There comes a time when big decisions need to be made. You guessed it, this is one of those posts where I explain to you where I've been and why I haven't updated my blog for some time. I won't give it to you like a first year blogger though.
There isn't anything wrong with me, I've just been realizing how badly I've been wasting my time, and your time too. I surely don't want that to continue, so I believe it's time I set the record straight with everyone and tell it like it is. You deserve it.
Money is tight in my life, we're barely scraping by and the house is at risk. That makes this post even harder to write because I can be very prideful when it comes to what I've accomplished myself and with my love. But, those easy-cheesy days have come to an end. They have to at some point.
You see, while Jacq and I have been doing what we have to, to make ends meet, I realize that some of the goals that I've made for myself this year don't take into account a lack of funding.
Assuming that money wasn't an issue here, this post would never be written and things would merrily go along their way. That isn't the case though as I've seen the dark terror of foreclosure and seen the potential to lose everything that Jacq and I have worked so incredibly hard to obtain.
I'm not about to allow corporate greed and an idiotic ex-President steal my house from me. Nor can I bring myself to try to write helpful articles for free when I see over to my left, a perfectly viable way to start making extra money and begin to make inroads towards supporting a lifestyle that we've become very accustomed to.
Everything I do from here forward will contain some means for me to make money. It has to!
Last year I spent a great amount of time documenting each Blogger administration screen and provided helpful tidbits along the way. It was incredibly rewarding, and I used that as a means to teach myself more about Blogger and blogging in general.
Here we are today, nearly a year and an half after popping my blogging cherry, and I think I know what I need to do. I need to recalculate where I'm heading. I need to reassess my goals, both short-term and long-term, and I need to make more money.
Helping myself to help you
Just like all airline stewardess will tell you, place the mask over your own piehole before placing it over your kids piehole. Alright, they don't say it with a New York accent, but you get the point.
The same is true here. I need to get myself established a little better and I believe I now have the knowledge I was missing when I started out. The stress of meeting every single one of my own goals, which I have also openly shared with you, is going to change.
It has to change.
The truth about blogging
For my blog, and what I would like to write, it doesn't make any money. I didn't listen to those that told me that way back when I started this blog. Guess that's just my stubborn nature.
The reality of it is I needed to bang my head against the wall to learn what it is I DO need to be doing to make some money with my blog. Sometimes the best teachers are found in the school of hard-knocks, and for Pete's sake I should be a graduate by now!
WayneJohn.com is making money. The only problem is that it's only a few dollars a day. Granted, that's a few bucks more than I would have had without the blog, but it can be so much more than that.
75% of my traffic comes from search engines, and the money is being made from AdSense clicks.
Commenting and Spamming Common Tater's
Comments on my blog have deteriorated, and that's completely my own fault. I haven't been visiting anyone's blog and leaving comments, so I've suffered the penalty by not seeing a steady flow of comments.
But really, what do comments do for me and my blog when the majority of traffic is from search engines?
The cold fact is they don't do a thing. Comments are socially driven and help to increase socialized traffic, which I inversely pointed out, constitutes less than 25% of my total traffic.
The lesson here is knowing that socialized traffic can be increased by commenting on others blogs. Monetizing this traffic hasn't been easy for me, and I suspect it's much easier if you're a superstar blogger like Darren Rowse or Shoe, or one of the many others out there.
What I'm going to do
I've already been building websites left and right, seeing what works, what isn't, making adjustments, gaining some successes and finding some miserable losses. All in all, my efforts are paying off and I'm beginning to see the light.
It only took a year and half of blogging to make me see it. I now own about 80 domains and have about 40 sites running and playing the AdSense game. 37 of those sites were built over the last two months.
In light of finding a means to generate the extra income I need, I'm going to make some changes to the way I do things.
I'm going to drop the Blogger Template series for now. The time involved with developing the series would consume each minute of my time after my day job and weekends to do properly. And let's be honest with each other, the return on that isn't going to help pay the bills.
I know that some of you are watching and waiting for the next post in this series, but you might have to wait a while for me to circle back around to it.
I keep thinking of something that Demeur said to me a long time ago, and I believe I mentioned this in a post recently, or perhaps it's a draft. He mentioned that I should write it in eBook form and sell it.
How right he is. I really should do that instead of give this away for free. After all, free doesn't pay the bills, and I'm sure there are plenty of people that would pay for a well written eBook on Blogger. The problem is that I don't ever want to have the slime on me that is associated with selling.
I'm not a salesman Jim, I'm a programmer. (ok, just saw Star Trek over the weekend)
I'm going to continue blogging and continue to try to make it to other blogs to comment from time to time. However, the topics I write on will start to take on issues around how businesses use technology and how they can benefit from my own efforts and apply those tidbits of knowledge towards their own business.
I say business, but it still applies on a personal level as well. Even though you might see topics focused towards businesses and business owners, they will most likely apply to individuals as well.
