Even with this discovery, I still didn’t think I had a “big enough” platform to leverage. On top of that, I honestly didn’t believe that I had value that I could provide. As far as I was concerned, no brand would ever think twice about looking in my direction let alone work with me on a paid basis.

Fast forward to July 2020 where I somehow landed on Adidas’ radar. Yes, adidas. Come on. How was this even possible? I had the opportunity to share how I was keeping healthy and active during the lockdown. I was excited to share my fitness journey and how I had discovered the joy of running.

Not only did I receive a pair of running shoes, but I was also paid to write this blog post. I enjoyed putting it together and finally saw how far my blog could go if I committed to it. Needless to say, opportunities are out there for bloggers at different levels with various audience sizes.

In this blog post, I am sharing 10 platforms for small bloggers to find brand partnerships. These are some of the things I wish I knew when I first started and I am happy to have put in some of the legwork so I can openly share. I want to preface that most brands on these platforms offer paid opportunities however some only offer product-only collaborations.

If you are just starting out with brands, I recommend starting with product-only collaborations first to get your feet wet. This is a great way to build relationships with brand contacts and put yourself on their radar for future paid opportunities. Above all, it is a great way for you to get some practice and figure out whether you truly enjoy partnering with brands.

There is a lot of hard work that goes into partnerships and brands do expect a return on their investment regardless of whether they are paying you money or providing you with free products. Treat collaborations the same way you would approach the job that pays your bills and puts food on the table.

Platforms for Small Bloggers to Find Brand Partnerships

While many platforms will allow small bloggers to join, the brands who are on those platforms individually select the bloggers they want to partner with. Unfortunately, this often means that large audiences are more attractive to most brands. I’ve joined many platforms over the years but I have found the most success and opportunities with the ones below.

1. Intellifluence
2. Fohr
3. Blog Meets Brand
4. Activate
5. Ahalogy
6. Insense
7. Peersway (A great app if you’re an Instagram blogger/influencer)
8. Node (Offers lots of local food and product based opportunities for Instagram bloggers/influencers)
9. BrandBacker
10. Cohley

This is by no means an exhaustive list however these are the places that I frequent to apply for collaborations. If you have found partnerships through other platforms, I’d love for you to share some insight in the comments.

Incorporating brand partnerships into your blogging strategy is a long game and requires you to put in the extra work. My biggest tip would be to regularly apply to opportunities and show the brands what you can bring to the table that will be beneficial for them.

While you might not have the largest readership you can certainly show how you can weave the brand message into your life. Brands want to authentically see themselves in your content and life so find your unique angle and run with it.

The post Platforms for Small Bloggers to Find Brand Partnerships appeared first on Told By Jo.

Starting and maintaining a blog is hard work but is an equally rewarding journey. When I started my very first blog many years ago, it was a fun passion project that occasionally helped me flex my creative muscle.

Never in a million years would I think I could make money from writing about the things I love and sharing my life with the internet world. Who wouldn’t want to get paid to do something they enjoy? Once your blog is up and running, you can start monetizing through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts and ads. I’ll discuss this in detail in a future post.

If one of your goals for the new year is to start a blog then you’ve stumbled upon the right post. Blogging is a great way to make passive income (if you implement the right strategies) while sharing the things you love with your audience.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Blog in 2023 (it’s easier than you think!)

Whether you want to share your experience and help new moms through motherhood or if cooking is your passion and you want to share some of your favourite recipes. I’ve broken down the process of starting a blog in 2023 into five easy steps so let’s get right into it.

1. Choosing a Niche and Name for your Blog

So what exactly does it mean to find a niche? To put it in simple terms, this is essentially figuring out your blog’s focus, genre, or topic. You’ll want to find a niche that you will be inspired to write about consistently and that is reflective of who you are as a blogger but most importantly – as an individual.

If you need some help in choosing a niche, here are some popular and profitable niches in the blogging world:

• Motherhood and Parenting
• Health and Fitness
• Fashion/Style
• Beauty (Hair, Makeup, Skincare, etc.)
• DIY and Crafts
• Food and Recipes
• Travel

Once you’ve settled on a niche, it’s time to pick a name for your blog. You want to consider choosing a name that is memorable – the shorter, the better. If you can find a way to make your blog name reflective of your niche or the type of blog you want to have, that would be even better. Stay away from names that can easily be misspelled.

2. Buying a Domain Name for Your Blog

Your domain name is the name of your website. Once you’ve chosen a blog name that you’re happy with, you want to secure that name! So from my previous example, if my blog name is What She Eats then my domain name would be www.WhatSheEats.com. If you’re lucky (which I hope you are!) the name you’ve chosen is available for purchase.

Having a secured domain name will give you complete ownership of your blog and allow you the freedom to do whatever you want with your website and most importantly – monetize. Without complete ownership of your blog, it will be extremely difficult to make a significant income from it.

