I feel like money is one of those taboo things that people would rather sweep under the rug than ever sit down and chat about. But when I first started out as a freelance designer and blogger, I was so SO curious how others like me actually made a living off this gig. I also get asked frequently by curious friends how I earn money. So, I figured I’d share a little peak into where my money comes from, in case it’s at all helpful to anyone thinking of plunging into a lifestyle like mine. I’m also considering sharing the actual breakdowns of how much money I receive from each source, on the off-chance that it would be useful to you. Would that be helpful? Let me know!
Here’s a quick graphic to show you where my income has come from in the past few months.
Some observations:
- Here’s a numerical breakdown: In April, my graphic design services brought in 88% of my income vs 12% from this blog. In May, it was 86% from graphic design and 14% from this blog. In June, it was 95% from graphic design and 5% from this blog. A big reason I earned less from this blog in June is because I downsized my sponsorship program to focus more on design.
- I earn hardly anything from affiliate marketing (learn more about affiliate marketing here).
- That giant pink slab is from my graphic design services, which serves a majority of my income. This is interesting to me since I still spend ample time updating my blog, answering blog emails, promoting it on social media, etc…despite the fact that it doesn’t bring in much money.
- Contrary to #3, my blog is the BEST marketing tool to promote my graphic design services. Without it, I can’t imagine earning that much money as a freelance graphic designer. Many of my clients find me through my blog.
- Lastly, I’ll say that there’s potential to earn a LOT more from blogging. I don’t think I put a whole lot of effort into monetizing my blog, mainly because I don’t need to right now, but I’d love to try harder in this respect and make it a more central part of my job. I hope those pie charts don’t scare you future full-time bloggers out of pursuing it as a career! It takes a lot of work, but it’s possible. 🙂
How exactly does one get into graphic design on a blog? Could you email me a bit more info??
~ Samantha
Hi Samantha! I started my blog in February 2013 and worked very hard to build my readership from the beginning (posting everyday, using social media, connecting to other bloggers, etc). In July 2013, I did a post and created a page on my blog, advertising that I’d now be offering graphic design services. Because I’d already built a little readership, I had some clients right away (my prices were also very low in the beginning). In October 2013, I was able to quit my day job to focus on graphic design full time. My blog still brings many of my clients. I think that starting a blog first, and building your readership, is a great way to one-day sell anything online. Hope that helps!
Thank you, it definitely helps! My blog is still a baby, but I’m working on it 🙂 We’ll see where it goes! I appreciate the help!!!
Thank you for sharing your breakdown! I’m currently looking into launching a lifestyle blog as well as a PR consulting/freelance PR business in the upcoming months. This post shared some great insight! Thank you again for sharing!
That’s wonderful! You should totally do it!!
so I kind of have this mini-series brewing in my head; interviewing other bloggers who have become successful in their target areas.. would you be interested in getting interviewed?
Sounds like a cool series! I might be interested if I can find the time. 🙂
This is so interesting, Mel! Thanks for this insight. I love when bloggers are candid about blogging as a profession because honestly, it really is hard to understand how it works and how someone can actually earn a living from it. But, what can we understand under “earn a living” – how much is this generally? Maybe, like you mention in the beginning of your post, it’d be really helpful to actually hear some numbers 🙂 I even feel awkward saying this, but it would really be SO interesting 🙂 xx
Hi Michelle! I’m glad this is interesting to you! I’ll definitely consider doing a post about how much money I actually bring in — I know that would probably be more useful. For now, I’ll just say that it’s possible to earn a pretty good living. I’ve only been doing this for about 8 months, but it’s not uncommon during some months for me to earn twice as much as I was while working full-time as a teacher.
Thanks for sharing. I’ve always been curious about blogging and how people make money. It seems like it’s rather varied. Is it hard to predict?
It’s a bit varied! But for the most part, I know what the range of income I might bring in each month is, though it’s usually not quite the same each month.
These pie charts aren’t scary at all! It’s actually made me want to create some for my own business, it’s very telling. I’ve been monitoring my funds more closely this year but haven’t seen it broken down like this. Affiliate marketing is SOOOOO tricky to get a handle on.
