A quick reminder to buy my new eBook.
On to today’s post…..
The hair rose on the back of my neck.
Another lightning strike. Cloud to ground. Not 10 meters from the apartment.
A deafening boom followed the blinding, terrifying flash a split second later.
Was Thor making an appearance? Sure as hell felt like it.
When Kelli and I lived in Quepos, Costa Rica for a month we noted a stretch where powerful, intimidating, intense thunderstorms rained down on the jungle like clockwork. Mornings were beautiful. Sunny, clear. We’d head to the beach, enjoy the sand, waves and fun. Then we’d hustle our gringo rumps back to the apartment.
Because between 3:00 PM and 3:10 PM almost every single day for a 3 week stretch, the storms would unleash hell. Like clockwork. Never seen anything like it. Even living in the tropics for 2 years prior.
This was convenient for us. I avoided becoming toast or David Banner (Nick Nolte in Hulk movie, not rapper) knowing to get my fanny inside before 3 PM.
But many confused, struggling or outright lost bloggers seek this same level of convenience and clockwork-like efficiency with their blogging profits, buying into a damaging fallacy that needs to be dissected, dismantled and dumped to bring you more blogging profits.
I’m tackling this financial fallacy and another financial faux paus that you need to face, embrace, dissolve and release to boost your blogging profits.
Let’s dive in.
Fallacy #1: The “How Can I Earn X Dollars A Day Through Blogging?” Question
Blogging is not linear.
Many bloggers silly-ly believe that some Blogging Time Card Fairy sits there and records when you punch in at 8:00 AM, when you sign out at 5 PM and proceeds to send $$$$ to your Paypal account based on the time you worked on that day.
I have seen the “How can I earn $100/$1000/$5/$500 a day?” question asked only 45,987,786,342 times through my 9 year blogging career. Because most bloggers ponder blogging through the lens of fear. Meaning most bloggers are still thinking like salary-earning employees. Ya know; they want the sure thing. The safe thing. The certain thing. The salary thing. The “I will definitely receive money thru blogging because this is a time-money trade off, right?” thing.
No.
Blow this fallacy to bits. Immediately. By understanding that blogging is not linear. No time for money trade off exists. This is not a job. This is not salaried.
Blogging is a business. Business profits flow in sporadically at first. Even when profits flow in consistently the dollar amount always changes. Customers and clients are not Blogging Time Card Fairies.
You could make $3 today. And no money for the next 3 weeks. When you are a newbie. Or when you are 6 months into the blogging game.
Blogging is not linear.
This is how you make money blogging:
- accept the idea that you will never ever ever ever ever make a set amount of money daily, short or long haul, through blogging
- blog on a topic you feel passionate about for fun, freeing reasons
- dive into your deep fears related to blogging, building a business, money, success and criticism
- practice, develop and hone blogging skills (writing, networking/friend making, creating blog posts) for months to years, every single day……the money is in the skills you diligently develop through persistent practice…the money is in the practice, which gives you clarity and confidence
- create helpful content through your blog, through guest posting and through video marketing
- comment on top blogs to build your friend network and to add value
- toss Himalayan salt over your shoulder 3 times daily
The Conversion To Cash Part
When you detach more from blogging outcomes like money and traffic you are BEing the person who earns more money with your blog. Yeah; you do the things from the list above, backed with the proper energy and boost your profits.
Fallacy #2: The “Act Like You Been There” BS Advice
Ya wanna know one of my life secrets?
I act like I have never been there.
5 seconds ago I sold an eBook. This eBook. Which you can buy right now to build an online empire through blog commenting. I promise; I will celebrate and do a happy dance to the eBook gods after you buy it.
I told my 51,400 Twitter followers how I sold the eBook with a WOOHOO! I told my Facebook Live and Periscope viewers how I sold an eBook.
Why would a guy who has sold 1000 audio books *passively* with like zero promotion piddle in his blogging pantaloons over selling 1 eBook?
