In the beginning of 2014, I decided to do something rather scary… BE TRANSPARENT & HONEST. I want to be an open book, but I’m scared. WHY? Because I’m still at the beginning of my journey, and the numbers are pitiful, and the failures often and obvious.
Below are the numbers, the finances, the projects, my health, and stats from September 2015. This is a snapshot of what it’s like to be a self published author. A new entrepreneur. An average guy still finding his way. It isn’t designed to scare, nor glorify, merely provide the truth of right now. For all my other Monthly Income Reports, Click Here.
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Many of the links in this post are affiliate ones, directing you to the products, apps, and softwares I use to create this monthly report. Don’t worry, it doesn’t cost you anything or affect your privacy, just gives me a commission if you happen to buy. Please note I use(d) everything I link to, and am picky when it comes to sharing such info.
[su_note]LIKE TO GET ALL THE TOOLS I USE TO MAKE THIS MONTHLY REPORT? I made an Exclusive PDF just for you, and you can grab it for FREE by Clicking Here[/su_note]
WRITING:
Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, I love to tap away at the keyboard and share my words with those willing to read. However, standing out from the ever growing list of book is tough, so let’s dive into my published books, the amount of copies sold, and the kind of income a crazy pen scratcher like myself earns:
…
EXISTING PUBLICATIONS:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
BOOK:
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
SALES:
127 (2)
26
19
13
1
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
BIT.LY HITS
36
9
6
5
6
[/su_column][/su_row]
[su_box title=”THE TOOLS I USE:” box_color=”#89609f” title_color=”#ededed” radius=”7″]At the moment, all books are Exclusive to Amazon, although I do sell Paperback & Hardcover editions of Tick to the Tock and Beyond Parallel (sales indicated in brackets). The tools I use to gather the above info are through the AMAZON KDP DASHBOARD and BIT.LY.[/su_box]
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CURRENT PROJECTS:
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[su_box title=”THE TOOLS I USE:” box_color=”#89609f” title_color=”#ededed” radius=”7″]The tool I use to create all Affiliate links is SMART URL, which not only creates a handy short link, but allows me to send users from different countries to specific stores (as you can imagine, ideal for Amazon).[/su_box]
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INCOME BREAKDOWN:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
INCOME:
BOOK/AFFILIATE:
THE SUCCESSFUL MISTAKE
30 DAY BRAND STORY (TIPS)
AMAZON USA (affiliate)
AMAZON UK (affiliate)
EBAY (affiliate)
APPLE APP STORE (affiliate)
HOOTSUITE (affiliate)
FOLLOW UP.CC (affiliate)
STUDIOPRESS (affiliate)
SCRIBE (affiliate)
YOAST (affiliate)
ECAMM (affiliate)
GETRESPONSE (affiliate)
TOTAL:
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
..
THIS MONTH:
£21.27
£0
£2.21
£6.59
£0
£0.03
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£30.10
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
..
LAST MONTH:
£6.14
£0
£2.18
£0
N/A
£0.38
£0.08
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£10.57
[/su_column][/su_row]
…
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
EXPENDITURE:
…
TOTAL:
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
…
THIS MONTH:
£0
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
…
LAST MONTH:
£0
£0
[/su_column][/su_row]
TOTAL PROFIT = £30.10
[su_box title=”THE TOOLS I USE:” box_color=”#89609f” title_color=”#ededed” radius=”7″]I use WAVE to organise and keep on top of my invoices and finances, and the above breakdown is taken from reports generated with this fine piece of FREE software. I’ve not been using it long, but so far I have no complaints.[/su_box]
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SPEAKING:
I’ve decided 2015 is the year I kick my speaking/workshop career into gear, and as such I’ve created four topics to build a portfolio around:
- YOUR STORY MATTERS, DAMN IT! (aimed at colleges)
- CREATE CUSTOMER LOYALTY & BANISH COMPETITORS THROUGH BRAND STORYTELLING (aimed at businesses)
- THE SECRET BEHIND THE MODERN CREATIVE, ARTIST & CHANGEMAKER (aimed at colleges)
- THE LOCAL AUTHOR WHO NEVER USED TO READ OR WRITE (aimed at primary schools)
Focus for the rest of the year is to refine these topics, gain kick-ass testimonials, and generate momentum ahead of 2015:
THE GIGS:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
Book Marketing
The Instant Follow Up Webinar
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
Wakefield Literature Festival
Likeable Local
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
Saturday 26th September
Thursday 24th September
[/su_column][/su_row]
THE BEHIND THE SCENES:
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INCOME BREAKDOWN:
[su_row][su_column size=”2/3″]
INCOME:
TALK:
YOUR STORY MATTERS, DAMN IT!
