I’d like to talk to you about the monetization of blogs, and specifically of my blog, Making it Lovely. I announced a new sponsored project earlier this week and the responses were mixed. I feel that it’s important to address the negative sentiments that were expressed.
I am approached daily with offers of items for reviews and giveaways, free trips, sponsorships, and various advertising opportunities (such as text links). I politely decline nearly all of them. To imply that I am thoughtlessly and greedily accepting every freebie that comes my way is hurtful and insulting. I have always taken great care to be ethical, honest, true to myself, and true to my readers. I don’t publish anything that I’m not proud of, and I hold myself to a high degree of integrity and accountability. This blog would be very different if I were only in this to make money. I have always been very selective, choosing only to work with companies that I have used or would use personally regardless of compensation. And now that I’m able to work with a sponsor to share a new project with you that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise? I think that’s wonderful.
Many have lamented the fact that so many blogs are being monetized, and they would prefer to see them remain free of advertising. I respect those individuals that blog without any form of payment, but I also have respect for those that have been able to be fairly compensated for the lovely sites that they have created. It takes a considerable amount of time, effort, and money to keep a blog like Making it Lovely going. I pay for childcare so that I have time to write and edit original photos for the blog. I have upgraded my web hosting to ensure that the site loads quickly and without problems for every visitor. I am always taking time to file away ideas, thinking of new ways to share inspiration with you, and documenting projects for the blog. I’m honored and amazed everyday that Making it Lovely has taken off the way it has, but you must know that there is a lot of work involved.
I am lucky to be able to earn an income via my blog. I have been working toward it for years, and I’m proud of all that I have accomplished. I will continue to accept advertising and explore new sponsorship opportunities in a mindful and responsible way, and I thank you for your support.
Related Posts
No related posts.
You are doing a lovely job and I enjoy it. seriously if those kind of people have a problem with it then why the heck are they even on here reading?!?! leave already! they’re are plenty of us here to fill the space and time who truly appreciate something as great as your Making it Lovely blog.
There are millions and millions of blogs out there. Most of them never get enough readership to make sense to monetize them. The best ones require the author to put in hours of time. To me, that’s worth dealing with any kind of advertising.
Well said! And yes, congratulations for being able to make a profit from all your hard work and the beautiful things you share with us.
Well said indeed! I am happy for you and love to visit your blog. Thank you for doing what you do…the way you do it, however it evolves.
jbhat
I read the original comments to see what was going on and I, too, found them to be really sweet for the most part with just a couple of comments that voiced a concern. I think it is great that your readers feel close enough to you that they feel they can do that. I don’t think that they were implying that you were greedy, etc.
I agree. This is blown way out of proportion and the use of the word “hater” is a bit redundant. Just concerns is all I saw and I saw nothing spiteful.
Scroll down a little and you will see the 5 or 6 (out of 247 and counting!!) who respectfully disagree called “selfish and ignorant”. This is seriously out of hand, and I am very disappointed. I was hoping, as I stated above, that the “Ugly” comments were deleted, but a supposed personal friend of Nicole’s says she doesn’t delete them.
Nicole, you started this by responding to only a few respectful comments on the original post by saying: “To imply that I am thoughtlessly and greedily accepting every freebie that comes my way is hurtful and insulting.” In my opinion, you should have made a statement in the comments section. Your quote implies you are not willing to hear any critism or comments that are anything less than fawning. No one is “hurting or insulting” you. You were politely questioned.
So– did you delete the ugly comments or not?
Sounds good to me! You’ve earned every penny.
Your blog is amazing and I can’t believe people are judging you this way. It is obvious that you spend a lot of time and money managing your blog please keep doing exactly what you are doing. I truly do believe that you would never push a product you don’t like or believe in. Good for you and thank you I looks forward to reading all about this project!
It’s your blog and you can do whatever you want with it. And I love the ads. I have found some of the neatest and unique things from blog ads. You go girl.
