How I Earned $14,937 in July — My Highest-Ever Income Month

It’s that time of the month again: my monthly income report. I publish these reports to track progress, learn from past months, and stay accountable to my business goals.

This series started as an “extra income” report while I still worked a full-time job before October 2013. Back then I only reported income earned outside my day job. In September 2013 I handed in my notice as a financial analyst and left the job in October, so now the reports reflect the income I earn as a freelancer and business owner.

I share these updates for several reasons. First, reading other bloggers’ income reports (like Smart Passive Income and others) inspired me to pursue side hustles and eventually build a full-time business. Second, writing these reports helps me analyze what’s working, what isn’t, and where to focus next. Finally, the reports motivate me—if nothing changes month to month, it signals that I need to take action.

As I say every month, life is better now that I’m doing meaningful work on my own terms. I look forward to each day, and that makes all the difference.

How was July?

July turned out to be my best income month so far, which surprised me since summer is typically slower for many freelancers. The month was very busy during the first week and the final two weeks, with a quiet middle while I was on a cruise. That break was welcome; even though I work while traveling, it always feels strange not to be constantly busy.

For July 2014 my business income before expenses was $16,237. After accounting for fees and expenses—about $1,300 for virtual assistants, technical help, payment processing fees, and similar costs—I earned roughly $14,937. For clarity: I report only the payments I receive for services I provide, not the total revenue of client sites I help manage.

This total is before taxes; as a self-employed person I set aside approximately 30% for taxes and also cover my own retirement and health insurance.

To read earlier posts about extra income, see my archive. Below are a selection of previous monthly updates showing how income has grown over time.

• $672 extra in May (2012)
• $994 extra in June (2012)
• $1,425 extra in July (2012)
• $1,603 extra in August (2012)
• $3,275 extra in September (2012)
• $3,700 extra in October (2012)
• $5,114 extra in November (2012)
• $5,770 extra in December (2012)
• $6,523 in January Extra Income (2013)
• $5,983 in February Extra Income (2013)
• $7,862 in March Extra Income (2013)
• $7,859 in April Extra Income (2013)
• $7,641 in May Extra Income (2013)
• $10,192 in June Extra Income (2013)
• $11,117 in July Extra Income (2013)
• $9,554 in August Extra Income (2013)
• $12,334 in September Side Income (2013)
• $11,927 in October Income – I Finally Left My Job (2013)
• $13,387 in November Income (2013)
• $12,160 in December Income (2013)
• $12,640 in January Income (2014)
• $13,454 in February Income (2014)
• $12,100 in March Income (2014)
• $13,493 in April Income (2014)
• $12,747 in May Income (2014)
• $12,787 in June – Site Redesign and More Motivation (2014)

I love self-employment, but this is still a job, a career, and a business.

My freelancing business requires consistent work. I spend many hours each day and week running operations, creating content, managing clients, and improving processes. Over time I’ve learned to streamline tasks and outsource areas where I’m not as strong, which is essential—find what you excel at and outsource the rest.

This is not passive income today, though I hope to increase passive revenue streams in the future. For about a year early on I put in full-time hours without earning anything, and it took persistence to reach a sustainable income.

Taxes and benefits are significant considerations: self-employment means covering roughly 30% for taxes and paying for retirement and health insurance myself. Those realities factor into how I price services and manage my business planning.

If you have specific questions about income categories you’d like me to include in next month’s report, leave a comment or send an email and I’ll do my best to help.

Blog news

Nothing major changed for the blog this month beyond enjoying the redesign completed in June. If you’re thinking about starting a blog, read my posts on how to start a blog and how to make money blogging for step-by-step guidance and practical tips.

Working on the road

In July I took an eight-day cruise. I purchased the ship’s internet package for the week at about $180 so I could continue working. The connection—on Allure of the Seas, one of the largest ships—was comparable to a busy coffee shop: usable but sometimes slow when many passengers were online simultaneously. At quiet times it worked well enough for client work and communications.

My partner and I have also discussed buying a vintage camper trailer to travel more while bringing our dogs along. We want to restore it and travel comfortably, but I’m researching connectivity options so I can continue working remotely—satellite or other mobile internet solutions are on my list to investigate.

Plans for the website and business

1. Start an eBook — I haven’t made much progress yet but intend to prioritize this.
2. Build my brand — ongoing, with slow steady progress.
3. Promote more — improving visuals has driven more Pinterest traffic; I want to continue refining promotion strategies.
4. Accept more interviews — I completed four interviews in July and received mentions in major outlets recently, which helps exposure.

Staff writing

Staff writing was steady in July. Lately I’ve focused more on blog management than seeking new writing clients, though I still want to write for a larger personal finance site. If you need a reliable content or staff writer, I’m available for both one-off posts and ongoing contributions—my turnaround is fast and I’m dependable.

How to find more staff writing or virtual assistant jobs

There are two main paths: have clients find you or actively search for clients. To be found, create a clear “Contact/Hire Me” page and make your services visible. Participate in relevant forums and let people know you’re available. To find clients yourself, search job boards, reach out to publishers, and network with site owners. For more tips, see my article on finding writing jobs.

Buying websites

I’ve bought two sites and built four from scratch, giving me ownership of six websites. I also manage several others. I’m considering growing this portfolio further but am waiting for the right opportunities before buying more sites.

Blog and social media management services update

July was strong for blog and social media management. I added a new client, which boosted income. For some clients I fully manage blogs—handling emails, editorial tasks, and revenue optimization via ads and affiliates—then report and forward their share. For others I take care of specific duties like responding to emails or managing social channels.

I enjoy these services and aim to grow this offering. Many blog owners need someone to manage their site while they’re away, and I focus on making the transition smooth so owners can take a real break. Pricing is customized per site; email me if you’re interested.

Services I offer for blog and social media management

• Manage and approve comments, remove spam, and reply when appropriate.
• Monitor site uptime and check multiple times daily to ensure the site is live.
• Manage emails and respond as needed for owners who want a full break.
• Ensure scheduled posts publish correctly and troubleshoot when they don’t.
• Write articles while owners are away, including ghostwritten posts.
• Manage social media: grow potential followers and engage with existing followers.

If you’re curious about becoming a virtual assistant or what a virtual assistant does, check my guides on those topics for detailed information.

Affiliate income — still slow

One of my 2014 goals is to grow affiliate income because it can act like passive income: create targeted content, maintain it periodically, and earn ongoing revenue. Progress has been gradual. I’m cautious about reviewing too many programs to avoid turning the blog into nonstop advertising. I’ve been averaging about one affiliate review a month, but that may not be enough to generate significant affiliate revenue. Feedback welcome on a balanced approach.

Other income

Beyond business earnings, we’ve been renting a room to my sister for extra income, but she’s moving next month. I plan to convert that room into a dedicated home office—furnished mainly with items from our wedding—and I’m excited to set it up.