How to Support Your Favorite Bloggers
I’ve hesitated to put this post out for months because I wasn’t sure how it would be received. I finally decided I needed to be honest and explain how things work around here. I love sharing my thoughts with you through my blog, but it comes at a cost.
Today I’m sharing the business of blogging and how you can support the bloggers you enjoy reading. I’ll use A Well Styled Life as an example. There are plenty of “hobby” bloggers who don’t fall into this category, but most professional bloggers business works similarly.
I spend between 50-70 hours a week working on this blog which makes it a full-time job. If I’m not writing content, getting pictures taken, changing my clothes in the car for a photoshoot, editing photographs, making graphics for Pinterest, staying active on social media, or planning content, I’m shopping online or in the stores to keep on top of what’s new.
Why I Started Blogging
When the economy crashed several years ago, people began to hold on to their dollars, so my Image Consulting business crashed with it. I decided to start a blog to connect with other women and share style tips I’d learned as an image consultant. I began on the Blogspot platform, which was free and didn’t require me to purchase a domain. My posts were emailed for free, but I soon realized that Google could take my site down at any time. I had no ownership or control over anything I was producing.
I bought a domain to maintain ownership of my name, and things began to multiply from there. As my blogging expenses mounted, it quickly became apparent that the blog needed to cover itself.
What it Costs to Run a Blog
Here are some of the current costs associated with running my blog.
- I host my website on a platform that charges me a monthly fee based on the size of my audience and the amount of data stored. Because my blog is image-heavy, I need lots of storage.
- My posts are emailed by a service provider who charges me a monthly fee based on how many emails go out.
- I pay an annual fee for access to a site where I size and edit my pictures so they won’t slow my site down, and the pages won’t open for you.
- I pay a technical person to help me with the nuts and bolts of my website. I’ve had it go down enough times to learn I should never mess “under the hood” of this thing 🙂
- I pay smaller amounts for plugins, apps, and widgets, which add to the total expenses.
The result is it costs just over $1,100 a month to float this boat and keep my blog on the internet.
And that gets me to how I pay for all of this.
How I support this business
- Sponsored content. Brands hire me to promote their sale, product, or service. I only work with brands I like, or I think will resonate with you. I want to share things that will increase your confidence and make your life better in some way. They’re paying for access to my audience (you), which I value and protect. I turn down multiple offers a week because the product is cheesy, not something I would use or just plain dumb.
- Ads. People hate ads. The truth is they’re a passive way for me to earn income to pay my blogging expenses. Do I like them? In a word, no. They distract from my content. I’m fortunate to have an Ad company that works with me to help them run smoothly and be as unobtrusive as possible.
- Affiliate sales. I’m a member of several affiliate networks and earn money if you purchase through a link on my blog. This doesn’t increase your cost of anything. If you click a link on my blog and put something into your virtual shopping cart, then pop over to another blogger and click a link to the same website, then make your purchase, the other blogger earns the commission because they were the last link you used. It’s just the way they work.
Ways You Can Support Bloggers
Don’t keep them a secret. If you like their content, share it with women you think will also enjoy it. Subscribe to follow their blog. Comment and engage with their content which “tells” Google it’s worth showing to other women on the web. Share their images to your Pinterest boards, so more people find them. Follow them on social media. Whenever possible, purchase through the link of the blogger who inspired you.
I appreciate you all more than I can say. Reading your comments feels like visiting with a favorite girlfriend.
Thank you for being here and taking the time out of your day to read my blog.
I follow a handful of bloggers keyed to my lifestyle and interests, and this is great information which I’ll definitely put to use. Sometimes l save items in Pinterest for a later purchase. Is there an easy way, or any way, to retain the link to your blog so you’ll be credited when I do purchase the item?
I don’t think so but there’s a listing of where I shop on my sidebar,bottom on Mobile, so if you have things in your shopping cart. You can go back to my blog, click the link to that store and I will get the commission.Thank you Christine.
I enjoy blogs! I must say that your Well Styled Life is one of the most professional & obviously well thought out – your efforts show! Personally, my body shape & coloring is not similar, but I do benefit from the exposure to age related products. I don’t buy or have the need to invest in expensive clothing, but I enjoy your travels and beauty products recommendations. I trust you. There are some bloggers (one in particular) that I no longer follow because she obviously will pull anything out of her (overstuffed) closet to post pics, when the objective of the blog is to promote her personal side business (and obvious shopping addiction). Again, thank you Jennifer for your earnest and honest and very helpful blog for our generation.
