Did you know there are small things you can do–things that cost nothing–that can really help bloggers and content creators that you love?
Because it was my 50th birthday yesterday, I feel like this may be a good time to post this (like, here’s what you can get me for my birthday!).
Thank you so much for all your birthday wishes and wonderful emails and notes. I’m saving them all to read them tonight when I have a chance to sit down with a cup of tea, but know that they mean the world to me!
Before I do, though, I’d like to tell you a few simple things that you can do to help content creators. And to do that, I want to paint a picture of what we face.
We have a lot of expenses
Before I hire staff or get paid myself, I have out of pocket expenses of about $1500 to run this blog each month. Then there’s all of the staff that I hire to help. So before I even get paid, I have to spend about $7000 a month. Now, not everyone spends that much, but I’m just being up front about roughly what things cost me. And one thing I’m passionate about is being able to keep people employed.
We rely on several different sources for income
So how do I make money?
- Royalties from my books
- Sales from my store
- Affiliate fees from Amazon and other products I recommend
- Advertising fees from ad networks
- Sponsored Posts
For years what allowed this blog to grow as it did was that advertising revenue from my ad networks was actually huge. But I don’t like hosting ads, for various reasons. And ad revenue is down because of COVID, so next week we’re taking a leap of faith and we’re turning the ads off. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to replace some of the income by boosting other revenue streams, but I know I’ll lose some. However, I’d rather do it that way. I’d just feel better about it.
I wanted you to know all of that up front so that you’ll understand why these things will help:
Practical things you can do to help your favourite bloggers & creators
1. Leave a 5-star review of any books you’ve read
So few people actually review books after they’ve read them, but believe me–it helps so much. And for me, especially, if it’s possible to leave a 5-star review, it would really help, because I do have a lot of detractors who leave 1-star reviews that I need to counter.
If you’ve ever read The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex, or 9 Thoughts That Can Change Your Marriage, and you could review them on Amazon, that would help so much! Bookstores often choose what new titles to order in based on Amazon ranking and ratings, so if you like the book, review and rate the book!
2. Leave a 5-star rating & review podcasts
Listen to the podcast? Leave a rating there, too! Again, ratings matter when it comes to getting other people to listen.
3. Subscribe to emails
When publishers look at giving someone a book contract, they want to know what that person’s “platform” is. And basically that’s a number–how many people follow you on social media or subscribe to your emails. I know everyone gets a lot of emails, but I try to put extra content in mine, and give special coupons to my email subscribers. So signing up helps us a ton!
When you sign up for my emails, there’s a chance to also sign up for our prayer letter where we get personal and practical, too. That would help us immensely.
4. Share great posts on Facebook and Twitter
Read something that resonated with you? Hit that share button! Traffic matters, and often people discover me because they saw a link on social media. Google also likes blogs better when they have a lot of social media shares.
5. Like our posts on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram
Speaking of social media, you’ve probably realized that you don’t see everyone’s posts anymore when you’re on Facebook or Instagram. Those platforms only show you selected people. Want to help us creators be seen more? Like us EVERY TIME you see a post. Seriously. The more engagement our posts get, the more people they will show it to. And the more you like us, the more likely you are not to miss anything!
You have no idea how much hitting that like button matters to us!
6. If you’re going shopping at Amazon, use our link
If you buy something on Amazon after following one of my links, I earn roughly 5% of what you buy. It’s a large source of my income.
I’ve just created a module that will be in every post, that will look roughly like this:
Going shopping?
Use my link to support this blog!
If you’re going shopping anyway, find an author you love and follow the links for their books on Amazon–and then buy whatever you need to buy. That gives them a commission even if you don’t buy their books! (And I’ll try to have this stripe more available so you can use my link).
7. If you like a product we talk about, use our link
I’m also going to replace my ad network ads with one big “Sheila’s Spotlight” ad at the top of each post starting next week with an affiliate product that I really love and actually use myself. I’ve chosen 12 that I’ll rotate through that you can be assured that are honest to goodness favourites of mine. Again, using my link gives me income.
8. If you ever buy something because we told you to, leave a comment
It’s easier to get sponsored posts if people can see that others appreciate what I recommend!
9. Say thank you and be encouraging
I know that many people read my blog without ever commenting, and that’s truly okay. But let me tell you: the more comments I get on posts, the more encouraging it is for me. It’s hard sitting in my yellow chair with my laptop on my lap and typing into cyberspace everyday. When people comment, I know they read. And when people say something encouraging, it’s so helpful, especially with all the negative emails we get. People take time to write when they’re mad; they rarely do when they’re happy. So send a blogger or author you love an encouraging comment every now and then. You have no idea how much that means!
Okay, I think that’s it. Obviously I could also tell you to buy my books or my courses, but I think that goes without saying. I wanted to give you some practical things you can do on a daily basis that take almost no time even when you’re NOT buying from me.And remember–these tips apply to other authors and bloggers you follow as well!
So thank you, again, for all the birthday wishes. Here’s how you can support me. I’m super excited about the ads coming down next Monday, but I have to admit–it’s a bit of a leap of faith, because I still want to be able to pay my staff. But we’ve all talked about it and planned for it, and this is the right step. So I’m counting on you all to help me like this! 🙂
I do appreciate your loyal readership. I’m looking forward to June when we talk about mental load and emotional labor!
