With Brit Mums Live being only a week away, I’ve read many a blog post about sponsorship. Whether that be a sponsor plea or announcement. So I thought I’d write my own post about sponsorship, or lack of.
I’ve been blogging for almost 18 months and worked with some amazing brands and PRs. More than I ever imagined working with.
When I learned I could be sponsored to go to Brit Mums Live I instantly began tweeting and emailing brands I’d worked with. I even changed my email signature with a plea for sponsorship.
As the months went by and I had no response to my requests I decided to book my ticket and sort out travel and accommodation myself.
As much as I love working with brands, I’m actually quite relieved not to have a sponsor. My blogging time is limited and this has a huge effect on my blogging mojo. I have to blog around work and family life, so having deadlines puts great pressure on me. This is my first time at Brit Mums Live and I want to enjoy it. I can tweet as much or little as I want during the day, I can blog as much or as little as I like about the event, or I can switch off completely and just learn, which is ultimately why I’m there.
Don’t get me wrong, I think sponsorship is amazing and if a great deal was offered to me, I might just have to man up and get blogging, but going to the event without a sponsor really doesn’t bother me at all.
I know a lot of bloggers out there can only go with a sponsor due to financial reasons, and trust me when I say I’m normally one of those bloggers. However I was lucky enough to get a few sponsored posts last year and managed to save up the money I earned to pay for my ticket.
I’ll also add that I’m reviewing the hotel I’m staying in, however not in connection with Brit Mums, I was just sensible enough to book the review for the weekend of the event!
I also bought my train ticket in advance which ended up only costing me £9 each way.
Next year will be completely different. I’ll probably desperately want a sponsor, but I’ll be a more experienced blogger and hopefully a lot more organised. I’ll be able to cope with the extra tweeting and the blog posts about who I’m working with. Or maybe not. Who knows?
What I do know is, this year I’m happy to concentrate on Lamb & Bear, and just Lamb & Bear.
So if you are going to Brit Mums without a sponsor, don’t sweat it. It doesn’t make you less important. Spend the time promoting your blog and nobody else. Learn. Socialise. And most importantly, drink wine.
Ax
Great post, I have been that busy working on my blog, building links with brands I a nether had the time to ask a sponsor and probably more the truth didn’t have the confidence. Which I know is ridiculous, I am happy to pitch a post yes for some reason didn’t for BritMums, but anyhow I am going self funded and can not wait. And like you say it is so much less pressure, I am so pleased for those who have sponsorship its great and maybe I will have a go at asking next year.
i have been non sponsored and this is my third year. Personally I don’t see the difference between doing that and sponsored posts. I haven’t asked for sponsorship as quite frankly I washing with or without it. I am licky that I don’t live too far s
This is fab! I wish you’d written it a while back as I have been so down in the dumps about not having a sponsor but you are totally right. I am going either way and cannot wait!!! If you see me come say hello as I am super shy!! xx
I’ll definitely say hello!! Don’t be down in the dumps, your blog is amazing! Xx
I’m going without a sponsor too. I’m excited and nervous both at the same time. I’m glad I’ve paid for myself as it will be less stressful and I will hopefully be to tipsy to tweet anyway. 🙂
Personally, as a blogger who wishes to be professional, grow her blog and expand upon the brand partnerships I have already forged, I am am happy to pay my own way. And have done so. I do it for my personal and blog growth.
I see many comments about bloggers who have not got a sponsor and cannot go. And this saddens me. I don’t see the difference in ‘having a sponsor’ and writing about them, vs. accepting paid work in the year leading up to conference, and saving that money. The net result is the same, surely? Ultimately, with less pressure for the reasons you mention above 🙂
I’m very lucky in that a brand whom I’ve partnered with during the last year has kindly gifted me some product to wear, but ultimately, the financial expense to attend has come from me personally. And I’m happy with that.
I look forward to hopefully meeting you at the event. Have a wonderful time!
I went with a sponsor last year, but I paid for myself this year. I am going to enjoy my time without the added pressure of tweeting/IG/FB etc for the brand I can just go with the flow 🙂