Should I Monetize My Blog?
What 18 Years of Blogging—and a Million-Dollar Newsletter—
Taught Me About Value
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Should I Monetize My Blog?
What I Learned from 18 Years of Blogging and a Million-Dollar Newsletter
The other day I met with people I’ve known since my days in the ad business.
We caught up on business, politics, family, and what we were having for lunch. Eventually, the conversation shifted to digital marketing, and then to my blog.
“Have you ever thought about monetizing your blog?” they asked.
Have I Ever Thought About How to Monetize My Blog?
Have I ever thought about it?? Sheesh.
I’ve thought about it plenty. Especially when I’m staring at a blank screen, wondering what I’ll write about next and questioning why I do this every week.
Thanks to my critical mass of readers, this blog has earned me keynote opportunities, consulting contracts, and even years of national TV appearances. These things came from direct requests from readers of my blog.
So yes, my blog is already monetized. Just not in the traditional “paywall and sponsorship” sense most people think of first.
How My Blog Already Pays Off (Without Monetizing My Readers)
Despite all the data these weekly online conversations generate, I can’t tell you which specific opportunities this blog has created. I only know those opportunities came from here because people told me that’s how they found me.
Of course, as market researchers like to say:
“Anecdotal evidence is often compelling but seldom accurate.”
So I decided to dig a little deeper and discover what successful bloggers actually do to make money.
What Successful Bloggers Do Differently
I found that the most successful bloggers tend to be experts in a niche. My favorite example is Heather Cox Richardson, a history professor at Boston College.
The Case of Heather Cox Richardson
In 2019, Cox Richardson launched Letters from an American, a daily blog that gives historical context to current events. Her academic expertise and engaging writing have attracted a substantial readership. By 2020, The New York Times reported she was “on track to bring in a million dollars of revenue a year.” Today, she has more than 1.3 million readers and earns an estimated $850,000 per month.
Her blog is published on Substack. About 72% of bloggers earning over $2,000/month use platforms like this.
High-income bloggers often combine multiple income streams:
- Promoting products
- Affiliate partnerships
- Selling online courses or services
- Featuring paid guest content
- Sponsorship and brand deals
According to industry stats, nearly half of a successful blogger’s income can come from these sources, depending on their audience size.
The Hidden Costs of Monetizing a Blog (That No One Tells You)
Monetizing a blog can be lucrative. But it does come with several downsides:
Revenue Pressure Over Content Quality
When your income depends on performance, there’s pressure to prioritize SEO, sponsorships, and products over storytelling and originality.
Time Management Headaches
Once you start charging for access to readership or content, you’re not just a writer. You’re running a business. That means managing ads, chasing down sponsors, answering inquiries, and monitoring analytics. And that can lead to…
Creative Limitations
Sponsorships often come with brand requirements. Once you’re being paid, you may not be able to take a strong stance, or say what you really think, without risking a paycheck.
Vulnerability to Platforms
Monetizing through affiliate links or hosted platforms means you’re at the mercy of algorithm changes, policy updates, or canceled partnerships.
Ethical Concerns
If readers sense you’re saying something because you’re getting paid to say it, you’re no longer a trusted source. You’re an ad.
Why I’m Not Jumping on the Blog Monetization Bandwagon
None of those risks worry me because I don’t participate in them.
I’m not interested in sponsorships, guest posts, or brand deals.
I’m not giving up creative control, and I’m not promoting people or products I don’t believe in.
I’m focused on something else:
What Would Happen to My Readers?
Ana, my brilliant social media director, has helped build a LinkedIn audience of more than 250,000 followers, along with thousands on Instagram and Facebook. This blog fuels all of it.
If I start charging for content, would that reach disappear?
Maybe some readers would be unwilling to pay.
Others may intend to subscribe but never get around to it.
Perhaps the change itself could be enough to push people away.
No matter why, anything that reduces the reach of my voice feels like too much to lose.
Would You Pay for This Blog? Let Me Know.
As you might expect from someone who wrote a book called Is That All There Is?! I’d love to know what you think.
Your opinion and your readership mean more to me than any monetization strategy.
Please click on COMMENTS and tell me:
- Would you pay to read this blog?
- If so, how much would you consider fair?
- If not, what would hold you back?
