Written on November 13th, 2007 at 05:11 am by Darren Rowse
Would You Blog Differently If You Had Money?
Anne Waymen asks a question that’s got me thinking a little today – Would You Still Write If You Had A Million Dollars?
On Saturday night I was at a party and had a fascinating chat with a guy who had his own business. We were swapping stories about our businesses and out of the blue (and simultaneously) both said something to this effect:
“I’d do it even if I couldn’t earn money from it.”
We then went onto to discuss why we thought that that was probably a secret to the fact that we’d both done reasonably well with our work – it wasn’t about the money.
My new friend told me about his motivations for switching careers to start his business – his reason wasn’t because he wanted to make money but because he found it so interesting that he just couldn’t help but learn more about it. His story reminded me a lot about my own experience of blogging.
Five years ago when I started blogging (5 years this month actually) I did so on a whim to see what would happen. The thought that it’d end up being a full time job (and more) was laughable. The reason I continued blogging was that within days I was hooked. Hooked by the relationships I discovered, the community that I became a part of and the learning that I was engaging in.
The money came years later – much later.
So I guess I’d answer Anne’s question with a yes – I’d still write if I had a Million Dollars.
However – her question sparked another one for me – a question I’d like to ask readers.
Would you blog differently if you had a Million Dollars?
The reason I ask this is that a few weeks ago I was listening to a podcast (this one) by the 9Rules team over at 3by9 and it was Thyme that talked about Dave Winer who blogs differently because he is ‘financially secure’ (I am probably misquoting Thyme here as it was a couple of weeks ago that I listened to the podcast).
The gist of her comments was that the blogger could blog more freely because he wasn’t reliant upon advertisers and didn’t need to impress others etc. As a result he has a ‘different mindset’ to other bloggers.
Of course this is just Thyme’s opinion – but her idea has stayed with me this past couple of weeks and I’d love to hear whether others think that they’d blog differently if they had wealth already.
Over to you – what do you think?
84 Responses to “Would You Blog Differently If You Had Money?” - Add Yours
Mark Silver
November 13th, 2007 6:12 am
I think this is a big struggle for most people- even those who have wealth, but still feel insecure about their future (which is many, many people.)
I believe what you’re asking is, at heart, a spiritual question, because it has to do with this concept of security. And while money in the bank does provide a tremendous sense of relief (I’ve both had it and not had it, and yes, it does make a difference.)
And yet, insecurity is always available to us, whether or not we have money.
I would ask the question this way:
- Would you work your business differently if you weren’t secure in yourself?
Or, yet another way, to ask Einstein’s famous question: “Is the universe a safe place, or isn’t it?” If you feel in your heart that you are cared-for, no matter what the outside circumstances, you are going to be able withstand the winds of change, whether it’s fickle advertisers, or what have you.
And, most people who can find this sense of security in themselves find what you find, it seems, Darren: that they do well, because their confidence provides a ’shelter from the storm’ in some sense, to the people who come to listen to them.
What do you think?
Doug
November 13th, 2007 6:18 am
I’m not sure but I would gladly accept a sponsor to find out! :)
Missy
November 13th, 2007 6:21 am
Yes, i would market my blog ten fold, so that more folks would see it and read it. I write about the vegetarian lifestyle and would love to spread the message around like hotcakes.
Having more money would allow me to market more and to reach more people. So the answer is, YES!
Mark
November 13th, 2007 6:27 am
Interesting question ~ because I do not currently earn any money from blogging I imagine I would write the same if I suddenly had one million dollars.
Although, if I were financially independent I would probably choose to focus more on development type issues and trying to help those in need.
Missy
November 13th, 2007 6:29 am
I would like to add that i write for myself (and for my intended readers) and NOT for advertisers.
If my blog blows up and it becomes quite popular, yes i would accept big time advertisers, etc. but i would still write from my heart and for my audience.
Eat more veggies! Leave the animals alone.
