off making the dream a reality, but its good to know there are options out there.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  They say that in business you don’t make profit till the 5th year – when I started I didnt want to know that but it’s proved true!
@workingwomenaus

I stopped for a moment halfway through when you mentioned macaroons but managed to read on

I’ve been ‘lucky’ enough to create an income stream because of my blog. Not from the original blog itself, but the small (but growing) community was recognised as valuable by an outsider. This has opened the door to a full time gig that will only prosper with more hard work and commitment. I’m so grateful that I’ll be able to dedicate time to writing as it’s what I really enjoy but I never would have thought a blog could get me there.

There are so many ways to make an income from blogging there’s really no reason for the tall poppy syndrome we’ve been seeing over last few weeks. There are opportunities for everyone. They may not all look the same, but then again neither do our blogs.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  That’s fantastic Kim! I think you also have to be open to opportunities because you might not really have thought it possible. Love that your blog has opened doors for you!
Carly Findlay

Gosh your posts on blogging are valuable.
I have seen a lot of tall poppy syndrome surrounding bloggers in the media and blogging community lately. A certain Melbourne radio show were particularly scathing of bloggers but they also seemed to have only based their opinion on recent media reports.
You’re right – it can be a business, but who are we to judge? Use your blog to leverage your career – and believe in yourself!
My blog has taken me places. I may not make much money from it but it’s helping me on the path I want to take.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  That’s it, Carly. Should you want to use your blog to leverage your career, it’s possible to do so. And everyone’s career aims are different so make it work in line with your goals.