Pro Blogging for the Not So Rich and Famous
February 12th, 2007 (11:19am) Anne Zelenka 49 Comments
Last Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal Paygrade column profiled the career of blogging. Here’s what they said about the pay and hours:
THE PAY: Most self-employed bloggers take in between $2,000 and $10,000 a month from ad sales, says Henry Copeland, founder of BlogAds.com, a Web advertising concern based in Carrboro, N.C. The few that have huge audiences make significantly more, he adds. During election time, for example, a political blogger can bring in $20,000 to $30,000 a month, says Ken Layne, West Coast bureau chief for Wonkette.com, a political gossip blog owned by Gawker Media. Some bloggers are employed by companies, but they are often part of the marketing department, and blogging is usually only a small part of their duties.
THE HOURS: Self-employed bloggers set their own schedules. Writers of breaking-news blogs say 40- to 60-hour workweeks are the norm. To scoop his competitors, Mario Lavandeira, author of the celebrity-gossip blog PerezHilton.com, says he averages 19-hour workdays that start at 5:15 a.m.
$10,000 a month sounds pretty good–but that’s for more than a full-time job. Want to earn a bit of cash and renown without the 19-hour workdays? Try a blog network like GigaOM, which includes Web Worker Daily, NewTeeVee, and GigaGamez. Though we’ve hired a couple great new bloggers for WWD–welcome to Mike Gunderloy and Matthew Reinbold–we are still looking for web workers who write well to occasionally review software, services, and gear.
If you are interested, post a review on your own blog showing how you can smartly critique any of the tools–software, hardware, or otherwise–that make virtual work fun and profitable. For extra credit, include tips and tricks for boosting productivity using those tools. Add a short bio at the end so we can see how you’re putting your own twist on the web worker life. Link back to this post and we’ll be sure to see it.
Questions? Ask them in the comments.
49 Comments Post your own comment
engtech says: February 12th, 2007 5:23pm
How to Earn a Six Figure Income from Blogging in Two Easy Steps
(couldn’t resist :) )
Rob says: February 12th, 2007 7:34pm
‘Cause I don’t trust trackbacks and your contact form doesn’t work for me…
Anne Zelenka says: February 13th, 2007 6:32am
Hey Rob, you don’t need to trackback. Just link to this post. I’ll search for posts linking to it.
StellaCommute says: February 13th, 2007 6:33am
Hey, my whole blog is about remote work!
nsharp says: February 13th, 2007 9:08am
http://www.nsharp.org/09/vista-tips-and-tricks-1/
http://www.nsharp.org/04/ubuntu-tips-and-tricks-1/
Lots more reviews on my site. Do drop by and let me know what you think
thanks
n# » Ubuntu: Tips and tricks 1 says: February 13th, 2007 9:13am
[...] This post was submitted as a tip to Web Worker Daily [...]
Dave Good says: February 13th, 2007 9:55am
Blogging in and of itself is just an extention of the trade of journalism, INHO. I believe that the reason it has become so “hip” is that it is more closely tied into the 24/7/365 media stream. When something breaks within the news cycle, the blogoshpere is abuzz almost immediately, whereas the more traditional wire and print services are just spooling up to handle the “info-crisis”. The blogosphere is also able to include so much more than your regular news services. You get broader interpritations of events, both the trivial and the earth-shattering.
I don’t know if it is a good career though? Is anybody really bringing home the “manteca” this way, aside from those in the article? What is the job like? I am curious? Maybe this is a good way to put my English degree to practical use?
Anne Zelenka says: February 13th, 2007 10:51am
Dave - I don’t know, those figures they threw out sounded awfully high to me. But I’ve never run ads on my own blog and also never put in the kind of time they’re talking about.
Is it a good career? I find it a good way of supplementing my income and also building my professional reputation. I personally wouldn’t want to solely blog for my work–but I think it suits many people well.
Dave Good says: February 13th, 2007 11:31am
Anne;
Do you spend a lot of time at it? Or, would you consider it more like a hobby that occasionally pays for itself? With two kids, one who is special needs, and the other in private school, a job that could be done from a laptop in a waiting room would be a good idea.
The other thing is; how do you select topics to write about, and what do you do to keep it fresh?
raincoaster says: February 13th, 2007 1:42pm
What they don’t mention is that most advertising-supported blogs bring in less than fifty dollars a month; those people may dream of living off their blogs, but until their big breakthrough (”Techmeme sez: UNMISSABLE!!!” etc) they still have to flip burgers or process paperwork.
Anne Zelenka says: February 13th, 2007 5:40pm
Dave: I spend quite a lot of time blogging because it’s at the center of my career as an industry analyst and web technologist. I also enjoy it. It’s not a hobby to me, it really is professional work. Doesn’t pay as well as other things I could do.
