So you guys know that I am honest to a fault right? I get emails all the time asking how I do what I do with Vintage Revivals. So I have decided to share my secrets! Its going to be a continual series so if you want answers make sure you leave a comment or send me an email with your question!
Ok so Vintage Revivals is almost a year old (at the end of July) I have learned a lot of things in this year, one of them being how to make money by blogging about what you love.
You probably have noticed that I don’t have a lot of sidebar ads. I don’t really promote etsy shops etc. This is perfect for some people. But not me. Why?
Around Nov. I started getting interest from people wanting to advertise on VR. I was over the moon excited, I mean gosh they want to advertise on MY blog? Awesome! So I started with sidebar ads and giveaways. But then something happened.
I love love love the companies that advertised and this has nothing to do with them in particular but I felt like my blog was turning into “Here is my newest sponsor”, “Here is my newest sponsors giveaway”, “Here is my other new sponsor” etc. Do you know what I am talking about?
I decided that it was making the content of my blog seem a little watered down, you know when you post just to post?
So I stopped accepting advertisers. There are tons of successful blogs that sell ad space but it wasn’t right for me, that is a decision that you have to make for yourself. I don’t look down or criticize blogs that do that at all, I think they have worked out a great system and who knows maybe someday I will start that again, but for now here is how I am making a little bit of cash.
Have you ever heard of an ad network? There are tons of different ones out there. They pay different ways and do things differently. I am part of 3 so here is the low down on them. The common thread with all of these companies is that they want you to share YOUR opinion 100%.
Social Spark is an ad network where you write blog posts about a certain company or subject.
The Good:
You set your price and then they send you offers from all different types of companies. You can either accept or decline the offer. They tell you in advance how much each campaign is worth. They range anywhere from $5.00 to hundreds. They work with a lot of large brands and have AMAZING customer service.
The Not So Good:
You just have to make sure that you are blogging with what you feel comfortable with. I get offers daily from Social Spark. Most have nothing to do with my blog so I don’t accept them. You can determine yourself what is right for your blog. I just choose to keep mine on the topic of my niche.
You can see an example of a post I did that was sponsored by Social Spark and Pier 1 here.
Rivit is an ad network that runs banner ads on your sidebar.
The Good:
Rivit pays per CPM which means that each ad that runs has a set price for every 1000 times your blog is viewed. The ads have a CPM of between $.40 and $4.00 depending on the campaign. Unlike Google Adsense it is not based on a CTR (Click Through Rate)though the higher your CTR is the better ads you get… Basically you are doing nothing, other than putting the HTML on your sidebar. And you guys should know that I am a big relationship builder, and they have the cutest girl running the show over there that I adore named Stacy. She is pretty much wonder woman.
The Not So Good:
Havent found anything yet. The ads that run are pretty relevant to my site, if I had to choose something I would say that the one thing I don’t love is that you don’t know how much your average CPM rate is a day. It just fluctuates. But its not a biggie to me.
UPDATE: I would no longer recommend Rivit. Their CPMs are very very low and they are not good about paying on time.
Clever Girls is the third company that I am a part of. They are kind of a combo of the first two. In that there are sponsored posts and you can apply to be a part of their sidebar ad network
The Good:
The Ladies that run Clever Girls are HILARIOUS. They are like the cool funny girls that want to be friends with everyone. Seriously I laugh out loud at the newsletters and tweets they send out with the opportunities. If you want to participate you reply to the email. I have not done a Clever Girl post yet because I have been so busy, but I am really looking forward to it.
The Not So Good:
Haven’t found anything yet! I am quite new over there still.
So there are a few ways to contribute to your thrifting/grocery fund.
Personally I think its great to belong to more than 1 network because you can get a lot of different opportunities coming your way.
And here is the best part. They all look for blogs that are big and small!!
So click over and sign up! Even if your blog is small and you only make $50 that’s like a whole new dresser people!
And in the policy of full disclosure I have not been asked or compensated by any of the above companies to blog about this subject. I just wish that someone would have showed me when I started!
Thank you for posting this!! I have only been blogging for a few months and have been wondering about different options for making money from it. btw, you’ve only been blogging for a year and have almost four thousand followers?! I want to know how you did THAT! (cause you’re awesome- duh!) 🙂
Thank you thank you thank you for this timely post! I’ve been looking for info. You rock!
https://junkernewbie.blogspot.com/
This is just one of the many reasons I love YOUR guts Mandi, the free information. 🙂 Thanks for always sharing your secrets with us. You are the queen of awesomesauce in my book.
Thanks for this. I have been blogging for over a year now and I am still as small as when I started. I am for sure looking into (at least) those three companies.
stacinay.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for doing a post on this. I’m always wondering where to start and IF I should even try to make money from blogging. My fear is that I don’t have enough followers, not enough veiws, etc. But this makes me feel a ton more confident. Thank you for all the input. 🙂
This is SO great! I literally just started a blog 2 days ago!!! Please check it out if interested. Awesome, invaluable info. Thanks again!
First of all CONGRATS on an awesome blog! However, I’m with Brooke — What did you do when you started to get to nearly 4000 readers so fast?! Good Lord that is ah-mazing!
