The internet is a strange and wonderful place. Truly, it is a part of the world that changes nearly as fast as we can learn, and an internet year is something like five years in the pre-Xerox days.
Or so I’ve heard. I’ve never worked in an office without the internet.
Think about it, though. You can find just about anything you want, and quite a bit of what you don’t want in this world. Shoes, houses, dates for next Thursday, an old beat up bookcase, and a myriad of information products.
Some people are here because they want to learn something. Some people are here because they want to make money.
I’m here to tell you, it is entirely possible to make money on the internet. Heck, I know people who make their livings creating virtual things. But first, I want you to know one internet truth.
The answer to the question, what’s the best way to make money on the internet? Is to teach people how to make money on the internet. It’s definitely not finding the cheapest payday loans.
This is how I write
So, if you get yourself caught up in someone’s sales pitch, beware. This is a new scheme. That’s not to say that all internet products are sleazy, not by any stretch. I recently purchased a six month marketing course, and as soon as I am able, I will report back honestly.
My best advice for those of you who do not yet have an internet presence is to go get yourself one, and start building your platform. Then, start creating. Get comfortable creating and writing and stretching yourself week after week, and set a deadline.
Is it six months? Is it a year?
You’ll know, once you find your voice.
It took me a year to be comfortable here, and yet, I still don’t think I have a platform. Sure, I’m frugal, and I live in Portland, but I go off-topic as much as I stay on topic, and I still don’t know which direction I’d like to take this piece of the internet.
But I have learned so much just by jumping in, diving headfirst into this, and I can say that starting FrugalPortland was probably NOT the best way to make money on the internet. But that wasn’t my goal. I wanted to build a community. I wanted to make friends with people all over the country.
And by that definition, I have been wildly successful.
Friends, if you wouldn’t mind leaving a comment, can you tell me if there are topics you’d like me to cover? I have a bajillion ideas, but I’d love your advice. I’ll continue to chart my progress on operation: save half, since that’s something that really interests me, but I’ll expound on anything — so let me know what you’d like to see!
I love the frugal aspects of your posts/content just as much as I love the detours and tangents. I think the latter provide a great way to learn more about you and help to build the community you love so much. Looking forward to seeing/reading along with the next chapter here!
Thanks, Jen! I'm excited to see where the next chapter is, too!
I agree w/Happy Homeowner. I love the personal stories and what's going on in your life as well as your ideas and thoughts on frugality. Your blog rocks Kathleen!
Thanks, Mackenzie! I feel overwhelmed by the nice things people wrote, and I don't think I was intentionally fishing for compliments! Maybe subconsciously…
I enjoy anything real estate, and the search for your frugal soul mate :)
Oh good, b/c those topics won't die!
Isn't that the beauty of the internet and starting your own community/brand, you can take whatever tangent you want. Like you Kathleen, I have a million and a half ideas and am just scratching the surface at what I want to be doing. I am looking forward to seeing the next chapters!
As an aside, when I see your site, I always think "Frugal RULES!" not like a set of things to follow but something I would pass you in the hall and high five you saying. So that makes me happy when I see your URL.
You know, it's funny when I was thinking about starting a blog I was looking at URL's and I could not believe the URL was available. Glad it makes you happy. :)
That's awesome, how you write on a typewriter while cherry blossoms rain down.
I also love the community aspect here :-)
I think my favourite posts are your "realization" ones. I like hearing about your money making ideas and "happiness" things. Bring on whatever ideas you have. Unless you start talking about trying to conceive or something, I'll still be here reading :-)
I'm telling you, Anne, my life is amazing, with the typewriter. And no, no way will I be talking about "naughty" stuff here!
I prefer personal AND topical blogs (together) – letting the reader into their lives, but more focused at least 2/3 of posts touching on a single broad topic (like PF). I like hearing about your debt payoff progress and decisions about mid-term goals like housing.
Thanks for the feedback — I always love your responses!
I'd love for you to cover your journey into making your blog more profitable. And I like the personal stories as well. Not one of those "How to" pieces that everyone does…
Huh well, might I recommend working at McDonalds? I think I would have netted more cash from that!
First, I enjoy blogging and the money is secondary. Although one of my objectives is to make money, I see my internet presence as part of a bigger plan.
I don't aim to make money, definitely. Although every dollar I do make is very exciting!
Haha, it's funny. The best way to make money on the internet is to teach other people how to make money on the internet. And what's even funnier, like you said, is that so many of these products are virtual! I do blue collar work, always making real stuff. This virtual stuff is weird to me sometimes. But it's still "real" in its own right. Well, I'll beware ploys and scams!
Yes, beware! You're right, though, this stuff is real in its own right. You just can't touch it.
I like the posts where you show us the results of your efforts (e.g., how much you were able to pick away from your student loans by making X, Y, Z changes). It shows us how changes, sometimes small, can make a big difference.
Thanks for your feedback!
Well, the fastest way to make money online is to sell get rich quick scheme or porn. But I don't know how those folks live with themselves.
