I do not know much about the sponsorships but after adding my blog to it I really saw no traffic coming from it what so ever. Since the sponsorships are on the same section I do not know if it would be real beneficial but maybe someone on here has tried it.
Doesnt tweak my interest at all. I dont even know what the sponsorships are. If you are active on blog catalog you can get some traffic, it just never appealed to me.
Yes, they work, but only on some niches. Actually you can get any significant traffic from BlogCatalog only if you are writing about Internet Marketing, SEO, Blogging or Web Development. That's just their crowd. So if your blog is in any of these niches or related - go for it!
I have good experience from blogcatalog for one of my niche. I didn't pay for the Sponsorships though, but I add my blog there and it get indexed at the first page of google within two days with their link.
I haven't tried the sponsorships but do have my blogs listed on blogcatalog. I just joined so haven't seen much traffic yet but I think the key is to join in and contribute more.
I get return visits sometimes after visiting other Blog Catalog members blogs. That is usually the only time traffic comes from blog catalog. I have not tried sponsorships.
I receive 10 -20 visitors from blog catalog with doing anything. I just added my blog there. Every visitor counts i guess.
Personally i don't think it worth it. Coz i only received few visit from there. I would rather buy link at other high PR site