I am sort of a newbie to the whole blogging world. So I found this so helpful.Thank you, really.
Good post Mandi- I belong to those 3 as well. 😉
This is an incredible post. I have been looking for something like this! Thank you for being so kind in sharing your wonderful expertise! xoxo Peachey
Super informative. I’m one of the “little” guys, so it’s nice to hear there are options out there for all of us. Thanks for taking the time to write this. Just FYI, I love when a new post from you pops up in my Google Reader. You’re a guaranteed smile on my face.
Mandi, You are so awesome! Thanks for posting this. I have been wondering how people made money off of their blogs. But I’m with everyone else… how on earth did you get so many followers (besides just being awesome)? Keep up the fantastic work!
https://batsinthebelfry-katie.blogspot.com/
LOVE YOU! 🙂 Thanks so much for posting this!!! 🙂 Such great info!!
Beth 🙂
What great info, Mandi! I’ll have to check these out!! Thanks so much. 🙂
Heidi @ Show Some Decor
Thanks so much! I’m going to check these services out.
Wicked Post, Thanks so sharing!!!
I’m so excited you’re posting on this! Over at my lil blog I’m about to switch to wordpress (this weekend! Eek!) AND get “serious” about seeing what I can do to make an extra buck or two, so this is perfectly timed! I’m off to check out some of your ad networks, thanks for the tips!
Looove clever girls!! They are my current fave! 🙂
Thank you for this post… I am new to the blogging world, so I obviously don’t advertise yet- but I have been wondering about it. Great info!!
BTW- You are one of my favorite bloggers, so imagine my excitement when you put my gray & white zebra striped table in the top 10 for CSI project?! Thanks 🙂
You have only been blogging one YEAR..okay teach us how to be as awesome as you.
Ok ok I will just watch and learn.
Thanks for the list of Money making opps
Thanks so much for sharing that information. God will truly bless you for passing on the things you have learned. I was wondering though…how did you increase your following this past year?
Great info!! Thank you for taking the time to spell it out to us. Add another follower to your list.
Jane
Great information! Thank you so much for sharing! I love that your posts aren’t just another giveaway or product boost! And I know I am not the only one asking this, but HOW did you get so many followers in such a short time? I know that it is mainly because of your great content, but still–4000 in less than a year? That is unbelievable! Way to go!
Thanks so much for sharing! I had no idea!
Thanks for the tips!
Happy Friday 🙂
Emily
Mandi,
One of the reasons I started following your blog (aside from your decorating ingeniousness) is because you don’t have all the ads.
I use to work in PR and would contact bloggers to give free stuff (sigh, yes…. I’m guilty), in exchange for a post. So I know first hand how all that works.
And let me just add, good for you girlfriend for finding a way to make money without losing sight of your blog. That’s awesome. I love VR even more now!
Thanks for sharing this info!!!!
https://lolitalemon.blogspot.com/
Wow thanks for posting this! I’m the same way about sidebar ads and giveaways – it can really take away from the content of your blog. I’m going to check these networks out. Thanks for your honesty and helpfulness 🙂
What great info! Maybe someday I’ll start a blog of my own.
Just found your blog and I’m LOVNG IT. Guess I know what I’ll be reading tonight.
Wow – I can almost remember when Friday nights meant getting dressed up and going out…
Thanks for the info. I have wondered about the Social Spark thing, and you have answered lots of the questions I have. Great blog, thanks!
Hi! I’m pretty new to blogging and I was wondering where exactly I could find the number for my “unique visitors”. What do you use to get your numbers? Blogger stats, or another website? Thanks!
prettypolishedperfect.blogspot.com
I’m with Rivit too, thanks for the tips on the other sites. I am just stumbling through all this blog stuff, so I appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge!
I’m extremely inspired with your writing abilities as smartly with the structure for your blog
Just a quick question for you. I’m signing up with Social spark and I’m a little unsure of the Direct publishing. Does that mean they will just post whatever they want on my blog? Or is it something I need to authorize?
Thank you so much for such a clear explanation of each of these companies. I (recently) am a part of the Rivit Media Network, but i was still confused about how it worked 😉
Wow. This is good stuff. Thank you for sharing. I’m so timid about this topic because my blog is tiny, but I pour enough time into it each day that I’m beginning to wonder if I can get that “dresser” amount of money out of it. 🙂 It would be great to have it support my decorating habit!
There are so many ways, actually. Each person just gotta find the perfect fit for his or her personality, life, talent and regular schedule.
Good stuff Mandi! Thanks for the update on rivet. I only just put google adds on my site in January so that is all I do. I’m going to go look through your posts to see if you have any other tips 🙂
I just linked to this post from your most current post that came up on my Google Reader today. Great information. Thank you so much for sharing. I have been blogging for about a year but just recently decided to get more serious about it. Any little bit of information helps. I really enjoy your blog. 🙂
Thank you so much for this information. I just started a new blog at http://www.garbagetoglam.blogspot.com. Is it better to build up viewers before adding advertisement? Thanks so much! I absolutely love your blog!