AD - This post contains affiliate links
When I started blogging I never dreamed that one day, I’d actually get sent a product – for free – in order to write about it, let alone get paid to write a post. I didn’t understand how blogging can be a serious business, that there’s money to be made from it and that brands actually genuinely trust bloggers, want to work with them and promote their products through this platform. Sponsored blog posts and earning money blogging is a much more recognized thing now, than when I started blogging. But actually getting your foot in the door can be hard.
Photo by Alexa Williams on Unsplash
Some bloggers are very secretive in how they get certain opportunities. I’m sure they’re not doing any dodgy business so I’m not sure the reasoning behind why some bloggers are so shifty about telling people how and where they got sponsored blog posts and what they’ve done to help themselves along the way. Babe, it’s not MI5, lots of bloggers are doing it *eye rolls*.
So today I wanted to talk about blogging opportunities and share all the advice and resources I’ve learned and used in order to build my blog up to the point where I’m able to get opportunities and sponsored blog posts on a very regular basis.
Ready to start making money through your blog and working on sponsored blog posts?
Build your blog audience
Brands want to work with bloggers who have an engaged audience – that’s no secret and brands need and want exposure. Although micro-influencers are incredibly valuable and engagement is the most important thing in most cases, you still need to build a loyal following to provide that engagement easier. Focus on your blog and your social channels and work to build that audience.
Recommend: A Beginners Guide To Growing Your Blog Following
Actively search for opportunities and sponsored blog posts
I scroll past blogging opportunities on Twitter every single day – have I always noticed them? Heck no. Because I’ve never thought to look. Lots of brands post about opportunities on Twitter – even if you think you have no chance, reply anyway because you never know. Have a look on the #bloggerswanted hash tag, where a lot of opportunities will crop up.
Work on your DA
Ah, the dreaded DA score. Before we go any further, a DA score will only apply to bloggers who have their own domain name. So if your blog URL ends in .wordpress or .blogspot – you do not have your own DA score. I’ve seen a lot of bloggers who don’t know this, so when a brand asks for your DA, make sure you know what you’re giving them!
A DA score is where your blog ranks on search engines and when brands are looking for bloggers to work with, you may see that they ask for bloggers with a DA above ‘x’. This is because the higher the DA, the better ranked on a search engine the post will be. Therefore, more beneficial to the brand. I wrote a huge guide on domain authority which will help you if you’re confused!
Put yourself out there to gain sponsored blog posts
Contrary to the bloggers which tell you, “I’ve never had to approach anyone about sponsored posts, they just come to me“, most of us do actually have to put ourselves out there a bit. If you’re one of the ones which have had all their sponsored posts fall in their lap then you’re very lucky! Apply for things, pitch to brands, sign up to websites, search the hash tag, join Facebook groups.
Recommended: Your Pitching Toolkit eBook (use code JENNY10 for 10% off – aff)
Be professional
I don’t mean signing every email off with “best regards, yours, Jenny of the Neverland” but coming across as professional is always a bonus. Chloe from Lady Writes understands both sides of the coin, being both a blogger and a PR person. She wrote two exceptionally helpful posts called The PR’s Guide to Blogging which covers topics such as the importance of your reputation as a blogger, what PR’s look for and why you should be professional.
Related: The PR’s Guide To Blogging Part 1
Related: The PR’s Guide To Blogging Part 2
I really hope that you found this post helpful as a starting point on how to find sponsored blog posts and blogging opportunities!
[…] 3. Sponsored Posts, Earning Money and Blogging as a Business – Tips and Tricks […]
[…] and where I find blogging opportunities. I’ve done various posts about it in the past (like this one, this one and this one) and I plan to do another one sometime soon with very specific links to […]
[…] Sponsored posts and earning money – tips and tricks […]
[…] blogging seriously or want to take blogging seriously and maybe start working with brands or even earning money, it can definitely help to treat it like a job with a routine rather than just blogging […]
Just reblogged it so other could take advantage of it. as well. Thank you so much for sharing Jenni
You’re welcome and thank you for reblogging 🙂
[…] via Sponsored posts, earning money & blogging as a business – tips & tricks — Jenny in Never… […]
Jenny, You always seem very supportive and bring a great stuff for other fellow bloggers. I have to save your post so I can use it in the future. Just purchased my domain from go daddy but now I am confused what If I go for self hosted, would I loose my wordpress community? Any suggestions? Stay blessed and stay connected please.
