Dashing hopes or Feeding Dreams: Does your craft pay the bills?
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donn...@msn.com
Jan 6, 2009, 1:32:44 PM1/6/09
to rpgbloggers
Please forgive this n00b if I have crossed a line, but I am genuinely
curious.
I see quite a few articles and posts about turning your hobby into a
career(?), and realize that it is possible, but how realistic is it?
Whether you get adsense revenue, sell PDF's, or write freelance for a
3PP, how much do you actually make?
I don't want your W-2's : ) Just a ballpark, see, all the discipline,
talent, and moxy in the world won't pay for ramen and hot dogs, much
less a mortgage and a car payment.
So are there any of you that make enough from your hobby to survive?
Please feel free to tell me to get stuffed if you aren't comfortable
with disclosing that info. I understand.
My own personal self has made absolutely nothing from either my blog
or two rejected proposals : )
curious.
I see quite a few articles and posts about turning your hobby into a
career(?), and realize that it is possible, but how realistic is it?
Whether you get adsense revenue, sell PDF's, or write freelance for a
3PP, how much do you actually make?
I don't want your W-2's : ) Just a ballpark, see, all the discipline,
talent, and moxy in the world won't pay for ramen and hot dogs, much
less a mortgage and a car payment.
So are there any of you that make enough from your hobby to survive?
Please feel free to tell me to get stuffed if you aren't comfortable
with disclosing that info. I understand.
My own personal self has made absolutely nothing from either my blog
or two rejected proposals : )
Jonathan Jacobs
Jan 6, 2009, 1:39:33 PM1/6/09
to rpgbl...@googlegroups.com
I'm make tons of money blogging.
Like... in the neighborhood of $5 - $10 per month. It's really an awesomely good use of my time. Honestly though, I am just fortunate that ... for some reason... my wife seems to think that it _is_ a good use of my spare time. heh
Jonathan
Like... in the neighborhood of $5 - $10 per month. It's really an awesomely good use of my time. Honestly though, I am just fortunate that ... for some reason... my wife seems to think that it _is_ a good use of my spare time. heh
Jonathan
Alex VP
Jan 6, 2009, 1:42:54 PM1/6/09
to rpgbl...@googlegroups.com
This may not be the info you're looking for.. But I've tried to turn my hobby in to a business. Its not the blogging though. Its chainmaille. While I'd love to quit my full time gig and make/sell chainmaille instead, its just not a craft that supports that.. at least right now. I've decided to appeal to the niche market of gamers with dice bags and other d20 accessories/geekery items though I may branch out and go for a higher end market with sterling silver jewelry.
The first thing to keep in mind when turning your hobby in to a business/career is, can you charge for what your work is actually worth? Let's say you're creating a pdf to sell. With that sort of format, you can sell the same pdf several times and can afford to lower your price. It may have taken you 6 hours to create the pdf, and perhaps you feel your time is worth $10/hr. If you could only sell the pdf once, you'd want more than $60 for it. Of course, selling it several times allows you accumulate that profit over many sales.
Thankfully, registering the business with Pennsylvania was cake and couldn't have been any easier. Your state/country may vary.
As for numbers, I made just under a grand last year ..and that's only doing this in my spare time. No craft shows. Just internet sales (www.etsy.com) and wholesales to local gaming stores. In short, my hobby does not pay the bills.. its my `fun money` :)
I hope some of this helps.
-Czar
http://maille.czaralex.com
http://czaralex.etsy.com
The first thing to keep in mind when turning your hobby in to a business/career is, can you charge for what your work is actually worth? Let's say you're creating a pdf to sell. With that sort of format, you can sell the same pdf several times and can afford to lower your price. It may have taken you 6 hours to create the pdf, and perhaps you feel your time is worth $10/hr. If you could only sell the pdf once, you'd want more than $60 for it. Of course, selling it several times allows you accumulate that profit over many sales.
Thankfully, registering the business with Pennsylvania was cake and couldn't have been any easier. Your state/country may vary.
As for numbers, I made just under a grand last year ..and that's only doing this in my spare time. No craft shows. Just internet sales (www.etsy.com) and wholesales to local gaming stores. In short, my hobby does not pay the bills.. its my `fun money` :)
I hope some of this helps.
-Czar
http://maille.czaralex.com
http://czaralex.etsy.com
Vegas HQ
Jan 6, 2009, 1:47:35 PM1/6/09
to rpgbl...@googlegroups.com
A blog alone won't make you rich. It's all the work that goes on behind the scenes. For my business partner and I the blogs are just a way to connect with potential clients. To get yourself noticed you have to be extremely active in your blogging niche. This means going out and commenting, guest posting, linking out and maintaining a presence.
