This is the 30th income report as part of the zero backlink experiment.
Every month I will publish a post like this one that shows you how this blog is progressing and everything I have done across the month to get it there.
These reports will help me track my own progress while teaching you what to do and more importantly what not to do.
What I Have Done In March
March has been a very busy month as I was catching up with a friend leaving and had a number of important projects I wanted to get done by the end of the month.
Honestly I have no idea how I have managed to get as much as I have done this month. On top of what your about to read I also recorded 45 brand new videos for an upcoming course.
As of right now I am about to head out the door with a crazy travel schedule which will see me speak at a couple of conferences in Europe.
So has all that hard work paid off? Let’s find out!
Content Creation
This month I published a total of 8 posts which is just 1 less than last month. I still feel like I’m over doing it on the post frequency but we’ll see!
First of all we learnt 49 expert traffic generation tips that you can apply to your website instantly.
That was backed up with these social backlinks closely followed by why all your SEO might be a waste of time.
Employing the power of observation revealed the 10 things your site needs to rank in Google this year.
Last but not least 29 experts revealed their favourite link building tools for SEO.
Other than those posts we just had the regular best of internet marketing & income report roundup posts.
Launched Private Blog Network Building Service
This month I launched a private blog network building service as part of the agencies offerings.
We have had great success with private blog networks for our clients in some of the most competitive niches and now we are offering that to the wider public.
You can find a bunch of case studies from our private blog networks along with some sample sites so you can get a better idea of the true power of a private blog network.
You can learn more about the private blog network building service here.
Deployed New Theme
You might not have noticed but on the 22nd of March I deployed the new theme to the blog! See if you can spot the subtle differences.
I decided not to go for a completely radical design haul and instead to bring the theme upto modern standards with some minor tweaks to reduce risk, then split test from there.
Luckily I deployed the theme shortly after getting this message from Google-
Remember if your site is not mobile responsive by April 21st Google are coming after you.
We are still testing & tweaking the new layout and I will do a dedicated post on it shortly, but in summary the new theme is-
- Mobile responsive
- Brought to modern HTML5/CSS3 standards
- Has much better scheme integration
- Is lighter weight
It seems it has had the desired effect on mobile usability anyway-
What do you think of the new theme? Did you notice it changed?
Exclusive Internet Marketing Deals Section
While I haven’t officially launched this yet I thought I would give you a sneak peak at something else I have been working on.
I have wanted to introduce an exclusive deals section to the site for a long time, so I finally did!
I reached out to nearly 200 different internet marketing companies, products & services to negotiate exclusive discounts for you all!
Please bear in mind this is still very much work in progress, I’m still negotiating deals and have a backlog of agreed deals to publish so keep an eye out!
Anyway if you want to check it out before anyone else, here it is.
Profantiy Filter
I took the decision a couple of months ago to try and clean up some of the profanity on the site.
This was for a couple of reasons, firstly I want to make the site more press & news worthy overall and secondly to maintain the user experience.
I’m also wondering if this will have any impact on Google traffic at all.
I looked at a couple of options to do this including the premium WebPurify solution.
Nothing really worked very well until I came across the 100% free WP Content Filter.
I just did some Google searches for some profanity lists, merged them all together and voilà! Instant clean up across posts, comments, forums & custom post types!
Save your money if you want to clean up profanity on your Wordpress blog – the free solution is the best solution.
Podcast Feature
Zac Johnson invited me to be interviewed on his podcast & asked me a pack of questions!
He has featured other people like Gary Vaynerchuk, Brian Dean, Syed Balkhi, John Chow, Shoemoney & Shawn Collins so it was an honour to be invited.
You can listen to it right here and is only 26 minutes long!
HubSpot Top 10 Marketing Blog Award
At the start of the month I got an awesome email from HubSpot.
It’s not often you get emails like that and is very rewarding to be recognised for you work!
At the time of writing the blog is ranked at #5 in the list and that makes this the 7th award the blog has received to date.
Check out where your blog ranks here.
Crazy Travel Schedule
Over the next 6 weeks my travel schedule is pretty crazy.
Actually it’s 2am as I’m writing this and haven’t slept yet, my first flight is in 4 hours but you can’t get the final numbers for the income report until midnight!
With any luck I’ll just pass out on the plane!
I’ll be speaking at the UnGagged (BHW) conference in London & also at the GPeC Summit in Bucharest. You can also catch me at the UK Blog Awards!