I’m not self hosted so I can’t help there I’m afraid!
[…] helps you build up your brand image and certainly makes you look professional. It’s likely you’ll be keeping a roughly similar style over your social media platforms […]
Great advice, much appreciated! I’ve been blogging for a long time now as it’s something I love to do, but just recently I’ve really wanted to start getting my blog out there a bit more and it’s always nice to make a bit of money from it isn’t it! 🙂
Lovely blog, I’ve read so many of your posts today.
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com/
Awh thanks so much! So glad you found them helpful! 🙂
[…] sponsored posts and working with brands Great resources to improve blogger outreach Sponsored posts, earning money and blogging as a business – tips and tricks Tips for offering advertising slots on your blog Tips for people who want to go […]
Wow, I never even knew about a DA score before reading this! Thanks for the great tips and feel free to check out my food & lifestyle blog http://www.classymillennial.blog
[…] 2016 which was a post I did for Quorn! I wasn’t aware that I’ve only really been doing sponsored posts for just over 2 years until I looked at my […]
This is a really good piece! Really glad I read it now.
Thanks 🙂 x
Reblogged this on Business and Life and commented:
Found this post very useful to bloggers. I hope you will to learn from it.
Just learned some new information from this post especially on where to get sponsored posts. Thanks!
You’re welcome 🙂 Glad you found it helpful!
[…] a week; Monday, Wednesday and Friday and then leave Tuesday and Thursday open for any last minute sponsored content or product reviews which might come in. I also always try and leave weekends free so I have a […]
This is such a helpful post! Half the things on there, I didn’t know how to do. I’ve tried working with brands before, but again, the amount of followers I have always tends to put them off working with me. But patience is virtue. So I will apply these tips and keep on grinding. Thanks! x
Glad you found it helpful! I’ve found a lot of brands so value a higher number of followers and page views but building your following organically is the best thing to do! xxx
OMGosh, I’m such an old novice! I just started my WordPress blog earlier this year to try to figure out the basics, but life has got in the way of me developing it at all, into setting up my own domain (whatever that really involves…). I love reading many other blogs, and probably spend more time doing that than writing, playing with or developing mine at all. I had thought I might have done much more by now as I try to develop a job I can do from my isolated home. You talking about DA’s (Dental Assistants, from my dick n’harry), Sponsored Links / pages and all the Twits has left me a bit beffudled. Is there somewhere I can go and read up on all that where it is written for ‘seniors’? =D (I really don’t want to set up a Twitter account and get caught up in all that ……but is there a way around it? Will I be left behind?)
I’d suggest dropping me an email with some specific questions if you need some advice! 🙂
Thank you. I’ll endeavour to do that over the next few days. It’s late night here now. Cheers
[…] most popular forms of marketing and advertising and bloggers are being trusted more and more with sponsored content and brand work. So let’s work together on bigger and better brand and blogger partnerships […]
Great work. I found your blog site while scrolling through my feed and you have provided some much-needed information. Thank you, and keep up the fantastic job, looking forward to reading more.
