The Make Money Online Hype versus Reality!!!!
In this post I’m going to share with my readers my own experience so far with setting up this web/blog site and trying to Make Money Online, and some of the things I’ve learnt on the way, so hopefully you may avoid some of the pitfalls yourselves. Join me as we look at Google’s phenomenal earnings, how easy it is to get drawn into the hype and why it’s important to set yourself reasonable expectations.
The Make Money Online Hype
If we’re honest with ourselves, we’re all doing this to make some money in one way or another.
It’s nice to share our rantings and ravings about our favourite subjects and find like-minded souls in cyber-space who are prepared to listen to us, and engage with us in these things. That is the important point, engagement. How do you get people to engage with us, connect with us sufficiently to want to become friends, internet buddies, share ideas and thoughts with us. In the end, it’s probably one of our most deep-rooted and emotional needs, that wanting to ‘connect’ with people, to make ‘contact‘, a real emotional connection with another human being.
When you look around the internet, there are very few PURE sites, by that I mean sites which are there simply for the higher good of mankind and the world at large. In contrast there is a plethora of sites ready to sell you something, asking you to click here to make your fortune, enticing you in one way or another to hopefully part you with some of your money. For, let’s face it, that is the purpose of advertising, TO SELL SOMETHING. And the internet does it really well. In the Times Online article of 30th October, you can see how just in the UK:
Google racked up £925 million in advertising revenue in the UK in the first nine months and is set to come in at about £1.25 billion for the year as it continues to expand. A year ago it generated £871 million, overtaking Channel 4, meaning that its UK annual growth is about 43.5 per cent.
Google has overtaken, month by month revenue form the UK’s Commercial TV Advertising Channel ITV1. In the US, Google revenues topped $5.37 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, an increase of 39 percent compared to the second quarter of 2007. These are staggering figures, which clearly demonstrate there is money to be made, and it is these kind of statistics that has led to the thousands of blogs and websites all promising to help us ‘Make Money Online‘.
Believe it or not, if you’re reading this, you’re already caught up in the hype. As I was too, because, I’d seen all these google ads on all the pages I’d visit, and yes, I wanted to know how it worked. On top of that, I was being literally spammed out (does that make sense!) by all the Internet Marketeers who claimed to have made hundreds of thousands of dollars online through the internet, and how the money was literally rolling in 24/7 365 days a year, without them needing to do anything after the initial set up. Oh, by the way, you have to put your name and email address, click on this link to get their FREE e-book on how to do this overnight. Yes, I’ve been suckered into it all too!!!
The Reality
Well, anyone who thinks making money online is easy is in for a big disappointment. The answer is, it’s not easy. Those who are doing it have had to put a lot of effort in to establish their websites with good content, built up their rankings on the search engine results pages, and don’t really rant and rave about it. They’re not making hundreds of thousands of dollars. Despite all the pictures of Ferraris you see, all the photos of payment cheques they’ve recieved, don’t be fooled. It’s not that easy, and if you think about it, is n’t that true of most things in Life. Anything worth getting, is worth spending time on, and at the end of the day, you will only get out what you put in, don’t expect miracles.
If you look around at all the Make Money Online sites, they all have more or less the same information, it’s duplicated time and time again. The reality is there really is NO substitute for good quality original content. If you have something to say, it’s genuine and has substance, people will want to know about it. Google will find it and you will get your rankings. There is no simple way to do this, it’s going to take time.
The important thing is don’t set up unrealistic expectations, if you do, you will only be disappointed. Start off small, and then raise the bar. But do have Goals, for these will motivate you and drive your success. But be realistic, have a passion for what you’re doing, set up your stall on the internet, light your flame and let it burn. The light, if it’s strong enough, and burns brightly enough, will bring you your just rewards. Remember, money is n’t everything, it’s the way we use it that’s more important.
My Experience
Well as you can see, I’ve set up my stall, and lit the flame.
But that was only the beginning of it. I was so eager to learn about Adsense, how to get it into my pages, about Affiliate Programmes and ways to monetise what I was doing. So I put these things onto my pages, submitted it to the search engines and truth is NOTHING happened. I loaded up STATCOUNTER so I could see what was happening. I could see two regular visitors, one was me of course, and the other one was a friend who visited my site regularly, but I could n’t see anyone clicking on my site. Then I realised, nobody knew about my site, my title was so obscure, TechnicalArticles, who’s going to type that in!!! So I started joining web-forums, blog catalog sites, and visiting sites and leaving comments so I could get backlinks to my site. Slowly, I was beginning to get traffic, not huge numbers but a bit more than just my friend visiting.