Because he knows: where your attention and energy goes, grows.
If you celebrate making money, that money energy finds you more frequently. You create a buzz. Readers feed on that buzz. Supporters celebrate with you, promoting you, spreading your buzz and buying your stuff or hiring you.
I spoke to a coaching client who’d bought multiple Blogging From Paradise eBooks. They vibe with my delivery. Because I celebrated my sales. I didn’t hide away. I didn’t listen to the fear-based, tension-filled, stuffy, ego-driven advice offered by unhappy, unclear, “serious” bloggers/entrepreneurs: “act like you been there.”
That is the Fear-Based-Fallacy: act like you been there. Or, don’t celebrate the seemingly tiny victories. Wait until you make 10 Gs or 100 Gs or drive your Bugatti Veyron over Scrooge McDuck’s pool full of dubloons until you celebrate on a public stage.
The energetic, fear-based flaw of such an approach; you wrongly believe that there is nothing worthy to celebrate…… when in truth EVERYTHING is worthy to celebrate. The 3 blog comments you received today. The 10 human beings who visited your blog. Your first guest post. The eBook you sold the other day.
Act like you have *not* been there. Express love for your victories in a fun, celebratory way. Expressing child-like happiness over pennies encourages more than pennies to sprint toward your bank account. Because where your attention and energy goes, grows.
Money-energy loves bloggers who celebrate money-energy, from pennies to pounds (UK reference, or stacking that fat, carrying it around in a Hefty bag, chedda reference).
Success-energy loves bloggers who celebrate success energy, from 1 comment to 6 readers to your first guest post placed.
Act like you have not been there. Every freaking time. 1 secret to my boundless energy, my disgustingly prolific nature and my fun-love that has inspired a ton of bloggers.
Your Turn
Has this post confused you? Still in the “act like you been there” crowd? Or do you understand how expressing child-like awe at the seemingly tiniest wins is the beginning of something *really* special in your life?
Have you let go the idea that you can actually earn a set, uniform daily blogging income for months at a time? Let alone days? How did you do that?
Coaching
If you are excited to get the results you want with your blog I offer private coaching sessions.
Or if you prefer a different medium I offer blogging courses here.
Ryan Biddulph
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48 Comments
“Blow this fallacy to bits. Immediately. By understanding that blogging is not linear. No time for money trade off exists. This is not a job. This is not salaried.”
Put in the best words I have seen in a long time. It is so common for bloggers or any type of internet marketer to measure everything by the money they bring in. A better measuring stick is the comment section and how people are responding or how they are being helped, regardless of your niche.
If it’s all about trading time for money, you’re not free and never will be until you give up this notion. I have thought for a very long time that the hourly rate of workers in any field is a really dumb way to get paid for both the company and the worker. Why should the owner pay you for time and not production/quality? Doesn’t make sense to me at all.
As a blogger, if you put in the time, the money will be a wonderful by-product. Focus on helping people in your niche, providing great content and repeating it over and over again. If you focus on the content and not the money, the money will come and you’ll appreciate it far more because so many others will be helped by your words.
Fear does in fact cause rational people to see successes only as scammers, or to see success as some impossibility Prince. I love that point.
Hi Ryan,
Great post here. Blogging is the everyday new business that those who will actually succeed are those who follow and do the right things. Fear has gripped the heart of many that some think success is now a scam.
As you rightly said, most bloggers are still thinking like salary-earning employees and this is one of the reasons why they never make ‘more’ money blogging. Thanks for sharing, Ryan.
– Prince.
Mohit this is good stuff dude. Happy to see you here.
Hi Ryan,
It’s really a big advice for a New blogger like me. Many new bloggers have this dream of earning $$$ in a day.
Thanks for the article
Way cool Shamna 🙂
Great Ryan!I loved reading this where i am excited in knowing that how you take your passion well and helping others who love same cup of tea to build their passion.
Thanks Ryan.
Amen to that Anyaogu.
