Welcome to the first income report of 2017 on B. Britnell! As we embark on a new year, I’m thrilled to share an in-depth look at the progress, challenges, and exciting developments on my journey as a full-time food blogger and content creator. The past month has been transformative, marking my transition to working from home full-time. While many imagine this brings boundless free time, the reality is a continuous learning curve in managing time and responsibilities. This report aims to provide transparent insights into the financial and operational aspects of running a food blog, offering valuable lessons for aspiring and established bloggers alike.
One of my primary focuses right now is mastering the delicate balance between managing B. Britnell and my burgeoning role as a video producer for other platforms. It’s a dynamic field, and I often find myself immersed in creating compelling video content for clients, sometimes at the expense of my own blog’s video strategy. However, I’m actively implementing a structured schedule designed to prioritize my original content production. This strategic shift will ensure dedicated time each week for developing innovative recipes, capturing stunning food photography, and producing engaging videos specifically for my audience. My goal is to foster consistent growth and deliver high-quality content that truly resonates with you.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the detailed breakdown of December’s traffic and income figures, uncovering the successes and areas for future improvement.
Decoding December’s Traffic: A Strategic Retreat for 2017 Growth
Overview of Blog Traffic Performance
December presented a slight dip in overall blog traffic, a trend I anticipated and strategically factored into my end-of-year planning. This decrease can be attributed to several deliberate choices and seasonal patterns. Firstly, my content output was notably lighter than usual, as I focused on preparing for the demands of 2017. Secondly, December often proves to be a slower period for many food blogs, a common seasonal fluctuation that influences audience engagement. Crucially, I also scaled back on various behind-the-scenes promotional activities, such as submitting recipes to external platforms and engaging less frequently on social media. This conscious “step back” was essential for mental rejuvenation and strategic realignment, ensuring I could launch into 2017 with renewed vigor and a clear vision for content creation.
Despite the temporary traffic reduction, this period of strategic rest was invaluable. I am pleased to report that traffic has already rebounded significantly in January, indicating a strong start to the new year and positioning us for what promises to be our best month yet in terms of audience reach. This proactive approach underscores the importance of periodic breaks for long-term sustainable growth in the demanding world of online content creation.
Analyzing Top Ten Traffic Sources for Enhanced Strategy
A notable shift in December’s traffic landscape was Pinterest surpassing Google as the leading traffic driver for B. Britnell – a first in quite some time. While the exact reasons for this specific inversion are still under closer scrutiny, it’s a welcome development that highlights the power of visual search platforms for food content. I suspect this surge is partly a result of recent, more rigorous Pinterest scheduling strategies I implemented. However, I acknowledge a past tendency to make significant operational changes without systematically tracking their precise impact on blog metrics. Moving forward in 2017, a core objective is to refine my analytical approach, ensuring that every strategic adjustment, particularly concerning social media and SEO, is meticulously monitored and evaluated. This commitment to data-driven decision-making will allow for more informed optimization of traffic acquisition channels and ultimately, enhance our overall digital footprint.
Understanding the dynamics between Pinterest, Google, and other referral sources is crucial for sustainable blog growth. Pinterest’s strength lies in its ability to drive consistent, long-tail traffic through visually appealing content, while Google remains essential for organic search visibility. My strategy for the coming months will involve optimizing both channels, creating highly pinnable images and optimizing recipe titles and descriptions for both platforms. We will also explore new ways to diversify traffic sources, reducing reliance on any single platform and building a more resilient audience base.
December 2017 Income Report: Celebrating a Record-Breaking Month for B. Britnell
Transparency is key in these income reports. Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. Rest assured, every product and service listed is something I personally use, trust, and highly recommend. Feel free to reach out with any questions about these recommendations.
- Mediavine: $929.18
Income generated through display advertising on B. Britnell. Mediavine consistently proves to be an excellent partner for monetizing blog traffic through high-quality ad placements and robust RPMs (Revenue Per Mille). - Sponsored Post: $2300
This significant portion of income came from successfully executing several sponsored content campaigns with brands I genuinely admire and align with. Securing these partnerships is a direct result of building strong relationships and consistently delivering valuable content. - Food Blogger Pro: $11.60
This affiliate income is a direct result of my dedicated post, “10 Reasons You Should Join Food Blogger Pro ASAP,” where I enthusiastically recommend this invaluable resource for aspiring and current food bloggers. - Food Photography School: $29.70
Generated from my insightful post, “Food Photography Tips for Beginners,” which guides readers on enhancing their culinary visuals – a crucial skill for any food blogger. - Greater Than Gatsby: $15.00
This income stems from multiple posts, including “How I Edit Beautiful Photos with Greater Than Gatsby Actions & Presets,” where I share my photo editing workflow using these popular tools. - Amazon Associates: $44.04
Various Amazon affiliate links strategically placed throughout my recipe posts and resource guides contributed to this income, offering convenience and value to my readers. - Click It Up A Notch Ebook: $14.40
This revenue is tied to my comprehensive guide, “DSLR Manual Mode for Beginners: Understanding the Exposure Triangle,” which helps budding photographers master their cameras.