Let me know–was any of this surprising to you? Let’s talk in the comments!
Previous Posts on how Sex Should Be Mutual:
We Need a New Definition of Sex (that’s mutual!)
As close as we are, we don’t talk money.
I was very surprised as to your monthly costs!
I trust all will work out.
Yep! It’s a lot. 🙂 And thanks for being there yesterday for my birthday! 🙂
Love it Sheila! And I totally agree! Happy Birthday, and your blog is truly an inspiration to me in life, and as I work on my own blog. Thanks for the shout out for all bloggers!
Hey Sheila! Thanks so much for all you do. I can’t imagine all of the time and effort it takes but I am super grateful that you do it. My life and marriage have been so positively impacted from your books and blog. My husband and I are forever grateful for the mental healing I have experienced regarding intimacy since I started reading your stuff!
I left a 5 start review on Amazon for you this morning! Happy Birthday and I wish you well!!
Aw, thank you, Jess! That’s awesome. I really appreciate it!
Thank you so much for sharing ways to support you and other content creators. I didn’t realize that the amazon affiliate link could be used for all amazon purchases – what a great way to support you guys! Thank you for all the work you do!
Looking forward to that mental load and emotional labor series! I’ve realized that this was a big issue for me and cause of resentment.
I think so many women feel that way! And honestly–this is one of the biggest libido blockers. So balancing it out helps everyone!
I’ve got a story to share about the emotional labor issue:
I responded to your Facebook post asking what emotional labor means to me. I also shared on my page a Harper’s Bazaar article that another comment or had sared in response to your question. So many women commented, liked, and even sent me personal messages about the Harpers Bazaar article indicating how relatable it was, and even some sharing other own person struggles. I also had a couple of people claiming that it was nothing more than a whiney rant from a selfish woman. None of the will surprise you, of course.
But I also tagged my husband in the comment on your question. As well as the article. This sparked some great conversation that helped me to feel more ”seen” and supported.
Since then, I have noticed him making real efforts to take more of the emotional labor/ mental load on himself. Understand, in all of our conversations I never once asked him to do this, or even explained go he could do it – I just shared what it meat to me in my daily life.
I probably would not have noticed, and he probably would not have done it, without our conversations. So, thank you for starting the conversation! You are helping marriages everywhere! I can’t wait to read and share the series!
Oh, how cool! I love that! Thanks for sharing. Now I’ll have to go look at that Harper’s Bazaar article!
I just left you a 5 star review on Amazon for 9 Thoughts that can change your marriage. I loved that book! It was such a practical and eye opening help to me when I was trying to see if I could make my marriage better.
Thanks for all you do on the blog. I know I don’t comment much, but please know that I read almost every article that you put out. It’s my favorite blog 😀. Thanks again and happy belated birthday!
Thank you so much, Amy! That’s so nice to know, and than you for the review, too! 🙂
I’ve been following you for years, but rarely (if ever?) comment! I’ve loved all of your content and will definitely be commenting and leaving reviews from now on. My son’s birthday is today as well! He’s 13! Happy Birthday to you!
Thank you so much, Carissa! And happy birthday to your son!
It was really helpful to know all of that about your blog. I shall be more diligent to respond!! I really really love everything you write….thoughtful, good theology, enriching, authentic, open, etc. etc. Great job. I am a licensed therapist and use your books AND your blog every single week with clients……. Those who are newly weds as well as those who have been married 15 and 25+ years. The men AND women say they learned things they never knew, never talked about and never understood and are immensely helped by your work. They are experiencing mutuality and good sex like never before. Thank you for being the open voice of truth about all things marriage and sexual, in this generation!!! You are making a DEEP impact. Keep it up please. Mardi
Thank you so much! That’s amazing. That’s so good to know. And I’m so glad that there are great licensed therapists out there. I wish I could send everyone who emails me to you! So many people need help.
I’ve been screenshot-sharing on Instagram for a while now and had always wondered if it was ok. I just liked sharing my thoughts on articles that had something special! And I found out that 2 of my friends have bought copies of your books because I recommended them! Which was really cool, and I’m hoping your book “good girls guide to great sex” is the new wedding gift. Before my parents have given intended for pleasure and love and respect. Thankfully I got nothing but sheet music from in-laws. It didn’t get read much! But I’m hoping that I can do my small part in starting change in my community.
It’s also a dream to get you to speak at my church, for the women’s ministry! I just don’t who to talk to at the church. ….and Corona of course!
Oh, Bethany, I’d love to come to your church one day once this craziness is over! 🙂 And thank you so much for all your support. Yes, Instagram screen shot sharing is totally fine! I appreciate it!
Happy birthday Sheila! I’m binge-reading all the posts I’ve missed lately. 😜 May is such a busy month for us with birthdays & gardening.
Thanks for all that you do. I share your posts with friends regularly and I’m so grateful for the content you put out.
Thank you, Aspen!
Happy birthday Sheila!! Thanks much for all the great info you share. Thanks too for this list of ways we can support authors and bloggers. I hadn’t realized I could support others through any Amazon purchase. So great to know! 🙂
Thank you! It does help. I appreciate it!
Hi Sheila. I am new to the blogging and website world. Thank you for all of these great tips!! I printed your article, so that I can refer back to it, quickly.
Thank you, Kelly! It all really does help!