A full year ago, we opened up spots for advertisers in our sidebar and then three months after, I decided to close them. At the time we decided to take a sponsor hiatus, we had a good amount of sponsors, but something felt forced. Honestly, I found myself mimicking one style of accepting advertisers and realized it wasn't how I wanted to handle or present these companies at all. I could sense there was a change occurring in my blogging style and in my personal taste and I didn't want to find myself in a routine of doing something one way, when everything else seemed to be changing for the better. All I could see was our blog was growing so the next natural step was advertisers? Not always the case.
I have spent the last year working on honing my own personal style, which we've discovered is a lot different than where we started. Through honing our decor style, I've also settled into a writing style that feels natural, making our virtual home feel a lot more comfortable, too. Bottom line--this has been an important growing period for me and this blog. I have learned (and you should hear this, too) it is okay to sit back, research, partner and create friendships with companies you love and trust and bloggers that inspire you, too. Pick a couple that you admire, that feel in line with where you are headed, and deem them your mentor. I've asked a lot of questions to, at first, total strangers, but now great friends--some I now even text for advice on impulse buys (hi Kim!). All of this has landed me in a place where I feel excited to connect our readers to companies and products and vice versa.
So, here we are, after a year of growing, learning and discovering the true tone and direction of our blog (that will surely keep evolving for the better)--I feel confident in opening up our sidebar sponsor spots again. Officially. If you own or are part of a small shop, flourishing business or large corporation and are interested in advertising on Chris Loves Julia, email [email protected] or check out our advertise page for more information. We can't wait to show you off on the best version of our blog.
Ps. Hilarious outtake from our spring family pics, right?!
Also! A new dish from Chris is up on his blog.
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Bravo, sister! I knew you'd get here. I admire your business sense and your integrity. You're doing things right.
This is a great post! I really appreciate you sharing your experiences! Advertising is such a tricky thing!
I love you brown jacket in the photo-- where is it from?
Thanks, Leese! A friend gave it to me.
What about the kitchen tiling?
Patience, Iago. That's coming. We have settled on marble and are waiting for it to arrive because we ordered it. No fear!
Awesome!
I would absolutely LOVE some blogging advice- have you ever thought of doing a post chronicling how you really got going? I have a small little food/lifestyle blog.. and I am wondering how to best manage it...
I don't think I ever "really got going." I blogged a few years about just our life before we bought this house in 2011. From that point, and consistently blogging about our renovations, our blog traffic has always steadily grew every month. I would say I have "really got going" when I settled into a style--both decor and writing--(substitute cooking for you?) and felt confident in my choices. Which really has only been semi-recently. The confidence thing is key because the more readers you have--the more likely you will get some people that...don't care for you or your blog or your choices and might tell you. And when you're confident, you're thicker-skinned and it's okay. That being said, the early stages of figuring things out and even making some mistakes are so, so valuable. My advice--don't rush it.
Thank you! I am blogging more because sharing recipes makes me happy. :) I fully expect it to never grow more than a few readers but I love sharing food so it's been fun to see others stumble upon it. I actually stumbled upon your blog about a year ago! It's now on my morning checklist! :)
So sweet! It sounds like you are doing everything right, Steph. :)
That picture! You guys are so cute.
Proud of you Jules! You're amazing!