So You Want to Start A Blog - Sponsor Other Blogs

So we are getting down to it now.  I have talked about content, social media, reading other blogs, and basic design. All of that is wonderful and it will greatly help the growth of your blog and your social influence on the internet.

Once you have been at it for a while and you want to keep at it most of us hope to gain more readership I honestly think sponsoring some blogs is a very good way to do that.

If you are confused about sponsoring, essential it is buying an ad on another blogger's site.  If you feel like it is weird I guess it kind of is.  I think of my blog as an up and coming business and when I think of it that way I am paying to advertise my business.  All companies and businesses and writers advertise, it is normal business behavior.

6 Tips To Help You Start Sponsoring Blogs

1. Have a button or two or three

When you choose to sponsor a blog most of the time you will get a button, ad, on the blogger's side bar.  Every blogger has different requirements.  For example all of my options are 300 pixels wide and have different height depending on the spot you buy. If you do not know what that is look to the right on this page or almost any bloggers page.  All those ad are for other blogs and clicking it will take you to their blog!

I recommend you make a button for whatever size ad you buy.  A stretched out button never looks good and will not bring people to your site. I would recommend using picmonkey and looking at this tutorial for how to make a button by Sarah at Venus Trapped in Mars.

2. Look for blogs you love to read

When you are looking for blogs to sponsor it might be tempting to shell out the big bucks to sponsor the big blogs.  Sometimes this is a great idea, sometimes it is terrible.  If you are looking for blogs to sponsor I think you should sponsor blogs you like to read and ones that are similar to yours.

For example I would not advertise on a recipe blog. I have never posted a recipe and I do not think that people looking for recipes everyday would want to read my blog everyday.  Just kidding I think everyone wants to read my blog everyday.

But for reals, sponsoring blogs that are similar to yours will generate readers who want to read similar content.

3. Look for prices you can afford

It can be expensive to sponsor blogs!  The bigger the blog the bigger the price tag, usually.  Do not break your bank account or budget to sponsor a ton of blogs.  Start small.  Try one blog and see if you like it.  If so try a couple more.  Do not sponsor so many that you lose track of the blogs you are sponsoring.

Write down what blogs you are sponsoring and what you are supposed to get in exchange for sponsoring the blog.  Be aware of the product you are buying and what you have been promised.

4. Look for perks that work for you

Not all sponsorship options are the same.  Do you really want someone to promote the crap out of your blog on social media?  Look for a spot that promises a lot of social media shout outs.  Are you looking for a guest post? Look for a guest post option.  What to write a dual post with the blogger, look for that!  There are a lot of bloggers out there and a lot of sponsorship options that you can find a lot of spots that work for you too.

I like it when I can be featured on a blog and be included in a giveaway during the month.  Yes giveaways are a little controversial sometimes, but again it is advertising.  If you get on someone's radar and they click on your blog one day and are hooked it paid off.  I think a giveaway is a good way to initially get people to your site, and you have to write good content with catch titles and photos to hook them after.

5. Be an active reader

The best sponsorships I have had have come when I actively read and comment on the blog I am sponsoring. As someone who also takes sponsorships, I love it when I know my sponsors are reading my blog.  We have more of a connection and it is easier for me to promote them, because I have a better sense for who they are.

I am not always the best at this myself and the blogs I sponsored, but did not read or comment on did not bring me a lot of readers or success. I truly believe if you take time and invest in a blogger, they will take time and invest in you.

6. Let your voice be heard

As I mentioned before keep track of what you have been promised when you signed up for a sponsor spot. If you did not get the post your were promised, or any social media shout outs, ask for it. I have had some bad experiences and called the person out on it.  In some cases I had my ad time extended or they refunded the money, in other cases I never heard back.

My biggest piece of advice is sponsor blogger's that you trust.  If you do not like the way they portray themselves online do not trust them with your money.  If you have seen what they have done for others and like it then go for it.  Start small and then keep adding and growing.

Sponsoring other blogs is probably the fastest way to grow your readership, but it takes time, money, and awareness to maximize your advertising.

 

In case you are looking for a wonderful blog to sponsor, shameless plug, might I recommend my blog! I am currently running an ad sale for 50% off all spots for April.  Visit my Sponsor page select which spot works for you and use promo code AprilShowers at checkout.