Hi hi, happy Saturday!
So I usually try to keep weekend posts pretty lighthearted, but there’s something I’ve been wanted to address lately. I’m assuming the title of this post gave it away…
I’ve gotten a bit of flack recently for posting sponsored content, so I wanted to address the topic straight up. I’m not trying to hide anything here on GML, or pretend you don’t notice it.
The bottom line is that - yes, I participate in sponsored posts. I understand that that might bother some readers (and has become quite taboo in the blog world as of late), so maybe this will help you understand a bit more why I do so.
I’ve invested over 4 years into blogging, so I think it’s understandable that I’d want to monetize it. That’s the only way I’d be able to keep up with the time commitment of blogging, actually, which is about 20-30 hours per week (maybe more? Considering how much of my daily life/routine it has become).
When I first started blogging the main way to monetize it was through ads, which I utilize as well, but these days advertising has strongly gone in the direction of sponsored content. Monica does a good job of explaining it more here.
I know some people think that blogging should remain strictly a hobby and shouldn’t be monetized at all. But for me, that’s just not feasible. Like I said before - I wouldn’t be able to make the necessary time for blogging if it were just a hobby. Even though it truly is something I love doing, I need to make sure I balance my passion with being able to support myself financially (especially living in New York).
When it comes to jobs/careers as a whole, I’m a big believer in doing what you love, so if I have the opportunity to make at least part of a living from blogging (especially as someone who is self employed) by posting sponsored content a few times a month, I am going to take it. And I’m okay with admitting that.
With that being said, I want to be clear that I’m very particular when it comes to sponsored posts. I turn down dozens of offers a week - probably enough that would allow me to blog full time, as a lot of other bloggers have made the transition to. I make it a point to always be truthful about what I decide to promote, even if I am being compensated for it. Please believe me when I say that I only promote products and services that I either would genuinely want to try, or already do use myself.
I should also note that when I am compensated in any way, I will disclose it on that post in one way or another. So if that isn’t there (either an “official” disclosure, or me just saying “I got free samples”), it means I’m just posting about a product/service I like and use myself. That’s the case more often than not, as I truly love reviewing products, restaurants, recipes, etc.
Look, the last thing I want to so is turn off my readers. So for that, I will try to keep things as honest and real as possible (hence this post). I hope that you understand where I’m coming from, and that you’ll continue visiting GML.
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What are your thoughts on sponsored blog content? Does it turn you off from reading?
I’m with you girl! You HAVE to do some of these to make blogging possible at all. 🙂
Sam says
Do not worry even though there are people who find it such a huge issue there is also those who completely understand.
If you can make money doing what you love, why shouldn’t you? end of the day like the picture said above you could be doing worse things. x
Love your straight-forward approach to addressing this sensitive topic, Gracie. As a reader only in the blog world, sponsored posts can be a little annoying but I’d much rather keep GML alive than the alternative. Gotta do what ya gotta do, right?!
Thanks for that, Maura!
Laura says
I don’t mind the sponsored posts but it’s still nice to read your thoughts on the topic! I felt the need to weigh in because I do mind the recently added feature of needing to click through to “read more.” I follow in Feedly because I love way too many blogs to visit them all separately. The need to click through to read your whole post makes it kind of difficult to keep following you and I’m curious why you added this feature?
I was going to say the same thing about the “read more” in feedly situation. Thanks for addressing it!! And bring on the sponsored blog posts. It’s YOUR blog and I, as a reader, can choose to read the content or not. As long as you are honest in your opinions, live your life the way you want to.
Agreed! This is what I was going to say. As a Feedly user I have to “click more,” and most of the time the page URL itself is blocked at work (meaning I can read you via Feedly but can’t via your page, itself). I often times just delete some of the bloggers who go into that format (fundamentally I understand it - but since I primarily do blog reading at work, if I can’t open it….), but after following you for years (and liking you! Sponsored posts and all), I didn’t have it in my heart to do that!
I’m with the small minority that would love it if you could find a way for us Feedly readers to be able to read you in our feeds! <3
Hey Dana! thanks so much for the feedback - I had no idea about that issue with Feedly. Right now I have the most recent post fully on the main page, then excerpts from the following 9 (I do it that way so the recent posts are easily seen/accessible, but doesn’t require scrolling alllll the way down to see them all). How is that on Feedly? You can still see the full post of the most recent one, right?
It says:
read more… #LEAN14: vegan & gluten free cookie dough for one.
hmm that’s strange, didn’t think it would do it for my latest posts. I’ll look into it!
Ah! I didn’t know it effected feedly/readers. I did it bc i just thought it made y main page look cleaner/neater. Will fix as soon as I get home 🙂 thanks for the heads up!
Laura says
thanks girl! I appreciate it!
AMEN.
Becca @ One Girl says
I don’t feel like you do to many sponsored posts, and a lot of the posts that are sponsored are items I am interested in or appreciate being ‘introduced’ to. I do agree with the ‘click to read’ more and having to leave blog lovin to visit the blog can be time consuming - appreciate you fixing it! As always appreciate reading your thoughts!
Thanks for that - I really do make it a point to promote products/services that I think others would like that introduction to. I actually often as my mom/friends for their honest opinion if it’s something they’d be interested in!
Emily says
Sell out.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to make money doing something you love. I’ve had some form of a blog for over ten years and I’m coming to the point where I’m looking to monetize. I see my blog as a part time job that I LOVE, not just a hobby. It’s a lot of work. At the end of the day, it’s your life, and if someone doesn’t like what they do, that’s not your problem.