Michael Martine
November 13th, 2007 6:32 am
When I first began blogging, it wasn’t for money, so I would still do it. Just having money isn’t good enough because it doesn’t explain enough. If I got the million from blogging, then you bet I’d still be blogging, because that’s where my bread is buttered. As absurd as it may sound, a million doesn’t go as far as it used to. Money isn’t so much the point as it is the consequence.
Advice Network Writing contest
November 13th, 2007 6:35 am
I am reminded of the movie “office space” when the main character discovered that if he was rich, he would do nothing.
I don’t think I’d do nothing, but there is a lot I’m doing now to pay the bills.
Doug, very funny!
Jamie Harrop
November 13th, 2007 6:41 am
Why do the worlds billionaires continue to work after they have made their first billion? Because every entrepreneur has a passion for their business. To retire would mean losing a part of themselves.
To answer your question… I would certainly blog if I didn’t make money. I have done so in the past. Blogging is a passion. To give it up would mean losing contact with my many friends in the blogosphere and everything else I love so much about blogging.
David at free Christian resources
November 13th, 2007 6:43 am
I would certainly carry on blogging, like you I was caught by the bug after about a week of blogging. I would probably do some advertising of my blog to get the name out there like Missy and Mark.
Also I would ditch ad-sense probably! However, I would probably leave any other advertising (is I get any by the time I get given the £1m)
Oh yes, and I’d want £1m not $1m – much more money!
John W
November 13th, 2007 6:49 am
I would blog differently in that I could devote about 4x more time to it were I able to quit the day job. Posts would double or triple in quantity and the depth and detail would expand. I would also potentially drop some of the ancillary blogs and focus on the major one.
Of course, I would want it in U.S. dollars and not AUD ;-)
Tejvan Pettinger
November 13th, 2007 6:50 am
I wouldn’t do my blog on mortgages. But, I would continue my blog on self improvement (which doesn’t have any ads anyway)
I would continue other commercial blogs, but less intensely. more quality less quantity.
And I wouldn’t have to care about Google wanted at all!
mcangeli
November 13th, 2007 6:55 am
the money is nice because it allows me to continue hosting my sites. However, with out it, I’d probably still blog. I blogged before the money and I’ll blog after the money… as long as I have something to say… :)
Doug McCaughan
November 13th, 2007 7:00 am
Yes, it would absolutely change the way I blog! I would blog MORE!
Having my expenses covered would free time to research, draft, and publish. My writing would be better. I would probably get into video blogging and podcasting. If resources permitted, I’d have a student assistant or two.
There are several topics I want to cover today. I would like to blog more on the subject of Aspergers but time does not permit it. Money would make a huge difference.
Robert
November 13th, 2007 7:01 am
If I were to answer that question, I would say yes!
I Enjoy blogging, I sometimes don’t really have “time” to blog and pay ALOT of attention to my blog. I Get bits and pieces of info throughout the day, (While at work) and then I only post at night. at about 24:00 or so.
If I had the money… I would post differently, I would pay MUCH more attention to my readers, do more research about them and try to satisfy them. Give them more of what THEY want.
Just my 2 cents. :p
BONTB
November 13th, 2007 7:01 am
Darren,
I will be launching new blog well in 2 days, that I promised to my self “No ads, No banners, no text links” just pure text and links to creditable source like your self.
I would like to see the difference between my blog that I currently own bontb and the difference in my new blog. Sorry I can’t give out the domain name yet.
Well you Darren know what it is, others don’t :)
Debo Hobo
November 13th, 2007 7:22 am
Well I am barely making any money blogging as it is and I still continue on. So I guess the answer is ‘no’ I wouldn’t blog any differently. It’s an addiction!
James
November 13th, 2007 7:23 am
Yeah, I would. Maybe not as often, but I would.
Right now, I need to make a living, so that is why I seek money for it.
nika
November 13th, 2007 7:24 am
I blog like I have a million bux (ok, any money at all).
I do not blog FOR money, I blog for my topic.
Caroline Middlebrook
November 13th, 2007 7:26 am
It depends on how I got the money. My blog is my personal journey into the world of online money making so if over time I began to earn more and more then yes I would be blogging about it.
