What Are Sponsored Posts? Everything You Need To Know

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In today’s digital age, the lines between organic content and advertising have become increasingly blurred. Enter the realm of “sponsored posts,” a phenomenon that has taken the social media world by storm. But what exactly are these posts? And why have they become such an integral part of modern marketing strategies? Dive in as we unravel the intricacies of sponsored posts, shedding light on their significance in the ever-evolving landscape of online promotion

Tips & More To Snag The Perfect Brand Partner

We are all searching for the coveted “sponsored post” When it happens to you as a blogger, you really begin to feel like you’ve made it. If you don’t know what a sponsored post is, let me explain it real quick. A sponsored post is a piece of content that is created by an influencer, blogger, or publisher in partnership with a brand. The content is typically published on the blogger’s website or the influencer’s website or social media channels, and it is designed to promote the brand’s products or services. Sponsored posts can be a powerful way for brands to reach new audiences and build their reputation, but they can also be controversial if not done properly.

Sponsored Posts Basics

Below I’ll cover some of the basics and nuances of sponsored posts. This is simple information that you need to grasp in order to have a broader understanding of what goes into landing sponsored blog posts from brands, companies, and advertisers. I’ll also break down the mechanics of how to earn money with sponsored posts.

This post is mainly about sponsored posts on blog sites; however, you can apply all the same rules to other social media platforms such as YouTube videos, TikTok videos, Instagram posts, reels, and a hidden gem – Your newsletter.

Why Would Brands And Companies Pay For Sponsored Blog Posts?

Brands and companies often pay for sponsored blog posts as a way to promote their products or services to a targeted audience. There are several reasons why brands and companies pay for sponsored blog posts. First and foremost, sponsored blog posts can help increase brand awareness and reach a wider audience. Bloggers and content creators often have a large following on their platforms, and a sponsored blog post can help expose the brand or company to this audience.

Another reason brands and companies pay for sponsored blog posts is to drive sales. If a blogger writes a positive review of a product or service and includes a link to the brand’s website, it can help generate sales for the company. Sponsored blog posts can also help a brand or company establish credibility and authority in their industry by being featured on a reputable blog or platform.

Brand Awareness. A new brand may find it practical to work with bloggers and influencers that already have a built-in audience. Brands may be looking to expand their demographics. As in the case with me, my Brag Differently brand is geared to “Black Women” they are my core audience. A brand may be looking to target a specific demographic that you speak to.

At the end of the day, we – the bloggers, the influencers, and more, all have our own dedicated following of individuals who trust us. Hence when we make a suggestion, it isn’t taken lightly. Our voice carries weight and the power in our voice is way better than a random advertisement popping up on a blog page. Companies understand this.

Example #1

Chances are you have already posted and shared information on products that you love. Let’s say that one of the products is a hair care product that you use and you always receive compliments from your followers on how shiny your hair is. It would carry a lot more weight if you recommended the same product vs. an ad popping up. Would you be more willing to try a product that is recommended by someone you trust vs an ad (and an ad from a product you aren’t familiar with)?

Here Are A Few Tips For Getting Brand Collaborations ( 9 Key Things You Need To Know And Do Before Getting Started With Sponsored Blog Post)

This assumes that you are past the “I started a blog yesterday” phase and you already have a solid blog that is well built and covers all the basics such as being self-hosted, using a premium theme, you have a solid social media presence, and you’ve built a following.

Build Your Reputation

Before you can start getting sponsored posts, you need to build up your reputation as an influencer or content creator. This means creating high-quality content that engages your audience and establishes you as an expert in your field.

Identify your target brands

Think about the brands that you would like to work with and why. What do they stand for, and how do they align with your values and audience? This will help you focus your efforts and create more targeted proposals.

Reach out to brands that you are interested in working with. From day one of launching Brag Differently, I reached out to Ellevest. Once you have identified your target brands and created a media kit, it’s time to start reaching out to them. You can do this through email, social media, or even by attending events and networking with industry professionals. When reaching out, be sure to clearly articulate the value that you can bring to the brand and how a collaboration would benefit both parties.

Create A Sponsor page or Media kit

You should have a media kit from day one. You simply don’t know what opportunity may knock at your door. Preparation is key. We have all heard the saying, “Stay Ready, And You Won’t Have To Get Ready.” You absolutely want to be ready. You may not have a large following, but you might have a specific demographic that the brand is trying to reach.

A media kit is a document that provides information about you and your blog or social media channels, including your audience demographics, traffic statistics, and content themes. This will help brands understand your value proposition and make informed decisions about collaborating with you.

• An introduction to who you are and what your blog is about.
• A description of the type of content you publish and your target audience, along with relevant blog stats such as monthly visitors and pageviews.
• Your social media or YouTube following, if applicable.
• A list of sponsorship opportunities you offer, such as blog posts, link inserts, or a mention in a post. It may be helpful to customize these options based on the brand you are working with.
• Namedropping any previous sponsored partners and providing links to relevant sponsored posts can give companies an idea of the type of content they can expect from you.
• Testimonials from past partners, if applicable.
• Your contact information.

