I’m Kristen. Welcome to All In My Twenties, my place to pour my little heart out on the daily!! This is the world just as I see it. Why dont you kick up your feet and stay awhile?!
Hello there.
Hope you all are having a great week.
Lets skip right to the point today.
1. Following up on this post regarding Sponsorships - I've decided against having them on this blog. I received quite a bit of private feedback via email from many of you voicing your dislike for sponsored blogs and to be honest, I completely agreed with most of your opinions. They were right in line with mine so there will be none of that. Ever. Case closed. Fact of the matter is, it takes a lot of work to truly run a sponsor program that benefits both the blogger and the sponsors and I just don't have that kind of time or dedication. I have an 8-5 so the last thing I want is for this blog to feel like work.
2. Group Giveaways - I will never be interested in participating, via paying an entry fee to offer an expensive item, in a "Group Giveaway". Thank you to those of you who have offered the "opportunity" to me, but I just don't believe in paying for followers. Offering a large $ item which requires people to follow your blog as the entry = paying for followers in my book and I refuse to participate in it. I understand that bloggers who participate in these giveaways can gain almost 500 followers in a few days time, but that is NOT what I want for this blog. The little number next to my followers icon is of people who actually READ this blog, not people who came by and clicked a button for a giveaway entry and never returned. I value readership NOT numbers and I damn sure will never pay someone to read this blog. Ever. Again, this is just my take on Group Giveaways and I'm only addressing it because I have received multiple emails asking me to participate and I feel this is happening because bloggers are seeing follower counts skyrocket on other blogs and they believe this is the way to gain readers. IT'S NOT MY FRIENDS. I hate that this is what its come to. Concentrate on your content instead of your numbers and you will gain REAL readers which is what should matter.
For the record, I'm not dissing giveaways in general. I've hosting plenty. I'm dissing paying to participate in a giveaway. Anything I have ever given away on this blog was given to me TO giveaway. I have never and WILL NEVER purchase items as giveaways.
4. Link Ups - I can't say enough for good linkups. Want followers?! Get a badass linkup idea and the followers will come. Make a fun weekly post that bloggers WANT to participate in and the great results will come. This is a great way to build your readership and IT'S FREE!
As always, these are MY OPINIONS. I'm completely aware that a few of my favorite people fall in a couple of these categories and I still LOVE them the same. I just wish bloggers would get back to the basics!! Take it or leave it! I promise we can still be friends.
Ciao,
I completely agree that buying in for giveaways is just meh irks me and recently it's become the it thing to do....no thanks! Great post!
ReplyDeleteI agree about the giveaways. There are some blogs that I stopped following because it seemed like every other post was a giveaway. No thanks. And, Speaking of link-ups, are you going to start the inspire me: healthy link-up again? I really loved linking-up with that one! :)
ReplyDeleteBACK TO BASICS PREACH IT!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your opinions - you're honest and that's one of the main reasons I read! Plus I agree with you on 95% of things.
ReplyDeletegreat post!
ReplyDeletethe thing i hate the most is when i start reading a blog because it seems like it has real content and then within a few months there's more and more giveaways and sponsor posts until it turns out that that's all the blog is -- no content! what's the point, in that case, i feel like it's just boring at that point anyways!
For starters, you know I love you. I think what you have going here is a great thing and you have SUCH a loyal readership base. You are seriously one of my top referrers so thank you for that ;) I think it is admirable that you know that you don't want to spend the time and/or energy on accepting sponsors and even though you know that you could make an income from this--because you don't feel comfortable with it, you won't. With that being said though, I do have some differing opinions on a few of these ;) As far as the group giveaways that offer the readers a grand ole prize that bloggers are "paying into" to participate in--I view this as a form of paying for sponsorhip. Because I do accept sponsors on my page, I sponsor other blogs. If I can spend $50 to get my blog in front of 100,000 readers instead of paying $50 to be in front of 4,000 readers--you better believe I'm going to choose the first option. It just makes more sense to me. Do I want followers just to follow? No. But do lots of those "followers" become readers? Yes. That's my take on that one :) As far as generating an income from your blog...I of course am in favor of that just because I put a ton of time/work into my blog. I do believe that blogs are a great platform to share products/people that you believe in, and so I do. It's always a struggle to find that "perfect balance" between personal content vs sponsored posts, etc but that just comes with the territory I suppose. I know this is a novel so forgive me please. Keep doing what you are doing..it's working.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely one of the blogs that I genuinely believe offers a rewarding sponsor program and I know how much work you put into it which is WHY IT WORKS!!! Cheers to that!!
DeleteI see how you look at the group giveaways, I just don't think the majority of "new followers" received from those giveaways become REAL readers and I hate that bloggers feel they need to participate in these to gain large quanities of "followers". The numbers are NOT reflective of their true readership. Others may feel differently.
Your blog is clearly successful on its own and I love it. I just don't want bloggers to feel they have to pay for Group Giveaways to have a successful blog. You are a perfect example that this is not the case.