On the other hand if I suddenly found myself with a random windfall I don’t think I’d bother with the Internet Marketing – I’d just write software instead and blog about that.
plonkee
November 13th, 2007 7:28 am
Well, I blog about personal finance, so I might blog about different aspects of personal finance if I had a million dollars.
I really enjoy my day job as well though, so I probably wouldn’t choose to have any more time if I had more money.
Maybe I’d think of getting rid of my adverts? But then a million dollars doesn’t go as far as it used to. Blogs can be more successful that the income earned from $1M capital.
Shane
November 13th, 2007 7:32 am
$1mil might initiate a small break, but I don’t think I would stop doing anything that I do now, just because I love what I do…
Starfeeder
November 13th, 2007 7:34 am
Well I wouldn’t blog differently, the only thing that would change is, a lot of my plans for starfeeder.com would be accelerated.
What I mean by that is, I’ll be able to host higher paying tournaments from the start (I plan on funding the early tournaments currently) which will help generate more buzz.
I’ll be able to open up Internet cafes dedicated to my tournaments and StarCraft II.
I’ll be able to shows a web ‘TV’ show or channel… kinda like diggnation.
And probably most importantly I’ll be able to pay my team thats been working on this out of pure passion rather then money like me.
Tyme White
November 13th, 2007 7:38 am
Here’s a question: if your online presence plays a significant role in generating revenue if you were financially secure, would you make the same decisions you make now? :)
In the podcast I used the example of Winer turning off traffic to TechMeme because the entry he wrote wasn’t “news”. When he wrote something relevant, he turned the robot back on so TechMeme’s robot could pull his entries. That’s the problem with TechMeme – everything on there isn’t newsworthy (most automated news sites have this problem). His ethical decision has a more subtle long-term affect by building trust and bringing awareness to a known issue. He invited people to do it as well but they won’t. Turning off that potential traffic isn’t an option because thinking short term those are extra eyes on the site right now. The people that pimp themselves for traffic aren’t going to turn it off voluntarily.
Just like most people don’t realize their blog might make a better tool to generate revenue than be the actual revenue generator. Winer made more money using his blog as a tool than the blog could ever make based on an advertising model.
That’s what I meant by the “rich” vs. “wealthy” thinking person in the podcast. They have different frames of mind and behave differently IMO. Neither one is “wrong” just different.
CharmCityGirl
November 13th, 2007 8:22 am
I would blog more. I would have more time if I didn’t have to work in the “real world” to make money. I would probably have about a dozen blogs on various subjects. I put so much into the one blog I have and I love it so much! When someone responds positively to something I write I am on a high for hours.
Terence Chang
November 13th, 2007 8:34 am
Well.. I won’t blog differently, because I don’t blog for money. My primary income are from my other business.
I just want to have a personal space to express my experience and thoughts as a human-beings. I hope to inspire others with my personal success. So we can all tell the good story about our life. Money is important, but money is not everything.
I have seem some happy bloggers, who is living in the farm in the middle of desert. I was hoping to have my own farm and living like them.
Many people were lost in the blogging for money game. They are not financial secured, so they are trying to find a way to make profit on their blog.
Personally, I don’t think a blogger will make good money, if all they think are making money with blog. The money came to a blog because the blog has some useful information that inspired others. Then the traffic drive more inspired viewers. The viewers brings in the money.
Well. I will not blog differently even I already have million dollars. I won’t stop blogging if I am a billionaire too!
Shawn Farner
November 13th, 2007 8:56 am
Yes, I think I’d blog a lot differently. Money can open up a lot of doors for you. For instance, if I were a millionaire, I would have gone to Blog World this year. I would be going to the World Series of Beer Pong (I run a beer pong blog) in Vegas to cover it. I’d blog from Spring Break (if I could stand).
The list goes on and on. Some of these things are still goals I have for next year, but they won’t come easy.
Guillermo
November 13th, 2007 9:17 am
Of course I’d blog differently with a 1M in my pockets (if they’d fit there)! I’d have a complete different point of view of many things in that case!
kat
November 13th, 2007 9:24 am
Perhaps.