*Please note: The income reported above solely reflects earnings directly attributable to the B. Britnell blog and does not include revenue generated from my separate food photography and videography client business. My goal with these reports is to provide a clear picture of blog-specific monetization strategies.
Total Gross Income for December 2017: $3343.92
December truly was a phenomenal month, setting a new record for B. Britnell’s income! This outstanding performance was largely bolstered by securing several high-value sponsored posts with brands I genuinely love and respect. Beyond the excitement of these partnerships, the end of the year typically sees a natural peak in ad income CPMs (Cost Per Mille), contributing significantly to the overall earnings. While January’s income projections suggest a more modest figure – a common trend after the holiday season ad spend – the success of December has infused tremendous optimism and momentum as I fully transition into operating B. Britnell as my full-time venture. For those interested in the journey to full-time blogging, you can read more about my decision and initial experiences here. Mastering a consistent schedule remains a key challenge, but I view it as an evolving process that will improve with dedication and time.
A recurring consideration for these reports has been whether to include earnings from my separate photography and videography client work. After careful deliberation, I’ve decided to keep those figures distinct. The primary purpose of these income reports is to serve as a practical guide for others aspiring to grow their blogs, while also transparently documenting B. Britnell’s development. By focusing exclusively on blog-generated income, I aim to provide a more relatable and actionable framework for those looking to replicate similar monetization strategies within their own blogging endeavors. This clarity ensures the reports remain a focused resource for blog growth and income generation.
Strategic Expenses: Optimizing for Growth and Efficiency
Understanding and managing operational expenses is paramount for any thriving online business. Here’s a breakdown of B. Britnell’s core expenditures for December, providing transparency into the costs associated with running a successful food blog.
- WP Engine Hosting: $141.98
Premium hosting is essential for blog performance and user experience. While WP Engine provided robust service, a more cost-effective solution was sought, leading to a recent transition. - Food Costs: $200 (estimated)
This is an estimated figure for recipe ingredients. As I often produce videos for clients in addition to my blog content, differentiating specific ingredient costs between client projects and blog recipes has been challenging this month. I am actively refining my accounting processes to provide a more precise breakdown in future reports. - Props for Photography: $0
A fantastic zero-expense month for new props, demonstrating the effectiveness of utilizing existing resources and being creative with styling. - Adobe Creative Cloud (Lightroom/Photoshop + Premiere): $10.91 + $19.99
These subscriptions are indispensable tools for professional-grade photo editing, graphic design, and video production, crucial for maintaining the high visual quality expected on B. Britnell. - Mailchimp Premium: $20.00
An essential tool for managing my email list, enabling direct communication with my audience and fostering a loyal community. - The Blog Village Community: $25.00
Investing in ongoing education and community support through The Blog Village ensures I stay updated with industry best practices and connect with fellow bloggers.
Total Monthly Expenses: $417.12
A significant strategic decision made recently involves optimizing my hosting solution. As some readers have noted, my previous hosting costs with WP Engine were considerably higher than what many average food bloggers typically pay. While WP Engine offers an excellent service, its premium pricing prompted a search for a more balanced solution that aligns with B. Britnell’s growth trajectory and financial efficiency goals. Consequently, just a few weeks ago, I successfully migrated to Synthesis Hosting. Synthesis offers a flat rate of just $47 per month, which generously covers up to 10,000 pageviews per day. This represents a substantial saving compared to my previous expenditures. Even as the blog continues to grow and eventually requires an upgrade to the next tier, Synthesis is projected to remain significantly more cost-effective than what I was paying. This transition reflects my commitment to maximizing profitability without compromising on performance or reliability, and I will be sure to provide updates on my experience with the new hosting provider in upcoming reports. So far, the transition has been smooth and promising.
Forging Lasting Partnerships: My 2017 Brand Collaboration Strategy
A significant pillar of my 2017 income strategy revolves around cultivating deeper, more consistent relationships with brands. My ultimate goal is to secure long-term partnerships with one or two key brands, moving beyond the traditional project-by-project engagements. Currently, I have a few recurring collaborations, but these lack a formal, year-long commitment. The vision is to evolve these into comprehensive agreements where I can champion a brand’s products or services throughout the entire year, building sustained brand advocacy.