Do it! I was pretty intrigued while making these pie charts — especially to see how little my blog actually brings in haha. I agree about affiliate marketing! I think it works better for bloggers that are product focused, like fashion or beauty bloggers.
I did it for the last three years. It’s kind of tricky because I have my blog ads all under one category, I don’t have it separated between Passionfruit ads and my affiliate ads. Another problem with Affiliate ads is you don’t get paid right away, I have money sitting in my accounts but I haven’t met the $50 minimum payout yet. I’m close!
This is so helpful! Thank you for sharing! I think most readers assume that all self-employed bloggers make 100% of their income from their blog, which is rarely the case. It seems like most make the majority of their income from other passionate pursuits such as graphic design, photography or writing.
Personally, I would love to read a post about how much money you receive from each source, especially if you could compare those numbers from when you first became self-employed to today.
I’m really glad this was helpful to you! You’re right — I think people assume I earn more from my blog, but I really don’t earn a whole lot. I’d like to though — one day! 🙂 I’ll consider sharing a post with actual dollar amounts — I agree, I think it would be pretty helpful. Thanks for chiming in. 🙂
I love that you shared this! I always wonder how earnings differ between bloggers.
It’s funny that you downsized some of your blogs stuff to focus more on design, because I’m doing the exact opposite! Haha, I still love designing, but blogging is my first creative love and I want to focus more on that. It’s less stressful for me too. 🙂
Y’know, I actually think blogging is my first love too and I’d like to follow a path more similar to yours. 🙂 Right now, graphic design brings in too much of my salary to switch over, but I have some plans to hopefully bring me to that point eventually. How are you managing that? I’d love to hear how you’re bringing in more money to blog, rather than to design!
Well, in my case I’m not the main breadwinner. My husband earns the majority of our income and anything I earn from blogging or design is just supplemental. So I have the luxury of thinking in terms of what I love more vs. what brings in more money. For blogging though, the majority of my income comes from sponsored posts through ad networks, then money I make from sponsorships, then affiliate marketing
You are right, this is something that no one talks about. But, to be successful it is something that I have questions about! Would you consider the design portion to be a full time job for you? Or part time? Just wondering if the time you put into it is worth what you are making. Thanks for this post!
Oh yes, definitely! Most months, doing graphic design brings in about twice as much as I was making while working full time as a teacher. Even in my first month of doing graphic design, I broke about even with my former salary as a teacher, so there’s definitely the possibility to do it as a full time job and make a good wage from it. 🙂 If you’re considering it, I encourage you!
I’m definitly keeping it open as an option. I’ve been watching for online courses and anything I can to keep learning it.
Funny you should say that! I’m working on something along those lines right now. Is there anything in particular you’ve been wanting to learn/know but haven’t found yet?
One of my biggest focus right now is doing my own photography styling for my blog. I took an ecourse on it through Ann Marie Loves. It helped some, but I still have trouble getting the lighting correct. And along with that, adding fonts to it so that they are readable, and fonts that go together.
This was really interested to see. I also find it interesting when the facts seemingly contradict each other. Like your blog being super important for marketing but not very monetarily valuable. I wonder how much you would have to spend on marketing in order to replace the revenue your blog brings in?
Ohh interesting question! I’m not too sure. I think another thing that’s invaluable about my blog is that it gives me credibility — I like that potential clients can feel like they know me before deciding to hire me. I think that’d be harder to do with just a website.
I like that aspect too! It’s something I’m currently working on for my own business’ blog. I think you do a great job!
Hi Melyssa! Have I mentioned that I love that your name is spelled with a Y instead of an I? Anyways, I love this post and find it very helpful. I also find it very inspiring that you sometimes make twice as much as you were when you were teaching. I’m preparing to leave my day job in the near future to pursue my real dreams and I plan on using my blog as a way to market as well. I would definitely be interested in knowing the actual numbers as well. Thank you so much!
Hi Kati! Thanks for your sweet comment! 🙂 Best of luck to you about leaving your job to pursue your passion! There’s definitely money to be made in that direction. I’ll consider posting the actual numbers. 🙂
This was so interesting! And the balance of time between keeping up a blog and working with graphic design is interesting too, as they both go together. I’ve been more curious about different work lifestyles as I’ll be graduating soon and trying to figure out what options are out there. Thanks, Mel for sharing this! 🙂
Very true! I spend almost an equal amount of time working on this blog as I do creating things for clients, I’d say. Kind of interesting, since it’s not a big money-maker!