Negotiate Terms

If a brand is interested in working with you, the next step is to negotiate the terms of the collaboration. This includes things like the length of the partnership, the scope of the content, and the compensation. It’s important to be transparent and fair and to make sure that both parties are clear on the expectations and deliverables.

Create Incredible Content

Remember that Content is King and with great content comes loyal followers and readers which will enable you can attract top-tier-level brands

Research your competition

Research other bloggers and influencers that serve your same niche audience and see what they are up to. Check and see what brands are sponsoring them. Brands have money to spend and your competition does not have ownership of these brands. A closed mouth does not get fed.

Continue To Network

Do not be a hit and quit it. Keep in contact with your sponsors and see if they have anything else in their pipeline.

Build Your Newsletter & Mailing List

Best Kept Secret, pitch to brands that appear on Google Ad Sense. This gives you insight into brands that are already interested in working with you. This is a great way to find additional brands to pitch to.

Here are some general steps you can follow when pitching brands for sponsored posts:

1. Research the brand and its target audience: It’s important to have a good understanding of the brand and its values, as well as the type of audience it is trying to reach. This will help you tailor your pitch to the brand’s specific needs and interests.
2. Determine the value you can offer: Think about what unique value you can offer to the brand through a sponsored post. This might include your reach, your engagement, or your ability to create high-quality content that aligns with the brand’s message.
3. Outline your pitch: Clearly explain the benefits of working with you and how a sponsored post will help the brand achieve its marketing goals. Be sure to include information about your audience and the type of content you can create.
4. Follow up: If you don’t hear back from the brand after your initial pitch, don’t be afraid to follow up. It can take time for brands to review and respond to pitches, and a follow-up can help remind them of your proposal.
5. Be professional and polite: Remember to always be professional and respectful when pitching brands. Even if a brand is not interested in working with you, maintaining a positive relationship can lead to future opportunities.

How To Make Money With Sponsored Blog Posts

JOIN AN INFLUENCER NETWORK PLATFORM

There are quite a few influence network platforms that you can join to find sponsored post opportunities.

• Social Fabric
• CJ
• Activate – This was the first social network I joined
• Blog Meets Brand
• Acorn
• Izea
• Intellifluence
• Popular Pays
• Webfluential
• Soapbox Influence

FIND A BRAND YOU LIKE AND PITCH TO THEM

When I started BragDifferently.com (which was previously the Melanin Goddess) I reached out to Ellevest directly. The payoff was fantastic and they were part of the reason I earned over $2000 in my first 30 days of blogging. I was already using Ellevest and I thought it would be beneficial to my readers. Here is a sample of an email pitch that I use on a regular basis. Keep it simple and to the point.

Search their websites look for PR contact and email that person directly.

Email Sample For Sponsored Post

Email Subject: I would love to introduce your {product name} to my loyal readers and subscribers

I’m Marvette – the creative genius and the owner of Brag Differently & Co. (bragdifferently.com) Recently, I was introduced to your product and I had a chance to use {product name}. I enjoyed it so much that I ended up purchasing or subscribing! I had previously tried a couple of other {similar products}. Simply put, I loved your product over -{competitor product name}. I know if I loved it then my readers will too. Brag Differently is all about solving problems for my readers and {product name} solves {name the problem}

I would love to write about {product name} for my readers (primarily women of color, US-based, over the age of 30, mostly entrepreneurs, bloggers, and content creators.) I believe they will all derive a benefit from using {product name}. I would love to recommend it to my audience in the form of a sponsored blog post(s). Please let me know if you are interested and I can forward more details on my proposal.

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration. I look forward to engaging in brand partnerships.


Sincerely,

Marvette Critney

SIDENOTE: If a company reaches out to you, then consider working with them. They may already be a part of an affiliate network that you have a profile on. Do your due diligence and make sure that the partnership benefits you and your readers. I recently had a company reach out to me with a CBD product – that does not speak to my core mission, thus I declined the partnership. All money is not good money.

Be aware of the spammer brands. You’ll know because they will normally just ask you to share a link to their product. Nobody gets anything for free, your blog is a business. I don’t bother to respond to these companies and I will normally block their emails.

All Money Is Not Good Money“STAY AWAY FROM THE SPAMMY FOLKS THAT SIMPLY OFFER YOU MONEY TO SHARE A LINK.”

Final Thoughts

If you are a new blogger or a seasoned blogger, take the time to do your research so that when opportunity knocks you are prepared to answer the door. Sponsored posts can be an awesome opportunity to monetize your blog site or social media platform, however, don’t do a zillion sponsored blog posts as you will begin to look spammy. If the product does not bring value and you honestly wouldn’t use the product yourself, then I suggest that you not promote the product.

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