5 Things Your Blog Needs Right Now To Appeal To Brands

I've been blogging for over three years now, and one question that I continuously get asked by other bloggers is 'How can I work with brands?' Collaborating with brands is something that all bloggers (especially those in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle niches) aspire to do at one point or another, and there really isn't a magic formula that automatically puts you on a brand's radar. But there are a few things you can do to set your blog up so that it looks appealing to brands! I'll be sharing five simple tips that will make it easier for brands to want to reach out to you and get collaborating!

Have Your Email In Plain Site

It seems like something that would be simple, but it having your email right on the front page of your website or on a Contact page makes things extremely easy for brands. If a PR person has to go on a search for your email, they likely won't find it worth the time and will give up. Do yourself and any future company a favor and put your email somewhere that is easy to find! After I did this (specifically adding it to my Instagram header) I essentially doubled the amount of emails I got.

Don't Forget Your Social Channels

Similar to having your email in an obvious spot, don't forget to do that with all of your social channels as well. I like to have my social media icons on my blog's home screen as well as in my contact page, just to make things extremely easy. This is a good way for brands to see your entire reach and what channels may work for them to promote on, it's also a good way for you to show off your audience and how you present yourself on each channel. A big thing to remember here if you already have social media icons is to keep them updated if you happen to change your usernames!

Create A Media Kit

Although this is more for after a brand contacts you (or after you pitch them) but it doesn't hurt to be extra prepared. I have a whole detailed post on how to create a media kit and why it's important if you're unsure about anything.

Maintain Your Image

All blogs have their own aesthetic, or at least they should. It should be clear that when someone sees something on your blog, Instagram, FB page, etc that it is in your brand's voice and image. It's important to look and sound cohesive so potential brands can understand what a piece of sponsored content might look like. You don't want to be writing in a different style each week or posting without any sort of color scheme or type of editing because that can be seen as both sloppy and unprofessional. If the brand is unsure of what they might receive from you, they are less likely to reach out.

Have A Passion And Purpose

Have you ever heard a blogger say that they started their blog as a way to earn money or free stuff? If you do, I'm sure they aren't doing too well. Here's a secret that a lot of people who've been around the blogging block will tell you: if you're in it just for the money, you'll be highly disappointed. Readers and brands can tell when you don't have passion for something or if you're just doing the bare minimum when publishing posts. An easy way to solve this is to write what you're passionate about! If you write with a purpose (especially posts that are helpful in some way and fill a 'need' in someone's life) you'll find more opportunities will come your way than if you write just to fill your content calendar.

What do you think of these tips? What are your blog necessities when trying to appeal to brands?