Comments on: Alternative Income Streams – December 2008

By: Lazy Man

Lazy Man — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:57:34 +0000

I’ve seen AdSense drop lately, but it was a record last month. I think the recession is part of the reason for the drop – but also my traffic has dropped this month.

I just don’t see a lot of personal health blogs being successful – which makes me think it’s possibly not the right vertical. However, I think I’m just not putting the energy I need to behind it.

By: Monevator

Monevator — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:35:01 +0000

One potential tip: I’m reading across the Internet that AdSense revenue is down due to the recession. Could that be a factor if you’re seeing more traffic but lower revenues?

Re: LM and Health, I think older bloggers are surprised just how competitive it is out there with a new blog now days.

You should probably concentrate on what’s working for maximum laziness. I’m incredibly jealous of your $2K a month Lazy Man – my financial blog makes about $1 a day at the moment. But I’m just too excited to be writing about investment to care. :)

By: Monevator

Monevator — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:27:20 +0000

One potential tip: I’m reading across the Internet that AdSense revenue is down due to the recession. Could that be a factor if you’re seeing more traffic but lower revenues?

But really I’m incredibly jealous Lazy Man – my financial blog makes about $1 a day at the moment. But I hardly focus on monetization at the moment, I’m just too excited to be writing about investment.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:53:56 +0000

My revenue, too, is down this month in spite of receiving significantly more traffic. I need to diversify away from adsense but haven’t had a ton of luck with affiliate products outside of Amazon. It’s frustrating.

By: Rich Credit Debt Loan

Rich Credit Debt Loan — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:03:06 +0000

Never lose your humanity….

Take risks….

Leverage your best assets….

You are an inspiration for all mulitple passive income households…

What was that new business you talked about? Maybe your readers could help you push it to the next level?

By: Shaun Connell

Shaun Connell — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 04:01:57 +0000

Just so you know, the fact that you struggle with ups and downs is one of the most encouraging things I’ve heard in months. Thanks for being honest. You’ve seriously put a spring into my step for the next few days. :)

By: Miss M

Miss M — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:36:41 +0000

I’ve been reading your blog for a few years, you must be doing something right. As for why some blogs make more money, I don’t know. I just started blogging a few months ago and I see others who started at the same time having way more success. I read them and try to understand why, but it eludes me.

Is it that you’re not happy with making $2k a month, or that it feels inadequate compared to what other bloggers make?

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:48:19 +0000

Publish…then Publicize….then Profit. Need all 3 to succeed. Hey, you got 3000 readers, you must be doing something right. Set up a tip jar at worst case!

By: Lazy Man

Lazy Man — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:25:08 +0000

I don’t think what others are doing is bad… it’s just that I’m well Lazy. They are seem to be working quite hard doing the extra things, while I’m content to just write a post, hit publish, and move on.

By: Andy @ Retire at 40

Andy @ Retire at 40 — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:19:16 +0000

Keep at it Lazy Man, you’re doing a great job.

As I was reading the article I wondered what it was those other blogs were doing which generated them more income. Then I read your response to Michelle “I’m just not sure if I want to take it or not.”

Once I read that, I thought that in which case, it doesn’t matter what those other blogs are doing, you need to do whatever you think is right for you and your readers.

So as I said before, keep at it and good luck for the future!

By: Four Pillars

Four Pillars — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:22:25 +0000

You’re not doing to bad with the $$. I hear what you are saying though – I’ve been terrible with monetization and it burns me that other blogs do a lot better with the same traffic.

I just need to dedicate a higher percentage of my time to monetizing.

Or do some mind mapping.. :)

By: Kevin R

Kevin R — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:12:19 +0000

LM,

Don’t get discouraged! I like your writing style and your premise, I just think you need to get back to it. You’re a lazy man trying to make money. Focus on alternative/passive income!

I found your blog when I was researching Prosper, and began searching your archives, and found out how much you were making. It’s what led me to look into blogging, which I’m getting very close to actually starting up now.

I’ve been reading a lot from problogger.com. One strategy I think would work nicely for you is mind mapping. Start with alternative income, and sit down for an hour trying to branch out ideas from there. Try a bunch of alternative income strategies as experiments and give us updates (Lazy Man labs has a certain ring to it).

You can do it!

By: Terri

Terri — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:11:10 +0000

Hey, I’ve been following your site through ‘My Dollar Plan’ site. I haven’t subscribed but check in here pretty regularly. I don’t know if this is a tip or just a thought, but you mentioned not being as successful with your Lazy Man and Health site. My first thought after reading the title was that one who is serious about health and exercise might quip at the title ‘Lazy Man and Health.’ It might be worth it to rename that blog.

But, ‘Lazy Man and Money’ is right on because who doesn’t want to make money while being lazy! LOL! Keep up the good blogging and good luck the the ebook.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:00:06 +0000

Don’t be down on what you make compared to others. If you want to feel better, I make 0$ in alternative income, I look at you and in awe of how successful you are with this blog and monetizing from it. You may want to use the ebook as a blog as well, expand your idea and gain maximum exposure out of it.

By: Lazy Man

Lazy Man — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:39:01 +0000

They’ve been good about giving me advice. I’m just not sure if I want to take it or not.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:20:27 +0000

Oh, $2166.22 is bad? That’s more than my take-home pay from a full-time job I don’t like, so I’m jealous. :P

Maybe the other bloggers who are getting more money with less traffic can give you some advice. Especially if they’re finance blogs. I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s harder to make money on a finance blog compared to other blogs because kind of people who read finance blogs surely click on advertising less.

By: PT

PT — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:17:44 +0000

I’m depressed. But I’m still subscribing. :) That’s gotta count for something.

This was a great post to read. I hope you get out of the pf funk, Lazy Man.

Can’t wait to see this side project of yours.

By: Stephanie PTY

Stephanie PTY — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:27:18 +0000

I know exactly what you mean. PTY is no where near where I thought it would be after nearly two years of writing it! The term “playing blog” is spot on for me, but I’ve got no idea how to make myself do better.

Maybe I’m lucky – the fact that I’m going to graduate soon and be forced to face “the real world” will give me a kick in the pants, one way or another.

(I want to know what this new idea is! When you start telling people, tell me!)