Are you making money?

Written on August 9, 2012 by Kaarina in Blogging, Business, Motivational and Inspirational, Musings

Are you making money?No, not with a press in your basement.

In your business…with what you do online.

Every day another new post comes out about monetizing your activity online, which is equally met by those posts whose authors say they’re in it for community, connection and self-expression.

If you run a business, are your activities online contributing to your profitability, or simply sucking up time?

I started this blog eighteen months ago, for the express purpose of eliminating the self-editor in me. I love to write. But I found that every time I put pen to paper (and yes, I do put pen to paper), I thought things like:

It’s all been said before.

Am I inadvertently plagiarizing something? Where the heck did that quote come from?

Just when I thought I had some brilliant concept…bingo! There it was, already in print.

Coupled with that, there were the heady days of learning, learning, learning…twitter, facebook, SEO, youtube, how to hyperlink…all of which can make one very hyper.

Fast forward to today.

Much of what I’m seeing is burn-out, disaffection, tuning out, hiatus-taking, reflection and exhaustion from many: many of whom who have been at this WAY longer than I.

On the reverse side are the wet-behind-the-ears newbies, all jazzed up and rarin’ to go, full of energy, enthusiasm and promise.

And I suppose it will always be that way, whether we’re talking about online experiences, marriage, child-rearing, or business ventures. When the honeymoon is over, the real work begins.

I’ve neglected my business offline, to my own detriment.

I’ve learned a ton, but to what end?

And as I said to a friend, if it all disappeared tomorrow, how would it affect my life?

Some days, it “all disappearing” is a refreshing thought. Imagine having to:

Meet people in person

Talk on the phone

Follow up with handwritten cards

Buy a postage stamp

I’m being facetious, of course, because I know that life isn’t an either/or. It’s not about being 100% in one camp or the other…online or off.

But it’s important that we continually look at the “why”, because if you don’t know the “why”, the “how” doesn’t matter.

At the moment, I’m feeling like a carousel horse, travelling round and round in the same circles, not forging my own path but following behind whatever’s in front of me. And I’ve never lived my life like that.

Perhaps it’s the Olympic Games, and my own memories of my involvement in them that’s re-ignited my passion to create more, and consume less. As an Olympian, one doesn’t follow the gold medallist: one becomes a medallist.

I think I need to heed my heart more.

Where are you on your journey?

  • Erica Allison

    Forge your path, my friend. Forge your path.
    As you know, I feel like one of those you mention who is on hiatus. It’s not for lack of interest in writing, but lack of interest in cultivating something that doesn’t directly bring me income. My day to day offline affairs do. My online activity certainly feeds that and it feeds my relationships. I’m still around and having a ton of fun on Facebook, but I’m not letting myself be a slave to the post or perish thought process. 

    I’m with you all the way!

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       OMG, I cannot tell you how my day’s been made by seeing that smiling face of yours, and seeing your comment here. I love that line: “I’m not letting myself be a slave to the ‘post or perish’ thought process”. Touché for you:)

      I have several writing projects on the go, all of which have suffered as a result of what you aptly identified as the ‘post or perish’ syndrome. My prospective workshops, speaking engagements and events have suffered, as I’ve committed far too much time, ironically enough, not only creating my own online content, but by promoting others’…to my own detriment.

      I’m jumping off the carousel and running free. I won’t be “leaving” the online world, but I’ve got a new attitude. Check out this video from 1984: it’ll crack you up, but I LOVE the lyrics http://youtu.be/QWfZ5SZZ4xE

  • http://twitter.com/ExtremelyAvg Brian D. Meeks

    I’ve been in a bit if a valley in my journey. I’ve let my blog fall into disrepair, my writing has been weak, and my motivation weaker. After 2 years, 8 months and 8 days of consecutive posts, I’ve lost some of my fire. Of course, that doesn’t mean it is gone for good. I’ll bounce back.

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       @twitter-103512565:disqus , you’ve been at it far longer than I, but I soooooo relate to the feeling of being in a “valley”. The good thing about that? There’s nowhere to go but up! Thanks for dropping by: it’s always wonderful to see you. Cheers! Kaarina

    • http://twitter.com/bdorman264 Bill Dorman

      Play more golf……….

