Why I’m a Sell Out. And Why I’m Not.
Lately I’ve done something I promised I’d never do.
For that I’d like to apologize. I’d also like to not apologize.
Maybe you’ve noticed. Maybe you haven’t.
I’ve bombarded my blog with sponsored posts.
I know. I know.
I didn’t meant to. Recently I’ve had some great opportunities to work with different brands and programs and I’ve jumped at the chance to form new relationships and explore these opportunities.
I promised myself that I would only pursue the opportunities that meshed with my blog, my values, my interests, and readers’ interests. And that I’ve done. But it’s the second part of the promise I made myself that I fell through on.
To not overwhelm my regular posts with these sponsored opportunities. So how’d I let it happen?
Well, I’m a procrastinator. Seriously. I think it’s a true disease. I’ve gotten a little overwhelmed and behind on regular posting. Finding the time to cook something interesting, let alone brainstorm an idea, or photograph what I do manage to scrap together, just isn’t happening right now. I’m preoccupied with my little one. And I’m ok with that, though I’m not ok with letting things fall to the wayside.
See the thing is, I may be a procrastinator, but when I tell someone I’m going to do something, I stick to my word. The beauty {and curse} of sponsored posts or reviews is that they come with a deadline. A deadline I have to stick to. So while I may put off my own ideas and thoughts, I can’t put off someone else’s. A deadline set in stone has been the only thing to get my butt in gear the last few weeks. {So…can someone assign me a due date for all the other crap I have to get done? Pretty please?}
While I do apologize for the frequency of these posts as of late, I also don’t apologize- I don’t apologize for doing them. I know sponsored posts are looked down upon by a lot of people. I used to be one of them. But I’m being completely honest here- I’m not going to turn down a chance to make a little money by doing something I enjoy as long as it jives with my goals and brand. I view sponsored content as a writing prompt- someone else is coming up with the idea and I’m giving my take on it. I don’t just make crap up, I give my honest thoughts on the topic. It’s something I learn about and want to share with you.
I started this blog for me, true, but I continue to write it for you too. If I didn’t want people reading, it wouldn’t be on the internet. Because I write it for others now too, it’s become a sort of job. Not a job in that I have to do it or it’s my sole means of income, but a job in the sense that it takes time and effort and work to generate content.
Sponsored posts {and advertising} are a way to compensate me for the time I put into the blog so I don’t feel guilty about working on my blog instead of doing something else with that time. It doesn’t seem like a lot of time goes into blogging- it’s just posts on the internet, nothing earth-shattering- but the time does add up. There are costs in operating a blog too. These opportunities take care of some of these things for me.
Especially now, when I’m having trouble getting my act together to get back to work on a steady basis {I’m a small business owner}, this blog is allowing me to contribute, however modestly, to my family income.
This leads me to 2 things.
1) Thanks for putting up with me. I hope you keep it up 😉
2) My new non-promise {because promises can be broken} is instead an intention. My intention is 2 fold:
a) to continue to only accept partnerships with brands that align with the core of this blog and myself as I see fit and
b) to get my rear in gear and resume regular content asap.
I can promise that I won’t do this:
In order to help with option b, I have to admit I can’t get with the program quite yet and have some great guest posters lined up for you in the coming weeks.
Thanks for hanging in there and sticking by me. If you have questions about any of the above, about anything blogging or otherwise, or if you have something you’d like to see here on SoS, I’m always happy to hear from you!
PS You all came up with the most amazing flavor ideas for Greek yogurt. These brands oughta pay attention! The winner of the Chobani giveaway is:
Meg!
Email me your address! 