CREATE CUSTOMER LOYALTY & BANISH…
THE SECRET BEHIND THE MODERN…
THE LOCAL AUTHOR WHO NEVER…
MISCELLANEOUS
TOTAL:
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
..
REVENUE:
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
[/su_column][/su_row][su_row][su_column size=”2/3″]
EXPENDITURE:
TYPE:
N/A
TOTAL:
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
..
OUT GOING:
£0
£0
[/su_column][/su_row]
TOTAL PROFIT = £0
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CHECK THIS BIG KIS OUT WITH HIS BIG KID BACKPACK
CLIENT WORK:
I may be a writer, but that doesn’t define my whole world. I also help businesses Discover, Create & Share their story, and I’m constantly meeting and greeting local businesses. However, the fine line of client work, networking events, and crafting your own projects is delicate indeed – and one I’m still toeing along each day:
…..
CURRENT CLIENT PROJECTS:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
PROJECT CODE NAME:
No Projects at the moment 🙁
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
,
[/su_column][/su_row]
….
COMPLETED THIS MONTH
- No Projects finished this month
NETWORKING:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
I’VE BEEN TO
NETWORKING EVENTS
MEETINGS
CONFERENCES
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
THIS MONTH
1
12
0
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
LAST MONTH
0
4
0
[/su_column][/su_row]
INCOME BREAKDOWN:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
INCOME:
CLIENT WORK:
TOTAL:
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
..
REVENUE:
£0
[/su_column][/su_row][su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
EXPENDITURE:
TYPE:
.
TOTAL:
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
..
OUT GOING:
£0
£0
[/su_column][/su_row]
TOTAL PROFIT = £0
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TO SAY I WAS SPOLIT ON MY BIRTHDAY IS AN ABSOLUTE UNDERSTATEMENT
WEBSITE:
This website is my home, and although it doesn’t generate any income per se, it does offer a detailed overview of WHO I am and WHY I can help. As such I think it’s important to breakdown all the ins and outs:
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GENERAL OVERVIEW:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
TITLE:
UNIQUE VISITORS
PAGE VIEWS
AVERAGE TIME
BOUNCE RATE
NEW VISITORS
DIRECT TRAFFIC
GOOGLE SEARCH
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
THIS MONTH:
3,149
6,011
1:32
77%
83%
569 Views
2,637 Referrals
61 Referrals
129 Referrals
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
LAST MONTH:
3,240
5,918
1:19
81%
81%
593 Views
2,259 Referrals
97 Referrals
109 Referrals
[/su_column][/su_row]
[su_box title=”THE TOOLS I USE:” box_color=”#89609f” title_color=”#ededed” radius=”7″]I anlyse all of my website’s data through GOOGLE ANALYTICS, which is a free piece of kit from the Google Empire. I’ve tested other software over the years, but nothing has tempted me away from this freebie yet.[/su_box]
…
POPULAR BLOG POSTS:
- 50-brands-with-amazing-brand-stories-20-11 = 1,336 Views
- how-to-get-your-book-on-amazon-for-free-indefinately = 374 Views
- 50-brands-with-amazing-brand-stories-40-31 = 328 Views
- the-best-brand-stories-in-the-world-2013 = 301 Views
- 50-brands-with-amazing-brand-stories-10-1 = 266 Views
NEW BLOG POSTS:
- How Awesome Merchandise Share An Awesome Product Story = 42 Views
- Why You Should Create a Podcast Your Listeners Need: with Jared Easley = 2 Views
- How To Show Your Product Journey Like Litographs Do? = 22 Views
- Validation Before Creation – How To Smash Your Next Project: with Grant Baldwin = 1 View
- Turndog’s Monthly Income Report (August 2015) = 79 Views
- How To Build A Network That Will Change Your Life: with John Corcoran = 11 Views
- What Can Your Shoes Teach You About Storytelling? = 101 Views
- Passion v Purpose – How To Get The Right Balance: with Tim Grahl = 5 Views
- This Is Product Storytelling At Its Best = 21 Views
…
PURPLE COFFEE PODCAST:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
TITLE:
MONTHLY DOWNLOADS
MOST POULAR SESSION
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
THIS MONTH:
498
Session 52 (70 Downloads)
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
LAST MONTH:
801
Session 49 (40 Downloads)
[/su_column][/su_row]
[su_box title=”THE TOOLS I USE:” box_color=”#89609f” title_color=”#ededed” radius=”7″]I gather all Podcast stats through LIBSYN (my podcast hosting) and FEEDBURNER (which breakdowns subscribers).[/su_box]
SOCIAL MEDIA:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
FOLLOWERS:
FACEBOOK PROFILE
FACEBOOK PAGE
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
THIS MONTH:
476
186
1,209
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
LAST MONTH:
459
187
1,201
[/su_column][/su_row]
**The above Facebook stats consider a combined friend/follower count for the profile**
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[su_note]LIKE TO GET ALL THE TOOLS I USE TO MAKE THIS MONTHLY REPORT? I made an Exclusive PDF just for you, and you can grab it for FREE by Clicking Here[/su_note]
EMAIL:
Like this website, EMAIL doesn’t generate any income, but it does play a huge role in my journey. Overall, I try not sell via email all too much, rather use the medium to connect and share. Email is my primary tool to introduce myself to potential new clients, reach out to those I wish to interview, and talk to YOU on a regular basis. This is a snapshot of my email world:
….
