Somehow, we’re already into February, so it’s my opportunity to take you Behind The Screen to see what tools I use to create my content and what’s been going on during the month preceding this report.
I’m also using this post as an opportunity to discus a topical issue in blogging each month and this month, I’m talking about bloggers being offered “exposure” as payment!
January 2016
Advertising Income: £7.07
Affiliate Income: £5.92
Collaborative & Sponsored Posts: £0
Other Work & Consulting: £80
Costs / Outgoings: £unrecorded
Total January Page Views: 4784
Yay for January! Although I was in a crazy place re exercise (read: Dear 2016), I managed to keep up with the blog posting 13 times and hitting my goal of 3x per week. I put a lot of thought into what I wanted to share, the imagery I was using and the added value of my posts.
All of my stats and total page views saw an increase from December (see Decembers report here) which I think may be due to social sharing and the value of the posts.
One post I shared was Your 6 Day Countdown Guide To Pre Race Preparation – which is actually a post I wrote a couple years back but I changed the format and updated the imagery. I also posted it just in time for the London Winter Run and it’s a post that is applicable for any and every race in our calendars. This post gave me content to share each an every day with the related tasks and I myself really enjoyed the format!
Read “3 Lessons I learnt Again During The London Winter Run“
Read “Pamper Yourself During The Holidays“
I was lucky enough in January to be able to collaborate with Next for the launch of their new sportswear range which they kindly shared on Twitter and Instagram. They also shared my post of tips for starting a new blog on their bloggers network.
The top post for the month had to be my review of The Body Coach’s new Book – Lean in 15. I picked up the book on Amazon and loved it! I shared a quick and easy read round up of my thoughts on his recipes and at just £7 for the book I think (and hope?!) I helped a few people to make a decision either way!
Topical: Is “exposure” a fair payment for bloggers?
Probably once per day, an email lands in my inbox which asks me to write a blog post about “X” in return for “Y” brand sharing my post on their social media channels. These people, then demand to know the stats of my blog (which are actually available through my media kit or these monthly posts if they bothered to check) and never actually disclose what they are offering me! …I saw an image recently about dancers being asked to work for free so I adapted it for bloggers…
I’m currently (technically) a full time personal trainer / blogger so my time is precious! It seems that sometimes it’s even difficult to get travel expenses out of those who want you to travel in, around and out of London to events. Over the past months, I’ve learnt to say no when what I’m being offered is not acceptable – 2 spin classes for a ton of IG posts, tweets and a blog post?! No siree!
This was one of the reasons I started the London Bloggers Community – to allow us to be able to communicate with each other, share opportunities and openly know whats going on to help keep things fair and ensure we are valued (and know our own value!).
What’s your take on “exposure” as payment?!
So… anything I’ve missed that you’d be interested to know?!
Do you track your stats monthly?!
Elle
I think that people are waking up to the fact that 99% of the time exposure is completely worthless as payment. What I do think is worth something is fun, and unique experiences. I don't mind if I get an offer that doesn't necessarily offer hard cash, if what it does offer sounds like fun or is an experience I could never other wise experience. Whilst you can't pay the bills with those things, they are the sort of stuff that makes for great memories and a life well-lived.
Couldn't agree more Joanne! …I am definitely all for experiences and creating memories (and have a fair few come to mind from this blog) …I do hope that more people wake up to the fact that we are as valuable as they know we are (otherwise they wouldn't be contacting us?!) so what they offer us should align with that!
I don't understand why so many PRs and brands expect bloggers to work for free. As a hydrologist and engineer I expect to be paid for my time so why should bloggers be treated differently? Exposure doesn't pay the bills!
The day my mortgage company takes exposure as payment is the day I will happily work for exposure too! lol …until that day, I'll keep making a stand for myself and for others!!
YES Elle!All of this!Like you, I'm technically a full time blogger, my time is precious, writing "a little blog post" takes time away from PAYING work.Time is precious. Don't take the mick
Hopefully one day, the message will be heard loud & clear! I personally will keep making a stand for myself and for others!!