So far, on 21st October 2008, the site is reporting $26.54 from the time I installed ADSENSE which was 1st October 2008. No, I have n’t missed out any zeros, that’s the hard facts.
Conclusions
Do you know something, when I saw the figure $26.54 I was over the moon!!!
You might say, why? The reason is because, it was WORKING!!! When I’d started, I had no idea anything would be possible to make money online. But to do it myself, put it into practice and actually earn some dollars, however small they may seem, I was well chuffed (pleased)!!!!
So in conclusion, don’t get drawn into the hype and set unrealistic expectations that are impossible to achieve. You can do it, just like I did. Look through my site, I have listed out the steps on how I set up this web/blog site, and if you need more information, just let me know.
I would be interested in your own experiences in the comments below, how have you found your journey of making money online, has it been an easy ride or a hard climb.
Enjoy!
Daniel Hunt
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25 Comments, Comment or Ping
TheForce
Great Post Daniel, it’s good to get some truth into this area, I think a lot of people are hyping things up as you say… thanks for sharing your earnings with us.. hope they’ll keep rising for you.. Good Luck!!!
Oct 21st, 2008
Frankles
very interesting article and a very good read keep up the good work!
Oct 21st, 2008
Surfer Jerry
Great post! It does take time for the money to come in. I still use adsense on a few of my sites but have found out that I make a lot more money with affiliate links. I recently wrote an article on my main affiliate program I use. If you are interested you can check it out on my site. http://surferjerry.com/uncategorized/top-affiliate-program-to-make-money-with/ Keep up the good work, your a good writter and if you stick with it you’ll find the success that you are looking for. Like you said you just have to put your time in!
Surfer Jerry’s last blog post..Lost Egyptian Labyrinth Found
Oct 21st, 2008
Daniel Hunt
@Force: Thanks for the positive comments.
@Frankles: Thanks.
Daniel Hunt’s last blog post..Making Money from Domain Names - Part 1
Oct 22nd, 2008
Internet Marketing
This blog Is very informative , I am really pleased to post my comment on this blog . It helped me with ocean of knowledge so I really belive you will do much better in the future . Good job web master .
Oct 22nd, 2008
ditesco
The truth and nothing but the truth. The key is one step at a time or else…
Unfortunately (or not), many bloggers makes the same mistake over and over. Taking short-cuts, overdoing ad placements and so fort are common and will never end. The irony is that, in a sense this is good, because it gives the serious and honest bloggers like yourself:), room to prosper..
Fantastico, as say they in my language:)
Oct 22nd, 2008
Daniel Hunt
@diTesco: Welcome back and thanks for the comment. I think you need to keep honest and give something from your own experience otherwise your posts and your blog begins to lack that human contact which I think is necessary for success..
I liked Fantastico!!! I wonder if the people who created the software that allows you to configure Wordpress and lots of other goodies on external hosting sites were from Portugal!!!
Daniel Hunt’s last blog post..How to start your own Blog on an external host
Oct 22nd, 2008
evan j
Thanks Daniel Hunt, this article is very well written and you’re probably right.
Most people think it will happen overnight - in reality good content(what counts) doesn’t happen overnight.
I’ve actually removed the adsense from my blogs for the time being. I hope this will drive more subscriptions and return visitors. So far it looks as if it has in just the past few days alone.
Maybe at like 100+ unique visitors a day I’ll reintroduce a little adsense or something similar.
Oct 24th, 2008
maypu
I from China
Oct 26th, 2008
nAcho
This is really true. Too many people think they’ll get some bucks after two weeks, placing 1000 ads and writing a lot but with poor quality.
I’m glad I realized this doesn’t work early. Now I’m devoted to write quality content.
There’s some aspect I think you missed. I think it is also important to write regularly.
nAcho’s last blog post..Actualización: festival A.R.T.O Rock 08
Oct 28th, 2008
Daniel Hunt
@maypu: Thanks for the visit. Tried your site, unfortunately, I wish I could speak your language, or read it even. Keep visiting.
Oct 29th, 2008
Daniel Hunt
@nAcho: Thanks for your comments, and I do agree with you about writing regularly.. I’m trying to keep at least two posts a week going, and it’s not easy to write and do everything else. I have written a new article, ProBlogger, Making Money Online & The Hunger to Succeed!!!
http://technicalarticles.co.uk/?p=240
Which you might find inspiring, because it shows what IS possible. Keep visiting the site if you can.
Oct 29th, 2008
Eunice Coughlin
Hi Ya,
This is a great post and something more people should read…especially beginners! I’ve been at this game for over 3 years and I’m still climbing that hill. Many people think they’re going to make money within a couple of months of starting and it just doesn’t happen that way. And many more people believe those pictures of the Ferrari’s and beach scenes. And that’s just sad.
