Some folks do make money off their blogs... but to make it any sort of substantial income source you really have to treat it as a fairly full time job and learn a lot about SEO, social media, marketing, affiliations, etc. Compiling information into eBooks is also a lot of work, and takes understanding digital formatting for ePub, Mobi, PDF and print (if you go that route).

Most of us blog for the fun of it.. to share with our family & friends. To make new friends. To inspire others. To record our journeys. Some do it to build their reputation for other products or services they sell.

We did a video chat a couple months ago on the topic of Blogging For RVers that you can view here: www.technomadia.com/bloggingforrvers that goes over the whys and hows.


That said, aside from blogging for personal reasons, we HAVE been able to make a little side income off of compiling some of information into eBooks and using our presence as a bit of a resume. We get a good number of our technical consulting gigs via our reputation built on the blog.

Here are some of our eBook projects:

No Excuses: Go Nomadic: www.technomadia.com/excuses (free blog series to read online about a lot of the logistics - from income sources, pets, safety, family, mail/domicile, etc.) and a 'pay as you wish' eBook version.

The Mobile Internet Handbook: www.technomadia.com/internet (lots of free online content about mobile internet, and then we offer a book with even more - currently working on the 2014 edition.)


We'd compile more of our content into a pay format, but honestly - that's not our motivation. We love to share, inspire and help. So instead, we have a 'buy us a drink' button at the bottom of our page for folks to choose to send us a donation. We also have created a few mobile travel apps that or blog presence helps us get the word out about.


But at the end of the day, our blog is about sharing our journey with others, and a way for us to meet amazing people.

-- Edited by Technomadia on Monday 23rd of June 2014 09:34:08 AM

Technomadia wrote:

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Some folks do make money off their blogs... but to make it any sort of substantial income source you really have to treat it as a fairly full time job and learn a lot about SEO, social media, marketing, affiliations, etc. Compiling information into eBooks is also a lot of work, and takes understanding digital formatting for ePub, Mobi, PDF and print (if you go that route).

Most of us blog for the fun of it.. to share with our family & friends. To make new friends. To inspire others. To record our journeys. Some do it to build their reputation for other products or services they sell.

We did a video chat a couple months ago on the topic of Blogging For RVers that you can view here: www.technomadia.com/bloggingforrvers that goes over the whys and hows.


That said, aside from blogging for personal reasons, we HAVE been able to make a little side income off of compiling some of information into eBooks and using our presence as a bit of a resume. We get a good number of our technical consulting gigs via our reputation built on the blog.

Here are some of our eBook projects:

No Excuses: Go Nomadic: www.technomadia.com/excuses (free blog series to read online about a lot of the logistics - from income sources, pets, safety, family, mail/domicile, etc.) and a 'pay as you wish' eBook version.

The Mobile Internet Handbook: www.technomadia.com/internet (lots of free online content about mobile internet, and then we offer a book with even more - currently working on the 2014 edition.)


We'd compile more of our content into a pay format, but honestly - that's not our motivation. We love to share, inspire and help. So instead, we have a 'buy us a drink' button at the bottom of our page for folks to choose to send us a donation. We also have created a few mobile travel apps that or blog presence helps us get the word out about.


But at the end of the day, our blog is about sharing our journey with others, and a way for us to meet amazing people.

-- Edited by Technomadia on Monday 23rd of June 2014 09:34:08 AM

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 You folks exactly what I was thinking..

 

Do you sell your stuff on Ebay, amazon, facebook, esty ? Etc..

 

Not to concerned about the techy stuff... That can easily be contracted out? Compiling the info in digital format.. seems to be the time consuming part? 

How about subscription services? any of that?

 

Or am I crazy looking for a income source? Seems you folks, The Jack guy, few others are doing it hot and heavy.. Either there;s money in it? Or you guy have ALOT of free time, and want to share? 

We started ours for our family. And we love that others occasionally go and look and contact us about where we've been, suggestions we might have, etc. We don't have any ads, links, etc., on ours.

Barb

Has anyone setup their own website using GoDaddy?
I know it's more than a blog, although a portion/page of it could be. The rest advertising your particular service or product.
Or, you could go the route many folks here have done and have a website/page like RV-Dreams, or Technomadia that just has tons of information available for others for free.

Ok.. Another question pops up..

What is the benefit of doing a blog versus a social media site like Facebook or twitter?

The Junkman wrote:

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Ok.. Another question pops up..

What is the benefit of doing a blog versus a social media site like Facebook or twitter?

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It is easier to dig back and find older posts and your posts do not get lost as the new stuff comes in.  Social media is all about "now", blogs are more about "yesterday and earlier".   They really are different.  But some who used to blog now mostly update on Facebook or some other social media, since it is a better match to what they want than a blog.   Time can be your enemy here, how much time do you have to put out updates?