I had a huge falling out with an advertising company over some small issues and one issue where the owner said he had gotten complaints about my language on my blog.
Yes, I occasionally swear on my blog, sometimes the only word that can truly describe how screwed up things are going for this single mom, is not a nice word.
But anyway, I called him on what he said to me because there is a system in place for the adverts to leave us feedback, to tell us they don’t like our posts we did for them, the color of our blog, and things like language.
There was not a single complaint from any of the 179 advertisers I had written for. Not one.
It appears that this CEO is the one with the issue and he tried to blame the adverts for his issues.
When I called him out on the lack of complaints he swears to me he had gotten yet there was no proof of, I asked him to send me proof of these complaints, he said he didn’t have to.
So ya know, maybe I would blog differently if I was wealthy and not struggling every day, but I doubt it.
I didn’t start my blog so others could tell me what to type in it, I started it 10 years ago as an outlet for my feelings, to talk about my struggles in life.
Money can buy a lot of peoples words these days, the sheep are quite loud right now running in their rows, and that saddens me terribly.
Daria
November 13th, 2007 9:28 am
Having a million dollars would actually allow me to be free enough to write – which I would LOVE!!!!
I would not have to work a 9 hour day, come home, cook dinner, clean, do laundry, and *then* try to muster up the energy to blog. I would be able to experience more things, which would give me entirely new subjects to write about.
I would do a lot of things with a million dollars. Maybe even take up a part time job, just to have things to share with my readers!!! Then again… Maybe not. =)
Lea Woodward
November 13th, 2007 9:31 am
I think @Mark Silver had a good point…the question could be taken as a spritual one.
I believe it also has to do with the purpose of why you blog.
…For those who blog “for fun”, then no, they might not blog differently.
…For those who blog for money, whether directly as a result of blogging or to promote their business, it begs the question “how authentic are you and your business?” and how much is this conveyed in your blogging?
Those who love what they do and are already “authentic” and aim to provide as much value as they can via their blogging probably wouldn’t blog any differently if they had $1m.
Kerith Collins
November 13th, 2007 9:36 am
I would blog differently, but I would still blog. Like you said, I am hooked as well and was once I “discovered” the blogging world. I am just a stay at home who wanted something to fill my time, but found so much more in the actually blogging and the people I am meeting everyday. The difference would be I could spend more time on the quality of posts and posting more frequently and less time on finding affiliates or starting several blogs to try to get a wider readership. But when blogging is in your blood, I don’t care how much money you have, you have to do it, every day, day and night!
Evan Hadkins
November 13th, 2007 9:47 am
Probably not to how I blog.
I blog because I want to do things with my blogs. So some of the money would go into the things I want to achieve through my blogs.
I would spend some it on trying out marketing different marketing strategies (don’t have the money to do this at the moment).
I would also spend some on designing and building my (environmentally sustainable) dream house, ideally no external inputs or outputs.
Max Powers at http://ConsumerFight.com
November 13th, 2007 9:54 am
I believe we all have different motives for blogging, mine being a form of therapy and outlet for pent up emotions (long story) so 1 million dollars would not stop me from blogging.
No amount of money is better than peace of mind.
Skunky's Monkey House
November 13th, 2007 10:00 am
The only thing that would change for me is WHERE I blog…
If I had a million dollars, I’d be blogging from the beaches of St.Thomas US Virgin Islands!
Now where’d that Mai Tai get too! WAITRESS!
MoneyNing
November 13th, 2007 10:09 am
I think having the passion to do it is definitely an important aspect of being successful but would anyone be able to put in the amount of effort that you put in if there was no money to gain?
If I had a million dollars I might be able to afford writing my blog full time and there will definitely be different things since I will have a ton more time to spend on it. As it stands now, I need to constantly juggle between my day job and blog which is tough.
Lily
November 13th, 2007 10:11 am
Having a million would mean I could be living in the beautiful city of Lisbon as well as writing about it :-) I would be able to devote far more time than I currently can with a nine to five. However it began as and shall continue to be a labour of love; whether I earn money from the site or not. I love the fact I can share what I hope is useful information and resources as well as provide some entertainment.
