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Monday, July 28, 2014

Coffee, Affiliates and Sponsored Posts

After the move, I am trying to get back to some sort of regular routine.  Those that know me well know that I am a crazy morning person.  I love to get up in the morning with my Bible, journal and computer, with a cup of coffee. The somewhat unfortunate thing is my daughter seems to also be a morning person waking up at around 6-6:30AM most mornings (can anyone say apple and tree?  I don't know why I expected anything different). The reason that this is unfortunate is that even though I am a morning person, it requires VERY early hours to get in my desired time in the morning.  So my mornings tend to go something like this…
4-4:30 Wake up (This does not always happen… sometimes the tiredness that comes along with being a mama wins)
4:30ish-5:00ish Quiet time
5-6ish blog work/diaper work/school work
6ish workout (this has not been happening lately, but like I said, I am trying to get BACK in routine :))
6:30ish BD wakes

Sooooo… my mornings look like this….

So right now I am enjoying my coffee and pondering affiliates and sponsored posts.  For those that don't know about affiliate marketing and sponsored posts, I thought I would share it here this morning and some of my thoughts on it. 

What is affiliate marketing?
When businesses pay a small percentage on the total sale when something is bought from a direct link to that business, from a website or blog in my case.  So for example, a while back I posted about two books I was reading.  The links I shared connected to my amazon affiliate account.  Any sales generated from those link would lead to a little (and when I say little I mean little) profit on my part.

What are sponsored posts?
In my case, this has been when a business has contacted me with a item they want to share with me for free in exchange for sharing my honest opinion here on the blog.  For example, this post and this post.

Why am I sharing this with you now?
That is a good question :) You see I ponder posts like wishing I had started blogging sooner and why I write.  I think about my blog, where it is at and what I want it to be.  I think about "What kind of blogger am I?" And I don't have all the answers to these questions.  I know the I want this blog to be first and for most part of my ministry sharing Christ and living for Him with all my readers.  I also know that for me that does not mean sharing a mini devotion in every post… I share tips and life, and really a bit of everything.  I know some bloggers are pro affiliates and sponsors and some that think you are selling out if you do those things. 

As far as affiliate marketing and sponsored posts I have just started dabbling in these things.  But I do not take this lightly and I promise that I am not just trying to sell you stuff :).  After a lot of pondering my thoughts are this…
On affiliates- I am going to start doing these if they fit a post I am already writing or sharing.  Like I said, it is not "just to get you to buy something." It is something I already have or desire to get that I truly believe in.  Let me say this, if I have an opportunity to make a little money for my family, I want to do it.  Even if it is just 12 cents :).  I also know that I am not going to let these take over or change my writing.  Like I said… *if* I see it fit, I will add it.  And *if* I make any money it is a small amount.  And if you really don't like affiliate marketing, you can just skip my direct link all together and go straight to the site.  Then I won't make my 12 cent :)  I will also always let you know when I have included affiliate links… you actually legally have to do this.
  
On sponsored posts- Like affiliates, I am only going to share things that connect to me and my readers.  When somebody asks me to sponsor something that is not me, I say "Thanks, but no thanks."  

All that being said this blog is an interesting thing.  It is my outlet, I love to write and share.  It is my journal and my baby book at times.  But it is also starting to generate a small amount of income.  So how those things go together… like I said I am figuring it out. But I promise this, my blog will continue to be about, Christ, my family and my readers, not a sales pitch.  And if y'all from time to time support my family through the blog, it will be greatly appreciated! :)

What about you bloggers out there?  Do you do affiliates?  what about sponsored posts?  I know this can be a touchy subject, so be nice :)

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21 comments:

  1. Perfectly written! I am in the process of starting all this as well... It can all be a bit overwhelming! But my thoughts are like yours, if I am already sharing about a book I love- why not add in an affiliate link?! So glad you shared this!

