Monday, January 29, 2007

Webisode # 1 - Learn how to get your blog sponsored.



Text version of the show:

Welcome to the show "How to get your blog sponsored." I'm your host, John Kover. BloggingSponsorships.com is a new tool that helps Bloggers find sponsors for their blogs. BloggingSponsorships.com lets bloggers post their blog, and sponsors can search for relevant blogs that are interested in sponsorships. Today we will be discussing the following topics: Niche blogging and relevant sponsors, Active vs. Passive blog sponsorships, and finally how to use BloggingSponsorships.com to find sponsors for your blog. Let’s make some blogging money!

In order to find potential sponsors for your blog, be certain that your blog fits a specific niche. Professional bloggers and even amateur bloggers stand the chance of making serious revenue by actively approaching potential sponsors. Big name companies, and even small name companies are beginning to understand the importance of being featured on blogs. Being featured on a blog can increase brand name recognition, introduce new customers, drive more direct traffic to the sponsor’s website, and provide relevant and high ranking inbound links. Finding sponsors for your blog can be a relatively easy process. First be certain that your blog encompasses a specific niche. If your blog is a collection of random thoughts and insights, chances are you won't find any interested sponsors. Your niche must align with a potential sponsor’s product, marketing, or demographic agenda. For example, if you blog about, new women's clothing products. Chances are high that a big name retailer such as Gucci, Mary Kate, Bebbi, and dozens of other female clothing retailers... will consider your request for sponsorship. Just so you understand what I mean by niches. Here is an example: Hand bags are a better niche, than women's clothing, but Gucci hand bags, are even a better niche than just hand bags. The more specific your blog, the better! Be certain that your blog aligns with the customer base of potential sponsors, and you will increase your chances of getting your blog sponsored.

If you want to make as much money as possible as a blogger, you need to actively approach potential sponsors and explain the benefits of sponsoring your blog. Active blog sponsorship marketing is being done by only a small fraction of blogs, and generally these are blogs with hundreds of thousands of site visitors. Most blogs rely on revenue from Google Adsense, YPN, and affiliate offers. Companies are beginning to realize that sponsoring blogs are far more affordable and effective than traditional online marketing methods. As a blogger you should be actively seeking sponsors for your blog. Sending an email to a corporate marketing department is as easy as doing a google search. Take into consideration what types of products your blogging niche aligns with. In a future episode I will discuss what you should include in an email to a potential blog sponsor. Actively seeking sponsors for your blog can be a far more profitable approach to earning money that relying on Google AdSense and affiliate offers.

Finally, let’s discuss the new website BloggingSponsorships.com. BloggingSponsorships.com allows blog owners to upload their blogs into niche specific categories. This allows potential companies and advertising firms to find relevant blogs that are seeking sponsorships. It’s free for bloggers to use, so long as they provide a reciprocal link on their blog. Providing a reciprocal link on your blog also benefits bloggers as it lets potential sponsors know that your blog is actively seeking sponsors. Sponsors can easily do a keyword search, or view blogs by category. They are provided with a link to your blog, and contact information. It's up to the bloggers and the advertiser to come to a marketing agreement on the terms of the sponsorship.

That concludes this week’s edition of the BloggingSponsorships.com blog. We discussed Niche blogging and relevant sponsors, Active vs. Passive blog sponsorships, and finally how to use BloggingSponsorships.com to find sponsors for your blog. Now get out there and make some blogging money!