The real money comes from our writing and graphic design. If we make a buck or two off the blogs to have a meal out once in a while, that's just an extra perk, but we don't rely on the blogs themselves for our main source of income.
Like Alex said, it's his business that keeps him going, not the blog itself. Our own business is well into six figures this year.
There's a book called The E Myth Revisited. If you're thinking of going into business for yourself, I suggest you give this book a read. Excellent advice in there if you can get past Sarah and her pies ;)
We also have a lot of business advice on our blog Men with Pens if you want to stop by sometime and have a look.
The real money comes from our writing and graphic design. If we make a buck or two off the blogs to have a meal out once in a while, that's just an extra perk, but we don't rely on the blogs themselves for our main source of income.
Like Alex said, it's his business that keeps him going, not the blog itself. Our own business is well into six figures this year.
There's a book called The E Myth Revisited. If you're thinking of going into business for yourself, I suggest you give this book a read. Excellent advice in there if you can get past Sarah and her pies ;)
We also have a lot of business advice on our blog Men with Pens if you want to stop by sometime and have a look.
donn...@msn.com
Jan 6, 2009, 1:54:29 PM1/6/09
to rpgbloggers
Just to clarify, the info is NOT for me. I have ZERO discipline, and
hold no illusions about my hobby ever becoming a career : )
It's for other up-and-comers, as well as my own curiousity. I blog
because I enjoy it. If I make enough money to buy a soda every 6
months, it would still be totally worth it.
That's not to say that advice, pointers, and links to said content
aren't appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to answer!
On Jan 6, 10:47 am, "Vegas HQ" <vegas...@gmail.com> wrote:
> A blog alone won't make you rich. It's all the work that goes on behind the
> scenes. For my business partner and I the blogs are just a way to connect
> with potential clients. To get yourself noticed you have to be extremely
> active in your blogging niche. This means going out and commenting, guest
> posting, linking out and maintaining a presence.
>
> The real money comes from our writing and graphic design. If we make a buck
> or two off the blogs to have a meal out once in a while, that's just an
> extra perk, but we don't rely on the blogs themselves for our main source of
> income.
>
> Like Alex said, it's his business that keeps him going, not the blog itself.
> Our own business is well into six figures this year.
>
> There's a book called The E Myth Revisited. If you're thinking of going into
> business for yourself, I suggest you give this book a read. Excellent advice
> in there if you can get past Sarah and her pies ;)
>
> We also have a lot of business advice on our blog Men with
> Pens<http://menwithpens.ca>if you want to stop by sometime and have a
> look.
>
> - Show quoted text -
hold no illusions about my hobby ever becoming a career : )
It's for other up-and-comers, as well as my own curiousity. I blog
because I enjoy it. If I make enough money to buy a soda every 6
months, it would still be totally worth it.
That's not to say that advice, pointers, and links to said content
aren't appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to answer!
On Jan 6, 10:47 am, "Vegas HQ" <vegas...@gmail.com> wrote:
> A blog alone won't make you rich. It's all the work that goes on behind the
> scenes. For my business partner and I the blogs are just a way to connect
> with potential clients. To get yourself noticed you have to be extremely
> active in your blogging niche. This means going out and commenting, guest
> posting, linking out and maintaining a presence.
>
> The real money comes from our writing and graphic design. If we make a buck
> or two off the blogs to have a meal out once in a while, that's just an
> extra perk, but we don't rely on the blogs themselves for our main source of
> income.
>
> Like Alex said, it's his business that keeps him going, not the blog itself.
> Our own business is well into six figures this year.
>
> There's a book called The E Myth Revisited. If you're thinking of going into
> business for yourself, I suggest you give this book a read. Excellent advice
> in there if you can get past Sarah and her pies ;)
>
> We also have a lot of business advice on our blog Men with
> look.
>
> On Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 10:32 AM, donny0...@msn.com <donny0...@msn.com>wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Please forgive this n00b if I have crossed a line, but I am genuinely
> > curious.
>
> > I see quite a few articles and posts about turning your hobby into a
> > career(?), and realize that it is possible, but how realistic is it?
>
> > Whether you get adsense revenue, sell PDF's, or write freelance for a
> > 3PP, how much do you actually make?
>
> > I don't want your W-2's : ) Just a ballpark, see, all the discipline,
> > talent, and moxy in the world won't pay for ramen and hot dogs, much
> > less a mortgage and a car payment.
>
> > So are there any of you that make enough from your hobby to survive?
>
> > Please feel free to tell me to get stuffed if you aren't comfortable
> > with disclosing that info. I understand.
>
> > My own personal self has made absolutely nothing from either my blog
> > or two rejected proposals : )- Hide quoted text -
> On Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 10:32 AM, donny0...@msn.com <donny0...@msn.com>wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Please forgive this n00b if I have crossed a line, but I am genuinely
> > curious.