The million would be far more useful in paying for studio time to record my album and generally being a bohemian artiste :-)
Scott
November 13th, 2007 10:29 am
I would give the boot to the 20%-30% of my clients who cause me 80% of the stress, and I would concentrate on web analytics-based design strategies.
Mark
November 13th, 2007 10:45 am
@Skunky’s Monkey House – I like your comment especially since I am blogging right now from the British Virgin Islands (located right next to your aptly mentioned USVI)!
Anthony Lawrence
November 13th, 2007 10:48 am
Well, I dunno how it is where you live, but a million dollars isn’t much around here any more – hand me a million dollars tax free and I would still have to have additional income..
So let’s instead ask would I do it if I had enough money that I didn’t need any more?
Sure. And not any differently – including running ads because often the ads are useful to people who get to a page while searching for something else.
I’d probably do more hardware reviews because I’d buy more hardware..
Brad V.
November 13th, 2007 11:15 am
I don’t make any money from blogging as it is, so I wouldn’t do anything different if I had a million dollars. It’s an interesting idea though.
Fiar
November 13th, 2007 11:18 am
I’d blog if I had a million dollars, for the same reason I’ve blogged for more than 3 years earning zero dollars. I love to do it. I just wish I had more time.
That’s where the Million dollars would come in. I would quit my day job and just blog. I’d probably even be able to turn a profit from it with the ability to devote full time effort to it.
As it is right now, I can only put a few hours a week into it. It’s pretty much part-time, even by part-time standards.
Fiar
November 13th, 2007 11:28 am
Oops, subscribing.
RobG
November 13th, 2007 11:42 am
I use my blog as a creative outlet so I doubt that It would change. If I can make a living doing it, Great! I would still do it even if I was rich.
Now other ideas I want to pursue (blogs) it would be nice to have the ability to explore them with out the worry if they will or will not make money.
Dan Schawbel
November 13th, 2007 12:08 pm
You fail if it’s about the money. You need to concentrate on the relationships you develop through your blog and the money will follow.
Build your personal branding, gain wealth later!
Alfredo
November 13th, 2007 12:19 pm
Those who really loves writing will always write even if they are already millionaires.
The harry potter author wrote more additional books after she made it to the millionaires list and even when she reached the billionaire list.
Jimmy Roussel
November 13th, 2007 1:06 pm
I am self-employed and love what I do. I remodel kitchens and feel very creative but as I get older it is getting harder to keep up the pace I know I will stop one day. Now that I am blogging I fell like I am creating and giving. If I had a million dollars It would be hard to stop what I doing now. I hope I will be one of those 70 plus still blogging. Oh yes I am a meat and potato man.
Mike
November 13th, 2007 1:07 pm
I think the big advantage with blogging and having money is just having more time to blog. Right now I have a full time job and a family. If i had a extra 40 hours a week I would be able to write more often and give more time to my writing efforts.
Patrick Burt
November 13th, 2007 1:11 pm
I just want to be a helpful bloke… But hey, if money’s coming in, I’ll take that too.
Oz
November 13th, 2007 2:09 pm
The best blogs I read don’t do it for the money. It’s a release. If you are knowledgeable and passionate, then success isn’t in the money. It’s in generating quality discussion and community.
But I’m sure we’ve all said “I wish I could do this for a living” at one time or another.
Steve
November 13th, 2007 2:10 pm
I would still blog, I just would have the money to have a new blog designed by a pro.
