Under the radar, unnoticed or just too new to count, yeah I thought so? How do I know? Well it certainly isn’t because I knew who you are, but because I’m right down there with you. So you just recently started your blog or maybe not – either way you are not getting those big numbers of readers that all your favorite bloggers boast. Before you hide your tail between your legs and run (or swing) off into the distance maybe you should sit back, revel in all its glory and enjoy the ride.
I know, you are thinking this monkey must be off his rocker, nuts or just plain bananas! No, well ok – I am all about bananas but I haven’t gone bananas. Somewhere between reading Man vs Debt and The Aussie Nomad, I began to reach an epiphany. Man vs Debt plans on becoming an “A-list blogger” which includes racking up more money in 2010 through ‘light affiliates and light freelancing” then I make a year at my full time job. While the Aussie Nomad takes more of a ‘I got friends in low places’ approach, I began to discover I sided with the latter.
I’m not saying that I wouldn’t like to rack up some serious cash through blogging myself, and get my paws on a few featured articles. But if I look at it as an uphill battle, I’ll eventually hit the banana peel. Everyone wants a piece of the lime light. Yet once it’s on them, all they want is to be left alone. So what if a big day for MonkeyBrewster.com is one where I had only a few dozen people flip through the homepage. I’m still new, developing and growing my site and my own personal blend of things to fling. From where I stand, it looks good. Plus, if I mess up, it won’t make as large of a splash. Truth be told, it’s not all that bad working my way up. Besides, enjoying what you do will make all the difference in the long run.
*Disclaimer: I like Man vs Debt and think what he is doing is phenomenal, more power to you.
No List Bloggers
Since you can’t share a drink with me, share this post with others!
January 15th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
When I decided to do the whole travel blog dealio the aspect that sold me on the idea was the community, not the revenue. It’s fascinating to see people earn money in such a fun way. And like you said, I certainly wouldn’t balk at the site of a dollar. But the lure that keeps me engaged in blogging so far is the fun people and how it’s really expanded my involvement in something I enjoy.
I’m brand new at it too and I quite literally clap and giggle when I get a comment
January 15th, 2010 at 11:36 am
When I decided to do the whole travel blog dealio the aspect that sold me on the idea was the community, not the revenue. It’s fascinating to see people earn money in such a fun way. And like you said, I certainly wouldn’t balk at the site of a dollar. But the lure that keeps me engaged in blogging so far is the fun people and how it’s really expanded my involvement in something I enjoy.
I’m brand new at it too and I quite literally clap and giggle when I get a comment
January 15th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
I’ve been doing this just under 6 months now and I’m certainly not on any of those fancy lists, but I am starting to get some recognition for my work which I will tell you is pretty awesome. I think it takes a lot of persistence more than anything else to reach the point where people take notice. Most of those people up on the lists have been blogging for years at this point.
I think that most of the rewards that come from blogging are non-monetary ones. The joy of people reading and responding to your work, the chance for creativity and of course the amazing community.
January 15th, 2010 at 11:42 am
I’ve been doing this just under 6 months now and I’m certainly not on any of those fancy lists, but I am starting to get some recognition for my work which I will tell you is pretty awesome. I think it takes a lot of persistence more than anything else to reach the point where people take notice. Most of those people up on the lists have been blogging for years at this point.
I think that most of the rewards that come from blogging are non-monetary ones. The joy of people reading and responding to your work, the chance for creativity and of course the amazing community.
January 15th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Thanks for the mention!
I definitely understand where you are coming from as I’m starting to go onto a year now with monetizing at all!
Blogging is a long-term game, even for me now. It’s about consistency in helping people and longevity. 99% of people quit to early and/or are blogging for the wrong reasons.
Here’s to keeping your fingers crossed that we both can make even a small living, discussing and engaging people on what we are passionate about!
-Baker
January 15th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Thanks for the comment love and I think I’m starting to get the hang of this blogging thing and finding my way in a community of fellow passionate bloggers. Hopefully I can be half as successful as you Baker. Stephanie & Shawn you are right the enjoyment and what keeps you going should be the money because if it was your sure to burn out before you ever actually get the chance to make any, the money should be an added bonus after time put in.
January 15th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Thanks for the comment love and I think I’m starting to get the hang of this blogging thing and finding my way in a community of fellow passionate bloggers. Hopefully I can be half as successful as you Baker. Stephanie & Shawn you are right the enjoyment and what keeps you going should be the money because if it was your sure to burn out before you ever actually get the chance to make any, the money should be an added bonus after time put in.