Bluehost gives you a free domain name when you purchase any of their hosting plans. 

3. Choosing a Web Hosting Provider for Your Blog

So you have your blog name and your domain name is available but now what? Getting a web hosting provider will allow you to have your website active and accessible online. This is where your w When you’re just starting out with your blog, a basic hosting plan is all you’ll need.

My blog is hosted with Bluehost and I highly recommend them! There are a ton of hosting providers out there and when you’re just getting started, it can be overwhelming and confusing. I’ve been there! 

Their basic plan is $3.95/month and includes everything you’ll need to start:

• Free Domain Name
• Free SSL Certificate (You’ll need to have your website secured if you want to monetize it. We’ll talk more about this later!)
• One-click WordPress Installation (plus, WordPress is free with Bluehost!)
• Custom Themes
• 24/7 Support

If you’ve chosen to go with Bluehost, I’ll walk you through how to get started in a few short minutes.

4. How to Set up Your Blog with Bluehost

To get started, head over to Bluehost and follow the instructions.

When you’re starting out as a beginner blogger, Bluehost’s basic plan is a perfect choice. As I mentioned earlier, the basic plan comes with everything you’ll need to set up a secure home for your blog. This included a free domain name AND a free SSL certificate among other great features. 

In the next step, you’ll set up the domain name that you chose earlier. If you had already purchased a domain name with another service provider, you’ll enter it in the second box. If you’re just starting out your domain name will be included. You’ll enter your proposed domain name in the first box.

Once you’ve set up your domain and completed the process of purchasing your plan, you’ll create a login for Bluehost.

Once you’ve created a login for your account, you’ll fill out the details about your blog. The name if your site will be your blog name without the .com. In my earlier example, What She Eats will be the site name. You’ll turn on the first toggle to indicate that you will be creating a blog.

You’re almost there! Bluehost will provide you with recommended steps along with a full guide to set up your blog. These steps can be followed in the WordPress dashboard which can be accessed by clicking the blue button at the top right side of the screen.

Once you’re in the WordPress dashboard, this is where you will spend most of your time designing and customizing your blog, as well as creating posts. You will not need to go back into your Bluehost account unless you are going to set up an email account for your blog or looking for additional guides and tech support.

5. How to Install a Blog Theme in WordPress

Once you’ve set up all the technical aspects of your blog, the fun begins. You will now be able to create the look and feel of your blog using premade themes. Using the menu on the left-hand side of the dashboard, you’ll select Appearance then Themes. WordPress comes equipped with tons of free themes for you to choose from. Once you find the one you want, you can install it and then activate it.

If you’re not a fan of the themes that are found within WordPress, there are thousands of themes that you can purchase, download and install directly into WordPress.

There are a few options that you can explore to find themes for your blog. Some of the best places to shop for beautiful and affordable WordPress blog themes are Etsy and Underline Designs. You can also do a simple Google search of something like “WordPress themes for female bloggers” or “feminine WordPress blog themes“.

Once you’ve purchased and/or downloaded your theme, you’ll upload the .zip file into WordPress. To do this, go back to Appearance then Themes. This time instead of browsing the themes, you’ll select the Add New button at the top right. You’ll be able to drag and drop your downloaded theme here. Once installed, you can activate and start using your theme.

6. How to Customize Your Blog Theme in WordPress

Once you’ve activated your new theme, you’ll want to customize is to your liking. Some themes are so great that you won’t even need to take this extra step so it’s entirely up to you. You will however use this step to add your blog title and tagline, if necessary.

In the WordPress dashboard, click Appearance then Customize. Once in customization mode, you’ll be able to play around with the different options and preview the changes as you go. Once you’re happy with your customizations, you can hit publish. 

You did it! You’ve learned the exact steps necessary to start a blog. Now that your blog is all setup, you’re ready to start writing posts and publishing! Take the time to plan out your blog posts and figure out the type of content you want to create around your niche.

You’ll also want to spread the word about your new blog! Let family, friends and even internet friends know about your new blog and what content they can expect to see from you. Don’t be afraid to promote your blog posts on social media, through your email list and Pinterest.

Comment down below and let me know if this post was helpful! Leave a link to your new blog so I can check it out and support you as you start your blogging journey.

The post Starting a Blog in 2023: A Beginner’s Guide to Blogging for Business appeared first on Told By Jo.

You can spend all your time creating amazing content but if you can’t get people to see it and come back to your blog then what good is it doing your business?

If someone is trusting you enough to provide you their email in exchange for something, it’s important that you deliver on your promise. Skip the spam emails and provide value. Here are three things you can share with your email list regularly.

What Should I Send to My Email List?

Alright, so you understand the why behind having an email list and building a community through the content you create and the people you serve. What now? Here are a few ideas of what to send to your email list.

I currently use Flodesk for my email marketing and they have the most beautiful email templates out there! Head over to Flodesk (when you’re done reading this post, of course) and see for yourself. You can grab 50% off of your subscription for life or sign up for a free 30 day trial using this link here.

