Lot 48: Starting Sponsorships

I am thrilled to have my week of guest posts start off with this topic - Sponsorships.  Lauren is here to give you some advice on this tricky subject.  These are great things to keep in mind, whether you are new to sponsorships or have been offering them for awhile.

Stay tuned next week for an announcement regarding my Sponsorship Program - I think you'll like it!

hello all the joys readers!! i am so happy that megan has allowed me to take over the blog today!! i'm so excited!  i'm lauren and i blog over at lot 48.  i blog about life, films, entertainment, really whatever pops into my head as i am drifting off to sleep at night.  what you won't find on my blog are recipes, fashion posts, beauty posts, or diy posts.  i so not crafty, clueless about makeup and fashion and don't like to cook!

today i wanted to talk about what i wish someone had told me when i opened my blog to sponsorships.  as i have had my sponsorships open for a while now, i think i have found some good and bad things about the process and tips to know before you open your blog to that.

be dedicated to spending A LOT of time blogging. when someone spends their good hard earned money to sponsor my blog and i promise then a sponsor highlight, giveaway, guest post, social media love, whatever, i want to deliver.  i don't want to waste anyone's money.  so when i get a new sponsor, i put them in a separate list in my bloglovin account.  i check that list first each morning and then schedule out tweets about their posts every day.  this is a very important part.  i promise my sponsors plenty of social media love, so i want to be sure that i am tweeting, pinning, facebooking every awesome post they have.  it takes a lot of time because you want to be sure to write frequently, schedule your own social media, and then spend time reading all your sponsors posts and schedule social media for their posts.  it takes a lot of time.


be organized.  it's really easy to let sponsorships slip through the cracks.  each sponsorship gets a different perk.  that could be a guest post, highlight post, etc.  i organize everything in my calendar so i know that this sponsor gave me her responses to the sponsor highlight and what day it will run, etc.  and to make absolute sure i don't forget, i go ahead and try to create their photo immediately and put their answers in a blog post and schedule it for that day.  when i see on my dashboard that it is scheduled, i know that i need to write an actual post with their sponsor highlight.  it makes things a lot easier. the most frustrating thing is when a sponsor doesn't respond when i ask her the questions!

ask for testimonials!!  it really helps when you have testimonials on your sponsor page.  that shows a potential sponsor that other sponsors liked you and shows that you are a good sponsoree.  (is that the right word?)  i know that i always look for testimonials when i consider sponsoring someone.  i want to know that i won't be wasting my money!

do giveaways!  some sponsorees (?) are afraid of hosting giveaways, but giveaways are the best way for you and your sponsors to gain followers! they love it! and i love it too!! i was scared the first time i did it, but it went so well! we got so many entries!! do giveaways! do it!

thanks for reading!  hope it helps you as you open your blog to sponsorships!
  

Blogger Love v. 31

It's Friday again, but this Friday is extra special for me.  Why?  Because tomorrow is the first day of our husband and wife vacation!  And now that I'm not feeling guilty anymore, I am so ready for sun, sand, cocktails and sleeping in.

Before I get carried away - please come back next week to see some special guest posters!  There will be a post each day, and we will have Blogger Love next week as well.  My friend Anne will be hosting on her blog.  If you don't know her yet, this is the perfect opportunity to find out why she is so great!

Let's take some time and focus on my favorite posts from this week, shall we?

"I Refuse to Follow You on Twitter If...." by Hey Kerri Blog.  I love how Kerri tells us like it is, and this post is just that.  Plus, I agree with every point she makes!

"Mint Oreo Truffles" by Eat, Drink and be Mary.  Mint.  Oreo.  Truffle.  Need I say more?  I didn't think so.

"Journal Swap Creative" by Love the Here and Now and Sage.  I love this exchange idea - journals!  Sign up soon.

"Eye Opening" by Simply Complex Mom.  This post really made me think - and I promise it will you too.

"Taking Your Pets for Granted" by Amanda Moments.  Sad, but true.  This is a great reminder to give our furry friends lots of love, every day.

What were your favorite posts by bloggers other than yourself?  Link them up below and see some of our favorites too!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Timing is Right

Sometimes, when we least expect it, the perfect moment can happen and change your entire perspective.  It doesn't happen often, and never happens when you think it will, but when it does, the message that comes through is exactly what your heart needs to hear.

We've had a lot going on the last couple of weeks.  It all started when A was in the hospital.  Just as we were getting on the other side of that, we unexpectedly put an offer on a house.  (We didn't get it, by the way.)  That little leap of faith prompted us to get our house ready for the market, and it is now for sale.  All of this in a matter of ten days, and to top it off, we leave for vacation this Saturday.

The trip to St. Thomas is coming at the perfect time.  All of the stress from A's sickness, de-cluttering and listing our house, and the last minute showings we've had have completely exhausted me.  I love the beach, I love one on one time with my husband, but I couldn't shake this underlying feeling of "mom guilt".  How could I leave my babies for a week?  Would they resent me?  Is it too much to ask my parents to watch them for that long?  I was borderline not excited to leave.

source

And then?  Our realtor came over to take pictures.  He brought his wife, who helps him with staging and lighting.  She and I were talking and she asked about our vacation.  I very casually said we were going for a week, without the kids, and in that moment, she said the perfect thing to me.

"The relationship between husband and wife is the strongest in the family.  Relationships with your parents will eventually fade, as will those with your children as they grow up and move out of your house.  People often don't focus on one another, and taking time for just each other is the best thing you can do for your family.  You shouldn't feel bad about making your husband a priority."

It's almost as if she sensed my mom guilt.  In that moment, I knew she was right - and realized that having my girls spend the week with their grandparents is amazing for everyone involved.  I can't feel guilty for spending the week with my husband - we so desperately need that time together.

The timing of her comment was impeccable, although I know it wasn't a coincidence.  My heart is happy and I am excited for vacation.  My heart is at peace knowing that my girls (and pup!) will be spending quality time with two sets of their grandparents.  Bring on the sunscreen, sand, and of course, cocktails!

My wish for you today is that no matter what is laying heavy on your heart, you listen for that perfect moment.  Wait for it, it will come.

Linking up with Anne.

7 Awesome Things about the Midwest

On certain days, I need to focus on good things.  Like today, for example.  We all know that I love the winter - the more snow, the better in my mind.  There is one part of winter I do not like, and that is ice.  If you are in the Midwest, or specifically Chicago, you know that we woke up to the world covered in ice.  Cars, roads, sidewalks.  On days like today, I need to be reminded why I love living in the Midwest so much.

Cue the Awesome link-up, from Anne at Love the Here and Now.  Today I'm focusing on the awesome things about living in the Midwest.

|| We get to experience all of the four seasons, and they each last longer than one week.

|| With the above, we have the opportunity to wear any kind of clothing for at least a few months out of every year.

|| In some parts of the Midwest, it is so flat that you can see for miles. (just like the song).  This is one of my favorite parts about rural Iowa, truly beautiful.

|| We are truly smack dab in the middle of the country, which means that we can get to almost every large city in the U.S. with less than five hours in an airplane.  No cross country flights!

|| There are very little earthquakes.  The few that we have had are barely recognizable.

|| We produce more corn than other region in the United States (shout out to Iowa on this one!)

|| "Midwest is Best". 

Do you live in the Midwest?  What else would you add?

Linking up with Anne.