      • http://twitter.com/rdopping Ralph Dopping

        ditto. it helps. A lot.

  • http://twitter.com/bdorman264 Bill Dorman

    One foot in the grave, and one foot on the surf board? It fluctuates, sometimes several times during the day.

    Bottom line, I’m a social critter; ‘social’ is just another avenue for me to be social. 

    Even though this is what you are ‘supposed’ to do, my every waking moment is not devoted to how I can be ‘more’ successful and make ‘more’ money. I’m into making ‘more’ relationships and content to see where that takes me. I feel the money thing will work its way out, one way or another. 

    I actually do quite well in my day job, so sometimes it’s hard for me to get all ‘fired up’ and turn my blog into a lean, mean, revenue generating machine. Could I do it? I suppose, but then it might not be fun anymore. And, if I were going to put that much time and effort into it, I might as well direct those efforts to my day job because I get rewarded instantly when I write new business. 

    Therefore, I walk the fine line of not giving a rat’s ass and caring too much because I don’t want it to seem my efforts were just a waste of time. 

    Social’s not going anywhere that’s for sure and the longer I can hang around maybe the less baffling it will become. 

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       Great points @twitter-34985693:disqus , and I believe money/results come from doing what you do well, connecting meaningfully with others and providing (over-used word here), ‘value’.

      And I don’t actually mean turning a blog into a “lean, mean revenue generating machine” necessarily. What I mean is…does the time spent online and the investment that’s made yield returns, whatever those returns are for you.

      I just know I’ve spent far too much time investing in too many facets of “online”, consuming rather than creating, supporting others even more than my own work, grinding to comment on all those posts by people I care for and admire, and simply being too concerned about “doing it right” online rather than just “doing it.”

      So, starting now, I’m “doing it”…my way. (not facing the final curtain…just doin’ it my way:) Cheers! Snowshoes

      • http://twitter.com/bdorman264 Bill Dorman

        You said ‘doing it’………..like you are going to be doing it………….:).

        I say be your own bad self and do your thing and let the chips fall where they may.

        You are light years beyond many. 

        • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

           I will be my own bad self, you can count on that @twitter-34985693:disqus

  • http://twitter.com/lifeforinstance Life, for instance

    This seems to be a theme today Kaarina! I’ve just returned from my off the grid time so I’m fresh and raring to gs! I wonder if what you’re feeling has something to do with summer. I love  @47d58be98d1441a276245024c9457dbf:disqus ’s “post or perish” statement, but really, whether or not we write has to do with two things: our commitment to ourselves and our commitment to our community/goals for the blog. I always write posts ahead so I don’t run into this deadline feeling (hate that – it’s the reason I didn’t go into journalism). But summer is slow-down time.
    Eventually I’d love to monetize, if only to cover costs and justify time spent, but at nearly two years, I still love the writing part and the interaction with people out there in the world!
    Lori

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       It could possibly have to do with summer @twitter-228904159:disqus . As I’ve probably shared with you on a hangout, I don’t write ahead, have nothing in the hopper. I write when I’m inspired to do so, with a message that seems timely, and when the muses are with me:) I love writing: no question about that. And I love the people I’ve met, friends I’ve made and associates I’ve connected with. But I’ll be adjusting the time spent online to align more with my offline priorities. Cheers, and welcome back from your staycation! Kaarina

  • ShakirahDawud

    Some months ago I compiled a post for a freelance writing blog I contribute to consisting solely of the stories of freelancers of “yesteryear”: the days of meeting people, talking on the phone, sending and receiving (oh, receiving!) actual letters and CVs in the mail. It was fun, and I ended up speaking on the phone (gasp!) to one of my interviewees later, to write another story on a new tool she’s working on for freelance journalists.

    Days later I received a heartfelt email of gratitude from a reader who remembers those days, and appreciated the fact that I appreciated them enough to record them for us youngun’s–posterity that we are.

    Just FWIW; I had been wondering what it had been like, and I learned a lot. I wasn’t expecting the reaction I got.

    Whenever I start to feel dizzy, I stop abruptly and step back, too. It’s instinctive for me in everything. I need the control, and I think it’s the reason my “progress” has been much slower than that of others in my circle. 

