Tiny Prints Valentines
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When Tiny Prints asked me to look at their Valentines Day Greeting Cards, I honestly expected to think I’d seen them all before. I was anticipating a repeat of the Valentine’s Day aisle at Target–Dora, Batman, puppies, hearts. I mean, how creative can you get with classroom valentines?
Well, I was totally wrong. These are ADORABLE. After scrolling through just a few lines, I already understood why some of the cards, like this one:
were best-sellers. I love anything rock-n-roll themed for kids. (See: Bink’s first birthday theme)
But the Valentine that stole my heart was this one:
Ahh, the cuteness. The design. The Jaws reference. Love it.
This year will be our first year doing Valentines for Bink, since he was in a daycare with only one other child last year. This year, I’m expecting a party (complete with adorable Valentine Cards), loads of candy, needing to make some sugary treat, and Bink coming home covered in glitter from heart-themed arts and crafts. As it should be.
At home, I’m thinking heart shaped pancakes for breakfast (or maybe dinner) and stalking Pinterest for creative (and easy) ideas. Each year I get the kids a little Valentine’s Day gift, and I’ve already got this year’s stashed away. K is getting some heart-themed boot socks, some heart-shaped bath stuff, and some cute chapsticks. Bink is getting a Valentine’s Day themed Dora DVD, some Chuggington socks, and Cars-shaped ring pops.
(Sidenote: I have no idea why I seem to think socks = Valentine’s Day gift)
If you are looking for some super cute Valentine’s Day card ideas, definitely check out Tiny Prints on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.
What do you do to celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Easy Birthday Card Idea
Way back before I had children, I used to actually have time pick out individual birthday cards. I’d read half the cards in the aisle, pick out something with the perfect sentiment I wanted to express, and be on my way. No one tugging on my arm to hurry up. No one sulking that they are bored of shopping.
Once I became a step-parent to a (then) seven year old, I used to get cards from her too. So on any given birthday/holiday, I may be spending $10 just on cards from our family.
Shortly after Bink was born I finally had an idea, I’d make one photo card from all of us and order enough of that card to get through a year’s worth of birthdays. The photo cards were less expensive than store cards, usually between $1-2 a card, and we’d only need ONE for the recipient. Brilliant.
Now each year that’s what I do. One card with my current favorite pictures of the children. No worrying over will I have time to get to the store to pick up a card before a birthday–I have a stash of at least ten of them in my home at all times.
For a few minutes planning once a year, I have a personalized, adorable birthday card that is way cheaper than the card aisle.
Want to see an example? This is the 2012 version…
Monitizing a Blog
I’ll admit, I’m not an expert on this topic, not by a long shot. But, 2011 has been a decent year for my parenting and photography blog, Pacifier In My Pocket. I do most of my story-telling, advice-seeking, Bink-drama posting there and I use this space to do most of my reviews (often unpaid but receive the product for free), sponsored posts (normally paid, with or without products) , and giveaways (usually provided by a company for review with another to give away).
If you’re starting out blogging, or just looking for ways to make a little money blogging, here’s my best advice…
1. Learn about affiliate links.
Many companies, most notably Amazon, Groupon, a plenty of small businesses, offer affiliate links. What does that mean? You sign up through the company and they give you a special link to use with your readers that lets the company know those readers came there from your site. Then if that reader buys something from the site, you make a small commission or get credit to use with that company.
I haven’t made a ton of money in this way, but I’ve made some here and there (probably less than $30 in a year). I think it makes the most sense for blogs that feature products often (coupon blogs, etc.). For such a tiny amount of work, I think it is worth the effort to use affiliate links when appropriate. Just be sure to disclose to your readers that you are doing so.
2. Find a middle man.
There are PLENTY of them to pick from. Look at other blogger’s posts that are sponsored to see how they got that job. Was it through a PR company? A company that specializes in connecting bloggers with brands? Many of them have very easy applications to be included in the pitches that go around. This takes a little more effort, and has the potential for more disappointment, because you won’t get picked for every job you’d like to take on.
