Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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How Blogs Get Sponsors

We’ve once again solicited questions from you guys on Facebook for our blogiversary extravaganza (of the personal, not decorating, variety). And just like we did in 2009 and 2010, we had fun answering a bunch of ’em. We crammed as many responses as we could into 20 minutes, so unfortunately not every one of the 80+ questions got answered, but we figured 20 minutes was already pushing the bounds of an acceptable YouTube video length. Haha. Here are a few things that we cover:

  • Our favorite and least favorite qualities in each other
  • What our neighbors think about the blog
  • If the former owners of our house read the blog
  • Our weirdest fan interaction
  • Who Clara looks more like
  • How we deal with negative criticism
  • What we wanted to be when we grew up
  • What will happen to our blog name when we’re not young anymore
  • If we ever fight or spend time apart
  • And most importantly: John’s thoughts on the new Twilight movie

And of course there are a bunch of other questions, a Burger cameo, and John cycles through soda shirts just to keep things spicy. Oh but if you’re at work you can still watch it on mute and try to guess what I’m gesturing wildly about (or wait until tonight and watch it with some popcorn and take a swig of soda every time John changes shirts). Our only video-recording rule is that we’re not allowed to re-answer anything so it’s completely unscripted and sort of an all-one-take kind of thing (that we later edit down just to shorten things/take out the “ummmms” so we can squeeze more answers in). We don’t even read the questions until we’re rolling, so we don’t overthink or overplan – but sometimes we over-share. Haha. Who’s surprised.

And just because we’re chatterboxes, this year we tossed in three bonus business-related answers:

Q: How did you get sponsors? Do you solicit advertising? What’s the secret? First we wrote about 200 posts and had been blogging for a while without even thinking about sponsors, just because it was something we loved to do. We actually had no idea there were even people or companies who sponsored blogs, we just thought of it as a fun creative outlet/diary. Then it slowly dawned on us that because we were gaining more traffic and posting every day, maybe some local folks or small online businesses would like to get a button on our sidebar in exchange for a tiny fee. So we tossed up a “wanna advertise with us?” button just to see what would happen. We thought it would be awesome to make a few extra dollars to put towards projects, but definitely didn’t have high hopes. Much to our surprise and amazement, a few small companies and Etsy vendors emailed us to say that they were happy to give it a try. So we just shared our stats and offered people a flat fee for the month and a slightly discounted fee for the quarter.

To this day we actually still use the same system. There are definitely more intricate ways of charging sponsors (like per click, per view, etc) and even more complex ways of calculating rates. But we decided to keep it simple and start with a flat rate that we felt was fair (based on what we saw other sites charging with comparable traffic) and just let the sponsors tell us if it was too high (and if they did, we’d adjust). If it was too low, well, we love a deal – so we figured why not offer one ourselves (after all, we were satisfied with that rate since we were the ones who came up with it). That system seems to be working for everyone, so much so that we haven’t raised our rates in almost two years (despite a great increase in traffic since then).

When it comes to managing sponsorships, we use Google Ad Manager to organize everything. It not only serves the ads to our site, but also helps us keep track of expirations so John can send renewal emails / invoices. So it’s a bit of paperwork on our end, but completely worth the effort since our sponsors are a big part of what makes this blog possible. There’s definitely not a get rich quick aspect to blogging (at least not in our experience), but we’ve seen that by focusing on content first and readers second, the sponsors will gradually fall into place.