Erin your blog was one of the very first blogs I read and began to follow. I loved reading your thoughts and about your life. You were inspiring light and brought a genuine smile and laughter to my life. That being said I hardly ever even read your posts any more because the content has gone from you and your thoughts to sponsered posts, give aways and posts about how to turn your blog into a business. I am truly not trying to attack you and think you have a great gift but from one of your readers I wish you would go back to your roots just a little more.
DeleteI love it!!! If only more people would gravitate back to basics... because I am not liking these new blogging trends!
ReplyDeleteI love your honesty about this topic... and the only reason people disagree is because they know they are doing the exact things you are calling out. Honestly. I read blogs because I want to relate to the people, the experiences, and sometimes to know I'm not insane when other people do stupid stuff too :) I don't read to get gift cards or products or a plethora of outfits that I can't shell out $$$$ for.
ReplyDeleteFor instance, this new $1500 giveaway that many bloggers are doing right now... sure I entered BUT I only entered like 2 entries out of 66 or something crazy. Why? Because I only entered from the 2 blogs I already follow. Probably means I have no chance in hell to win but I'm not going to follow 30 other blogs just to do it. Ridiculous.
Anyway, keep on keepin on, girl. I LOVE your blog just the way it is :)
I like that you won't do sponsorships because you don't have the time for it ... super commendable. It doesn't seem like very good business, though, to alienate the group giveaways that a good portion of your readership might take part in. Admittedly, they can get old after everyone and their mother is having one in your reader, but who's to say those followers don't stick around? The giveaway may bring them there in the beginning, but content will bring them back. I'm not so sure that participating in those and having decent content are mutually exclusive. Obviously, if it's a pure giveaway blog, buy-in or not, no one wants to read it. PERIOD. Too many bloggers have fallen off of content wagon in the quest for the almighty sponsorship dollar, and that almost bugs me more than a thousand group giveaways ever could. At the end of the day, I think everyone values numbers to some extent ... even you. If you didn't, you wouldn't be a part of BlogHer.
ReplyDeleteJust my two cents added to your two cents :)
I don't feel NOT participating in group giveaways is taking anything away from my readers. They can easily enter from another blog, many shown in my left sidebar. I just don't feel the need to personally pay to be a part of them.
DeleteI definitely value readers. I never said differently.I just prefer them to be readers who come here and choose to follow. Not followers who are simply following to meet the criteria to win something.
Preach it sista! I love you because you are always upfront and honest. I love sponsoring on other "bigger" blogs because it has given me a lot of exposure. I think you are an amazing blogger and I love that you stick to your beliefs and don't sell-out when you OBVIOUSLY could make tons of money off sponsorship if you so choose!! :)
ReplyDeleteAs a new blogger its easy to get wrapped up in the trends of the blog world. I can honestly say that before I enter a giveaway where you are asked 'follow my blog' i go check out that blog and if it doesn't mesh with me, I don't follow them just to win something.
ReplyDeleteI also received an email last week from a blogger seeking sponsorship and quoted how her followers had tripled in the last month...well that could be because they've been involved with numerous giveaways and hardly ever post about 'life'. I was a little discouraged about receiving that email as well, makes me even less interested in their blog since it seems about money & numbers not genuine posts.
I'm the same way... if following a certain blog is an option for the giveaway, and I don't want to follow, I don't. My reader is already out of control!
DeleteI feel the same way. If I don't like the blog or don't think I'd be interested in reading, I just don't follow. I've actually gone back and unfollowed blogs because all of the content is about sponsors and giveaways. I love a good giveaway, but that's not why I read, ya know? To each his own.
DeleteOh girl. I feel like there's about to be alot of backlash on this post ;) But hey you're speaking your mind regardless of how people are going to react and that's what I love about you. Sponsorships? I keep mine low priced and easy for me. I've gotten good feedback so I feel like people are getting what they pay for. I also don't do sponsor posts or giveaways but that's just a personal preference. I make maybe $100 a month and it usually goes back to sponsoring other blogs. As far as giveaways.. most of mine have been things I've paid for with my own money but it's me and me alone. I like to think of it as my way of saying thank you to people for following and reading everyday. Last but not least, you know I appreciate you linking up on Mondays :)
ReplyDeleteI genuinely am NOT trying to come across as THE RULE MAKER OF BLOGLAND. I'm just voicing my opinions on these matters.
DeleteI never said I think giveaways or sponsoring was bad. I actually said there are sponsor porgrams that are beneficial. I just dont think mine would be.
As for the Group Giveaways if people want to participate thats their choice. I just don't feel the need to.
And I never would've posted this if I hadnt received multiple request for Group Giveaways in the last week. Its a trend I don't believe in. Its just MY OPINION! Everyone is entitled to their own.
I'm not sure I understand the backlash from a post. Like you said, it is just YOUR opinion for YOUR blog. Not a rulebook for all bloggers. I thought it was okay for people to have different opinions? And there are respectful ways to disagree, right?
