AD | I always talk a lot about working with brands as a blogger and how much I enjoy it and get out of it personally. Working with brands is an integral part of my blogging career. But unless you’re both a blogger and a PR person, you rarely think about it from the other perspective.
So let’s flip the coin for a second. We know why working with brands as a blogger is great. But what about working with bloggers as a brand? There’s no doubt that some brands will have had some dodgy experiences with bloggers. Just like us bloggers have had dodgy experiences with brands before.
But on a whole, the blogger x brand relationship is more often than not, an incredibly successful and valid one. In a world of digital marketing and influencers with thousands – sometimes millions – of followers, online advertising on reputable blogs is where you want to be.
So here are some reasons why working with bloggers is great for brands:
Bloggers talk… a lot
Most of us are on either Twitter, Facebook or Instagram for a large portion of the day. We say a lot. And we talk about a lot of brands, products and services – either being paid to do so or not. If you work with a blogger, have a good relationship with them and they love your products, chances are they’ll talk about you. A lot.
There are companies which make sure your ads get seen
Placing ads on blogs through Google Ads and PPC is a great way to gain exposure for a brand. Often, relevant ads are placed on relevant blogs. So you won’t be bombarded with ads for screwdrivers on a beauty blog. And vice versa. Some blogs get an awful lot of views, so well placed ads are a great way to benefit both brand and blogger.
Online shopping is most people’s preferred choice
There’s no question that online shopping is most people’s preferred choice of how to shop these days. It’s certainly mine. So seeing something advertised on a blog that you like the look of makes things easier than ever to purchase. As all it takes is one click through to the website. As opposed to traditional advertising and having to leave the house to go to an actual shop. With actual people. Yuck.
And people are trusting bloggers opinions more now than ever
BlogHer recently did a study about bloggers and how trustworthy people find them and a whopping 81% of the online population said they trusted the opinion of bloggers and 61% said they made a purchase based off of a recommendation from a blogger. I think those numbers say it all!
They will provide you with creative advertising
Depending on how you work with a blogger might mean that you can get some seriously high quality and creative advertising for your brand or product which will draw people in and make them want to look. With most bloggers possessing photography and writing skills, when working with bloggers, you get the full package.
They can reach your target market
Certain niche bloggers such as beauty or travel are able to really dial in with the marketing and direct your product to YOUR target audience. Obviously as a brand you’ll need to source out bloggers you think are a right fit for you but when you find them, combined with the above, you’ll have some serious marketing.
Bloggers work really bloody hard
And finally, the best reason. Bloggers work really bloody hard. I can vouch for 99% of us when I say that. When you work with bloggers, you know that you’ll be getting some quality advertising and marketing and it’ll definitely be money well spent.
If you’re a blogger, I’d love to know your favorite thing about working with brands. And if you’re a brand, have you worked with a blogger before?
* This is a sponsored post
I really liked this, it’s full of useful information. I have a question- I’m just starting out with my blog and I talk about brands I love, but how did you first start actually working with brands? Did they reach out to you/ or you to them? Or does both typically happen? Just curious. Thanks!
Some reach out to you – it’s important to make sure you have a solid foundation for brands to want to work with you. Or you can reach out to them by either pitching directly or looking for blogging opportunities on Twitter, Facebook or websites such as Get Blogged. It took me a good 4 years to start working with brands but if you lay the foundations and start working on building your blog as a business early, then that’s always a bonus! I have LOADS of blog posts which might help you under my blogging tips and advice category x
Lovely article. I love your writing
Very good read. 👌🏼
Thanks for sharing this information!!
Thank you Jenny. After reading this it has allowed me to see the importance of a brand having good relationships with bloggers.
Totally 😌
Absolutely loved reading this and hope lots of brands see it! x
I hope so too! x
I love working with brands. Right from the off when first being contacted, it lets me know that they like what they see regarding my blog etc
Sarah 🌺 || Boxnip || Latest Post
All very valid points! Especially that consumers trust bloggers’ recommendations.
I’ve worked with a few brands and I do enjoy making collaborative content, it gives me ideas that I would never have thought of before! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Oh me too! That’s another great reason why blogger and brand relationships are great x
My favourite thing about blogger/ brand relationships kinda works for both sides. I love seeing campaigns for the same brand/ product and watching how each blogger adds their own personal spin on it. It gives the brands such a wide/ creative campaign and helps each blogger establish their individual branding more. However it’s one of my least favourite things when I see 10 almost identical ads with no variety/ personality in there x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
I totally agree. It does get really boring x
I love working with brands when reviewing things I wouldn’t usually have tried x
Totally agree with all these!
This is a great post to get a look at all of the reasons why we need bloggers and brands can see that.
I enjoyed reading this.
https://littlemissmelanie.com/
Thank you x
Blogs increase your SEO. Fresh content is still a key to beating out your competitors in the search engine results page.
I’ve literally just finished reading an article about how terrible bloggers are, with comments calling us freeloaders etc underneath, so this was perfectly timed! I agree with you, there are so many benefits on both sides of the brand/blogger partnership and as long as we respect each other, we’ll bring each other great results!
Beth x Adventure & Anxiety
Ugh, that makes me so mad! It’s always from people who have no experience or knowledge of the industry as well!
I personally prefer to shop online sometimes, and I’ve found so many amazing brands through blogger recommendations!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Me too – much prefer to shop online as shops usually make me anxious. So it’s a win win!
I’m glad you’ve written this post! My fav thing about working with brands is that I get to experience some really amazing products, and I love how creative I can get with the photography and my written review. I also love it that people end up liking my recommendations!
I love working with brands, especially when they email again to work together! I always buy things from blogger reviews too x
I love working with repeat brands too. Shows they really valued your work x
Bloggers (and other influencers) work really hard and I think if I was had a brand, I would also ask influencers/bloggers to talk about it. It is more effective than a tv commercial.
Bettie
http://www.thewildflowerhippie.com
Absolutely more effective than a lot of advertising!
Totally agree with all of these. I’ve worked with a few brands over the last few years that have made me feel as if they’re doing me a huge favour and they’re getting nothing out of it, which is just not true. Bloggers do work SO hard and the majority are so passionate about products they promote etc. I always look for bloggers recommendations now over celebs/tv adverts etc xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Totally agree. I’ve bought so much based on bloggers recommendations!
my head was nodding like a nodding dog reading this post! I wanna share it so more brands can see it! We rock!
Rosie
Haha we sure do!
My favourite thing about working with brands (so far) is the amazing feedback I got from the brand about how it was working with me 😀
It’s really helped to boost my self esteem for pitching to other brands even as just a baby blog 🙂
I love that it encourages me to be more creative with my photography too and try to find shots that other bloggers working with the brand might not take.
It’s amazing when a brand is really appreciative of the work you do!
Bloggers are passionate about their areas of expertise….a win for brands!
Totally!
Bloggers don’t always get the credit they deserve! Love this post, bloggers have so much to give 💙 Thanks for sharing!
They definitely don’t!
I’ve worked with a few brands now and really enjoy it. It gives the chance to learn about new products or services and be able to share them with others. I also get the chance to be creative with my posts and come up with ideas I may not have thought of without that collaboration. Like my post on improving your home’s exterior.