To give you an idea of just how crazy my schedule is take a look for yourself-
- 1st April – Costa Rica > Amsterdam
- 3rd April – Amsterdam > Manchester
- 17th April – UK Blog Awards London
- 22nd April – Manchester > Rhodes, Greece
- 3rd May – Return UK
- 4th May – Manchester > Lanzarote, Spain
- 9th May – Return UK
- 10th May – Manchester > Bucharest
- 11th May – Speak at GPeC Summit Bucharest
- 11th May – Return UK
- 16th May – Speak UnGagged London
- 23rd May – Manchester > Costa Rica
Amongst all of that I’ve still got to find time to keep my businesses running so it’s going to be a very interesting (testing) time.
It might look like I’m going on holiday but I usually need a holiday after catching up from just having a 3-4 day break.
If you are attending the UK Blog Awards, UnGagged or the GpeC Summit then let me know!
Crunching The Numbers
So let’s get our hands dirty and take a look at what my hard work has done for me this month.
Visitor Statistics
Last month I hit 54,827 (1,768/day) visitors but this month that has jumped up to 65,019 (2,097/day) which is a huge month on month increase.
Most Popular Content
The how to generate traffic expert roundup took the top spot by a clean margin this month.
The 22 social link building sources article also went down a treat with you all!
That was closely followed by the 10 things you need to rank in 2015.
Top Traffic Sources
Traffic took a huge jump this month mostly from Facebook with the social referrals jumping through the roof.
Search Engine Traffic
Organic traffic from Google last month sat at 37,426 (1,336/day) visits which has jumped to 42,607 (1,374/day) this month.
YouTube Views
I lost all of my historical YouTube views because of changes I made to the branding – so I keep track of them separately.
Views have dropped from 21,977 to 19,567 which is a declining the past couple of months.
Total minutes watched also took a knock from from 119,225 to just 99,157!
Social Shares
I have temporarily removed this section while I find a better solution to collect the data
Subscribers
The most important metric on the entire blog – earning a subscription from someone is the ultimate form of commitment and conversion.
This month brought 4,801 new subscribers across various channels which is a steady increase on last months 4,595.
There are now a total of 106,506 subscribers across all of the different channels!
- E-mail – 2,891 (2,588 last month) / Total: 56,595
- Twitter – 787 (487 last month) / Total: 8,051
- YouTube – 253 (245 last month) / Total: 7,496
- Facebook – 761 (979 last month) / Total: 16,643
- Google+ – 109 (180 last month) / Total: 17,721
- RSS – -47 (116 last month) / Total: 432
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Income Report
Here are the numbers you really want to see-
Affiliate Earnings
- 48HoursLogo – $30.00 (case study)
- 99CentArticles – $5.31
- AfterOffers – $179.50
- Ahrefs – $513.59 (my Ahrefs review)
- AuthorHreview – $279.72 (review)
- Aweber – $75.50 (my Aweber review)
- Blog Advertising – $1860.77 (Advertise)
- BlueHost – $65.00 (discount coupon / Siteground vs Bluehost)
- BuyProxies – $48.50
- Drip Revolution – $230.41 (discount coupon)
- FCS Networker – $19.80
- GSA Captcha Breaker – $119.47 (review / discount coupon)
- GSA Search Engine Ranker – $321.11 (review / discount coupon)
- Indexification – $13.06 (case study)
- Inspyder Backlink Monitor – $25.98
- JustHost – $240.00 (start a blog)
- Kontent Machine – $597.01 (review)
- LeadPages – $247.80
- Link Assistant – $56.14 (tutorial)
- LinkEmperor – $259.05 (review)
- List Builders Academy – $13.05 (case study)
- LongTailPro – $103.16 (my Long Tail Pro review / discount coupon)
- MTTB – $49.50
- OneHourIndexing – $260.99 (case study)
- OptinMonster – $39.60 (my Optinmonster review)
- PlugMatter – $51.30
- PowerupHosting – $33.90
- Private Internet Access – $8.00
- Rank WYZ – $5.20
- Raven Tools – $0.17 (best backlink checker case study)
- ScrapeBrokers – $9.99
- SEMRush – $143.92 (my SEMRush review)
- SEO Dominators Club – $298.40
- SEO Powersuite – $341.46 (see my SEO Powersuite review)
- SEO SpyGlass – $119.90 (best backlink checker case study)
- SERP Book – $7.48
- SESlingShot – $200.00 (review)
- SimpleVideoPro – $47.52 (case study)
- Social SEO Booster – $19.97
- Social Locker Pro – $7.20
- SociSynd – $124.95
- TheBestSpinner – $154.50 (The Best Spinner review)
- Traffic Planet Hosting (now called WPX Hosting) – $550.12 (Case Study / WPX Hosting review)
- Tweet Attacks Pro – $310.94 (discount coupon)
- Ultimate Demon – $298.26 (review / discount coupon)
- VideoMakerFX – $13.50 (how to make money on Fiverr case study)
- WordAI – $137.33
Expenses
- Traffic Planet Hosting (now called WPX Hosting) – $49.99 (Case Study / WPX Hosting review)
Consultation Earnings
I separate out my SEO consultant earnings from the affiliate earnings. The blog drives affiliate sales directly and whilst it does generate SEO consultation leads these are separate projects in their own right.