THE MAIN NEWSLETTER:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
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TOTAL SUBSCRIBERS
NEW SUBSCRIBERS
UNSUBSCRIBES
OPEN RATE
CLICK THROUGH RATE
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
THIS MONTH:
404
19
22
22%
1%
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
LAST MONTH:
401
19
22
20%
2%
[/su_column][/su_row]
THE OTHER LISTS:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
TOTAL SUBSCRIBERS:
FICTION
NON-FICTION
HOW TO BUILD AN AUTHOR HOUSE
PURPLE COFFEE PODCAST
#HAPPENINGS
TOTAL FOR ALL LISTS:
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
THIS MONTH:
230
385
129
8
20
1,178
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
LAST MONTH:
208
172
129
8
21
941
[/su_column][/su_row]
…
[su_box title=”THE TOOLS I USE:” box_color=”#89609f” title_color=”#ededed” radius=”7″]My email platform of choice is GETRESPONSE, which offers all the specifics I need to build my email lists. It also provides comprehensive reports which the above info is captured from. There’s many providers to choose from (and I’ve tried most of them), but these guys rock![/su_box]
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WORKING HOURS:
Time is a valuable entity you can never get back, and knowing how I spend my time (or as often is the case, waste it!), is a vital cog in my growth. I’m forever trying to find a balance between work, sleep, spending time with Kid Turndog, and chilling with a book in hand. The below doesn’t break down my exact timetable, but it does provide a rough overview as to how productive I am:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
WORKLOAD:
TOTAL HOURS LOGGED
WRITING / BLOGGING
VIDEO / DESIGN
PLANNING / STRUCTURING
OFFLINE (CLIENT WORK)
SKYPE
FINANCES / MISC
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
THIS MONTH:
150 hours
26:47 hours
10:15 hours
24:22 hours
4:00 hours
23:42 hours
2:57 hours
6:11 hours
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
LAST MONTH:
69 hours
17:26 hours
0:43 hours
3:58 hours
0:00 hours
15:40 hours
0:58 hours
1:27 hours
[/su_column][/su_row]
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[su_box title=”THE TOOLS I USE:” box_color=”#89609f” title_color=”#ededed” radius=”7″]The app I use to capture this data is RESCUETIME, a nonintrusive app that monitors your computer’s use. You can set yourself goals, block certain sites, and bespoke it around your needs.[/su_box]
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WRITTEN WORDS:
- FICTION = 5,750 words
- NON FICTION =5,500 words
- BLOG POSTS = 14,500 words
- GUEST POSTS = 0 words
- EMAILS / NEWSLETTERS = 8,282 words
TOTAL = 34,032 WORDS
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BEARD WATCH
HEALTH & WELL BEING:
The final piece of the jigsaw is my health and wellbeing, which is arguably more important than everything else. 2015 is the year I wish to bootstrap my routine, and ensure I stay healthy, active, and on top of the stress and vigour working for yourself brings. You can’t measure happiness, but you can track your daily day, which certainly plays a role if you ask me:
FITNESS:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
ACTIVITY:
TOTAL CALORIES
WALKING
RUNNING
YOGA
PRESSUPS
SITUPS
SQUATS
OTHER
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
THIS MONTH:
7,788 Burned
70.9 Miles
0 Miles
5 Hours
0
0
0
o Hours (football)
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
LAST MONTH:
10,443 Burned
86.3 Miles
3 Miles
5 Hours
500
500
500
1 Hours (football)
[/su_column][/su_row]
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[su_box title=”THE TOOLS I USE:” box_color=”#89609f” title_color=”#ededed” radius=”7″]The app I use to track the amount of running/walking I do is MOVE, a smartphone app that monitors what you do 24/7. I love this app, as it provides me the motivation to walk and go for a run from time to time[/su_box]
DIET:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
DATA:
WEIGHT
NET CALORIES
CARBS
PROTEIN
FAT
DAYS UNDER LIMIT
DAYS OVER LIMIT
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
THIS MONTH:
11.7 Stone (161 lbs)
43,521 Net Colories
49%
16%
35%
30 Days
1 Days
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
LAST MONTH:
11.7 Stone (161 lbs)
43,521 Net Colories
49%
16%
35%
30 Days
1 Days
[/su_column][/su_row]
…
[su_box title=”THE TOOLS I USE:” box_color=”#89609f” title_color=”#ededed” radius=”7″]I monitor my daily food intake with MY FITNESS PAL, which makes it super easy to track your meals, and set goals (be it lose weight, cut out gluten, etc). I also combine this with WATER BALANCE, which ensures I get enough water each day.[/su_box]
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TOTAL MONTHLY INCOME:
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
TOTAL INCOME:
…
FICTION
NON FICTION
AFFILIATES
SPEAKING
CLIENT WORK
OTHER
TOTAL:
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
…
THIS MONTH:
£21.27
£8.80
£0.03
£0
£0
£0
£30.10
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
…
LAST MONTH:
£6.14
£2.18
£0.46
£0
£128
£0
£136.78
[/su_column][/su_row][su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]
….
