How much does StevePavlina.com make?

[impaul99]

Hi Steve, it's been a while since you've removed all advertising from StevePavlina.com. I'm wondering if you're willing to share how the income from your Blog has been affected.

Not counting income from your book sales, has your income from this Blog tanked or have there been other sources of revenue (increase in donations for example) that have taken the place of the income you used to earn from advertising (Text Links, AdSense etc.)?

Besides your book, I haven't seen you create any other products or services to generate income so I'm wondering how things are going with that.

When I heard about you getting rid of advertising on your site I was pretty excited because I thought it would be an awesome opportunity to see what other creative models of generating income you'd be able to come up with that we Bloggers may be able to look forward to in the future, but so far I haven't really seen anything.

Are your new income streams so subtle that we're totally not even seeing them, or is this something that you haven't even begun working on yet since removing all advertising from your site. Or perhaps you no longer expect to make any money from your Blog because the exposure it gets you shows up as more revenue somewhere else (ie. increased book sales)???

[seeker5]

Might want to check this post out:

Steve: Do you pay income tax? WHY!?

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by seeker5

Might want to check this post out:

Steve: Do you pay income tax? WHY!?

Ok, in that case, how much do you guys think Steve makes from this Blog now that he has removed all advertising sources of income. He previously reported his AdSense and advertising income as it grew from nothing to around $40k/m if I remember correctly, but since removing AdSense and other advertising, how much do you guys think he makes from the site?

By site I mean both from StevePavlina.com, and from these forums, but not including sales of his book or income from his wife's site.

Also, has anyone noticed any income streams that Steve's added to the site since removing Advertising? There were a few posts that promoted Site BuildIt and there is also the "Donate" button, and the "Genius Mind" ad in the top left corner, but has anyone else noticed any other streams of income?

I'm looking at this from the point of view of Blog case study analysis.

[Steve Pavlina]

I stopped posting income updates a while ago because it became too much of a distraction. For starters, it caused dozens of Internet marketers to target/spam me for inappropriate joint-venture offers, it generated pointless criticism from people who thought I was lying or exaggerating, and it generated tons of newbie emails about blogging that I didn't care to answer. Also, some people had a hard time handling how much money I was making, so they began acting all weird about it. One guy I knew went totally kittywompus over this, sending me long emails filled with cursing... most likely due to his frustration at his own results. All of this became rather annoying... and a waste of my time to deal with.

At the same time, I stopped caring about how much money I was making. I just felt a sense of abundance, and the specific amount seemed irrelevant. Many months I didn't really know how much I made until I caught up on my accounting months later. I just knew I had plenty.

Since I stopped posting specific income updates, I don't get as much attention from certain corners of the blogosphere, and I'm happier for it. To be totally honest, I find most of the Internet marketers out there rather creepy, and I'd prefer they simply forget I exist for a while. There are plenty of other bloggers they can swarm if they just want to make more money.

FWIW 2008 was our best year ever financially, and I expect 2009 will top that. But I don't really care. I don't even bother to set financial goals anymore. Money has become a very small part of my life. There are far more interesting things on my plate these days.

Erin and I earn more than we spend, and we expect that to continue indefinitely at this point. Consequently, we'd rather invest our time in other areas of growth and contribution.

[million]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

One guy I knew went totally kittywompus over this, sending me long emails filled with cursing... most likely due to his frustration at his own results.

That's crazy, i'm sorry to hear that! This just proves that successful people are always hated by some and loved by others.

I'd also be curious to know how the ad removal has affected the blog income . You don't have to post any figures, just a general idea of whether you're making the same, more, where the bulk of it is coming from,etc would be cool too

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by million

I'd also be curious to know how the ad removal has affected the blog income . You don't have to post any figures, just a general idea of whether you're making the same, more, where the bulk of it is coming from,etc would be cool too

The honest truth is that I haven't even looked at how much I'm earning now, nor do I even care to. I'm so focused on other things that aside from paying bills and depositing checks, I scarcely pay any attention to my finances.

Obviously the ad revenue is gone now, but at the same time my Amazon affiliate revenue is way up (at least 5x what it used to be), I'm earning book royalties that will be paid later (once the initial advance is worked off), my Site Build It affiliate income got a nice spike with their 2-for-1 holiday special, and SBI income will also increase this year as the first-year sign-ups start renewing. On top of that, Erin's reading bookings are up as well.

