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The Post About Collaborations and Sponsorships

Maybe you knew this post was coming, or perhaps you didn’t. We moved to BHH in June of 2014, and we got to work right away fixing and updating the house, and writing this blog (albeit very poorly, in the beginning). First steps were no-brainers. The house needed a new electrical panel and smoke detectors. The next year we got a new roof. For three summers, the painters came. (year one // year two) The list goes on and on.

Before & After

Counting enclosed porches and halls, BHH has 25 rooms. We have managed to do a little something in almost all of them, and a whole lot of something in others.

breakfast nook |kitchen pantry |bedroom | library |kitchen

While I have never declared myself to be a restoration purist, my heart is firmly rooted there. For each new project we tackle, I first consider how to safeguard the original elements in each space. I like to think we strike a good balance between preserving the old and making BHH beautiful and livable for our life in modern times. More than any other title, I think of us as thoughtful renovators.

pantrycabinet4
The Kitchen Pantry

When we were in the buying process, we had two inspectors look at the property. They were very thorough, and they came to the same conclusion. The two main things BHH needed were time and money. Boy were they right!

Since I began writing this blog, I think I have been pretty transparent about my openness to sponsorships and collaborations that are the right fit for BHH and align with our values. However, I know this is such a loaded topic for readers. Some readers do not feel like writing a blog is legitimate work, or they question the authenticity of a blogger’s relationship with a sponsor.  They hate to see their favorite blogs become an extended commercial. The list of concerns is long.

I get this. Oh, how I get this. I was a blog reader long before I was a blog writer, and I have watched this all unfold.

Over the past few years, I have considered what it means to be an influencer. That’s such a funny word and a tricky idea. Presently, I am the bellwether for nothing, but I sat down to consider what I want to encourage our readers and followers to do if that day should come. Here’s a list.

I want to influence you to:

  • Take a risk (Initially, I did not want to buy BHH..)
  • Learn a new skill
  • Save an old house
  • Tackle the projects languishing on your to-do list.
  • Be creative on a tight budget
  • See potential in the rubble
  • Buy products that work
  • Enjoy life; It’s short.
  • Do for others

Staying true to that list, I feel comfortable and even excited about moving forward with pursuing an income.

However, If I am to receive something as an influencer, I also need to be able to pay that forward in a way that has a broader reach than the triangle of BHH, the product company, and our readers. Thus, the last item on my list above. I have decided that for every $500 worth of product I receive for BHH, I will volunteer for one full day with Habitat For Humanity.

Why HFH and How Will This Work?

I learned about HFH in the 1980s, and even though I was just a kid, the concept of a community coming together to build a home for a family who needed it, made sense to me.

Two years ago, I decided to work on a HFH job site for my birthday, and I loved it. In fact, that very day I learned how to use a chop saw and a nail gun. Now that I have more construction experience, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity is the perfect way for me to use the skills I have while I learn new ones.

HFH builds modest, comfortable homes in communities all over the world. Each house is built almost entirely by volunteers. That amazes me! The families that benefit from HFH homes must also put volunteer hours into the build.  It is a win-win formula. In our area, HFH homes are almost entirely revitalization projects vs. new builds. There is a huge inventory of old homes that are unsafe in their present state. HFH completely removes the hazards and refurbishes the entire house to bring it up to code.

Although their method is not entirely in line with my restoration leanings, I get it. It is the right thing to do in this case. The day I volunteered, the crew was working hard to reinstall an original banister on the new staircase. They also reused unpainted woodwork when it was possible. So, not everything is tossed into a dumpster, reality TV-style.

Our Old Kitchen in the Back of a Truck

On my end, I will keep track of the bottom line. Each time we earn $500, I will be spending the day with Habitat For Humanity. When I schedule my time with HFH will depend on my family and work obligations. The important thing is that I will put my volunteer hours in within the same calendar year as my earnings unless it all falls in the month of December. If that is the case, I’ll get right to it the following January.  If things go crazy, and I become a millionaire, well, one step at a time.

I recognize that as you read this post, you may have questions or concerns.  Please know that right now, I am not sitting on a stack of collaboration opportunities. This blog is not going to change overnight. I always welcome your questions and comments.

Respectfully submitted,

25 Comments

  • Audrey
    Posted January 11, 2018 at 1:29 pm

    My favorite way to articulate our philosophy when it comes to our old house is “respectful renovation.” We HAVE to change some things; for example, there was only one bathroom (a horrendous, contemporary one, actually, but it was here when we bought the old lady) and we’d never be able to resell this house at a profit without having added one. BUT, we added it in a style that is appropriate for the house without doing damage to anything that was both original and in good enough condition to be worth saving. We try to respect the house’s authenticity, while also recognizing that an old house with no updates is often an empty house with no one caring for it. I think you have the right attitude. 🙂

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted January 11, 2018 at 1:49 pm

      I love the term “respectful renovation.”

  • SH
    Posted January 11, 2018 at 2:13 pm

    Your BHH philosophy and accomplishments are something to be proud of. The thoughtful care really shines through. On another note, I see that you are about to tip over into the 900 club on IG followers. So a little early congratulations. I’m so happy to see this blog grow.

    • SH
      Posted January 11, 2018 at 4:42 pm

      Update: you are officially in the “900′ club! Here’s to promotion to 1K very soon.

      • Post Author
        Stacy
        Posted January 11, 2018 at 5:09 pm

        Hip hip hooray! If you were here, I would give you a high five.

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted January 11, 2018 at 4:59 pm

      Thank you, SH. Also, I just saw that I hit 900! It feels good. 🙂

  • Betsy
    Posted January 11, 2018 at 2:18 pm

    You won’t lose me as a reader! (So don’t forget that when you’re a millionaire)?
    I’m happy you will be able to profit from your future renovations.

