Am I missing something?

[Lift]

I began posting on this board because I can’t help but feel that there is something that I’m missing. I truly love my web sites and would continue to do this, even if it didn’t turn a profit. But I’m obsessed,,,,,,,
I will receive just over 40,000 visitors this month, have just over 105,000 pages views, and yet will earn less than $300.00 from Google ads and affiliate revenue.
I have worked very hard to get my traffic to this point and I expect it to continue growing.
But less than $300.00
Am I missing something? Does this seem about right for this amount of traffic?

Thanks,
Kerry / Lift

[Buskerdoo]

Ahh,

You answered my "hello to your intro" question.

Is your site a forum or other?

If it is a static site I think your income is low from adsense.

What kind of keyword/adsense ads are you targeting?

For instance: Body building has few ads and the bid amounts for those ads are low.

On the other hand: body sculpting has many more people placing ads and the bids are 5 times higher.

[Lift]

Hi Buskerdoo,
Now it looks like I answered this post in the introduction area.
Oh well, I'm new here.
My site is a static site, however I am considering adding a forum.
My primary keyword target is "natural bodybuilding", which is a small niche of bodybuilding in general. Still, I believe very strongly in the topic and have put a lot of time into the site. Growth in the last six months has been very strong. My next goal is to reach 1500 visitors a day.

Thanks,
Kerry / Lift

[Kalina]

Where are your visitors coming from? Have you paid for advertising?

[Lift]

Visitors are primarily from search engine traffic and external links. No paid advertising.
I may need to expand beyond my current niche if I am to make this a real income. But I am passionate about health and fitness, and still believe that this specific area of interest should be enough.

Thanks,
Kerry / Lift

[Kalina]

You need to spend money to make money. Have you? Maybe try out Adwords.

[Lift]

Because my site exists as a service to the natural bodybuilding and fitness community, I cannot imagine that the ROI on Adwords would exceed the expense. On the other hand, I believe strongly in the motto "he prospers most who serves the best". This is why I'm constantly adding new authors, articles, and services on the site. Additionally, I did a research paper (88 pages) on web communities in the interest of natural bodybuilding (does it sound like I'm obsessed?).
Though the modest revenue generated from Adsense and affiliate advertising more than covers my expenses, I can't shake the feeling that I'm leaving something on the table.
Are there others on this board that have succeeded in making a living off of an interest that they are passionate about?
Thanks,
Kerry / Lift
www.liftforlife.com

[cimmeron]

Hi Kerry,

If your adsense revenue isn't where you want it to be, maybe you could consider another direction? Have you thought of offering free content and paid content? Either by piece of subscription based...this would be another revenue stream.

[Lift]

Hi Cimmeron,
No, I really haven't thought much about paid content. I'm serious about promoting health & fitness and find it morally objectionable to sell information that I feel should be free. I have been asked to be in four different Ebooks, and though flattering, opted out. I feel that if someone really wants to know how to loose weight or become fit, then I want to help them to do it.
I believe what brought me here was the thought that Adsense and affiliate revenue from my site were inconsistent with the traffic.
I suppose that I should expand into other non-related areas.
Thanks,

[erkanbs]

if you want i can sell my adwords coupons to you.

with every coupon you can advertise 100$ google ads.

coupons are 2$ pm me i aceept only paypal