I'm sure my income is still lower now than it was six months ago, but it wouldn't surprise me if it spiked much higher another six months from now, even if I don't add any new revenue streams.

At this point having lots of free time is more important to me than boosting my income. As I mentioned in the blog, I'm pouring a lot of time and energy into relationships this year. I have plenty of slack in my finances, so I'm happy to let them slide a little if it means I have more time to devote to relationships.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I stopped posting income updates a while ago because it became too much of a distraction. For starters, it caused dozens of Internet marketers to target/spam me for inappropriate joint-venture offers, it generated pointless criticism from people who thought I was lying or exaggerating, and it generated tons of newbie emails about blogging that I didn't care to answer. Also, some people had a hard time handling how much money I was making, so they began acting all weird about it. One guy I knew went totally kittywompus over this, sending me long emails filled with cursing... most likely due to his frustration at his own results. All of this became rather annoying... and a waste of my time to deal with.

At the same time, I stopped caring about how much money I was making. I just felt a sense of abundance, and the specific amount seemed irrelevant. Many months I didn't really know how much I made until I caught up on my accounting months later. I just knew I had plenty.

Since I stopped posting specific income updates, I don't get as much attention from certain corners of the blogosphere, and I'm happier for it. To be totally honest, I find most of the Internet marketers out there rather creepy, and I'd prefer they simply forget I exist for a while. There are plenty of other bloggers they can swarm if they just want to make more money.

FWIW 2008 was our best year ever financially, and I expect 2009 will top that. But I don't really care. I don't even bother to set financial goals anymore. Money has become a very small part of my life. There are far more interesting things on my plate these days.

Erin and I earn more than we spend, and we expect that to continue indefinitely at this point. Consequently, we'd rather invest our time in other areas of growth and contribution.

I know what you mean by people acting all "Kittywompus", especially when you start earning more per month than they do per year. However, lets assume for one second that there was a positive side to sharing a bit more about this part of your life, wouldn't it be the courageous thing to do even if it does mean getting some stupid emails from idiots and some negative feedback from people who are jealous?

In other areas of your life you don't hold back sharing things because of what others might think and because of the garbage emails you might have, so I'm wondering why not this part. Meaning, you are OK sharing that you're going Poly for example, and don't give a rats ass if that gets you negative flack from some people.

Of course as I mentioned above, there would have to be a positive side to doing this. If there is no reason for doing it, and just negative distraction for not doing it, then it makes sense to ignore it.

So I guess my question then becomes, as one of the most successful Bloggers on the Internet, and now having completely converted your Blog to have no Advertising and such, you've successfully created a "Lightworker Blog". Would you be willing to write an article talking about this subject at some point to help others who are trying to grow consciously in that area?

Even if it only helps 10 other Lightworkers out there and pisses off 1,000 Darkworkers who call you a liar and bad names, wouldn't that be worth it?

It's always nice to see examples of how a Lightworker is able to have financial success in an online marketing world predominantly full of Darkworkers. Then again, I could be wrong. Maybe the only people who would care how your income on the Blog has changed since the removal of advertising are the very "Internet Marketers" you're trying to avoid.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Obviously the ad revenue is gone now, but at the same time my Amazon affiliate revenue is way up (at least 5x what it used to be), I'm earning book royalties that will be paid later (once the initial advance is worked off), my Site Build It affiliate income got a nice spike with their 2-for-1 holiday special, and SBI income will also increase this year as the first-year sign-ups start renewing. On top of that, Erin's reading bookings are up as well.

Do you get Amazon affiliate revenue from selling your own book as an affiliate? I guess so, since they don't care who's book you promote, right?

That's kind of neat.

[Steve Pavlina]

I could offer a long and well-considered explanation for why I went this route since I asked all those same questions, but the simple answer is that I found through direct experience that posting income figures was more distracting and less helpful than not posting them. It got people focusing on greed instead of service. It also poured tons of greed-centered people into my life, people whose main concern was making money at any cost.

I'm okay leaving the old articles online since I know some people still find them helpful, but I prefer to slant the newer ones in a different direction.

The old approach was just the wrong energy for me.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I could offer a long and well-considered explanation for why I went this route since I asked all those same questions, but the simple answer is that I found through direct experience that posting income figures was more distracting and less helpful than not posting them. It got people focusing on greed instead of service. It also poured tons of greed-centered people into my life, people whose main concern was making money at any cost.

