Thursday, March 04, 2010

Your questions answered, part two

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Someone commented the other day that they can't wait to see my garden photos in my new enlarged format so I decided to try it out today with a photo of my patio from last summer. I sure wish my patio looked this good now...it's not even close! The leaves on the tree are all coming out now though and that's always a good thing because it gives me more privacy. There is another 4-plex on the other side of that fence and when the tree is bare I feel like I need to close the drapes all the time...although I never do.

On to your questions...

Advertising- I had quite a few people ask me about how much you can make by placing ads on your blog. I know some people hate that there are ads on blogs and I did too when I first started. One on my former coworkers talked me into giving it a try and I'm so glad I took his advice.

How much you make depends on how much traffic your blog gets. BlogHer pays a lot more than Google...I would say at the very least, it's about 10 times more in my case. I'm making good money but not enough to quit my job. I think only the very top bloggers can live off their ad revenue. Without giving specific $ amounts, I'll say that it pays about 1/2 to 3/4 of my rent for my apartment each month and rent's not cheap here in Silicon Valley! I had no idea before I did this that I could make that much! Financially this has really helped us! When I first started this blog money was very tight for us. Every month it was a struggle to pay the bills and buy groceries. There really wasn't any extra fun money or money to put away into a savings account. The ads on my blog have really helped. To me, it's like free money. I love blogging and would do it even if I didn't make any money, the money just makes it sweeter!

Speaking of ads...I'm now selling ad space (sponsorship) so if you have a business, a blog, an etsy shop or anything else you might want to promote please click on "Advertise" at the top of my blog to find out more.

Adding links in your blog - A couple new bloggers wanted to know how to add a hyperlink in their blog. I'm terrible at explaining things so I found a video on YouTube that explains things very well. click on this: YouTube video for new bloggers This also explains how to start a blog for those of you who are interested.

Paint colors - Someone asked about my paint colors in my home. In my older photos the brighter yellow I had on my living room and dining room walls was Behr Paint in Havana Cream. My living room is now painted Behr Paint in Cozy Cottage. My blue bedroom paint color is Glidden Paint in Cancun Blue, to be honest though, it photographs a much nicer color than it really is. I'm going to be repainting my bedroom soon. My dark blue in my bathroom is Behr Paint in Bleached Denim. I love this color! The blue in my kitchen is actually gray and it's Benjamin Moore Paint in Feather Gray. It looks more blue than gray though.

I think that's probably enough for today. There are still some more questions and I'll answer those next week!


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27 comments:

Julie Harward said...

I love the new header and your garden is so pretty! I watched the video and it was helpful..I have so much to learn! Come say hi :D

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy! Oh, I love the new look of your blog! Everything you do is so elegant! Oh, your last years patio is just so beautiful and I know it will be again.
Nice to hear about all the happenings on your blog. How wonderful the advertising helps you so much. I had no idea you could make money this way!
I always wish you the best!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Julie Harward said...

Cindy...Yes she has red hair and the bluest eyes, her mommie doesn't believe it yet though. My grandpa had red hair and also one of my daughters..and yes, everyone always came up to us and would say; "Where did you get that red hair?' So I wrote a poem for her about it with that title! :D

afistfullofweeds* said...

Hi Cindy and thanks so much for coming to see my table! You are a real Sweetie! I have red hair too Julie. I hated it as a kid, but now I like it. Take good care!! Rhonda

The Tablescaper said...

Love the new header, but I loved the old one too.

Thanks for the info on the advertising. It's very hard to get a straight answer and I think you did a great job.

Your backyard is lovely. Delphinium are my ablsolute favorite, but I find they are close to impossile to grow in the NY area. Sometimes I splurge and treat them like an annual.

- The Tablescaper

agge said...

LOVELY! Agneta

Teresa said...

Ooooh!
LOVE the BIG pictures Cindy!!!!
xxooxx

Jan ~ BellaCasa said...

I really like the new look on your blog.

My Cottage Charm said...

Oh thank you for the link to the tutorial on how to embed a link! I just went to my own blog and did it in 5 minutes! :) I have been trying to figure that out for a week! :) YES! lol
I can't wait to get my patio looking pretty again....yours looks lovely! I have the same little bird bath that's inside your bird cage....I use mine as a soap dish for my "fancy" soaps in my bathroom. :)
Thanks again!

Lynn Kellan said...

I've applied to BlogHer, but I haven't been asked to post their ads... I wish they would!!! :)

Karen Deborah said...

Cindy--you rock girl! Your new blog look is clean and elegant and I'm with you can't wait for the blooming flowers of spring. Your delphiniums look outrageous. They burn up out here.

Kathysue said...

Cindy your new format looks great!! I love seeing the bigger pictures. You have so many great photos to look at with all your pretties. Just had to come by and tell you how impressed I am with it!! Great Job!! Kathysue

C.J. said...

great info! Thanks, I have been thinking of doing it (ads) myself. now I will really go and check it out.

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy,
I love your garden. It is about the same size as mine but so much prettier. I am just wondering if you plant mostly in the ground or in containers. Please share all your little tips & hints about how you make your garden look so pretty. TFS! Sheila

Callie Magee Antiques said...

Cindy,
I consider your blog one of the best I have seen. I rush to open it first when I see you have posted. It is beautiful yes, and much more.
Blessings to you and yours,
Lois of Callie Magee Antiques

Cindy said...

Your blog is absolutely stunning, it looks as good as the content, now. You have always had a great blog, but now it is even better.
Hugs, Cindy S.

Elsie said...

Cindy~ Your garden looks beautiful
in the larger photo. I think thats
great that you can make money with
your blog. Make money and friends
doing something you love,you can't
ask for anything better than that.:O)

vignette design said...

I love your new look. And glad you can get larger pictures now. Thanks for answering all those questions. I always wondered about ads on blogs. How much money can be made. You make alot! I may eventually do the same, but don't have the traffic yet.
Your blog is beautiful and I enjoy visiting it as well as participating in Show and Tell Friday! Thanks, Your "neighbor" Delores

Nishant said...

How wonderful the advertising helps you so much. I had no idea you could make money this way!
I always wish you the best!
work at home in india

Terri said...

Hi Cindy,
I adore the look of your new header! Hop on over to my blog and check out your award.
Terri

www.beaucoupdejoievivre.com

Sarah Sarniak said...

Your garden is just too pretty. I would love to have a garden like that.

Laura said...

Cindy,

Love your new look. Can you please let me know what the purple flower is called exactly? Is it a foxglove of some kind? The patio is so lovely and inviting I am so ready for spring in Arkansas.
Thanks, Laura

Cindy said...

Laura, the flower is a Delphinium. They are one of my favorites!

LillyB said...

I adore your new blog look. You are so creative you even decorated your blog!!
It looks great Cindy!!

Imagery by Kimberly said...

Good Morning Cindy!!!

I LOVE your new blog design! Congratulations! It is absolutely beautiful - so fresh and so perfect for My Romantic Home. LOVE IT!!!!

I hope you are doing great - thank you for always being such a lovely inspiration to all of us.

xo,
Kim

Anonymous said...

Your apartment photography is beautiful, did you do it yourself? I believe at one time you had mentioned the Canon camera that you used- are you still using that same camera? I am now researching cameras and can't find any camera information on your site- I'm almost positive you mentioned it in the past on the sidebar? There are so many blogs you do a fantastic job of informing and inspiring few can do both!

Country Girl said...

Hi, Cindy. I was referred to you by my friend Mary at Little Red House because I wrote a should or shouldn't I post on advertising. May I e-mail you with a couple of questions I had? I don't want to impose and will understand if you don't need the bother!