How Much Money I Actually Make from Simply Sound Advice
When people hear you run a website, there’s often an assumption that you’re raking in money—passive income flowing effortlessly into your bank account. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth for most bloggers, including me.
Simply Sound Advice isn’t a money-making machine, and that’s okay. While I’ve made a little here and there, the real reward isn’t financial. It’s in the connections I’ve made, the people I’ve helped, and the trust I’ve built with my audience. Let me pull back the curtain and share the truth about how much money I’ve actually made—and why it’s not the point.
The Myth of Overnight Blogging Success
The internet is filled with stories of bloggers earning thousands within months of launching their sites. These stories are flashy and inspiring, but they often leave out important context: the years of experience, the massive teams, or the expensive advertising budgets behind that success.
When I started Simply Sound Advice in March 2023, I knew I wouldn’t see instant results. Building a site from scratch, with no team and no big budget, takes time, effort, and an enormous amount of patience. I didn’t expect overnight success—but even so, I didn’t fully grasp just how slow the financial growth would be.
How Much Money I’ve Made So Far
To date, I’ve made just over $75 total from monetizing Simply Sound Advice. Here’s the breakdown:
- Ads (AdSense): Around $15, earning just a few cents per day.
- Affiliate Marketing: Approximately $40, mostly from affiliate links embedded in my articles.
- Other Streams (Shop, Donations, eBooks): A combined total of about $20 from sales and contributions.
The Costs of Running a Website
On the flip side, running Simply Sound Advice isn’t free.
- Hosting Costs: A couple hundred dollars a year for my WordPress plan.
- Tools and Subscriptions: Around $50 per month for SEO tools, design software, and other resources.
- Miscellaneous Expenses: These add up, from premium plugins to occasional marketing investments.
Right now, my website operates at a loss. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a success.
Why Money Isn’t the Point
When I started this site, my goal wasn’t to make a fortune. It was to help people. Blogging gives me the opportunity to reach strangers in ways I never could in person. Whether it’s guiding someone step-by-step through a challenge or offering advice they didn’t even know they needed, I get to make a difference—on my terms.
In real life, no one would approach me on the street and ask for detailed guidance on their personal development journey. But through Simply Sound Advice, I can provide that help to thousands of people over time, no strings attached. That’s the part of blogging I find most rewarding. It’s not about the money—it’s about the impact.
The Challenges of Monetizing Ethically
Let me be clear: monetizing a website ethically is not easy. It takes:
- Patience: Growth is slow when you’re not chasing quick wins or using manipulative tactics.
- Persistence: You have to keep showing up, even when the financial rewards are nonexistent.
- Trust: Building trust with your audience means promoting only what you truly believe in, even if it means saying no to profitable opportunities.
There are shortcuts I could take. I could plaster my site with ads, promote anything that offers a high commission, or use clickbait headlines to drive traffic. But I refuse to compromise my values. I’m here to help people, not exploit them. That decision makes the journey harder—but it also makes it worth it.
Lessons Learned About Monetization
Over the past two years, I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to monetize a website ethically. Here are a few key lessons:
- Build Value First: Focus on creating content that helps people. If your audience trusts you, monetization will follow in time.
- Be Selective with Affiliates: Only promote products and services you genuinely believe in. Your audience’s trust is worth more than a quick paycheck.
- Diversify Your Income Streams: Relying on one source of income (like ads) limits your potential. Experiment with different streams to see what works for you.
- Stay Patient: Ethical monetization is a long game. Focus on building something sustainable, not just profitable.
How I Define Success
For me, Simply Sound Advice is already a success. Sure, it’s not making much money—but that’s not why I started it. The fact that my site is being viewed by someone every single day is a win in itself. Knowing that my advice is helping people—whether it’s improving their finances, strengthening their relationships, or overcoming personal challenges—makes it all worthwhile.
Success isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about the connections you make, the value you provide, and the impact you have. By that definition, Simply Sound Advice is thriving.
Encouragement for Other Creators
If you’re thinking about starting your own blog or creative project, my advice is simple: focus on the journey, not the destination. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re not seeing immediate results, but every small win matters. Celebrate them. Let them fuel you.
And remember: trust takes time to build. Monetizing ethically is tough, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Stay true to your values, and the right opportunities will come.
A Quiet Invitation
If this article has resonated with you—if you’ve found value in what I’m sharing—I’d love for you to be part of this journey. Here’s how you can support Simply Sound Advice:
- Subscribe to get more tools, advice, and insights delivered straight to your inbox.
- Donate to help keep this space alive and growing. Every contribution makes a difference.
Thank you for being here. Together, we can build something meaningful.
Related Content:
- Why the Internet Is Broken: How We Can Fix It Together
- Rebuilding the Internet: Empowering Users and Creators for a Fair Digital Future
- Support Simply Sound Advice: Every Contribution Makes a Difference
- Discover the Best Free Tools on SimplySoundAdvice.com
- The Highs and Lows of Building Simply Sound Advice: 2 Years In (Almost)
- Why I Chose to Go Against the Grain with Simply Sound Advice
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