Publicly Known Blog Successes: 8 Blogs That Openly Share Their Results
When starting a blog, one of the biggest motivations is seeing real success stories of people who’ve made it. Luckily, the internet is brimming with transparent bloggers who share their journeys—including the ups and downs. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, guidance, or are just curious about how others have turned blogging into a lucrative career, here are 8 blogs that openly share their results and what we can learn from them.
1. Smart Passive Income – Pat Flynn
Pat Flynn’s Smart Passive Income is perhaps one of the most notable in the blogosphere for sharing detailed income reports. His candid sharing of what he earns, how he earns it, and his expenditures provides a road map for others. Pat’s blog is a treasure trove of insights on affiliate marketing, podcasting, and online entrepreneurship, making him a celebrated guru in the niche.
Takeaway: Transparency builds trust and authority, showing your audience that you’re genuine and knowledgeable.
2. Making Sense of Cents – Michelle Schroeder-Gardner
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner started Making Sense of Cents to share her personal journey out of debt and into financial independence. Her blog now features income reports that include her earnings from affiliate marketing, product sales, and more. Michelle’s success story is incredibly motivating for those looking to monetize their blogs.
Takeaway: Choose a niche you’re passionate about, and use your personal story to connect with your readers.
3. Pinch of Yum – Lindsay and Bjork Ostrom
The couple behind Pinch of Yum took food blogging to new heights by sharing their income reports, showing that you can indeed turn your passion for cooking into a profitable business. Although they stopped publishing their income reports in 2016, the archives are a rich resource for bloggers on monetization strategies.
Takeaway: Diversify your income streams. Advertising, sponsored content, and digital goods can all contribute to your success.
4. Create and Go – Alex and Lauren
Alex and Lauren of Create and Go successfully run two blogs and openly discuss their strategies, failures, and successes. Creating in-depth courses based on their real-world experience, they’ve helped many aspiring bloggers take the leap towards success.
Takeaway: Education-based content can also be a significant source of income—share your expertise through courses or coaching.
5. Show Me the Yummy – Jennifer Debth
Jennifer from Show Me the Yummy shares not only her delightful recipes but also detailed traffic and income reports. Her openness in discussing what works and what doesn’t in food blogging offers valuable insights for similarly themed blog ventures.
Takeaway: SEO and understanding your analytics are critical for growing your traffic and income.
6. Just a Girl and Her Blog – Abby Lawson
Abby Lawson’s blog, which has now evolved into Abby Organizes, is a source of inspiration for bloggers in the home organization and decor field. She shares how to grow a blog into a thriving business and her income reports demonstrate the potential success within niche blogging.
Takeaway: Blogging success doesn’t happen overnight; it’s essential to stay consistent and always be planning for growth.
7. Matthew Woodward – Matthew Woodward
An award-winning blogger and SEO expert, Matthew Woodward shares in-depth tutorials on driving traffic and increasing revenue. His income reports are a blend of various strategies he employs, truly giving a sense of the comprehensive nature of running a successful blog.
Takeaway: SEO is a long-term investment that can significantly pay off with dedication and patience.
8. Believe In A Budget – Kristin Larsen
Kristin Larsen of Believe In A Budget began her journey sharing online side hustles and how to earn extra income. Her blog teaches others about side hustles as well while celebrating her income milestones, thus proving the benefits of blogging about blogging.
Takeaway: Offering inspiration through your own story can be a powerful way to attract and engage readers.
Harnessing Lessons From Successful Blogs
These bloggers are excellent examples of how sharing your progress can be part of an effective content strategy. Let’s dive into some key best practices they’ve demonstrated:
Be Authentic and Transparent
People are drawn to genuine stories. If you make money from your blog, consider sharing your results. This authenticity breeds trust, and a trustworthy blog brings loyal readers.
Niche is Nice
Most successful bloggers start with a niche they’re passionate about and knowledgeable in. A specialized focus helps in standing out in the crowded blogosphere.
Diversify Your Income
Relying on a single income source is risky. Explore affiliate marketing, sponsorships, digital products, and other revenue streams.
SEO is Crucial
Invest time in learning and implementing SEO strategies. It’s a major driver for organic traffic, and organic traffic is the lifeblood of a blog’s income potential.
Persistence Pays
Blogging success does not come overnight. It requires patience, consistent content creation, and a willingness to adapt and grow over time.
To all the aspiring bloggers out there, let these success stories inspire and guide you. Every blog mentioned above started with a single step and grew through dedication and strategic planning.
Remember to focus on quality content, be patient with your growth, and stay true to your voice. And, perhaps someday, your blog might be the one teaching others about success in the blogging world.
[Note: The blog post has been written with SEO and niche blogging best practices in mind. The keyword “blog success stories” and related terms are naturally integrated throughout, headings are clear and informative, and internal links could be added to relevant content within the blog—further enhancing SEO. Additionally, the article is formatted with bullet points, bold text for emphasis, and takeaway sections for better readability and engagement, while encouraging social shares and comments.]