DeleteI was actually just being sarcastic and clearly there are more people agreeing with Kristen then disagreeing with her. I was responding with my two cents on what has worked for me personally. Kristen was one of the first blogs I ever followed because I enjoyed her content, her sass, and the fact that she blogs about things that not everyone is willing to. She has been so supportive of me by putting my on her Daily Reads and linking up to my link-up occasionally and I appreciate that! I like that she talks about things that will stir up some thought! I never suggested she made the rules and I certainly don't feel my comment was rude or disrespectful in any way.
DeleteOh no. I don't think you were being rude or disrespectful at all. Just the first line of my response was about your response, Sami. Not the entire post. What followed in mine, was to Kristen about those that may come back with backlash. I wasn't clear. Of course, different things work with different people. It's what makes the world go round, right? :)
DeleteI didnt think you were being rude at all! haha! You know I adore you and your blog!
DeleteIm okay with people getting a little huffy about this post. The way I see it, if they're offended they probably feel there is truth to what I'm saying.
The whole point was to let other bloggers kow that its okay to just blog for fun. There's no need to feel pressured to spend your money on giveaways. You can have a great blog by JUST BLOGGING!!!
I didnt even host a single giveaway until I hit 1000 followers.
I love this post!!! I can not stand how some of my favorite blogs, have now turned into review/giveaway blogs! Also, I know you have BlogHer but it seems that you can't go on some blogs without 1000 ads popping up! Thanks for keepin it real girlfriend :)!
ReplyDeleteI had a similar convo to my hubby. It seems like nowadays that giveaways are for big ticketed items, instead of just something small from each person. I've been part of a group giveaway, but it has just been for like a nail polish. I'm paying off debt, so I don't have $50+ to give away, but I will surely enter them! I've seen blogs get like 500 followers in like ONE day. As much as I want that many followers, I personally don't think it is worth it. It seems no matter how much my followers increase, the comments stay the same... so if I was to get 500 followers.. the likelihood of them staying would be slim (maybe some would, but the majority are there for the giveaway).
ReplyDeleteI have been confused where I stand on giveaways and have been leaning more to what you believe.. i want people to follow me because they like what I'm writing not because they want something! I have no problem entering giveaways but I only have entries for the blogs i already follow or i will visit their site and follow them after i decide i like them ;)
ReplyDeleteThis makes me feel SO much better. I am new to this blogging game and I have been racking my brain about the group giveaways and buying sponsorships. At first, I was afraid I was being cheap by not participating in them, but maybe it isn't that. Maybe it is me subconsciously not wanting to pay for people to follow my blog? If someone wants to read my drunk shenanigans, please do. I would feel awful knowing I paid someone to read about that... Thank you for this little boost, it was needed!
ReplyDeleteI don't always agree with you but I do today! I don't mind a few sponsored posts every now and then, but I hate seeing it every.single.day. Some bloggers CLAIM to "just love" every single guest poster on their blog. I'm like please, you don't love this chick.
ReplyDeleteAll I have to say is thank you so very much. I have never and will never understand or participate in sponsorships. I completely agree with this post. If I enter a giveaway, I only enter for the blog I am already following. I follow blogs because I enjoy their posts, not for their bubble necklaces. And anytime I see a "sponsor feature" post or giveaway, I tend to skip over it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that sponsoring blogs is a personal choice. some people don't have the time. Some people do and it brings great exposure to other blogs. I commend you for not offering it if you feel you don't have the time. but I enjoy sponsoring blogs and finding new blogs through others sponsoring blogs.
ReplyDeleteAnd with giveaways- i think that some are overkill but I like them. I offer them to my sponsors and I like bringing attention to their blogs. when I enter giveaways I don't follow every single blog on the giveaway. but it gives me a chance to see some other blogs that I might not have heard of before. there is definitely a benefit in that. I think you make some great points but each blog is personal and I think there are no right or wrong answers. Every blogger is different and should handle their blog the way they see fit. even if that includes sponsorships and giveaways.
I completely agree with everything you said! Its a personal choice and no one is WRONG from having an opposing view! Good for you lady!
DeleteThis is spot on with how I feel! I don't want to have to pay for anyone to follow my blog or be my friend. I don't care if I only have 50 followers or 1500 followers. My purpose for blogging is to share myself with others and to have someone else to relate to. I have found some of my best friends through blogging! KEEP BLOGGING OLD SCHOOL! HA! I will be honest, I bought a sponsorship from a WELL KNOWN blogger once. MAJOR FAIL! I didn't get not one ounce of anything for it. Not even, a shout out. I was expecting a "Hey check out this blog" atleast. I didn't get it. Lesson learned. I'll stick to the basics for now on. Keep doing what you're doing because it's you and it works!
ReplyDeleteAnnabelle- I did once too. I got some followers from the giveaway, but the actual blogger didn't follow my blog or twitter, which is fine, but not once commented on anything, which leads me to believe they never even checked it out. First and probably last time I'll sponsor.
DeleteI did my first group giveaway 2 weeks ago and it irks me that I "paid" for followers. I did it because I was asked by a friend and because the item being given away had a meaning/connection to me. I'd never have done it randomly (for something like a paypal giftcard...I saw one of those last week). Anyway, I probably won't do another, so I totally see your point.
