First, I just read an article, Sponsored themes over at Weblog Tools Collection’s Blog and I found it very entertaining. I’ve noticed an increasing number of theme sponsors amongst the sitepoint marketplace crowd over the previous year as well. Overall, I find the idea of sponsoring a theme pretty interesting. However, put into perspective, make sure your sponsorship offer is worthy of the theme itself.

What started this

Immediately following the announcement for the first public releast of my wordpress theme,salmon, the administrator or owner from a specific website devoted to study guides and testing materials emailed me inquiring about sponsoring my wordpress theme.

I am interested in sponsoring your theme. Let me know if you are interested.

My response following this initial communication was straight forward. I had never allowed anyone to sponsor any of my wordpress themes or designs and I was not really in any mood to allow someone to do so now. I agree with Weblog Tools Collection to a point, I think sponsoring a theme is awkward. However, if the offer was right, I would consider it. I immediately told myself, perhaps for $400.00 I might allow someone to throw a link in the footer.

However, I eventually found out that this user currently sponsors “over 400 wordpress themes” currently and that he will pay me fifty dollars ($50.00USD) for two text-links in the footer. I was hurt. I think thats insulting. I would make more than that off selling two links on sitepoint.

Where I’m headed

Personally, I do not feel as though individuals accepting sponsorship for their designs are giving themselves enough credit. I feel that if someone wants to sponsor a wordpress theme, especially one that has potential to be inreasingly popular over time, should pay a premium price for it. I believe that over time, the link a sponsor receives in the footer or sidebar of a theme will have more of a pay off than the sponsor is buying. Its ridiculous to accept $50.00USD for a link on my theme that will send shit loads of traffic to this sponsors website overtime. It isn’t like the link will disappear.

Note to the guy who emailed me: If you’re going to sponsor a theme, make sure you’re making it worthwhile and beneficial to the developer or designer. Your offer was nuts. I’m not cracking on you, just a crack at your offer.. think about it

The end