There’s a very simple response to this problem: haters to the left!
It’s like the internet comes with a free entitlement plug-in these days. Stoked to see your bedroom re-do! Congrats on the free cash to make it happen!
Amen! To maintain a beautiful blog where you can post almost daily and really put your heart into it is a full-time job and you should be compensated for it. Your readers appreciate all the thought that goes into your posts, and should support you 100%!
On a slightly different topic….Happy Mothers Day!
You make a tough job look easy and fun,
which is why I keep coming back.
to anyone who has a negative comment about sponsership-shame on you. that’s like telling anyone who has a job and puts many hours into it-might i add- that they shouldn’t take their paycheck at the end of the week. it’s none of your business and it’s not even your place to comment on something like that. it’s sad you had to address this and waste your time writing about nonsense. i love your blog by the way–if you can’t tell! happy mother’s day!
WELL SAID! I didn’t realize there were such haters! That’s pretty selfish and ignorant of them!
Your blog and you are amazing! Keep up the good work and happy mother’s day!!
There is a wonderful thing on a computer- it’s called the “delete” key, and anyone who doesn’t like your blog can just not follow it, right? Didn’t blogs start out kinda like online diaries? You can write and do what you want honey! I for one am glad you have advertising, because we are trying to revamp our website and do a little blog advertising ourselves. We will be contacting you for rates- love your blog. (you can check it out now if you want- http://www.vintagescout.com)
Good for you!
blogging is definitely a LOT of work and I applaud anyone who is able to reap some of the benefits of all that work.
i think its really sad that people think its their place to tell others how to conduct their business and blogging no matter how personal the content is in fact a business.
women should be applauding and appreciating because great opps like yours only opens the doors for others..
congrats on building up a strong enough brand that you are attracting sponsors!
maybe one way to ensure these are called out would be to put them in a box with a different color behind them. i’ve seen these done on another big blog, and it seems to work really well — it is crystal clear to readers that it is a sponsored post.
as a blogger, i’ve thought about this whole topic a lot a lot. unless readers are willing to pay a subscription cost (like a magazine) bloggers are going to need to take ads and the like. costs are indeed high for servers, tech support and the biggest cost of all: our time.
good luck, nicole. you go, girl!
keep doing what you’re doing, negative nancys get no where in life!! I’ve used links and sponsors on many blogs including yours to find great products. I feel that I can trust them more because of what you say.
your blog, your time, and I thank you for that! :)
you go Nicole! Love your blog – often brightens up my day :)
I’m excited to see the outcome of the sponsored project!
Nicole, your blog is wonderful and please don’t doubt your decision to accept sponsorship.
It is obvious that you put a considerable amount of work into Making it Lovely and I say good on you for being able to receive some compensation from a company you would already recommend regardless. You did the right thing in fully disclosing it as a sponsored post. I have no doubt your professionalism and integrity will ensure that the monetisation (if you will excuse my Australian spelling) of your blog will be kept to a reasonable and non-intrusive level.
Congratulations for having built up such a strong readership. I will still be keenly visiting here every day.
for every negative comment you receive, you have dozens of silent readers ( maybe more!) that are just fine with your decisions. I applaud you for putting yourself ‘out there’. Negative commenters are generally people LOOKING for things to comment negatively on. Your fine……. keep working.
Go Nicole! I am a mostly silent reader and I can’t wait to see your project.
I am constantly amazed by how angry some people are! I don’t understand why anyone cares that you and anyone else is making money from blogging. The world is a constantly changing place, and lots of people make money with internet businesses, and I don’t see blogging as any different! Keep it up, I absolutely love your site, and I for one don’t mind at all if you make a gazillion dollars blogging. :)
who was angry? there as a concern no one attacked anyone, unless comments were deleted while moderating.
You’re so cool Nicole!
Do as you do – cos you do it so well!
Impeccable taste and judgement.