After all, I'm a programmer and I know how the Internet works. I know how to make things happen on the net. Businesses have the money to afford project based efforts, and I need to get me some of that.
Simplicity and Harmony
I hope that by relegating the Template series to a back-burner for a while will help to ease some pressure and free my mind enough to break out of my writers block.
I have a number of posts in development at this time that I believe will be quite helpful in a number of ways. I've managed to find ways to create some income and I'm hoping this month will be my first $200 month.
You'll see a new Wayne soon. This new Wayne is going to show you what I'm doing to create passive revenue. Once the house is OK and I maintain my favorite blogging location, we'll pick up where we left off, or we'll find a new direction.
Either way, I'm glad you're along with me, and I'll completely understand if I see my subscriber numbers drop. Not everyone wants to create passive, money making sites like I do.
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Wayne John is a web developer in Southern California that shares his 25+ years of programming and web development experience freely and happily to anyone willing to learn. He also loathes speaking in the third person. If you enjoyed this post, make sure you 
We finally said screw it and hopped in. In Hindsight, being what it always is, we should have waited until now, financially. But I’m glad we did what we did.
I’ll have to give a status update on that. Things aren’t any better, but they aren’t getting worse. We may have slowed the bleed a bit, and we’re closer to hearing something back from the mortgage co regarding a refi.
It’s well worth the extra cash, but damn I miss apartment payments. Could do those in my sleep now. lol
It’s probably about time for this post! To be completely honest with you, I felt you gave away too much… but hey, I’m the same way – I believe we are very similar
The e-book is a better idea than posting free help. I’ll miss it, but I’m sure you’ll always be open to questions. You’re that type of guy.
As for your home, I wish you all the best with that situation.
I rent! I may not own a home, but it’s also left me debt free… plus if I was to borrow to buy a home like where I currently live, the bank would get more in interest from me than what we pay in rent!! I do dream of having my own home… one day.
Thanks Bell!
Carolyn, of course! It’s what I do. I’ll contact you via email.
Aw Wayne, I know you are creative enough to find a way to get through this without too much pain. You’ll be surprised what you can do without until the storm is over. I was stuck in it for around a year, it’s no fun but I learned some hardcore lessons because of it. You interested in freelancing some of your talents?
The worst thing it can happen to you is to loose your beloved home!… I can’t imagine the emotional pain so i try to send you, no money because i’m personification of holly poverty, but more some positive thoughts and encouragements do fight and don’t loose faith in your chances and opportunities, Wayne! I would try, you know, just a few… But is too little… I’ve never thought that a web developer gain so little! I hope that you will find new clients and save the situation! Your friend, Bell
oh hell Shelley, so sorry to hear that! It really sucks that it happens to nice people like yourself. Will catch you at the next tweetup!
Jules, it certainly is rough out there. I’m thankful I still have some steady gigs, otherwise after the mortgage industry popped, and Jacq started to struggle to find income, we would have been out on our butts too.
Sometimes I miss renting only for the lower dollar amount. But owning a home is so worth the extra effort. Just the mortgage payment is so silly high, lol.
Cheers you guys, hang tough, this will all be over in due time. I keep telling myself that, but when is the end of all this? sheesh!
Hi Wayne: I met you at the Tracy’s Tweetup a couple of weeks ago. I am in the same boat you are; I cannot find steady or decent paying work other than temporary jobs and I am about to lose my house that I have lived in for the past 10 yrs. Let me tell you, misery does not love company because it just means there are more people struggling and competing for the same jobs you are, it means there are more people suffering, and makes the situation seem even more hopeless. I just pray to God, (or whoever will listen) that we will all make it through these rough times. Good luck to you guys!
Wayne,
I was in your boat last year, we lost our home, I DO feel your pain. I wish you well, and sounds like you are doing what you need to do to keep the boat a float. xoxoxoxo to you BOTH.
Shelley
You be safe over there John!
I live in uncertainty almost every day being overseas. Take care and I wish you the best.
Gary, long time bud, hope life is treating you well in your new diggs. Thanks for commenting Gary, I know it’s a bump in the road, i just want that feeling of progress again. Getting way tired of regress.
lol Demeur, thanks, but too much of that and Google will surely kick me out of the AdSense program.
I appreciate the clicks on links that you are honestly interested in, I don’t condone clicking links just to click links. That would be inappropriate for sure.
Either way, I love the show of support you all have given me. I can’t thank you all enough for it.
By the way guys don’t forget to click on the links while your here. Wayne needs the money.
Hey Demeur! I’ve a few changes forthcoming that should address the ad issue. I have a new theme that I’ve been baking. I have to re-work some of the items from this template into it, but I’m nearly done with it. I suspect you might see the new template in a few weeks. After I complete the editing of my ebook.
Karen, no worries, we’ll get through fine. I have every confidence in our ability to do so. It just sucks that I have to reneg on my goals for this blog, but it might just be for the better anyway.