ReplyDeleteI also don't want to do sponsorships because that makes it a business and I don't want it to be a business. Everything I give away is right out of my pocket and it's for my readers...not just followers.
Also, nothing irks (again) me more than "Let me introduce you to...!" and page after page of sponsorship posts.Does anyone really want to read that??
Terrific post!
Kristin
So I totally agree with the giveaway thing. I participate in some giveaways and will continue to participate in some, because I do feel that it's a way to find other blogs. BUT there are so many blogs, a lot with a ton more followers than me who get maybe 2-3 comments a post because all they do are giveaways. I'm just a little blog but I feel like if everytime I click on your blog you have a giveaway, then what are you actually blogging about? I commend you for the fact that you have readers, because really that's all I strive for too. And I agree on the linkups too, it's a great way to get out there. I just get so frustrated when there are 7 linkups for the SAME idea. I just wish more bloggers were original. But that's just my two cents.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! So many of my favorite blogs have lost their appeal because of all you listed above. I agree about blogging getting back to the basics. I'm so tired of reading about giveaways, sponsors, etc., All those sponsor posts drive me crazy, it would be nice to see other blogs being featured because the person actually likes the blog not because they are being paid to talk about them. I love blogs with real content, that's the beauty of blogging getting to read about others lives, talents, opinions, relationships, work, etc., it's highly enlightening.
ReplyDeletea-freakin-men sista!
ReplyDeleteit really irks me when i get excited to see that one of my favorite blogs has posted new material and when i click through i end up finding a sponsored post or a group giveaway. in fact, one blog which i looked forward to reading everyday has started writing a little somethin' somethin' to lure you in and then about 1/3 through her material she introduces she sponsor of the day. kills me.
to each their own though!
thanks for being real!
I did a give away once and felt kind dirty after it. I don't want to bribe people to read my blog. Actually, I felt so weird and kind of embarrassed after doing it that I didn't blog for a while. I might be trying to start up a small jewelry business, at which point I will probably do a giveaway of my own product to promote that, but just for followers who don't read or comment?? No thanks.
ReplyDeleteI feel like people are getting so pissy! This is your blog and you have the right to your opinion. People be crazy.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about the giveaways etc that make people have 500 new followers in a week. Those are not real readers. While my blog is small, i have not had one single giveaway (not that i wont in the future) and even though it is small I know that each and every reader I have joined because they liked what i had to say and not because they are getting something out of it. That makes my heart happy.
Keep up the work sister friend because your blog is fab and anyone who gets their panties all bunched can get the hell over it!
I do a lot of my blog reading on company time, who's with me? Anyways, whenever someone has a giveaway using Rafflecopter embedded in their blog post it blocks the website on my work comp. Some would say I shouldn't be reading at work, whatever. But I tend to stay away from blogs that continually have giveaways. I read for the stories not for giveaways.
ReplyDeleteAmen sister! It makes me sad when blogs that I used to love all of a sudden won't shut up about sponsorship opportunities. Like that's all their blog is about now. What happened to just blogging for the hell of it? Not to make money.
ReplyDeleteIf there is a giveaway going on on a blog I already follow I will enter but I will NOT follow other bloggers that are involved in the giveaway just to get a few extra entries- I only follow blogs that I know I will actually want to read on a daily basis. Love this post :)
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting. I feel as someone with not a ton of readers, I have to be sponsoring blogs, so I am speaking from the other side of the fence on this one, the bloggers that SPONSOR bigger blogs. Well let me tell you, I have had some REALLY bad experiences with sponsoring blogs. I'm sorry, but if I just paid you a good amt. of money to have my button on your blog, how about sending an e-mail thanking me for my sponsorship this month? I've literally sponsored blogs where you pay through paypal and you NEVER hear from the blogger. To me, that is terrible business. I totally appreciate your opinion saying you don't have time and you don't believe in it. I love your blog and I love your content and I feel like some of those holier-than-thou bloggers' content sucks and they think their blog is amazing just because they have 23094823094 followers. I think you should only accept sponsors if you are willing to put in the time and genuinely care about people sponsoring your blog. People definitely accept sponsors for the wrong reasons.
ReplyDeleteAaaand THIS is why we're friends...honesty at it's finest. That's what I've always loved about you. No need to voice my thoughts...you know my opinion on ALL of the above. ;)
ReplyDeleteHahah! I love you and you emails!
DeleteI was just thinking about this the other night after I saw a blog that offers "blogging advice" for $30 because she went from 100 followers to 1000 in three months. And it was CLEARLY because she paid ridiculous amounts of money to be in giveaways that got her around 200 followers each one.
ReplyDeleteI'm not against giveaways as a whole, but when someone is JUST doing one so that they can gain followers I don't like it. I am currently in two and it's with two bloggers that I love and I just wanted to give a little something away (LITTLE being the key word). If I gain followers from it, great. If not, who cares. I want people to follow my blog because they want to, not because they want to win a watch.
I do know that through the giveaways I have gained some readers who reached out and were so glad to have found my blog, so there are ones that find you through them and stay. And honestly, that's how it should be! If you want to enter a giveaway, enter it by only following the blogs that you ACTUALLY like.