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted January 11, 2018 at 4:47 pm

      When I’m a millionaire, I am going to tell everyone that it is because of you, Betsy. 🙂

  • Jennifer Quinlan
    Posted January 11, 2018 at 3:01 pm

    I’ve seen so many bloggers sell out, with no regard to their “brand” or ideals. I’m not concerned in the slightest about you joining them. I love seeing your thoughtfulness. That said, I think you are selling yourself short. Dare I say, your HFH days should be worth at least a thousand dollars of sponsorship, maybe more! However, I understand your desire to pay it forward (and back). I love your house. I’ve enjoyed watching you create for a couple years now. Thank you for your consideration and generous spirit.

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted January 11, 2018 at 5:04 pm

      Thank you, Jennifer. Thank you for reading, your support, for everything you wrote. 🙂

  • Kelly
    Posted January 11, 2018 at 3:33 pm

    I know I’m being a hypocrite when I say I wish you would get sponsorships. I am totally over other DIY blogs that I consider sell outs, lol. I stopped reading some of my favorites when it just seemed like crass commercialism and wastefulness took over. Re-doing perfectly good rooms, showing off their “loot” that you never see again, etc, etc. I don’t see you ever doing that and I feel you are deserving. Now, if you do start raking it in and Andy decides to quit his job to help run the blog then I’m done – lol!!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted January 11, 2018 at 5:07 pm

      Thank you for your trust, Kelly. I am laughing about Andy quitting his job to help run the blog. When we first met, we worked together. It did not take us long to realize that it was not a very good idea. 🙂 We have been married a long time, and we do projects together reasonably well now. However, working together in the way you describe might be the beginning of the end of us. LOL

  • Devyn
    Posted January 11, 2018 at 3:48 pm

    I have to admit I have mixed feelings about the topic of affiliations and/or collaborations with corporations on blogs, but that stems more from my own personal distaste for how inundated life has become by corporations unending hunger to sell us things we don’t necessarily need.

    I appreciate that you are clear about when there is an affiliation and therefore I never feel mislead (thank you for that). There are too many blogs out there who’s only purpose is to create content for schilling products, many of which are completely unrelated to the focus of the blog. I understand that a well-read blog can be a source of income, but I also feel there is a definite line between writing about products one believes in verses writing shallow cover stories to sell merch. I have never felt that way about BHH.

    I think your commitment to do service for HFH is a brilliant way to give back.

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted January 11, 2018 at 5:12 pm

      I 100% understand where you are coming from, Devyn. Life IS full of sales pitches and product placement. I will do my best to continue to be upfront about affiliations. Also, I will work hard to not cross the line between endorsing and shilling.

      Thank you for your support regarding volunteering for HFH. I am quite excited about it.

  • Marta
    Posted January 11, 2018 at 4:51 pm

    Writing is real work (says the writer), but all-too-rarely paid, much less paid well. In the writing world there is a lot of momentum to encourage all writers to demand to be paid for their work. You do an amazing job with this blog and are among the most thoughtful people I know. I don’t now nor will I ever own a fixer-upper; I am fully committed to urban apartment living! And yet I love your blog and the window it gives me into another life that is fascinating to me but just doesn’t happen to be mine. That you share it with me for free is wonderful for me (because I am a poor writer!), but OF COURSE you should be paid for your work! And I can’t think of anyone I trust more to keep this blog and your work authentic and in keeping with your values! And the HFH idea almost made me cry (I held back because I’m on public transit back to my little urban apartment and I try not to cry too much in public 🙂

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted January 11, 2018 at 5:18 pm

      Thank you, Marta. Writing IS honest work, and you know it more than most. I am so happy that you enjoy reading this blog even though you have no intention of moving into a fixer-upper. That means I’m doing my job of creating engaging content. If you change your mind about that fixer-upper, you can be my neighbor. There are plenty available here. 🙂

      I try not to cry too much in public.

      This made me smile. 🙂 My tear ducts betray me more often than I would like. I am so excited about volunteering for HFH.

  • Keri
    Posted January 11, 2018 at 7:04 pm

    As long as you don’t start showing off your rooms by running in front of the camera, looking back over one shoulder with one hand reaching back, we’re cool.

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted January 12, 2018 at 8:00 am

      I have tried to picture what this would look like. Since I cannot, it’s a pretty safe bet that I won’t do it.

  • B Lord
    Posted January 11, 2018 at 7:28 pm

    Genius idea!!!

  • Jeri
    Posted January 11, 2018 at 11:51 pm

    I really love the idea of volunteering for HFH with each $500 in earnings. I say, “Go for it!”

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted January 12, 2018 at 8:01 am

      Thank you, Jeri.

  • Vanessa
    Posted January 13, 2018 at 6:16 pm

    What I look for in a blog are good pictures, good writing, actual progress on somewhat realistic properties. I really like the people who are scrappy, and realistic over the slick, perfectly coiffed who are unable to convey their thoughts with out using “blogger-speak.” I do end up leaving some bloggers for those reasons and especially when some of the sponsored posts feel more like true advertising than they should. Still, I am sort of proud when I realize some of my bloggers are supporting their families this way. It seems like a legitimate way to make a living.

    I don’t know, but I think that with a house like yours, you can use all the help you can get in the form of sponsorships. Go get ’em Stacy and Andy!

  • nancy
    Posted January 15, 2018 at 8:47 am

    I have no problem with bloggers getting sponsorships. If I don’t care for their blog anymore, for whatever reason, I stop following them. And after all, I get great enjoyment and it costs me absolutely nothing!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted January 17, 2018 at 11:30 am

      Thank you for your feedback, Nancy.

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