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       @ShakirahDawud:disqus , it pains me to think that some people will never know what a postage stamp is, or never experience the beauty of cursive writing. But then again…I never used a telegraph key or a horse and buggy either, so it’s true…to everything there is a season.

      But in terms of communication and connection, I still appreciate the IRL human touch, and continue to send out handwritten cards, call when a voice might be more meaningful than a typed message, arrange to meet people in person whenever I can (one of the reasons to attend a conference or event, besides the professional development seminars).

      Perhaps this has all come to the forefront for me on this rainy day. Nah…it’s truly how I feel. And progress should always be on one’s own timeline, not someone else’s. Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://soulati.com/blog Soulati

    Trouble in paradise. Burn out. Inability to find the time to engage and banter as days of yore. Wondering if it’s all worth it, but the flip side is terrifying with nary a noise to greet me upon sitting at the desk? Nope. I’m going to muddle through and kick it in my heinie to keep the mojo. 

    I need to lead by example and let newbies see the passion and excitement for how lives change for the better with social media. Hey, I wouldn’t have met you would I?

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       Love how you ended that comment @soulati:disqus . We likely would never have met if not for this crazy thing called “social”. So thanks for pointing out the upside, my friend. Let’s continue to muddle through, and accept the valleys and peaks. Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://twitter.com/suddenlyjamie Jamie Wallace

    @twitter-257025239:disqus , 
    I’ve been hearing the “August Break” refrain echoing around my Internet spaces as well. Seems like every third online acquaintance is going on hiatus or sabbatical or digital desertion. 

    I’m tempted to join them. 

    Though, like @soulati:disqus and @twitter-34985693:disqus I adore the social aspects of my time online, I am also feeling a strong yearning for the time and space (and quiet!) to hear my own voice in my head. A summer full of crazy client deadlines has left me winded and worn out. I’m ready to step back and regroup … give some playtime to all the business ideas that have been bubbling away on the back burner of my brain – maybe (finally!) stir them up into something worth serving my audience. 

    RE: the ROI of my social media “play” … I admit that much of my online time is more about social interaction and pure entertainment than business development, BUT I can also say that 99% of my current work has made its way to my doorstep via a combination of word-of-mouth and online connections. Personally, I’m willing to concede a certain amount of “wasted” time in order to land the work I do. 

    Thanks for making us ask these questions. Always good to check in! :)  

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       @twitter-14241407:disqus , I really like your comment: “I’m willing to concede a certain amount of ‘wasted’ time in order to land the work I do.” Great perspective.

      I think it’s only natural and healthy to step back/step away every once in a while to reevaluate and re-group. Maybe it is all about “summer”, which many people have mentioned. For me, though, I know I need to produce more and consume less. Just need to swing that pendulum in that direction for a while. So nice to see you here: thanks for taking the time to comment. Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.maureenabivinsphd.com/ Maureena Bivins, PhD

    I’m a newbie blogger and am exploring connections and possibilities through the different online social media sites.  I believe that someday I will have a return on my investment, just don’t know what form it will take–perhaps it will come from establishing credibility,  expertise, or even writing a book.  I don’t know, but after the learning curve, I am now pacing myself and trying to enjoy the experience without neglecting other facets of my life.  I appreciate reading about your experience and your desire to “heed” your heart more.   That’s great advice!

     

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       Welcome @54c45ca7dc4f1a71827809eb877485bd:disqus : I’m delighted you’ve dropped by, and hope you’ll continue to do so. The welcome mat’s always out. And if you have any questions, are looking for suggestions on blogs you might find of interest or resources to help, just call on me/us.

      Ironically (not…there are no coincidences;) I’ve just returned from my TCM session this morning. I just took a quick peek at your site, and look forward to following you, learning more about you and your work. I’m up here in Canada, so if you’d ever like to chat via email or Skype, I’d welcome that. I’m a big fan/advocate of TCM.

      Definitely, your blog will help you establish credibility, highlight your expertise and achieve the goals you set, I’m sure. I’m happy if this post helps you also be prepared for, and accept, those valleys with the peaks. Welcome, welcome, and if I can be of assistance in any way, don’t hesitate to be in touch. Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.thejackb.com/ The JackB

    This is cyclical. I have been around long enough to see most things and this time of year is familiar to me. It is when I expect to see these posts and to ask these questions.

