I have been experimenting with sponsorships lately. I have sponsored quite a few people in the last few months or so. I just dove in because I really wanted to see what it was all about and really get a clear understanding of the ins and outs of this sponsorship business. I'm just going to cut to the chase here: I have been extremely disappointed with a few of the people I have sponsored in the past. I won't sit here and name names, but you can guarantee I will not be contacting them, or reading their content anymore.
So many sponsorships offer this thing called "social media love" buyers beware; you are not showered with shout outs, replies, or anything of that nature with most. So really, social media love comes in a tweet or post that says welcome_____________ to my sidebar this month, and that is all you will get for your entire existence. I say if you are going to go into this sponsor thing, don't go in blind.
I sponsored one of these people and was completely ignored. 2 emails, both ignored. One saying I would love to participate in the giveaway they were doing (part of the sponsorship), and another introducing myself. Both ignored. No social media shoutout; not even welcoming to the side bar. Hell, they weren't even following me on anything.
Now, I know not everyone is everyone's cup of tea....I know I'm not, and to be honest, I could care less if people don't like me. But really guys, why approve an ad if you, yourself see that you do not mesh with someone, and why make false claims to do things that you clearly had NO intention of ever doing? Can we say FALSE advertising? And please direct me on where I can go to get a refund.
I am sure I am not the only person that has been in this boat, but just in case I am, I will give you some tips or advice.
I urge you to watch the people you want to sponsor. Do they make good on their promises? Is there follow through?
If you want some advice on who you
should sponsor (most bang for your buck) I would go with a few select people.
What I really looked for in sponsoring was
content.
Could I relate to it?
Was the blog interesting?
Did it entertain me?
Do I want to get to know this person?
Could I be potentially see myself as friends with this person?
I mean, why bother wasting time and all those precious dollars on a lost cause.
I
played around with location. I first started looking for local bloggers
offering sponsorships. What better way to connect with someone when you
share the same city? Really, location is
NOT important. Seems I have been burned more in my own city than anywhere else. Go Houston!
After
the content, and playing around with location, I looked to see what
these sponsorships really offered. I really looked for the most bang for
my buck. I honestly think with
Jenn. I found the most bang for my buck and I highly recommend her (and no, I wasn't bribed, asked, nor did I have a gun held to my head to say this).
-I'm not turning my nose up at any of the people I have sponsored just because I didn't name drop you in here-
Yes, I too am playing around with the other side of sponsoring and putting myself out there for others because I don't think it is right to treat people like crap. I might yank it, I might not. I do know that
Kaitlyn has the same ideals that I do behind her sponsors. Spending time to get to know them, and not just letting them fall to the waste side.