I'm okay leaving the old articles online since I know some people still find them helpful, but I prefer to slant the newer ones in a different direction.

The old approach was just the wrong energy for me.

Cool, you've pretty much answered my questions in this thread anyways.

I realized that I was mistakenly equating "income streams" with "flow of abundance". AdSense is just an income stream... one way for abundance to flow into your life in the form of monetary currency. Cutting off that income stream doesn't diminish the flow of abundance into your life, the same way adding an income stream doesn't increase it.

[sk8joyful]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

The honest truth is
I'm pouring a lot of time and energy into relationships this year.
I have plenty of slack in my finances, so I'm happy to let them slide a little if it means I have more time to devote to relationships.

Hi Steve,
It is good hearing! when spouses Value each other..., plus their children's emotional-wellbeing..., ahead of financial greed.
May you always choose... examplifying these priorities, and together live blessed.

Cheers!

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

The honest truth is that I haven't even looked at how much I'm earning now, nor do I even care to. I'm so focused on other things that aside from paying bills and depositing checks, I scarcely pay any attention to my finances.[...]
I have plenty of slack in my finances, so I'm happy to let them slide a little if it means I have more time to devote to relationships.

If you have all that extra money, have you considered investing it in something big that furthers your goal of promoting personal growth?

A Toastmasters-style Personal Development organisation comes to mind, but I'm sure there are a zillion other options.

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I'm okay leaving the old articles online since I know some people still find them helpful, but I prefer to slant the newer ones in a different direction.

I, for one, am grateful that you do. Some of us aren't yet ready for your newer articles and currently find the old ones more useful.

Thanks.

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Keith

If you have all that extra money, have you considered investing it in something big that furthers your goal of promoting personal growth?

I don't buy into the belief that money is an investment tool with any real power. The truth is that money is an incredibly weak investment tool... unless you just want to make more money.

Investing money can generate some economic and productivity growth but usually not much genuine conscious growth. Otherwise the trillions our government is spending, spending, spending would be having a much greater payoff in terms of personal growth. Instead we end up with millions of people who can't even read. And with all the money that's been sent across the globe, most people still live on less than $2 a day.

The simple truth is this: As a tool for solving the real problems of the world, money absolutely sucks.

The real work is done not by money but by competent people who care. And the best work they do is to spread their competent caring to others.

My preferred investment vehicle is human beings themselves. We don't really need to spend more money in the world. We simply need more competent people who care. In other words, we need to raise our collective consciousness.

This is a return that can't be purchased by throwing more dollars around. When you give money to people who care, the money eventually ends up in the hands of people who don't. The good that's done by the initial spending is later negated by the follow-up spending. Better to bypass this cycle instead and spread caring instead of cash.

[alan7388]

As a tool for solving the real problems of the world, money absolutely sucks.

Classic example of the false-simplification fallacy. The reality:

Money is almost always necessary, but it's not sufficient.

As a small-scale philanthropist, I keep an eye out for cool projects in the area that I'm interested in where the energy, expertise, and skill to make something worthwhile happen are in place, but not the money. In the real world, money is indeed often the limiting factor.

[impaul99]

The simple truth is this: As a tool for solving the real problems of the world, money absolutely sucks.

This is just one way to create your reality Steve. It's just a belief.

The other place I often hear that belief is organized religion.

Typically they say that type of stuff in Church. Then they pass around the donation basket.



What about something like this: Kiva - Carolina

She only needs $50 more to open up a vegetable/fruit market in Peru.

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by impaul99

What about something like this: Kiva - Carolina

She only needs $50 more to open up a vegetable/fruit market in Peru.

If you want to see another market in Peru, give her $50, and your wish will come true.

[Keith]

What Alan7388 said.

Of course you need competent people that care. And those people could use money to do great things on a scale that they otherwise couldn't.

I also agree with Impaul99 that this seems like a limiting belief on your behalf. Which is good - if you were perfect you'd have no more room for growth.

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

This is a return that can't be purchased by throwing more dollars around. When you give money to people who care, the money eventually ends up in the hands of people who don't. The good that's done by the initial spending is later negated by the follow-up spending. Better to bypass this cycle instead and spread caring instead of cash.

I'm a bit confused by this. Are you saying that, if you could, you would absorb all the money in the economy so that nobody had any!?

