amiyanandy
Recently updated on October 25th, 2024 at 07:39 am
Are you excited by the possibility of making money through sponsored posts on your blog? If you’re just getting started and seeking to find ways to land these opportunities easily, this post is for you!
Imagine this: brands approaching you eager to collaborate and promote their products on your platform. Not only can this create extra income; but it’s also an opportunity for creating engaging content that resonates with your audience while aiding companies in reaching new customers.
In this post, I’ll share how I secured regular sponsored posts on Designertale blog which is new and not getting massive traffic.
This is the proof of the sponsored post request email I recently received.
I will provide practical and actionable tips and insights that can help you attract sponsors to turn your blog into a source of income – I promise it’s easier than you think!
Are You Ready to Explore Sponsored Posts?
Let’s discover how you can start making money with your blog, while partnering with brands.
How to Sponsored Blog Posts in 2024 (Best Practices & Examples)
What Are Sponsored Blog Posts?
Sponsored blog posts occur when brands pay bloggers to write about their product or service in ways that reflect your views and values. While brands may provide guidelines, you will have full creative control. A successful sponsored post must strike a balance between endorsing the brand with authenticity while meeting the expectations of your readership.
This guide will walk you through all the steps necessary to find and secure your first sponsor, while outlining a long-term strategy for future partnerships.
What Are the Benefits for Bloggers?
Obviously the main benefit is money! If you get sponsored posts on your blog, you can earn money fast. It’s much quicker than attempting to earn money with regular ads.
You can fill your blog with great content by having companies write sponsored posts. This will save you time if you are a busy person. It is a great time saver!
What Are the Advantages for Brands?
Brands investing in these posts also benefit from some great perks:
Increased Website Rankings: Sponsored posts typically feature links back to their websites, making it easier for Google to recognize them and show them higher in search results – helping more people easily find them!
Sales: These posts can help businesses sell their products directly to readers of a blog. If readers like what they see, they might buy it right away!
Sponsored posts help brands stand out, as when people see their products advertised on blogs they begin to recognize and remember the brand.
Communicating With Their Target Audience: By working with blogs that reflect their style, brands can effectively connect with those most likely to be interested in what they have to offer.
So it’s a win-win: bloggers get paid, while brands get to advertise their product/service – everyone wins!
Step#1: Finding Brands to Sponsor
Finding the right brands is your first step to landing sponsored posts. Look at your competitors and who they’ve partnered with. You can get an idea which companies are willing to collaborate. Research brands that are active in sponsored content and influencer marketing.
Networking Events
You can also connect with brands by attending conferences, meetups and expos. You can also meet with marketing teams at these events and exchange business cards.
Focus on Startups
Startups, particularly those who have just received funding, often want to increase their visibility. Search for startups using platforms such as Crunchbase or AngelList. You can search by location, industry, and recent funding rounds. Bloggers and influencers are often willing to work with startups to promote their products.
Online platforms
Platforms like Aspire, Activate and Influencity were specifically created to connect bloggers with brand. You can browse campaigns on these platforms and apply for sponsorships. When using these platforms, make sure you have a polished kit of media to help you stand out from other applicants.
Step#2: Research the brands you want to work with
It’s important to check that the brand aligns itself with your own values before you reach out to potential sponsors. Authenticity and alignment are essential to building trust with your audience. Misalignment could hurt your reputation or your chances of future collaborations.
Understanding the brand’s values
Check out the website of the company, especially their “About Us”, or “Our Values”. You can also read their advertisements, social media posts and customer reviews.
It will be easier for you to tell the story of their company if their values are similar to yours. This type of partnership is valued by brands because it resonates with their target audiences, making the collaboration even more meaningful.
Avoid Value Clashes
It would not make sense for a travel blogger who promotes long distance travel to partner with a company that is focused on environmental sustainability. Look for brands that will align with your content, and resonate with your readers.
Step#3: Knowing when to pitch is key.
When approaching a sponsor, timing is key. Check out their website, press releases, and social media updates to learn more about the brand. It may be a good idea to support a brand’s marketing efforts when they are launching a product or service.
Keep an eye out for press releases and announcements of new products. This will allow you to identify when a company is looking for collaborations. Platforms such as PRWeb let you monitor press releases based on industry, which makes it easier to identify relevant opportunities.
Step#4: Crafting Your Personalized Pitch
It’s now time to craft your pitch. Instead of sending generic emails, create a message that is personalized and reflects your personality. To stand out, brands receive dozens and dozens of proposals.
Be Vulnerable
Do not be afraid to reveal your vulnerability. You can acknowledge any uncertainty you may have, or express your excitement at working with the brand. Your message will be more relatable, increasing the likelihood of a positive reaction.
