The desire to earn a living (or supplement income) online is common among many bloggers. After all, quality blogging is hard work, and brands are increasingly looking to bloggers as allies in word of mouth and social media marketing. How can bloggers today leverage their talents online and offline to earn a buck? AFBA tackled these topics in its first #ByteofTX chat, “Making Money with Your Blog.” A full replay of the chat is available here, and we’ve pulled out a few key takeaways from the chat, below.
We will also be exploring sponsorship, monetization, and business strategies at the upcoming Byte of Texas Conference, September 27-28, 2014. Here are a few of the panels geared towards bloggers who want to earn money online:
- The Business of Blogging
- Brands & Bloggers: BFFs or Frenemies?
- Earning Money Online without Selling Out: Social Media Ethics
Additionally, AFBA will host a follow-up #ByteofTX chat, “Blog Sponsorship 101,” on September 14th at 1:00 PM CST. During that discussion, we will follow up on some of topics discussed in the chat below, plus get into the nitty gritty of analytics, pitching sponsors, and how to determine a fair rate.
Q: How do you determine which brands are a good fit for your blog?
A2: It's a good fit if it goes with the focus of my blog, and it's something I would naturally use/do. I'm very selective. #ByteofTX
— Megan Myers (@stetted) August 31, 2014
@ByteofTX A2: I Ike to think about how sponsor values & products align with what my target audience is interested in. #ByteofTX
— Natanya Anderson (@NatanyaP) August 31, 2014
A2: Looking at sponsors core values also is important to me. What's important to the company (e.g. ingredients in products) #ByteofTX
— Blinded By The Bite! (@BlindedBite) August 31, 2014
Q: What if a brand wants to pay you in product instead of cash?
https://twitter.com/ATXGastronomist/status/506143701018484736
Q: What types of paid posts or sponsorships are the best fit for your readers?
A4: Just starting to work with company called Well Picked Media that has a focus on healthy lifestyles – it's a good fit for blog #ByteofTX
— Blinded By The Bite! (@BlindedBite) August 31, 2014
. @NatanyaP @ByteofTX I work with blog @100daysrealfood offering ads, as the advertiser appreciate her selectiveness #ByteofTX
— Prep Dish (@PrepDish) August 31, 2014
Q: How do you know when to say no to a pitch?
@ByteofTX honestly? when it's obvious they haven't even read my blog. #ByteofTX
— aneelee (@aneelee) August 31, 2014
https://twitter.com/ATXGastronomist/status/506148615031496704
Q: How do you make your blog more attractive to advertisers?
A6: Producing quality content is the most important thing to me. Showcasing what I can do helps them know if I'm a fit. #ByteofTX
— Megan Myers (@stetted) August 31, 2014
A6: I want my blog to showcase my photo's, ultimately enticing readers to make the recipes I create #ByteofTX
— Blinded By The Bite! (@BlindedBite) August 31, 2014
Q: What advice do you have for beginning bloggers looking to work with brands?
@ATXGastronomist Contact info is very important! Have direct email address (not question/comment forms) listed on blog. #ByteofTX
— Kitchen Concoctions (@KitConcoctions) August 31, 2014
Q6: Most sponsors are looking that you can genuinely talk about the product and weave it into a personal story. #ByteofTX
— Kitchen Concoctions (@KitConcoctions) August 31, 2014
A7: Make a list of brands you want to work with and design pitches. The worst they can do is say no. #ByteofTX
— Megan Myers (@stetted) August 31, 2014
https://twitter.com/ATXGastronomist/status/506151996944953344
A7: Also really decide on your focus so you can stay true to yourself and your readers. Don't take every pitch that comes. #ByteofTX
— Megan Myers (@stetted) August 31, 2014