Love this kind of posts, finally something truly useful instead outfits and restaurants suggestions!
Looking forward for the next post, would love to know more!
Afterout
haha! Glad this was useful! 🙂
I love when bloggers share information like this! If you check out Pat Flynn’s blog, he actually shows a breakdown (in numbers) of every dime he makes each month. Do whatever is comfortable to you. BUT I thank you for sharing. This is always insightful.
I think I’ve been on his blog, which is where the idea to share actual numbers came from! I found his site really helpful for that reason, too. I’m glad this was insightful for you! 🙂
Very interesting to read!
This reaffirms me the importance of using my blog to reach potential clients and also as a marketing tool to promote and make known my brand.
Thank you so much for sharing this information with us ♥
Glad this post reaffirmed that for you, Cori! I think blogs are an invaluable marketing tool. Best of luck with building your brand! 🙂
Thank you so much Mel 😀
I’m trying my best with my brand and blog. By the way, using this comment, I want to thank you for inspire and motivate me. I’ve been following you since October 2013 but I was so shy and doubtful of stepping out from my comfort zone that I never dared to leave comments, but now I’m trying to change that and here I am, leaving a comment in one of your blog post and… it feels great! 🙂
Once again~ Thanks!
Aw Cori, you’re too sweet! I’m grateful that you’ve been around for so long and even more grateful that you’re starting to share your voice here. It’s wonderful to hear from you. 🙂 Have a beautiful week!
How long did it take you to start making money from blog designs? I just started doing blog design services so it’s just something I was curious about. I’m terrible at promoting myself so I haven’t had many clients so far!
I started making money the first month I offered them, but my prices were pretty low and I was pretty well connected (i.e. obsessed with blogging/networking with bloggers) in the blog world at that time. But it took about 4 months to start earning enough to live off of it. I did lots of promotions and had cheap prices at first, if that helps. 🙂 I also advertised and did a giveaway on a big blog, which brought some new clients my way!
Melyssa, is your education background in graphic design? I’m just curious, though I feel like you most likely touched on this at some point in your blog 🙂
It isn’t actually! I majored in Multicultural Studies in college. Graphic design has just been a hobby of mine since around middle/high school and when I started blogging, I got more and more into it. 🙂
This is really interesting to read! I don’t know how much you’re into reading food blogs, but I follow a blog called Pinch of Yum, which is run by a husband/wife team. The wife does all the cooking, photography and writing and the husband does the financial/business side of things. Every month he posts a traffic and income report, which I always think is really fascinating to read. When I saw this post I immediately thought of that and thought that it might be something you’d be interested in checking out. (She also posts delicious food on the blog. Everything I’ve made has been well-received… although I think that’s only two things… I follow too many food blogs to make everything that looks good from each one.)
I just found you via bloglovin and am loving your posts – this is awesome and so interesting!
Thank you! So glad you like it. 🙂 Thanks for following!
Mel,
Thanks so much for your transparency here! I’m a huge advocate for using your blog to promote your business, not just relying on your blog to BE your business. Your experience illustrates that perfectly! More bloggers need to read it.
You’re the coolest. =)
Brittany
Thank you so much for this post, Mel. I find it quite disturbing that a lot of people refuse to talk about what they earn and how they do it. And I think it might be very helpful actually. I’m still figuring things out to start my graphic design business and maybe start blogging regularly and I’d be more than happy if I start doing it full-time so I can be 100% focused on it and so I love reading other people’s experience with it. I’d love if you continue posting like advice on how to turn blogging and design into a full-time job.
Thanks for the support, Monica! I’m really glad you liked this post. I actually have been meaning to post a new version of this “where does my money come from” with some tips and new ideas! Thanks for the kick in the pants. 🙂
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This is a great post. I love to find out how bloggers earn their money. It is very inspiring and I hardly see any posts on this topic. Also, I adore your blog and I have been reading it for 6 months now.
xoxo Tamara – http://www.tamarliel.com
So glad you enjoyed this, Tamara! There just isn’t enough info out there about blogging and earning money. And thank you SO much for reading! 6 months? So awesome. 🙂