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How Doing Too Much And Making No Money Can Benefit You In The Long Run

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There is a popular phrase amongst some internet marketers when it come to content: “If you think you are giving away too much for free, you are probably giving away the right amount”.

I have subscribed to that mantra in a big way with my online business, and apply it at every possible opportunity. When first starting out with your blog, I believe that such an attitude is extremely valuable and will serve you well in establishing a loyal readership.

Love Your Audience

Consider how you interact with your readers – do you go out of your way to help them? Do you head over to their sites, comment on their posts, and give them encouragement? If they email you with questions, do you take time to respond to them with considered answers? Although it all may seem like a waste of time to some, it all comes back to the same core concept of over delivering.

It is not that your positive actions in this area will lead to a justifiably positive impact on your blog (although it may). You may not be able to measure the tangible effects of your efforts. However, there is no doubt in my mind that every time you go out of your way to help a reader, you are improving your reputation just that little bit more – even if it is just to one person. You never know, that one person may well become a powerful ally.

Don’t Be In A Rush To Monetize

When I launched Leaving Work Behind around three months ago, I majored on the fact that I was not interested in making any money from the blog whatsoever in the short term. I even wrote a post about it to really drive my point home: “Why I Am NOT Trying To Make Money From This Blog”.

I don’t want to implement anything on the blog that would distract from my core aim – which is to provide as much value as possible to the reader. Advertising would clutter the design and potentially distract my readers. Affiliate links might make a reader consider my bias (this is especially relevant when you are unknown). If I were to release a product so early on in the blog’s lifetime, people would (quite rightly) wonder why it was worth the purchase price.

It may seem counterintuitive to you, but I honestly believe that not monetizing your blog when first starting out can actually benefit your income in the long run. Why? Because you can establish a broader readership and a reputation for trustworthiness that cannot be bought.

Worried About Blogging Yourself Into A Corner?

Some of you might point out that if you do not monetize your blog from the get go, you are opening yourself up to those who will be shocked when you eventually implement some kind of income generation method. And it is true – there will be those who will criticize you for seeking a return on your investment. But they will be in the minority.

If you provide enough value and do not rush to monetize, your loyal fans will be as happy as they ever were. In fact, if you have provided value on a consistent basis, then a proportion of your loyal readers will likely feel obliged to reciprocate your generosity, and invest in whatever product you are releasing. It is human instinct.

Play The Long Game

There are an awful lot of people out there who are very impatient to make money online. Those are inevitably the people who are most likely to fail. Why? Because content marketing is not a short term game – it certainly is not a ‘get rich quick’ scheme. Take the biggest content marketing website in the world – Copyblogger – as an example. That site was not monetized for around two years. Some might consider that an extraordinary length of time – but look how well it has worked out!

In the same vein as saying that you should over deliver on content, I also believe that you should over deliver on trustworthiness and brand establishment. And the best way to do this is to be completely transparent with your audience, and demonstrate that you have absolutely no agenda. Once that catches on, your reputation can spread like wildfire.

So what have you done with your blog? Are you over delivering on all fronts, or do you have a different approach?

About

Tom Ewer is a freelance blogger and the owner of Leaving Work Behind, a blog for anyone interested in quitting their job and building a better life for themselves. Join Tom's mailing list to receive his pearls of wisdom (and occasional rants).