I pride myself on being authentic so thank you, Betty. This means a lot to me.
Work it, girl! I hit the links, I follow up with the retailers — I do my small bit to support you and your effort to make us feel better about ourselves as we all move into the “invisible” years (as in, older women fall off of everyone’s visual radar. Sad, n’est-ce pas?).
Let’s fight that invisibility tooth and well polished nail! Thank you Elyse
I think we’re all glad your shared this info!
I love your blog Jennifer. I have never stopped to think about the details involved with blogging.
I appreciate your posts and insight.
Thank you so much.
Hi Jennifer – I want to add my thanks for sharing how much blogging entails! I am happy to support you and will continue to share and save your posts that I follow on email, FB and IG. I really relate to you and appreciate the content of your posts and the amount of time it must take to do it all! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing this important information i always look forward to reading your fashion tips I’ve learnt so much
Don’t worry about the ads… we’re bombarded with them all the time, so we’re used to it! You’re my favorite blogger, and I want to help promote you.
Thank yuh so much
I’m new to your blog but like the others, really enjoy it and appreciate all the work that goes into it.
I,too, had no idea of all the work and costs incurred.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for all you do! I learn so much from your blog ! I am 67..have lost 40 lbs and maintained that for 2 years! Trying to learn how to dress, and why certain styles work or do not work. And I don’t want to just look old or unimaginatve! So glad you often feature the newer,younger styles or the what’s on sale stuff! Have bought several pieces on your recomendations from Ann Taylor to Walmart!
Love your blog!
Thanks so much
Thanks for the insights. Your blog is great, nice and clean. I like Pam’s too and Susan Streets’ blogs. Many are just too cluttered with ads, video, and pushes to buy stuff. I have shopped from blog links before (yours too!) and will continue.
Thanks so much for writing this. I am thinking about what I want my legacy to be – I’m 74 – and part of that could be a blog to share tips and wisdom from years teaching Trager bodywork, Image Consulting and Home Staging (sequentially) as well as from a life well-lived. I’m so glad you shared some the the nuts and bolts and costs of doing it. It’s quite a reality check and I thank you for all the effort you put into yours. IG: @sheilamerle1
Thank you!
Here’s one more person applauding you for sharing this information! It was so interesting, and so like you. You are open and transparent about aging and how it impacts our fashion, cosmetics, etc. I truly appreciate that as we all have similar issues. It is like having a girlfriend!
I’m thrilled you’re here
Where to begin? I started blogging in 2007… years ago. And it was fun connecting with so many like minded women. But now? I have lost interest, struggle to get posts researched and written, and continue to pay quite a few monthly/yearly expenses. I might make $200 a year if lucky. I admire you and others who keep at it and have valuable content. So much more to say!!! But congratulations on a job well done!
Blogging is a labor of love but hard work too. Good for you
Thank you for sharing this, Jennifer. It is very informative. I appreciate the fact that though your blog is an income generating endeavor for you, it comes across likes chat with a friend rather than a sales pitch. I’m one of those “hobby” bloggers. I’ve intentionally chosen not to monetize my blog. I recognize that this limits my exposure somewhat, but it gives me more control and the freedom to blog about a wide variety of topics in addition to my weekly fashion features. I pay a nominal annual fee that gives me space to post plenty of photos.
Very interesting to see the “behind the scenes” of the workings of your blog! I am an avid fan and would like to share your blog with others! What’s the best way to share it? Facebook? Instagram? Thanks!
Anyway you like. Word of mouth works too! Thank you
Your efforts are appreciated, Jennifer. You work hard for us!
I sometimes wish things were the way they were when we were bloggers, before Instagram. I truly believe there was a unique connection . . . one that is no longer experienced within the wave of social media since then.
I feel like Instagram is a traffic cop at times.
Have fun at your conference!
I agree Lynne. Instagram is such a short firm of connection I don’t feel I ever get to know people. So happy we got to connect xx
One of the only blogs I do continue to read! Your article prompted A LOT of comments which shows you people are actually reading your content. Well done and thx for all the work
Great information. I will certainly make a better effort to order the items you introduce me to through your blog. It is no extra cost to your subscribers and you are very worthy of the small commission you receive. I do wonder though, if I go thru your link and end up ordering another item on that shopping site, can you receive credit for that as well? Several times I have drifted away from what initially interested me into buying something else. I’m hoping you do, because reading your blog is why I go there!
Yes, it usually works that way. Thanks for your support
Thanks for explaining that – I had no idea. I love your blog and will do whatever I can to support it!
Thank you!