Ivy
November 13th, 2007 3:18 pm
If I had a million dollars and didn’t need to blog, I’d definitely still blog. What I would do differently, however, is do a bunch of stuff like:
1. Get John Chow to review my site for me
2. Start more niche sites that I have passion for (but no time to research and write on!)
3. Spend more advertising dollars with Adwords
4. Start experimenting with podcasting
5. Build a forum for bloggers who visit my site(s) to help them in their blogging needs
6. Get some engineers to build an application to give Digg a run for their money!
You can tell that I’m a great daydreamer…
Neerav
November 13th, 2007 3:25 pm
I would remove all the ads and the site design would be improved because there wouldn’t be any ads taking up space :-)
Otherwise what I write would be pretty similar
johnCard
November 13th, 2007 3:50 pm
i would write about having fun
Mike Huang
November 13th, 2007 4:15 pm
I don’t think I would blog different even if I had money. I mean I admit that I have no money now towards advertising for my site, but money isn’t everything.
A lot of big blogs now have no content at all, but retain the same amount of readers. It seems like people focus more on the “RSS COUNT” than on the content itself
-Mike
Tina Kubala
November 13th, 2007 4:22 pm
I’ve always said that with a million dollars, I could live of the interest the rest of my life.
I’d blog more. I’d have more things to blog about. Things like home ownership and fixing up, or good food, or travel are wonderful topics I can imagine blogging about if I had those things in my life. I’d also go to college and fill my brain with things to blog about.
With working full time plus, I hardly have time to read and blog about books, or craft and blog about my creations.
Since I would never want to lose my financial freedom once I had it, I would market my “blogging empire” and continue to accept advertising and write paid content. Writing is my passion, and blogging how I’ve been able to express that passion. I’m not ashamed of blogging for profit now, so why not keep on? I’ve got to echo the others that a million is hardly limitless funds today.
Sandra
November 13th, 2007 5:33 pm
I suppose I would blog a little differently because I would have a new home out in the country. I would have a new camera to take lots of pictures of my new huge garden but besides that, no. The land and house would put a good dent in the million anyway.
Mary (MPJ)
November 13th, 2007 6:08 pm
Wouldn’t I love a million dollars! I’d use it to buy more time to blog, which would allow me to increase the frequency of more thoughtful, in depth posts. Right now as a stay-at-home mom, I have to fit blogging in while the kids are at school or asleep. However, I also have to fit errands and home repairs and dishes and laundry and balancing the checkbook and everything else into that same time. If I had the money, I’d pay someone to clean the house and cook the meals while I blogged!
LintCollector
November 13th, 2007 7:18 pm
My motivation to blog wouldn’t change, but the subjects and frequency of posting might differ.
I’d expect a few more travel posts … blogging via satellite phone from the Antarctic Peninsula springs to mind.
bmunch
November 13th, 2007 7:20 pm
Its a resounding yes. I would be able to write more freely. There will be less emphasis on the SEO aspects, keyword stuffing and inpersonal writing.
Basically, just write freely and not worry about the other development of blog stuff.
Anthony Williams
November 13th, 2007 7:28 pm
I couldn’t force myself to write when I wasn’t interested in the topic: I only write about things that I find interesting and relevant. I’d do the same if I was a billionaire, though probably less often as I’d be able to spend more time doing other things I enjoy.
VuthaSurf
November 13th, 2007 9:01 pm
Firstly, I blog for my passion and keeping updated some thing with my blog and others. if my blog is popular i will reach to find ads on my blog as well.
Human-being’s passion is unlimited.
WereBear
November 13th, 2007 10:34 pm
I wrote a book and blogged to get the word out. Publishers seem to have outsourced that, too. It used to be they would take on a writer and do the publicity, but now they don’t want to publish a book until you bring the audience, too.
And, since I’m not a celebrity, I decided to see if there was an audience for my offbeat cat advice. And so far (blog only a month old) I’m getting traffic, and the traffic increases a bit every week, and I’m getting found in searches, and so the answer is, yes. Some people do like my whacky cat advice.
So I’m not blogging for money (which is good, because I’m not making any) but to further my career as a writer, in which I hope to make some.
Unexpectedly, I’m fascinated by the instant feedback and the nice people I’ve met along the way. The blog is becoming my second drafting process, where the necessity for shorter, pithier coverage of a topic makes my writing better.
So I would still blog if I had a million dollars, and no matter how long it takes for my book to sell. I’ll still blog even when the book sells. It’s about my mission and my writing.
