Like our previous blogiversaries, we’re using this week to pull back the curtain and share the business side of blogging as we experience it. We never intended to start a business when we published our first post in September 2007, and we certainly didn’t write a formal business plan. This whole thing has been a learn-as-we-go, roll-with-the-punches journey. We’re not claiming to be expert entrepreneurs any more than we claim to be professional interior designers — we’re just two people with a chihuahua and a baby who keep experimenting and sharing what we learn. Our goal here is practical: to help anyone trying to grow a blog or simply curious about what managing a blog looks like day to day.
We’ve touched on pieces of this in past blogiversary posts, but this year we’re offering more detail and a few visuals to explain how we divide our time and where our revenue comes from. To start, here’s a high-level look at how we spend our time running the blog (this excludes general adult duties like cooking or parenting our toddler). These categories are rough estimates, but should give a realistic sense of how varied the work is.
The thing that surprises a lot of readers is that actual hands-on projects — the DIY work you see in posts — occupy a relatively small slice of our time. In many weeks it feels like we have no more time to tackle projects than we did when both of us worked full-time in advertising. Weekends and weeknights after our child’s bedtime are usually when we make the most progress on house projects, because the blog tends to quiet down and we can focus on tasks rather than moderating comments or publishing posts. But the day-to-day reality is much more complex, so here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s inside each major time category.
INTERACTING
- Comments: We manually moderate all comments. If someone takes time to read and respond, the least we can do is reciprocate. One of us (usually Sherry) reads and replies to comments so that questions don’t get lost. Giveaway entries are an exception since they number in the thousands and must be approved in bulk.
- Social Media & Email: We aim to be responsive on social platforms and via email. We don’t spend all day on social media, but we check in frequently to answer questions, respond to mentions, and engage with readers.
WRITING
- Blog Posts: Producing posts is central. We write roughly 35 posts a month, so publishing and editing content takes a significant portion of our time. Good blogging requires time invested in writing, photos, and storytelling.
- External Writing Gigs: Blog writing has led to additional opportunities, like guest columns and regular contributions for other outlets. Coordinating those assignments, writing them, and responding to any resulting comments is effectively a part-time job.
- Book: We’re also working on a book filled with projects and photos. Book preparation, project execution, and coordinating professional photography consumes large, varying blocks of time.
DIY
- Projects: This is the hands-on work: building, painting, and renovating. Some projects would happen regardless of the blog, but an audience often speeds up the timeline and motivates us to tackle bigger or more numerous tasks.
- Gathering Supplies: Running errands, sourcing thrift finds, and tracking down parts can take anywhere from under an hour to more than a day. Hunting for materials is unpredictable but essential.
PHOTOGRAPHING
- Photo Taking: Photography is integrated into nearly everything we do: step-by-step shots, staged after photos, and room tours. Lighting, tripod setup, and timing add to the time required for a single project post.
- Photo Editing: Editing includes color correction, cropping, sizing, and sorting through often hundreds of images per post. We typically shoot dozens to hundreds of photos and narrow the selection down for publication.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
- Sponsors & Advertising: A major portion of revenue comes from sponsors and ad partnerships. That means managing sponsor relationships, renewing contracts, invoicing, and handling ad placements and reporting.
- Giveaways: Giveaways are a way to give back to readers and require coordination: confirming prize details, notifying winners, and overseeing delivery logistics. They’re time-consuming but rewarding.
- Declining Requests: We receive many collaboration requests — events, product reviews, or promotional opportunities. We evaluate each against our values and available time, and sometimes decline to protect our focus and integrity.
- Bookkeeping & Admin: Paying bills, filing quarterly taxes, renewing business registrations, and managing receipts are necessary parts of running any business.
- Technical Maintenance: Hosting updates, server glitches, and occasional redesigns require technical attention. We’re not developers by trade, so technical issues can consume significant time.
Now to money. We don’t disclose exact earnings, but we’ll explain where income comes from and how it has shifted over the years. Early on we relied on a mix of small revenue streams — advertising, selling prints, offering small design services — which helped when ad revenue alone wasn’t enough. Over time traffic grew and ad revenue increased, allowing us to move away from offering services and focus more on content and sponsored partnerships.
Today, our revenue is more concentrated in advertising and sponsored relationships, though we still diversify across channels so we aren’t dependent on a single source. Here’s a quick breakdown of common income types you’ll see on many blogs:
- Google Ads: Contextual ads that run on the site and require minimal oversight, aside from blocking inappropriate content.
- Ad Networks: Networks that provide more targeted advertising and higher payouts in some cases. They often complement Google Ads.
- Sponsors: Direct partnerships with brands that fit our content. These relationships are negotiated and managed one-on-one.
- Affiliate Links: Small referral commissions when readers purchase products we recommend. We label affiliate links transparently.
- Freelance Writing: Paid columns and occasional editorial work for other publications.
- Book Advances: Payments received for writing and producing a book.
Running a blog also carries substantial expenses. Hosting costs for a high-traffic site, image storage, and technical infrastructure add up quickly. We budget for quarterly taxes, health insurance, retirement contributions, business licensing, professional help (accountants and occasional programmers), and essential equipment like cameras and laptops. Many project costs are similar to expenses we would have incurred as DIY enthusiasts, but the scale and pace can be influenced by the blog’s demands.
We’ve shared this overview in hopes that it helps anyone planning to turn a blog into a business or just curious about what happens behind the scenes. Blogging involves much more than projects and posts: community engagement, photography, business management, and ongoing learning all play a role. It can be unpredictable and stressful at times, but it’s also deeply rewarding. We’re grateful for the journey and for the readers who help keep the momentum going — if gratitude were measurable, our pie chart would be overflowing.
Update – We often get questions about how we started the blog, grew traffic, and turned it into full-time work, so we’ve summarized our process and tips about launching, growing, and monetizing a blog for those who want a deeper dive.