Month 3: Achievements, Challenges, and Growth Strategies
If you’ve been following my blogging journey, you’ll know that although this is technically month three, it’s really only month two of being a live website. Month one was all about setting up the site, wrestling with WordPress, obsessing over which theme to pick (if you love this site, it’s by Restored 316 Designs—you can check them out HERE ), and drowning in all the blogging strategies I could soak up.
By month two, I was diving deep into affiliate marketing. I signed up for some affiliate programs and started experimenting with Pinterest Pins to drive traffic.
But you’re not here for a recap—you want the numbers! So, let’s jump right into it.
Month 3 Expenditure: Investing in Growth
Blogging has one fantastic perk: the startup costs can be kept super low compared to other businesses. Since blogging is my full-time gig right now, I’m focused on keeping my costs lean—especially because I’m not bringing in much income yet. Luckily, I’ve got a super supportive husband who believes in my vision and is cheering me on every day. Thanks, honey!
Here’s how my expenses stacked up this month:
Hosting: $0
Hosting is one of those non-negotiable expenses, I paid mine for the year when I started so there’ll be no further costs until July 2025.
I use BigScoots hosting as recommended by Lisa Bass from Farmhouse on Boon Youtube channel and Sophia Lee from BySophiaLee and Perfecting Pinterest YouTube Channel.
They weren’t wrong – for just a couple more dollars than the bargain basement version people often go for, I get incredible site speed and 24/7 support. They aim to answer all support tickets within 5 mins AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT TICKETS LOL! I couldn’t be happier with them and will be staying on with them after this year is up.
If you’d like to see just how many support tickets they’ve helped me with I have a fun video over on my Pinterest account you can watch HERE! Just don’t judge me – I’m a total novice at this!
Check out the BigScoots website HERE from some pretty great shared hosting plans that should fit your needs well as a new blogger.
Other Website Costs: $0
I’d already bought my theme in month 1 and it came with a year’s worth of in-depth support for set up as well as a fantastic and supportive private Facebook Group – it’s become one of my favorite places to hang out online and soak up the tips and encouragement from other’s using the same products as me on the blogging journey.
If you love this site it’s the Boutique Theme by Restored 316 Designs and you can visit their website and take a quiz to see which theme is perfect for your niche HERE.
Canva Pro: $0
Canva Pro was another expense I paid upfront. It’s my go-to tool for creating eye-catching graphics, from Pinterest pins to blog headers. I’ve played around with free alternatives, but nothing quite matches Canva’s ease of use and versatility. I use it almost daily, so if you’re considering it, I’d say it’s worth every penny. Investing in tools that make your life easier and your content better is crucial, especially in the early stages.
MidJourney AI for images: $10
I decided to dip my toes into AI-generated images this month with MidJourney. It’s been an interesting experiment, and I’ve enjoyed the creativity it brings to my content. While I’m still using Pexels for free images, the added dimension of custom visuals has been fun to explore. At $10, it’s a small investment to see what’s possible, and it keeps my content visually diverse.
Tailwind App for Pinterest: $239.88
OK, I caved. After spending hours manually creating and scheduling pins, I finally decided to invest in Tailwind—and it has saved my sanity. Now, I spend zero time pinning after 5 pm and actually have my evenings back. The results speak for themselves (more on that below), but if you’re serious about blogging and Pinterest affiliate marketing, Tailwind is worth every cent!
KDP Costs: $200
Moving from the UK to the US has meant I didn’t have much time for my KDP projects. I plan to focus on them in months 5 and 6 once things settle down. However, I did invest in a lifetime membership for Book Bolt for $200— sign up for their emails and you might catch the lifetime deal like I did!
Legal Costs: $0
I’m all set from last month’s legal pages I purchased from Etsy so no further costs expected at this time. I would like to register my business as an LLC soon so I will be saving up for that in the near future and keep you updated about those costs etc when they occur.
Total Expenditure for the Month: $449.88
It’s a little higher than I’d like, mainly because of Tailwind and Book Bolt, but they’re long-term investments that I won’t have to purchase again. And hey, I’m keeping those recurring monthly costs low, which is key for my first year.
My one and only income goal for my first year blogging is to make $650 which I need to cover hosting plans, Canva Pro, Tailwind and AI app for my second year.
Income: The Good, The Bad, and The Learning Curve
Here’s how my income broke down this month:
Ads: $0
Ads are often touted as the go-to for monetizing a blog, but with just a handful of page views per day, I’ve still decided to hold off for now.
It’s tempting to slap a few ads on the site and hope for the best, but I’m playing the long game. My goal is to join a network like Ezoic or Journey when my traffic grows, ensuring that the ads I do display won’t compromise the user experience. For now, I’m focusing on building content and traffic—ads can wait.