I have gotten the majority of my sponsored posts and reviews either directly from the company or from working with a company that connects bloggers with brands. You’ll figure out which company is the best fit for your blog, for me it has often been the Clever Girls Collective. They have great pitches and I’ve been picked for a few in the past year I’ve been a member. Am I raking in money doing this? No. But I’ve actually made a couple hundred dollars this way and gotten to work with some cool brands. The SITS Girls have also just started some sponsored post opportunities with great brands. This is my first sponsored post with GigCoin, where you can actually create your own pitches to lure brands in!
3. Go to a Blogging Conference.
I’ve been to BlogHer for the past two years and I’m planning on taking my new baby with me this coming August. It is a fantastic way to meet brands. Having that face-to-face time is hard to get in other ways. Stop by the Expo Hall and meet the companies there. Pick up some fun swag, engage with the companies you’d like to work with the future. Every year the amount of swag/coupons/gift cards I come home with actually comes to more than it costs for me to attend the conference. Now, I am absolutely NOT saying to go just for that reason. I spend the majority of my time in sessions about blogging or catching up with friends, but the connection with brands is very nice.
This past year my trip to BlogHer was sponsored by a small business called Bambino Balls that makes adorable baby/toddler sports themed clothing. They paid for my plane ticket, conference registration, and hotel in exchanging for me helping to publicize their brand before/during/after the conference. I was lucky enough to stumble on to the opportunity through Twitter of all places and happened to be a good fit for the company. However, don’t be afraid to approach companies you’ve worked with in the past about full or even partial sponsorship. That sponsorship, which ended being over $800, is the single biggest amount of money I’ve ever made in relationship to blogging.
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Having tried those things, I think I’m going to look more for affiliate advertising for this blog next year. I am part of Federated Media on my main blog, again as part of the Clever Girls Collective. I have only been running ads a few months, so I’m still kind of getting the hang of it. While I have an exclusive relationship with them on Pacifier In My Pocket, there is definitely some unused ad space here.
So what’s your best advice for trying to monetize a blog? Or what new things are you looking to try for 2012?
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by GigCoin. All opinions are my own and none of the links here are affiliate links.
Plastic Jungle
I’ll admit, I’d never heard of Plastic Jungle before I saw some other bloggers buzzing about the site. What a brilliant idea! If you are looking to buy a gift card for the holidays this year, looking to make a little extra money, or looking to ditch a gift card to a store you aren’t crazy about, this is the place to do it.
Buy A Gift Card
Plastic Jungle makes it super easy to buy gift cards at discounted prices. All you need to do is click the “Buy a Gift Card” link at the top of the page, pick from a great list of stores (Target, Walmart, Home Depot, etc.), and select the card you want to buy. Depending on the store, you’ll pay up to 35% less than face value! Then Plastic Jungle will mail (free shipping!) or email you the card/code. That’s it!
To make it even easier, here are some links to some of the most popular cards this year:
- Lowe’s up to 7% off: https://www.plasticjungle.com/
gift-card/Lowes-gift-cards - American Eagle Outfitters up to 12% off: https://www.plasticjungle.com/
gift-card/American-Eagle- Outfitters-gift-cards - Express up to 21% off: https://www.plasticjungle.com/
gift-card/Express-gift-cards - JC Penny up to 15% off: https://www.plasticjungle.com/
gift-card/JC-Penney-gift-cards - Gap up to 9% off: https://www.plasticjungle.com/
gift-card/Gap-Brands-gift- cards - Luck Brand Jeans up to 20% off: https://www.plasticjungle.com/
gift-card/Lucky-Brand-Jeans- gift-cards - Victoria’s Secret up to 10% off: https://www.plasticjungle.com/
gift-card/Victorias-Secret- gift-cards - Home Depot up to 7% off: https://www.plasticjungle.com/
gift-card/Home-Depot-gift- cards - Anne Taylor up to 15% off: https://www.plasticjungle.com/
gift-card/Ann-Taylor-gift- cards
Disclosure: I received compensation to review the Plastic Jungle site. However, I love a good deal and I wouldn’t steer you wrong when it comes to saving money!
Easy Shutterfly Gift Idea
I’ve mentioned a million or two times how much I love Shutterfly. While they offer gorgeous greeting cards and beautifully designed any-occasion cards, sometimes a plain photo card just speaks for itself.
Love it.
