Count the days since new years, you Beer Bloggin’ Bastard you. At the time of writing this, it’s been 30 full days since 2011 began. The last full year before the end of the world…some from California will say.
You remember what we spoke about last time, you can read it right here -> Class Begins Now - no need to repeat my exciting self to you.
Long story short, I went on about how the generally accepted idea of “not being able to make money from Beer Bloggin” or how “one can’t really ever expect any real type of income” or “how one can’t build a brand and or business” from their efforts is well…incredibly stupid and just plain freaking wrong. Don’t argue with me, I promise you I’m right on this one. Almost a decade of internet marketing experience and a job in the field will do that to you.
It’s been a while since I last posted anything up. Actually…shit…it’s been a little over a month. Well I’m here now in the virtual “flesh” and since this is the first post after the fact, I need to bring up the question.
What have you done with your Beer Bloggin’ life since the new year started?
I could care less about the new blog widgets you installed, the new theme you’re running, new posts about new beers you’ve tried etc. Ok I do care, but that’s not really the damn point right now.
I want to know what strides you have made if any at monetizing your beer blog, beer site, beer network etc…building your brand…and creating an actual business out of your hard working passionate ways.
What is it you’ve done? Why did you do it? Did you always intend on it or was it a recent change in your perception and idea on this matter? What do you want out of all of this…as in what’s your goal?
I’m opening this up to some SERIOUS (despite my immaturity) discussion here Beerlings…and for a reason. I’m already working “behind the scenes” with a couple Beer Bloggin’ Bastards helping them turn what was always just perceived as “just a beer blog” into something that adds value into the lives of others and gives back to one’s passionate pursuit.
Remember, Damn That’s Good Beer’s direction is now focused on turning your passionate and hard work into something that gives back. So now the floor is yours to answer my questions…discuss…and ask your own questions…
…Shall we begin?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I am new with my blogging, a beer beginner, a homebrew plebe with a desire to introduce and educate newbies on the beauty and seduction of beer. And not your dad’s horse piss beer either. Damn good craft brew! I do have somewhat of a plan to try and stack “the cheese” with my blogging. I’m planning to brand myself with t-shirts, decals and tattoos (jk about the tattoos…but, maybe not if it’s on someone’s ass. LOL)
Yeah, so anyway. I’m with you. Looking forward to the other comments.
vanessa recently posted..Animal Planet
@Vanessa
…”Dad’s horse Piss Beer”….
Vanessa, you need to coin that phrase! I’m loving it!
I’m very glad to see that while you’re new to this, you’ve already thought ahead to the “I don’t want to do all of this for free” mentality. Many people seem to jump at the idea of making money off their efforts as if doing so will turn your work into some sort of scam operation, or the idea that you’ll end up losing all credibility.
That’s of course complete ludicrous. Okay sorry, I got off subject. It’s just that it seems many new folks that come into beer bloggin’ seem to have this initial perception. I don’t know why.
Branding yourself or your…well…brand is a very funny thing. Often times, you build the brand and the money follows. I hear many people complaining (or telling me directly) how it’s so hard to make money of their site/blog, completely forgetting that they have zero or very little brand equity. Build your brand equity, and you’ll be very surprised to see how many money making opportunities open up that you never dreamed of, or that don’t even have anything directly to do with your blog/site. That’s a different discussion on it’s own later…
Also, if you’re going to put a tattoo on someones ass, I have a few beer bloggers in mind that might make the perfect candidates! Mwuahahahah
Thanks so much for the comment Vanessa, I’m always around if you have any questions or comments and if you want to ask anything here about this particular subject or if I’m a boxers or briefs kind of guy
…ask away!
Ilya
Hi Ilya,
I have been sluggish on my blog for a couple weeks, but I contributed a craft beer post to another more general South Dakota blog that got a good number of hits! This guest article probably got more reads than anything else I have done. It felt good to help spread the craft beer message. Cheers!
Dale
Dale Miskimins recently posted..Black Hills Beer Fest
@Dale
As you can see my posting schedule hasn’t exactly been top not either. Life has a tendency to get in the way, and running a company while working for a great company makes it a bit difficult in times…though I have to admit that sometimes…I just use it as an excuse of fall back for the lack of new content.
That being said…sometimes it’s not all about how often you post up new content, but how valuable the content is and whether or not your bringing in the right eyes at the right times to your content. So to make short…keep the content moving on your blog, and while content is still king and posting often is fantastic and receives much Google love…don’t get too caught up in the idea that you need to be posting every 30 min
.
