• TLA Links: $51.96
• TNX Links: $31.37
• Private Sales: $53.27
• Google Adsense (Finally!): $101.75
• Total for April 2008: $238.25
• Total for March 2008: $298.63
• % Increase / Decrease: -20.2%

And so another month’s in the books. As you can tell, I’m not particularly pleased with the results but there’s no one to blame but myself. Posting was extremely light last month with finals week and other commitments with school. Also, typically summer months have slower than normal advertising sales. If we can hold at these levels through the summer I think I’d be pleased. I’ve been trying to convert TLA links into private sales but that’s been a bit more difficult than I anticipated. I’m sure the current blog layout isn’t helping matters much as well. To be frank, at first the layout had potential, but recently I’ve thought more and more of purchasing a premium layout or potentially biting the bullet and hiring someone to redesign this site properly. We’ll see what happens.

In terms of traffic, I’m expecting a decrease across the board as well.

• Unique Visits: 1,994
• Pageviews: 3,335
• Current RSS Subscriptions: 97
• Highest RSS Subscriptions: 97

So close to that 100 RSS mark! Expect a great party once that happens. As with April’s income, traffic’s down about 20%. And once again, I need to force myself to produce content more consistently than the anemic April. If I could only trade the markets full time, I’d have all the time in the world!

And last but not least, the top 7 articles read this month. It’s always predictable when an FOMC meeting comes out to see what article’s at the top.

• FOMC Meeting Today; How to Read Fed Funds 30 Day Futures
• General Electric Fizzles – Market Retest of Lows? (Published in Seeking Alpha)
• April 28, 2008 Edition of the Festival of Stocks
• Discount Online Broker Review – TradeKing
• Discount Online Broker Review – Zecco
• Blog Income and Traffic – March 2008
• Crude Above $115 per Barrel, Short Oil Stocks?

I was excited to see my GE article on Seeking Alpha. Although in the end I may have been wrong, it was still nice to take some data and see a side of it some folks were anticipating.

So there you have it. Items on the agenda this month include trying to get a visually appealing layout going, better (and more frequent) content, and of course my transparency study on my tiny portfolio. Have a great week!

• TLA Links: $59.36
• IZEA (PayPerPost): $35.00
• TNX Links: $99.01
• Private Sales: $105.26
• Total for March 2008: $298.63
• Total for February 2008: $309.35
• % Increase/Decrease: -3.5%

Private advertising took a hit this month, losing approximately 50% of sales from last month. Text link ads from TLA and TNX increased, however, making up the difference from private advertising sales. While I’m never happy to see a decrease in growth, I’m encouraged by the stability of the blog during February and March being that a life changing event occurred. Perhaps I should find some help in the blogging department as some of you suggested now that I’m married!

Here’s a quick glance at the traffic situation from last month to this month.

• Unique Visits: 2,419
• Pageviews: 3,964
• Current RSS Subscriptions: 79
• Highest RSS Subscription Reading: 92

So close to the coveted 100 RSS subscription count. Over the next few days I need to go ahead and figure out a way to boost those numbers. Perhaps a giveaway of sorts with some of the other financial bloggers?

And finally, here’s the Top 7 at 7 for the month of March (it’s 7 o’clock somewhere in the world, right?).

• FOMC Meeting Today; How to Read Fed Funds 30 Day Futures
• The Perfect Storm?
• Discount Online Broker Review – TradeKing
• Discount Online Broker Review – Zecco
• Stock Replacement Strategy – Introduction
• 5 Reasons Every Investor Should Use Iron Condors (Guest Post)
• Online Brokerage Review – OptionsXpress

From the looks of it, perhaps more of the general public is becoming involved in their own investments and need broker reviews?

Once again, with you all, this blog wouldn’t be where it’s at right now and for that I thank you. In all honesty, I may actually be outgrowing the free theme templates out on the internet right now. Do you think it’s time to go with something a bit more custom to the blog? Thanks again!