Btw, I can’t condone clicking of ads, that will get me banned. Nor would I want anyone doing so just because of a post like this. If you see something you’re interested in, for sure, click that link and check it out. Otherwise, best to allow things to happen naturally.
I for one appreciate all the adive and knowledge yuou poured into the blogger series, , but I can well understand the need to look out for No.1—-you need make no apologies about that. Times are tough, Taxes are going up, prices are going up, and Obamamites are doing their best to “Socialize” the system so we are all dependent on Goverment handouts. Good luck, your smart, know you will come through these tough times standing tall.
Wayne, man I am sorry to her about your house. I feel your pain and frankly I don’t feel like writing or commenting when I’m in this kind of funk either. Hopefully you’ll generate enough passive income to right the ship my friend. So how can I help????click all the little links or what!
Well in addition to the E book idea, is there any way you can get more and varied ads on the site? A lot of the ads here are very tech and have limited appeal.
Another idea if you get really desperate is to have a rent party. That’s what I hear they do in NY anyway.
Remember we’re all in the same boat. Too bad that boat is sinking right now.
Holte, hell, if I do that, it’s going to be on a different blog. my views are so skewed sometimes it’s scary. It goes both ways right? At some point we have to say, alright, look, enough. Forget the past, look forward now, where do we want to be in 10, 20 years as a people? Sometimes I think its inevitable and unstoppable after so many humans are here.
Maybe it isn’t a bad idea…
Melissa! Hey, thanks mucho, I will be calling you for sure! Going to get some info soon on a couple contracts. After I wrap my head around the requirements I’ll be in touch.
Cape Cod Gal, I can only imagine that your blog does quite well. I’ve missed ya! What is it your goingt o be basing the site on? What’s the niche?
Mr. Motorcycle, thanks man! Part of my plan is to get my ass back in the saddle. I’ve gone too long without my ride, and I’m itching for a nice long trip out to Joshua Tree.
The motivation is there, I just need to focus it.
Wow, you guys have made my day with the show of support, thanks a bunch for it. Crazy ass world eh?
What ever road you choose, I hope it turn out well for you. I’ll be here following in the background.
Good luck my friend.
Bummer about the house and such. I understand about the desire to make $$ with your blog. I’ve seen some interesting action in the past month with my blog and I’m in the process of building a website to possibly (hopefully!!!) being generating income. It’s amazing what people with ask you to do once they read a blog. I’m getting the craziest emails!
I think this is a great post. It’s honest, too the point and from the heart. I applaud you and if you ever need any design help…free…you’d better call me.
Just a thought Wayne – if you want to get the comments flying in start a political blog/website – here’s my 2 cents. I completely agree with your viewpoint, from 1980 to 2008, 26 of those 28 years, the republicans had control of the White House or the Congress or both. Guess what, everything is the Democrats fault. The GOP is really, really good at one thing, the blame game.
Roger, I know how it goes, I’m pretty much the same way.
Virg, nope, not kidding. I think Obama is the messiah and Bush was the anti-christ. Now that Obama is in power, we can move forward and undo all the damage caused by Bush and his arch-demons.
Joking aside, politics are rather disturbing, and regardless of who is in power, there will always be whiners. I whined when Bush was president for my reasons, you whine because Obama is president, for your reasons. Either way, “we the people” are screwed by our own inherent desire for control and power over each other.
“I’m not about to allow corporate greed and an idiotic ex-President steal my house from me”
Now Wayne, are you kdding me??? You need to be pissed at barney Frank, Obama, and the congress led by the lefties (remember they had control since 06) who are taxing the hell out of us, who forced loans to given those who could not afford, etc. instead of blaming Bush. This huge spend-a-thon in Congress is not going to help you, me, or anyone else that works for a living.
I’m with you on all the other stuff, but that little dig is off base. I hope with all my heart u guys will make it through this- you are not alone here, it is hard for us too, trying to run a small business.
good luck. I don’t comment, but it’s because I don’t have much to say, except when I do.
Thank you all for your wonderful feedback! I know I’ll pull through, we always do right? I just hate having to re-neg on something I committed myself to. It will come back around again, it will just take a bit.
In the meantime, I’ll share what I know about making money, things I’ve tried, etc…as well as getting traffic. It takes two, right?
Cheers!
Good for you, Wayne!
Blessings,
~Cyndi
That’s a tough thing to do! I’m sorry things aren’t going the way you’d like. Good luck with what you do next and I’ll still stop by time to time if you don’t mind
I have have gotten used to checking waynejohn.com every day, so I will probably continue to do so. You will get through your problems. I know it.
I’m sorry to learn that your financial situation is so difficult. What a terrible strain and worry for you.
The Blogger template series has been a labour of love and I have greatly appreciated it. I really wouldn’t want it to be at the cost of your home or your livelihood though. You need to look after yourself and Jacq because none of us can do that for you!
Good luck in the new venture. I’m still following you.