PREACH IT. I like you because of things like this. No bullshit.
ReplyDelete-- dysfunctionaleverafter.com
Thank you! I have been noticing this trend too and it just made me feel disconnected to the bloggers I follow. I went from feeling they were blogging because they love to blog, to blogging just for the money. Now, I don't have a problem with it, I just don't want to waste my time reading, commenting and sharing the blog with my friends, if what they write is not because they want to write it, but because they want that paycheck. Luckily, that feeling has only been with one blogger, I just hope everyone stays true to why they wanted to blog in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI write a beauty blog, my friends support me and I share it with others, but I have that problem with "whoring" myself out because the people that follow me, I want to be true followers who want to read my blog. I want someone to check out my blog, if they look who I am or were recommended. I have the problem of sharing it in too many places, so no one needs to subscribe since I share it often. so no one subscribe's (working on that), but I agree with you.
Proudproductjunkie.blogspot.com
I love that all the things mentioned work for other people, but I'm COMPLETELY with you 100%. I blog because I make great connections, write down my memories, and I think it's fun. I never want to force it by turning it into a business!
ReplyDeleteAnd can I just say... your honesty is seriously one of my favorite things about you. :)
Wow! You said it great! I am still a new blogger, and am amazed at what some girls will do to get numbers up. I don't want a fabulous number count - I want true followers, friends, people who care about me and my space in blog world! Great post!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more!! I actually have even stronger feelings about this whole topic than what you've delved into and I can only imagine all of the hate mail I'd get if I voiced those feelings. Haha!!
ReplyDeleteI honestly didnt expect the response to this one. I stated this was MY opinion. Its not like I targeted anyone or demanded that these giveaways END IMMEDIATELY yet tweets and posts are going up to defend these actions! I NEVER expected nor wanted that!
Deletehaha Kate I have a feeling you and I would have similar feelings :)
DeleteTotally agree! Love this post & you! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteAMEN SISTER!!!
ReplyDeleteLove all your Blog advice you have shared and I tried my first link up the other day! Me likey!
ReplyDeleteKristen,
ReplyDeleteI have been a follower of your blog for a while and I have yet to comment but I guess today is a good day to start.
I am always trying in my life and in my blog to be the most honest version of myself and I think it is great that you are throwing out there your true opinions. It is no one's job to say what the best way to blog is. It is for yourself - for YOUR blog. I am all for sponsoring other blogs that I support and think show truly who they are on a daily basis. I started blogging for me, and me only - to show off how I decorate and diy my home. I think that an opinion is purely that - your own thoughts and in the blog community those thoughts just happen to be public fodder.
It is so interesting that everyone's feelings are all over the map - it just gives more depth to this community and shows that no two opinions are the same!
Sorry for the ramble. It was so nice to read your true opinion/advice, as everyone's is different!
I agree 110%. I have so many thoughts on it (but also feared repercussions..haha).. but my biggest one is this:
ReplyDeleteIt seems like bloggers who accept sponsors should owe a duty to be more discretionary in WHO they accept. Maybe they do, I'm not sure. But it always disheartens me when I see sponsor posts, or group giveaway posts, and I stop by the blog (which I honestly rarely do because I hate sponsor posts and not every person who sponsors you is OMG your most FAVVOORRITEE girl! so stop being a huge phoney) and arrive at the conclusion (MY conclusion!) that this sponsor will never see the kind of return that the blogger is promising. Doesn't matter if the blogger has 5,000 followers, that sponsor's content, photos, layout, post frequency does NOT lend itself to growing their blog.
I also think people who sponsor blogs, and accept sponsors could stand to ask themselves what it is they hope to gain long term from doing this. It doesn't seem like a whole lot of them do. It also appears as though everybody expects their blog to turn into a cash cow, which is hilarious.
I totally agree about the money! Ahh, it drives me crazy when you can tell a blogger has started to get money hungry. :/
ReplyDelete...and you put my thoughts into words. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBlogging is FUN for me. Once it becomes about money, it will start to feel like work.
Xo Lourdes
i literally just tweeted you that i loved this....but i do. i love that you are honest with your thoughts and opinions, and not afraid to share it. go girl! i get so turned off of blogging lately cause i feel like it is all about sponsorships, giveaways...blah blah. that is not why i started blogging. to each their own, but for me, having it be a business would suck the life right out of it me. i didn't start blogging to get 1000000 plus followers. i never though i would even have 2 followers. i started blogging because I enjoy it and picked up a few followers along the way....plain and simple and i have met some kick -ass women :-)
ReplyDeleteOkay, I love your blog, but have never commented...not sure why! ;) And guess what???...another blogger just told me yesterday that she thought we could be sisters...of course I am the older one! I was flattered LOL!
ReplyDeleteSo, here's my thoughts. First, your honesty is bad ass. This was a touchy subject and you went with your gut and your opinion. That's why blogging is so freaking awesome. We can say what we want and write what we feel.
