I have one sponsor and so happy that he made the decision to put some money into CCV3, just a little goes along way

It’s the whole experience at the end of the day, as a ‘marketer’ I will not use the services that I have tried for sponsorship in a marketing campaign, I will use other services hence, I am the customer too

Like I said, the problem here in Canada (I fight with it every day) is that businesses don’t get it. The big ones do, but small ones just don’t understand. I keep hearing things like “doesn’t everyone have a blog?”, “noone reads a blog” and “what’s a blog?” over and over again. And even if you present great numbers they still don’t understand how it will benefit them. In my experience the only thing that really works is sitting down with a potential client and actually show them how their brand will be presented on the site and how a simple click will lead the visitor directly to them. But who has time for that?

There’s also one other problem that lies at the heart of blogging: Bloggers, by definition, write for free. So many businesses don’t understand why they should pay when they get the advertising anyway.

Finally there’s a problem of time. For many bloggers (us included) it becomes a question of creating content vs selling ads. They just don’t have time for both.

We recently redesigned http://www.dabbler.ca to answer a request from potential ad clients of a stronger presence on the site. Since we do a lot of video content incorporating pre-roll and other video ads is a possible source of revenue and we are now starting to pitch the idea. Other ad-zones we’ve built include graphic ads in viral players and sponsorship banners on the main player on the front page. It remains to be seen if this will actually make a difference but we’ve had positive response so far. If only we had more time for direct sales…

I’m so glad I found your blog. I have been researching the blogosphere in Canada (mostly as it relates to domestic and international tourism). I am also a blogger and online entrepreneur. Getting sponsorships/advertisers is always a struggle. What I have found in my experience is that networking (developing relationships with potential clients) and presenting a strong value proposition are the best ways to achieve the goal. When it comes to blogging or Web 2.0 (or even Web 1.0/static websites) advertising we are all competing against Google – a formidable opponent. However, there may be hope for the best blogs out there, depending on their focus. I can tell you that the buzz in tourism in the last year or so has been Web 2.0, i.e. blogs and social media. The tourism business works in partnerships (private sector/public sector, provincial tourism orgs and federal tourism org, etc). Perhaps we can similarly partner in some way so that we can increase our opportunities to find advert and sponsorship dollars. My business is a small business (though with high traffic sites) and I can tell you that I am interested in advertising in your blog. As for sponsorships – depending on what’s required I would like to know more about the events and opportunities. Cheers. Jaime (Toronto)
http://www.vancouverenespanol.com

This ignorance is proliferated when it comes to blogs. It’s quite simple really: If they don’t understand what a web site is and they sure as hell won’t understand what a blog is. To them it’s a weird website with all sorts of random stuff – a diary of ramblings.

The problem here in Canada is that businesses just aren’t used to online advertising. In Europe all the major papers went online for free over a decade ago and online advertising has become a huge business. Now the bloggers can mooch off the papers and get the tech savvy advertisers on their sites. Here the newspapers still don’t get it and online ad sales are dismal.

It’s a nightmare really because advertising on a popular blog could easily be the best investment a company has done. But getting them to realize it is a different matter. They see a blog as a fleeting medium, the site visitors as random people with vague interests and the advertising (even if it’s just $50) as a wild gamble that could easily end with nothing.

As a result the only blogs that really earn any money on ad sales are tech blogs and how-to-make-money-online blogs because they pander to a market that “gets it”.

We the blogging community need to educate the rest of the world on what we can do for them. Until they understand it’s going to be an uphill battle.

I’m a Vancouverite who now considers herself a “Canadian Expat” having lived in Cancun, Mexico for the last 5 years.

I’ve got my own blog and know that the network between blogger friends is immense and often the best way to get entertaining information, when it’s most convenient for you.

I’ve missed Vancouver and felt out of touch so I searched the internet for blogs….not newspapers, or local news networks. I can get the 411 on the 604 and I can get it in a way thats most entertaining to me.

Thanks and keep up the good work!

Say you have a blog about sewing and fabrics, would a shop like Dressew be interested in some link love, word of mouth via the blog or offering up a prize for your contest? (just using Dressew purely for example purposes).

I have a link for a local adventure race on my sidebar. I really could care less about reaching out and grabbing the attention of CBS and the producers of the reality series “The Amazing Race” (going more global with it). This is a race run by a Vancouver guy who creates the challenges himself and even produces videos for the local contestants. I’m all for it as this is the focus of my blog content: being hyper-local. I think bloggers have as much “veto power” as the advertisers.

PS – great discussion everyone!!

But, what Rebecca and Duane are talking about are two very excellent opportunities to get a business name out there for an incredibly good value. Having just had Third Tuesday Vancouver sponsored by a local venue (yay for that!!), I know that I’m more likely to consider that company for their offerings than another. And, I’m just one woman, who’s got a business in marketing, and has a good deal of disposable income. I know many others like me as well.

Just my two cents worth. YMMV.

Not to say that blogging about Vancouver is a bad thing by any means, but when it becomes everybody’s focus, scope/reach and frequency becomes limited – which are all necessary to landing blog related sponsorships or advertising. It would be wise for Vancouver bloggers to start networking on a more global platform. Then I could see the idea of a sponsorship becoming more relevant.

Could have something to do with the quality of Vancouver blogs. I find the majority (there are a few exceptions) of Vancouver-based internet media to be terribly boring and sub-par, so if I was a businessman I would stick with traditional media formats that are also shite, but have at least proven to be cost-effective.

I think you’re completely correct. As one loyal reader of your blog, I definately take note of the places you recommend, and go into their links. So there!

There are plenty of mom & pop shops that have made it without advertising. As you know, word of mouth is the best advertising. That’s why blogs are so great. It’s word of mouth magnified by millions.