Smutlancer Revenue Report: November 2021

November felt busier than the numbers suggest but I’m also finding that product-based businesses don’t just take more money and space (for inventory). They also take a lot more time. Unlike writing an article – granted there’s research, writing, and editing time – product-based businesses need time for making the product, promoting the product, and packing/shipping. Content creation just isn’t the same, in terms of time, at all.

And yet, I love it, and I can’t wait to do more of it.

Kayla Lords, Sex Writer

My freelance work is picking up in a manageable way. Inquiries have slowed down but I attribute that to the holidays. I’m okay with that, as other projects have taken more of my time and attention, as you’ll see further down.

Freelance sex writing: $465.00

Self-published erotica: $11.92

Sponsored blog posts: $212.50

Total: $689.42

Loving BDSM

As Loving BDSM, we generate revenue in multiple ways: Patreon, affiliate sales, podcast and blog sponsorships, and more. This section may change from month to month based on available revenue opportunities.

Patreon: $757.55

Affiliate sales: $16.98

Workbook sales: $4.99

YouTube AdSense: $31.04

Sponsored blog posts: $212.50

Total: $1,023.06

We tend to see a bit of a slump in Patreon right before the holidays. Folks need to adjust their budgets and handle the holidays. Hopefully our annual membership drive in January will draw people in.

Fingers-crossed that the promotion we did in November for affiliate sales begins to pay off in December, because it didn’t do much for us in November.

The Kinkery

The Kinkery is John Brownstone’s shop for his BDSM products, and I am his business partner. He makes the products, and I market the hell out of them.

Product sales: $2,673.74

November was a great month for us – the best since we launched the shop in 2020. That was due, in large part, to our Black Friday sale. But even before the sale, orders were steadily coming in. We both feel like we’re on the right track. Now we have to put in the hard work and maintain patience for continued growth.

Smutlancers

Molly and I technically “split” this revenue. Currently, the only income the Smutlancers produces is from our Patreon community.

Patreon: $184.23

The Smutlancers community (and Patreon) will shut down at the end of the year. We’ve enjoyed getting to know the community members and we’re happy we’ve been able to help so many smutlancers over the past few years.

Obscene Ideas

Again, Molly and I technically “split” the revenue from Obscene Ideas and would pay ourselves half after fees and expenses if we actually paid ourselves. But we don’t.

Erotic Fiction: $43.50

Self Reflection: $15.00

Total: $58.50

Total November Revenue: $4,628.95

This is better than last month by a few hundred dollars, so at least we’re headed in the right direction.

Get Your Graph Kink On

Okay, let’s look at some graphs…

This is the time of year when Kinkery should have more of a chunk of the piece. It’s a product-based business and ’tis the season to spend money on physical products.

Okay, so how does this month compare to previous months? Not…bad.

Is it where we need it to be? Not at all (especially when you remember that this is just revenue, which doesn’t factor in expenses). But it’s better. In fact, it’s only slightly worse than May. I consider that a good sign.