Everyone and her dog asks. It is a burning question for most artists, because so many of us struggle with our worth and so few of us are paid for it. If we believe in the impact of art on our soul, this has to change.
My response has always been a twitchy, not yet. Not until I spent serious time inhaling the internet, learned how to tell its stories, and saw if anyone would read them, respond well and be sure to come back. When I started blogging, reaching 10K subscribers was a psychedelic dream.
After years of writing and making feature-length, emo-action, indie films that depended on gobs of money, a small army of people and took forever to produce, I am now blissfully hooked on the virtual world. With a growing audience from every corner of the globe, and technology at my fingertips, I feel re-born, telling my stories in short, ecstatic bursts. I adore my international community of blogger pals who are always there to inspire and promote; the glorious artists with whom I get to collaborate; and YOU, my darling readers, who urge me on with every letter I type. We are in this together. The stars align when we open our hearts.
It is time to be paid for my creative work, to pay others and to pay for materials and services to help me grow this blog, in other words – to explore and offer ever more. Burns the Fire is ready to monetize and I am asking for your support.
Here’s the plan:
While this site will remain free for all, the option of Exclusive Content for a subscription fee will be offered in the fall. This content will include: podcasts of yours truly reading blog posts – accompanied by the sonic stylings of my in-house music man; interviews with the irrepressible subjects of my posts, and me; videos and other surprises.
A Burns the Fire On-line Store will be opened to sell some of my artwork and related treats. I’m excited about this.
Starting NOW, on the right-hand sidebar of every post and just below, you will see a Paypal DONATE button. To help bring these plans to life, I’d be extremely grateful if you would click on it and throw some fuel on the fire by contributing anything you can (paypal and major credit cards accepted). Or, maybe you have some ideas of how to share and grow this blog? I’m all ears.
Moral, creative or monetary, I am very thankful and cherish your support. In this amazing global village, I have found a home.
UPDATE: Have a look right here to see my very first ART GIFT for a donation!
Now, thrill me and visit our spanking-new GIFTS PAGE: the home of all the art and merchandise we have to offer in exchange for your heart-growing donations. One click right here.
Related: I Can See You, Art is Love and Am I Making Any Money with My Blog?
* From the book ‘Depression and the Body by Alexander Lowen‘ by Alexander Lowen MD.
‘What am I worth?’ Collage by Brenda Keesal.
Read about the ‘new busker economy’ right here.
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GOOD NEWS FLASH: Power is meant to be shared. I stockpiled sister bloggers and now they’re gracing HuffPost! Check it out: Sister Blogs.
Too many people don’t know about Bernie Sanders and his bold leap into the US presidential race. He is a lot of things but he is NOT business-as-usual, and if the media and the masses stand behind him, he can make a positive difference for the 99%. Read about him and spread the word. Where there’s a breath, there’s hope.
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I love to hear from you.
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39 Responses to Am I Making Any Money With My Blog?
This is a great step forward. I have been a big fan of Burns The Fire for a long time and always wondered about the “fuel” needed to produce a blog of this depth. I am happy to fan the embers and pitch in to support it. The writing and ideas you share here for us all to enjoy is most certainly worth a contribution. Keep up the great work, Brenda. Write on! Ezra, Montreal
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Thank you, Ez. xo
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Darling Brenda, wonderful wonderful giant step. It will pay off!!
As for moi, I want to become a regular subscriber, but I no longer do PayPal. Will offer you a check or cash!
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Thank you, girlfriend. xo
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Wow. This is big, my intrepid friend, and thrilling. Have you seen Amanda Palmer’s TedTalk about asking for what you want? I watch that talk like a hungry person looking through the window of a fancy restaurant. Why is it so amazing and admirable when an artist asks to be paid? I am hooting and cheering and watching with very big eyes!
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Natch, Amanda Palmer is the guide.
Thanks for your support, Anna, help spread the word for all of us!
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Hi B,Good luck with all this!! I hope it will be a huge success for you, looks very creative and innovative best LL
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Congrats on this bold step, Brenda. Wishing you all the best. xo
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Thanks, Amy! It feels great.
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Congratulations and best wishes on your new blogging format. I was just talking about the PayPal option with my family, so seeing your post was timely!
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I am happy it can be helpful. Welcome, Book Club Mom!
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HELLO my sister writer, Poetry and odd post its along with a few word written on a napkin while sitting at a diner, these are things that make a good writer but what makes a great writer? Well after reading your version of do I make money on here blogging. I have an idea, for the both of us if you want to hear more or not, either way, feel free to contact me..
Sonya H.
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[…] please visit Brenda’s site where she takes a stand for writers and their words’ worth: “Am I Making any Money with My Blog?” My 94-year-old grandmother, Mama Hattie, died in January almost 20 years ago. She slipped away […]
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I hope your bold move will earn the success you deserve. Many of us have been thinking about how to monetize the internet, so it will be interesting to follow your new approach. Good luck withthe whole process!
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Thank you, Otto. I am excited by this new paradigm.
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Interesting read and I wish the best of luck to you!
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Thank you. Welcome!
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Hi!
My friend and I are still new to being a blogger and just created a blog about fashion. Do you mind giving us some tips and advices that you used to make it work? We produced this blog yesterday night 🙂
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I’m trying to get to that point where I can make a little money from writing while I’m teaching English. It’s tough! I’ve been just working really hard and researching a ton! Thank you, pinterest! good luck with your blog I can’t wait to read more!
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Thanks! We’re in this together.
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Reblogged this on ZamoraJovenDispensablog.
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Thanks for the reblog, Antonio. Welcome!
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[…] THE FLAMES: In my last post, I told you how I aim to make a living with my baby, this blog. I asked you for a donation of any […]
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Congrats on pushing the envelope and hoping it ends up full! 😉
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Thank you kindly.
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Not sure how I missed your HuffPo post… but it’s AMAZING!! So many of my favorite sisters in one post, and so many posts I loved the first time around. March on sister! xo
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Spreading the wealth: I will do it again and again.
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Congratulations! You have my email contact me and l will send check or money order. I like your clean clear writing style and your blog. Very refreshing!
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I love the word ‘refreshing.’ Thank you so much for your interest and support, I will email you directly, with pleasure.
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Reblogged this on letmereblog.
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My yesterday post talks about being an artist/making money or something worthwhile. I haven’t made money with the blog. It’s a bit too much to expect. Good luck, tho, and Go Senator Sanders!
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It’s so hard to know what to expect, isn’t it? I keep putting one foot in front of the other. Like Bernie.
Welcome, Bumba!
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[…] My original plan included offering premium content for a fee and opening an online boutique; but at the moment, I can’t imagine not sharing everything with everyone, nor deal with a bizzy store. When a warmer, fuzzier exchange was suggested, like a bell, it rang my heart: […]
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[…] Read the related: Art is Love and Am I Making Any Money with My Blog? […]
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Interesting… I hope one day I can write to be paid too.
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Good luck to all of us!
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[…] Related: Art is Love and Am I Making Any Money with My Blog? […]
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[…] Related: Am I Making Any Money with My Blog? […]
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You could parallel publish all your blog entries on Substack, which many writers are using these days.
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