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Something that’s popular in the blog-osphere lately is income reports where bloggers report, typically on a monthly basis, the numbers behind their blogs. I’ve always been rather addicted to these and have drawn a lot of knowledge, insight, and inspiration from seeing some of my fellow bloggers grow.
Pinch of Yum, the queen of food blogger income reports, was my first introduction to them. They’ve been publishing monthly reports since August of 2011 when they made $21 that month on their blog. Now, over 4 years later, Pinch of Yum is making well over $40k/ month from their food blog. The thing that makes their income reports so special is that they pack the reports with a wealth of knowledge. Every single month they offer tons of tips and tricks that they have learned through trial and error that have helped their blog grow and thrive. I’ve learned so much from their reports.
For the longest time, I was convinced that their income and success was just an anomaly. But then I saw countless others publishing similar reports with rather similar results. Ever since then, I’ve been a bit obsessed with the notion that so many amazing bloggers are making a good income from doing something that they love.
I mentioned recently that one of my resolutions for 2016 is to really focus on my blog. In case it’s not apparent, I’ve become completely obsessed with all things food photography and blogging since starting my blog and now that I’m officially retired from derby, I have about 15 more hours per week of free time to work on it.
SO, all of this to say that starting next month, I’m going to begin posting income reports for B.Britnell. I’m kind of really nervous about it but I’ve been thinking about it for a while now and it’s just something that I really want to do. For the most part, I’m wanting to do it as a way to track my growth and as a way to see more clearly how I’m doing.
Last night I was working on my business taxes and was surprised to see that I actually made well into 5 figures in 2015 from my food photography and blog (mostly from food photography). I also put a HUGE portion of that back into my photography (bought several new lenses and other equipment this year) and my blog (spent an average of ~$50/ week buying food for the blog and bought way more food props than anyone really needs AND went to a food blogging conference). So, that’s where I was in 2015. I’m eager to see how much I can grow in 2016!
So, until next month’s income report, here are a few food blogs that publish income reports that I always derive inspiration from: Show Me The Yummy, Pinch of Yum, A Sweet Pea Chef, Platings & Pairings, Kitchen Sanctuary, Jessica Gavin, Rhubarbarians, and for a non-food blog income report: Helene in Between.
AND, I’m going to close with a cute picture of my cat :D
OKAY FINE. 3 cute pictures of my cat.
I’ve never seen income reports, except on Pinch of Yum, but I’ll check out the others! Since I only just started my food blog yesterday, I can’t imagine ever writing one, but if I get to that point as a blogger where I am making an income, I would be kind of weirded out to write my income reports. Not so much about people/visitors knowing my income, but about my friends and close family reading it and knowing my income. I guess I just grew up in a place/surrounding where income/money wasn’t ever really talked about and always kept private, so it’d be strange to give everyone I know an open breakdown of my income and expenses.
On the other hand, it is really helpful to aspiring full-time bloggers, and also is inspiring to read about, and I would like to someday be someone that gets to that level and can inspire others that they can do the same. Good for you for doing it this year. Excited to read more :)
Honestly, I’m VERY nervous about that myself. I also never thought that I would be doing them but for whatever reason I feel really pulled to do so. As much as they make me cringe, I LOVE looking back at some of my first posts and seeing how far my photography has come. I think I’m hoping to get something similar out of this as well.
Thanks for this list of income reports. I love them too and I haven’t seen some of these before! I look forward to reading yours next month!
Thanks Jess! I’m nervous about doing these reports but I think it will be good for me to see it all spelled out and hopefully the info can help even just one person.
It’s really great to see the growth you’ve had! Can’t wait for next month’s report :)
Thanks Carmella! That means a lot :)
Can’t wait to check out your report Brita! Thanks for including a link to my income reports! I need to get my December post wrapped up this weekend! PS – Your cat is the cutest!
of course!! I LOVE your reports and have learned so much from them!
Interesting trend I see lots of blogs adopting
It is an interesting trend. I honestly NEVER thought that I would jump on this bandwagon but here I am :)