This is part two in our series about sponsored posts this week. You can read part one where Aprille shares 4 reasons she has chosen not to allow sponsored posts on her blog. Today, I’m sharing why I do sponsored posts on my site.
I don’t think there is any right or wrong choice for bloggers. It is a personal decision that must be made for each person and is dependent upon your goals for your blog and for how you want to spend your time.
I was a blogger without any sponsored content for years, and only started posting sponsored posts in the two years. Here are a few reasons that I say “yes” to sponsored posts.
Blogging is now my job. I’m making a full-time income from my personal blog. This allows me to stay at home with my kids, but still contribute to our family’s income. While we are still surviving off my husband’s income, this is going to allow us to do several things that wouldn’t be happening without my blog.
1. Buying (and paying off) a house – We would still have 2 or 3 years of saving before buying a house if it weren’t for my blog. Since we’re living exclusively off my husband’s income we’re able to put pretty much everything I earn (after taxes) into savings for a house. This allowed us to FINALLY buy our home this year and move out of our 2 bedroom 3rd story apartment. Now, it’s my goal to pay off our home in the next 6 years. Since we plan to stay in this house indefinitely, that would free up a lot of income to do useful things in the world, like supporting missionary and relief efforts overseas and locally.
2. Preschool – Our 3 year old is staring preschool for the first time this year. His tuition and registration are being paid for 100% from my blog. While preschool isn’t an essential, it is nice for him to be able to go do something that he loves in a fun learning environment and it’s nice for me and Sister to have some time to ourselves for the first time in her little life as well.
3. My own income – This may sound morbid, but I do like the peace of mind that having my own job brings. I always think about how we would survive if something happened to my husband. I probably think about these things more than the average person since my dad died unexpectedly when I was a kid. But, since I have two small kids, it would be a challenge finding a job that would pay bills AND childcare. I hope and pray this will never be an issue in our family, and chances are, it will not. But it does bring some comfort knowing that I already have a good income coming in if anything unthinkable were to happen.
4. I would be writing posts like these anyway – Most of the sponsored posts I write are on topics I’d be covering on my blog anyway. I do my best to keep my own voice and share useful tips along with whatever product or brand I am representing. This way it is useful to the brand AND my readers. I don’t always achieve this perfectly, but it’s something I’m working towards constantly as I approve or deny offers I’m given for sponsored content.
I don’t want my blog to be tiresome to read, and I don’t want to stray away from the goals of my writing to encourage and help my readers, while also achieving my earning goals and working at the business/career aspect of my blog. It is not impossible to make it worth with both, but it is certainly a hard balance to find.
This makes the decision to have or refrain from sponsored content such a personal one. There are such great reasons for both sides, and I hope our stories can help you decide what is right for your blog!
Do you allow sponsored posts on your blog?
This was helpful. I have been debating on if and how to use sponsored posts in my new blog.
I think about what would happen if my husband died as well. I have a full time blog, but any additional income would be helpful with three kids at home!
I find your blog journey so inspiring! I’m just beginning blogging. Due to my anxiety and depression, quitting my day job was not really a choice – it was harming my health. Living off one income right now is really hard, and I’m striving to improve my blog and write my book so I can contribute especially to savings and debt repayment.
I don’t think I’m quite big enough yet to get sponsored offers, but I’ll certainly keep myself out there!
I read #3, and I think “necessity” not morbid, but my dad died unexpectedly too (plane crash when I was 5). I agree, we need to expect the best but prepare for the worst. It’s much better to have your bases covered just in case than find yourself in a horrible situation. As for #1 and 2, so inspiring! Huge thanks to you and Becky for sharing with the BOTS community so we can follow in your footsteps.