Last year (2016), I shared my blog income reports over on my personal blog, RoseAtwater.com. But as I was writing this report, it seemed fitting to move these reports over to my brand new Cake Blogging Blog. That’s a good idea, right? I thought so 😉 So here’s my January 2017 Blogging Income Report.
So a little background. Blog income reports inspire me. They drive me. They make me want to work harder to earn more and maximize the work I’m already doing. When I realized how much I loved reading blog income reports and how much they’ve impacted my own blogging journey, I knew I wanted to share.
If I inspire one person to take the leap and start blogging – start earning from home and pursuing a dream, then I’ve done something good. Or at least that’s the way I see it.
So the number you see up top on the picture is my gross income. My goal right now is to earn a minimum of $5000 gross each month. I have lots of other goals but that’s my bare minimum. I’d actually prefer to be netting no less than $5000 a month and that’s really what I’m working toward.
Now, let’s talk about my January income and expenses. January was great for income considering January is usually a very low month for me, but my expenses were really high.
Why? A few reasons. First, I started this blog. I had to pay for hosting, my domain name, a blog designer (which is not fully paid so you’ll see that again in February), and some other random things (apps, extra VA work, etc.).
Also, I hosted a huge giveaway that I paid for out of my own pocket (I gave away 2 KitchenAid mixers). Yes, it cost me a lot of money. However, I gained almost 7000 new email subscribers through the giveaway app, so that is absolutely a justified expense.
Some blogging experts say you should spend around (or no more than) $2 per new subscriber and I only spent around $.08 per new subscriber. I had around 200 unsubscribe after the giveaway ended, but I still consider that a huge win!
I also bought some new camera equipment (to hopefully help with video – which I’m not yet doing enough of) and some other random things.
With all of that, I still really don’t love my bottom line for January, but it is what it is, so I’ve just gotta do better next month. My goal is to have my expenses under $1000. That may not happen in February because I still have to pay the designer some more, but crossing my fingers for March.
Here’s the breakdown:
January 2017 Blogging Income Report
Ad income: $3224.12 (59%)
- Adthrive $2900.18
- Adsense $ 231.70
- Swoop $ 83.96
- Meridian Sovrn $ 6.43
- Rhythm One $ 1.85
Affiliate income: $1690.30 (31%)
- Amazon $ 725.39
- Shareasale** $ 777.53
- Bluehost: $150.00
- Angelfoods $24.27
- Affiliate Window $ 1.12
- Ultimate Bundles: $ 11.99
Sponsored Post income: $436.40 (8%)
- Collective Bias $ 180
- Linqia $ 147.20
- CleverGirls $ 195 (BV, IC, TP)
Other Misc. Income: $125.00 (2%)
- Sold an old domain I’m no longer using: $125.00
These income streams were at zero this month:
Rakuten $0
CenterpointMedia $0
Ebay Partner Network $ 0
IZEA $ 0
Influence Central $ 0
BlogHer/SheKnows $0
Shopher Media $ 0
Pinch of Yum $ 0
Commission Junction $ 0
Elite Blogging Academy $ 0
DOZ $ 0
Blog and/or Cake Business Coaching $0
TOTAL INCOME: $5475.82
**The Shareasale income includes income from Craftsy, Flirty Aprons, Pretty Witty Cakes, Zulily, Easy Canvas Prints, Food Blogger Pro, Brown Cookie, PicMonkey and York Photo. Join Shareasale HERE!
EXPENSES:
Advertising $ 527.52 (for KitchenAid Giveaway)
Paypal + Bank Fees $ 3.14
Virtual Assistant $369.00
Blog Designer $300.00
Contract Work: $0
Domain Registration: $34.88
Education $17.98
BigScoots + SiteGround (Hosting) $ 248.15
Madmimi + Google $ 93.25
Plugins, Apps, Software $ 31.39
Sponsored Post Ingred. & Supplies: $46.33
Office Supplies: $140.67
Photography Prop & Equipment: $377.05
TOTAL EXPENSES: $ 2189.36
NET INCOME: $ 3185.91
January Pageviews: 299,713
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