January 16th, 2010 at 1:38 am
We know exactly what you are saying. We’re with you Lil Monkey, our fave Monkey in the bloogerverse. Funny you blogged about this because we’ve been thinking/feeling the same way. It’s OK to be on the NO list with us, we lwe’re OK being here too.
In fact, I say we start a NO List amongst ourselves.
We like Adam and his family at Man Vs. Debt too and others top notch bloggers. I wonder if you would have gotten a visit or a comment had it not been for the mention…. will it ever happen again without a mention?
What we love is meeting like-minded individuals through Social Media while blogging our passion on travel and service.
Just remember, surround yourself with those who want to see you and help you succeed, whatever your definition is of success.
We’ve been your fan from the start….
January 15th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
We know exactly what you are saying. We’re with you Lil Monkey, our fave Monkey in the bloogerverse. Funny you blogged about this because we’ve been thinking/feeling the same way. It’s OK to be on the NO list with us, we lwe’re OK being here too.
In fact, I say we start a NO List amongst ourselves.
We like Adam and his family at Man Vs. Debt too and others top notch bloggers. I wonder if you would have gotten a visit or a comment had it not been for the mention…. will it ever happen again without a mention?
What we love is meeting like-minded individuals through Social Media while blogging our passion on travel and service.
Just remember, surround yourself with those who want to see you and help you succeed, whatever your definition is of success.
We’ve been your fan from the start….
January 16th, 2010 at 2:13 am
Hey mate thanks for the mention. The reason for my blog is pretty much the same as Shawn. I wanted to get involved in the community that I stumbled upon when I began looking to travel the world.
The majority of the blogs I now read religiously are all from people in the same situation as me. The big popular blogs are great but I can relate better to someone who is on the same level as me. Not that I wouldn’t love a comment from the big guys now and then
The little community I seem to have found myself in can only be described as amazing. I have found like minded friends with the same travel desire. I hope as time goes by we can all catch up and share a brew or two.
January 15th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Hey mate thanks for the mention. The reason for my blog is pretty much the same as Shawn. I wanted to get involved in the community that I stumbled upon when I began looking to travel the world.
The majority of the blogs I now read religiously are all from people in the same situation as me. The big popular blogs are great but I can relate better to someone who is on the same level as me. Not that I wouldn’t love a comment from the big guys now and then
The little community I seem to have found myself in can only be described as amazing. I have found like minded friends with the same travel desire. I hope as time goes by we can all catch up and share a brew or two.
January 16th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Side note first I meant to say shouldn’t -not that the money should matter. I am one happy little monkey, content enough with having people read and comment on my site, and hopefully we can all meet up and help each other be successful in this blogging community. As you said Got Passport whatever your definition of success is, but enjoying a pint together sounds like success to me.
January 16th, 2010 at 4:01 am
Side note first I meant to say shouldn’t -not that the money should matter. I am one happy little monkey, content enough with having people read and comment on my site, and hopefully we can all meet up and help each other be successful in this blogging community. As you said Got Passport whatever your definition of success is, but enjoying a pint together sounds like success to me.
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:22 am
Everyone who has already commented already said this, but honestly, it’s important to repeat. This whole travel blogging community has been incredibly supportive and friendly. It’s so great to meet like-minded people with similar interests and hobbies who are all so great at what they do.
Kudos to everybody!
.-= Adam´s last blog ..Wombat Wednesday: Not Australia =-.
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:22 am
Everyone who has already commented already said this, but honestly, it’s important to repeat. This whole travel blogging community has been incredibly supportive and friendly. It’s so great to meet like-minded people with similar interests and hobbies who are all so great at what they do.
Kudos to everybody!
.-= Adam´s last blog ..Wombat Wednesday: Not Australia =-.
January 24th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Thanks for the mention!
I definitely understand where you are coming from as I'm starting to go onto a year now with monetizing at all!
Blogging is a long-term game, even for me now. It's about consistency in helping people and longevity. 99% of people quit to early and/or are blogging for the wrong reasons.
Here's to keeping your fingers crossed that we both can make even a small living, discussing and engaging people on what we are passionate about!
-Baker
January 26th, 2010 at 2:39 am
Awww…I love this. Power to the No List Bloggers! We're just keeping it real about our success and failures in our travels and our blogging. I find many of the small-time bloggers like you to be more personable than many of the big time bloggers. It's harder to connect with them. I think it's because the small-time bloggers really appreciate each and every person's thoughts and retweets and comments. I don't want to be just another traffic number.