Whether you’d pay or not, I genuinely want to hear your thoughts.
What else do I want to hear about?
Over the years, this blog has opened doors to keynote stages around the world. If you’re planning conferences, leadership retreats, or client events in 2026, I’d like to hear about them. I speak about branding, messaging, creativity, and the power of authentic communication; always with stories, energy, and practical takeaways your audience can use right away.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this blog, you’ve already experienced the thinking I bring to the stage. I don’t read slides or recycle soundbites. I show up with insight, humor, and a message tailored to your people. A few 2026 dates are still available. Should we talk?
You can learn more at www.bruceturkel.com
Bruce, I’ll attempt at answering your question! After years of reading your blog and after meeting you several times, YES I would pay to read more of them BUT I am happy I am not paying because that would raise my expectations for the content and would force me to compare your opinions to my own. I view your thoughts as an independent and pure thinking while not interested in a discussion or debate but rather a point of view worth considering!
I would pay to read your blog. That said you would have to decide if that is a source of income you want and what comes with that? Meaning, the expectation changes. I have paid for some things in the past but if I don’t get my value from it, I drop off quickly. Remember the old adage “you get what you paid for” When you pay it needs to have your readers say that they are getting their moneys worth in helping them be more successful or filling their interests. Good luck. Happy to be your first customer!
Good points. Thank you David.
I would pay
Thank you Jeff!!
You know what’s interesting…. I still remember 13+ years ago when we were in a Mastermind group together in South Florida, and you shared with the group that you were “very excited about the engagement of my blog so far–but can you all help me with ideas on how to monetize it?” I guess we didn’t give you much good advice that day, huh….LOL….
You have one hell of a good memory, Andy.
The question has remained rhetorical and intriguing for all those years.
I think I know the answer already, which is that it’s an interesting exercise to consider, but I don’t want to slay the goose that’s laid the silver egg. Still, I find it beneficial to review the question repeatedly.
Bruce, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog since I was working in government/corporate communications and still like it in retirement. I would not, however, pay to subscribe for several reasons. The top is that I already pay for several newspaper/streaming/media subscriptions. I read many Substack blogs for free, especially from former Miami Herald writers, retired broadcasters and political pundits, who also want me to pay. There has to be a budgetary limit somewhere and I really cannot afford the time to read them all. Your material is interesting but is no longer relevant to my life. I wouldn’t mind if there were advertising, but I understand your reluctance to go that route. Best regards
I understand your point, Rhonda. Policing budgets is an important activity for everyone. As I’ve written before, the question of monetizing my blog tends to be rhetorical — I want to keep doing what I’m doing and don’t want to risk what I’ve already built. Still, it’s interesting to consider what I would lose and what I would gain by changing the way I distribute the blog. Thank you for your input.
My hero
Your bog would definitely win in the “paid” column. However, I read it regularly because it’s “always about them”!! You’re a bright light in the dark mass of marketing. Thank you, Bruce.
Thank you Max. I always appreciate your kind comments.
Bruce, I love your blog but would not pay to subscribe to it (don’t want to fight through ads, etc.). I’m semi-retired. That said:
– I’ve forwarded your blog on to people who would know people who would hire you
– I’ve personally recommended you as a speaker at two large university groups I’m involved in
– Agree totally with the reasons for not monetizing the blog. Anything that would undermine your creativity or opinions is not for you.
Looks like you and I agree, George. It could be because we both share a similar marketing background. The things you do with the blog are exactly the reasons why I post it for free and don’t want to endanger that.
Bruce – I enjoy every minute I find to read your blog. And this particular article is quite existential. I would only suggest following your own intuition. As you mentioned, your writing is already monetized – one way or another. We all pay bills and sell our hands, brains, and even parts of our souls for money. Which form of the deal would make you feel happier? Sometimes, it is not about them. Speaking of jobs, I’d go back to Steve (Jobs) – “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
Thanks for the kind words Kamo. That’s very nice of you
I agree, I get plenty of compensation for my blog, precisely the way it’s set up.
And my main compensation is the enjoyment I get from writing the blog and from corresponding with thoughtful people like you.
BRUCE:
Thought you’d appreciate the following as it relates to your recent post:
https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/food-cooking/which-wine-substacks-are-worth-the-subscription-price
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