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This post is sponsored by Find Your Influence
In my book, using brand to blogger networks is one of the suggestions I give to bloggers who want to earn money or products. It’s a great way to be discovered by your favorite brands and begin creating your community. One of the brand to blogger networks I work with is Find Your Influence.
A lot of bloggers think they’re not big enough to join these networks, but that’s not true! Depending on the campaign, brands look for many different things. Sometimes they want bloggers with bigger numbers and a larger community. Sometimes they want bloggers with smaller and more targeted communities. I say that it’s always worth applying to brand to blogger networks because you never know what they’re looking for!
I’m advocating that everyone apply, but know that there are a few basic things you should have covered before you do. Here are 5 things you should do before making money with a blog.
1. Install share buttons on your blog. I use Shareaholic, and I know a lot of bloggers who like Flare. Truthfully, it doesn’t really matter which you choose–but choose one. Brands want to see that your readers can easily share the message they’re paying you to write. Also, it’s a good way for brands to quickly see how much your content is shared–whether it’s because they’re thinking about approaching you or because they paid for a post on your blog. Blogger/Blogspot users: Here’s a way for you to share.
2. Move your contact info to the top. Your social media buttons and email address should be easily found. As you can see, my social media icons are at the top of my sidebar and there are links to my About and Contact pages right under my picture. Under my Contact page, there is a place for both readers and PR contacts to grab my email address. If a PR contact can’t easily find your information, they’re going to head on to the next blogger on their list.
3. Check your mobile site. Most people read blogs from their mobile device. While you don’t need to invest in a pricey mobile theme, you should make sure that your content is easily visible on mobile. A lot of bloggers use WPtouch to make their site mobile-friendly (also called mobile responsive). Don’t just install something to make your site mobile-friendly–go visit your blog from a mobile device. Blogger/Blogspot users: Here is a list of mobile responsive themes.
4. Write about products that you love, even if you’re not being compensated to mention them. Tell the world how much you love that new diaper bag you just bought. Next year when they come out with their new line, pitch them and ask to review a bag. Don’t forget to send along a link to the review you did for them last year! This also works with competing brands.
Dear large headphone manufacturer,
I’d love to review your new headphones. You can see an example of my tech reviews here: (link from the other headphone review you did last month).
This still works if you’re only wanting to write sponsored posts (for money instead of product). Write a great informational post about something you love–a hotel you stayed at, an event you went to, a product you purchased–and share the link down the line. What’s the difference between a sponsored post and a review? Here’s a great article explaining it.
If you need examples of pitch letters, you can find several of them in the back of my book.
5. Watch your tongue. Brands get the final say about who they’re working with–even when they’re using a brand to blogger network. If a brand representative heads to Twitter and sees you bad-mouthing a company you just worked with or throwing a hashtag fit over poor customer service, you can bet they’ll cross your name off their list of potential candidates. You may not be a famous public figure, but as a blogger you’re definitely a public figure.
Want to be involved with Find Your Influence? Sign up now!
Great tips, Becca! Number five is so incredibly important. While it’s always best to be yourself online, making a ‘you know what’ of yourself in public is a red flag for companies and also followers too.
Thanks for the great post!
These are good tips! It is hard to get your first few sponsored posts without some kind of examples and sharing options.
I just tweeted your post :) I love this-thank you. I just discovered Shareaholic for Blogger :)
Thanks for the great info and helpful tips!
All great tips. I tell folks often to not expect to make money right away. That it takes time. Great post.
All good tips! I like to think of my blog as my portfolio. I try to keep everything current 6 months and write about topics that I focus on during that period. I also can’t stand it when bad mouthing goes so public. I always try to put my best foot forward.
Great tips! I probably made a lot of mistakes in the beginning, though it feels so long ago I can’t remember. Every newish blogger (and some veterans) should read these tips !
Thank you for the tips! I’m still trying to figure all this blogging stuff out! LOL
Hi there, great tips, and I will be putting them in practice, thanks a bunch!!
Hi Friend,
i really liked this article soon i will be sharing it on my facebook profile.
You did with your level best and I advise you being my colleague to take every comment and suggestion especially the critical one very patiently and with open heart. When you try such strictly monitored topics you equally receive criticism so just receive it and take all the positive points from it.
thanking you
Keep up your good work!
Have a good day
Akshay Naik
What a great article! Thanks so much for giving such clear and concise information. I’ve been blogging for years but a year ago I started a new blog and only a few months ago decided to start seeing if I could earn money with it. Your advice is excellent. I just bought your book and can’t wait to read it!
Great advice Becca! Thank you for the tips on mobile presence and links to contact in particular!
Thank you for this, as easy as this sounds I didnt know I should be doing these things.
Thanks for the Twitter follow! I’m glad to have looked at your blog! It looks like we have a tonne in common. I cannot wait to read more!
Thanks!
Scarlett
Hey Becca! I started checking into your blog summer 2014. When I first began researching blogging and how people make it work for them. I love your voice and relatable, knowledgable writing style! Sorry I stayed the silent online fan for so long!
Thank you! -Dani
I just tried the WPTouch plugin and I love it! Thanks for sharing, you’ve made my life a lot easier!
Yay!! I’m so glad I could help, Meredith!
That WPTouch Mobile is fantastic! I didn’t like the way my site looked mobile but was focusing on my desktop version and just didn’t have time (I only switched about a week or two ago). Of course, I should have learned by now: THERE’S A PLUG-IN FOR EVERYTHING! Ha. Thanks so much for the help.
Of course!
I’m curious as to what you mean about joining brand to blogger networks? Or is that just a broad term referring to joining affiliate programs?
Hi Scarlett,
Here’s an example of what I’m talking about, and a list of them you can apply to! It’s not an affiliate program :) https://mycrazygoodlife.com/everything-but-the-posts-sample-chapter-and-blogger-referral-networks/
Thanks for the insight, I will put my contact info at the top once I figure out how! and check out my mobile view!
Nurse Beth
You can do it!! :)
Great tips!! Thanks for sharing this along with all your other blogging tips. I just started blogging last week even though I’ve been planning and researching FOREVER! :) I’m still working on tips from your article I pinned ages ago about 10 things to do in the first 6 months of blogging. I’ve got a lot to do but I love it…so much fun!