I offer sponsorships and feel that I give my advertisers great exposure. I TRULY am appreciative of all of them. In fact, some have become dear friends. I help them and they help me grow. I spend an ass load of time on my posts, pictures, content, commenting back and making lasting relationships with my readers. So, for me it's nice to make a little side money...BUT that is NOT why I blog. I blog because of the post i wrote today and the feedback I received. It's a supportive community, for the most part. I like to support other women and feel that by offering sponsorships lets them receive added support to their blog.
Paid giveaways. This one is a tough one. I was part of the BIG one Erin did. I gained a crap load of followers. Since last week, my pageviews have increased CRAZY amounts. I may not have gotten MORE comments, but I have gotten tons of additional pageviews to my posts. Since I started my styling business, I feel like spending a little money to get my name out there will benefit me in the long run. There are MILLIONs of blogs out there, so I see it as advertising my business...just like any other company would do with their advertising budgets. Will everyone who follows me from a paid giveaway end up sticking around and reading...HELL no, but could I possibly keep half of them coming back? I hope so with the content I provide on my blog. I do hate that giveaways are popping up right and left. But here is the deal, the bloggers that are REAL, write REAL content and things people can relate to will benefit from participating in these giveaways. The girls who participate and ONLY offer giveaways...well, they will eventually fail.
At the end of the day, as a blogger, you just have to keep it real and be someone people can relate to. But, I will say, it doesn't hurt in the slightest to spend a little money to promote yourself.
I think of it as a car dealership. They spend money on an ad, tons of people come in to check out their sale. Many will walk away without buying a car, but several will purchase.
Okay, longest comment ever, but I had so much to say. Again, I commend you for sticking with what you believe and what is right for you and your blog. You are def doing something right. Keep it up!
I never looked at it from a business stand point which is why I think my views differ. This blog isnt about revenue so I didnt think of it as "advertising". With that said, I completely understand from that POV. I'm in Marketing! I get it! I just never looked at it that way.
DeleteMy point of this post wasnt to bash. It was to let others know that they dont have to spend money to gain readership. Especially if their purpose for blogging is recreational and they never plan to make it their business.
PS I LOVE your blog! Newest follower!! :)
When you said that there are blogs that you use to love to read and they have turned into more revenue than anything else one particular blog came to mind. It's annoying!! I use to read her blog everyday. Other than me going there for a really flipping good giveaway that is going on I haven't read her blog in months because I can't stand what her blog has become.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE me some link ups. I have yet to come up with one that I host (Im not very creative) but when I do I will be quite proud hahah
LOVE this post! Agree agree agree.
I wasnt referring to any single blog! I was speaking in general.
DeleteAnd THIS is why i follow your blog, kristen. You're real. i hate giveaway posts and rarely will stay on a page if someone's having a giveaway. i've thought about having one in the past but yeah i don't wanna buy my readers with a cute scarf..i want them coming back to read my content, not get free stuff.
ReplyDeletethis is a great post..and well put without sounding mean.
totally agree, kristen!
ReplyDeleteYou have an excellent opinion!
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with everything you just said. Seriously. I've completely stopped reading some blogs because their all about sponsors and giveaways. I enjoy your honesty, it's definitely refreshing!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this post! I absolutely agree! Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, of course, and I'm not judging anyone for the way they choose to do things, but I think the group giveaways can become a bit much! On certain blogs I know of, there are SO many giveaways that it just becomes all the blog is!
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever participated in a group giveaway, and i honestly have no desire to, because even if some of the readers would stick around, I would know that many of them just "follow" for a giveaway and don't really care about my blog. I feel like it's a way to "inflate" your stats! Thanks for speaking your mind & telling it like it is, girl!
I don't do sponsors. NEvEr have and NeVer will. Participate in giveaways, eh if I feel like competing against the whole 200+ people who enter. Meh... I agree with you! I did it the hard way, just gain people over time. :) Well said girl!
ReplyDeleteI tried having sponsors for a month and then I've decided that I'm not going to. I may re-evaluate in the future, but for now I think I want to keep my blog ad free. As for giveaways, I've held a few on my blog giving away things related to my blog and I've paid for those items but I don't make following me a mandatory requirement to enter. You can follow me for additional entries, but I don't make it mandatory. That being said, I have participated in group giveaways that are different, but I'm still relatively new to the blogging world and learning through trial and error. I appreciate this post for giving me more to think about. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I admit, it takes balls to have these opinions being "as big a blogger as you are." I think it is awesome that you have the # of followers that you do, and you know they are "organic". Lots of people make bank blogging, but I have watched blogs that I used to love to read turn to crap because the MAIN focus is how to be a good blogger/how to make money blogging/how to get more followers/meet this sponsor/follow me and I'll give you this. No thanks on all that. Who cares about followers if they don't actually read, and never comment? And to me, obligatory following rarely turns to true readership, because I end up just deleting people from my blog roll if I don't like what they post. (Just like people have unfollowed my blog after sticking around for awhile and deciding they aren't really into my writing style.) Kudos to you for stickin' to your guns. And I have always admired that you stand up for what you believe in on your blog, even if it pisses people off. I also think that all the sponsorship/giveaway/etc stuff is a fraud. Do they all genuinely enjoy reading the people who sponsor them? I don't see how they possibly could. But, if you promised to do a post about your sponsors, you have to say some nice stuff about em in the hopes of sending readers their way. Not that a blogger may not "like" their sponsor, but they can't genuinely LOVE reading every blog that sponsors theirs, you know? As a result, the blogger whose constantly writing about their sponsors starts to seem less genuine, and people lose interest. Some bloggers even admit that they blog for the money. Just turns me off to them altogether. Anyway, I read all kinds of blogs, some make scrilla, some don't. I read yours because it's always honest. :)
ReplyDeleteI found your page from @Livinginyellow and have to agree with much of what you said. I had a blog a few months ago (it's on hiatus) and followed many people as part of giveaways, but never went back to their blogs to read. I finally cleared many of them and stick to reading a select few that are of interest to me.
