I know there are a lot of blogs out there about blogging but I'm still thinking of starting another one. I started http://www.coolest-gadgets.com last August and have recorded traffic, revenues, advertising campaigns, link campaigns etc. What I was thinking of doing is kind of a post dated progress report. I know when I first started with sites I was always on the look out of other peoples stats so that I could see what to expect or aim for. So my plan is to blog about blogging but providing real life examples of revenue and traffic (where TOS allow). So the question is do you think it's a good idea for a site and any ideas on how it can be improvemented. Thanks
Thanks for asking that as I wasn't really thinking of the financial side of it. I'd expect to use the usual sources of Adsense, Affiliates, referals and there are plenty of commision based products for webmasters (along with lots of competition).
It certainly would attract visitors, but also think about all the info you are putting out there. You could be inviting a lot of competition if your tale of success entices people.
I don't mind helping people and doing another gadget site would be a bit crazy with all the competition out there. What I'd probably do is give a fair amount of info but hold back on full facts if it could be detrimental to what I'm doing, i.e. saying I found this great newsletter to advertise on, it cost me $300 went out to 125,000 readers and brought me in an extra 5,000 visitors ehich converted to $200 (maybe not so good newsletter). Also by post dating actions I wouldn't be encouraging immidiate competition (hopefully).
Sounds like a nice idea for a handy resource, but how much it could make you I'm not sure... Maybe I don't understand why you'd like to do it - I mean, is it for money, or a love of the subject? If it's for a love of the subject then I say go for it. If it's for money I'd reccomend you try something different.
I'd say it's for a bit of both. It's a subject I'd enjoy writing about but like most people I wouldn't want to write for free. I reckon if it got a large enough audience it would be pretty easy to monetise it (now the T0PS has got me thinking about that angle).
AdSense blog ads are pretty crappy so you'll probably have to get money via the affiliate webmaster tools route. But with so many quality things for free nowadays (hosting, CMSes, stats software, KWT, co-op, O.S. in general) there's not much to get out of the ordinary Joe Bloggs (pun intended). And webmasters / tech people are notorious for not clicking ads (and I know it form either perspective). Unless you become the Blog Guru, come with interactive tutorials, eBooks, podcasts, video's attend trade shows and speak at them and all that I don't think it's easy to gain much out of it besides just satisfaction. I'd pump my time and effort in something that will convert better. The feel good factor will come when you're sipping Pernot and Coke on Bora Bora with some 20 something heavily cleavaged birds.
I write my blog on blogging mainly cos I really enjoy writing it. The adsense certainly doesn't set the world on fire, but that wasn't really the point. If it's something you enjoy I encourage you to do it!