Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Sponsors and Friends, Oh My!

Andy Denzler
Emily's here tomorrow with a guest post that puts all of my DIY attempts to shame, and when I started writing her intro last night I realized that, actually, what I was going to include about my sponsorship program needs its own post.  (The last thing I want to do is distract from Emily's inspiration!)  So here goes:

This is my last month of accepting sponsors on Betsy Transatlantically.  As you know, the decision to start offering sponsorships to other bloggers didn't come easily; I was well aware that blogs often change when they monetize and not always for the better.  But, as I said back in June, I was committed to offering "a program that stayed true to the kind of blogging I enjoy and that respected the kind of blogging that you expect to see on this blog."  (I feel really conceited quoting myself like that.  Sorry.)  And I think I have done that.  I'm really proud of the bloggers who have joined me here and, in equal measure, I'm so honored by how you've welcomed them.  It's made me all warm and funny to see people connecting here, which has been the best reward for trying something new.

I expected to have to make an effort to keep the spirit of this blog the same regardless of monetization - actually, that was pretty easy.  However, I didn't expect to have to consciously maintain my pre-sponsorship attitude towards blogging  When I started accepting sponsors, I started looking at other blogs and bloggers differently and, I'm ashamed to admit, often aggressively.  It had nothing to do with me and it had nothing to do with my sponsors, but all of a sudden I felt like I was competing against bloggers working towards entirely different metrics, and the negativity that this brought on made me really uncomfortable.  To be totally honest, that's what inspired my post on Defining Blogging Success - it was my way of reminding myself why I blog.

The other side of that coin, strangely, is that I had a hard time letting go of my sponsors.  Most of the bloggers who participated in the program were girls I already had relationships with, and I'd want to promote them no matter our financial arrangement.  The girls I didn't know before they emailed me - well, becoming friends with them felt so natural that I couldn't imagine not continuing to share their blogs and engage with them all over social media!  In the end, I was afraid that future sponsorships might suffer because I couldn't compartmentalize what I was doing with the monetization and what I was doing with my relationships online.

So I think it goes without saying - though I'll say it anyway - that it's been an absolute joy to welcome the dozen blogs to my sidebar that have visited over the past six months.  If any of you want to collaborate on anything in the future, please do email!  I love these relationships; I just think that keeping things organic will be more productive for everyone involved.

But just because I'm not offering official sponsorships myself doesn't mean I'm getting out of the game entirely!  I do plan to continue supporting my favorite blogs and so I'm delighted to be participating in Nicole's giveaway this month over on Treasure Tromp.  Go forth and enter, and good luck!

November Giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway




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14 comments:

  1. I totally respect your feelings on sponsors. I think what you have done has been totally natural and well done! I also totally respect your decision to stop of course!

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  2. Um, I'm entering the giveaway and didn't read the whole blog post comment on favorite holiday. I'm a sucker for holidays, but my favorite is totally unoriginal and is Christmas! I don't live by my family so Christmas is when I get to see them most often. I also love the traditions, the gift giving (one of my top love languages :)), the excitement, the meaning (for me as a Christian), and so much about it. :)

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  3. if I could give you a bonus entry for two comments, I would :)

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  4. It's a shame to hear you're no longer accepting sponsorships - I'd thought recently that I'd like to support your blog again - but I'm very glad I got to be a part of that first batch! I loved getting to know you and I love your blog, sponsorships or not!

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  5. I should probably have said first that I completely understand and respect your decision. Whoops!

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  6. I really liked hearing your reflections on sponsorship, Betsy and I appreciate how much thought you put into your decisions and how you're going to go about it. I also think it's pretty cool that you continually reflect and change as you need - so many people step into something and don't know how to step out or change directions (not just in blogging) but you are leaving a great example as to how to do it gracefully.

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  7. I am glad you are running your blog the way you want to, and if that includes no longer having sponsorships, so be it! Great giveaway - I think one of my favourite holiday traditions is getting the dining table ready for christmas lunch with my sister, always so many decorative decisions!

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  8. sweet giveaway and thanks for the intro to some great bloggers :) xoxo

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  9. Well, I'm glad you did it, since that's how we met! But your organic approach will be just as good, I'm sure :)

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  10. I find this post so refreshing. My blog is sponsor free and as of yet I have not sponsored a blog and I really like that that way it maintains as a hobby for me and not a chore or something I am feeling guilty for not properly maintaining. I will say though that I have really liked the way you presented your sponsors and are some of the few sponsor posts I have read.

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  11. I love that you stay true to your internal compass. It always makes your reading your blog such a delight. And your honesty.

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  12. I think being true to yourself, even in the blogging world, is the most important thing. I agree that your honesty is what makes you such a great writer! Keep up the good work :)

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  13. Oh no! Was it something I said?! (Kidding, kidding). I get where you're coming from girl. Keep it real and keep it you :) Thanks for having me for a short little while! I've thoroughly enjoyed my stay!!

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  14. I really admire this. What you have here is essentially why I have not started offering sponsorships on my blog. I think you're awesome! Keep doing what you feel like is best for you and your blog :)

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