How To Pick The Blogs That You Sponsor

Posted on January 25th, 2012 :: 5 tips

Last week’s 5 tips weren’t posted due to the disappearance of my blog, but the week prior I discussed setting up a sponsor program for your blog. This week I thought I would touch on a topic that’s very similar in nature, but something I struggled with in the beginning. The very first blog I chose to pay for ad space on forgot I paid, threw together a poorly done button in which I had paid extra for, and sent little to no views to my site for the month. Needless to say I backed off for a while until I felt comfortable in knowing what I wanted in sponsoring a blog.

1. Know who you’re sponsoring

The best experiences I have had with paid sponsorships have been with people I had somewhat of a relationship with prior. We may have talked via comments on our blogs, emails, social media, etc. These were the people who were able to add something  when they highlighted my blog as they already somewhat knew me. So by creating a relationship with a blogger ahead of time, you are likely to feel more comfortable and benefit more from the sponsorship.

2. Be comfortable with what they have to offer

One of the first things you should focus on is how they advertise your blog should you choose to sponsor them. Look to see if they only offer ad space, or if they will mention you on social media sites, or if they will offer you the opportunity to do a giveaway/guest post, etc. Make sure that you feel that you will get your money’s worth out of the sponsorship. Decide before you start paying for advertisement on any blog what you want out of it – if you want to do a giveaway or not, if you want to be mentioned in a sponsor post or on social media sites, etc. and then stick with it.

3. Ensure that they have an interactive audience

When it comes to an audience that a blog has, size doesn’t (necessarily) matter. The bigger the blog, the more likely they are to have an interactive audience, but it isn’t guaranteed. Look for a blog that has multiple comments on various kinds of posts, especially the posts that are used to highlight the sponsors on a blog. Knowing that the audience you would be reaching by advertising on that blog is involved enough with the blogger to comment regularly is a good sign for the blog’s sponsors.

4. Have your best foot forward when you pay for advertising

First impressions truly do last forever. When you choose to start paying for advertising (or even ad swapping), it is in your best interest to ensure that you have an eye-catching layout and quality content to draw the new viewers in. If you are unsure about the path that your blog is taking or you don’t feel 100% of everything that the blog brings, wait until you do before you pay to advertise on someone else’s blog.

5. Set a budget for your blog/shop each month

Setting a budget is crucial to succeeding with advertising. Set a certain amount per month and find the best opportunities for your money. Wait to see if one, or any of the places you chose to sponsor work out in a month to know if it is worthwhile to sponsor them again. That being said, be picky. If the right opportunity isn’t there in a month, that’s okay! Do what feels right and if need be, carry your money over to the next month to possibly afford a higher priced ad space.

The How-To/5 Tips is now going to be a weekly series, dedicated to answering some of the most popular questions I’ve been asked through consulting and on my blog. Want tips on something similar in nature? Send me an email at afterninetofive@gmail.com.


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