I didn’t take on any consultation work this month which results in zero consultation earnings.
Other Income
I’m working on another project right now that is part of the blog but not something I’m ready to talk about publicly yet or maybe ever.
I will declare the income here though as it wouldn’t be possible without the blog and ‘technically’ it is affiliate income.
This earned a total of $4,784.50 which is down a lot from last months $9,669.50.
Earnings Total
- Affiliate Income – $7,480.71
- Consultation Income – $00.00
- Other Income – $4,784.50
- Expenses – $49.99
Grand Total: $12,215.22 / £8,219.46 ($16,775.90 / £10,865.58 last month)
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Signing Off
Well it wasn’t good to see the blog see another big drop month on month but my time has being invested elsewhere with hot irons in the fire.
I’ve got a trick or two up my sleeve for next month to help with earnings and remember those 45 videos I recorded, that is sure going to help as well =D
But for now, I have a flight to catch – Pura Vida!
Thank you to everyone that has helped me reach my goals – I couldn’t do it without you, the reader!
67 Responses
Awesome…your reports really inspire me Matthew
Thanks Sikhar :)
Hi,
@Yogendra Did Matthew fixed the prob in his blog footer
the answer is NO :)
I did now =D
Hey Matt, would be awesome to catch up in costa rica in may! Im from England too and will be living there as of 14th April, will be great to meet another successful person online if you are free, send me an email !
Where will you be?
Puerto Viejo, but if you recommend anywhere else let me know and i will make sure to be there, going to explore for 3 months!
Matt, that’s some schedule you have over the next 6 weeks or so!
I’ve been reading your blog since day one and although the income reports must be one of the most time consuming posts, they are definitely the most motivating for me and probably most of your readers.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks Mike, much appreciated :)
Your results continue to impress me Matthew – though like some of the other commenters here, I think your schedule for the next few months looks pretty tough!
Question: I’m considering getting into YouTube a little more this year – it’s something I’m very interested in. However it’s interesting to observe the drops you’re seeing; why do you think this is? Is there anything we can learn from this drop?
Mostly because I haven’t really published a lot of videos yet and I have a strategy to turn that around once I return from travels.
Also YouTube notified partners yesterday they are going to offer an optional monthly subscription service to make YouTube ad free, watching closely :)
Oh, it’s good income for you. To get these success, maybe it take a lot of time, right ? It seems that you have a lot of subscribers and they visit your blog almost of time.
Not really – https://www.matthewwoodward.co.uk/blogging/income-reports/
Hi Matthew,
Great post, When I read this post, I got lot of very important points.It is very helpful for all newbie.I will pass it with my all friends.Thank you,
Regards,
Pinki Chaurasia
Glad to be of service :)
Hi, great content in your blog, btw in your Mythemeshop theme you can add you referal link in the footer (or delete it ) their theme are very good and i ‘m using 4 or 5 of them :)
Actually this is 100% custom made for me by the MTS team :)
Hey matt,
can you post a tutorial on FCS Networker, how to use it effectively.
I can certainly take a look :)
Please do man. I am gonna buy one of their packages. It would be great if i get to know the value of their network before hand.
Hey Matthew, been following your blog since the start. It’s amazing your success have grow so much!
By the way, do you make some money from being a speaker at events?
I know you have :)
No not generally and I don’t think I will speak at any other conferences after this year. Tickets for those events sell for thousands of dollars and speakers generally see 0% of that.
Why do you think you won’t speak at anymore conferences after this year? I’m curious.
It’s a lot of hassle really and then attendees (who have spent thousands on tickets) rightfully complain you didn’t reveal your biggest secrets so I don’t see the point. Equally I’m not going to fly half way around the world at my expense then stand on stage and reveal my biggest secrets for free.
