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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
