Today as I was putting up new sponsorship buttons
(sponsors that I can't wait to share with you!)
I noticed how full and cramped up my sponsor bar was getting.
I keep a list of all paid sponsorships, their start/end dates,
contact info and more.. and I noticed a few weren't in there.
Then I realized that I traded a few ads here and there...
well here and there started to ad up.
So I went to some of those peoples blogs that I had traded with
only to discover that my button was no where to be found (on multiple blogs)
while I have been advertising for them for months!
NO FAIR
Not only for that reason have I decided to stop all trading of blog buttons,
but for a few other reasons I want to share with you.
I'm all about supporting others businesses (really I am!), but I need to support
the ones that paid for a spot since their payments are what put my spots on
bigger blogs hence full circle advertising.
I also can't allow my sidebar to be full of trade spots and not give attention
to the ones that did pay for their spots.
I hate enforcing blogging rules or anything,
I really do love trading because it is extremely convenient for both parties.
I just need to be realistic on what I myself can keep up with.
I'm going to be changing my sponsorship section a little today,
I won't be selling spots in my shop anymore instead all buttons and links will need
to be approved by me first so that I can see that it's a good fit for my readers.
(you guys!)
So to my current sponsors I hope that you all respect this,
to ones I have traded with thank you so much for the opportunity
and to the readers I hope this place is somewhere that you like to visit.
A place that isn't full of ads trying to make me money by making you click on them,
but instead proof that I can introduce you to some fab new shops & blogs
that you may not have known about..
all while supporting indie businesses like myself!