Starting a blog about sewing/quiting...

[EeyoresGal]

I know people do it for $$ but I havn't a clue how. I decided to blog just to share some of my geektasticness with the world, whether it wants me or not. Lolol. I love to share the things I make, and share how I did it in case someone else can use the info. Or improve it for that matter...I'm also a little afraid of it getting too complex, or feeling like a job, and I don't want the thing I do for stress relief to turn into a stress if that makes any sense...so I hesitate to even research how to attempt to make $$ on a blog or with etsy. I am a huge supporter of online blogging and crafts tho, so of you take the plunge let us know so we cam follow and support you!

[Molamola]

I decided to blog just to share some of my geektasticness with the world, whether it wants me or not.

That's my sole purpose for using Facebook right there! Love geektasticness, I'm going to use that one, I'll trade you awesanity if you like!

I'd like to blog but life experience has taught me that the maximum length of time I can journal for is two weeks. I'm an attention seeking ego-monster so I need feedback!

[ajs88]

There are too many fees as soon as somethings online and everyone wants a bargain.

Have you thought of running a small course or workshop, say how to make a baby blanket, if you have surplus supplies you could pre-cut charm packs in advance and thus keep the whole fee, it could be bring a sewing machine along or if you have or can borrow more you could give a discount to those bringing their own or charge more to use yours.

[Silverlining]

I maintain a website, podcast and blog. I also have an Etsy shop where I sell things on the side that I make myself. My blog is more intended to follow my quilting journey, share free tutorials with readers, post show notes for my podcast and give reviews of products.

What have I gotten out of it money wise? Not a whole lot. I have a sponsor (who traded product for advertisement) and will hopefully garner some more sponsorship along the way. It's taken me almost two years to build to that point and things didn't really take off until I started the podcast a little over a year ago.

Blogs with lots of traffic tend to make a majority of their money through advertisements and sponsorships. Lots of them get free products to try out in lieu of actual money. It takes a long time to start getting the attention of advertisers and you need to constantly update your blog with content readers find useful (I.E. - FREE) or they won't keep coming back. People like free tutorials and the websites that offer free tutorials are the ones that get the most traffic in general. Bonnie Hunter has a very successful website but she has hundreds of free patterns and tutorials available for people to use. Just look at MSQC - would they be as popular if they didn't have free video tutorials?? Nope.

IMO don't do a blog because you're looking to cash in. You'll be very disappointed if that is your reason for starting one. Start one because you want to keep track of your work, see progress, share photos, get ideas from other people, make new friends and learn a bit along the way.

This is absolutely the best piece I have ever read concerning a "blog" about making money or otherwise. Your opinion is sound advice. Thanks for your post.

[EeyoresGal]

Mola, LOLOLOL. *hugs* Tradsies!! <3

[coffeebreak]

Thanks everyone for your input. I do Squido with just certain things/projects and I do earn that way and have done blogs that have earned nothing, but took alot of time to do them! I like sharing and "visiting" and all that..but with the budget so short, I need to do what ever I can to earn a little too. I was doing my blogs for about 4 years..with Adsense and affiliates and I think I might have earned $100 in those 4 years, but that was in the middle 2 years mostly just at the end of when blogging took off and then ..everyone had one! I can't do podcast or videos..dont have the equipment to do that so it'd just be pictures and typing for inststruction and I don't have anything free to give away - I did learn about that when I was blogging but same thing..nothing free to give! Well, I do take that back.. I was doing a blog about scrapbooking and did send free things with orders, but it still didn't do that much. I guess I've found my home here....you guys are just stuck with me!!