It’s all about the Benjamins, Baka!

So recently Irina shared her thoughts on blog monetizing. Or, to be more accurate, she opened up the floor to hearing what we all thought we’d be most likely to support, and how. And that touched a nerve that is close my heart, namely my wallet. (Or what I call the “money bone”.)

You see, I (perhaps like many of us, though I haven’t taken a survey) began this site with an eye towards the option of milking the golden cow (which, in case you were curious, says “moo-la”). And after a little over a year, I’ve noticed a number of things that have led me to conclude that my Benjamin the Bovine is most likely grazing in another pasture. To wit:

• If you want to make income, it makes sense to do so in the most efficient way possible. Now, for me there are other options for making a side income that require less investment of time and energy, and which will pay off more certainly. Blogging is fun for me, but I’ve learned that if I try to put in the time and effort to making it make money, it ceases to be fun and becomes a chore. And I’d rather it be fun. Because believe you me, you won’t want to read anything I write that I’m not passionate about writing.

• As I noted in a previous post, the posts I write that get the most hits have nothing to do with anime. And I want to write about anime.

• Again, if you want money, it makes sense to go to where the people with money are, or at least the people willing to part with their money. And my experience in the aniblogs suggest that the average blogger here probably doesn’t have a comparatively large amount of disposable income. Unless you have the crowds of dedicated followers that come from investing the time and energy that people like Karandi and Irina do. (Hint hint, Irina!)

• Finally, I’m not ashamed to say that I am a skinflint. I’ve shelled out to support artists (which is what we are) on occasion; but if you gave me a cup of coffee for everytime I did so, the resulting caffeine wouldn’t see me through the week. So I feel bad asking for your contributions when I’m not likely to turn around and do the same. Which is kind of silly, if you think about it. And I have thought about it, and I still feel this way.

(There is one form of monetary support I’ll keep open for now, because it doesn’t actually cost you anything: the Amazon affiliate links, especially over on my recommendations page.)

So right now I’d rather have fun with y’all and encourage those of you who do want to go pro with your blog. (And more power to you if you do!) For me, the real reward comes from the community engagement: the likes, the comments, and the shared appreciation of something we both find precious.

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