Nikita here, and about to turn the floor over to Daddy Kiril...
BlogPaws is a wonderful website, community, and networking resource, that is helping Critter Blogging grow, and evolve.
Back in February I announced that Daddy registered to go to the BlogPaws Convention, in Va. Aug.25-27, and why we believed it was important that he do so.
The post has links to our Powerpoint Presentation, and a PDF version of our Info Flier.
A Leap of Faith in Hard Times -- Daddy Registered for Blog Paws 2011
He paid the $119 out of his pocket, though he is unemployed, on faith, a faith in the belief that attending would be the right thing to do, if he could pull it off.
He hopes that the rest of his expenses can be covered by a Sponsor.
A lot has happened since then, and among those events have been the following:
Honors for Meowsings!!! Daddy Kiril Runner-Up for Purina Cat Chow Correspondent
Handsome New Look, for the Blog, as the Future Beckons
National Hairball Awareness Day: PeoplePets Features Nikita's Awesome Specimen!
Nikita, Elvira, & Daddy Kiril Star in their 1st Video Together!
I've reviewed 2 books (With 2 more to come, this month), and Daddy has reported on an event at a Long Beach Pet Store.
Blog Paws encourages Bloggers "To seek sponsorships from companies interested in joining us at Blog Paws to be part of the fast growing pet blogger community."
They even sent him the Guidelines.
We will be sending out fliers, and a version of this post, in snail mail, to various companies, and organizations, in an effort to spread the word about this blog, and network, and even find a sponsor.
We are also looking for advice, and tips, and links for such, on finding a Sponsor, as well.
So, without further ado, here is Daddy Kiril....
****Please also check out the update, at the end, Thank You.****
Dear reader, welcome to what I believe is the BEST Cat Blog in Orange County, in Southern California, and one of the best in the state, and the nation, oh, and what the heck, probably the world, too!
Look, if I don't believe so, there's no guarantee any one else will. ;-D
It's an evolving blog with a small, but enthusiastic, supportive, and growing, readership that frequently comments on, and links to, its content, and the site itself (Link to Stats Tracker is at bottom of sidebar).
It is certainly the most unique, uniquely outspoken, and resource rich, in the world, hands down. ;-D
Think I'm joking about the "Outspoken" part? Well, I invite you to explore the place.
With over a year of material on this blog alone, and Nikita's efforts, for 8 years before that, on MY blogs, to dig through, you are bound to find SOMETHING interesting, I'm sure (See links in sidebar under "Daddy & I" for 2002 thru 2009). ;-D
I, as well as Nikita, a 13 yr. Old male, Part-Maine Coon, and his protege, Elvira Mistress of Pussydom, a year old Tortie, hope that what you find here impresses someone enough to want to become my Sponsor at BlogPaws, and thus agree to pay my travel costs ( Including airfare, hotel room, and miscellaneous expenses for food/cab/mass transit/etc., for 4 days (Aug.24 thru the 27th) ), while I provide certain agreed-upon benefits in return.
Such as:
A spot on Meowsings, with a link or a Badge with link, showing that I am being Sponsored.
Visibility to the growing audience of a popular, well-respected, blog, and pair of bloggers (See the list of links in the sidebar under "Praising the Pussycat".), who are also on Facebook.
An interview with Nikita, via the posting of his questions, and your answers, on this blog.
Product reviews of products you send us, by myself, Nikita, &/or Elvira as appropriate.
Publicity for Cat related events you hold, or are attending, and organizations you support, such as Shelters, Rescues, and Charities.
At the Conference, during Conference hours....
Recognition via the button, or badge, I will wear..
Notation of the Sponsorship on my Business card, & Flier, that I will hand out at the Conference while networking.
Around the conference (outside of Conference hours and/or offsite the possibility of...
Arranging a meetup/meal at a restaurant, or a gathering in my room with a person, or small group where, in the course of the gathering info about your company, or organization, is shared.
Passing out information about the company, or a particular event/product/service shared via coupons or brochures.
Opportunities to offer free product to my freinds and acquaintances for blog review.
Extending the relationship...
Recognition of you, as Sponsor, on Meowsings, leading up to the Convention, during the Conference, and thru the end of October, with links/Badges, and possibly advertising.
Facebook, and Twitter, plugs.
If you, as sponsor wish to participate in the Conference in a more substantial way, I can provide you with contact info to get a "Sponsorship Overview" which includes many Options at varying rates (Including sponsoring my attendance.).
My contact e-mail is in the sidebar.
Well, that's the pitch.
I've spoken before audiences before, reading poetry, promoting bicycling, and my former Bike Blog, but something such as this would be as new to me, as familiarizing yourself with the growing Pet Blogging World might be for you. ;-D
Welcome to my world, and the world of my Cats, and thanks for considering me. ;-D
Kiril Kundurazieff
****UPDATE - July 7th****
This is prompted by a wish to be truthful with anyone considering sponsoring Daddy Kiril....
A lot has happened since Daddy Kiril wrote the above: He broke his ankle on May 22nd, and several medical bills have added up.
He lost his unemployment due to an inability to look for work.
He had surgery, and was in a cast & on crutches, until last Friday, and is now on Braces, and trying to get back to normal walking, and begin to build strength in his foot, & ankle.
During this time he lost all hope of being able to attend BlogPaws, as not even a Sponsor has shown interest.
However, Monday gave him reknewed hope that attending may be possible.
He was approved for State Disability, which pays him, weekly, nearly 3 times as much as unemplyment did, and it's retroactive to a week after his Boo Boo.
3 of his 4 medical bills are on hold for a month, and may be substantially reduced, and allow him to pay monthly
We still do not know what our situation will be come Sept. 1st, but some thing a friend wrote Daddy, & I, last night, speaks to why we have always felt it was important Daddy attend the convention, even if he had to pay for the whole adventure himself...
"Only you can decide if you should make the investment to go.
I think it would be good for you and spark lots of new ideas and connections for you.
If you want to make your blogging into something that might pay the bills, this will jumpstart that process for you."
Elvira, & I have chronicled the recovery of Daddy, the last month...and the support, and encouragement, of the Cat Blogging Community has shown how great The Power of the Purr truly is, and we are truly grateful.
We are confident that there is nothing like what we are attempting to do here, in the Critter Blogging Community.
Our take on this passionate corner of the Blogosphere is proudly as different, and unique, as it is fun, and informative.
However, another friend has pointed out something, this morning, that Daddy Kiril needs to consider going forward:
****END UPDATE****
We wish you well, Daddy Kiril, hoping you will soon have a sponsor.
You have certainly stepped out in faith.
Posted by: jansfunnyfarm | May 14, 2011 at 04:26 PM
We hope you soon get sponsorship and most of all we hope you are resting your poor ankle and are not in too much pain.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Posted by: Hannah and Lucy | May 25, 2011 at 09:21 AM
This was a fantastic blog post. I absolutely loved it. Suggest you rewrite the whole thing in a more professional manner and clearly enumerate and delineate the beefits you are offering in exchange for sponsorship. I know you have it in you to make the changes.
Posted by: Amanda Socci | December 15, 2012 at 04:44 PM