I found my dream job at home 4 years ago. I was working as a trainer for a recruiting service. And guess what, I made what I made when I was working in brick and mortar. I put in more hours than I care to admit but Faith was going to school at the time. And no Jason yet. Then they went belly up about 2 years ago. I haven't had a paycheck coming in the door for 2 years. It is not cutting it.
I am hereby coming out and saying.. I'm broke. I LOVE... I do mean love to write. It has been one of the best things I have ever done. But I hate being broke. I hate not having money. I hate worrying paycheck to paycheck if I will be able to afford food, electricity or water. I hate worrying about paying my mortgage. I hate the fact that there are so many people out there in the same exact boat as me. I worry non-stop. I go to sleep worrying. I wake up worrying. I have nightmares about it. Let me tell you it is no fun.
So I started writing this blog to start blowing off steam and keep a journal about my kids. I found this awesome world. I found incredibly awesome bloggy friends. I read more stories and laughed harder than I have in years. I want to continue doing it as well. But...
My husband's salary pays for the bare necessities with nothing to spare. My credit has fallen to the wayside. I have made $.00 for this blog so far. But I LOVE writing this blog. I LOVE it more than I have ever loved anything. So much so that I have considered writing a book once again. You see when I was little I wanted to be a writer. I grew up and I forgot. Now I remember. But the thing is.. can I afford to continue?
I make no money. Paid posts are now coming to the forefront of my mind. Google ads may show up on my RSS feed. This is so that I can continue writing this blog. So please please don't quit following me if I do. You may see new ads showing up on my blog as well. I have to justify me doing this some how. In the meantime, please I'm not doing this to just spam or annoy you. I need the money. I wish I could find advertisers for the blog but I have no clue how to do that. But at the same time, I have to be able to feel right about that advertisement if I do. I will not change who I am even for money.
I can't change who I am either. I write about anything. Lately I've realized that I stay away from certain topics and don't know why. I tell jokes. Ok, most of my stuff is PG rated though. I think that's because I know my family and friends read it. But... I'm not always PG myself. I want to write things that make you want to come read me. I want to get to know you and I want you to know me. I want to connect with you. That connection does not come from money though.
Ok so what I'm asking from all my bloggy friends.. if you have found solutions to blogging and making a living off of it, please leave me a comment about how. I would so love to do this blog full time but right now I'm just not able to. My husband wants me to go back to work. I can't blame him. Though it does not make sense. I really appreciate any support you do give me at any time.
Thank you for listening to me complain.
P.S. I am so far behind in my blog reading and commenting but I will get to you as long as I have electricity sometime soon.
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18 comments:
I started writing for on-line websites like Suite 101 and Demand Studios. Not great, but not bad money. I've heard there is a lot of freelance work available, but I'm not sure how to get it as I, myself have just started.
Go to the library and find a book about it. I came across one or two when I was looking into writing. I think, like everything, it takes time, a commitment and a lot of hard work.
I don't make any money blogging either. I babysit, and I get paid to do it. Maybe that's an option for you? I know it's hard to find someone who wants to pay for a babysitter, and you'd probably have to take less than minimum wage, but you'd be able to stay home with your son, and still be bringing in some money.
I'm not trying to NOT be supportive, but blogging isn't a good way to make money. Some people do, but MOST do not. And google ads you are going to find, don't pay a whole lot (but I won't stop reading if you resort to that, I understand).
Honestly, if I were you, I'd just go back to work IF you can make enough money to make it worthwhile. If all your money goes right back out to babysitters and gas money and work related expenses, then it's not worth it. But if you come out ahead, it's probably best to work for the short term, and see what happens. You can always write in your spare time until you find a way to actually make good money doing it.
Have you considered learning how to do custom blog designs?
@Corrie - I am going to try Suite101 again. I didn't know about Demand Studios. I'll look into that. Thanks sweetie.
@Aunt Juicebox - I already know that going back to work financially isn't feasible. I've been out of work for so long and babysitting would cost more than I bring in. I am going to check into the process of getting trained to babysit. In Kentucky, you have to be licensed to do so.
I know that you are being supportive. Trust me I know. Its a hard issue.