Products: $0
I haven’t launched any products yet, but that’s going to hopefully change around month 5/6 for me when I aim to start producing at least one KDP book a month.
I’m taking my time with this because I want to ensure the quality is there before I start selling. Products are a great way to diversify income, and I’m excited about the possibilities. It’s all about laying the groundwork now for what could be a lucrative revenue stream in the future.
Affiliate Income:
Temu Affiliate Program: $0!
I am really disappointed that I haven’t added anything to my existing $17.86 I accrued last month. I tried my best to promote them within articles and directly on Pinterest itself but it seems I need to work a little harder at learning how to create attractive traffic funnels to these links.
You can check out the Temu Affiliate Program HERE and see how you do – you’ll need to be very good at producing successful Pinterest pins to make an affiliate program like this work, or already have a sizeable following that you can leverage.
BigScoots Affiliate Program: $0
They give you $5 just for signing up, which is a nice little bonus but I have earned nothing since then and can’t take the $5 out until you earn at least $100. I’ve had a decent number of clicks (40 this month, 140 in total) but no conversions yet. It’s a bit of a puzzle figuring out how to increase those conversions, but I’m still learning as I go.
Check out the BigScoots Website HERE. If you’re planning to write about hosting or blogging in general, then becoming a BigScoots affiliate might be right for you too!
Amazon Associates Affiliate Program: $1.76
I made another nine sales this month but only 5 have shipped so far which makes just $1.76 in commission. It might seem small, but it still feels like a huge win knowing that even with low traffic numbers I am getting clicks on article links (unless you are an Amazon Influencer you cannot place links directly on Facebook so they need to be funnelled through an article etc).
Since I’d made my first 3 sales previously I was able to use my Amazon API now and utilize the AAWP plugin which saw a massive leap up to 617 clicks in a single month – a huge deal for me! I would highly recommend it to all Amazon Associates who have made their first 3 sales!
AAWP Plugin Affiliate Program: $0
As just mentioned, the AAWP really made affiliate marketing with Amazon so much easier and quicker this month. I particularly love how you can construct Bestseller tables so that your readers can always see the top products without you constantly having to update it. I joined their affiliate program and got 16 clicks on my links but no sales as yet.
If you’re also someone who blogs about blogging, or you’re delving into the world of being an Amazon Associate then you should check out AAWP HERE!
ShareASale: $0
Whilst I haven’t earned anything on ShareASale at the moment I remain really excited about the potential earning capability of this platform for me because I got 105 clicks to my links in just 30 days! I’ll work harder over the next few months at how to funnel more traffic to my links using Pinterest and interest blog articles.
If you’re a newbie just starting out with affiliate marketing I really recommend you checking ShareASale out HERE and signing up – let me know how you find it.
They offer a 60 day cookie period in their own affiliate program which is really generous and maximises your chances of converting clicks to real income!
Currently I have been accepted into the following affiliate programs on ShareASale:
- Restored 316 Designs – Restored 316 Designs offers stunning, feminine WordPress themes specifically designed for bloggers, influencers, and small business owners. Known for their elegant and user-friendly layouts, these themes make it easy for anyone to create a polished, professional site without needing advanced tech skills. Their themes are a top pick for lifestyle, food, and fashion bloggers who want a beautiful, functional site to showcase their content. This affiliate program is perfect for bloggers with an audience of fellow content creators looking for quality, aesthetically pleasing blog themes.
- Lightinthebox.com – Lightinthebox.com is a versatile online retailer offering a broad range of products, from fashion and home decor to electronics and beauty products. Known for its affordability and massive selection, it’s a go-to for shoppers seeking variety on a budget. For lifestyle bloggers, Lightinthebox is ideal for promoting affordable clothing hauls, home decor inspiration, or even gift guides. Since they carry items across many categories, this affiliate program has broad appeal, especially for budget-conscious readers looking for quality deals online.
- Ador.com – Ador.com specializes in chic, trendy women’s fashion at budget-friendly prices. They focus on everything from casual basics to unique, eye-catching pieces that help women express their individual style. With frequent sales and trendy collections, Ador.com is perfect for fashion bloggers, Instagram influencers, or anyone who loves sharing affordable fashion finds. By promoting Ador, you can provide value to your audience by offering stylish outfit inspiration without the hefty price tag, catering to fashion-forward readers who want to stay on-trend without overspending.
Total Take-Home Income: $0
Yes, you read that right—a big fat zero. Again. Technically, I’ve earned $1.76, but since most affiliate platforms have minimum payout thresholds, I don’t actually get to take that money home yet. So, in practical terms, I’m down $448.12 for the month. Ouch!
