Why am I not getting sponsored posts for my blog?
Do you ever find yourself asking that question? Sometimes it can feel like every one else is practically swimming in sponsored content while you can’t seem to get one post to save your life.
Sometimes it’s just luck, a certain blogger being in the right place at the right time, but most of the time I think it’s a little more than that. Sometimes we’ll never know why one blogger was more attractive to a particular brand than another, but there are several things that you can do to make your blog more attractive to brands and increase your chances of landing a sponsored post.
- Post more – This seems to come up a lot doesn’t it? Posting frequency is important for many aspects of blogging. Now sure, you don’t want to sacrifice quality for quantity, but if you haven’t posted anything to your site for two or more weeks then sponsors are not going to be as interested in your page. Sponsors want to see good interaction going on between you are your readers and know that you have a steady flow of reliable, honest content on your site. Posting frequently and building that relationship with your readers goes a long way in landing sponsorships (and growing your blog in general!)
- Own Your Domain – Go ahead and spend the money to buy your own domain name. This shows you mean business as a blogger and are intending to stick around for awhile. Did you know that most bloggers don’t last even a year? Owning your domain can set you apart from the thousands of writers who start blogging but decide it’s not for them and bail.
- Display your contact info prominently – Don’t make it difficult for brands to contact you. Have your email address readily accessible on your site so that you can be emailed by brands if they are interested in working with you. You may not want to agree to every email that comes your way, but opening up the conversation with brands is always a good thing!
- Not Applying – Another reason for missed sponsored post opportunity is simply not applying regularly for them. You can email sponsors directly with your media kit and pitch ideas or you can use some of the many sites that connect brands with bloggers. A couple sites, like Linqia will email you when they have an opportunity for you, but most do not. Other brands like Social Spark, Sverve and Business to Blogger all require that you visit their sites and apply for jobs yourself. It’s important to keep applying to opportunities that fit your niche. Don’t get discouraged, continue trying and improving your blog so that you will receive more opps!
- Engage with your readers – I’ve heard from several different prominent brands that they look for engagement with readers. Are people commenting on your posts? Do you interact with your fans on social media? Work on building relationships with your readers, as this is something brands watch for (and it makes your blog so much better too!).
- Make them awesome – When you do get sponsored posts go above and beyond to make them great, both for your reader and the sponsor! Make the post something thrilling for your reader to hear about which will mean more traffic for your sponsor and make them happy as well. Creating stellar content, both sponsored and non-sponsored will help you land even more opportunities, and eventually you’ll start turning some down!
Have you ever had trouble getting sponsored posts? What is your best tip for landing them?
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I get sponsored work often – but at first it was slow. My tips are always get your “work” in on time and promote it. And make the sponsored posts more than just a shill, make it personal 🙂 I always say “keep applying!”, and while waiting, keep your blog looking good – and active.
Thanks for sharing your experience, it’s very encouraging to new bloggers.
Good thoughts Sarah! Thanks for sharing your experience, it’s always helpful to hear what other people have discovered! It was slow-going at first for me too! 🙂
Firstly, I hardly ever get any comments/feedback from my readers. I usually end with a question but 99% of the time I never get any comments from my readers. I get frustrated because I wonder if any of my ‘followers’ really do read my posts. No one ever does click the ‘like’ button. So based on those two things I really do wonder if anyone does really read my posts.
Secondly, I am not in the financial position to buy my domain. I believe WordPress charges $20 to make my .dom address mine but we really cannot spare that right now. $20 could go towards a bill or groceries for the week or something else. Paying for a domain is not a priority at this time. If I could actually get sponsered posts then maybe I could put some money from that towards that.
Thirdly, I have signed up at Sverve, Social Spark and BlogHer and have been with them for over 6 months and have gotten nothing with them. I would really, really like the BlogHer logo on my blog but idk how to get it. I have not gotten any sponsored posts with any of them. It is very frustrating because all the other blogs I follow have a steady flow of them, even the little ones without their own domains. It is just rather frustrating as I have said and idk what I am doing wrong. I have changed my blog time and again to make it look professional with the tools that I have to work with and nothing. Sometimes I think you have to be rich to get sponsored posts because you can buy your domain and have a professional design your site and it is rather defeating and it makes me not want to blog and just give up my dream of blogging and putting my voice out there.
Hmm I tried to hop over to your blog to see if I could give you some advice but the link in your profile doesn’t seem to be working. Could you leave the link in a comment and I’ll try to give you some pointers or ideas if you’d like (for free of course!)
I know it can be discouraging at times, but if you continue to work hard on making great content, you should start getting some sponsored posts as well.
I completely understand about not having the money for the domain and design. I was in the same situation, and some one actually paid for it for me for Christmas to help me start working towards my dream.
Are you on blogger or wordpress right now? If you are using wordpress.com they do not allow money-making on their blogs, and that could be why you aren’t getting anything…though I personally prefer wordpress (Self-hosted, on wordpress.org…different than wordpress.com) if you are looking for a cheaper option to start making money blogger is the place to be! 🙂 I hope that helps!!!
Hi. My website is https://creativehomemakingalmanac.wordpress.com/. I would appreciate any pointers. They would be so helpful. I tried that Liquia you mentioned above and they said I did not qualify.
So if you think I should be over at blogger, I think that is what you would be getting at, what would it take to start over there? I don’t know anything about that site. Idk even know their web address. I am not what they call ‘computer savvy’.
So let me know what you think and I guess we will go from there. Thanks!
Great tips. I’m not yet ready to actively look for sponsored posts but there’s a lot I can do now to prepare for that, like post consistently. I’m working on that now. 🙂 My goal is 3x a week. And then move to my own domain. Have a great day!
Sounds like an awesome plan Debra!!! 🙂
Paula, are you on wordpress.org? Self hosted?
Self hosted
Hello,
My name is Amy, and I work with HH Staffing Services.
We are an employment/staffing agency helping both job seekers and employers connect with each other.
You can view our website here -> http://hhstaffingservices.com/
I was curious as to if there were any opportunities to feature HH Staffing on your website in any shape or form? We have a popular blog, and enjoy writing about a variety of topics within the employment industry.
If there are any opportunities through your website I’d be very interested in learning more.
I look forward to your reply.
Thanks!