It is hard for me to believe that the title to this post is true.
I cannot believe that I actually make money doing something that I would do for FREE!
What a blessing!
It didn’t start out that way.
Two and a half years ago, I didn’t even know what a blog was. My mom asked me if I liked to read decorating blogs, and I said, “Huh? What?”
I’m not kidding.
After Mom’s continual coaxing, I finally decided to go online and check out these decorating “blogs”. What the heck is a “blog” anyway? Weirdest name ever.
I instantly became hooked! And a couple months later, Mom convinced me to start my own blog. Reluctantly, I did. (Thank you, Mom!)
I felt completely stupid at first. No one but my husband, Mom, and sister knew I had one. I didn’t want my friends to find out that I actually posted pictures of my house online and shared with complete strangers how I made pillows or painted furniture. And I certainly didn’t want my friends to see the pictures I took of meals we ate. :)
Seriously, the blog world sounds a little crazy to “outsiders”, ya know?
But as my blog began to grow, so did my love for my blog and my readers.
Now my blog is such a part of my life and my family’s life, that I cannot imagine life without it.
It has brought our family so many blessings. Most of them are not tangible blessings, but blessings of the heart.
Okay…now back to the money part.
When I started blogging, I had no idea that you could actually make money doing it. That is NOT why I started blogging. I started blogging as a creative outlet. It was fun, and I loved connecting with other bloggers around the world.
I think most bloggers did not start their blog with the intention of making money. Making money is the added bonus.
I feel so blessed that I have been able to start making money from my blog. Who would have thunk it?
But I didn’t start making money right away, it took me a long time to build up my blog and my readership in order to make some money.
The main ways I make money are through:
affiliate sponsors,
private sponsors,
ad networks,
and sponsored posts.
Last year, I got some private sponsors in my sidebar. They paid me a monthly fee to have their button on my blog. Their hope, as my sponsor, is that my readers will click on their ad button, visit their shops, and hopefully purchase something.
I have awesome sponsors!!!
I remember feeling so “legit” when I had some sponsors in my sidebar. 
The people behind these ad buttons are precious! Some of them I have met in real life, and some I have not. I am so honored that they advertise on my blog, and I love supporting their businesses as well.
Another way I make money from my blog is through ad networks. I am currently a part of 3 different ad networks.
You can see their ads above my header…
and in my sidebar as well.
I get paid from these networks by how many page views I get on my blog each day. That means how many times someone clicks on my blog page to view it.
So yes, the more page views I have, the more money I make.
I am also able to make more money depending on how many times those ads are clicked on.
For example, if you see an ad coupon for Michael’s in my sidebar and click on it, that will give me a better “click through” rate which helps my “CPM” increase. Basically, it helps me make more money.
The third way I make money is through Affiliate Sponsors. Those are my sponsors like Canvas People and Silhouette.
Each time you click on one of those buttons and purchase something from their site, I make a small percentage of the profit.
So THANK YOU!
Lastly, I make money through Sponsored Posts.
I actually haven’t done anything of these yet, but I will be.
This is where I review a product and post about it on my blog. I will be paid to write that post, but I am free to give my own opinion. If I do not like the product, I have the freedom to say so, and I will still be paid.
So, I promise to tell you the truth.
Some people don’t like a blog with a lot of ad in their side bars. But it doesn’t bother me one bit.
Because I know that blogger is probably somebody just like me.
I’ve stayed home with my boys for 12 years. We have had to live frugally all those years, and still do.
Money has always been tight for us.
So for God to surprisingly open up this avenue for me to make a little money to help provide for my family is amazing.
Again, I would do this for FREE!
But since the opportunity is there for me to make money, I will. It seems the older my children get, the more they cost! Can I get an “Amen!”?
I am so grateful to be able to contribute to the financial needs of my family through this blog.
Let me add, I do not make a lot of money from blogging, but enough to help out. :)
I am so grateful to my readers.
Let’s be honest…I wouldn’t have a successful blog if I didn’t have you, right?!
So thank you!
Thank you for reading my blog.
Thank you for supporting me and my family.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
As a side note, if you are interested in learning more specifics about how to make money from your blog, you may want to consider coming to Haven next summer!
We will be having an in depth session about this topic.
I hope to see you there!
