Welcome to the 2017 income report from B. Britnell. I’m excited to share what’s been happening lately. I’ve been working from home full time for almost a month and, while I’m still finding my rhythm, the change has been energizing. I expected more free time, but running a business and a blog takes more organization than anticipated — and that’s okay.
I’m also balancing blog work with my role as a video producer. Recently I’ve spent a lot of time creating videos for other blogs and less time producing content for my own. I’m establishing a schedule that will give me dedicated time each week to focus on my blog content and improve consistency.
On to the report.
The Traffic
Overview
Traffic dipped slightly in December, but despite that decline I recorded my best income month ever on the blog. December is typically a slower month for traffic and I published fewer posts than usual. I also pulled back from some behind-the-scenes tasks like submitting to recipe sites and reduced social posting to give myself a break before the new year. All of that contributed to the traffic dip.
That said, traffic bounced back in January and looks poised to be my best month yet.
Top Ten Traffic Sources
In December Pinterest traffic outpaced Google for the first time in a while. I’m investigating why this shift happened. I tend to make large changes — for example to Pinterest scheduling — without tracking their impact thoroughly. My goal for 2017 is to implement better tracking so I can measure which strategies are working.
The Income*
Some links below are affiliate links. These are products and services I use and recommend. If you have questions, feel free to email me.
- Mediavine: $929.18
- Sponsored Post: $2,300
- Food Blogger Pro: $11.60
This came from a post encouraging bloggers to sign up for Food Blogger Pro. - Food Photography School: $29.70
Revenue from a post with tips and tricks for food photography. - Greater Than Gatsby: $15
Income from posts about editing photos with Greater Than Gatsby presets. - Amazon: $44.04
Affiliate earnings from product links across the site. - Click It Up A Notch Ebook: $14.40
From a post about learning DSLR manual mode.
*I have not included income from my food photography and videography client work.
Total: $3,343.92
This month I transitioned to working on my business and blog full time. You can read more about that decision on my site. The shift is going well, though I’m still fine-tuning a daily routine.
I debated whether to include income from my photography and videography business but chose not to. I want these income reports to be useful to other bloggers and to document the blog’s growth specifically. Since client photography and video work is a separate income stream, I’m keeping it separate for clarity.
December was my best income month thanks to a few great sponsored posts and higher ad CPMs at the end of the year. January’s earnings are typically lower but I’m pleased with how December closed out.
Expenses
- WP Engine Hosting: $141.98
- Food: $200 (estimated). I’m recording client-related food expenses separately when possible but this month remains an estimate as many costs were paid from the same business account.
- Props: $0
- Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop + Premiere: $10.91 + $19.99
- Mailchimp Premium: $20
- The Blog Village: $25
Total: $417.12
Some readers have noted my hosting costs are higher than average. I recently switched from WP Engine to Synthesis Hosting, which charges a flat $47/month for up to 10,000 pageviews per day. That plan is more cost-effective for my needs and should remain so even if I upgrade in the future. I’ll report back on how the new host performs.
Working with Brands
My 2017 income goal is to secure one or a few long-term brand partnerships. I’m currently working with a brand on a project-by-project basis, but I’d like a yearly agreement that provides predictable income and allows me to authentically promote products I truly believe in.
Last week I spoke at length with a brand representative about a long-term collaboration. We first connected at the Natural Foods Expo last September, and this ongoing communication shows the value of cultivating relationships. Once details are finalized I’ll share insights about the process.
I currently find sponsored opportunities through networks like Clever Girls and Socialix. I prefer Socialix because it lets me communicate directly with brands and pitch my rates, often proposing fees for sponsored posts and for sponsored posts plus video. Brands often opt for the added video. Many networks set low rates that undervalue the work, so I also reach out directly to brands via email and social media to propose authentic campaigns that benefit both readers and sponsors.
Note: Socialix has a requirement to join (I believe around 5k followers on at least one platform). Even if you don’t meet a campaign’s stated requirements, it’s worth applying — I landed a strong opportunity that way.
What I’m focusing on this month
My main goal for January is stability. I’m working to establish a schedule that balances client video projects and blog work. Starting in February I aim to consistently post three recipes per week and produce two videos for the blog each week. Publishing two videos weekly will be a stretch, but with better organization I hope to reach that level.
That’s the update for this month. If you have questions or need help, please reach out. Writing income reports has connected me with many thoughtful readers and fellow creators, and I’m always open to conversation. I already have requests to share my video shooting and editing workflow, so look for posts about that topic in the coming months.