Q1: you have sponsors for your blog? If so, has the “ad experience” changed your blog in a positive or negative way?

 

@sister_mag: We started out with the intention to include ads in our eMag / blog right from scratch as way to earn money.

 

@caseemarie: it’s been an insightful experience; ads are a business, and I work hard to focus on the universally beneficial partnerships.

 

@spearmintblogs: Yes and sponsorship has changed my life. Turned hobby blogging into full time!

 

@alliepal: No. I found that I wanted my blog to be a creative extension of my freelance business vs. a source of direct income.

 

@katelynbrooke88: No sponsors on my blog yet, but this month I’m trying out sponsoring a few blogs to promote my blog + business.

 

@TheCuisinerd: I use an ad network through Federated Media but definitely interested in learning how to acquire sponsors I’m into.

 

@bedsidesign: I use button swaps. It’s great developing relationships with other bloggers and learning from them like @erin_artsocial.

 

‏@flowerchildvtg: yes, having sponsors pushes me to post more often on my blog and has helped me get to know many wonderful people in my niche!

 

@sister_mag: We’re pretty thought about the ads, not too many, well integrated, more sponsoring/advertorials, no banner ads.

 

@andkathleen: I worry ads & sponsors would dilute my own brand, message and connection with my readers.

 

@luluthebaker: An ad tip from @altsummit classes on sponsorship: don’t start looking for advertising until you have 3000-4000 page views per day.

 

‏@JoelleDuff: @mspinkandblue I think affiliate links are a great way to start monetizing your blog! Definitely check out Amazon and Shopstyle.

 

@_HayleysWorld: Just started paid spots. Haven’t had many yet but lots of swaps which I ❤. I think it’s a positive thing. Love networking.

 

@HelenaMarie: In the end, though, you have to go with what feels right for your blog/brand.

 

Q2: Is it better reach out and receive payment from a sponsor directly or go through a web application like Google Adsense or Blog Ads?

 

@alliepal: I would recommend using an application or something like Passionfruit. Managing them yourself can be a time suck.

 

@ParkerEtc: I’m a Google Adsense lady! It gives you customization,robust reporting,contextual targeting and is pretty much idiot proof!

 

@mspinkandblue: It’s less work to have web apps, but you cant control the art work. BUT 3rd party ads always pay on time.

 

‏@poppylindsay: I am definitely a fan of Passionfruit Ads. They make paying so easy for sponsors and make the process so easy for bloggers.

 

@inspiredtoshare: I prefer personal connections. I like getting to know the person behind the business to ensure a good fit for my readers.

 

@HelenaMarie: I never click on Adsense ads. I click on a lot of “sponsor” ads because I want to check out other cool blogs.

 

@linzlovesyou: A lot of people use @passionfruitads, and now @skyscrpr looks fab!

 

@ParisRouzati: Always add a personal touch. Blogs are saturated with sponsorships and giveaways…there’s a loss of personality & authenticity.

 

‏@mspinkandblue it would be really cool if there was a @etsy ad network

 

@jgambacurta: Developing your niche can make it easier to decline sponsors who aren’t the right fit.

 

@spearmintblogs i really think this all depends on your goals. if you are blogging for a living do not rule out any sources.

 

‏@foodiecrush: have you guys looked into ad networks? Glam and Say Media aren’t as ugly

 

@aosborn08: I’d be more inclined to trust blogger’s opinion (pos/neg) about sponsored content if I was told it was sponsored.

 

Q3: Would you take your sponsorships to your social networks like Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest? If so, how do you determine price?

 

JGambacurta: I think featuring sponsors on social media are part of the package. Social networks are extensions of your blog.

 

AlliePal: No, I really like to keep my connections on Twitter/FB/Pinterest neutral and in my own voice.

 

AOsborn08: No faster way for me to unfollow a Twitter account than to tweet sponsored content. Twitter is busy enough w/o sp tweets!

