I recommend checking blogads.com… they allow you to accept or reject advertisers and I’ve found that the ads are better looking and more targeted. I’ve been really happy with both the performance of the ads and the support staff there. They might be agood match for the sort of audience you’re cultivating.

Once you know how much revenue you need — and at what time scale — you can examine ways you can offer sufficient value to sponsors or advertisers or subscribers. It makes a huge difference, though, whether you’re seeking six hundred dollars (David’s 52 books, less the 40% discount that bookstores receive) or $60,000 (perhaps enough for a small salary and a modest office) or more.

As it happens, I’ll be doing a post (prolly today) on the problems of thoracic shaping and the consequent problems of fitting bras. I’ll be sure to mention your site so we’ll see if anybody approaches you with some ideas (my co-blogger also manufactures lingerie). There are also a couple of internet newsletters strictly for buyers/manufacturers of lingerie so that may be a source for sponsorship too. Then, there’s always the fiber producers.

I’m curious to know how utilitarian type posts would work on your site, just to add to the mix, I mean.

I think as long as you’re up front about your relationships with advertisers and/or sponsors (either term is fine, sponsor has a long history as another term for advertiser), people will understand. Besides, you’ve already got advertising, so you’ve established that aspect already.

There are a number of reasons that you might consider using BlogAds as one source, including the fact that they are going to increasingly be seen as a way for bigger companies to advertise on blogs as money moves from tv and print to online advertising.

Feel free to drop me a line if you want to know more or need a sponsor (which you have to have to sign up). I’d be happy to help:
clyde(at)prohiphop(dot)com

Peace,
Clyde

Thanks for your comments so far! To answer Martin’s question, I wouldn’t consider doing any “stealth” sponsorships, i’d prefer to hand-pick any advertisors and present them (and their products) to the readers as something that we love and recommend. I’ve been thinking about possibly doing a “sponsored product” kind of idea where advertisors feature a particular product and i add that within the content area (and indicate it as an ad), which would hopefully make it a bit more relevant for the readers than a plain banner ad.

Cases like David’s are exactly what I was thinking of when I asked this question — I knew people had to be doing creative things with their advertisors/sponsors beyond just putting their ads up, I just couldn’t find any :-)

For example, do you plan to write posts on the spnsor’s behalf (stealth ads), or just display their ads on your site? I see those as two ends of a spectrum — I think the former will affect your credibility, the latter will not (as you’re already displayed ads).