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    1. Thanks… it id good to hear other people are in the same spot as me! :)

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  2. I have an affiliate with one homeschooling company right now. Amazon dropped me because I live in Missouri. Something to do with tax laws. I never made any $ from them anyway. I do book reviews in exchange for a free book.
    Blessings,
    Laura

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    1. Yep, they dropped me too. So did Zulily and a few other's through ShareASale. Thanks so much Jay Nixon!

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    2. I have thought about doing the book reviews in exchange for books… I love to read! :)

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  3. I'm interested in this as well. I agree that there is no harm in inserting an affiliate link for something you already intend to post about. I also think it's okay to do sponsored posts that fall in line with your type of content. I am interested in growing my blog and sharing all I have to share with more people. If it's possible to earn a small income simultaneously, why not!?

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  4. I don't mind sponsored posts in the SLIGHTEST. And I usually love seeing people use affiliate links. I happily click on them even if I'm not interested in buying anything. From one stay at home mama to another- it's freaking awesome to get to bring a little extra $$ from something that you love doing.

    My thoughts on it are, if celebrities who are multimillionaires can promote products and no one cares, a tiny blog written by a stay at home mama should be able to do the same thing. Know what I mean?

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    1. Right? I LOVE supporting other moms and families whenever I can!

      And I never thought about the multimillionaire thing… that is a good point!

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  5. Love this!! To be honest, I've stopped following blogs before because they went from real life to sponsored posts and links and things like that all the time. I'm totally fine with it if it seems natural, like you are saying. I will keep following your blog (b/c I miss your face!) either way. ;)

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    1. I feel the same way… I hate when things turn into too much of a sales pitch… all the time!

      And we miss y'all!!!

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  6. I write reviews for books in exchange for free books. I haven't done the affiliate thing yet, though I've pondered it. I have done a couple of other advertising-esque links. My blog doesn't really make any money yet, but one day it might....when I'm ready and when/if the topic/product fits my blog and life.

    Stopping by from Turn It Up Tuesday!

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    1. I have thought about doing the book review thing. I am kind of there with you on the money making too. I have gotten free stuff, but the money making is minimal… and that is okay for now because I just love sharing!

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  7. After reading the other comments I realize that I have nothing new to add! I, too, have thought about getting into affiliate links and sponsored posts but so far it's only been thoughts. Maybe one day soon I'll move forward with it, but I do agree with you that I'll only do it if it fits into my blog. I don't want to alienate any of my loyal readers by changing my writing and my (very funny) voice!

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  8. Great post. I dabble with affiliate marketing and sponsored posts. However, I prefer sponsored posts. #TurnUpTuesday

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    1. Victoria, I think I do too… who does not like promoting things that they love! :)

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  9. I have affiliate links and I do some sponsored posts. However, that's not what my blog is about. Sponsored posts are kept at a minimum (usually 1-2 a month).

    I, like you, will only endorse something I truly support and feel others could benefit from. I have turned down many offers because I don't like the product or service being offered.

    Affiliate links usually appear in my sidebar but I have Viglink installed on my site too.

    If you ever what to see the array of money making options for you, please stop by my blog and look in the blogging page. I have a post on how to make money blogging. You might find something that works well/best with you.

    Thank you for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

    Wishing you a lovely weekend.
    xoxo

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    1. Thanks for sharing, I will have to check that out! :)

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  10. I'm honestly still tryin to figure my way through the whole affiliate/sponsor/can I make a dollar doing this mind bender. Thanks for your post!

    Found you via Hope In Every Season link up

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    1. It is true, I am figuring out too. I just have to stick with this blog is a ministry and anything else that comes from it is just a plus :)

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  11. Great info for new bloggers who want to make some money, but stay true to their blog. I don't mind them if it doesn't clutter the blog. Stopping in from Monday Musing.

    I have a Giveaway starting today. A great dating book for married couples with the forward by Gary Chapman of Love Languages. Stop by and enter.

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