When I first started this blog, 8 years ago, I was completely into the whole “personal finance blog” scene. I would be completely inundated with the life and decisions of other bloggers. I would share a lot more of what was happening, personally and professionally, and at some point they would know more about my financial life than family and close friends. This lasted for probably 4 or 5 years!
But then bloggers would come and go without a trace, and I never really gave it much thought. If I had to give a number I would say 98.5% of bloggers just stopped writing at some point in the past 8 years, 1% are still writing and finally .5% sold their blog.
Since buying back this site, in addition to posting way more about my current passion, I have been cleaning up the back end. Part of that “clean up” includes removing dead links, and I have been shocked how many bloggers have just quit. The amount of dead personal finance blogs out there is astounding and has lead me to wonder what has happened to all these people!
A lot of them where struggling with debt and spending issues – are they out of debt? Some of theme were attempting to building wealth – have they? Some were trying to build multiple streams of income – have they succeeded after all these years? Some seemed to be attempting to keep a marriage together – are they now divorced? A lot seemed to be in their late 20’s starting a family – did that work out for them?
I haven’t attempted to connect with newer personal finance bloggers on a regular basis. Think it is about time to start again!
Have any new favorites I should check out?
Wait, you sold your site?? When did this happen and did you post about the details?
I’m not sure if the number is 98.5%. I still see a lot of bloggers who are still clogging since 2009 when I started. Maybe the numbers more like 80% quit?
Sam
80% no way! Much higher. Check out some of your posts from 2009 and link through on the comments. You’ll be shocked on the number of dead blogs.
Yup, I sold my site May 1 (http://myjourneytomillions.com/articles/last-net-worth-update/) and then re-bought it back last month. Very happy that I did!
Wow! Like a Day Trader, but for websites!
I think many more survived than you think. Why would you quite when you can make thousands of dollars extra a year, if not hundreds of thousands in extra income a year blogging after several years and never have to work again?
No brainer! Nobody quits no brainers.
Sam
Not a chance! I would venture a guess that 96% quit before the first dime hits their account
Even though I’m pretty new to blogging, I’ve also noticed the huge turnover. I started back in July, and remember a few other bloggers that started along with me. Seems like many of them ended up calling it quits after a few months.
You have to truly love what you are writing about or it is destined to die.
Hi Evan,
Indeed there is a huge turnover in blogging. I think a lot of people start with unrealistic expectations, and then the reality of the demands for regular posting kick in. Life doesn’t flow in a linear pattern 😉
Plus, most people will make more money with regular employment than with blogging.
There are less “successful” bloggers earning 6 figures than people with regular jobs earning 6 figures. Plus, we don’t know how lasting those high figure blog incomes will be.
Heck, if you manage to earn $10K/year blogging, you are likely one of the success stories.
Networking is fine, but you also don’t know if the people who are blogging today will be around in 5 years. Seeing all the dead blogs out there really cuts down on my desire for networking too much.
In the height of my blogging (and online properties) I was making a lot more than $10k/yr, but then google put the stamp on the types of garbage I was doing. I think that is when a ton of people dropped out.
When I started blogging 8 months ago I didn’t even know people made money blogging.
I can definitely see people who start blogging to make money giving up after some time. It seems like an industry where a very few at the top make decent money but the rest make next to nothing.
For me, blogging is a way to keep me accountable for my stock moves. I want to look back in 10 years and gauge how my methods worked out.
I find many blogs helpful for looking at how and why they are buying and selling companies.
“For me, blogging is a way to keep me accountable for my stock moves. I want to look back in 10 years and gauge how my methods worked out. ”
Written in 2009 – http://myjourneytomillions.com/articles/accountability-leads-to-success/
Keep blogging buddy. Putting it out there, even if no one is reading motivates the hell out of me.
I just learned that DividendHustler just ended his blog the other day. I was going through my blog roll and when I clicked over I was shocked to see it gone. It was a fun blog that was very motivating to read and follow along. It was more than just about passive income and dividends. It dealt with real estate, being thankful and enjoying what really matters in life. I guess the only silver lining to all of this is that when one blog ends another one or two pop up giving us new opinions, stories and investment ideas to follow.
I hate that! No good bye post, or this is why I am leaving – it shows zero regard to those that followed the journey.