Thursday, April 4, 2013

Blogging about blogging (sorry!)


I read two blog posts earlier this week (here and here) that really spoke to me. They prompted me to rethink some of my procedures when it comes to blogging, social media, and sponsorship.

As a result of some reflection in the wake of these posts, I will be following suit and will no longer accept sponsorship from bloggers. It's not that I don't love reading blogs (because I do) or sharing posts I enjoy (again, I do), it's that I want to tweet/link/share/promote posts because I enjoyed them, not because someone paid me to. I certainly don't judge or think ill of anyone else who promotes other bloggers in exchange for money, it just isn't what I want to do anymore. I'll share when I read something that I think is awesome...and I won't expect anything in return.

If you are a blogger and currently have an ad with me, it will remain until the end of your term. This is just a from here on out change. In lieu of charging, I've opened swap spots once again. If you're interested in swapping ads on our blog sidebars for one month, head to my Sponsor page. I'll also be resurrecting my Blog Roll (which needs an update, badly...sorry) for blogs that I regularly read and love.

I've also made some changes to my ad packages, including lowering prices slightly and morphing my monthly sponsor post into a group giveaway (note: no changes will be made for existing sponsors).

I think this is a step in the right direction for me. I've made some blogging decisions in the past that {in retrospect} I'm not proud of or didn't sit well with me for whatever reason. I hope you'll bear with me as I continue to try to figure out what's right for my little geeky corner of the interwebs :)

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Comments (20)

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It is so hard to make all the decisions that come up. Of course making a few bucks is nice, but I also don't want to sell out to who I am and what I want my blog to stand for. But I am glad you are doing swaps since I will swap with you. :)
My recent post Top Ten Toys that have the Potential to Inflict Bodily Damage
1 reply · active 623 weeks ago
I did "sell out" for a while because money was so tight. But I don't think I ever will again, no matter how tight it gets. It's just not me. And sure! Just go to my sponsor page and get your ad set up :)
My recent post Intervention no longer needed: a change of plans
Good for you! In all honesty I've never felt paid ads for blogs to be worth it. I think most readers know and understand that its an ad and just ignore them.

But that said, I would love to swap with you!
My recent post On Our Play Shelves -- April -- 24 Months
I love posting on my blog whether I get money or I don't (right now I don't charge. It's mainly for fun.) But, I would love to swap buttons with you. Ride The Spiral
1 reply · active 623 weeks ago
Sure, I'd love to! Just go to my sponsor page to get your ad set up :)
My recent post CARINA EATA BIG CHOCOLATE! Or, our Easter
I think bloggers advertising other bloggers has gotten completely out of control. I've unsubscribed from a LOT of blogs recently because they are all about sponsorships and promoting those bloggers. Half (or more) are posts promoting their sponsors and/or guest posts from their sponsors. I much prefer when bloggers share posts/blogs they really like---that's how I've found a lot of new blogs. I miss when people had simple blogrolls and things like that.

I'm glad you're doing this because I like your blog and if you tweet or link to another blog, I'd be more likely to check it out.
My recent post Baby Talk – Diapering Edition
1 reply · active 623 weeks ago
Thanks friend, I appreciate that. I'm actually quite excited to get my "simple blog roll" back up and updated!
My recent post Goal 2: CONQUERED (well, mostly)
Im' so with ya ;)
It's like you just wrote my thoughts from this week. I've taken a week or so and taken a step back a bit phased by all of the blogging chaos. And? I've kind of come to the same conclusions about sponsorships on my blog. Do what's best for you and your blog, friend!
My recent post Unsolicited Advice from Suze
krista armywifestyle's avatar

krista armywifestyle · 623 weeks ago

3 replies · active 623 weeks ago
You two always tweet each other's posts no matter what the post is, I've noticed. Is that a sponsorship thing or a friend promoting a friends blog post? Just curious.
Friends promoting friends. I really love Krista's blog. We go way back...to before our (K)Carinas were (K)Carinas ;)
My recent post Aurelia - 6 Months
That's nice! I don't have a bloggy friend that I started my journey with!
I only tweet/promote posts that I have read and like to read myself. I have seen the trend of stopping advertising on blogs, to each their own, but it's a nice income for me on maternity leave, so if people want to advertise with me - woohoo! I only ever do a sponsor post if it's a large, paid ad...but I usually don't like the "Sponsor Love" posts from other bloggers and skip over them myself.
I love posting my blog and I don't even get visitors, ha! Some people have the fortitude to deal with all the unpleasantness that comes from selling out (not that I think it's a negative, but I can't think of a better way to say it) but it's fun just to share your life and thoughts with the world without having them expect more of you. I think you've made a great decision and I hope it continues to be what makes you happy!
My recent post Throwback Thursday
I think it's a good move. I only share posts that I've read, really liked, and think others might find some value in reading, whether I share it on FB, Twitter or pin it. I am thinking of bringing the blogroll back to my blog because I've narrowed down my regular reads quite a bit since I first started and added every single blog I ever saw to my roll.
My recent post oh baby :: stinky feet
Diana @ NannyToMommy's avatar

Diana @ NannyToMommy · 623 weeks ago

I just sent in a request for a swap! I was actually dropping by to buy sponsorship. That's so awesome that you are doing this for us! :D
That's awesome of you!
My recent post The Happenings of Week Thirteen
I guess I go back and forth on this. When I think sponsorship on a blog I would only do it for friends, ya know. I think I paid here for you a few times (and even then I think this last time it was like three months for one -- or it felt like it) and once on Erin's (The View from 510) and for that was more to support my friends than anything else. I don't know it's probably not making much sense.

I'm thinking of stopping blog sponsorships as well, and only taking companies. As it is I've gotten very very picky on reviews. I'll review a product I really think is interesting or if a friend is setting up an etsy shop. but past that I'm out. Those things are a lot of work and if people only come to my blog for giveaways then that's not really what I am looking for.

Love ya girl and I love your blog and I always have! I'm sure whatever decision you make your geeky slice of the interwebz will only be better for it!
My recent post I'm Late
1 reply · active 622 weeks ago
I'm getting the same way with reviews/giveaways. I'm restricting them to sponsors unless it's something really exciting that I think people would like to learn about. They just take so much time and I'd rather write, if you know what I mean :)
My recent post I never thought I'd see the day

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