The best way to make money is to create value. Surely by investing money (wisely) you're encouraging people to create value? And surely, even if the money passes through the hands of people who don't care, it then passes into the hands of those who do again, since those are the ones creating value?

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Keith

What Alan7388 said.

Of course you need competent people that care. And those people could use money to do great things on a scale that they otherwise couldn't.

I also agree with Impaul99 that this seems like a limiting belief on your behalf. Which is good - if you were perfect you'd have no more room for growth.


I'm a bit confused by this. Are you saying that, if you could, you would absorb all the money in the economy so that nobody had any!?

The best way to make money is to create value. Surely by investing money (wisely) you're encouraging people to create value? And surely, even if the money passes through the hands of people who don't care, it then passes into the hands of those who do again, since those are the ones creating value?

2 Things:

(1) Steve's views on money seem to be quite confusing. On more than one occasion he's said that he doesn't care about money, so I think it's kind of a dead topic to try to discuss with him. It's kind of like trying to discuss Football with someone who doesn't follow sports.

It might be better to just look to other personal development "guru's" who "care about money" if you're looking to understand finances better.

(2) Your statement of "The best way to make money is to create value." is also a belief. I'm sure you're aware of that right? I'm not arguing that it's not true, I'm just saying that it's only true if you choose for it to be true, and it depends on how you define "Best way". If by "Best way" you mean "fastest" it has a different meaning to "most aligned with lightworker beliefs" etc.

Just thought I'd mention those two points.

[Brutha]

If you’re not saying no, you’re
not acting strategically.
-James Ogilvy

There is no value in doing everything. Focused intention changes the world.

Steve answers the question about where he can do the most to help the world with raising consciousness.
As a result he focuses his mind on that task and says no to other thing that might also do some good to some people.

Saying no to choices that do create a small gain is something that few things value. That's also one of the reasons why so few people understand polarity and Steve's lightworker/darkworker distinction.

Focusing intention and acting according to a strategy on the other hand requires yourself to say no to some things even if those things look good.

A Toastmasters-style Personal Development organisation comes to mind, but I'm sure there are a zillion other options.

Getting the concepts and the framework of an toastmaster like personal development organization right that scales to thousands of clubs is extremely difficult.
The limited factor isn't money but the brains to get it going.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Brutha

Getting the concepts and the framework of an toastmaster like personal development organization right that scales to thousands of clubs is extremely difficult.

The limited factor isn't money but the brains to get it going.

I agree that money is probably not the limiting factor. However, I don't think intelligence or "brains" is it either. I'd say that desire or intention is more like it.

[Brutha]

However, I don't think intelligence or "brains" is it either.

I didn't meant intelligence. I rather meant "thinking work".

[Keith]

Originally Posted by impaul99

Your statement of "The best way to make money is to create value." is also a belief.

It's Steve's belief.

"I shouldn't spend money because it'll just find it's way into the hands of the undeserving" is another belief of Steve's.

My point was that those two beliefs aren't compatible. Either:

(a) creating value is the most effective way to make money (long term), in which case you'd expect spent money to propogate to the value-creators; or
(b) money tends to propogate to the moochers, in which case creating value isn't as effective a way of making money as mooching.

Or Steve has a third option that I haven't thought of and would be really interested to hear...

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Keith

Or Steve has a third option that I haven't thought of and would be really interested to hear...

Lots of other options to consider. How many people receive value from my work w/o ever paying a dime for it?

You can share value w/o bothering to use the medium of money. In many ways I find it better to circumvent the monetary system altogether, and I'm not even referring to barter in this case.

[million]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Lots of other options to consider. How many people receive value from my work w/o ever paying a dime for it?

You can share value w/o bothering to use the medium of money. In many ways I find it better to circumvent the monetary system altogether, and I'm not even referring to barter in this case.

That's interesting, in this case how do you suggest we will have all the comforts of life? I.e if someone wants to live in a large, luxurious house, how will he compensate the constructors who would build the house for him? (And there's nothing wrong with wanting to live in a large house, i hope you'll agree)

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by million

That's interesting, in this case how do you suggest we will have all the comforts of life? I.e if someone wants to live in a large, luxurious house, how will he compensate the constructors who would build the house for him? (And there's nothing wrong with wanting to live in a large house, i hope you'll agree)

You have limitless possibilities. Some people I know are building their own homes.