    I run multiple blogs for different purposes and get different things out of each, but even though I love this there are still moments where I think about walking away.

    If I did I’d want to just ride off into the sunset and be gone without much fanfare.

    But again, I love this so I don’t think I will or that I shall. What I intend to do is what I have always done…write.

    I’ll write and I’ll get irritated with my words and wonder why they aren’t more eloquent or profound. I’ll come up with ideas for business and share crazy stories, some real and some fiction.

    Somewhere in the midst I will come up with posts that surprise me. I’ll look at them and beam with pride because the words are cooperating and the flow from pen to paper is endless and seamless.

    And then I’ll wrap an arm around my carousel pony and hope that this time he wins the race.

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       @TheJackB:disqus , you never cease to inspire me and make me smile. Your writing is like a warm blanket I can hug around me. You’ve been at this far longer than I, so your wisdom and patience with the “ride” is appreciated. I envision our carousel ponies riding, not off into the sunset without much fanfare, but galloping onward full throttle, mindful of the potholes, but forging on nevertheless. Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.vidyasury.com/ Vidya Sury

    :-) I just posted about how I blog because it is fun and I love it. I think monetizing is something everyone would like, but the effort involved in that direction is different, unless there are professionals managing it.

    There used to be a time, a few years ago, when I was overwhelmed with all the stories online – I guess it was probably because many of the things that are an integral part of the online life such as social media, etc. were still new. Everyone was learning and so the few who posted their monthly incomes online took everyone else’s breath away. A very “they could do it so why can’t I” kind of situation. Happily, I’ve never been bothered by that, but I cannot deny that the recognition on many levels feels good, whether it is also  accompanied by the cha-ching sound of currency is a different issue.

    I’ve often thought – what if the internet ceases to exist – what would I miss most? Definitely the beautiful relationships and connections we form – for I would have to find a way to keep in touch. I am good with snail mail – but is everyone else? Technology is good that way. I would also miss the ability to get information at the click of a button. There are other things, but these two are top of the list.

    One of the reasons why I take short digital vacations is to balance my offline with my online. My offline interactions mean very much to me – and so if I don’t check mail for a couple of days, it does not bother me, unless there’s work in progress for which I am accountable. Eventually, I see myself spending time with people and children.

    I would never stop using the paper and pencil – that is for sure.  I love ink pens. I would never stop singing and reading the printed word from a real book (Oh, the smell!)

    In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy writing on my blogs. If I didn’t blog, I would most certainly be writing in a spirally bound book with a gorgeous cover, much like a scrap book with notes.

    What I love most about your post is it evokes a post-like comment. I sensed wistfulness in your words.

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       @vidyasury:disqus , like @soulati:disqus  said, I would never have met you and all the wonderful people I hold dear if not for “social”. And wistful is exactly the feeling I had when I wrote this post, which almost wrote itself.

      Your comment is full of so many good points, wise counsel and clear perspective.

      We are writers. We love to write. I vow to remember that this is why I started this all in the first place, and heed so many of the wonderful comments here. Your comment helps me crystallize my perspective even further. Thanks my Queen of Alliteration. (and on that note, Letter Y will appear next week…do you have a Y’s yarn for me? Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://twitter.com/rdopping Ralph Dopping

    Hmmmm….I hear you. Interesting comment about things being cyclical. I have often thought that myself but I look at my on-line journey as a way to meet cool and interesting people. That’s it for now. Writing has always been a challenge and learning to craft words and communicate in this way keeps the mind sharp. That’s my journey…..on-line.

    Getting off the grid is a good thing to do the same as letting your body rest and recover after exercise, no? 

    I think about it this way, there are a lot of people who I wouldn’t know across Canada and the rest of the world if not for this “social” business. Is it ok to drop off the map for a while? Sure it is. Your friends will be there for you when you get back.

    The difference for me is that that is a pass-time and I do not plan to monetize any efforts on-line in the short term. Participation in the social sphere is limited to what time i can carve out of what other priorities compete for my time. I love it so I will find time for it when I can.

    You are an Olympian. You will find the way as you always have, right?