>
> > I see quite a few articles and posts about turning your hobby into a
> > career(?), and realize that it is possible, but how realistic is it?
>
> > Whether you get adsense revenue, sell PDF's, or write freelance for a
> > 3PP, how much do you actually make?
>
> > I don't want your W-2's : ) Just a ballpark, see, all the discipline,
> > talent, and moxy in the world won't pay for ramen and hot dogs, much
> > less a mortgage and a car payment.
>
> > So are there any of you that make enough from your hobby to survive?
>
> > Please feel free to tell me to get stuffed if you aren't comfortable
> > with disclosing that info. I understand.
>
> > My own personal self has made absolutely nothing from either my blog
>
> - Show quoted text -
Michael S
Jan 6, 2009, 1:58:17 PM1/6/09
to rpgbl...@googlegroups.com
I think about all the time I've saved, or all the neat ideas I've gained for free - that's definitely worth a lot in my book.
I have to admit, if I could make a living from playing/writing games, I would. I'm just not that good enough to design a game - and it seems like everyone writes fantasy these days. I just don't know how I could hope to make any money.
I seem to get into hobbies that spend a lot. I should tell you about short track stock car racing... (where the real fuel is $$$ not 110 octane...)
It's a great subject!
Michael
I have to admit, if I could make a living from playing/writing games, I would. I'm just not that good enough to design a game - and it seems like everyone writes fantasy these days. I just don't know how I could hope to make any money.
I seem to get into hobbies that spend a lot. I should tell you about short track stock car racing... (where the real fuel is $$$ not 110 octane...)
It's a great subject!
Michael
MadBrew
Jan 6, 2009, 1:59:01 PM1/6/09
to rpgbloggers
I think you could make money with a blog, and even perhaps enough to
pay a mortgage, but not with the target audience of an RPG blog. I
don't think there are very many "rock stars" in the table top gaming
industry. As in people who make millions. Its a passion not a
bankroll. If there are not any rock stars in the industry, there
probably won't even be anything close in the blogosphere.
I don't have ads on my blog, and anything I have written I provide for
free... though I might get a couple of copies of the RPG Blog
Anthology for my troubles, which is awesome! Besides, the moment all
this became "work" I think I would lose my passion for it. And if you
want to make a living do this, you'll need to devote a majority of
your time, which means it will be a job, screw the lot of that.
However, that being said. I do love my day job, but I program for a
living, and my salary isn't totally subject to "market whims." I
don't need to constantly push my work and hope that someone will buy
it. I show up, produce the product, and get paid. It isn't a chore
(most of the time) and I am not worried about getting my next paycheck
(decent job security) which is the deal-breaker for me when it comes
to thinking about making my hobby my profession.
Not really what you were looking for either, but I figured I'd chime
in with my perspective.
pay a mortgage, but not with the target audience of an RPG blog. I
don't think there are very many "rock stars" in the table top gaming
industry. As in people who make millions. Its a passion not a
bankroll. If there are not any rock stars in the industry, there
probably won't even be anything close in the blogosphere.
I don't have ads on my blog, and anything I have written I provide for
free... though I might get a couple of copies of the RPG Blog
Anthology for my troubles, which is awesome! Besides, the moment all
this became "work" I think I would lose my passion for it. And if you
want to make a living do this, you'll need to devote a majority of
your time, which means it will be a job, screw the lot of that.
However, that being said. I do love my day job, but I program for a
living, and my salary isn't totally subject to "market whims." I
don't need to constantly push my work and hope that someone will buy
it. I show up, produce the product, and get paid. It isn't a chore
(most of the time) and I am not worried about getting my next paycheck
(decent job security) which is the deal-breaker for me when it comes
to thinking about making my hobby my profession.
Not really what you were looking for either, but I figured I'd chime
in with my perspective.
Michael S
Jan 6, 2009, 2:03:30 PM1/6/09
to rpgbl...@googlegroups.com
BTW, the "it's a great subject" comment is about your question, not about my racing... :P
Michael
Michael
donn...@msn.com
Jan 6, 2009, 2:19:31 PM1/6/09
to rpgbloggers
lol, noted.
QFT the rest as well : )
On Jan 6, 11:03 am, "Michael S" <chgo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> BTW, the "it's a great subject" comment is about your question, not about my
> racing... :P
>
> Michael
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 12:58 PM, Michael S <chgo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I think about all the time I've saved, or all the neat ideas I've gained
> > for free - that's definitely worth a lot in my book.
>
> > I have to admit, if I could make a living from playing/writing games, I
> > would. I'm just not that good enough to design a game - and it seems like
> > everyone writes fantasy these days. I just don't know how I could hope to
> > make any money.