I always give something away I’ve never given away before on stage but no more. I have the ‘international speaker’ credability now so I can be much more choosy on where/when I speak and more importantly, how much I charge for that.
Nice man. You live in Manchester? I study there, maybe I will come across you one day!
Born and bred, but not living there anymore :)
Wait for the day my blog has income like you. I admire you
Why wait when your in full control? Work harder, faster, smarter and forget waiting :)
Wow That is the ridiculous travel schedule hope you have an assistance because. I couldn’t manage
Haha not at all!
Eres la luz a a seguir campeon, sigue asi que yo te sigo tambien.
Saludos desde Colombia
Y que viva la rumba!
Gracias mi amgio, pura vida!
Woah Matt!
This is crazyy. Why you’re not using adsense btw?
I would rather cut out the middle man
I like that :D
I thought the previous profile picture was a lot friendlier and personal, but I guess the new one makes you look a bit more professional..
Interesting feedback, I might end up split testing it yet :)
There are countless people in suits telling us how to make money. I always found the personal pics related a bit better … “one of us who made it.. sort of thing..”
Very duly noted, I hate corporate *insert word that starts with a C* unts
Came across this site via your BlackHatWorld post and it’s helped me out so much. Love reading through your monthly progress reports the most though. Keep them coming!
Thanks Alistair :)
Hi Matthew,
It’s surprising to see affiliate sales tank when conversely visitors have increased. Then strangely, for Dec, visitors dropped and sales increased, before returning to opposites again in Jan.
Blogging eh?
Its a crazy ole ride!
Congratulation Matthew for once again acing the blogging awards. You and your blog deserve it. Looking forward to more exciting stuff from you.
Thank you Mohammad :)
I’d love to be bringing in 12 + grand a month! I’ve never read these type of posts from you before (only your tutorial posts) but I’m glad I did and I’ll be checking out your other posts. You are an inspiration Matt
Thanks Daniel :) And if you would love do that, then do that.
Matthew, thnx a lot for this blog – lot of informations, lot of useful trick, lot of everything. I will keep reading it, and love it every day more! Best regards from Slovenia!
Thank you Ribolov!
Hey Matthew , thanks for the post, I enjoy reading all your articles. “The expert traffic tips post” was a killer .
Thanks
Tony Hardwire
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Matthew,
I am a good fan of your blog and well wisher as well.I am really surprised.Can you please be detailed how you earn from affiliate?
And I need your suggestion I am very beginner on promoting maxbounty offer. Can you please recommend me any PPC site I can join to promote offer.
Last request is please make a video on creating squeeze page.I am really struggling on to create a funnel.
Thank you.
Everything you need to know is already on the blog and there is a search box in the top right.
Hi,
Very impressed with your openness and your progress.
I am also amazed by how many different affiliate sources of income you have – we all get told to concentrate on one key action but your visitors choose from so many things and it works clearly.
Dale.
Thanks Dale :)
Total of your income is wrong it is 12315.20
Please look my blog and provide your consultation charges
Adds up perfectly here.
I rarely take on consultation clients, the only time I do is when its a project I personally believe in and pricing is set at $500 an hour. I have rejected 5-6 people this year purely on the basis I didn’t believe in their project.
Hi Matt!
Reports like this motivates me to keep going. You are promoting so many affiliate products. I don’t know how you are able to manage all. Create this report must be huge time sucker.
Thanks for share and all the best with your travel.
Yeah it takes an awful lot of time but its worth it :)
Your earnings always inspires me to push myself further. Thanks for keeping us updated with your income growth and traffic reports.
Just one suggestion: Matthewwoodward.co.uk’s footer copyright year needs to be 2015 now (current one is 2014) :)
Have a great rocking day ahead..
Aha good point I will fix that up thanks =D
Its encouraging to see how much you do behind the scene to make the blog what it is. Am a greater admirer of you work and am following you like we are in traffic, haven’t made a dime though but am so cut out for this. Keep it up.
Thanks Tom, honestly I question what the hell am I doing sometimes but I think it all works out :)
Damn Matt, that schedule looks hella’ crazy.
Not sure how you keep up with it, just hope you don’t burn out! :)
I have no idea either :)
Its your hard work which is paying you :) my best wishes are with you and by the end of this year i want to see you making at least three times more money than what you are making right now :) done?
Hahaha I will see what I can do :)