 

MsPinkandBlue: I personally wouldn’t on twitter bc I feel like I have strong personal relationships, but on PInterest I would

 

SammanthaTweets: if they pay. It’s a lot of time/energy. You have to make it AUTHENTIC when promoting them, which is a lore more than just #FF

 

FreeSpiritReign: No, I think social media is part of the package. People don’t wan to be nickel & dimed for everything

 

CaseeMarie: Personally, taking sponsorships to social media would make my head spin so I’m staying behind the times for now

 

HelenaMarie: I can’t think of a reason I’d do sponsored tweets. My voice is too valuable to me.

 

ParkerEtc: No Twitter, but Yes to Pinterest. It helps build your reach & credibility across multiple social media platforms to a brand

 

SpearmintBlogs: yes, yes yes… I often exchange products with companies that I share on Twitter

PoppyLindsay: Never! Twitter is solely reserved for me tweeting what I love, not what I have been paid to love.

 

Olivia_Color: The people who follow you on twitter/facebook most likely are already devoted to your blog. There’s no need for it!

 

Q4: When you have a sponsor, do you spotlight them on your blog or nonchalantly work them into your content? Which do your readers prefer?

 

KatelynBrooke88: I think both can work – it just needs to feel like the blogger genuinely supports and believes in who they’re spotlighting.

 

LinzLovesYou: I like when people offer 1 “primo” ad spot that they highlight in a post.

 

WifeMummyNurse: I have only had sponsors for giveaways so far. I spotlight them.

 

BayParkDream: I do both. Depends on the sponsor, the type of ad space they purchased, & how I think my readers will react

 

JaclynGiuliano: I don’t do a post dedicated to them, but will add it posts or on twitter because I’m thankful for the support

 

JoelleDuff: I prefer to integrate blogger features into my posts, and highlight them as friends (which they often are)

 

TheCuisinerd: I give a little footnote disclosure at the bottom of the post, I never let the sponsor change the content or tone of my post.

 

Sister_Mag: We highlight them, i.e. have “Sponsored Post” or “Ad” marked the article. As German citizen you’re obliged by law to do so

 

SuiteSevenBlog: both. Your sponsors should align with your blog audience so it should happen naturally anyway.

 

BlueBowGirl: depends on the sponsor, I try to highlight the brands that sponsor my little blog! So usually a spotlight! They deserve it!

 

ParkerEtc: Present a way that doesn’t disrupt your ‘usual programming’ & keeps your readers feeling they’re getting content not a salesman

 

ShadyLane14: I would rather not know the content is sponsored. I usually skip over the sponsor intro posts.

 

AlyssaBaconLiu: I like when other bloggers highlight their sponsors because it introduces me to new blogs, but some do it TOO much

 

Q5: What do you send to sponsors to validate your rates? If you have a press kit, what goes into it?

 

JoelleDuff: Stats, types of sponsorships available, terms, rates, info about my blog…

 

KatelynBrooke88: When I’m thinking about sponsoring a blog, it’s nice to see readership info and social media stats in addition to page views

 

Sister_Mag: we use a media kit highlighting our audience, topics, stats from the past, quotes from followers and rates

 

JGambarcurta: Stats from Google Analytics, demographics, list of benefits for sponsors (including SEO)

 

HelenaMarie: As someone buying space, I want to see daily unique page views. I think GFC is kind of fake/easily inflated.

 

ParkerEtc: Include bios, rss & social media stats, brands you’ve worked with, Google analytics & your blogs #’s from the past three months.

 

JaclynGiuliano: I include a little bio, photos from posts that highlight my work, then stats inviting them to contact me

 

BlueBowGirl: Stats, blog info, other places I write, rates, sponsorship packages, terms, and smiles

 

LulutheBaker: I’m in love with @altsummit classes, and they have amazing ones on advertising on your blog and what goes into a media kit

 

AOsborn08: As a PR girl that doesn’t have sponsorship for her blog, I’m fascinated by what people put into their digital press kits! J

 

FreeSpiritReign: I’ve been satisfied with this info being on the sponsorship page – I want to know before I ask about sponsorship, personally.