Thanks Ryan
Blogging really needs a passion for it to be effective.
Way cool Manish.
Sounds good Manish.
Hi Ryan,
A big advice for New blogger like me. many new bloggers have this dream of earning $$$ in a day.
Thanks to you, my dream is the same but will do hard work.
Thanks
This is it SMN; create, connect and money follows at its own pace.
Hi Ryan,
You have found out one important misleading questions of most new bloggers. When they start blogging, they start making a dream of making $XXX per month. As a result, you’ll see that these types of bloggers often ask questions in different forums like – how can I make $XXX per month from blogging?? blah blah.
I always hate to answer this sort of question since I often see this type of question on Quora.
Work hard, enjoy blogging, build more and more connections, then money will automatically follow you.
Regards,
SM
I went through the same thing Marsha. A few times. Because I thought linear, and more than that I believed a paycheck would wait for me based on the volume or duration of work I put in. I finally got it, realizing my energy, my valued shared and my friend network are the prime factors in earning money through your blog.
Great mind shift on point #1 – blogging is not a job it is a business. As such the daily input does not equal the pay in a linear fashion. This really helped me to see my blog as a long term investment of time and energy not a salaried position. I love reading your posts. Thank You
Yep Ron; the advice I offer is a 180, or at least a sharp deviation, from many folks like The Secret guys and gals, Hill, the big dawgs and dawgettes of personal development. The reason why; expectations, straining and striving all come from a lower-energy often completely fear-filled place. This is why Tony Robbins says to trade your expectations for appreciation. We can definitely want stuff but it is about moving that getting energy to the side, predominantly, to open up our giving energy.
Hi Ryan,
Very interesting perspective but confusing too. Please do not mind, I have read all the stuff from Rhonda Bryne, Napolean Hill and many others, they all advocated to creatively imagine your success because you actually do, as it will drive more success energy to it, but you are advocating some thing else. But actually it is making sense because whenever I tried to imagine that I already got, what I wanted, it put a pressure on me to some how to see those results which these great writers say will come by following this approach and when it doesn’t happen, I feel bad. Your approach is of no expectations, just working hard and celebrate even smallest success. Many thanks!!!!!
Hello Ryan Biddulph,
Most of the individuals start blogging for making money. Blog is a very good source of income as 9 to 5 job. But bloggers need more patience to build a successful blog which can give money.
I agree with your view that people need to treat their blog as a business and never stop their working for it whatever the situation they face. Many bloggers start their blog but after few months they stop working because they can’t monetize from their blog.
Though Making money from blog is not a easy job but people can get success from it if they work constantly. Thanks for sharing this awesome article.
Thanks,
Agnes Jones
I have no idea why so many bloggers do income reports Phil. Here’s why: so many of these bloggers are only doing income reports to prove that they are making money, to vet themselves. Why in the heck do you want to attract skeptics to you LOL?! Never understood it. I am not talking about guys like Pat Flynn and John Chow, who have been doing these from early on. I’m talking about the masses of bloggers who don’t even run a “make money online” blog and feel the need to prove that they are making money. Who cares? If I go to a doctor to get treated do I ask for his income earnings? Or do I ask if he drives a Ferrari, as a vetting vehicle? Hell no. If a fellow doctor or friend refers him, or if he is a doctor in the area and I do a walk in, and he is helpful, I am sold. Good question Phil 😉
Hi Ryan,
Yet another interesting and thought provoking post.
Yes, blogging is not an easy money making business, instead it requires lot of patience time and energy.
Many think that it’s a magic like the one you mentioned. “The toss Himalayan salt over your shoulder 3 times daily” 🙂 then the money will flow into your kit.:-)
What a misconception it is!
Ryan I still can’t understand, why even some so called pro bloggers always shout out their income report?
Recently I read a post in which the author says that 80 to 90℅ of such reports are bogus or cheat reports.
I too felt it sometimes by reading some of such reports. Of course there are few exceptions to this.