It’s been a humbling start, but I’m all about transparency. I’m here to share the real ups and downs of building a blog from scratch, even in these early months where hard work often means very little to show for it.
Biggest Challenges in Month 3
Settling into my new life in the U.S. has been amazing, but balancing this new routine with blogging has been a real challenge. The biggest struggle? Time management. Household tasks—meals, laundry, and endless to-dos—constantly pull me away. The long, uninterrupted days I enjoyed in months 1 and 2 feel like a distant memory!
Next month, I’ll be focusing on a solid time management strategy to make the most of my day. Creating dedicated work blocks will be key to giving my content creation the attention it deserves.
Biggest Achievements in Month 3
1. Exponential Pinterest Growth with Tailwind!
If you’re on the fence about Tailwind, let me tell you—it’s a game-changer. After implementing Tailwind, my monthly Pinterest impressions skyrocketed from 41,000 to an incredible 210,000! If Pinterest is part of your strategy, investing in Tailwind is an absolute must!
2. Content Creation
I’ve been working hard to create quality, helpful blog posts across multiple niches. Content is key to long-term success, so even though income has been slow, I’m sticking with my goal of producing valuable articles that lay a solid foundation for growth.
3. Affiliate Sales
While I haven’t seen a major income boost yet, my affiliate clicks are steadily increasing. More clicks mean more potential income down the line, so I’m staying positive and focusing on what’s working. The AAWP plugin has been a game-changer, making affiliate links more accessible and clickable. Progress is there, even if the dollars haven’t caught up just yet.
4. Learning New Tools
This month has been all about diving into Tailwind and automating my Pinterest strategy. Next up is mastering Google Analytics and site performance tracking. There’s a wealth of data waiting to be unlocked, and I’m determined to use it to grow my traffic and understand my audience better.
Goals for Month 4
Reflecting on this past month, I’m setting ambitious but achievable goals to keep the momentum going. Here’s what I’ll be focusing on in month four:
1. Grow Pinterest Traffic Further
Pinterest has been a key traffic driver, thanks to Tailwind, and I’m determined to build on this success. I’m aiming to reach 250,000 monthly Pinterest impressions by refining my pin designs, crafting more engaging titles, and using Tailwind’s analytics to focus on top-performing strategies.
2. Focus on Writing High-Quality Content
Quality content is the backbone of long-term growth, and I’m committed to producing valuable posts that resonate with readers. My goal for next month is to write at least 10 new blog posts, each with fresh Pinterest pins. This should drive consistent traffic and build my authority across my chosen niches.
3. Learn and Use Google Analytics Effectively
While I’ve set up Google Analytics, I haven’t yet tapped into its full potential. This month, I’ll prioritize understanding which pages drive the most traffic, where visitors are coming from, and how long they’re staying on my site. Analyzing these metrics will allow me to refine my strategies based on data-driven insights.
4. Submit a Sitemap to Google
Submitting a sitemap is essential for boosting search engine visibility, but it’s something I’ve put off. In month four, I’ll finally submit my sitemap to Google to improve my site’s indexing, which should enhance my organic search reach over time.
5. Rework Affiliate Funnels
I’ve realized that simply adding affiliate links isn’t enough. This month, I’ll focus on optimizing my affiliate funnels by strategically positioning products within posts, particularly for Amazon, BigScoots, and Temu. By enhancing calls-to-action and creating more targeted placements, I’m aiming to boost conversions.
6. Continue Learning Tailwind’s Advanced Features
Although Tailwind has already been transformative for my Pinterest strategy, I know there’s more to explore. I’ll dive deeper into SmartLoop, Tribes, and advanced analytics to fine-tune my approach and maximize Pinterest reach.
7. Remember Why I’m Doing This (and have fun!)
Somewhere along the line I have started to pile ridiculous amounts of pressure on myself and I want to take a step back and be grateful that I get to work from home while being a stay at home wife, have a little fun and write about things I enjoy instead of the insane seasonal rush that a lot of the YouTube blogging teachers insist upon!
Fun Gifts for the Bloggers in Your Life!
Know any fellow bloggers who could do with being cheered up (or if that’s you!) then check out some of this fun blogging merch!
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Thank You for Following Along!
Phew! You made it to the end of this (very!) long post. I hope sharing my ups and downs, my income insights, and the challenges I’ve faced shows that blogging truly is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes patience, learning, and plenty of trial and error to keep moving forward.
If you’re on a similar path, I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below to share your blogging journey, what’s been working for you, and any tips you’ve discovered for navigating these early stages. And if you’d like to check out more of my income reports, click HERE!
Last update on 2025-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