Congrats on the guest posting! I love doing those too! For me, it’s not about the extra exposure that I get to my blog or site for example, but it’s the opportunity that I get to make a new connection with a fellow blogger or site owner in the arena. I get to work with them first hand and get what I feel is very valuble and meaningful content out in front of more eyes which I feel makes a difference and gives a bigger impact. As you can tell…that’s exactly what you accomplished, so CONGRATS DALE!
Any plans or ideas to move into some kind of revenue strategy or at the very least have the blog pay for itself and say some of your beer travel (hint hint BBC11!)??
Thanks so much for the comment Dale!!!
Ilya
My posting schedule is not regular either as I have decided to stop posting reviews for the time being. I may start posting my thoughts on beers again but I instead just blog about industry news, trends and events that pigue my interest. I would love to make some revenue with my blog to support at least paying for some beer and maybe enough even to get some home brewing equipment. I am just a novice and I know google ads and amazon associates doesn’t really make anyone any money.
I have thought about selling some ads on my blog but like I said not being to keen on the HTML behind the wordpress engine I use it would be hard.
Oh and Ilya I so want a pint glass to use with that squirrel and slogan so hook a brother up!!!
Seth M recently posted..Home Brew York
@Seth
Yes, yes I know…it’s taken me forever to get around to everything. I know and I’m sorry…I haven’t been this busy non stop in such a long time.
Anyway enough of that. So….
You’re 100% correct that putting up Google ads (Adsense) and Amazon affiliate stuff won’t really do much good. Personally, I’m very much against getting paid pennies for hard work of high quality.
The amount of money that you’re looking to make off your blog is so minimal it’s actually easily achievable if you just spend some time changing things around and dedicating some good quality work time to your blog. Then developing very SIMPLE system to work it all. I would actually caution against putting up ads. You get paid less for your work, and you’re not really building a viable business out of just small scale media buys. You can work those in too if you wish, but I wouldn’t say it’s “tops”.
As for the HTML and any of that work behind the scenes, it’s pretty damn simple (Been doing it for 10 years) so any issues you have or anything html that you want to or need to put up there are two guys you can come to; myself and Billy Broas (I’m sure he’ll always be around to help).
As for the squirrel…what did you have in mind?!
Ilya
As for the pint glass … I mean make and sell pint glasses with the squirrel and your slogan its awesome!!!
Seth M recently posted..Craft Beer Crafts – Bottle Cap Magnets
Nice post, it was interesting to hear a viewpoint promoting monetizing a blog. Its true that usually its the opposite, people see it as a sell out and a loss of credibility. I think its totally fine personally, as long as you don’t have gigantic cheeseburgers for sale all over your blog, I find that kind of thing a bit distracting and I think it takes away from the blog. I personally don’t have a monetizing strategy just because I write about my home brewing and beer opinions mostly for fun and don’t want to get too into the business side, but if others choose to, no worries. Anyways, just wanted to say I enjoyed the read, Cheers
BB
Basement Brewer recently posted..Review – Phillips Ginger Beer
@BB
Thanks so much for stopping by, and thanks for so much for sharing your viewpoints and opinions!
You’re completely correct (in my opinion) that there isn’t anything wrong with that, and for me personally…those who are bothered by it simply annoy me just a tad. But that’s another story within itself.
Question for you though….if you’re talking directly about brewing especially…WHY NOT do something to produce some sort of revenue from your efforts? Even if it’s just enough to pay for your brewing activities monthly?
P.S. The only thing wrong with cheeseburger ads on a beer site is that they’re not relevant to the visitor or the end user…meaning you have more effective money making options you can employ
Ilya
Ditto on that pint glass!! Do you sell those and make money?
mwahahahaa.
@Vanessa
Hahahah!
Are you asking if I sell the logo, or the actual type of pint glass that my furry little squirrel (that sounded so dirty
) is holding?
Ilya
@Seth
OH OK!!! Hmmm….ok I have to admit, that’s a pretty good idea!!!
Damn it, now you got me all caught up in thoughts! You’re giving me brain pain
Ilya
LOL!!!!!
You said “furry little squirrel”…
The pint glass, not the logo…however, I am a logo designer (when I’m not chasing kids around my house and drinking myself silly with damn good craft brew). So, if you’re in the market.
@Vanessa
Sounds innocent enough of a phrase to say…but this is me. Maturity does not come standard here
.
That’s not a bad idea though over all…to slap my logo on an English pint glass. Hmmm!!!
Logo designer huh!
We just brought a new designer on board for KaBoga.com BUT I think I MIGHT know of a couple of bloggers that need some logos done. I’ll get back to you on that one.
Ilya
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