So sad to note that the blogging industry is moving on with such people by giving confusion to the newbies.
Thanks Ryan for this amazing post.
Keep writing.
Best
~Phil
Exactly Julie! That celebration energy makes it easier to both earn money and to detach from money outcomes. What a 1-2 punch for increasing earnings.
I have a little dance I do when I make a sale from a $3 to a $1k sale I dance I shout I share the love and I definitely share!
I believe in BELIEVE that You have Already achieved BUT Celebrate every blessed win. Including Your Team Wins too. Other People’s success too. 🙂 On that note Massive congrats on Selling a ton of e-Books. What a joy it is, when I check my account and see Amazon sales…it excites me every time.
Yikes Vishwajeet. I know that area by Nepal is subject to earthquakes. Must be pretty scary sometimes. So happy to see you sharing services as well my friend. I know your consulting and/or freelancing will be valuable.
Thanks for tweeting Manish. Not time for money at all, this blogging bit. If you devote positive energy to your blog and some serious time you will see super returns over the long haul.
That’s it Shantanu; blogging is totally not a vehicle through which you earn money like previous jobs. No pay for time worked here. Different ballgame all together. Render service. Help folks. Make friends. Over time the money will flow in.
Thanks Drewry 😉 Put people before profits and the profits will come. This has been my experience over and over and it’s what I learned from so many blogging big dawgs like Darren Rowse and Zac Johnson.
100% fail indeed Laiq. Gotta fall in love with serving and helping to make this thing work right. This is where the passion is; this is also how the profits take form. Passion and service lead to the boosted blogging income.
Wow Gaurav. What an awesome example. Your generosity and focus on service helped you net almost 1000 dollars in affiliate sales because you were focused on giving, not getting. This is the secret. Love that comment.
Hi,
I have been asked by many people by emails or chat on various social networks that how much money I earn and how much money they can make from blogging.
I see that most of the people in this world just want money but don`t care about the actions. that is why people just ask how much they can earn rather than what they should do to make money.
I understand the power of words. There is no doubt that blog commenting can also be greatly beneficial to get you more leads and also boost the traffic of your blog.
People should understand that to build an online empire though blog commenting is not for selfish people.
When a blogger comment on other blogs to add value, only then he can attract the mind of other commentators, readers and the blog owners. The more value you add in other sites the more strong relationship you can build with people.
This also tells that how good you are in that niche and how you can help others. I remember the time when my 300+ words blog comment has helped me generate $830 in affiliate sales in just one month.
Thanks for sharing.
Gaurav
Good Points Ryan, Blogging serve your passion and you serve others who are the same tasters, That’s blogging, you get the reward of blogging by doing it (passion) if you expect money in the form of rewards that’s 100% a fail. Thanks Ryan.
When some people look into making blogging a full time business, they shouldn’t concern themselves with how much money they might make on day 1, day 2, and so forth. Reason being is because these are the infancy stages whereas they’re just getting started and building their business blogs from the ground floor up either while unemployed or working a full or part-time job. So many aspiring bloggers fail because they put profits before people. Truth of the matter is, you have to put people before profits and create quality, long-form content like Ryan does. He writes beautiful blogs and builds quality relationships with people. So if anyone is looking to be successful in blogging and earn good money in affiliate marketing, follow Ryan’s advice in his blogs and in due time, you too will be A+ okay. 🙂
Hello Ryan,
Great thought shared by your side here 🙂
You have always act as a mentor for the bloggers who have just entered into the blogging field. The ways you show us what to do and what not too is very delightful to read upon.
Indeed blogging is not a things that would make us the same money as the previous time, its a business and sometimes we can hit the hard track and often we can travel on the low tide.
Thanks for the share.
Shantanu.
Hi Ryan,
Awesome Post!
With a job, you trade time for money. At the end of the week, your boss pays you for the work you did that week. Blogging isn’t like this.
Network Marketing business offers you the chance at a residual income.