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       Thanks so much @twitter-229922134:disqus  for adding to all the superb comments here, that have really helped me maintain perspective. You really nailed it by comparing “going off the grid” for breaks to allowing the body to rest and recover after exercise. And thanks so much for that final comment: it made me burst with pride. I appreciate it, my friend. Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.craigmcbreen.com/ Craig McBreen

    Hey Kaarina,

    Semptember will be my one year anniversay in our little blogtopia, and in my short stint I’m already seeing certain patterns. I love the social engagement, but like you, I honestly got to the point where I was neglecting my business. But now? I’m merging the blog and the business into something I’m pretty excited about, so I have social and blogging and all the great people I’ve met to thank for that. I put myself in “fall mode” in July. I guess that means I’m loving the work, which is all good.

    I say if this game fries you, it’s time to take a step back, or at least take a couple of weeks off. Or just golf, as Ralph and Bill have suggested. Maybe I’m still new enough, but it does nothing but energize me … you just need to be wary of the social vortex. It’s calling and it can put you in a hypnotic state, and this sucks the creativity and productivity right out of you … ;)

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       When you mentioned the hypnotic state, for some reason the image from the Alfred Hitchcock movie “Vertigo” came into mind @CraigMcBreen:disqus :)

      You’ve definitely established yourself solidly in the blogtopia, with lots of A-listers singing your praises and commenting on your site…good for you. The game isn’t frying me: my focus simply needs to shift. I also find that I am somewhat disaffected and disappointed in some things I see happening online, and that definitely tarnishes the lustre of it all.

      I won’t be going away, but my journey will change, as do the seasons. Nice to see you here: it’s been a while. You know the welcome mat’s always out. Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.slymarketing.com Jens P. Berget

    I’ve been thinking some of the same thoughts. I’m actually not sure where I am on my journey. I just keep going, and right now I’m thinking that my blog supports what I’m doing offline. And that hopefully I might get some new Norwegian clients because they follow what I do online and at the same time, I’m learning a lot from people like you :)

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       The journey changes as we get more knowledgeable and entrenched in this wild and wacky online world @berget:disqus . I just know that, for me, I’ve been spending too much time “learning” and consuming…but that’s part of my occupational hazard. A do a great deal of research on behalf of my clients, so it’s like I’m constantly peeling the onion…another layer, another layer and yet another layer of things to learn, wisdom to impart. I’m delighted if in some small way what I share, helps. Cheers! Kaarina

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  • http://twitter.com/adamtoporek Adam Toporek

    I’ve seen a theme with these types of posts. I think the big question for all of us is as follows: are your online activities a means to an end or an end in and of themselves? When blogging/social are means to a clearly defined end, I think a lot of the soul searching goes away. If we spend a lot of time doing something when we haven’t defined the “why” of doing it, we will eventually question it.

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       Spot on @twitter-223833082:disqus . As I say, “If you don’t know the ‘why’, the ‘how’ doesn’t matter”. I also think there’s an aspect of disappointment and/or disaffection that can come, even when we know the ‘why’. I’ve thought about writing a post about that, but each time I put pen to paper, it starts to sound…well, let’s just say, some things are best left unsaid. Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.late-bloomers.net Barbara Klein

    Ah, do we not all know the feeling: “At the moment, I’m feeling like a carousel horse, travelling round and round in the same circles, not forging my own path but following behind whatever’s in front of me. And I’ve never lived my life like that.” Maybe it is time for the camino of  Santiago de Compostela?Once somebody told me that a plane which flies from A to B will never do that in a straight line but in a zigzag way, could our journey look the same and what would it change for us? For myself I can say that this thought is highly consoling.
    In my other real life I still buy postage stamps as my work involves a lot of mailing and also writing with a pen! I have never thought about it but this might counterbalance the craziness of the virtual. 
    I read all the lovely comments and so agree with them. You will decide wisely, my dear friend, where your journey will take you next, I know that for sure and I am very happy we have met on this crazy ride! 

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

       Ah, the Santiago: what a wonderful dream to dream and accomplishment that is on my decide2do @BarbaraKlein:disqus . I’m zigging and zagging, and trust my heart that I am deciding wisely. Thanks, my friend:) Cheers! Kaarina