ReplyDeletethis is such a refreshing post! I JUST started blogging because I love to write....I began following some blogs to get ideas and just see what other bloggers are doing and was discouraged to find soooo many of them seem to have giveaways and group posts like every other day. I was starting to think that was the way all blogs ran! I think whatever way someone wants to run their blog is great, but I am glad to see you have a sucessful one without doing those things.
ReplyDeleteI think these are 4 great opinions. I don't mind "sponsors" in the form of swaps but I agree about giveaways. Of course everyone wants to win, so we all enter and follow and never read. I try to only do the entries of blogs that I would have an interest in. I may not read daily, but I will read them.
ReplyDeleteSo I left a big long comment and now I don't see it, so I don't know if it didn't save or if I am posting twice or what, but whatevs. I think you bring up tons of good points and I do agree that there is definitely a line that can be crossed of too much sponsoring. But I see it as a necessary evil. Just like all TV shows have to have commercials even though we would obviously rather they didn't. I spend so much time on my blog that I feel like I HAVE to accept sponsors to make it worth the obscene amounts of time that I spend on my blog. If I were just blogging for my family and friends then obviously I wouldn't care, but because I am seeking an audience and do want exposure, I don't know of any other way to go than sponsoring. And I certainly don't have the patience to wait years and years for it to grow. I read on your original post that you are averaging 100,000 pageviews a month. How in the world are you doing this without any paid sponsorships? I am absolutely fascinated and in awe of you. I don't know how to get any kind of product out without advertising, marketing, exposure, etc, which is essentially what sponsorship is. You have definitely give me some things to think about. All I know is that your blog has great content and a loyal following, I say you deserve to be making a pretty penny off of it. It's hard work! I have read your posts for months, but this is my first time commenting. Feel free to hit me back at thelifeofbon.com but I understand how busy we all are. Thanks for the thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with what you've said. These practices just aren't for me. There are a lot of blogs I used to enjoy and now cannot read because it's all "blogging about blogging" - how to get more hits, sponsor features, giveaways, etc. and no real content. It's disappointing, but I suppose it frees up my time to seek out other things to read.
ReplyDeleteIs there a market for this kind of "blogging to blog/blogging about blogging" approach? There must be - I'm just not part of the customer base!
On my blog I do not have sponsors although I do participate in affiliate programs with companies I support. And honestly I've considered ditching that, too. Because ultimately I'm not writing to become internet famous or make money, I'm writing for the love of writing and sharing real content - regardless of how many people choose to read and engage.
There's nothing wrong with treating a blog as a business if that's what you want to do, or selling ads, or buying ads (I occasionally sponsor a blog that I personally read and support on a regular basis), but stepping onto the sponsor/giveaway/blog-as-business/blogging-about-blogging treadmill is not for me.
Are you claiming to have NEVER accepted sponsors? Or, you just don't now that you have a sufficient following?
ReplyDeleteI've never had sponsors.
DeleteHey girl! I came across your post from another blogger. I think you make some excellent points. I offer sponsorship, and have struggled with the how much is too much, how many is too many. I do feel like there is a good balance and some bloggers do it extremely well, and others maybe don't do it as well. However I am just of the mindset of to each their own. I don't see anything wrong with offering sponsors and working your blog the way you want to. I don't mind seeing affiliate links or sponsored posts or giveaways, whether they paid into it or not. I am happy to support a blogger in their endeavor to make some extra cash, because a lot of us could use it. I just don't see the harm? What i love about blogging is that it is a supportive community. If that affiliate link, or that sponsored post is helping a mom stay at home with her child, then that is awesome. Or a student pay off debt, great..or enable a woman to get out of the job she hates and venture into a photography business or wedding planning company (i have seen a lot of bloggers become successful with these things BECAUSE they grew their blogs and got out there) then i think that is so amazing and I want to be a part of supporting that, ya know? Yes there is a balance and bloggers who do offer sponsorship should try and run a program that gives their sponsors what they are paying for...but I just don't see anything wrong with getting yourself out there and getting paid for something you put time and effort into. That is just my opinion though!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with everything you have said here. This is just my opinion on the topics and I am addressing them as they reflect to MY blog.