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Q: Do you have to post a certain amount of times each month for sponsors? Nope, as we mentioned above, they pay a flat fee per month so no traffic or amount of posts are expected or promised. We’ve just posted 1-2 times a day about the same range of stuff for the past few years, so it’s a pace that works for us. Some juicy stuff + some light stuff + some personal stuff = a comfortable mix. Posting in some sort of regular rhythm provides structure and helps keep our creative juices flowing. If we stopped blogging every time we were in a rut or ran into a snafu we worry we might never start again. Gotta keep that momentum up! <– picture me in a bodysuit and legwarmers saying this in a sing-song-y voice a la workout videos from the eighties

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Q: Aren’t you scared to have so little job security when your whole family’s income relies on this blog? We’re not gonna lie, it can freak us out if we think about it too much. But we’ve squirreled away the recommended amount of “safety net savings” to fall back on if this ol’ blog suddenly grinds to a halt (which we built up before John came on full time as some sort of “insurance” to quell the nerves). We also have side gigs (like our column for BabyCenter and Do It Yourself magazine along with the book that we’re writing), so that helps us feel semi-diversified.

We also both left advertising on very good terms with former employers/clients, so that’s another road we could explore if we ever needed to (and John still takes on the occasional advertising consulting job on the side, just to keep his toe in the water). In the end I always say that five years ago we had no idea we’d be here doing this, so trying to figure out what we’ll be doing in five more years is probably an exercise in futility. We just do our best to keep chugging along and try not to let the neurotic thoughts creep in!

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So there it is, twenty minutes of video evidence confirming that we’re dorks and three bonus bidness questions. What surprised you guys most? Was it the fact that I make up sayings that aren’t really sayings and then collapse into a ball of giggles? Or that John is so into Twilight movies? Will anyone else help me make “I took that baby to the market and carried it home” a real saying? Come on, it’s kind of catchy…

Update – Some of the most frequent requests that we get are for info about professionally blogging (how we made our site, how we grew our following, how we make money, etc) so we shared all of the details about how we started a blog, grew our traffic, and turned it into a full time job. 

Comments

  1. Bethie says

    You guys probably hate me, but did you mean “come on” instead of “come in” it’s kind of catchy? Although if you’re making up catch phrases, I’m willing to start using it and see how it goes. Kind of like, “that’s pants” that I just heard somebody here in London use the other day. It is my new favourite (yes, I just wrote favourite with a “u”) catch phrase!

    Reply

    • fd says

      to clarify for those who are not so familiar with ‘that’s pants’, its definitely a negative. Sample use: “our team lost the game” “oh no, that’s pants.”, or “our rent has gone up” “that’s pants”.

  3. DeeJay Conley says

    OMG. I found myself smiling at the computer (tv for Burger) screen. A big stupid toothy grin. lol Loved this so much! Thanks for sharing your lives with us. I check your blog daily, sometimes more than once to see what’s new. It’s just a part of my life now. Supah Love!!

    Reply

  5. Vanessa says

    Very cool video! It was very fun and entertaining and it did not feel like 20 mins at all! I love how honest you guys are and how relatable you are!

    Reply

  9. Judy Beeksma says

    I sooo…. enjoyed your video. I look forward to your blog everyday! I just have had Breast Cancer and totally recovered now…Your blog brought a smile to my face every morning. Just after my surgery I had developed this little ritual each morning…things that made me smile and happy to start each day…You both brought great joy to that morning ritual. The video today was the preverbial icing on the cake!!! Laughed so much and love those T-shirt changes…Make it a great day Sherry and John…Kisses to Burger and Clara!

    Reply

  10. GreenInOC says

    John I totally want to be your friend – your planning, building and construction skills would be totally appreciated!

    What surprised me the most about the video is that you guys are starting to take on each other’s qualities – you make the same faces, intonations and hand gestures!!

    Reply

  13. Karen F says

    oh my gosh, how cute are you guys? by the way, 30 is still young, so you can totally keep your blog name for a little while longer!

    Reply

  14. Janelle says

    What a great video! I knew this would be my favorite part of Blogiversary Week. I think my co-worker thought I was certifiably insane because I laughed too hard at the “baby to the market” comment. “WHAT are you watching?” Sherry, I think you would be a hoot to hang out with! Haha. Oh, and not to leave John out: I bet you’re fun too. Probably.

    Reply

  15. Karen F says

    p.s. I think I’m addicted to your blog, because I’m slowly working my way through your archives. So much good stuff, there!