More money means more time to do what I love to do, anyway.
Gina
November 13th, 2007 10:36 pm
Yeah, I’d blog differently if I had a million dollars. I’d do it differently because I could afford a better, faster computer and faster internet service and I’d be able to post more frequently and add more files and images to my blog. Would I write differently? No. I write about what interests me (within the framework of my blog’s niche) and that interest isn’t likely to be wiped out by a million dollars. I might, however, start another blog for new interests. ;)
Deb Ng
November 13th, 2007 11:29 pm
I don’t know, but I’d sure like to find out!
I like to think I would keep doing what I’m doing. Blogging is a passion, and I don’t see myself giving it up anytime soon. Even if I had a lot of money. I might not blog for so many other people, but my own blogs would go one as usual.
MadlabPost
November 14th, 2007 12:45 am
I would blog differently if I had a million dollars, changing the nature of some posts to reflect less of SEO configurations and more of obsure art related to my niche. I would also minimize or even eliminate much of the sponsored posts and do more with marketing such as contests and sponsoring other blogs related to my topic….which is always easier when you have more money.
bLuefRogX
November 14th, 2007 1:15 am
Probably not for me, I blog for fun, not as an income source, although if I did earn me a buck or two, I wouldn’t be unhappy :)
Will
November 14th, 2007 1:30 am
I would blog exactly the same, but my blog would be better because I could afford to buy photographs.
My blog is about an NFL team and it would be much better with photographs, and I don’t want to use photos from newspaper websites, etc., without permission.
Sangesh
November 14th, 2007 2:13 am
Blogging is my passion. It is not what I do to pass my time. But is what I wanted to do. So, it wouldn’t have mattered even if I had a million dollars or two. But, if I was otherwise then it would have mattered, cause I would have had no money.
Cheers.
Happy Blogging
Richard Rinyai
November 14th, 2007 2:53 am
Hi,
I would still blog as well if I had this much money. Just helping others by trying to provide them with organizational tips and office trends can’t be bought. It’s priceless.
Sorry, I sound like the Mastercard ad now.
Thanks,
Richard Rinyai
http://www.theprofessionalassistant.net
Joseph Bernard
November 14th, 2007 4:14 am
Good question and one worth exploring by everyone as a way get focused on what is important in life.
I blog because I am on a mission to spread peace, consciousness, awareness and passion for life. I don’t blog for money but making it is nice.
I would still blog when I have multiple streams of passive income and therefor total financial freedom because I still have this peace and consciousness purpose.
The world needs as many awake and aware people as possible so my work is never done.
Peace and purpose to you,
Joseph
http://www.ExploreLifeBlog.com
Eugene (Editor, Varsity Blah)
November 14th, 2007 4:28 am
I really hope people don’t start blogs (or any other endeavors) for money and success, simply because that’s either unlikely or not fulfilling.
I started my blog to publish a very personal book I wanted to share. I made it available as a free download and my site’s already received hundreds of visitors from over 25 countries!
My advice is to focus on creating great content because you’re passionate about writing/sharing and the rest will follow. That’s what really matters
Jeff_
November 14th, 2007 4:34 am
I have a family of four, a full-time (offline) job, and just enough money to get by every month. I do not desire more money, do not think about money (more than necessary), and could really care less if others have tons of money. The Good Lord has always provided everything I need, and I trust that He always will. ;)
As for the question of this post, in addition to my full-time job, I also spend around 25+ hours every week working on Perishable Press. I do not advertise on my site, do not struggle for traffic, am not obsessed about subscribers, links, or any of that — I simply love to write, design, and work on the Web. Even if I had a gazillion dollars, I would continue to blog and design because that is what I love to do.
Bill
November 14th, 2007 5:52 am
Would I blog differently if I had a million dollars?
Yes. I would have more time to devote to writing articles and tutorials to share what I learned (sometimes the hard, painstaking way) more. Currently I have a limited monetary plan in place – a few adsense blocks, a widget or two, and some feedreader tools. I definitely do not work on my small, limited blog for the money – nor do I do it because I have an insatiable apetite to write content (though I do rather enjoy writing).
