Blog and Income Report: January 2013

It’s been ages since I last published a blog and income report; I mainly stopped doing these because, in some way, it set a confinement for my projects. I had specific goals I wanted to reach but by setting those goals – I only strive to achieve them – and go no further.

I’d like to reintroduce this report because I now see them as a milestone which I plan to increase with each passing month (not as a limiter).

What Happened Since the Last One?

Ever since I left my job back in 2011, I’ve been on a gamut of work, projects, and ventures.

During that time, I setup a small article marketplace, traveled overseas, moved to Tampa, FL, became the sole editor of an industry website, saw a change in relationships, went to Vegas, and so much more.

I also saw quite a few ups and downs in my work – especially in 2012.

The big Google updates slammed a few of my projects but, in retrospect, I feel grateful for what I had learned from the process especially that it forced me to take my work seriously and excel me toward freelancing.

The major updates, a lack of focus and the constant shifting around has basically cut my passive earnings in half.

I still keep working on side-projects but I’m taking the income reliance, from these projects, off my shoulders since the reality is that you can’t truly expect to turn blogging into a full-time business – it takes real products and services.

Some of my current projects (including the long-term goals) include:

• Reworking and expanding CareerInsider.net
• The creation of new, premium guides
• A few, secret “authority walkthrough” websites
• A better use of video and audio for content (podcast and screencasts, anyone?)

I took the time to trim off some of the “project fat” because I didn’t have the time between my main sites, freelance, and keeping a (sort-of) social life.

I used to set new goals with each year but I’m skimping out on that post and, instead, keeping it under wraps until things are launched (I don’t need the additional stress at this time, ya know?).

So, besides a good amount of sites, freelancing, and a few secret projects on the radar – I’d have to say that life has been good to me and I believe that it’ll only get better.

Traffic Report: January 2013

I really haven’t been placing a lot of time into the site as much as I’d hoped for because the start of the new year meant a great deal of time had to go toward long-term planning of a multitude of sites and work for clients.

Overall, I can’t complain about the traffic but it’s about half of what it was this last year.

One of the biggest reasons I don’t post as much as I had done before is that I enjoy the long-form; I don’t like covering the same topics each and every day so I take a lot of my time to research new strategies, put them into practice, and report back versus just compiling information.

Due to the amount of work that goes into each piece, I’m having a conflict because they’re getting to the length and depth that would warrant them to become full-fledged guides. I’ve yet to decide what all I want to do with these but I can assure you that my goal is to keep up with the quality you’ve found in the past (and hopefully traffic comes back up to normal).

My old goal was to hit 25,000 visitors a month – I’m not setting that anymore – the site will get what it gets and I’m not going to stress on it.

Income: January 2013

I used to break these all down but let’s keep it simple (kind of like how Tom Ewer has it on his reports):

1. Freelance Writing & Project Management

• Income: $1,901.95
• Expenses: $700ish (everyday bills)
• Profit: $1,200 (and some change)

2. Websites

• Amazon Associates: $187.43
• Clickbank: $187.09
• PLRArticlesNow: $12.95
• Google Adsense: $34.03
• Expenses: $30 (Hosting), $45 (Themes)
• Profit: $346.50

3. Misc. Income

• GoDaddy:  $48.63
• ElegantThemes: $58.50
• Helium: $25.47
• Squidoo: $32.13
• Misc. Sales: $9.13
• Profit: $173.86

So, overall, did pretty well and it looks like February is going to be way better.

• Total Income: $2,497.31
• Total Profit: $1,720.36

I don’t see as many people put down their monthly bills so I figure I might as well take that off the top so it doesn’t look like I’m just making pure profit and have no obligations – overall, I love the freedom it gives me but it’s still work – I’m not just chillin’ out, sipping martinis, and being an international playboy.

The past would have shown a much greater role for Amazon Associates but two of my main sites I used with the programs saw a very dramatic hit (though they’re starting to build back up). Clickbank was doing a little better, too, but the market in the niche is starting to get saturated so the competition naturally cuts at the profits.

I’m not going to really go into my plans, at this time, but you’ll see them roll out soon enough.

Making Big Things Happen

If you want to rely on affiliate marketing and advertising than I completely understand your position – they’re great income models – but they’re not for me.

I like the ability to hand over work to a client – to know I’m directly delivering results – rather than waiting for a possible sale to roll through the door. Of course, I certainly don’t mind making a bit of passive income on the side.

My goal, for this year, is to go full-on freelancing. I’m already doing it full-time but I want to take it even further by expanding my portfolio, reaching new clientele, launching a few side-ventures in horizontal markets, and gaining leverage over my time to get more out of each day.

I got some things to work on but check back in. I’m sure you’ll see some big things happening.