Dec 11
Fixing Up - Bush Mackel (Part 2)
Yesterday, I clued you in on where this site came from and what it has looked like at different points along the way.
Today we return to looking at bushmackel.com and try and figure out where the site is now and where it is going. In regards to both we’ll look at specific stats because I’m a firm believer of outlining goals using exact amounts.
And in doing so, we’ll also figure out a definition of “success” as it pertains to this site.
A Cash Money Millionaire, I Am Not
If you’ve been reading this site for any period of time, you have a fair idea of how much I make per month. If you’ve forgotten, feel free to check out my last 3 months earnings statement from previous posts but let’s say that on average I make anywhere between $50-$100 a month from this site. To some that may be satisfactory, but to me it simply is not. Add to that how much work I’ve been doing to earn that revenue (posting twice a day, and scores of sponsored reviews) and the figure is even more depressing. But more on that later.
People Stats
For someone who would always love to look good to an advertiser’s eye, I hope you guys can appreciate me disclosing this stuff (#);D … If we’re looking at averages, here’s how it all turns out…
- 45 uniques per day
- 94 pageviews/impressions per day
- 70 subscribers per day
For some of you reading this, you may think I’m sounding like a big ol’ spoiled brat at this time. You’re probably saying, “You know Bush, I would KILL for those stats right about now”. And depending on where you are with your blog, that’s fine. But for me, it’s not ok ’cause I know I can do better.
Success
Ok, enough with the stats, let’s cut to the chase. What do I want to accomplish with this site? Well, the last thing I want to do is turn this passion of mine into a job, so above all else, I want to keep the things going that I’ve come to love… Talking to people, meeting new friends, all that good stuff! And of course I want all of this to increase too! And I did say we’d pin down some exact numbers right? Well with this being a blog and such why don’t I just shoot for 500 rss subscribers? That sounds good right? I figure if I can do that, all the other people stats will increase too.
And on the money front, let’s keep this “factor 5″ thing going too… I’m making $100/mo now, so let’s bump that up to $500/mo too! How does that sound? How many of you would like to be making $500 with that little blog of yours? Well with any luck we’ll find out how we can all pull off this “miracle feat” in the last part of this little series tomorrow.
December 11th, 2007 at 8:13 am
I’m curious? How are you marketing this website? I ask because I thought your visits would be a lot higher. I have a few websites that I don’t write on a lot but they get a good deal of traffic however I did work my tail off to market them. The past few weeks I increased my unique visits on VM by at least a 100 uniques daily simply by switching up my writing style a little. I checked what was bringing people in,and also doing a little more interaction on newer blogs.
I want to make more. I’ve moved past the $500 mark.
It’s not a “miracle feat” but you will have to put a lot of effort to get effective results. You might stumble repeatedly and that is ok pick yourself up and keep moving and maybe try a different approach or a different revenue source. Those who stay down are the ones that won’t succeed online. In time I’m sure you will do well just keep at it.
December 11th, 2007 at 8:17 am
Oh “success” isn’t necessarily money.
I’m definitely not being snarky in the above post just curious what you are doing because I want you to succeed. ;-)
December 11th, 2007 at 9:21 am
@Opal T - At the beginning of this I did say FULL disclosure right? (#):D Well as far as marketing, I used to do a lot more when I started but admittedly, I’ve never done any official marketing. So that will change and will be covered more in depth in the next part of the series when I look at what I will do to achieve “success” for this site. *nod*
Yeah, and success certainly isn’t all about money! Another thing that I eventually want to do is really start to do more reviews on this site by getting people to send me free stuff to review. I’m sure that will come too, but I gotta put in the leg work up front to make it worth their while. *nod*
December 11th, 2007 at 11:30 am
I don’t understand it all, but I sure am learning a lot coming here. Thanks for sharing all this info with us, Bush. I appreciate it and the intelligent comments that people leave here at your site. :)
December 11th, 2007 at 11:35 am
It looks like we’re all taking a good look at where we’re at and planning on big changes for next year.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:54 am
@Teeni - If there’s something that you don’t understand, I hope you’ll ask! Me and your fellow blogging buddies will be more than happy to answer anything that comes up!
@Brown - Well it IS that time of the year right? (#):)
December 11th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
If you offered private ad sales at an affordable rate ;) I’d probably snatch one up.
December 12th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
@Angela - OOOooo! Now that just made me feel real’ good. Thanks Angela, and I’ll let you know what I come up with in the next couple of days here.
Hey, is this because I always congratulate you on your Pats wins? (#);D