    Reply

  17. Leanne says

    This is great! It helps readers get a better idea of who you really are. I did wonder if you were Christians because of some of your lifestyle choices. I’m not condemning but just wondering why you don’t talk about it at all on your blog (ie. going to church, why you do the things you do, etc.)?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      It’s definitely one of those personal choices about how much you want to share with the entire internet (we share a pretty big slice of our lives here, but I think there’s more to anyone than just the part that they choose to share on their blog). In the beginning of YHL we thought about it a lot and decided that we were happy to avoid chatting about religion and politics since this it’s basically just a DIY diary and our happy place, so we like to keep it light! We definitely read other blogs where religion is more often mentioned (or also not part of the dialog at all) so we don’t think it makes or breaks anything, it just comes down to personal preference I think!

      xo,
      s

    • Sarah says

      I’m really thankful that religion stays out of conversation. Mine are views that are often criticized too harshly, so it’s nice that I don’t have to worry about different views being debated here. Thanks, guys!

  18. Molly T says

    You guys are just great. And I definitely want to be your BFF…

    Also loving the typo that you should leave in because its totally cute:

    “Come in, it’s kind of catchy…”

    Like, come on in, the water’s fine (in our cutely kookster household) :)

    Reply

  21. Kurstin says

    You guys are so awesome! I routinely tell my friends that they should read your blog and that I want to be your BFF, so it was funny to see that question come up in your video! Anyway, I love reading about your DIY adventures. I’m so inspired while reading, and then look around my house and get overwhelmed. One of these days I’ll get around to picking a paint color to liven up my bland walls!

    Reply

  22. linda says

    LOVE you guys! and YES…. everyone wants to be your BFF! (and sherry… so THAT’s why i have so much black and gray in my closet, too! i’m originally from NY!)

    you two should do videos more often!!! (and you need a TV show!)

    Reply

  24. Amanda says

    A question I thought of the other day but it was too late to post was Did anything change routine wise from one house to another? Did you start eating at different times or brushing your teeth together? Did you two start walking more? Did cleaning duties switch?

    Obviously things change from one house to another since you have to get use to having different living coordinates but I’m curious to know if anything specific changed.

    Like I just moved into residence after living in an apartment for 3 years (from which I lived in residence… haha funny how things work) and I find I’m more motivated to do things. Like make my bed every day. Part of which is because if I don’t I have to look at an unmade bed all day, where as in my apartment I didn’t spend time in my bedroom during the day so an unmade bed became forgotten.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ooh that’s a great question! I think for a while we lost our routine after moving, so we were missing walks and meals were at wonky times because we were struggling to get things settled with a seven month old and lots of things to organize. But after a few months we settled in a bit more and I think we’re back to pretty much the same routine as the old house (eating at the same times, going on evening walks, etc). Clara is a lot different in this house since she wasn’t even crawling in the last one and she runs laps around this one though!

      xo,
      s

  25. cappy says

    With the last few blog posts…you guys are totally awesome and my cyberheros! I think for me the most shocking part of your answers is that you both do not drink coffee?! You do ALL that plus take care of a highly energized baby and not drink a sip of coffee??!! Is it a taste thing or do you drink caffinated tea? (or maybe this is a self-realization that I need to go into decaf detox!)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, I think it’s a taste thing. We both grew up with moms who were coffee addicts but as kids we both thought it smelled so gross. Hah. I guess it stuck. We do drink caffinated tea sometimes (although my usual ritual is something herbal at night while we blog on the sofa). And of course we know that John’s no stranger to caffeinated soda…

      xo,
      s

  28. Gwenalyn says

    I married into an Italian family and they are very loud and very intense (no offense to any other Italians, I’m just repeating the reason they give me on why they are the way they are). It was so hard for me to get used to! I think it’s great now. The hardest part was being part of a family gathering and not drinking. They like wine, but I’m not a drinker. At family gatherings I’m always saying no thank you to desert wines and such. I had the excuse of being pregnant and breastfeeding for the last two years… that excuse is gone now! Which leads me into a question for John, how do you politely turn down a drink?
    PS – I’m so grateful to know there is another adult in existence who doesn’t drink. I feel a little less weird now. :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I just usually say “just water/soda for me, thanks” and if someone pushes it or makes a funny comment I just say something like “thanks anyway, I’m driving tonight!” – most people know that I just don’t drink so they usually have soda (or water) on hand and don’t ask many questions.