Thank you, glad you found it helpful 🙂 x
This is so helpful! I’m definitely having a link at the links you shared – I’m hoping to make some regular money this year!
bexcapades.com
Thanks 🙂 Hope you get on okay! xxx
Lots of great tips thanks for sharing Jenny. 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Thanks for these tips! 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
Thats really helpful! i didn’t know about DA scores at all! thanks! x
You’re welcome! 🙂
This is such a great, honest post – will be using in the future! Thanks x
Emily
safariguidediaries.com
You’re welcome! 🙂
[…] always options available for hard-working bloggers to do so! I wrote a post not too long ago about sponsored posts and making money from blogging which you can read and hopefully will get some resources on where to […]
Thanks for sharing all these tips, I’ve just changed blogs, so started from 0 again.. My DA is the number one thing I’m working on an boy I really took my old one for granted lol
Perrine
http://www.ola-banana.com
Haha oh no! I’m sure yours will be back up in no time 🙂 xx
This post was so useful! Thanks jenny! I’ve literally opened up every external link you had to take a read!
Madiha x
Wow hope you find them useful!
These are some really great tips!! Thanks for the hand down of knowledge xx
You’re very welcome! Glad you found it helpful xxx
Awesome post, it was super helpful and I picked up some tips that I’ll definitely be into my blog. Especially improving my DA score, which I kind of knew about but hadn’t really considered improving.
Megan x Insidemegansmind.com
Glad you found it helpful! xxx
[…] I’m not at all surprised that this got the top stop with over 200 extra views than the post in second place. I really liked this post and I’m glad it did so well and again, I think it only did so well because it’s something a lot of bloggers would like to know and work on. I also think we’re bored of other people being stingy with their information on how to find opportunities when there’s simply no need to be. Like yes, we do need to work hard in order to gain these opportunities but that doesn’t help me find them. I think I was quite to the point in this post and I hope it helped some people! You can find this post here. […]
This is so helpful! I’ve had a small number of opportunities but I’d love for that to grow! xx
Jamie | http://www.jamies-corner.com
[…] Jenny writes about sponsored posts. […]
Such helpful advice, thanks Jenny (of the Neverland haha). Even two years in I still have no idea what I’m doing, and definitely no idea how to earn money (I’ve been paid for ONE post haha!). I am starting to get sent a few more things though so I’m hoping that I can build some good relationships. I also really need to work on both my DA and putting myself out there – and I suppose on my content but that’s so boring haha!
Beth x
You’ll get there! I bloody love your blog so I think if you put yourself out there more, tons of brands would work with you! xxx
Hi & thanks for the advice!
my DA is something Im really trying to work on this year
WHat a brilliant post!! Some brilliant tips!! Thank you!! A great read!
Thank you xx
This is good stuff! Appreciate the time you took to write it. I need to get serous and focus a little bit more, I’ll be using this blog as a little guidance.
Thank you, glad you found it helpful xx
Great post Jenny, I’m so bookmarking this so I can try out the links you’ve given, and I really should go over to Chloe’s blog and check out her posts.
Thank you – chloe’s posts are SO helpful!
I definitely found this helpful! I had no idea about DA and didn’t know about some of these network agencies. I will be looking into this! Thanks!
You’re welcome! xx
Such a helpful post! Thank you so much Jenny 🙂
http://www.jesseatsandtravels.com
Thank you (: xx
Such a helpful post! Definitely going to look at my DA score and have a little look at the links, thank you for sharing all of this! Xx
You’re welcome! The DA help links are so useful xxx
Awesome post and well done, your blog is awesome! Very interesting to read and sure I’ve picked some good points from this!
Thank you- glad you found it helpful!
Great info Jenny! Next month will mark my first year blogging, so I have a long way to go, lol. But, I do want to monetize my blog this year and I know many people are. It’s good to get an idea of the follower count needed to get certain paid opportunities.
You’ll get there! I don’t think I earned anything until well over 2 years in so if definitely takes time (: xxx
Thanks for the encouraging words and positive vibes! I totally get that this process will take time, so I’m keeping as chill as possible.
So useful! Thanks so much love xx
Welcome! (: xx
Wow, this one is really helpful to know more about blogging to the starters like me. Thank you so much for sharing this with us✌️❤️
You’re welcome glad you found it helpful! xx
Thank you so much for such great tips! Just the motivation I needed to really start tackling monetisation!
