I was recently very inspired by a community member who stops by here on occasion. I’m talking about Ken over at Blogging for Dads. Ken has had the unspeakable happened to him. Google decided to shut down his AdSense account. Not only did they shut down the account, but they did not offer a plausible explanation.

An Honest Guy

Me knowing Ken the way that I do, I’d put my reputation on the line by saying that he’s not the type of guy that would do anything to violate his AdSense earnings. There’s no way that he would’ve jeopardized his account by clicking on his own ads.

After appealing the suspension, Google stood firm. Apparently someone somewhere had engaged in suspicious click activity that caused Google to look at his account. That activity is what got his account suspended.

What Ken Did Next

Just like the rest of us, I’m sure Ken had a momentary pity party. Well, I’m not sure “pity party” is Ken’s style. He probably had a “kick ass” party. But unfortunately since Google’s ass was nowhere to be found, I’m sure he decided to spend his time in a more productive manner.

Instead of moping, he took action. First he removed the AdSense ads and sought other advertising options. Then, to generate more income he came up with a different idea and created a new website, Blog Builders, where he offers his web creation talents.

Ken understands how easy it is to make money with AdSense and how much harder he will have to work since AdSense is no longer an option. However, if anyone can make his new venture a success, I am sure Ken can.

A Source of Motivation

I look at this situation and am not only motivated but am encouraged to continue trying new ventures and new ways to make money.

As most of us here in the NJFM community know, Google AdSense is very nice but it is not reliable. Using it as a sole source of income, or even a major source of income can be a painful mistake.

I wish Ken all the best and if anyone needs a website created, check out his new blog. He’ll treat you right.

BTW, if you do use his services, tell him I sent you.

Anyway, it’s a new year and many of us are back with lofty goals.

My goals for this year aren’t too lofty. I want to increase my income without increasing my workload. I want a sustainable writing schedule and most of all; I want to continue enjoying what I do.

Looking Back

2011 was a good year. I had been smacked around a bit by the Panda but I believe I landed on my feet. I ended the year by achieving another milestone. I managed to reach the $3,000 residual income mark.

I even managed to become a temporary ticket holder to the Double O Club. I had a nice ride for the first 25 days of December. I was a full-fledged card-carrying member of the DOC right up until Christmas day. The day after I had to hand relinquish my membership card because my daily average dropped below $100 a day. While $96, $97, $98 and $99 a day aint bad, it doesn’t cover the daily cost of the Double O Club ticket.

Oh well, there’s always 2012.

Article Count and Earnings

In 2010 I wrote 753 articles in order to earn a total of $26,736.59. In 2011, I wrote 390 articles to earn $29,279.77 *(that’s not a final number since earnings are still trickling in).

I reduced my writing by nearly 50% and increased my earnings by about 10%. Not too bad considering the Panda beating most of us endured in 2011.

BTW, 99% of my 2011 earnings were from residual sources. Going forward, my goal is to make 2012 a 100% residual year. The only way I’ll accept up-front writing assignments is if the offer is just too good to refuse (and I mean it really has to be a good offer).

Secret to Residual Earnings

What’s my residual income secret? Well, the secret is to stick with it. I’m no better a writer than any of you guys. As a matter of fact, I’ve read some of your work and you guys are good. Just stick with it, keep learning and the money will follow.

It’s a brand spanking New Year…let’s make the best of it!

The Road I Took

I started out on the more frequently traveled road. That road involved lots of writing, querying, higher-paying gigs and lots of frustration. After spending time on that road, I realized it was very similar to the 9-5 employment road. It was paved a different color, but the frustration was the same.

Both roads required me to spend time working for someone else in order to get paid. I had to abide by their rules, regulations and guidelines. This, in and of itself, isn’t such a bad thing. It was a lot better than getting up and going to work, but it started to put a damper on my spirit and take my writing joy away. Anyone who has written for Demand Studios understands what I’m talking about.

Actually, I have to thank places like Demand Studios (for their frustrating editorial process) and Bright Hub (for their out right rejection of my application). If it weren’t for my frustration and rejection, I might not have concentrated as much on my residuals early on.

Thinking Long-Term

During my days of writing frustration (and rejection) I had to stop to think about what I wanted from my writing career. So, in usual style, I wrote a list of what I wanted/needed. Here’s the list I wrote oh so long ago:

• I want to write
• I want to write books
• I want to help folks via my online properties
• I want a sustainable business model that allows me time away from the computer and isn’t dependent upon my being online all day.
• I want to write evergreen, timeless, motivational content that does not require updating (or very little).
• I want my online properties to support my lifestyle
• I want to experience life and write about it
• I never want to retire.

The last line about retirement is key. In the 9-5 world people grit their teeth and try to stick it out until retirement only to find that retirement isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. The cost of living continued to rise and the retirement checks did not.

Humans are the only species that retires. The rest of the animal kingdom remains useful until they die. If an animal retires, it becomes dinner for the working folks.

Back to the Road Less Traveled

In order to shape my online writing career to meet the goals I listed, I had to change direction. I slowly transitioned off of the frequently traveled road in favor of the side road. The side roads aren’t smoothly paved, nor do they have the white reflective paint, which makes it easier to see when traveling at night. There were no Facebook or Twitter rest stops on this road.

There were one or two Wrong Way signs, but that was about it. Choosing to ignore the Wrong Way signs, I continued down the path.

Choose Your Path

I didn’t mean to get all Robert Frost  on you guys, but I think you should take a little time to jot down your writing goals. Take a moment away from the craziness and the frustration. Find some quiet time to think about where you want to be in the next 2, 3, 5 years or so.

Once you know where you want to go, use that as your measuring stick to see if you’re on the right track. Learn to work from the inside (from your own goals, dreams and aspirations) out instead of the outside (what everyone else is telling you to do) in. I find inside out living so much more rewarding and you will too.

If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up for NJFM’s Motivation for Writers Newsletter. A dose of motivation will be sent to your inbox every Monday.

My journal is now over 1,100 pages. Back when I first started journaling I used to print my entries at the end of each month and insert them into a binder. I came across my journal binder while cleaning my closet this weekend. I noticed the last printing occurred in November 2007. Of course I abandoned cleaning my closet in favor of printing the rest of my journal.

Last Line Last Entry

While hole punching the December 2007 entry I happened to look at the last page. I had to chuckle because the last entry on December 31, 2007 ended as follows:

“I’m in awe! My numbers as of 8:18 this morning are averaging a little over $10 per day! I’ve got to take a minute to give thanks!”

Fast Forward to November, 2011

I’m so glad I stuck with this stuff. My $10 a day earnings have increased several fold. My daily average residual earnings for November 2011 were $96.30. I’m still shy of the $100 per day number, but a far cry from $10 a day.

With my $96.30, I give thanks just as I did when I earned $10 a day. I’m thankful I stuck with it. I’m also thankful that I’m earning money doing something I used to do for free. In a time of economic upheaval, earning money residually from the comfort of your home is nothing to take for granted.

Create a Journal

If you don’t already have a journal, I encourage you to do so. Journals don’t require profound, earth-shattering entries. Sometimes the entries are as simple as giving thanks for earning $10 a day.

If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up for NJFM’s Motivation for Writers Newsletter. A dose of motivation will be sent to your inbox every Monday.

I decided to try something a little different this morning.

(I was pacing a little too much when I recorded this because I periodically walked out of range)