I don’t have any issue with it and will continue to visit you!
Have a wonderful weekend, Gracie! 😀
Great response! Have you ever thought of putting up a disclosure/policy page explaining your policies regarding advertising, affiliate links, and sponsored posts?
I should probably make a page for it, but right now I have a bare-bones disclaimer on my about page 🙂
I love this post! I think you are rocking your own career path and are a great example for people who want to make their own path!
Nikki says
I have to admit, I don’t look fondly at sponsored posts, but I completely understand the need for them and they would never make me stop reading a blog. I think it’s awesome you’re able to monetize something you love 🙂
This is YOUR blog and therefore, you can do whatever YOU want with it! While I don’t have a blog of my own (yet)…..I simply do not understand the people that make a huge fuss over what bloggers choose to post about. Any time I visit a blog and the post is something I’m not interested on, I simply don’t read it. It certainly doesn’t ruin my day, nor do I leave nasty comments. I simply don’t read the post and check back another day for a new, different post. Seems quite simple to me! I don’t think you’re a sell out. I think your a twenty-something woman trying to pay NYC rent while doing something you enjoy! Keep at it , girl! 😀
Thanks for that, Sarah! 🙂
Just wanted to add a little uplifting note along with the rest of your supporters- you do a wonderful job with your blog! This is your space, and doing sponsored posts does not diminish the success of your blog. I agree with you- you should be able to make money doing something you love! Don’t let the negative posts people leave bring you down!
thanks so much Emily!!
I don’t mind your sponsored posts, because they usually tie in very well with your personality and other content. And what many people here might not realize is that magazines publish sponsored content all the time. Every time you see an article about the best beauty products to use, it’s sponsored. Same goes for books, food etc. Magazines just don’t mention they’re being sponsored. I’ve been a journalist for several years, so I know. No one would criticize a journalist for writing articles for money. Why then would anyone advice a blogger to write for free? There’s just no logic behind this. If you deliver something of value, which you do, then you are allowed to be paid for it.
Right, thanks for bringing up that point! Whether people notice it or not, almost all forms of publication include at least some sort of advertising. You worded it perfectly 🙂
To be honest I have mixed feelings about them!
There are a few other blogs I use to read that I’ve actually stopped reading, because I felt like that was all their blog had become. They rarely posted any of the fun, personal stuff anymore, and it seemed that the blog became catered to the sponsors. I jokingly refer to those blogs as sell outs…which is probably uncalled for haha I totally understand that for the amount of time a blog takes to maintain, one should reap the benefits and financial rewards! I guess just a happy medium, so that it isn’t sponsor central.
FYI In YOUR blog, I don’t mind at all…because the ratio of sponsored blog posts to personal blog posts is no where near equivalent. Plus you keep your sponsored posts very honest and you!
I’m with you - I’ve stopped reading a handful of blogs because literally every other post is sponsored. I mean, every blogger can make their own decisions depending on what they value most, but to me the value of blogging is still on unique content and relationship with my readers!
I’ll admit a few months ago I got a little frustrated with the sponsored posts in your blog, but as you gradually explained your day to day life and job(s) through other posts I’ve done a 180. I really love your blog as a little window into New York city life (while I’m living up here in Newfoundland) but also as a source of inspiration for my faith and at the end of the day I don’t think sponsored posts take away from that. Keep up the good work and don’t be ashamed to be compensated for it. 🙂
Thanks so much for your honesty and this comment, Kirsten! 🙂
You do such a great job with your blog as a whole, I rarely notice the sponsored posts. I think you do a really good job of choosing great products/restaurants/etc to review that I am interested in reading about them. Especially since you devote so much time to the blog, it’s completely understandable!! 🙂
Lulu says
Just keep doing what you are doing Gracie. Your blog is one of my favorites. Thanks for keeping things real.
I,love your blog and am not bothered by the spinsored content at all. Girls gorta eat right? Keep at it:)
Sponsored content absolutely does not turn me off, and if anything I’d love to do what you’re doing eventually - employ myself, and really make some money off of my blog as well. I love what you’re doing, and I think you should keep it up. Blogging is so much more than a hobby to so many of us, and I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with that!
I don’t mind sponsored content as I completely understand why. Now, I will admit, I don’t read all of them 😉 It depends. I am on the same page that it is your blog but I also understand that you walk a fine line because you want readers. I think you do a great job….
Completely understand and think that it is perfectly fine for bloggers to do sponsored posts every so often! I think it’s great that you are being up front about it and only doing it for products you genuinely want to promote!
The sponsored posts don’t even bother me. I totally agree that everyone should have a chance to do what they love. You are clearly very passionate about writing/ blogging, and I think it’s a great idea to monetize it. I’d do it if I had the chance so that I could invest more time into blogging. Sure, the post is sponsored, but you’re still the author. I read your blog partly because you have an entertaining writing style, and it shines through sponsored posts. I’ve been reading your blog for years, and completely agree with a lot of your opinions. When you write a sponsored post, I trust that I’ll find the service interesting as well. I love your honesty. Keep doing you!
Bea says
This take 30 hours of your week?
Great post, Gracie! I think you addressed the issue very well, and as a fellow New Yorker who is also self employed, it is your prerogative to decide whether you want/can use your passion/hobby to make your financial situation a little better.
I admittedly have been “out” of the blog world for a while and used to be a regular reader-just now checked out Speakable-congratulations! I love the concept and the jewelry is beautiful. Even just having the courage to start your own endeavor is commendable.