Blog writing set-up in my early days
This is part two of this three part series about how to start a blog where I talk about social media platforms and how to monetize your blog. You can find part one of tips on how to start a blog here. And you can find part three here about SEO and Google Analytics. Also I am by no means an expert and still a small-time blogger so if you find advice here that’s contrary to your experience, please let me know so that we can all learn more about this “business.”
7) Social Media
So there’s no getting around social media if you want to start a “successful” blog. But instead of viewing it as the enemy (because in some cases it is—bad for mental health and it’s all around time suck), it really is a tool. It’s a quick and easy way for a reader to get in touch with you. It also allows them a peek into your daily life (if you choose to share) and helps foster a sense of community. I mostly am on Instagram, with a focus on Insta stories since I like the 24 hour nature of the thing. I am less “successful” at the Insta feed portion, and that’s probably because my images are so-so and my captions aren’t that captivating. Also tip: never give Insta your money in terms of “promoting” a post. I think for a blogger there’s really no need, and in my case did more harm than good. The data nerd in my wanted to see what happens when I promoted a post (and to see what happens when I fiddled with the different promotion settings). Well ever since then (I promoted 4 posts in a row) I feel like the algorithm has been holding back my posts (throttling so to speak) because since then my feed numbers have never been as good as before even though my follower count is higher. I feel like Instagram went “aha she gave us some money, so let’s try to get her to give us more.” Nope, not doing it. And I’m ok with the numbers where they are (especially since I don’t try to make money off of my Insta). I was definitely bummed about it before but I’ve made my peace with it.
I personally don’t use FB so don’t feel the need to have a FB account. But if you want to receive gifted items from some of the bigger, more organized players (think Mejuri) then you need a FB page for your blog. They require you to link a FB page to your Insta account in order to work with them. I set up a dud account (no followers, no posts) and then made a FB page for Fairly Curated. I didn’t set it up under my own personal account because I don’t want everyone I know on FB to know about this blog (weird I know, but I rather keep the number of personal friends who read my blog to be limited). You can always create the page under an existing account if you don’t mind sharing your blog with friends and family. Or feel free to skip this step altogether until a later date.
I have a fairly inactive Pinterest page but I do feel like it’s helpful for SEO (search engine optimization) to have a Pinterest account and to use it from time to time. At the very least, pin all your own images from your blog onto a board dedicated to your blog (for example I pin everything to {Fairly Curated}). Just having another site link to your blog is important for SEO and it’s also another way for your content to be discovered. I get about 600 users a month who come to my blog through Pinterest. I actually don’t mind using Pinterest for inspiration (it’s great when you’re feeling like you’re in a style rut), and I find I use it in spurts (ie months of not using it then I’m on it for a week or so).
Other platforms
There’s also Twitter, Tiktok, etc. You definitely don’t need to be on all of them and which platform you choose really depends on your preference. Also something I learned from my blog course I took early on: don’t get too invested in these outside platform because in the end the tech companies have the final control/say over your content. They can change the algorithm and now you’re no longer as visible/making money/etc. Instead, your content should live on a site you can control and all other platforms should point back to this site (ie your blog).
8) Monetization
Google Adsense/ Sidebar Ads
Google Adsense is probably the easiest way to make money off of a blog, especially if you design a blog with a sidebar. This is Google’s way to show ads that other brands pay to be seen on your blog (this is different from Google Ads, which is what you would use as a brand to show your ads). You can also enable Google Adsense to show ads in mobile that’s interspersed in your content or pop up at the bottom of the page when you first land on it. For the longest time this was the main way I made money. But I personally get annoyed by seeing ads in a blog post and so I decided not to subject my readers to the same. It’s been awhile since I installed Google Adsense on my blog (I only did it when I first started) so I don’t quite recall how to do it but Google is more than happy to help you install ads to your site. You can also work with some brands directly to show their ads in your sidebar (but I don’t have any experience in this so I don’t really know which brands and how to make it happen lol).