Plus, social media is a much larger system that your followers have to join and want to check, which not everyone wants to do.  I know people who only look at Facebook when told, since they find daily checking overwhelming or irritating.  Especially if someone they have friended overshares, or they see too many ads or "you might find this interesting" posts they don't want to see.

First, I know nothing about rv'ing.. the life.. the business.. Nothing..Everything I say is hypothetical.

Seen some where recently there are 8 million Rv's registered. That's a good size market by anyone standards..

I'm sure there is money it.. or manufacture discounts, rebates, finders fees, free product demo's .. whatever.. it's still money. And money will make you biases. And that makes it complicated.

You can't get paid if you give a bad review of something..lol Or if you don't consider ALL the information, and not just the stuff that fit's the sales pitch.

I think If where to do something .. it would be comparisons of everything .. everything in that catagory.. and provide unbiased information.. Very doubtful a manufacture that would fair poorly would pay, or even provide the product for free..Same can be applied to rv's, campgrounds, discount services, etc.. anything really.

So thinking outloud.. there lies the danger. Do it bias and make money, or unbiased and have a better customer following.. My old company slogan was " Service is our technology" I think that could apply here.

How far off am I ?

In my case my website started years ago with a free Tripod site....it started because I was answering the same email questions about HDTs and about Solar/electrical topics. This was back in like 2002-2003. Because I was getting the same or similar questions over and over I compiled the answers into a Word document that I could clip text from to answer emails more easily. Having been in the computer software business all my life, it was a natural step to go to a website - which greatly cut down on the work from my perspective. Because the nature of my stuff is more static information, it suited itself to a static website, rather than a "blog"....although the info could be adapted to a blog like Chris and Cherie have. And I am headed that way....

Over the years the website grew in both the info it held and the visibility of it. From a readership perspective it does not do too bad for the kind of site it is...I do have enough traffic that I could monetize it, but as Cherie said - that then becomes more of a "work" item than anything else.

From a revenue perspective I never put Google ads on my website until a few years ago, and I do not take affiliate ads, although I am routinely asked to do so. The site has only TWO Google ads. One above the "fold" on the home page, and one above the fold on the Electrical page. From those two ads I get enough revenue to cover the costs of the site. But little else. It used to be that an RV site with a fair amount of traffic and well placed/managed Google ads could generate in the $800-1200/month range in revenue. That is declining in recent years - as is all ad revenue from Google. Mommy blogs seem to have the most revenue generation capability. While none of the big ones publish their numbers, I expect that most were generating 10,000+ a MONTH in the past. I base that on some market research I saw, and on ONE site that I did see a real number on a few years ago. I don't have a feel for right now but I suspect revenue is down.

I do the website strictly for the benefit of the community at large. I really don't get anything from it other than some satisfaction if I can help a few people. Mine is strictly technical information that I have personal experience with. I don't republish general "information" like some of the RV sites do. I only publish my personal experiences. On the product reviews I do I take no money, but I do get products. I'm slowly backing away from doing product reviews. Mostly I have done them in the Communications area, and Chris and Cherie can take that up with their new business and book. And I'll be helping them in a small way where it makes sense on both our parts.

I've had some comm products that I have tested that did not test well. I ALWAYS give the sponsor the last say on publishing the test or not. So I have some I have not published :( It is not hard to be unbiased. Facts are facts....and the products I test either work or do not, always in a quantifiable way. I don't test "squishy" stuff. Only things that can be quantified in some fashion.

Jack Mayer wrote:

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In my case my website started years ago with a free Tripod site....it started because I was answering the same email questions about HDTs and about Solar/electrical topics. This was back in like 2002-2003. Because I was getting the same or similar questions over and over I compiled the answers into a Word document that I could clip text from to answer emails more easily. Having been in the computer software business all my life, it was a natural step to go to a website - which greatly cut down on the work from my perspective. Because the nature of my stuff is more static information, it suited itself to a static website, rather than a "blog"....although the info could be adapted to a blog like Chris and Cherie have. And I am headed that way....

Over the years the website grew in both the info it held and the visibility of it. From a readership perspective it does not do too bad for the kind of site it is...I do have enough traffic that I could monetize it, but as Cherie said - that then becomes more of a "work" item than anything else.

From a revenue perspective I never put Google ads on my website until a few years ago, and I do not take affiliate ads, although I am routinely asked to do so. The site has only TWO Google ads. One above the "fold" on the home page, and one above the fold on the Electrical page. From those two ads I get enough revenue to cover the costs of the site. But little else. It used to be that an RV site with a fair amount of traffic and well placed/managed Google ads could generate in the $800-1200/month range in revenue. That is declining in recent years - as is all ad revenue from Google. Mommy blogs seem to have the most revenue generation capability. While none of the big ones publish their numbers, I expect that most were generating 10,000+ a MONTH in the past. I base that on some market research I saw, and on ONE site that I did see a real number on a few years ago. I don't have a feel for right now but I suspect revenue is down.

