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!
Great Post Alicia! đ Definitely is so scary approaching brands for the first time to do sponsored! XoLindsay
Sugar & Something
Such a great post! I love tuning in to your LEARN posts.
Xx Taylor
http://lightscameracatwalk.com
This is such a great post. I really love Her Campus and Reward Style too. I like emailing brands myself and really love when they reach out to me!
~~Megan~~
http://www.poshprime.com
Great post!! I have a lot of success with Linqia and TapInfluence.. Going to check out the Everywhere Agency site too đ
Love all of these tips girl! I think starting your rate off with the same pricing media companies give you is a solid way to start. Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge with us (:
Incredible tips and very comprehensive writing. This post is now bookmarked đ
x Sola
http://www.lifestonedadventures.com
Thanks for sharing these tips, I have really been wondering how to do these kinds of posts. I’ve worked with brands before, but they usually just send me samples
Fantastic post, Alicia! You’re such a #girlboss I hadn’t heard of Everywhere Agency, I’ll have to check them out. Thanks for the HCBN love, too đ xoxo
Thank you so much for the tips! I just start blogging like a year ago, building up a solid audience and finding brands to work with are really hard. Your post are so helpful!!
http://suckerscloset.com
Great post. Thanks so much for sharing. Can’t wait to check them out! Much love Xo
Thank you SO SO SO SO SO much for this post and these links!!! I definitely reviewed a lot of these and wow, there’s so much I still don’t know about blogging. You are super helpful.
coffeeslag
Thank you for sharing! http://www.obsessedbyportia.com
Excellent tips!! I always look forward to your blogging advice!
Sarah
sarahaboulhosn.com
Yayy.. Thanks heaps for this helpful post, hun.. I am already a member of some networks mentioned above, but I will be checking out some that I am not. TapInfluence and Clever Girls are the ones that giving me opportunities for sponsored posts as of now and I enjoy it a lot.
Xoxo,
Jhem | JhemSays.com
What a helpful post! I’ve been trying to make my own opportunities lately, but not much luck so far. I’ll keep fishing, though! And I’d never heard of Everywhere Agency, thanks for the rec!
What a great post! Thanks for sharing!
I was just wondering about this..thank you so much! I have had a few sponsored posts, not many..I am so loving this share….excellent post!
Thanks for sharing – I joined HCBN or applied at least, so hopefully I hear back soon đ
thanks for posting this! i will be looking into all of these!
http://www.mindofafashionista.com
This was super helpful and I applied to a couple already. Thank you!
Thanks Alicia! This is very helpful. My blog is unlike most other women’s so it’s a slow process and all tips are appreciated.
Robin
robinfollette.com
Great post! I work for a few of these companies too.
This was so helpful! I’ve been blogging casually (and for other sites) for years but only very recently launched a collaborative blog with a larger vision and intention! We hope to monetize carefully and authentically. We don’t have the readership to even look into it yet – but your words were very encouraging! Thank you for sharing what you’ve learned, with us!
AMAZING post! Going into my Evernote folder right now! So glad to have found you.
Thanks for the tips! I just joined social fabric, and love to hear about other options
This is brilliant advice! I’ve been going for a while now and I’ve done some sponsored posts but still found some ways I’ve not tried before in this post! Thanks for sharing đ
Lottie xx
http://lottielamour.co.uk
Love this! Thank you for sharing! Such good information!
This was very informative!
Thank you for the information! I’m actually working on my first two sponsored post opportunities and I’m having so much fun with them. I’m saving your post on how to create my own contract; I’m pretty horrible when it comes to the legal stuff!
I’ve never heard of Everywhere Agency, so I’ll have to check them out! đ
Girl, this is the best guide for those just starting out and realizing that they can make $$ from their blogs!! đ
Great post! Thanks for all the good info and reminders! I need to check out Everywhere Agency – I’ve never heard of them. Thanks again!
What a great, cohesive post.
I have been getting a few opportunities here and there through blog networks but I hope that someday I can have more people reaching out to me.
xoxo, Jenny
Great post! I’m definitely looking to work with a media group so your list was super helpful
Thanks.
xo, c.
The Block is Haute
I haven’t been blogging that long but this is something I’ll pin to keep for when I’m ready.
Love these tips! I’m to the point that I should be creating my own opportunities so I need to get working on that!
Super helpful post! I just started monetizing my blog this year and looking into sponsored post opportunities. Great tips for where to start, thanks! đ
Hi Alicia – Happy New Years!! I’m new to your blog, and I’m so excited to explore more. I really loved this post, as I think most well-known bloggers do not typically share the business side of their blog/brand. But I love posts like this, and it was so incredibly helpful! Love getting a peek behind the scenes đ
I’m excited to follow along on your journey!
Lisa
everydayelevated.blogspot.com
Such a helpful post! Also, I love the layout of your website đ
http://www.emmalenhart.com
very very helpful article, thank you!
http://www.cherriesvineyard.com
Thank you so much !! You’ve helped me so much
http://www.lamumubeauty.com