We've covered the traditional types of advertising for bloggers. Today we'll look at the "Wild West" of advertising for bloggers: brand collaborations. Bloggers are pioneering a new industry and companies are starting to see both the impact and value of collaborating with us.
When I started blogging I assumed that if I simply posted good content and grew a strong readership, sponsors and money would begin to fill my inbox. That didn’t happen.
Advertising on blogs is a relatively new thing, but there are two methods that a lot of bloggers generally find success in:
How do you build a strong blogging brand? Watch this interview with Erin Hiemstra from Apt 34 to find out how to build one and keep it going strong!
Interview by Monica Lee for Alt.
It seems contradictory that I’m supposed to be teaching you how to monetize your blog and I tell you that money isn’t everything. But it’s true!
You would not be getting a balanced diet if you only ate bacon. Likewise, you will miss out on some of the best job opportunities, if you’re only focused on money.
Case study time: in 2010 I was supplementing my blogging income by substitute teaching when I came across an assistant inquiry posted by Design Mom. The position was part time, not glamorous, and the payment was modest. If I had been focused solely on the money that was coming in from the job, I wouldn’t have accepted it. But, I realized that there was non-monetary value included.
And I was right! The job turned out to be one of the most valuable experiences I could have asked for.
I worked alongside a professional blogger. I was able to become heavily involved in Alt since she is a partner in the conference, and she alerted me to job opportunities from companies she worked for. This one job resulted in three other jobs and helped me reach my goal of becoming a full-time blogger.
So the next time you come across a job listing for an internship/assistant/contributor position that sparks your interest, make sure to look at the entire scope of things, even if the money is not great. If it appears that it will bring more valuable opportunities your way, go for it!
If you’d like to learn more about looking past the money, I go more in depth in my class Bringing Home the Bacon When Your Blog Isn’t Huge.
Post by Melanie Blodgett. Photography by Venture Beat.
Jul 25, 2012