You’re welcome! Hope they help (: xx
Thank you for this! You’re right, it’s frustrating when bloggers are really secretive about how they succeed/where they get their resources, but I understand why they do it. Also, thank you for sharing the agencies you work with! I’ve searched for reputable agencies before (a long time ago) but I had a hard time finding any. It’s really appreciated xx
Alicia | https://www.alifestyleblog.co.uk
I honestly don’t understand why they do it. It’s like they’re making money from x, y or z but they don’t want anyone else to? 🙈🤣 I’m more than happy to share anything to help another blogger!
Thank you so much for this post. I’m trying to gain followers, and comments, and wanting to review products. This post has helped me with a starting point! Thank you x
You’re welcome! So glad it’s helped xx
This post is super helpful! Will try and remember to come back to it if I go self-hosted (especially in terms of DA) 🙂 x
Thank you! Glad you found it helpful xxx
This is the second time today I’ve read about DA! And I didn’t even know what it was or why it was important… I think the universe is trying to send me a message as I’m still a blogspot.com kinda blog and have been thinking lately about perhaps going self hosted… mmm… mmm…
These are actually great tips! Although I’ve been blogging for almost 5 years, I really feel like a newby (although that may be as I’ve only explored the blogging world about a year or so and before that just spend my time on my own, on my blog, thinking ‘why does no one respond?’). 😉 Thank you for these tips!
Love,
Dominique
http://www.fashionedbypluche.blogspot.com
Haha it’s definitely the universe trying to tell you something there! (; I felt like that about 4 years ago when I started and had no idea how people got followers or comments or anything haha! xxx
Very useful tips. Thanks for posting this 😊 Just started blogging, so right now, trying to focus on building an audience which i guess is important if i want to prove i am getting enough traffic.
Thank you (: yep, definitely important! xxx
This is some really great advice! I am one of those bloggers who never knows where to start when it comes to sponsored opportunities, and I’m always in awe when companies approach me out of the blue. I’m definitely going to be more pro-active in searching for opportunities, so thank you for all of the advice! xx
Rachel | kyvbey.blogspot.com
You’re welcomed! I do hope it helps! xxx
What a really informative post, some great advice. I’m always so nervous about putting myself out there. Nice to see a successful blogger sharing their wisdom xx
Emma 💕 http://www.bookinggoodread.com
You so shouldn’t be Emma! I love your blog xxx
This was so helpful and I love that you have been kind enough to share networks/agencies. I am at a point currently where I have done my first paid sponsored post and have now accepted to do a review in which I receive a free product. This is all great but I would really love to be able to earn a bit more of a solid income from my blog. The points you have shared in this post and given me some things to think about working on. I am definitely going to have a look through the #bloggerswanted and do some more reaching out myself!
Hayley | hayleyxmartin
Congrats on your first sponsored post and product review! That’s great (: solid income from a blog isn’t easy and I certainly don’t make a solid income on my blog alone but it’s always nice to have that little bit extra! xxx
This was so helpful! I’ve literally just started my blog, I’m not even promoting it on social media yet as I haven’t told anyone I’m doing it, I’m too nervous!
Thanks for all the tips I’ll definitely keep them in mind!
Jess xx
You so should! It’ll be second nature before you know it xx
Thank you so much for this post! I can’t begin to explain how helpful it is!
So many bloggers hide how they got opportunities and it’s so frustrating when you’re trying to learn! 💕
It’s SO frustrating- I don’t know why they do it 🤷♀️ xx
This really is a brilliant post and I have learnt so much so thank you!
Fix Me In Forty Five – A Mental Health Blog
xx
Thank you! xx
Thank you for such an informative post!