      -John

  34. Lindsey says

    Great to hear the Q&A. :) I used to be a page and shelved books through high school and college at libraries. At one time,I had dewey memorized to the point where if someone gave me a book, I could pretty much tell you where it’d be in nonfiction while in high school.

    Reply

  35. Anne says

    Oh my goodness! I watched this at work with my ear buds and it took all I had not to laugh out loud. Thanks for brightening my day.

    Reply

  37. Mindy says

    I loved the costume changes. :D My son is like Clara. If he can’t figure something out he throws it and himself to the floor. :D One year olds are awesome!

    Reply

  39. Nicki says

    Loved the video and the three bonus questions! It’s so awesome to see how real you guys are and how much fun you have with each other! This makes your blog an even better one to read!

    Reply

  40. Liz @M2M says

    I know *somebody* reads the blogs because I had a hit on mine linked from your site :P I about died laughing, btw, when Sherry used “I’m Italian” as an excuse! I use the same one aaaaalll the time.

    Reply

  42. Renee says

    i think with being Italian, there might be a bit leprechaun in you too sherry- what with all the balled-up fist, arm-swinging going on in the video. that or maybe a dwarf from Snow White.

    (no offense to leprechauns and dwarves of course) :)

    Reply

  43. Anita says

    Based on the video I wish I had asked what John’s favorite brand of soda is!

    And btw, that part about the negative criticism made me want to give you guys a hug :-( I hope you realize that your style is so awesome that sometimes people will go out of their way to point out something they don’t like.

    Keep up the great work – Four More Years (and then some)!

    Reply

  44. rebecca says

    Arg! Another comment to respond to here =0) My friend who follows your blog shared this link to me as I’m an aspiring stay-at-home blogger. I recently went under contract with Blogher for ads which was my first real step I’ve taken. In the last 8 weeks my viewer ship has gone up a steady 2,500 and it’s all word of mouth. BUT what I don’t understand is how you land dream deals like BabyCenter spots? Did you find them? They find you? I see all of these successful bloggers and wonder how they went from day in and day out writing to getting to write for others? How in the ever lovin’ world of blogs does it happen? =0) Thanks for your openness! Most people protect info about their success like a rabid dog. You are a champion of bloggers ;0) rebecca

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      They actually came to us. We just got an email about if we thought the opportunity would be something we’d be interested in and we said: Uh… yes!!! I think it’s another one of those things that if you focus on content and just do what you love, over time you’ll grow and folks will hopefully come to you! Good luck with everything!

      xo,
      s

  45. jane says

    what a fun Q&A! What is the color paint behind you while you two are talking? It is really pretty and might look nice in our new bathroom.

    Reply

  46. Jenna {Jenna Sais Quois} says

    I always love watching your interviews because Sherry’s laugh makes me so happy, and she does it a lot! I think you should probably adjust your time breakdown pie-chart to include the amount of hours you guys must spend laughing together… In that regard, working on YHL must be the most fun job ever.

    Reply

  47. Melissa says

    Fresh off of watching the Bachelor Pad I couldn’t help but think that Jake Pavelka and John look alike. Not sure if you watched or anyone has ever mentioned it but I thought it was funny the other day you posted that screen shot of the Pad and it was Jake on screen.

    Reply

  50. Laura says

    Cracked me up!!! I watched this at work with headphones and was struggling not to laugh out loud (so I think ended up quietly snorting somehow instead) with the took the baby to the market comment!

    Reply

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