Fiona
I for one wish for you to be paid more so that you would do more posts since I really really enjoy your site! You go girl and you do what you have to do to keep being stylish and raising that beautiful little doll!
Hi Nicole,
just putting my 2c in. I didn’t read the comments on your ‘sponsored’ blog entry so can’t comment on them, but admit to thinking something like “isn’t it great to get rewarded for your efforts”.
Keep doing what you’re doing. It doesn’t cost me anything to read your work and I’d like it to stay that way! I think its great that one can earn money (whether it is one’s sole income or additonal pocket money) from one’s talents (eye for design, writing skills etc).
So keep up the good work!
I think this is a wonderful and very smart decision on Nicole’s part. As many people have stated, blogs are free for us to read. All of the fantastic tips, advice and imagery Nicole has provided for us over the years are free!! Sponsored posts will allow her to keep rockin’ on and providing us with the content we love. Just because a sponsored post mentions a particular product, you do not need to purchase it. But you probably will because you know Nicole picks out the most fantastic things for your home!! And that is why are here, to be inspired! Love Making it Lovely, Nicole and cannot wait to see the new project.
I’ve admired you since the first time I stumbled upon your blog. And now I admire you even more! Go girl, I know how much money, time, and energy it takes to keep a blog running. You’re a truly inspiration for us mom bloggers!
Don’t let begrudgers get to you. Once you choose advertising and sponsorship that you believe in and that is true to your blog you have nothing to answer for. It takes a huge time investment to produce such a fantastic and popular blog and you should be rewarded for that in some form. Keep doing what you are doing and ignore petty people.
Thanks, for sharing this :-) but honestly as a huge fan of you blog. I don’t even believe you owe me an explanation. I enjoy what I read on your blog. I keep coming back because your post is interesting, I can relate but mainly because I can sense the authenticity of your posts. If you are able to make some income from your posts that’s great! If anyone has a problem with that then they shouldn’t visit your blog, it’s as simple as that!
Again, thanks for sharing this but I have come to learn in life that if you try to justify your actions to others, they seem to develop this convoluted notion that they now have a right to tell you how to act or need justification for your actions and they don’t!!! The only people you are accountable to is family and ultimately God!
Sustaining yourself and your family while doing something you love is a dream for most people. Not only does your blog make me happy but the fact that you are able to do it is inspirational!
Nicole,
I was one of the people who left a comment expressing concern in the original post. My comments (hopefully) expressed first and foremost respect and admiration for what I called your ‘lovely’ and excellent blog. And it is! It simply put is one of the best out there in my opinion. My original comment was that I like hearing your voice and the tone of that Amex post seemed to not be your voice. I read your blog to hear what you have to say and I could not agree more that it is evident in your writing and posting that you seem to hold yourself to the highest of standards. Your blog is a wonderful, well-thought out and just plain beautiful place to visit. All of that said, I hope that it is okay to express opinions that may or may not differ from both you and your other readers. On the rare time that I do so, it would only be done with respect and only because I care. Yours (as I said in the last post) is a place of beauty and thought, and I do wish you the best. I have carefully re-read the original comments on the post and it does seem that those who had concerns were trying to post them in a respectful and thoughtful way. Thanks for the additional clarification in this post – as I also noted in my first comment, of course this is your blog and your business, but your transparency is admirable in this clarifying post.
Very best,
I agree with this comment. Anyone that supposedly question the tone in the original ‘sponsored’ post was not doing so in a hateful and hurtful way.
a lot of folks that have commented here need to put down the pitchforks and torches and relax.
Your blog is amazing. To be paid for your creativity, spunk and lovely inspiration, is very well deserved. The best to you always!
Nicole, I think you totally rock and I will continue to read your wonderful blog regardless of advertisements or sponsored posts. You are an amazing person, and have clearly put your heart and soul into this blog, so why shouldn’t that be rewarded? People are paid for the work they do in many forms, and why would that change how much I love reading this awesome blog. You are one amazing blogger, and I feel honored to get to read along with your adventures. And I just love your sweet baby–she is the cutest! Best wishes to you always. Keep rocking!
