On Blog Consulting

Someone asked me a while back what I offer as a blog consultant or how I charge for it. I had a bit of a struggle defining that role but basically I told him that I provide technical assistance to those who want to have their own blog and that includes (but is not limited) to domain registration, hosting, setting up the blog, theming/customization, optimization, and even marketing.

Fees vary from one-time payments to fixed monthly/yearly or on special cases on an hourly basis (especially when my physical presence is required).

With blog monetization however, it’s a little bit different. It’s more like SEO — performance based. When I broker for bloggers in finding direct advertisers for them, I get a cut or a percentage. This is usually in the range of 10 to 30% depending on the blog’s profile/traffic. Hence, I only get paid if they get paid. If I couldn’t find them advertisers, then it’s sorry for the both of us.

The same is true in the area of blog monetization by way of optimizing Adsense on their blogs. Say for example, an existing blog only earns an average of $50PHP 2,934INR 4,237EUR 48CNY 364 per month. I implement the optimization and a month later, if the revenue shoots up to $100PHP 5,869INR 8,475EUR 95CNY 728, I get a percentage of the increase (i.e. 30% of $100PHP 5,869INR 8,475EUR 95CNY 728 – $50PHP 2,934INR 4,237EUR 48CNY 364). If after the optimization, the blog earns almost the same amount as the previous month, then I don’t get my cut. Sounds simple and fair. It’s actually in the blogger’s advantage as there’s no upfront cost to talk about. (Of course, my percentage ends on either the 6th month or sometime later, depending on the additional services that were delivered. I have asked people around and this seems to be the standard.)

This scheme is not exactly unique as some people in the legal practice also do the same (i.e. they only get legal fees if they win a case). With the performance-based scheme, both parties agree on a fair and equitable arrangement.