I think you could probably do it from a laptop in a waiting room. I find it hard to do it while I have other things going on, but different people are more or less distractible.
On picking topics and keeping it fresh: that’s not the hard part. I have tons of ideas for things I want to write on. The hard part is that for me, writing is hard and gathering good content is hard. If I’m going to write about–for example–taxes, I want to have good accurate information. It takes time to gather and confirm it. If I’m going to write about Ajax start pages, I don’t want to write about them superficially–I want to try them out and understand the landscape of that category.
But like I said, I find it very enjoyable. I’d do it even if I didn’t get paid–and I did for two years before ever getting paid.
Zimbra, Mac and Treo: My Unholy Trinity « In the Future Everyone Will be Famous for 15 People says: February 14th, 2007 6:51pm
[...] February 14th, 2007 in Tech This post is my response to Web Worker Daily’s “open call” for [...]
Osama A. says: February 15th, 2007 3:38pm
Anne,
Do the lot of you writing in the Om Network use some shared tools for research or industry news behind the stories? E.g. from what you mentioned about taxes or Ajax pages, do you guys tap into each others’ notes to get the most info collaboratively before writing the story?
If it’s not a big secret, it would be good to hear a little bit more about the workflow you guys use — at the OM network is there a central place to put in story ideas, have someone choose to take the lead on one; tap into a shared research / industry news pool and then send drafts for editing? How do you guys set up timelines in these?
Thanks. I have been a productivity consultant particularly focused on outsourced work (travel between the opposite ends of Earth constantly) and this open call sounds interesting…
Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive 10 New Ways to Make Money Online « says: February 22nd, 2007 1:40pm
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
10 New Ways to Make Money Online « DVD DRIVES says: February 23rd, 2007 6:45am
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
Marcel says: February 23rd, 2007 11:14am
We are also looking for bloggers on http://diarist.com and http://bloggerwanted.com
Jeramy says: February 23rd, 2007 12:01pm
I tend to blog a bit out of irritation or anger.
However, they hold interest.
http://www.myspace.com/jeramypwns
http://www.xanga.com/unfourgiven
http://www.xanga.com/angerandagony
You can tell from reading any random blog that what I write isn’t boring.
Beno says: February 23rd, 2007 12:52pm
I am a blogger looking to earn money using blogs!!
Please contact me at beno@benovarghese.com if you have opportunities.
EelKat says: February 23rd, 2007 1:09pm
Hi, I just found your blog… love all these articles about blogging for pay… that’s what I am hoping to do, I’m a writer by trade, but I’ve only just started blogging, so I’m looking for ways in which I can make an income from my blog… subcribing to your blog, so I can get the latest posts from you
FoimaDema.com » 10 New Ways to Make Money Online says: February 24th, 2007 1:25am
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
Dave B says: February 24th, 2007 10:35pm
Here’s a link to an article that mentions a Washington Post story from last year about people who were making a lot of money ($40,000 a year, in one case) from Adsense. Some were blogging about their hobbies; others were blogging on business issues not covered by other people.
As the WaPo article makes clear, though, the folks making good money are working hard for it; to get a lot of visitors and click-throughs, you need to be constantly adding new content and giving readers a reason to come back.
Dave B says: February 24th, 2007 10:37pm
Hmmm, that link didn’t come through, here it is again…
http://www.xomba.com/how_to_make_big_money_blogging
10 New Ways to Make Money Online | aprie van luden knowledge says: February 25th, 2007 5:07am
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
The Architect of Windows says… « Build the Network…and they will Come says: February 27th, 2007 1:08pm
[...] Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Pro Blogging for the Not So Rich and Famous « [...]
Monkey on Wordpress says: February 28th, 2007 7:32pm
A Look At The Edgeio Marketplaces Beta - Full Walkthrough, Advice and Review
Edgeio was launched last year and was hyped as being the craigslist killer. While it’s uncertain if this new company can uproot the foothold that craigslist has managed to maintain right now in the online classifieds arena, over time we may see …
Internet = Money?! « The Orange Network says: March 2nd, 2007 8:28pm
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
10 façons de faire de l’argent online? « Blogue de Diana Blue Technologies says: March 3rd, 2007 2:51pm
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
Зарабатывать на блоге « Сокровища интернета says: March 9th, 2007 3:14am
[...] ) и вы хорошо знаете английский, зайдите сюда вот вам работодатель: post a review on your own blog showing how you can [...]
Sonya says: March 13th, 2007 3:41pm
Interesting article. Like some others, I use my blog and some freelance assignments to supplment my income but who couldn’t use more money for what we’re already doing?