@Dawn - I wish I could do designs. I am not very good at them. I always have to steal someone elses or pay for it like I did with my current. But I think I'm going to try and find out how now.
I went to my first blogging conference in September and the speakers all said, there really isn't money in blogging. I think there are some who make a little bit through ads and such, but very few make real money.
But if writing is your passion, then you should pursue it. :)
I don't have ideas, but know that this is your OUTLET it helps keep you sane and connected. you need that.
Tami,
Praying for you that God will lead you in the right direction to this financial issue you are facing. I know times are super hard right now but know that God will provide a way.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Just wanted you to know I stopped by. I don't have any great words of wisdom. My sister is going through the same thing. Her husband makes $40 too much yearly to receive government assistance.... I pay her to watch my child and am so blessed that she does!
Praying that all will work out for you and it will...
i don't have any answers, tami, but i wanted you to know i'll keep reading your blog even if you have wild apes swinging from vines popping up. take care...
I haven't worked in two years. My husband got laid off in August. Thank God for extended unemployment. We live simply, and are still able to afford all the necessities in life, and an occasional extra.
We've been banking my unemployment for months. We have savings. We will get through this...but will any employer out there want to hire folks in their 50s?
We'll both be working at H&R Block starting next month, so that's something (but less than I made on unemployment).
We don't use credit cards often, we don't eat out often, we don't have cable - and yet we survive. The library is our friend - free books and DVDs!
It's possible to live within your means on unemployment, and put money in the bank. Go figure.
Sorry to hear about the dilemma! I wish I was rich so I could help my blogging friends out!
Oh my goodness girl. I have heard that blogging doesn't make money. I LOVE it. Jeff hates it! he wants me to go back to work.
I will be hopefully in January. So I will keep my fingers crossed for me and you.
Hugs
As long as you keep writing, I'll keep reading. I'm so sorry you're going through this and can completely empathize. If you're an organized type of person, you could hire yourself out to organize and assist others, and make your own hours. I wish I could offer something else besides hugs, but know these are heartfelt...
Big hugs, Jayne
There really is NO money in blogging. I haven't made a penny. My husband keeps asking me when it's going to happen and my answer is.. NEVER!
Do what you have to Tami. We will understand. A couple of google ads and sponsored posts will not deter your followers!
www.thewannabewahm.com
If you want to make $$$ you could write an ebook and sell it or become an affiliate for someone who already has written something.
I wish I could get some income for my blog too. Working outside of the house is very hard for me at this time so it would be nice to have something coming in from something I enjoy doing (my blog).
Good luck to you!
Cross your fingers to me!
Oh, honey, I'm sure a lot (a whole lot) of us relate to this post. First, I do want to say one thing...with the passion I have for writing (and I see this in you as well), we can't afford NOT to write. Seriously. I would die if I didn't write. Even when I wasn't writing my blog...I was still writing. So giving up writing...isn't an option. A writer writes. Even a writer without internet access WRITES. There is no stopping that. Period.
However, we also all need to EAT and have shelter over our heads for ourselves and our families. And frankly, I cannot imagine ANY decent human being getting upset because a blogger they enjoy is adding advertising to their blog. Seriously.
Several people here have come up with some practical ideas outside of writing. But you won't stop writing...you're a writer! Working doing something OTHER than writing, doesn't change the core of who you ARE. It won't prevent you from writing. It may even make your writing more precious to you, more focused, more valuable.
I'm not going anywhere either. I just found you! And I'm sending all the positive energy your way that I can muster, topped with a big e-hug! You can do this!
I just found your blog too (through your ec ad on MY blog LOL!)and I won't go anywhere either.
I'm an intelligent woman with a master's degree and I always thought I would work when I have kids, but I'm starting to think every woman should have the option to be home with their kids. It's such a shame that families can barely get by on only one income these days.
I wish you luck in using your creativity to invent a job for yourself.
I do think that the one option for making money blogging is to provide something specific that people will pay for - such as an ebook. I have been known to pay for an ebook now and then from writers I enjoy reading, and I've hoped to write my own as well!
That being said, getting enough people to buy it would be tough, but you've already shown you have an entrepreneurial side and that plenty of people love to read your writing....
So I wish you the best of luck this year! You are a force to be reckoned with!
Cheers!
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