Miss Kaylee requested a post about taking sponsors for this first time! If you have a request for a Saturday Session tutorial, go here. Let's do this!
1. A wait list is ok.
I remember the first night I posted sponsor options, the biggest size ad space I had limited to just one person shown at a time. Within a few hours, I had two people purchase that option. This meant that one person was live on the blog now, and someone else had to wait a month. I panicked over someone having to wait, and immediately changed the settings to have two shown at a time, then another blogger bought that size ad space and I changed it to three shown at a time.... then four shown at a time. Dumb. I just wanted to make everyone happy but instead I threw my sponsor system all out of whack on the very first day.
I remember the first night I posted sponsor options, the biggest size ad space I had limited to just one person shown at a time. Within a few hours, I had two people purchase that option. This meant that one person was live on the blog now, and someone else had to wait a month. I panicked over someone having to wait, and immediately changed the settings to have two shown at a time, then another blogger bought that size ad space and I changed it to three shown at a time.... then four shown at a time. Dumb. I just wanted to make everyone happy but instead I threw my sponsor system all out of whack on the very first day.
2. Don't do something you're going to regret as you grow.
I stared with 5 ad sizes and too many shown at one time in each ad size. As I started to grow, and people were added to my wait list for each ad size option, I wasn't able to make any changes to the number shown at a time without changing start dates. I just got so excited that anyone would want to sponsor me, my mindset was "Take all the $2 sponsors on the internets and let them live on my sidebar forever and ever!!!!!!"
What I wish I had done...
I stared with 5 ad sizes and too many shown at one time in each ad size. As I started to grow, and people were added to my wait list for each ad size option, I wasn't able to make any changes to the number shown at a time without changing start dates. I just got so excited that anyone would want to sponsor me, my mindset was "Take all the $2 sponsors on the internets and let them live on my sidebar forever and ever!!!!!!"
What I wish I had done...
By starting with just a few options, you can always add more. I assure you, it is much harder to take them away. Here I sit, nearly 4 months since I started taking sponsors, and I'm still trying to get rid of two of my ad space offerings. I know it is exciting, but just trust me on this one.
3. Don't take sponsors before your blog is ready.
This is one thing I think I did correctly. I held out until the 500 follower mark. I never did swaps, never wanted to do swaps. I didn't start blogging with the intention of making money, I just wanted to teach girls about sports. So my advice is to focus on stabilizing a solid following before you start taking sponsors.
4. Knowing how to price yourself
I think supply and demand is the best way to look at this. I started with pretty low prices, then as a wait list grew for that ad size, I sporadically increased the cost for that sponsor option.
I think supply and demand is the best way to look at this. I started with pretty low prices, then as a wait list grew for that ad size, I sporadically increased the cost for that sponsor option.
5. Know when to have a sale.
Women love the word sale, but you gotta know how to use that word.
Women love the word sale, but you gotta know how to use that word.
Bad: Macy's advertising, "Exclusive, unprecedented one day sale this weekend. One day only. Preview day Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday."
So when they have a sale... who cares, they're always having a sale.
So when they have a sale... who cares, they're always having a sale.
Good: Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale. Stuff there is NEVER on sale unless you're in the dumpy bargain bin, and in the market for granny panties or no support spaghetti strap white cotton sports bras that wouldn't hold a 12 year old boy's boobs in.
So when they have a sale, YOU STOCK UP.
See my point? Helene, Sami and Erin are all really good at having flash ad sales. They don't offer them very often, but when they do, you stock up!
All of your ads should be the same width. Say it with me....
I also recommend wider rather than tall. So largest size should be 300x300, next size down 300x200, next size down 300x100.
8. If you want to do this all on your own, you might as well just forget it.
Use Passionfruit. I know there is another company out there, I don't know anything about it. Yes, PF is $9/mo. I think that as a general rule, if a blog isn't generating $9 in ad revenue, hold off on taking sponsors.
9. Have fun with your sponsors.
Think of cute names that relate to your blog for each size sponsor ad. Mine are Jerry Jones, ESPN, ESPN2... etc. etc. The more you have fun with it, the more your sponsors will enjoy their time hanging out on your sidebar.
Link love...
Some girls who are doing sponsoring right, in my humble opinion...
So when they have a sale, YOU STOCK UP.
See my point? Helene, Sami and Erin are all really good at having flash ad sales. They don't offer them very often, but when they do, you stock up!
6. Reward your most loyal sponsors.
I try to remember to give free space or gigantic discounts to the girls who have supported me from the beginning. Many sponsors will reward repeat clients with a discount code or do three month packages at a discount.
I try to remember to give free space or gigantic discounts to the girls who have supported me from the beginning. Many sponsors will reward repeat clients with a discount code or do three month packages at a discount.
7. Size your spots correctly.
All of your ads should be the same width. Say it with me....
I also recommend wider rather than tall. So largest size should be 300x300, next size down 300x200, next size down 300x100.
8. If you want to do this all on your own, you might as well just forget it.
Use Passionfruit. I know there is another company out there, I don't know anything about it. Yes, PF is $9/mo. I think that as a general rule, if a blog isn't generating $9 in ad revenue, hold off on taking sponsors.
That's why I waited a while to start taking sponsors, because I wouldn't make enough money to justify the fees associated. First, you should take your profits from blog advertising and pay for passionfruit. Second, reinvest in sponsoring other bloggers.
9. Have fun with your sponsors.
Think of cute names that relate to your blog for each size sponsor ad. Mine are Jerry Jones, ESPN, ESPN2... etc. etc. The more you have fun with it, the more your sponsors will enjoy their time hanging out on your sidebar.
Link love...
Some girls who are doing sponsoring right, in my humble opinion...
Daily Tay - her Saturday Takeover was a brilliant idea