If you are new to sponsored content and you want to get started, you can mention that you have a lot to learn. Transparency builds trust and sets you apart from other bloggers.
Step#5: Prepare a media kit
Media kits are essential when approaching potential sponsors. The media kit will help you to showcase the value of your blog by providing information such as audience demographics, traffic stats, and engagement metrics. Add credibility by including testimonials (if applicable) from your readers or sponsors.
What to include in your media kit:
- Blog Overview and Mission Statement
- Audience demographics (age, gender, location)
- Traffic statistics (monthly pageviews, unique visitors)
- Engagement metrics (social network followers, comments and shares)
- Testimonials of readers or past collaborations
- Options for collaboration (sponsored posts or product reviews; social media shoutouts).
You make it easier to evaluate the value of a potential collaboration by providing brands with this information up front.
Step#6: Proposing an Long-Term Partnership
Think big. You don’t want to get one sponsored post, but rather frequent sponsored posts on your blog. You need to have a blog, a social media profile and a youtube channel. This will allow you to provide a lot more traffic for the sponsorer.
You will be able to establish a long-term relationship with your sponsor and also trust.
Step #7: Show examples of your work
You can provide examples even if it is your first time pitching for sponsored content. Create mock-ups or sample blog posts for your favorite brands. Make it clear that you are using these examples as examples. However, make sure to showcase your creativity and writing abilities.
These samples allow potential sponsors to see what a partnership would look like. This also assures them that your content is of high quality.
Step#8: Add Video Content
Video content can be a powerful way to connect with audiences and brands. Consider recording a video to introduce yourself and explain why you want to work with a certain brand. It can be as easy as a 2-minute video on your phone.
You can show brands you are willing to go above and beyond to make your pitch stand out by adding a video to it. This adds a more personal touch to your email, which is important in an inbox that’s full of emails.
Step#9: Offer a discount for first-time sponsors
Your proposal can be more attractive if you offer a special deal to first-time sponsors. You could, for example, offer a discount of 20-30% on your first collaboration. This would be positioned as a special welcome deal. This strategy will not only increase the chances of landing the partnership, but it will also set the stage for future collaborations.
Deals are a great way to show brands that you want to establish a relationship over time, rather than make a quick profit.
In our recently sponsored post on our other blog, Designertale, I made an offer of 5 posts together with a discount of 50%, and I offered $20 for each post to the sponsor.
This is the offer email we send them:
However, the sponsor wanted to publish only one post, and we updated the price to $40, though our regular price is $80 / per blog post.
Step#10: Follow Up with Prospective Sponsors
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back immediately after sending your pitch. Brands are busy, and your email might have been overlooked. Remember, persistence is key in this process. Following up is crucial and shows your determination to establish a connection.
Wait 3-4 days after your initial email and send a polite follow-up. Keep it short and to the point, perhaps by forwarding your original email and including a simple question or call to action, such as scheduling a call or watching the video you sent. It’s important to be respectful and professional in your follow-up, as this can help to maintain a positive relationship with the recipient.
Step#11: Gather testimonials and build credibility
Don’t forget, after collaborating successfully with a sponsor to get a testimonial. These testimonials can be invaluable in building credibility with potential sponsors. Respect their time and ask them for a short written testimonial you can use in your media kit.
When approaching new brands, positive feedback from sponsors can have a big impact. It shows that you are able to build relationships and deliver value.
FAQs
What is the best way to approach for a sponsorship?
Begin by researching the brand and aligning your values to theirs. Then, craft a customized pitch. Show examples of your work and emphasize how the collaboration will add value.
How do you ask a brand to sponsor you?
Start by researching the brand to understand its values. Create a customized email that introduces you and your blog. Explain what you have to offer, like audience reach and engagement and how the collaboration benefits them. Include links to your social media and blog to show off your work. Do not forget to follow-up if you haven’t heard back from the company within a few days. Keep your message concise and professional to increase the chances of a positive reply!
What should I charge to sponsor a post?
Your rate depends on a number of factors including the traffic to your blog, the engagement with the audience, and the scope. As you gain credibility, increase your rate to reflect the value of your blog.
How can I guarantee the authenticity of sponsored posts?
Choose brands that are in line with the values and mission of your blog. Writing sponsored content with your authentic voice will resonate better with your audience.
Summary
Securing sponsored blog posts requires careful planning, research, and outreach. By aligning with brands that share your values, crafting personalized pitches, and offering long-term collaborations, you can build strong, lasting partnerships. Don’t forget the importance of following up and collecting testimonials to strengthen your credibility. Sponsored posts are a win-win when done right, benefiting both your blog and the brands you collaborate with.
