Hello friends! And Happy Handmade Savvy {Sunday!}
We hope this little post finds you well and that the time change didn’t do you in… Jamin and I think it’s both the best… and the worst thing ever. We’re so excited to have that hour back with the extended daylight hours… but why must they torture the parents of children so? ;} So here’s a little inspiration we found this week! Without further ado…
This. Because people refer to “sensitive” like it’s a bad thing…
And we were honored to be on Megan Brooke Handmade this last week, discussing how we turned our blog into a business. A sneak peek into our behind-the-scenes gig, if you’re interested – be sure to check out the entire series while you’re there from some great bloggers!
Have an amazing Sunday!
Megan says
Thanks so much for the call out Ashley! It was MY honor to have you guys!! Hope you guys had a wonderful weekend!
Jenn @ My Fabuless Life says
Thanks so much Ashley! Made my night!!
Emily says
Thank you for including out tissue paper flowers. Love your blog!
Brittany says
I really enjoyed reading your post about how to turn your blog into a business! I love to write, and for the past few years I’ve been blogging as a connection to the outside world while I stay home with three kiddos. I have dreams of being able to do this as a source of income, but it seems like everyone is blogging now and my little blog can’t help but get lost in the mix. What blogging conference did you attend when you were starting out? And how did you make your blog attractive to sponsors?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Brittany! I am with you! That’s the main reason I still do it – despite the income! ;} The first conference I did was Blissdom, but that’s now non existent. We will be at Allume this fall, and it’s phenomenal. But it depends on what type of blog you want to have? Allume is a bit more all encompassing for lifestyle/any-kind of bloggers. Haven is more for home bloggers – so it all depends on your direction. Both are great! There are a ton of blogs (AND conferences) out there, and unfortunately (I can tell you from experience) that feeling will never go away. Sometimes I wonder if my mic is on. ;} But A. do what you love and it won’t matter and b. (stolen from a fellow blogging friend of mine) if you’re doing what you truly love, it doesn’t matter how many are out there. The cream will continue to rise to the ‘top’. In other words, yes it is saturated but if you have your own unique voice, people will find you. ;} Jamin says we’re doing what we love so anything else is gravy.
Making your blog attractive to sponsors is a whole different post, but I would say posting regularly, and having a clear theme across your blog, along with great design and easy to access categories where things are easy to find (like your home, if you want to go in the interiors direction). Also, while numbers matter, I’d say your voice matters more. Having five truly dedicated and engaged readers, is more valuable than 50 un-engaged luke warm ones. ;} So don’t get caught up in the numbers. Ever. I started with small ads in my side bar, and offered them for free to small etsy stores at first. Then put up a rates page. It was free advertising for them, and it got me started in the ads department. Diversifying is also key (like networks, etc.) I could keep going… but I’ll stop now. ;} I hope this helps!