But it’s true that it DOES work. You just have to keep at it. I finally got my first site up to 150 people a day and I was finally making at lease $100 a month on Adsense. But I decided to convert the site to a blog and so I have to start over again in terms of adsense income. But now worries, I know how to do it a lot faster now.
Good work and glad I found your blog. You’ve got some great info here.
Eunice
Eunice Coughlin’s last blog post..How to Increase Website Traffic?
Oct 29th, 2008
Dan
@evan j: I’m in two minds about adsense, there’s pros & cons to its introduction and removal.. I think the jury is probably divided on what’s the best thing to do, whether to introduce it early or later.. thanks for your comments, they are appreciated.
@Surfer Jerry: I liked your article, my own efforts at Affiliate Marketing has resulted in zilch!! Oh that means Nothing when translated!!!
@Eunice Coughlin: Thanks Eunice, I’m still a beginner.. I will have to visit your site to learn the rope’s.. my earnings have peaked at $30 and become stuck!!! Help!! Need to oil the wheels somewhere. Seriously, though, there is an art to it, and finding it is the secret. When I do, I’ll share it with you all!!!!
Thanks for visiting.
Daniel Hunt
Oct 29th, 2008
James
Great article and agree that you can easily get sucked in to all the hype as i did, but once i lowered my target and became realistic things started to improve. The blogosphere desperatly needs article like this so that anybody new can learn before being sucked in.
Oct 30th, 2008
Dan
@James: Thanks for the comments. I agree with what you say, it’s so easy to get sucked in and get disappointed when things don’t turn out as you expected. My follow up article, is all about the Hunger to Succeed, and you can see a photo of someone who made it big. Please visit again.
Oct 30th, 2008
Liane Schmidt
I love your honest, straightforward approach to writing. I wish I was as technologically adept as you are! I could make my blog as exceptionally professional and wonderful as yours!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Liane Schmidt’s last blog post..How to Remain Inspired
Nov 1st, 2008
Dan
@Liane: Thank you for these kind comments, they are much appreciated. I think you are gifted in your thoughts, so keep writing them because they will help others too. I found your article on How to Remain Inspired very useful and encourage anyone who comes here to read it:
http://makethemostofyourtime.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-to-remain-inspired.html
Because it’s so true that after the initial bout of success wih making mone online, its so easy to get discouraged and the secret is to remain inspired and continue the journey you’ve started.
Nov 1st, 2008
Chuckypita
This is an incredible article. You know, sometimes beginning bloggers will get so overwhelmed with excitement, it’s almost like a caffeine high - just destined for a crash.
Thanks for the great blog. Heck, no wonder why the UK is so sweet!
Chuckypita’s last blog post..Ron Paul speech about new president - “No significant changes on the horizon”
Nov 5th, 2008
MoneyAmulet
I love making money online. this is cost of your brain i think
MoneyAmulet’s last blog post..Employee Benefits Right Or Privilege
Nov 6th, 2008
Neha
Good work Dan, i m really impressed with your honest and straight wordings and comments.And honestly very helpful for me to put down to the ground of reality. I am also a new beginner. Can you help me out and give your valuable suggestions regarding my blog and my writing, i know i am not such a good writer but i am trying my best, just i need your frank evaluation of my blog.
i Hope you will give me your comments.
Thanks
Neha’s last blog post..Make Your Firefox Status Bar More Powerful For Search Engine Optimization
Nov 11th, 2008
Dan
@Chuckypita: Thanks for your comment.
@MoneyAmulet: I think Money Making Online is definitely challenging, but you have to keep the balance on your life too.
@Neha: Welcome and thanks for your kind comments, they are really appreciated. I will definitely visit your blog as soon as I can and let you have my thoughts, though to be truthful, I’m no expert, but I will share with you what I know.
In the coming days, this blog is going to be completely redesigned, and in my first article on the new look site, I’ll give you the reasons why. So please come back and read the next post & thanks to everyone for visiting.
Nov 11th, 2008
Doreen
You have a nice honest approach. Keep up the good work. I think you well make it if you just keep up the good work.
Nov 13th, 2008
Daniel Hunt
@Doreen: Thanks for your comments, there are a couple of follow up articles which you might be interested in also, have a look at the articles in the Making Money Online category.
Daniel Hunt’s last blog post..The Making Money Online Hype versus Reality - Part 3
Nov 23rd, 2008
Ben
I am new in blogging and really appreciate your article. My first impression on your site is that you have quality content. Keep posting.
Ben’s last blog post..Wishing all Expat Pinoy a …
Dec 25th, 2008
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