TOTAL EXPENDITURE:
…
BOOK RELATED
SPEAKING RELATED
CLIENT RELATED
COMPUTER/INTERNET
TELEPHONE
OFFICE SUPPLIES
TRAVEL
ENTERTAINMENT/MEETINGS
UTILITIES
INTEREST/DEBT PAYMENTS
OTHER
TOTAL:
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
…
…
THIS MONTH:
£0
£0
£0
£163.61
£38.50
£31.90
£29.10
£96.90
£11.50
£23.29
£0
£394.80
[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/4″]
…
…
LAST MONTH:
£141.76
£0
£0
£130.06
£38.25
£0
£42.90
£103.10
£11.50
£14.49
£75.00
£556.76
[/su_column][/su_row]
…
TOTAL LOSS = – £
NEARLY AS BIG AS HIS HEAD!
…
Another tough month, and moving forward without a client project does make things so difficult. It hurts. It’s a worry. I need to keep pushing and searching for that client, because although I love my writing anomy own projects, it just doesn’t pay the bills (yet).
It’s time to suck it up and make it happen. Come on, October. Let’s make this the one!!
[su_note]LIKE TO GET ALL THE TOOLS I USE TO MAKE THIS MONTHLY REPORT? I made an Exclusive PDF just for you, and you can grab it for FREE by Clicking Here[/su_note]
SO, THE PLAN FOR OCTOBER:
Right, let’s end with a few mini objectives to help keep the eye on the prize throughout October:
- LAUNCH I UNLOVE YOU PRE-SELL CAMPAIGN & REACH 30% OF THE GOAL
- START WORKING WITH A NEW CLIENT!!
- FINISH STAGE 5 OF THE SUCCESSFUL MISTAKE & PLAN/STRUCTURE STAGE 6
- FEEL GOOD ABOUT MY HEALTH AND WELLBEING!!!
- SHIFT AT LEAST 5,000 COPIES OF TICK TO THE TOCK (FOR FREE)
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…
And finally, I’ve set myself three 2015 Goals (This Post explains all), which EVERYTHING I do over the next twelve months works towards. These are what they are, and this is what I’ve done to stride closer towards these this month:
- IN NOVEMBER, GO ABROAD WITH KID TURNDOG FOR THE FIRST TIME & WEIGH 11 STONE THE DAY OF OUR FLIGHT = I hate to admit this, but I think I will fail. When I consider the money, the fact I Unlove You is about to launch, and everything else, I don’t think this will happen in November. Depending how launch f=goes though, I hope I can make this up to him early in the New Year 🙁
- BUY & SHARE A COFFEE WITH 25 PEOPLE WHO APPEAR IN THE SUCCESSFUL MISTAKE = I didn’t share coffee with anyone new this month, so it looks like I’ll fall short in this goal, too. Still, I do feel like I’m approaching and nurturing my relationships much better than this time last year.
- REACH 100,000 PEOPLE THROUGH MY STORIES & WORDS = Not a bad month at all, considering I had two gust posts published. This is the one goal that seems within reach.
And there you go, folks. Another Monthly Income Report at an end. I know these reports are long, but I hope they help you in some way (if only for pure entertainment/laughing at me purposes). These Monthly Income Reports are hard to write, but I find them rather therapeutic, too. Thank you for reading, and please get in touch and let me know your thoughts. I’d love to start a convo on TWITTER or FACEBOOK.
Speak soon,
TURNDOG
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