Bear in mind that how much profit you make from your site each month will depend largely on how much time you invest in your blog, how many different ways you monetize your blogging, and how large of an audience your site reaches.
I will tweet your post.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Hello Ryan,
Weather is also too violent in my area as well. Thunderstorms and Lighting strike are now on regular basis. I also felt few earthquakes of low magnitude in past few days as I lived in Zone 4 which is near to Nepal. Thanks God, I am safe.
providing services is really one of the best ways to make money from your blogging. I have also started providing services on my blog and waiting for results. Great Post.
Have a great Day 🙂
Vishwajeet
This is it Mick; gotta go from hobby to pro, full time, serious commitment to make money through your blog or business. Great comment.
The thing is, a lot of newbies have been sold the idea that all they need is a blog with junk offers on there.
We’ve got this lousy mentality in our community that it’s ok to be lazy, that it’s ok to disregard value, that it’s ok to sell any old crap, as long as there’s a market gullible enough to hand over their credit card details.
And you’re right about treating it like a business too, Ryan.
How many times have we seen people complaining that they’re not making any cash from their blog – and when you examine how they’re running things, they’re treating it as a hobby.
LOL Sue I swear people are doing it hahaha! Folks actually email me telling me they are tossing Himalayan salt over their shoulder and it is working which I find so funny 🙂 Definitely not a steady gig in the beginning. Even when we make more dough it just is never ever linear and that is OK too. Because when we make more we are even less concerned with the “dollar a day” mindset newbies or struggling bloggers cling to.
Well said Aleah. Love your take on things.Just celebrated another eBook sale a few minutes ago woohoo!
Great reminder, Ryan, to always feel joy at even the tiniest thing. I agree, like attracts like, and if you feel like meh for everything, the universe will also return it to you. Will have to practice it soon!
Ryan I have to say that I hope people who read your articles don’t miss the hidden humor gems. I laughed out loud at ‘toss Himalayan salt over your shoulder 3 times daily’. Making money blogging definitely isn’t a steady income kind of gig. As always your enthusiasm, and if you don’t mind me saying, slap-upside-the-head-kind-of-advice is just what folks need if they think this is going to be a 9-5 M-F job.
Sue
Being passionate opens profitable doors Patrick. Following your fun helps you focus less on finances and more on creating something valuable, helpful and magnetic, which does lead to financial success over the long term. Gotta follow that passion and things do get easier and easier over time.
LOL Elvis 😉 And thanks for linking in to my blog commenting eBook. You said it; focus on creating value and building connections. See money as an afterthought and it will flow into your cyber coffers over time.
I like that advice Caleb; this is why I have my sweet Amazon Associates payments flowing in, complementing my KDP royalty payments from Amazon. If you have some cash flowing in it detaches you more from outcomes, helping you see that blogging income will vary over time.
The inconsistent income aspect is a hard rock to swallow for many so you really also got to actually like blogging! But one way to temper that inconsistency is to have a prominent affiliate offer or two weaved throughout your blog that pays monthly recurring income then at least you’ll have some numbers to average by.
I love how you not only expressed what NOT to do, but you also explained what you should do and how you can turn it into profit. This post is a breath of fresh air for any blogger; new or experienced. I think of dreams and aspirations as sort of the same deal. There will never be a guarantee that what you are doing will make money. As long as you cover something you are passionate about, the rest will come easy!!
Love that picture of you in Hue, Vietnam (but who’s the weird guy with the backpack and shorts?)
Obsessing primarily about money is what leads people to quit. “it’s been 3 months and i have nothing to show in the bank!”
While you should definitely work on the money portion, ive always considered it a bit of an afterthought. With value comes trust, and with trust comes money and all else, right?
BTW, im currently revamping my blog’s “Resources” page and your book on ‘Commenting Empire’ is a perfect fit. Looking forward to giving it a try soon myself.
Keep kicking butt 😉
I left a thought.