DeleteEveryone has the right to do whatever they please with their blog and in return readers can either like or dislike it. Personally I'm not a fan of a ton of sponsored posts, so I choose to steer clear of those blogs. With that said, nowhere in this post did I say anything BAD about sponsorships. I just said they are hard to run and I don't have the time for it so they will not be part of my blog.
As for the group giveaways, I genuninely believe the large group giveaways result in inflated follower counts and can be deceiving to potential sponsors. Seeing that someone has 2,000 followers leads you to believe they have 2,000 readers therefore advertising on their blog is much more appealing. I seriously doubt the pageviews reflect the follower counts. I say this because I have seen bloggers with double my follower count and less monthly pageviews. This is why I don't believe in paying to be apart of giveaways that result in hundreds of follower due to the entry requirements.
I addressed in this post: http://allinmytwenties.blogspot.com/2013/02/clarifications-on-yesterdays-post.html that I completely understand from a business point of view WHY someone would pay into these giveaways and sponsorships. It just isn't something I personally would do and that is 100% because this isn't a business for me.
At the end of the day I choose to stand behind what I believe in regardless if its "taboo" or makes me "unsupportive" because other bigger bloggers have different views on the topic. My reasoning for posting this was to voice to other bloggers that you DON'T HAVE TO SPEND YOUR MONEY just to gain readership and I stand behind that 100%! My intentions were NEVER to slam other bloggers for offering sponsorships. I just will not offer them myself.
It's okay to have different opinions and it's okay to voice them on your blog. I believe wholeheartedly that as long as you are tasteful and you arent targeting individuals that it's okay to write a controversial post sharing your feelings. And it gives other's ammunition to post back an oppposing view! Loved your post!!
I started blogging three years ago. Link ups, sponsorships and group giveaways didn't exist. I start to notice that people blogging for 4 months have over 1k followers and I finally figured out a lot of it was because of those giveaways. I started to notice that some of those blogs with thousands of followers were getting less comments on posts then me and my 200 and it's because they have giveaway followers. I too want real followers. I don't view this blog as a business or a money maker so I'm not big on doing a lot of that stuff. I did one group giveaway but it was 4 others 2 of which were my favs which to me seems more reasonable then 60. I have 2 buttons on my blog and those are swaps. Yes, I want people to read my blog but my focus will not be generating traffic. Thanks for writing this. There will be backlash because there often is when you state your opinion like this so I think it's awesome that you did it.
ReplyDeleteThis post is GREAT!! I agree with everything you said. I was just telling a friend of mine a little while ago when we were talking about some "really big" bloggers and how they got to be that way and I told her it's because they all bought their followers. Through buying entries in giveaways or paying for huge large sponsorships on other blogs, all those followers are paid for. Some stick around though. But some are just there and the number makes them look good so people think they have to now worship them because of a number. so frustrating... I love that you said this and pointed it all out out! Not many would ever do that. Love it! And truly admire you and your writing :)
ReplyDeleteand for the record, I have paid for entries once because it was for a giveaway celebration. I was trying to be supportive and didn't realize it would be all crazy and get a lot of numbers. So yes, it is true that that happens. But $20 says they will all leave once the giveaway is over. And I hate when that happens... especially when I was just trying to be supportive of another person.
and that ends my novel :)
You are probably over this already but I just stumbled upon your blog and have been reading your post, your follow up post, and all the comments.
ReplyDeleteMy blog is a little over two months old and I've done three giveaways. The first one was a review/giveaway where I partnered with another small blogger trying to grow her jewelry business. I loved it! I loved her jewelry, I loved helping to promote her small business, and it generated traffic for both of us. I also loved contacting the winner!
The other two were co-sponsored giveaways. At first it was cool because it basically dumps a bunch of followers and likes into your basket. But then I soon realized that did NOT mean READERS. And then I felt Iike I was buying my followers. That does not feel good. It feels like cheating.
Thank you for confirming that this does not have to be the way to get traffic. Going forward I think I will only host my own giveaways that promote small business and for good reasons, like saying thank you.
I'm now following you because at the very least I want to come back and reread this when I start getting antsy about numbers!
[weight lifting off shoulders]
Shauna
www.MommaCandy.com
I SOOOOOOOOOO agree with you!! I have had a blog for about 2 months now and girrrrrll.. I don't even know how to get sponsers or make money.. but I really like the blogs that are just pure... just following a person's ups and downs.. I won't do sponsers just because I honestly don't know how!!! But I live for the comments and finding people out there who can connect with some of the things I go through.. I am so glad I found you blog..
ReplyDeleteI'm really new to this whole Blogger world [although I blogged for myself for a long time before] and what you've said recently is a lot of what I've been thinking to myself recently. Except you said it a lot more eloquently!
ReplyDeletenicolakirsty.blogspot.co.uk
I agree with all of this. I have sponsor spots on my blog (most are swaps with my favorite bloggers) but my biggest pet peeve is link-ups and group giveaways. I actually had to write a post a few weeks ago on group giveaways that are full of Target gift cards and Paypal cash because to me, it looks really smarmy and inauthentic, and as you said, like these people are literally buying followers. Call me old fashioned, but I think the best way to gain followers is by posting interesting content :)
ReplyDelete