I was over at Problogger the other day, reading a post from Josh at Worlds Strongest Librarian – both good blogs to read through if you’ve got some time – and he was talking about how he got sponsors for WSL.
He ran a competition, asked people to submit an application to him and at the end of a month, he had sponsors.
The deal:
I ask for an application – you provide it, along with a 125×125 px image to use as your ad.
You get a month’s free advertising on Sleepless Nights, in the left sidebar over there, just above the No Clean Feed graphic.
At the end of a month, you can either choose to pay for another month’s advertising, or walk away from this whole deal with nothing lost, hopefully still sticking around to read me.
If everybody walks at the end of a month, I will run the same competition again, with new applicants and new ads, for another month long free advertising stint.
The Application:
Here is what I want from you.
I want you to email me with:
A 125×125 px graphic that will be used to link your blog.
Answers to these questions:
Who are you?
What makes you happy?
Why do you want to advertise on Sleepless Nights? (correct answers include – because I like Sleepless Nights – incorrect answers include – because it’s free stupid.)
Why is your blog/business special?
***
I will be accepting applications up until the 1st of March and I will announce the winners on the 14th of March.
When I say ‘month long’ I meant from the 10th to the 10th or the 20th to the 20th, regardless of how many days in the month. February is out of the running, so you’re not getting short changed.
***
Fine Print, that isn’t actually fine at all, because it’s the same size as everything else.
There will be 6 ad spots available.
I will be judging the applications myself, with some help from Frogpondsrock – who will also be running the same competition on her blog. I will be as impartial as I can. Our decisions will be based on your application – it will not be based on the size of your blog or business.
You don’t have to be selling something; you can advertise your blog.
I will not advertise for drugs, illegal activities or propaganda. I reserve the right to make that decision.
Everyone will be charged the same amount at the end of the month, no special deals, or more expensive ads for big businesses. I reserve the right to not tell you how much I’m charging in this blog post, but I will disclose it within emails.
My email address is veronica@somedaywewillsleep.com and please include the words ‘Advertising Competition’ in the subject line.
I’ve been thinking about how best to monetise Sleepless Nights for a while. It’s no secret that we’d all like to make some money from our blogs and I’m no exception. Personally I’d be happy if the blog would cover the cost of some chocolate now and again and that’s what I’m working towards.
Seriously genius idea! Now you’ve got me thinking! Good on you for being innovative.
His idea is fantastic isn’t it? And the best bit, anyone can enter!
I should add, that I won’t be charging much for adspace afterwards either. It’s only space.
Ha Ha, just had to laugh at the “because it’s free, stupid”.
I hope you get people advertising who’d love to stay around and keep you in chocolate.
Thanks River, so do I!
Ooh, I likes! Might copy this. Heheh.
Brenda – go for it! I’d suggest you credit Josh with the amazing idea. And, enter as well, for your blog! More publicity and links are NEVER a bad thing.
I think I am weird then. I don’t want to make money from Zucchinis in Bikinis. I never have. I ran Google Ads very briefly then ditched them, and have never considered going there again. Why, I have no idea, it just feels wrong to my purpose for having the blog and also I don’t need the money. I have a job and it pays me well, I don’t want to treat my family / personal record as a job, on any level. It’s just not how I think of it.
That said, I am thinking of restarting Booklings, my kidlit blog focusing on Australasian writers, books, and children’s literary events / essays (I started it in 2007, posted a few times, then had another baby and a spinal injury, and got sidetracked!). If I do so, a future month may well see me taking up your sponsorship comp for that one.
I read the post about this on Problogger and thought it was such a creative thing to do. I am glad to see some local bloggers giving it ago. I realise that the whole making money from a blog thing is a controversial issue, but I have no issue with bloggers generating revenue from the blog. I feel that as a reader I can choose to ignore the ads or reviews etc if I want, they are not that intrusive. It takes time, energy and money to blog and I enjoy reading blogs like yours. I hope you get some great new sponsors on board that stay after the comp.
Oooh sounds like a great idea! I may steal it for my own blog at some point… 😉
Sounds like a great idea, hope it works well for you. You deserve many, many big blocks of chocolate for your time and effort in putting together a great blog.
Kathy – I would be very interested in Booklings when it is up and running again. Definitely let me know, okay?
Planning Queen – That’s very much how I feel about advertising too. I would love to make pocket money from SN, if only so I could stop all my scrimping and budgeting for a day a month!
Marylin – Do it!
Christie – Thanks, I hope it pulls together and works too!
Remember guys, ANYONE can submit and everyone has the exact same chance as the next person. Plus, a month’s worth of free advertising, with no strings attached! Who doesn’t want that?
Excellent idea.
You’ve come such a long way, so why not?
I have nothing to advertise 🙁
What a fantastic idea, Veronica! You’ve got a fabulous blog, btw! Love it!!
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