Monetizing a Cookie Blog

I'm not sure if this is a topic I'm allowed to ask about so forgive me.

My blog is about my adventures of learning how to decorate cookies. My cookies, I'm the first to admit, are not showstoppers or award winners. I'm learning and I blog about the ups, downs and everything in between. I would love to slowly begin to monetize my blog but don't even know where to begin. There are so many companies whose products I use and I link to them all the time on the blog. I'd love to have them advertise on it. Does that make sense?

My problem is that I don't even know where to begin and I'm hoping that, somewhere out here in the cookie decorating community, I can get some direction. Do I approach them, and if so, how? I wouldn't even know where to begin or what to say. Do I wait for them to come to me?

I follow a boatload of unbelievably beautiful blogs and I notice that they all have sponsors and the badges of those sponsors. How do you even start? I would love even one sponsor. Right now I have a few badges on my site but nothing that would bring me any money, other than being an affiliate with Amazon, and Craftsy (which I love, love).

At this point in my decorating career and blogging career I wouldn't expect to attract any of the big sponsors, but I would love to even start with one or two small ones, and I don't want to use Google Ads.

Is there anyone who would be willing to share tips, tricks, information, or provide some direction? I have so many questions and don't know where to turn. Yes, I'm clueless here.

Thanks so much.

Colleen

12/17/1311:07 AM

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Julia M. UsherFounder and Host, Cookie Connection; Owner, Recipes for a Sweet Life

Hi, great question. At the biggest picture level, you need to start by putting together a media kit that makes the case for why people should advertise with you, i.e., cite traffic, social media reach, and so on. (You need to have a decent reach/presence to make this case, though, so making sure your content is top-notch in order to drive repeat traffic is key.) Then research comparable ad rates; then reach out to advertisers and sponsors with this info in hand. I'm happy to provide more specific information over the phone after the holidays, if you're interested. Just let me know and we can schedule a chat after January 1.

12/17/139:31 PM

Royal Icing DiariesGobbler

Julia thanks so much. I would really appreciate talking to you about it as I am really clueless and don't even know where to begin putting a media kit together or anything about comparable ad rates. Once everything slows down after the holidays I would love to chat with you about it.

Colleen

12/17/139:34 PM