Friends, this is probably the second most frequently asked question I get as a blogger. So, you’ve been blogging for a few months/years now and are ready to take your blog to the next level. Fantastic! However, how do you make the transition from hobby blogging to taking on sponsored post campaigns? I’m going to break it down for you and give you the scoop on how you can start to land sponsored campaigns and turn your blog into a business!
What Are Companies Looking For?
So, you want to monetize your blog, huh? First thing’s first: you’re going to want to know what makes a blogger attractive to a brand. If you don’t have thousands upon thousands of followers yet, don’t be discouraged. There are plenty of brands out there that value quality over quantity! Before you take on a sponsored post, ask yourself: can you provide high-quality images for the campaign (or work with a photographer that can)? Can you tell a story for this campaign? Does the product you want to advertise fit into your lifestyle? If you can answer yes to all of those questions, you, my friend, are ready to start taking on sponsored opportunities!
Starting Off? Work With Media Groups.
When I was first getting started with sponsored post opportunities, I began by using media networks dedicated to pairing bloggers with companies for campaigns. Most media groups work in either one of two ways: you have to either apply for campaigns through a dashboard, or the company will match and offer you campaigns directly. Here is a list of some of the companies I’ve worked with in the past and enjoyed:
- Linqia
I don’t work with Linqia as much anymore, but it’s a really great place to get started if you’re new to sponsored campaigns. Linqia is based on a pay-per-click model; you create a post and are provided a certain link to insert in the post. You get paid based on the number of clicks you receive. Payment is pretty fast, and I always was paid around 2 weeks after the campaign was over. Linqia reaches out to you if you’re a fit for any campaigns. - Social Fabric
I landed my very first sponsored campaign with Social Fabric a couple of years ago, and I still work with them a few times each year. Not a lot of fashion opportunities, but they do have a lot of beauty/food campaigns if those are more your niche. You get paid a flat rate with this network, and sometimes they’ll recruit you for a campaign if they think you’re a fit. - Clever Girls
I’ve only done a handful of campaigns with Clever Girls, but I really enjoy them. They have a wide range of campaign types and rates that you can apply for, and occasionally they’ll have opportunities geared toward fashion blogs. They also pay a flat rate for each campaign. The only downside is their tracking widget doesn’t work with WordPress blogs (I joined when I was on Blogger, now I have to manually send my Google Analytics stats over) - TapInfluence
I just started using TapInfluence this year and I really enjoy it. You set your own rate and will be matched with brands. I haven’t been super proactive over the last year in regards to campaigns, so this is really awesome that the opportunities come to you! Most of the opportunities I’ve personally received through this network have been beauty related, but I know they work with a wide range of brands. - Her Campus Blogger Network
Weird to think that I’m a Her Campus #OG, but I signed up for the network when it first launched as a college senior. Over the last year they started offering sponsored campaigns, and I always have a blast working with them! Some of the campaigns are geared specifically toward college bloggers, but for those of you post-grads out there, there are definitely opportunities for you that you can take advantage of. - Everywhere Agency
I don’t participate in a lot of campaigns through this network, but the ones I do land are pretty amazing! They send out a monthly newsletter with the current opportunities they have available and I’ve worked with them on a few campaigns for Macy’s. Payment is super fast and the entire process is super easy!
I know that there are other media groups out there, but these are the ones that I have personally worked with and enjoyed!
A Little More Experienced? Create Your Own Opportunities!
I’ve been doing sponsored posts for a few years now, and over the last 6 months, I’ve started to create my own opportunities. This was super, super scary at first and I totally got shot down several times, but in the end it was worth it. As more and more brands approached me, if they weren’t pitching a specific campaign on their end, I would reply with my media kit which included my stats, a blurb about my blog, and my collaboration options. More often than not, I would see brands gravitate toward the sponsored post option. Ding ding ding! This is also a situation where you need to learn how to pitch and sell yourself to a brand. Let them know why you’re a great fit. Let them know why advertising on your blog is a fantastic option. Work your magic, folks!
Sometimes, Companies Come To You
After you’ve built a following and participated in a number of sponsored campaigns, eventually brands will come to you. Fantastic! Sometimes they’ll ask you what your rate is. Have no clue what to ask for? I started off by basing my rate off of what media groups were giving me; then I increased it over time due to my growing following. My rate for a sponsored post also fluctuates depending on what is required of me/how many hours it will take me to complete a post. Make sure you’re signing a contract when this happens, and be prepared to draft a contract of your own if the brand doesn’t have one on hand!
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