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{ 17 Responses }

  1. AIDY says:
    Slow and steady will always win the race. At least that's what I'm told. Great post.
  2. Chris says:
    Most of the time, people lose patients in dealing with success. They used to rush achieving the result of things rather than patiently wait on how the process can change one's life. In the long run, they totally forgot some important factors that they need to consider, just like giving priority to your audience. Anyway, as you undergo a process, you will surely be able to get the prize of your hardwork.
  3. Ricardus says:
    I think a lot actually are rushing into monetize without having a proper fundamental in blogging therefore they suffer a major setback. Patience is the key in my opinion.
  4. Jamie Northrup says:
    I have a "blogging / website" system where I plan a website or blog for about a month, then put it in my "farm" where it gains maturity but I don't spend much time on it, then I put a lot of time and effort into perfecting it, and then finally monetize it. I'm not sure it's the best or smartest way, but it works for me. Trying to get money right away isn't always the best strategy.
  5. David says:
    Agree on terms of "Long", time is money, and sometimes, it also take times to make more. Again, content is also play an important role in all post made on their blogs, even some are trying to guide or post the same idea or abit better way with the same idea, it is best to say it with your own word instead of copy+paste and click post.. maybe you lucky once but not always, especially nowaday many knows how to use the g to search, if result came out and yours similar with another well-respected or known, chances you will lose this visitor, and they will only visit your blog once, and thats it. David
  6. kevin says:
    I always believe that Patience is a virtue. Good points you have cited in here Tom. There are many people that wants to get their returns immediately but I guess it's better to wait and have bigger returns than nothing. And one thing, we have to build rapport with our audience.
  7. Tanya says:
    Online marketing is a lot of work, and most of the time you never see instant benefits. I am a firm believer in long term results and that using several methods can help your reputation and create some good relationships at the same time.
    • Tom Ewer says:
      This will come as no surprise I'm sure, given that I wrote the article, but I couldn't agree with you more Tanya!
  8. doug_eike says:
    The notion that blogging is a long-term game is clearer to me every day. In order to do anything with your blog (speak with authority, monitize, etc.), you must first create content that benefits your visitors and gives you credibility. Fashioning a body of high-quality content takes hard work, but it seems to be the best way of ensuring that your blog has a meaningful future. Thanks for the insights.
    • Tom Ewer says:
      No problem Doug. Internet marketing is just like anything else - the longer you do it, the more experienced you get. I was foolishly under the impression when first starting out that I would somehow just set off flying...it doesn't work that way. Although in very simple terms, I haven't made as much money yet as I would like, that is completely overshadowed by the huge gains I have made in terms of relationships, and a body of quality content.
  9. Ryan Biddulph says:
    Hi Tom, Give freely. Keep giving freely. In time, you know when to charge, when to publish an ebook, or create your own product, or monetize your blog. Feel good about charging, when you decide to. People pick up on your prosperity consciousness, on a deeper level. So be clear that what you have to offer is damn good, and worth the price. Before you convince yourself that you are worth it, give freely. Keep giving. Look at each billionaire of the world. These folks gave freely of their time and energy, and when the riches started pouring in, the riches came in avalanches. Because the person gave freely again and again, over a long period of time. Give freely, receive generously. Until you establish authority, keep giving. Promote other's businesses as aggressively as you promote your own. This explodes your network, and when you have a community of like-minded entrepreneurs and raving fans promoting your network as much as you do, look out. When you have backing or testimonials from top people in your field, look out. This is when the riches begin to flow in. All because you aggressively promoted others, many of whom were happy to aggressively promote you. Thanks! Ryan
    • Tom Ewer says:
      Hey Ryan, Great to see you here - I do believe that you once commented over at my blog! :-) Wonderful advice though - I certainly could not have put it better myself. It is becoming clear to me that blogging is much like loading a spring. You keep compressing that spring, and then at some point, you let it pop. All of the energy you put into loading the spring explodes all in that moment. Something like that anyway - I need to work on my analogies ;-) Cheers! Tom
  10. Bharati Ahuja says:
    Simple law of life - The more you give, the more you get (How, when, Where, why - you may not know) . But, after all the internet is a network of networks. Your online karma will definitely come back to you. Moreover, this is the only way of gaining trust online.
  11. James says:
    Hey Tom, I agree with you totally. I have sites that I didn't monetize at all till I built up 500+readers/day. it was actually easier to get guest posts and links when people could see my blog and know that it wasn't just out to make money.
  12. Grady Pruitt says:
    this is definitely something to think about is your starting a blog. We all need to decide if we want to make money from it from the beginning or if we want to build the relationship first. Thanks for sharing!
  13. Ivan Walsh says:
    Hi Tom, Thinking long term makes sense. Instead of thinking like a blogger, think like a Publisher. See the difference? Ivan
  14. Mark says:
    Hi Tom, Great perspective. Personally, I believe in monetizing from day one. BUT, having said that, I also believe in making my monetization methodologies as non-intrusive as possible. Of course, I would imagine that the term "non-intrusive" would be relevant at best...LOL! That statement about content marketing not being a GRQS is DEFINITELY the truth...:) Mark