I’m loving posts like this at the moment, returning to blogging and feeling like an alien learning about all the different things! Thank you for your post ☺️
Abby x
Thank you – I think January is a great time to publish posts like this as so many people have so much motivation! xxx
This is such a helpful post. I will certainly try your tips. I have had to rebuild my DA score from rebranding. But I have only since changing names and got my blog to how I want it started really trying with it, j have fallen back in love with it now. Thanks for the tips xx
Stacey | SimplyStacey.co.uk
I’m glad to hear you’re back in love with your blog again! xx
Such a helpful post! Followed 🙂 I only started my blog a little over 2 months ago and I already have 75 followers! May not seem like much but I wasn’t expecting any haha I know any kind of sponsored posts won’t be for a while but it’s still nice to look into early 🙂 when did you get your first sponsored post?
I would have loved to have 75 followers when I had been blogging for 2 months I think that’s fab so well done! And I honestly can’t remember, sorry!
Very useful! Especially for someone like me whose just joined the blogging world.
-Soffy @ themumaffairs.blogspot.com
Thank you (: xx
This post was super helpful and I’m not just saying this…I still consider myself kind of new cause I’m still learning stuff (like that DA thing) thank you for adding blogger support….lovely post ❤️
xx Lena | https://lenadeexo.com/
You’re welcome & thank you (: xx
This is such a fab post! I’ve been on YouTube for about 18 months so kinda feel like I know what i’m doing there. But blogging is a whole new ball game, so I appreciate any advice I can get!
Chloe ❤ http://www.anomalouschloe.com
Haha yep they’re very different aren’t they! Glad this could help! xxx
These are all great tips, and I totally agree about the skme people acting like it’s MI5 thing. A few Youtubers do it especially. 2 even did a collab talking about it but being really cagey about what they earn 🙄😂
Amy xx
http://www.goldenbooksgirl.wordpress.com
I get that YouTuber’s aren’t going to disclose what they earn on a certain brand deal in a video but I don’t agree with bloggers (or YTber’s) being cagey about things xx
This was genuinely about making money, but they kept saying it was crude to disclose theirs 🙄 xxx
This is exactly the sort of post I need to read right now! Thanks Jenny! 💖 I’ve just created a media kit but don’t really know who to send it too 🙈 so this post has been super helpful! I’m going to check out all the links later. I admire your open and honest approach to blogging. It’s lovely that you share your tips and experience to help other bloggers grow so thanks for this! 😘 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Awh thank you! I’m so glad it’s been helpful xxx
These are some really fantastic tips! I always love reading your tips xx
https://www.hebahpervaiz.co.uk
Thank you xxx
Hi, these are fantastic tips with great links. I just wish that I had done this earlier in blogger journey, hey ho.
I wish I had as well!
You are hilarious omg, i don’t think i’ve ever actually laughed out loud at a blog post before. Your tone is amazing! I completely agree though, it frustrates me when people (particularly bigger bloggers) get frustrated when smaller bloggers are asking questions about how to find opportunities! We’re all here to help and if you don’t interact… what’s the point in being a blogger?
great post!
connxvi.com
Haha thank you! It is so frustrating I agree xx
This is such a useful post and so well written so thank you! I definitely need to take your tips on board, it can be so daunting contacting a brand sometimes! X
Thank you (: xxx
I love this post so much! I’ll definitely be bookmarking it to look back at later. Sadly I don’t think there are as many paid opportunities in book blogging but I’m always so proud when I see a blogger turning their blog into a business. xx
Yeah unfortunately not – however you can work around it so that the post itself is about books but the “sponsored” bit gets slotted in. For a random example, if a company who sold like blankets and Home wear type stuff wanted you to do a sponsored post, you could write about your favourite places to read and include that in there, if that makes sense! xxx
I love this. I hate the fact so many people are guarded about making money as a blogger. Like I get it, opportunities are limited but at the end of the day we’re all different. Telling someone how to get a sponsored post isn’t going to take one away from you if you’re right for the job? Feels so seedy. It’s great that there are companies for micro influencers now too x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Yeah exactly that’s how I see it and to be honest, if you refuse to answer someone’s question, someone else won’t. So either way, they’re going to find out the information xxx
Such a helpful post. I would love to move from blogging as a hobby to covering the costs of a better website (ie. self-hosted and designed.) There is so much to learn ahead of that. :/
Oh definitely – I know nothing about web design or going self hosted haha! xxx
This was really helpful thank you!! X
You’re welcome! xx
This is such a helpful post, so great of you to share all of this with fellow Bloggers!
