All week this week, we’ll be talking blogging! I know it’s a break from regular travel posts but with a lot of questions swirling around the internet about blogging and after having been asked some of these questions regularly, I thought it worth while to commit a week to discuss this crazy world of blogging. And hopefully, you’ll walk away with some answers to your own questions too!
I get asked a lot how I use my blog to get travel rewards while we’re venturing off around the globe. The simple answer is: I reach out to places I want to stay or travel to. The long answer… well we’ll get to that below. But the truth is, blogs are a great way to reap rewards with whatever niche you subscribe to. We spend a lot of time on our blogs, growing a following, posting great content, making graphics, and so on and so forth. So why shouldn’t we reap some rewards and work with companies in exchange for publicity on our sites and social media followings? The thing is, often times, it takes you being willing to reach out on your own to ask for something, so if you want to know how to reap the rewards of your blog, here’s how!
1. Reach out.
While travel bloggers with several thousand followers might be getting emails offering free hotels and free trips often, the rest of us have to reach out on our own. Even though brands might not be finding you among the other hundreds and thousands of bloggers, there is no harm in reaching out. I work with brands often, both hotel brands as well as tours or travel guides and almost all of them have come out of me reaching out. And the brands are often very glad I did and often tell me so. The key is approaching brands with something they can look at and see the benefit for them to partner up with you.
(I’ll be getting further in depth with this tomorrow, how to reach out and the best ways to do it!)
2. Follow Up.
I often will spend an entire morning making a list of brands I want to work with and just sending out a bunch of emails. If you don’t hear back in a week or so, follow up. Send another message, just to make sure they got the first one. More times than not, either they didn’t receive it or they forgot to reply. So make an effort and follow up. They will acknowledge your effort 90% of the time.
3. Defend your site and following.
Whenever brands offer a noncommittal response back to my initial email (when they don’t say yes or no), I’ll respond and defend why my site and my social media following can help them. Offer ways that you’ll work with them to promote their product and stand up for yourself and your blog. Bloggers have tremendous power on the internet, explain to them why and how your blog can help them.
4. Don’t take less than you know you’re worth.
I often get emails about sponsored posts that want to pay me either nothing or some dismal amount like $20. I used to jump at any offer that I made a bit of money, but nowadays, I say no to anything under $100. And even then, I’m super picky about which ones I will work with, which lately has been none. Know you’re worth and know what you think is worth your time to format the post, create graphics and post it to your site. Don’t take less than what you know you’re worth.
5. Get yourself out there.
Another great way to work with brands and reap the rewards of your blog is to get yourself and your blog out there. Comment on other blogs, guest post on other sites and make a name for yourself in the blogging community. It’s a great way for people to find you and to push your blog forward.
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Macy Volpe says
This post is so insightful! I would love to see more of the US next year (so thankful for a SW Companion Pass!) and reaching out to tours would be really nice. I can’t wait for tomorrows post!
Casey says
Yes!!! You totally should reach out… you’ll be amazed how many will offer to work with you if you just reach out! 🙂
Emily of Em Busy Living says
“Reaching Out” is definitely the most intimidating part, I’d say! I haven’t done this yet (not sure that I’m “at that point,”) but I would hope to in the future and I’d be so afraid to start!
Casey says
It can be intimidating at first, but I look at it as “what do I have to lose?” So what if they say no, it doesn’t hurt to ask! 🙂
Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki says
Reaching out is definitely key. The scary part as well:) Looking forward to reading more about it!
Casey says
Yes!!! But with nothing to lose, it doesn’t hurt to ask!
Van @ Snow in Tromso says
I get a lot of those “please publish our post and you might get the chance of winning an iphone” emails and never accept them cause I really don’t see the point. Also I’d rather only publish my own work and stuff from guest bloggers that I actually know. Am really hesitant when it comes to companies as most of the stuff I am offered seems to be spam. Would love to honestly work with companies though but I’m afraid they wouldn’t want me as I’m not one of the big popular bloggers. Reaching out seems like a cool idea but it’s definitely scary and so time-consuming!
Casey says
Yea I get those a lot too and just delete them. Unless they are offering to pay me or some other item in return, it’s not worth it. So when you can reach out and work with companies of your choice, it makes it easier!
Christine Everyday says
These are great tips. This is something I am trying to really start getting into and it’s tough, but this info helps!
Casey says
I’ll be talking about more specific stuff tomorrow, so stay tuned! 🙂
Rachel @ STCL says
Great tips! Looking forward to reading more details tomorrow!
Casey says
So glad!
Jordan Beck Wagner says
Such great tips! I was always so afraid to reach out to other brands/businesses because I’m not a “huge” blog…but surprisingly when I finally did, I got a lot of great responses!
Casey says
It’s really amazing how responsive brands are to work with bloggers, of all sizes!
Estrella says
Great ideas and suggestions here. I’m too scared to reach out (waiting until I have a larger following), but this will certainly be helpful down the line. That said, when do you suggest one should start trying? Is it after a certain number of unique visitors, monthly hits?
Casey says
I started reaching out when I had about 1,500-2,000 followers. I was just curious and started reaching out and had an amazing response… so don’t be afraid!
Rae says
Thanks for doing this awesome series! Very much appreciated!
Casey says
Thanks for reading! 🙂
RO says
Great tips and ideas! Thanks so much!