Contrary, I do it because I hope I may share and help people. Even if just one of my posts helps one person in learning, figuring out a problem or expanding their knowledge, I feel I have accomplished my goals that I set out with. I can then set a new goal with it and work to accomplish it.
Throw a million dollars in to that, and I could have the time to write more often, sharing more, and that to me would be great.
CB
November 14th, 2007 6:40 am
Hmmm… I wonder if people that think they would be blogging differently if they had more money are trying to conform to what they believe they should be writing about. And that would stop them from ever becoming popular because they will be too bland.
Surely the best way to go is to be authentic right from the start and you’ll get a following. Maybe the money will come as well.
Jeremy Steele
November 14th, 2007 8:18 am
Bloggers who go from nothing to something tend to get a bit lazier… at least as far as writing link-bait posts every 2 days is concerned.
Melissa Donovan
November 14th, 2007 8:43 am
Yes, I think I would blog more because I would spend less time trying to earn money. I would explore a much wider range of topics, and possibly hire an assistant to help with administrative tasks. One can dream…
-Melissa Donovan
Writing for Writers
aksn1p3r
November 14th, 2007 8:44 am
If i had that million, i’d make 10 more with the web… we “low-level” bloggers see the changes and always have some input but cannot use it to our advantage with the absence of capital ourselves :(
Cruel web of highly-ranked anteaters vs ants cimbing a glassbuilding.
David Scrivner
November 14th, 2007 1:09 pm
This is definitely an important question that every blogger needs to ask themselves. Thank you for bringing it up.
I started blogging to make money, which was not really the right reason as most people know. It gets you started of with the idea that you have to make a lot of money or you get depresssed and will quit. Everything is about the money if you are in it for the money. Then I started to read more on ProBlogger and other sites that made me realise that I was not in it for the right reason and I worked on finding out what I wanted to talk about.
I started a blog about the iPhone because I was really interested in it and then I started a movie review blog. I love what I am doing now and it makes all of the difference in the world. If I was only in it for the money, then it would not have lasted long.
I am glad to say that if I had a million dollars I would still be reviewing movies on my website because that is what I love to do. The only difference would be that I would have more time to spend doing this.
xlt
November 14th, 2007 9:26 pm
I would blog because i like it – and i do not earn money out of it. Though i suppose my blogging habits will change if i had a 1M dollars. I’d had more time for blogging. Though i’d blog less on my work topics and more on my hobbies.
nina
November 15th, 2007 12:16 am
Definitely! I’ve been keeping an online journal (as it was called back then) for years, so blogging really comes naturally for me. The only difference now is that back then I was looking high and low for a free host that wouldn’t put ads in my site (henceforth ruining my layout), now I am willingly putting in ads (and in a way designing my layout around them). Out of my five or so blogs though, only 1 is monetized.
charlie
November 15th, 2007 4:35 am
I think you need to ask the question; What is “financially secure”? In my opinion, you cannot have enough money to “really” be secure especially in this world of changing times. I know I would blog differently if I had money; and I mean ALOT of money. I would worry less about what was coming into my bank account and more on helping everyone i know to get financially stable.
Valentin
November 15th, 2007 12:57 pm
First of all, 1 milion usd are not quite enoigh to have a secure finnancialy life, but more than enough to make one a “target”. Therefor, any answer except “I won`t change my style” is at least dangerous and shallow.
As a (big ? biggest ?) fan of “don`t show yourself how rich you really are” (showing it I take it as a pompously behave), no normal human woulnd`t have to act different while suddenly being rich or poor.
Everytime I turn on my mobile phone, on screen appear two words :
BE YOURSELF !
Anne Wayman
November 19th, 2007 6:21 am
Thanks Darren… and I’m with Mark Silver – money is really a spiritual question or even a spiritual discipline. At least for me.
Carlos
February 1st, 2008 11:54 am
If i had a lot of money i would hire pro writers to make sure that my blog offers unique and fresh content all the time.
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