As Revisions of Grandeur has grown, several folks have asked if I make much profit off my blog or if I plan to monetize (allow advertisements on) my blog. Though the idea of making some cha-ching off a blog could be enticing, I’ve decided that monetizing is not for me. Here are five reasons why.
1) I don’t want my readers to feel like I’m trying to profit off them.
I’ve stopped by plenty of blogs where, from the moment I entered, I represented a dollar sign. I’m not sure why some bloggers don’t think they’d insult their readers by putting out faux lists of their favorite products while sneaking in paid promotions, or loading their site with pop-ups to convince readers to buy a product or subscribe to an e-course, but let me just say that I pretty much can’t flee from those sites fast enough.
Which brings me to the second reason…
2) My readers are here to read, and I want them to be able to read.
We are inundated with advertisements everywhere we turn — the last thing I want is flashing lights in my sidebar and pop-ups interrupting folks from reading my actual words. I prefer a clean look and few distractions so that readers can focus on what they came for.
I mean, why allow something that competes with the mission of my work to have a presence in my space?
3) I want to keep the main thing the main thing.
A common pitfall of bloggers who monetize is that they become obsessed with numbers, statistics, page views, et cetera. They pour a lot of resources into analytics and advertising. They try to gain BIG numbers by scheduling several Facebook posts a day or tweeting their latest post a dozen times per week – it’s like they’re screaming HEY LOOK AT ME ME ME! all the time
Personally, the pressure to grow and the management and tracking of numbers would rob from my writing joy (and terrify me).
Writing is more than a job or a hobby for me — it’s a calling and a release. It’s what I need to do and feel I was made to do. I want my resources to go into the practice of writing and allow the rest to happen naturally.
But how do you grow your audience without analytics and statistics?
Well, no big secret here…
4) I allow growth to happen organically.
Honestly, it will probably take me a lot longer than those bloggers who put in the time analyzing and figuring, but I have to believe and trust that when folks enjoy my work, they share it with their friends, bringing new visitors to my site and social media accounts on a regular basis.
And last…
5) I want my motivations to remain pure.
I share a lot of personal information through my writing, and a fair amount of information about family and friends. If I’m telling stories that involve my loved ones, there’d better be a purpose in doing so.
One significant motivator in the consideration of starting this blog was to use it as a platform for Grand Edits Feature Stories. My Grand Edits guests have shared with me, and with all of you, some of the greatest struggles of their lives, from adjusting to life as a quadriplegic to overcoming drug addiction to grieving multiple pregnancy losses. I am deeply grateful for their willingness to articulate these experiences, and for the way their stories have spread like wildfire through thousands of readers. I feel honored that Revisions of Grandeur is the platform by which many of their stories have been granted a voice.
If I am going to ask family, friends, and community members to trust me with the stories of their lives, I need them to know I’m doing it from a pure place. I’m doing it with the desire to heal, encourage and uplift.
I’m doing it for the love, not for money.
Does that mean I refuse to write for money? Heavens, no. When I take on freelance work, I receive payment. When I publish books in the future, I’ll get some sort of kickback. For me, that’s different.
But this little blog will remain unpolluted. I’ll do my darndest to honor the people who share this space and to push away distractions that could separate me from my delightful readers.
There you have it, darlings.
I’m not saying my way is the way for everyone. If blogging IS someone’s business (and it can be a profitable one, no doubt), that’s their prerogative. If other bloggers have found discreet ways to advertise and promote, that’s swell for them!
Mine is just one blog in an ocean of many, and I wanted my readers to know where I stand and where I intend to remain.
As always, thanks for reading.
❤ Stacy
If you enjoyed this post, read more personal essay here.
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REVISIONS OF GRANDEUR 
I am super new to blogging. I’m a stay-at-home mom with a disability and I love you’re idea of a pure blog. I think it’s so super great that you can do that. I started blogging so that I could get more experienced with writing while helping others at the same time.
I do think that if I could make some side income I would have to take that option. I do not like sites that have those pop ups every few minutes, though, and I refuse to have anything like that. Because, like you, I don’t want my site to seem intrusive. However, I also see through a “provider lens” as Athena mentioned.
I enjoy reading your content because it’s not empty. You write in such a way that your words don’t seem hollow. I really hope that I can be as good of a blogger as you are one of these days. I’d even settle for almost as good!
❤
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What a perfectly clear massage about how passionate you are about writing!! Respect.
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Thank you. It is one of the great pleasures of my life! Best, Stacy
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I am extremely elated to stumble upon your website. Your motivation behind why you write is inspiring. It’s not always that money brings satisfaction of your work, sometimes reward comes in a form that only you can feel its gratification.
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Yes! Writing is one of my first loves. Since I was a young girl, it has brought release and contentment. In a culture that is always looking for a paycheck and a pat on the back, I hope to protect the gift that writing has been for me. Thanks so much for reading my post and for the kind words. I hope you’ll stop by again! Stacy
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I really a appreciated your thoughtfulness on this one. With my 25 passionate readers, I don’t think I’ll ever face this problem, but I do find myself immediately skipping any blog that just seems like a commercial.
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I’m glad you can relate to my sentiments. I’m also glad to be part of the passionate 25! 🙂 Cheers, Stacy
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These are great thoughts. For the record, though, I wouldn’t think of you any differently if you did decide to monetize in the future. After all, it would just help you better provide for your family, since that’s what money is for, right? Of course, I’m the breadwinner of my family, so I can’t help but look at opportunities to make money through a “provider” lens. 🙂
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I completely understand this perspective, Athena. I do enjoy my paid writing work as well, and feel it’s a great thing when passions can provide financial profit. Even though I’ve decided to work for pay elsewhere, this kind of thing takes a different shape for every individual. Someone who is the family breadwinner would surely have a perspective unique to my own. Thanks for chiming in, and for the kind support! Blessings, Stacy
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Awesome 🙂
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Thank you, Jesska!
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Thank you for this post, Stacy! I started writing after I got sober. Before I began my blog in January of this year, I asked my sponsor at the time if he had any wise words for me. He gently took me hand and said, “Always remember why you started, Lucy.” And I started to share my story so that others might be able to relate and to feel less alone.
Purest intentions aside, I have been reeling with anxiety about how to help my freelancing career take off. As it stands, the freelance thing has taken on a life of its own, without the help of potential income from my blog. Thank you for reinforcing my initial instinct: to remember why I started.
I’d rather have reader love than reader money.
xo
Lucy
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You just made my morning, Lucy. There is something sacred about doing what you love just to do it, isn’t there? It is both healing and rejuvenating.
Thanks for relating and sharing your heart.
I am coming over to visit your blog as well!
Have a wonderful day, my friend.
Stacy
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😀❤️
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Thank You Stacy, you are so honest and tender and I would share with you because I trust you. GOD will bless you , money is not what it should be all about , GOD will bless you in ways you have never thought about.Keep up the good work this old lady so enjoys all you write about and yes, you were made to do this. Love and blessings to you and the family. Doris
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I heard once on a Freakonomics podcast that “incentives rule the world”. It sure is refreshing to see an incentive other than dollar signs. Pure intentions and a lack of ulterior motives make this blog even more special. Thanks.
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Thank you. You know what this blog means to me 🙂
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I’m with you on this one… Sometimes my writing makes some money, but never through my blog. Excellent advice.
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Glad to hear you agree! I can tell your blog is a ton of fun for you too, and a great creative outlet. Thanks for reading and relating 🙂
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