I like your notion of finding your community. That will only happen if you're true to yourself.
One of the reasons I took a break from my home buying blog was because I got distracted by big real estate sites who wanted my content while restricting what I could say about their services. It just felt yucky.
I feel like I'm focused again on my readers and have a new mission.
So keep your eyes on your tribe. We're coming here for a reason. :)
Thanks, Pamela! Love your dog pics!
I'm a fan of realness so I'd say write what your gut and heart tell you to write. It's easy to sniff out people who write about stuff they have no business covering, and t just makes them lame so stick to what makes you you!
Thanks, Eric — I appreciate your feedback, because I know you're honest with me! Plus, I took more dog pictures.
You seem like a strong independent female in control of her money and I feel inspired reading posts of that nature.
I also love your dating stories. So fun!!! :)
Hey, thanks! I will attempt to go on dates just to bring you more stories. :)
Love your blog and the mix of topics you cover. My blog is about running an antique booth – not much internet money to make on that topic either, lol. I am crossing my fingers that you will try out the internet dating thing – if not for you, then at least for the amusement of your readers ;-)
Haha, I feel a lot of pressure from the internet to try out the internet dating scene!
It's so true what you say about making money on the internet. In the gold rush, it wasn't the rushers who made money; it was the dudes selling pickaxes and shovels.
That would be such a fun time to travel back to. Imagine: convincing your family to travel for six, eight, ten months by foot, just IN CASE you could strike it rich.
I personally prefer off topic subjects! There is only so many personal finance topics out there, you know? Talk about whatever you want. Be yourself.
Thanks, Holly! I thought you were going to tell me to post more online dating :)
I sometimes wonder if what we're doing is in futility when the next generation of internet moves completely away from desktops and websites becoming unnavigable (word?). I already do most of my non-blogging online interaction through apps. :/
Nope, we're only futile if we refuse to learn the new stuff!
I love jumping head first into a new experience. Starting a blog was a great way for me to learn about how they work, and just how vast the internet is. It's been a great experience.
I'm so glad to have you writing! Your profile doesn't link to your site, though — can you fix that so I can go visit?
Haha, That should do it. I'm still figuring this whole thing out!
I love a broad variety of topics. My life is pretty boring in many respects. I live in a small town. My social life revolves around kindergarteners. I love it, but it is nice to see what other people are doing who are in totally different situations.
I'd qualify there in all respects! :)
Huge fan of you just being you. I don't really get into Frugal topics that much but it is when you do go off topic that I really like.
Thanks, Evan! I'll just keep on keepin' on then!
I always just like hearing about your daily life. To be honest, I do not enjoy reading about the latest stocks and investments, what you spend on every single grocery, how to this and how to that. I want real people with real lives and passions and struggles. And you do that my dear! I always enjoy reading your blog!
HA I don't like stock talk either b/c they represent a level of finance I'm not at yet, nor will I be for a while. Thank you very much for your kind words, and I love yours too!
Yep, the best way to make money online is to teach people to make money online. Weird!
I personally prefer a mix of personal and pf stories. I also like real estate topics, but I know you currently have that on hold.
The stories might not be over though! Thanks for your feedback.
Forgot to ask, what course are you taking?
I'll let you know once I get a chance to go through it!
I love good writing (and there's a lot of bad writing on the internet). Luckily, you definitely fall in the first category – you have a voice and I personally like to read a mix of blogs. The PF blogs I read are definitely more personal than finance.
Also agree – the best way to make money is to write about helping others make money, which is also a problem I have with the whole lifestyle design movement which is almost its own little cultish cocoon.
Thank you so much! I'm glad I found you again after your URL changed.
I think you're doing great the way you are. Personally, I think it's good to have the anything go attitude. It's more interesting. Readers keep coming back because your blog is interesting. There are plenty of other sites that dispense advice. The most important thing is to build relationship.
It's good that we got in and start buidlign a presence on the internet.
Agree, I would have never met people like you if I didn't start writing!
I'm totally curious as to what program you signed up for – though I have a few ideas. I've been trying to improve on backlinking and SEO things like that. Given your PR3, you might have a few tips to share on that!
I'll let you know soon, I'm sure!
I think you already have a good balance between PF related posts versus personal/off-topic views. Go with what you feel to write about at the given point in time.
Don't lose the tangents – the personal aspect is what makes each of our blogs unique. I like hearing about frugal, healthy lifestyles in various locales across the globe. I think it's really cool that in making friends globally, we often live locally because it's healthy, frugal and a sustainable way to live. Sharing it online is the wonder of the internet!
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I like more personal oriented blogs myself. Finance is important, but what is behind those relationships, choices and ideas behind money are much more interesting :) I also think you have found your voice and you should keep writing about your adventures, insights, money and more!
Thanks! Are you back?
I love the personal stories – the ones that tangentally incorporate elements of personal finance, but really introduce us to who you are and what's important to you. Those are the stories that allow us to connect and relate!
Thank you!
This is wonderful.