Rebecca Hogg says: March 16th, 2007 9:23am
I am trying my hand at blogging. I have heard success and failure stories so I want to find what works and what doesn’t. Since blogging I have learned about the amazing mass of useful opportunities online and the ones that appear to be useful but are actually a scam. My page is about my life and seeking to be direct with others so both the readers and I benefit! Thanks for the advice and info.
Jeremy Epstein says: March 23rd, 2007 9:01am
So I am taking a few risks here, but if that’s what I’ve got to do to get you guys to put me on the team, so be it.
1. a pro-Microsoft-based view of the WebWorker world
2. written by an MS employee but critical of MS branding/positioning
3. using Blogger
4. Bio at http://www.linkedin.com/in/jer979
check it out at: http://jer979.blogspot.com/2007/03/microsoft-hand-luke-problem.html
And no, I wasn’t afraid to post this on my Microsoft blog either: http://blogs.msdn.com/maamktg/archive/2007/03/22/microsoft-s-quot-cool-hand-luke-quot-problem.aspx
As you’ll see from my widgets, I get 2.0 and the story here is just the tip of the iceberg…ask me how I can control the lights in my house using X-10 from anywhere on the planet :-)
Hope you enjoy.
And, if you are interested, here are my other posts on the Web2.0/tech lifestyle
http://jer979.blogspot.com/search/label/technology?max-results=100
20 legitimate ways to make money online | Keeping You Rich Online ! says: May 8th, 2007 10:18pm
[...] Affilate rater,webmaster-talk 3. Sell your photos http://www.bigstockphoto.com/ 4. Get paid to blog 5. Refer people to webhosting 6. Sell text link ads on your site Text Link Ads 7. Put Google ads [...]
Marcel says: May 24th, 2007 12:02am
You can also start selling links within your blogs by using BlogPostsForSale
http://www.blogpostsforsale.com
10 New Ways to Make Money Online « X-Z-Bit says: May 24th, 2007 9:00am
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
Murad Ali says: May 28th, 2007 3:11pm
good article. I think this puts things in perspective.
10 New Ways to Make Money Online - Rolclub Hyip Forum, Hyip, Hyip Forum, Real Hyip, Hyip Monitor, Hyip Investment, Best Hyip Forum, dinar, dinar forum, iraqi dinar, e-gold, real investment forum, forex, investment programs. says: June 20th, 2007 3:01am
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
10 New Ways to Make Money Online says: July 3rd, 2007 10:39pm
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
Vincent says: September 17th, 2007 11:52am
What is the best way to start up. I mean how to get noticed. I have political site but I need to attract people to post.?
10 Ways to make Money Online « Shoppers Stop says: October 30th, 2007 1:54am
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
BlackMaster Wordpress Theme » Blog Archive » 10 New Ways to Make Money Online says: December 30th, 2007 8:50pm
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
10 New Ways to Make Money Online « can you make money online says: December 31st, 2007 2:55pm
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
julie says: February 19th, 2008 10:05am
can u really get paied what everyone says u can/ the numbers are kind og high. besides how do u make a living out of it?
10 New Ways To Make Money From The Internet | MAKE MONEY says: February 23rd, 2008 8:51pm
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
Make Profit Online - Learn how to make money online » Blog Archive » 10 Best Ways to make Money Online says: April 5th, 2008 3:55am
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
Moneyloo.com | Wacky Ways to Make Money » Blog Archive » 10 New Ways to Make Money Online says: April 7th, 2008 9:37pm
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
Ways young people can make money online « Young African American Women says: April 13th, 2008 9:52pm
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]
ace says: May 9th, 2008 7:58am
It may become more difficult to tell the difference between a blog and a traditional website as time goes by. What is the defining characteristic of a blog? Is it the format, or the fact that new content is available at a certain frequency (for example: at least once a week), or that the content is autobiographical or non-fiction in nature, or that there are no ads on it? I think that we can all agree that a website that is formatted as a blog (eg: with WordPress templates), and that has no ads on it has a better chance of fitting the definition correctly. If a “blog” is for direct monetary gain (eg: has ads on it that profit the writer when clicked on), how different can it really be from traditional journalism or an online magazine? Ah, semantics . . .
Mircea says: June 1st, 2008 3:16pm
———
Link back to this post and we’ll be sure to see it.
———
Shooting two rabbits with one blow :): getting links back to this post (improving the pagerank and getting visitors) and maybe discovering new talents outhere which can help grow the blog.
Congrats! ;)
make money online » Blog Archive » 10 New Ways to Make Money Online says: June 7th, 2008 11:59pm
[...] who can turn around a solidly-written post on an interesting topic quickly. GigaOM is always looking for bloggers with great content ideas and solid writing skills. How do you get noticed? Comment and link to [...]