Affiliate Networks
Affiliate networks is the main way I make monetize my blog (and I think how the majority of small to medium-sized blogs monetize in general). I use affiliate links for the things I review and if someone purchases through that link within a time frame (between 2-4 weeks), I make a 3-10% commission (depending on the brand terms). It doesn’t cost the buyer extra but it’s a commission for the blog/influencer and it’s a way that the reader can support the blog at no extra cost to themselves. TBH without affiliate links, this blog would not survive. But at the same time I wouldn’t want to lose all credibility and recommend everything just to make a commission (and of course I also recommend many things that I don’t have affiliate links for that I just purchased and liked). There are quite a few affiliate networks that I ended up signing up for because one or two brands will use obscure ones. Here are the complete list of the ones I use from the most used to the least: Shopstyle Collective, Amazon Associates, Shareasale, Pepperjam, Awin, Impact, Rewardstyle, and VigLink. Whew I know that’s a lot and I don’t recommend signing up for all of them at once. In fact I wouldn’t sign up for one until you have already written a review or have something you want to link, and then check out the brand’s page to see if they use an affiliate network. I’ve signed up for all of these in that way during my 5+ years of blog writing. That way monetizing is the frosting on the cake rather than the driver of the content. Some tips I learned about affiliate networks: 1) Don’t repeatedly apply to an affiliate network if you first get rejected. When I first started, Rewardstyle was THE affiliate network but I just didn’t have the numbers they wanted so I got rejected repeatedly and I re-applied repeatedly (based on bad advice from the blog course I took). And in the end I was blocked from reapplying forever 🤦🏻♀️. Thus I was only able to apply for it under the Fairly Curated url (and that’s why it’s currently my least used even though Rstyle is the most prolific). At most I would probably re-apply once a year if your numbers have gone up during that year. 2) If you have a choice of choosing CPC (cost per click, getting paid cents per click) vs. a commission I think going with the commission will earn you more in the long run. And 3) Check back on your old content from time to time to see if that brand had signed up with an affiliate network since you first wrote your post. And if they did, sign up with that network (or apply to their program if you’re already a part of that network) so that you can earn something on your older content (I mean you already wrote it right?). Also related to this, if you don’t have an affiliate link for something use a bit.ly link (from your own bit.ly account). It’s important to track the number of clicks you generate to a brand because it not only gives you an idea of how popular something is, but it’s important information you can maybe use at a later date when collaborating with a brand. In the end data is power these days.
Referral Links
If a brand isn’t part of an affiliate network (or have their own affiliate program) then they sometimes instead do referral links. I don’t mind referral links because in exchange for letting people know about a brand I will get credit, and then I can “buy” more things to review. It’s like a positive feedback loop where I can build a brand collaboration organically and at my own choosing/pace. But this only works if the brand allows the credit to be stacked. Some brands will give you $15 off your next purchase and that’s it. And for those brands I’m less likely able to do multiple reviews (and I used to give the promo code out to you guys but now a days it’s harder to do that since they link that code to my account). But like I said above, build the content first and then use whatever linking system the brand has available.
Gifted Items
I’ll occasionally get one-off gifted items from a brand, though I used to get free items regularly from Everlane. Each brand usually has their own way of gifting items. I talk about Mejuri’s affiliate gifting process here. Everlane had their own website process. Some want you to sign-up with their affiliate program, others require you to have Facebook. Let’s just say these free items come with some hoops to go through or strings attached, and thus aren’t my favorite. I used to do it a lot more, but I’ve gotten pickier over time. Now I’ll only do them on occasion and more-so if it’s just an Instagram post (cuz that’s easy). Most PR items have some sort of requirement attached, like post by this date and use these hashtags, etc. I say go for it if it’s from a brand you like or have been wanting to try. Or once you do your research and it seems their values align with yours and they’re offering something you’ll actually use, then sure why not. But definitely don’t take everything you’re offered because there’s only so much free work you should do. Also I’ve only had experience with brands offering things to me (they find me), but there are those who will propose collaborations to the brand (something I’m thinking of doing in the future). In that case have a media/press kit in hand and a good cover letter as to why you and that brand are a good fit and what kind of exposure you can give the brand. Once I actually do this a couple times I’ll update this post with my experience.
Sponsored Posts
I’ve only had one (thanks again Rellery!) so I don’t have much experience in this (and no expertise to impart). To me, this is when an influencer “makes it” because now the brand is directly paying you for your work. But with the money also comes (even more) strings attached. They won’t tell you what to write but they do want to see it before it publishes and they’ll probably ask you to add certain products or links. But it depends on the brands of course (some may be more controlling than others). For them to find you, you probably need to have the numbers (followers, readers, etc.). But you can also go out and seek sponsors, just have your media kit and a price sheet ready. I plan to try some of this out this year and I’ll let you know how my experience goes!
Buy Me A Coffee/Patreon
This is a model I’ve been thinking about recently because it’s a way to get less dependent on the brands and instead be supported by the readers. It’s a model where you guys can donate directly or pay a subscription fee for certain content/level of access. I’ve seen some Instagrammers do it (most notably Dawn). I’ve been thinking of making certain giveaways and or promo codes available for subscribers. I’m still thinking it over and I welcome any feedback you guys might have about this idea. For now, I just made the Fairly Curated Buy Me A Coffee page here lol.
Whew anyway if you read through this massive post, thank you and I hope you find it useful. I’ll be working on a part 3 next which will go over how I use Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and how I’ve optimized my page for Google Search (which is my number one source for traffic to this blog). The data nerd in me loves this stuff so sorry in advance if I bore you! And if you find any of this info useful, please consider supporting my work by buying me a coffee (what do you think? Does it work? haha).