I'm not suggesting it's wrong to plug into the current economy to buy/sell/trade. I just think people put a bit too much emphasis on it and lose sight of the more important stuff. A great deal of living can occur between financial transactions, and this is where the real investment of life is made.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Lots of other options to consider. How many people receive value from my work w/o ever paying a dime for it?

You can share value w/o bothering to use the medium of money. In many ways I find it better to circumvent the monetary system altogether, and I'm not even referring to barter in this case.

ROFL. I just had a thought.

Steve's a Trekkie! (I also enjoy Star Trek) Guess what they don't have on Star Trek? Money. In Star Trek, humans have supposedly outgrown the concept of money. Although I'm not 100% how the concept works, I do know that all the basic necessities of life are easily provided for since they have things like "Replicators" that just "Materialize" food and most physical objects out of "nothing"...well out of energy I guess.

In a Star Trek world, value is still exchanged, but it's not based on money anymore.

Hmmmmmmmm....makes one wonder.

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by impaul99

ROFL. I just had a thought.

Steve's a Trekkie! (I also enjoy Star Trek) Guess what they don't have on Star Trek? Money. In Star Trek, humans have supposedly outgrown the concept of money. Although I'm not 100% how the concept works, I do know that all the basic necessities of life are easily provided for since they have things like "Replicators" that just "Materialize" food and most physical objects out of "nothing"...well out of energy I guess.

In a Star Trek world, value is still exchanged, but it's not based on money anymore.

Hmmmmmmmm....makes one wonder.

Yes! This is essentially how I aim to live. It was a conscious choice that was indeed inspired by ST:TNG in many ways. They do have money in the Star Trek universe, but it's extremely unimportant. Money simply isn't the basis for getting things done, even for massive undertakings.

My main financial goal isn't to become rich. It's to make money as irrelevant as possible in my life, so I can make decisions without regard to financial considerations.

The main characters in ST:TNG are extremely principle-centered. Their principles are more important to them than money, relationships, career opportunities, etc. Their principles are even more important than their lives.

In Star Trek, people do things because it's the right thing to do in accordance with their principles, not because they have to be paid or offered external rewards.

Similarly, if I write a new article or decide to record a podcast, I simply don't consider the financial aspect. It's irrelevant. I merely focus on doing what's right in accordance with my principles.

We don't live in a utopia, however. I still must attend to financial matters like taxes and paying bills. However, I do my best to make that as small a part of my life as possible.

In 2005 I wrote an article called Lessons From Star Trek which many Trekkies have enjoyed.

I will say that I'm EXTREMELY happy with my decision to live this way. It has generated more abundance, freedom, and joy that I ever thought possible.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Yes! This is essentially how I aim to live. It was a conscious choice that was indeed inspired by ST:TNG in many ways. They do have money in the Star Trek universe, but it's extremely unimportant. Money simply isn't the basis for getting things done, even for massive undertakings.

My main financial goal isn't to become rich. It's to make money as irrelevant as possible in my life, so I can make decisions without regard to financial considerations.

The main characters in ST:TNG are extremely principle-centered. Their principles are more important to them than money, relationships, career opportunities, etc. Their principles are even more important than their lives.

In Star Trek, people do things because it's the right thing to do in accordance with their principles, not because they have to be paid or offered external rewards.

Similarly, if I write a new article or decide to record a podcast, I simply don't consider the financial aspect. It's irrelevant. I merely focus on doing what's right in accordance with my principles.

We don't live in a utopia, however. I still must attend to financial matters like taxes and paying bills. However, I do my best to make that as small a part of my life as possible.

In 2005 I wrote an article called Lessons From Star Trek which many Trekkies have enjoyed.

I will say that I'm EXTREMELY happy with my decision to live this way. It has generated more abundance, freedom, and joy that I ever thought possible.

I agree completely. I want to live life where money isn't part of the decision making process. As I've built my wealth, money has become less and less important.

Sometimes I will go out for dinner and I'll actually see people making decisions on what they want to order based on price. Meaning, they'll order something they don't really want because it's $11.99 vs something they do want which is $14.99. That boggles my mind. If you can't afford to get what you want, then why buy something you don't really want... it's like you're telling yourself that money is more important than you.

One thing I learned a while ago is that there is only one group of people that talks and thinks about money more than rich people.... and that is poor people.

[TonyToneTone]

One hundred million dollars!!!

[Fullcrum]

The Star Trek analysis was pretty cool. Thanks for that.

I always loved TNG.