1. Share your latest blog post or a weekly roundup of recent posts

Share a weekly or monthly roundup of what has been happening on your blog and what your readers may have missed. If you don’t post blog content on a consistent schedule, your readers may not know when you have published new content! Curate a list of your latest blog posts and share with your email list. Don’t assume that your readers are visiting your blog everyday to see if you have new content – remind them that you’ve just added new posts that they might enjoy.

2. Provide inspiration or valuable curated content

Provide content that is exclusive to your email list this way your readers have an incentive to remain on your list. If you are having a creative block and but you don’t want to skip out on an opportunity to connect with your email list, send out inspirational content that you’re loving lately.

You can share some content from other creators that you’ve been enjoying, the latest updates in your niche that your audience might find useful. Some of my favorite emails that I get from other bloggers are roundups of things that they have recently

3. Share your affiliate links and offers

You can share valuable offers and sales that you know your audience will appreciate! For example, if you’re a mommy blogger, you can share the latest sales from kids clothing stores to your email list and even offer a discount code if you have one.

If you’re a home decor blogger, share your latest bargain finds on decor items. This is a great way to share your affiliate links with your email list!

Remember to be genuine with the information you share and promote things that you would purchase with your own money. Don’t forget to include your affiliate disclaimer in your emails to let your readers know that you may earn commission if they make a purchase. It doesn’t cost them anything but it’s great to be transparent.

4. Share a personal story or experience

There is no better way to get to know someone than to open up and share something personal. Let you audience know about what inspired you to do what you do or what motivates you to get up every morning. We are all human and finding ways in which we are similar helps us to create stronger connections with people.

Struggling to get your toddler to sleep? I’m certain you’re not the only one. Having a hard time juggling work and home life during this global pandemic? Same, friend, same. Don’t be afraid to talk to your email list like the friends that they are to you.

5. Free printables, downloads, worksheets and other helpful resources

Depending on your niche, it might be incredibly helpful to provide your readers with resources they can make use of in their own lives. For example, if you blog about financing and budgeting for millennials, why not provide them a monthly budgeting worksheet?

If your blog caters to stay at home moms with young children, you can come up with activities that toddlers can do independently. This can help busy moms score a few extra minutes to load the laundry or put dinner in the oven.

CJ from With Love CJ offers free inspirational quotes that her readers can print and frame for decor around the house. This is great for decorating on a budget or adding some new pieces to plain walls. Get creative and come up with a great yet simple ways to provide the people that trust you with value!

Recap of the things you should be sharing with your email list regularly

You should regularly do an audit of the content you are sending out to your email list and what they are resonating with most. Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, listen to your audience and give them what they want.

As you get more comfortable writing regular emails to your list, you will get to know your people and learn to serve them in the best way possible.

When in doubt, stick to what works. When you’re ready to start growing your email list and serving your readers, there are five emails you should be sending to your list:

• Weekly or monthly blog post roundup or your most recent post
• Inspiration or valuable curated content from other creators
• Share your affiliate links
• Get personal by sharing a story or experience
• Free resources such as printables, downloads and worksheets

The post 5 Things Bloggers Should be Sending to Their Email List appeared first on Told By Jo.

Gone are the days of using celebrities and notable household names to endorse products. The reality is that you’re most likely to make a purchase of a product through the recommendation of someone you know and trust, especially if you can relate to them and can see yourself within them. As a result, companies are reaching out to regular folks like you and I, who have the ability to connect one on one with friends and family, to promote their products and services on their behalf.

By using techniques similar to these, companies have the ability to structure their campaigns in ways that will allow them to measure success and see the return on their investment. Long after campaigns have ended, brands can still continue to gain traction from their relationships with influencers.

As a lifestyle blogger myself, I have created a platform that allows me to share my life story in ways that serve my audience and give them tangible information that they can implement in their own lives. This can be through sharing personal stories or letting them know about a tip or product that is saving me time and money. I also talk about my marriage constantly including the lessons I’ve learned, tips that can help with strengthening new relationships as well as actionable advice such as planning an affordable wedding, amongst other helpful hacks.

This personal and intimate portion of my life has allowed me to build an open and honest relationship with my audience, thus growing their trust in me. There are many bloggers and influencers who are focusing their content creation around their personal lives, relationships and weddings- content pillars that are relatable to the everyday person. By utilizing these influencers, brands have a greater chance of fostering stronger relationships with their customers through using the influencer as a middle man. 

Regardless of the point in life that you currently stand, we are all always in search of ways we can improve our lives and ourselves. Authentic stories that people can relate to sell and that is the meat and bones of influencer marketing. To put the icing on the cake, the best part of influencer marketing is that both the brand and the influencer have the ability to gain value from the relationship. 

The post Using Influencer Marketing To Build Brand Awareness appeared first on Told By Jo.