I just wanted to throw my support out here too. I think the choices you’ve made are really smart. I love your blog, and will keep reading! Go Nicole!
Best,
Penny
(mom of 3 boys: 8,5 & 1)
I’m sorry you felt you even needed to write this post. You are a success and should be proud of it. The fact that you are contacted at all is a testament to that. And thank you for being selective and only sharing with us, those products that do meet your standards. Wishing you much more success!
I am so glad that I get to enjoy your blog for FREE! There is obviously an enormous amount of work that goes into a blog of this quality, and I am happy for you (and for me) that there is a way for you to be supported so I can keep reading.
I can’t catch up on all the comments here, but by golly! you deserve to make money. Anyone who thinks otherwise obviously isn’t thinking. You do a fabulous job and I have been reading since the very beginning. Keep up the lovely work! :)
Long time reader who has no issue whatsoever with monetizing blogs.
An enormous amount of time, effort and expense go into the best of them – like yours……
Keep doing what you’re doing – you should be compensated for your work.
I agree with everyone else, you just keep doing what you’re doing Nicole. I love your blog, and I am not afraid to admit that I have clicked on more than one of your sponsors links because they seemed like products I would use and appreciate. Don’t let the haters get you down!
They’re just haters. Your site is awesome. You SHOULD get compensated for all the work you put into it.
Where are all these haters everyone is referring to? Did I miss something?
Making it Lovely is one of my favorite blogs. I’m only disappointed when there is not a daily post! I have become so enamored with Eleanor … she is such a cutie and I have enjoyed watching her grow! If people don’t like your blog, Nicole, they have a choice not to read it. It’s as simple as that. Thank you for all the inspiration you share with your fans!
Since everyone is telling you how wonderful your blog is (and I agree) I feel the need to add my two cents and let you know how much I appreciate your proper grammar! It’s so refreshing to read a blog that doesn’t confuse a possessive with a plural and knows the difference between “your” and “you’re”….it’s great. Bad grammar is so distracting. I can tell you thoughtfully edit your posts.
I wish you wouldn’t even feel a need to explain yourself or apologize. I think as long as you write quality content and provide material that prompts readers to return, you can choose to monetize or not monetize your website in any way you choose!
Thank you for all the amazing information and inspiration you provide! You very much deserve to be compensated for all your hard work.
:-) I wonder if all the complainers would be willing to pay for a subscription to your blog? I mean, a girl’s got to eat and decorate!
Well said! Keep up the good work, and don’t let the haters keep you down. You’re putting positive things into the world, and they are not.
I work for a large ad agency in Chicago. Our PR team does product placements all the time. They just did one for a garage door opener manufacturer at Jay Leno’s house for the show Garage Mahal. At no point did Jay Leno turn to the camera and deliver a disclaimer that he received it as a gift and is therefore giving publicity to the product by using it in his home. They never do.
Product placements, endorsements, product reviews…they’re everywhere.
Ev. Ry. Where.
At least the author of this blog is forthcoming about what’s a paid endorsement and what isn’t.
I find it inspiring that you can get paid for doing what you love.
Just wanted to add another supportive comment to the long list. You’re a beautiful, conscientous writer who never fails to brighten my day with your amazing sense of style. I’m happy to know that the posts I enjoy for free are supporting your family, your business, and your continued success in whatever you choose to do. I love your blog and want it to continue to be a source of happiness for you!
When I began my blog six months ago I had no idea how time consuming it would be to create a posts that appeal to people in both content and artistically as well. When the time is right I hope to monetize my blog as well. In addition, I don’t think people realize how great it is for small businesses to have a reasonably priced place to advertise as well.
As a business woman and mother you need to create a life that works for you and your family and you should not have to explain or defend your choices. You have an interesting and beautiful blog and I support you 100%