The motivation behind this shift is twofold: security and authentic trust. From a business perspective, the financial stability offered by a year-long contract is invaluable. Knowing that a specific income stream is guaranteed for the year significantly reduces financial stress, especially as I navigate the initial stages of full-time blogging. This contrasts sharply with the administrative overhead and uncertainty of securing a dozen different, short-term contracts annually. More importantly, from a reader’s perspective, consistency fosters credibility. By promoting brands I genuinely adore and use regularly, my audience develops a stronger sense of trust. Repeated endorsements of the same high-quality products or services convey a level of conviction that sporadic, one-off promotions simply cannot achieve, ensuring that every recommendation feels authentic and valuable.
I’m thrilled to share a recent breakthrough in this area. Last week, I engaged in an extensive and highly promising discussion with a representative from a brand I would absolutely love to partner with on a long-term basis. Encouragingly, they too expressed interest in a sustained collaboration, and I am eagerly working towards finalizing the details of this agreement. This particular connection originated from a chance encounter at the Natural Foods Expo last September, followed by consistent, thoughtful communication since then. It’s a powerful testament to the value of networking and the patient cultivation of professional relationships. What began as a hopeful email exchange is now blossoming into a tangible opportunity, and once everything is officially confirmed, I look forward to sharing more about the entire process and its implications for B. Britnell.
Beyond direct outreach, I also explore sponsored opportunities through established platforms like Clever Girls and Socialix. Socialix, in particular, stands out for its unique advantages: it facilitates direct communication between bloggers and brands, and crucially, it empowers creators like myself to propose our own rates. When pitching through Socialix, I typically present a tiered pricing structure that includes a rate for a sponsored blog post and a separate, higher rate for a sponsored post accompanied by a dedicated video. I’ve found that the majority of brands are willing to invest the additional capital for video content, recognizing its unparalleled engagement potential. This flexibility contrasts sharply with many other sponsored networks, which often dictate compensation at rates that, in my opinion, barely justify the significant time and effort involved in producing high-quality content.
Consequently, I often prioritize investing my time in direct outreach – emailing brands and fostering connections on social media. This direct engagement allows for the co-creation of campaigns that are far more authentic, tailored, and ultimately valuable to both the brand and my readership. A useful tip for those considering Socialix: while it typically requires a minimum of around 5,000 followers on at least one social media platform to join, it’s worth noting that even if a campaign description indicates you don’t qualify, I highly recommend applying anyway. I personally secured a fantastic opportunity by taking this proactive approach, proving that initiative can often open doors.
Strategic Priorities for January: Balancing Growth and Content Excellence
As we navigate the opening month of 2017, my primary focus remains on establishing a sustainable and efficient workflow. The transition to full-time blogging, while incredibly exciting, has presented the challenge of perfectly harmonizing blog content creation with my commitments to client video projects. January is dedicated to rigorously defining and implementing a robust schedule that allows me to excel in both areas without compromising quality or my personal well-being. This foundational planning is crucial for the long-term success of B. Britnell.
Looking ahead to February, my ambitious goal is to consistently publish three new recipes on the blog each week, alongside producing two dedicated video tutorials or culinary demonstrations. Achieving two videos per week is a significant undertaking, representing a substantial increase from my previous output. It’s a goal that demands meticulous planning, streamlined production processes, and unwavering dedication. However, with enhanced organization and a clear vision, I am confident in my ability to meet this target. This increased video output will not only enrich the content experience for my audience but also bolster our presence across visual platforms, driving further engagement and growth. Your support and encouragement as I strive to reach these milestones are deeply appreciated!
Join the Conversation: Your Questions and Future Topics
Thank you for joining me on this transparent journey through B. Britnell’s December income report. I sincerely hope these insights into the operational and financial aspects of running a food blog prove beneficial to your own endeavors. The connections and conversations sparked by these reports are truly invaluable, and I cherish the opportunity to engage with such an inspiring community of fellow creators and entrepreneurs. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, insights, or if there’s any way I can offer further assistance. My passion for blogging and video production means I’m always eager to discuss these topics!
Furthermore, I am always open to suggestions for future income report topics. Your input helps shape the content to be most relevant and valuable to you. I’ve already received numerous requests to delve deeper into my comprehensive video shooting and editing process, and I’m excited to confirm that this will be a dedicated focus in upcoming reports over the next few months. Stay tuned for more detailed breakdowns and practical tips designed to empower your own creative projects!