I do the website strictly for the benefit of the community at large. I really don't get anything from it other than some satisfaction if I can help a few people. Mine is strictly technical information that I have personal experience with. I don't republish general "information" like some of the RV sites do. I only publish my personal experiences. On the product reviews I do I take no money, but I do get products. I'm slowly backing away from doing product reviews. Mostly I have done them in the Communications area, and Chris and Cherie can take that up with their new business and book. And I'll be helping them in a small way where it makes sense on both our parts.

I've had some comm products that I have tested that did not test well. I ALWAYS give the sponsor the last say on publishing the test or not. So I have some I have not published :( It is not hard to be unbiased. Facts are facts....and the products I test either work or do not, always in a quantifiable way. I don't test "squishy" stuff. Only things that can be quantified in some fashion.

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 Hey man, Not to start a argument..

But reviewing products, and not publishing them...And/or publishing the one the "Sponsor"  says is ok to publish.. Isn't that bias ? 

By the same token .. not looking at the big picture, and looking at most products in a product set.. versus only reviewing and reccommending the ones a manufacture or sponsor gave you for free.. Is that Bias ?

You've made my point perfectly..

 

Love your site, it has been helpful. And I a small decision I would trust your recommendation .. and buy your sponsors product.  But Bigger stuff, I need to search out the full product set and look for additional opinions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the same token .. not looking at the big picture, and looking at most products in a product set.. versus only reviewing and reccommending the ones a manufacture or sponsor gave you for free.. Is that Bias ?

You've made my point perfectly..

 

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All depends on what your goal is. If you're wanting to be more of a 'Consumer Reports' and cover all products in the same genre - there's a lot of effort and costs involved with that. Some manufactures will freely give their product to be included, others won't - depends on your reach and method of testing.  And then there's the time involved with doing an extensive and thorough review, and providing quantifiable results. 

For us, we generally just share our own research and selection process for solving problems in our own setup/travels/lifestyle.  We're not, nor are we trying to build, a review site (while our new Mobile Internet premium site will have some reviews - it's more around industry information sharing and analysis).  However because of our reach, some product manufacturers are happy to give us their product to consider when we contact them as part of our own research. Some aren't. And that's cool. We go with the product & company that offers the best product and service, not what is given to us for free.  Check our Lithium Ion Battery series (http://www.technomadia.com/lithium) - we shared all of the products we considered in our research phase for selecting our cells and components, and none of them comp'd us anything and we have no financial involvement in that industry. Just sharing our research and build. 

It's usually because we ask thorough questions of the engineering team of most tech products we research, that we end up becoming beta testers for new products and doing unpaid for advising/consulting to the company (which I know Jack has done a lot of as well.) 

We're not out to get free stuff.. we're out to find the best solution. Which is probably part of why we've earned the trust of our readers, our goal isn't to have 'sponsors' and sell their products to our audience. It's to report our personal experience, it's just part of who we are. 

And trust me, free doesn't really mean free. The time spent testing and reporting and advising manufacturers, usually turns out to be far more effort than the value of the product is worth. We turn down more free stuff than we accept - we just don't have time. 

 

Oh, and we haven't found a single manufacturer that offers to PAY to have their product reviewed. If you want to monetize your reviews, you generally have to do so from advertising dollars, affiliate sales, becoming a reseller yourself and/or paid members to your premium content. All of which involve some extensive investment in time & effort to build up an audience. 

 

Terry and Jo wrote:

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I'm not sure I would classify that as biased with regards to the reviewing of a product.  Perhaps a manufacturer/retailer only wants to get feedback from a select group of folks that they know to be honest and creative in making suggestions or offering critical complaints.

Terry

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 The bias comes in when the supplier dictates to the tester what get published and what does not. Bad review.. don't tell anyone.. Good review.. post it up..

Ditto what Dave & Diane said

The Junkman wrote:

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And boy do I wish I could just buy a book.. with all the data .. a cheat sheet for every aspect of rv'ing..

I figure If i would pay for that.. so would alot of people.. As I said.. a consumer reports, combined with "how to" combined with "where to go".. etc.. I guess I must be dreaming to much again.

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Perhaps you have not seen how many books are out there already?

Here's just the RVBookStore: http://rvbookstore.com

Do a search on Amazon sometime for RV related books. 

And check out sites like RVTravel.com - they do a weekly newsletter covering news from all over the RV industry. 

RVTrader, RVT, GoRVing, Howard & Linda's own extensive resource site, etc.

Magazines from Escapees to FMCA to Motorhome News. 

 

There's an abundance of resources out there... from large companies to individuals. 