January 26th, 2010 at 2:53 am
I guess I stumbled onto something that I actually hope to continue to grow and develop. The support I've had on this blog post alone has amazed me.
January 26th, 2010 at 2:56 am
I guess the most difficult part is if/when we become more popular bloggers is to not loose that sense of community and respect for our readers and fellow bloggers.
January 27th, 2010 at 1:32 am
Totally agree!
January 27th, 2010 at 2:16 am
Thanks! still surprised people are reading this. I might have to post the link on twitter more often.
February 6th, 2010 at 7:58 am
Hi friends,
I came across this post on Twitter. Aye from Got Passport was kind enough to fill me in. I started blogging three years ago, and I got a head start from blogger friends who linked to my site each month. It really gave me the added boost.
I'll always be grateful for their help and I try to give back when I can. I do a monthly link roundup each month and I always feature two 'newbie' travel blogs. If anyone is interested in being featured on My Several Worlds, send me an email. I'll either mention your blog or your can send me a link to a favorite/popular post and I can add that.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
I'm definitely a No List blogger with only 3 posts and while it would be great to make some money for my trip in March, it's definitely not the purpose and I won't be focusing on it.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Posts count is important but not everything, especially when you have a great site name like 'Bacon is Magic' I'm enjoying the no list blogger life right now, I'm not pushing to make any kind of profit (right now – but later might be funsies to see a return on my investment even if only enough for an occasional beer and a banana) so it's a no pressure go with the flow atmosphere. Who knows you might lean that way after a few months of hard work on your site.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:39 am
We've been blogging since last April but other than to make us happy (and our moms) it has mostly been a great way of meeting people online and in the real world. This year we are looking to take it to the next leve…ie maybe having it atleast pay for it's space online…
but I love sites that make you feel like you would like to have a beer with with the author one day. That includes you monkey! 
February 10th, 2010 at 1:33 am
Yay, glad you enjoy the site and I'm always willing to sit down over a beer with a fellow blogger and enjoy a good conversation. Good luck on your move to 'the next level' !!!
March 18th, 2010 at 1:08 am
I'm on a No List? Jaysus. Wait till I get to the top – being alone will be awesome sauce. Okay, truthfully, it would suck.
I ain't gonna lie, making a buck is a goal, but not more than I make now. Just enough to keep me floating and writing. In reference to Monica, even if things happened, doubt I'd change at all. I'm too old and set in my ways to be unapproachable. Thanks for the mention! You're aces. 
March 19th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Aww shucks, hehe. I like being a No List blogger and I'm perfectly ok with that. But like you, I wouldn't mind getting to the point where my hobby could support itself.
August 7th, 2010 at 6:44 am
I'm the same Monkey. While I'm young, learning, and making heaps of mistakes… I'd rather not be world-famous.
But, I would like people to read my posts.
I think my website is down right now actually… and I didn't even do it this time!
August 7th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
Making mistakes have led me to some of my greatest discoveries, my failures have led me to success and nothing ever given was as valued as those lessons that I learned first hand.
In the end I want to be remembered by a few than forgotten by many.
March 27th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Hello
We are interested to do a link exchange with you of our popular independent world travel blog.
Our world travel blog:
Link Title: World Travel Adventures – Unhook Now… for Life!
URL: http://www.UnhookNow.com
Description: World Travel Adventures to 100 countries – Helping people travel & see more for half the cost for all trips and safely realize their travel dreams.
We are placing travel blog links on our “Travel Tips/Links” page. Please give us your blog’s title, URL link, and brief description.
Thank you,
Wayne & Pat Dunlap
e-mail: [email protected]
Life-style change & comprehensive how-to World Travel book: http://www.PlanYourEscapeNow.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/PlanYourEscapeNow
Twitter: @wdunlap – https://twitter.com/wdunlap
About Wayne & Pat Dunlap:
We have a passion for travel and sincere desire to help others have a life-changing adventure like ours. We rented our home and traveled the world for the past 2 years visiting 51 countries (now members of the Travelers’ Century Club – 100 counties). Please visit our popular World Travel Adventures blog http://www.UnhookNow.com to see photos, interesting things to do, history, and sign up for free cost-saving travel tips and bargains. We give inspirational and informative speaking engagements for organizations about great travel tips and interesting stories. Our popular selling, groundbreaking, and comprehensive how-to world travel book “Plan Your Escape, Secrets of Traveling the World for Less Than the Cost of Living at Home” http://www.PlanYourEscapeNow.com shows how you can travel and see more for half the price for all trips, claim your live, escape your 9 to 5 routine, experience more adventure and romance, and safely realize your travel dreams.