Kate | http://www.katelovesx.co.uk/
Thank you (: xx
This is such a fab post! And so helpful to so many people. Thanks for putting the effort in as it must’ve taken ages to write! I love that you’ve broken it down into different sections too, makes it so simple to read.
Rebecca | http://www.rebeccasreviews.com
Thanks so much, I was hoping that would be the case! It did take quite a while haha. Glad you found it helpful xxx
It is always a pleasure to read your posts.
Thank you, that’s very kind x
This is such a helpful post and something we really needed to read. We’ve been blogging for a while now and we’ve had a few opportunities here and there but we’re hoping to take it a bit further and do more in terms of hopefully making a living or as close to that as we can because we love it and making money from what you love is the best kind of life!
Jessica & James | http://www.foodandbaker.co.uk / http://www.foodandbakertravels.co.uk
Absolutely! I hope this can help a bit towards your dream 😘 xxx
This is really helpful post- I’m not at the stage where I’m blogging for money or a business right now but I might be one day if things get better for me and I pinned this post on Pinterest.com as I have a bloggers toolbox board. I have been working on my DA though just to feel good about my blog and I finally got it up to 25. 😊
Thank you for pinning! 25 is a great DA, well done! xxx
[…] Jenny @ Jenny in Neverland […]
This is such an amazing post and I know so many people will benefit from this! When I first started I emailed brands to get involved with them if I felt absolutely passionate about something!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Yessss we should definitely email brands ourself if we feel we could work well with them and like their products & absolutely no harm in putting yourself out there first 😘 xxx
Wow, this is so incredibly kind of you to put all these tips, links and advice together. It’s going to be invaluable for me, I’ve been lucky enough to work with a few brands but I’d really like to work with some more this year. I’m very nervous about putting myself out there but I think I’m going to have to get a grip and do it – the worst that can happen is I get ignored or told no, right? And I love that you’ve linked to some other helpful posts too, you are the best! X
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
Exactly and if you get told no, so what? Move on to the next one! You’ll be fine (: xxx
This is such a wonderful blog post babe! I really think it’s going to help so many bloggers; new and old! Thank you so much sharing 🌸💗✨
With love, Alisha Valerie. x
http://www.alishavalerie.com | http://www.twitter.com/alishavalerie
Awh thanks lovely! I do hope so xxx
Thank you for sharing Jenny ❤️😃
You’re welcome (: xx
What a great post. Thank you for educating us on how to be a better blogger. The links you provided are invaluable. Good stuff.
I hoped they would be! Thanks for reading and commenting xx
This was a really helpful post, thank you so much!
You’re welcome! (: xx
[…] via Sponsored posts, earning money & blogging as a business – tips & tricks […]
Great post, thanks. I’ve been blogging a year, but not yet tried to do anything to get a little income. This is a really helpful guide.
I hope this helps a bit! (: xx
Thanks for sharing this advice! I will be checking out all the links later today 🙂 Great post x
Thank you (: hope it’s helpful! xxx
Thanks for the advice. I appreciate you sharing what you have learned to help other new bloggers like myself. This will help a lot.
Thank you & you’re welcome. I hope it’s beneficial to you in the future xx
This was extremely useful and very well written. Thanks for sharing your advice Jenny 🙂
Hannah xx
Awh thank you! xxx
What a brilliant post! It’s so kind of you to share your knowledge/experience and offer advice to other bloggers. I’ll definitely be following your tips. Thanks Jenny!
You’re welcome and thanks so much for reading and commenting! xxx
This is such a great post, I’ve only been blogging for less than a year and these tips are fab! thank you xx
http://www.juderivers.com
You’re welcome! xxx