Compiling it all into one easy to ready cheat sheet would be quite the undertaking.  Personally, I'd rather be out here enjoying the lifestyle :D

The Junkman wrote:

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Terry and Jo wrote:

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I'm not sure I would classify that as biased with regards to the reviewing of a product.  Perhaps a manufacturer/retailer only wants to get feedback from a select group of folks that they know to be honest and creative in making suggestions or offering critical complaints.

Terry

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 The bias comes in when the supplier dictates to the tester what get published and what does not. Bad review.. don't tell anyone.. Good review.. post it up..

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I'd say there is a certain bias in withholding information, but if you are testing a beta for a supplier that is part of the requirement. Often these products are significantly changed for production based on beta or alpha testing.  But on the other hand, I pretty much do what Cherie described in reviewing products. I simply do not promote products that do not meet my needs - and presumably other RVers needs. I USE the products I review on a daily basis. I do not attempt to cover a topical area to "exhaustion". I'm not a product reviewer in a comprehensive sense. But I do think I know a superior product in the categories I have expertise in. The products I recommend are superior in their "class" at the time I make the recommendation.  In most cases they are class leaders - in other cases there could be products that are as "good" but untested by me.

As far as I can tell no one will pay you to promote or review products. If you can find a niche that does then you should take advantage of it. And doing a complete review of a product - at least of the type products I work with - is NEVER, EVER profitable to me. The time and effort to properly review is never compensated for by the "free" product. Ever. Which is the primary reason I'm moving away from it. You MUST combine product reviews with another venue for profit for it to be worthwhile. That is what Chris and Cherie are doing. For me - I had to make a decision some time ago if I wanted to go this route, and I do not. Fortunately Chris and Cherie are offering a VERY NICE deal on in depth information for those that need the latest and greatest info. No one else is doing that in this area.

Jack Mayer wrote:

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The Junkman wrote:

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Terry and Jo wrote:

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I'm not sure I would classify that as biased with regards to the reviewing of a product.  Perhaps a manufacturer/retailer only wants to get feedback from a select group of folks that they know to be honest and creative in making suggestions or offering critical complaints.

Terry

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 The bias comes in when the supplier dictates to the tester what get published and what does not. Bad review.. don't tell anyone.. Good review.. post it up..

---

I'd say there is a certain bias in withholding information, but if you are testing a beta for a supplier that is part of the requirement. Often these products are significantly changed for production based on beta or alpha testing.  But on the other hand, I pretty much do what Cherie described in reviewing products. I simply do not promote products that do not meet my needs - and presumably other RVers needs. I USE the products I review on a daily basis. I do not attempt to cover a topical area to "exhaustion". I'm not a product reviewer in a comprehensive sense. But I do think I know a superior product in the categories I have expertise in. The products I recommend are superior in their "class" at the time I make the recommendation.  In most cases they are class leaders - in other cases there could be products that are as "good" but untested by me.

As far as I can tell no one will pay you to promote or review products. If you can find a niche that does then you should take advantage of it. And doing a complete review of a product - at least of the type products I work with - is NEVER, EVER profitable to me. The time and effort to properly review is never compensated for by the "free" product. Ever. Which is the primary reason I'm moving away from it. You MUST combine product reviews with another venue for profit for it to be worthwhile. That is what Chris and Cherie are doing. For me - I had to make a decision some time ago if I wanted to go this route, and I do not. Fortunately Chris and Cherie are offering a VERY NICE deal on in depth information for those that need the latest and greatest info. No one else is doing that in this area.

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I understand the Bias thing.. But I thing someone must be careful not to give the illusion it is Unbiased. I disagree that someone can review 3 products out a market of 20, and call one the best. Unless that person is clear and says looking at the written specs.. etc..

 As to Contractors.. Exactly..  That is exactly what i was thinking.. Just pay someone to do it for you ( or work a deal ) . That how this post started.. Actually on a different thread. I used and have used contractors to do many things. It cost a little more.. but you can move faster, and focus on things YOU want to do... If I was to do anything. Majority of it would be using contractors.. for sure.

 

 

Lucky Mike wrote:

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Just keep in Mind Junkman.......the more methods you attempt to take on, the more free time you give up....(Been there, done that)

if you buy and sell....doing it at markets, rallys and such makes for social interaction and a profitable weekend...it leaves the weekdays for travel , fun and maybe a couple hours of filling E-bay or online sales to be shipped or posted ....

Its great to find a couple of Back-up means to get income flow.....but if you put them all in motion ...Remember they all will require your attention at the same time!

I get asked all the time to ship signs or take orders during the week and as much as I would like to make the money and gain the customer base.....I would not be able to "Live, Breathe & Relax"......my take on the RV Lifestyle is that the stress of money is no longer going to control my life.......in the last couple of years ,I learned it the hard way!!!

if one must work....find a simple love and groom it and you will never really work!!

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 Well said Mike