I haven’t written any “help for bloggers” post for a while. I will be writing more in the coming weeks because I have so many requests piled up from my inbox. I will share to the best of my ability and will only share things I know and are true. They are the things that have worked for me too on my blogging journey.
Firstly, I like to thank everyone who actually takes the time to READ my blogs. You are the reason WHY I write / share / blog and I love you for it.
Now unto the post:
Business Owners
If you are a business owner looking for Bloggers to help you put your products / services / campaign on their blogs / blogsite / social media with no compensation, payments, rewards or some kind of contractual agreement, you are a cheat. You definitely know Bloggers are influencers and that is WHY you want them to put your stuff on their blogs. If you want that done for you for free, you are a CHEAT.
I see a lot of people actually talk Bloggers down. They look at Bloggers like they are just having fun or playing. No, that is not the case. And in case you don’t know, here are some things you should know about Bloggers:
1, A lot of Bloggers are Business Owners: their blog is their business.
2, They pay taxes: just like you do in your business, they pay taxes too.
3, They pay BILLS: they pay for their website hosting, domain and other bills to pay just like any other business.
4, Bloggers spend TIME: they spend time writing, photographing, creating contents, editing images, doing research and so many other things they don’t talk about including denying themselves of actual social life.
Two more…………
5, Bloggers Pay a lot of Price you know Nothing About: sometimes they deny themselves of sleep to meet up on scheduling posts, writing and so much more.
6, Most important one: many Bloggers from around the world are highly influential, educated, some are mums / dads + so much more and are following their dreams and passion sharing and doing what they love. Before you look down on another Blogger or take them for granted, think about that!
So if you are a business owner sending messages to Bloggers to help you advertise your products and services for free, you are a cheat. If you make money in your business, you should pay others to do theirs, don’t you think? If you charge people to help them with your business and service then you should pay to get services for your business, it is as simple as that.
Before you send your very well constructed email to any Blogger looking for freebies, ask yourself this: If I serve everyone for free, how do I pay my bills, feed my family / children / self and all the expenses that come with life.
The Common Thread
A lot of people who do this are friends, family and social media friends who are business owners. They do not read the blogs, they just know you have an audience they can market their services to. It will be nice to build a relationship with people first before you start sending them messages to help you promote your stuff. Show you care about what that Blogger friend or family of yours do before you start sending messages to them asking for favour.
Having said that, big businesses send random messages looking for freebies too. Before you do it, consider that one line I shared above.
In the Coming Years
In the past years, Bloggers have made millions of millions of euros / dollars / pounds / Naira + other kinds of currencies from blogging. In the coming years, they will make much more. They will also be a big influence in advertising and different areas too from Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle and so much more.
If you are a Blogger who is not making ends meet from blogging, hold on, change will come. Blog smart, learn STRATEGIES and TIPS from those who know, Invest in yourself by buying and reading books, attending training and seminars, joining masterminds of people who can help and you will do better.
If you are a business, the best thing you can do for yourself before reaching out to a Blogger is to have a budget for them. Know what campaign you want that Blogger to run for you and how much it is worth. If you want them to do social media for you as well, know what that is worth too. Change your ways and don’t be asking for freebies.
Bloggers do have a price list of what they charge, if you are not sure, ask them. If you are a Blogger and you do not have that in place, it will be nice to put that in place so you are ready when the opportunity presents itself to you. Remember, it may be too late to prepare when opportunity presents itself.
I will be writing more “Help for Bloggers” post real soon. I have written this one because Tena from New Jersey asked me to. She said she is working hard on her blog but all she gets is people, businesses and every other person asking for freebies. Thanks for sending me your request Tena.
Next time, I may be writing different ways to make money from blogging: Look out for that!
If you have any blogging questions, ask me below. I will be happy to respond. and if you have any TIPS you can share with Bloggers, please do below.
Thank you so much for reading. Much Love, Mojisola
I shared some TIPS on HOW I stopped working for free via my blog in my book, Use What You Have. It is an Amazing Best Selling self-help inspirational book where I shared my story, inspiration and how to truly maximise your gifts. Feel free to check it out HERE
Read Other Help For Bloggers Posts:
6 comments
Yes!! Blogging is very much a business and it’s so incredible important to remember that and dedicate time towards cultivating it as one for it to be truly successful.
Great write up!
Thanks for reading D. I agree with you.
XO
I do have people reach out to me sometimes – I never thought of them asking for something for free, but it really is like that (I haven’t taken up anyone on an offer, but seeing this reminds me that they are really just asking me to do their advertising, and to do it for free!).
That is exactly what it is Sarah but hey, good you haven’t done anything for free. We all deserve to get compensated no matter how small it is.
Thanks for reading
X
Well said Moji. I find it very annoying when PRs and Business Owners approach me to work for free. I find it very insulting actually. As a PR myself, I won’t dream of asking any blogger regardless of how big or small their blog is to work for free. It is so rude.
I know how deeply you hate this bit. It is an insult I agree and a shame too because Bloggers are underrated. We have to keep bring ing awareness to it and stand up for what is right.
Thanks for reading Stella.
X