3 Tips for Sponsoring Blogs

So you have a blog or shop. You love it. You want to spread the word by advertising on other blogs (which I totally recommend because getting involved in the blogging community genuinely helped my business). While I’ve been advertising on fellow blogs for a while now, I have started paying closer attention to my views and traffic sources since quitting my day job. Gotta know where my money is going and if it’s worth it, you know what I mean? And sometimes, what I find, is not what I expect. So I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned about sponsoring blogs. (Disclaimer: these tips are my own opinions, they don’t have to be yours!)

1. Look beyond the followers count – While having a large following can be a big factor when choosing which blog to sponsor, I have learned to pay more attention to a blog’s unique visitors, or daily page views. Just because a blog has a high number of followers does not mean those readers are clicking on that site every day. So many readers (myself included) use Google Reader or the like to follow blogs, rather than going directly to the blog site. Those readers don’t see a blog’s ads. Knowing the amount of actual visitors a site gets per month will give you a better idea of how many people could see your ad.

2. Go big or go home – I know we are all on a budget and it’s really easy to go for the cheaper option these days, but if I’m paying for ad space, I want to be seen! ALthough large space is more expensive, it is usually placed above the smaller ads and comes with some kind of feature post. Think about how likely (or unlikely?) you are to click on an ad on a sidebar, and how likely you are to click on a shop link after seeing it within the content of the blog. And again, remember that ads don’t show up in readers, so unless you snag a feature post, guest post, etc, some people may not even get the chance to find you!

3. Take advantage – Bloggers who offer sponsorships are offering you a service, but it is really up to you to make it the best experience it can be. I try to take advantage of every opportunity the blog I’m sponsoring offers. And even if I’m not sure if something in included  in my sponsor package (ex: guest posts), I’ll ask. A lot of times sponsors want to help you in any way I can. Another important thing is the ad image. The blog you sponsor could be getting pageviews like crazy but if your ad is not eye-catching you will not get clicks (little tough love for ya friends). If you are unsure, ask for help. Most bloggers have a distinct style and know what their readers will be drawn to.

What do you think? Agree? Disagree? More tips to add?

Sponsoring blogs is a learning experience but once you find out what works for you, versus what doesn’t, it could greatly impact your business! Good luck!