>
> > I seem to get into hobbies that spend a lot. I should tell you about short
> > track stock car racing... (where the real fuel is $$$ not 110 octane...)
>
> > It's a great subject!
> > Michael
>
QFT the rest as well : )
On Jan 6, 11:03 am, "Michael S" <chgo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> BTW, the "it's a great subject" comment is about your question, not about my
> racing... :P
>
> Michael
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 12:58 PM, Michael S <chgo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I think about all the time I've saved, or all the neat ideas I've gained
> > for free - that's definitely worth a lot in my book.
>
> > I have to admit, if I could make a living from playing/writing games, I
> > would. I'm just not that good enough to design a game - and it seems like
> > everyone writes fantasy these days. I just don't know how I could hope to
> > make any money.
>
> > I seem to get into hobbies that spend a lot. I should tell you about short
> > track stock car racing... (where the real fuel is $$$ not 110 octane...)
>
> > It's a great subject!
> > Michael
>
> > On Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 12:54 PM, donny0...@msn.com <donny0...@msn.com>wrote:
>
> >> Just to clarify, the info is NOT for me. I have ZERO discipline, and
> >> hold no illusions about my hobby ever becoming a career : )
>
> >> It's for other up-and-comers, as well as my own curiousity. I blog
> >> because I enjoy it. If I make enough money to buy a soda every 6
> >> months, it would still be totally worth it.
>
> >> That's not to say that advice, pointers, and links to said content
> >> aren't appreciated.
>
> >> Thank you for taking the time to answer!- Hide quoted text -
>
> >> Just to clarify, the info is NOT for me. I have ZERO discipline, and
> >> hold no illusions about my hobby ever becoming a career : )
>
> >> It's for other up-and-comers, as well as my own curiousity. I blog
> >> because I enjoy it. If I make enough money to buy a soda every 6
> >> months, it would still be totally worth it.
>
> >> That's not to say that advice, pointers, and links to said content
> >> aren't appreciated.
>
Hammer
Jan 6, 2009, 5:45:14 PM1/6/09
to rpgbloggers
If you can make enough money from your blog to cover you hosting and
domain charges, then you are doing well. ;)
I spent a long time looking at monetizing previous blogs, and
concluded that it was probably eaiser to use my blog as a portfilo and
a gateway to paid employment at one of the bigger sites. Of course,
that didn't pan out for me because real life got in the way, but it
does work for others.
Still, if you want to make big money from a blog, you need something
really special and a good few natural 20s. /cynic
domain charges, then you are doing well. ;)
I spent a long time looking at monetizing previous blogs, and
concluded that it was probably eaiser to use my blog as a portfilo and
a gateway to paid employment at one of the bigger sites. Of course,
that didn't pan out for me because real life got in the way, but it
does work for others.
Still, if you want to make big money from a blog, you need something
really special and a good few natural 20s. /cynic
gamefiend
Jan 8, 2009, 12:39:48 PM1/8/09
to rpgbloggers
I'll hop in...I've got a few blogs going, and I'm mostly using it as,
like other people have noted, a resume/protfolio piece. I'll monetize
a little, but mostly I'm looking to meet cool people (mission
accomplished thus far!) and establish my credentials for paying
projects. The extra work is worth it --the juice is worth the
squeeze, definitely.
The best thing though? The people. I have come into contact with
people who think about and love gaming with a passion at least equal
to mine, with several thoughts similar to mine and several that differ
from mine. That is what I think long term will have the best ROI (yes
I'm one of those jerks that always talks about return on investment!)
with rpg blogging, or blogging in general.
like other people have noted, a resume/protfolio piece. I'll monetize
a little, but mostly I'm looking to meet cool people (mission
accomplished thus far!) and establish my credentials for paying
projects. The extra work is worth it --the juice is worth the
squeeze, definitely.
The best thing though? The people. I have come into contact with
people who think about and love gaming with a passion at least equal
to mine, with several thoughts similar to mine and several that differ
from mine. That is what I think long term will have the best ROI (yes
I'm one of those jerks that always talks about return on investment!)
with rpg blogging, or blogging in general.
Mark Meredith
Jan 8, 2009, 4:40:09 PM1/8/09
to rpgbl...@googlegroups.com
Hey, everybody!
Dice Monkey is back and running. We took a little time once we got
back from Spokane in getting things running again, but we're back and
with big news! You can see the announcement on at Dice Monkey: http://dicemonkey.wordpress.com/
Dice Monkey is back and running. We took a little time once we got
back from Spokane in getting things running again, but we're back and
with big news! You can see the announcement on at Dice Monkey: http://dicemonkey.wordpress.com/
Thanks! It's good to be back.
Mark
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