Why am I using ads and affiliate programs?
I’d like to be paid for my work. I know you understand that feeling. My blog is an extension of my art and if I don’t make money from my blog, that’s like working for free. At the most it would be cutting into the money I earned from each painting. I don’t want to have to sell twice as many paintings just to run my blog.
What does this mean for the future of the blog?
I’m not sure yet. I have only used Adsense in the past and I’m learning as I go. I haven’t been trusting of affiliate programs in the past so I understand any worries you may have. If I can lay any of those worries to rest, I would like to say:
I promise everything I post about will be something I use myself, just like it has been without any affiliation. The posts will be my honest opinion and I will not in any way abuse your trust for a dollar. I appreciate anyone coming to this site. I love my blog. I’ve blogged for 13 years without earning a dime. I do it for the joy of the thing.
I’m not 21 anymore. I have student loans to pay. I have dogs to feed. I ask that you understand this is part of my living and bear with me during the learning process. I see the affiliate program as a way to tell you about great things and help myself in the process. I already mention a lot of great items/links/etc. without getting paid a dime. I will let you know every single time I get paid for something so you can choose to use my affiliate link or purchase another way. Or frankly, skip the post entirely.
Adsense Ads:
These are the ads on the sides and bottom of my page. Google pays me to put these on the site. I don’t get a specific say in what goes here I can narrow the topics down, but that’s about it. They don’t pay a lot. For 2,500 visitors for the month, I’ve made $0.63. I would have to have over 2 million visitors to make over $600 a month. That’s a lot of work for $600. That number alone is why I decided to join a popular affiliate program.
Other Ads:
I’m considering selling some ad space to individuals. These will pay more than Ad Sense and they will definitely reflect the topics of this blog. I will have control over them and I will verify each one before it is placed.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Elisha
theartist[at]elishadasenbrock[dot]com