How My Blog Made $12,201.67 in 8 Months
I speak quite frequently here on the topic of Side Hustles. This is probably one of the reasons you were lead to my blog in the first place. When I talk about different ways you can generate additional income, I almost always mention blogging. So, in the spirit of transparency I am sharing my year-to-date blogging income (that is, January-August, 2021).
I must preface by saying that when I started this blog my intention was never to make money from it. The goal has always been to educate and inspire young professionals to lead a balanced, purpose filled “UnOrthoDoc” lifestyle while on the path to personal, professional and financial development. As it turns out, while trying to do just and providing my audience with services and products that will help make life easier/better a positive side effect was that I indirectly pulled in some cash.
From January-August 2021, my blog has generated a total of $12,201.67
Here is the breakdown:
Sponsored posts $3,700.00 - a sponsored post is an article you write on behalf of a company that would like to get in front of your audience. The key for me where this is concerned is to only agree to write such articles when it is a product or service that I have personally used or can get behind. One such article has been this one for the company molekule. I personally use the molekule air purifier in my practice, love it and can get behind it.
Affiliate links $3,399.38 - On the resources page of this blog I have products and services listed that I have used myself and even carry in my practice. I like giving my patients options especially when it come to oral care products and I extend the same to my readers. When I promote a company’s products as an affiliate I earn a small commission for the referral.
Products $5,102.29 - A large percentage of this number comes from sales from my candle company. I love scented candles and started making them for myself, family and friends back when I was in dental school. Eventually as interest grew I turned it into a business. UnOrthoDoc Candle Company started as a hobby that over time became a side hustle for me. A much smaller percentage of this number comes from the sales of digital products.
I have shared this to show that it is indeed possible to generate money from your blog. Even though I have had to do some work in generating this money, I consider some of this income passive since I don’t actively seek out sponsored posts and I get the benefit of a small commission from products I recommend because my readers get the benefit of purchasing said products at a discounted rate.
Blogging however is not easy and it’s certainly not for everyone. It requires you to work for free for a long time while you build up your audience. I have been writing o this blog since 2017 and was only able to start generating income from it in 2020 (excpet for the candle company).
