In my three years of blogging I have attended MANY blogging conferences. In fact, I LOVE a conference. They’re a wonderful way to learn and be inspired by other bloggers, but also a fab way to make friends or to strengthen existing bonds. It’s quite common for bloggers to be sponsored to attend the larger, more expensive conferences and I have always found seeking sponsorship a fairly straightforward process. A few people have asked me to share how I secured the sponsors I have worked with, so here goes. It’s worth saying that you obviously don’t need to have a sponsor to attend these events, but it’s great to partner a brand for a number of reasons (not only financial!).
I have previously worked as an events organiser and have lots of experience in securing sponsorship. So, I just applied this experience to blogging and here’s my step by step guide to clinching that sponsorship.
Needs the pin!
1. Tidy up your blog
Anyone you approach is going to immediately look at your blog if they are interested in the proposition. So make sure all those housekeeping tasks that you keep meaning to do are taken care of. Does your blog look professional and appealing? Do you have clear social media icons, a comprehensive contact page, detailed ‘About me’ page etc. Do all of you links work? If so, then you’re good to go.
2. Produce a Media Kit for your blog
A media kit is a document containing all your blog stats and other important information. Keep it simple (one page) and bullet point all the useful information about your blog, including your stats – monthly page views, unique visitors, all your social media figures. If you need more guidance to how to create a media kit this post might help.
3. Brainstorm potential brands
Grab and pen and paper, brainstorm all the brands you have worked with. Brands you might have not worked with, but perhaps have tweeted or had some other contact and also brands you love. Think about crossing any off that wouldn’t fit with the conference you are planning on attending. It might be the case that the brands target audience doesn’t fit with your blogs audience.
Top Tip: Check out which brands follow you on your social media channels, this might show they have an interest in your blog already or at the very least it’s a conversation starter.
4. The right person
Address the pitch to the right person. Do some research and try to find the name of the person responsible for blogger communication/outreach, the account exec or similar. This will mean your pitch will be better received, than if it goes into a generic email account.
5. Write your pitch
It’s important to set out all expectations at the start and show the brand what you can offer. Now is not the time to hide your light under a bushel!
I would structure your pitch as follows;
Opening paragraph – Introduce yourself and either remind them that you have previously worked with them, or that you admire their brand.
Purpose of the email – That you wish to attend X conference, which is the largest conference in the parenting blogging calendar (for example) and are looking for a brand to sponsor you.
Brief overview of your blog – Introduce your blog, ranks, combined social media followers, page views.
What you can offer them – Some ideas are;
- Sponsored posts; a post introducing your sponsor, then further posts as agreed.
- Host a giveaway or promote a special discount.
- Run an advert for them in your sidebar for an agreed time.
- Retweet the brands tweets.
- Include a link to their website in every conference post.
- Adding conference posts to relevant linkys, thus increasing their reach and engagement.
- Tweet about the brand and their offers/products.
- At the conference include brand in your tweets.
- If you produce a newsletter you can include the brands details for the term of the sponsorship.
- At the conference use branded items. For example, pens and notepads.
- Write a post for the brands website/blog.
- Wear branded clothing to the event (check what you are allowed to wear to the conference before agreeing).
- Promote your sponsor on your business cards.
- Ask for their input if they wish to include something you have not thought of.
6. How much will it cost the brand
This is the part people are apprehensive about, naming their price. I would advise you to remember your worth and the exposure that you are offering the brand. You have a targeted audience that come to you, which is very desirable.
I would include a breakdown of the costs you are looking to have covered and a clear total. Some people may just want the ticket and travel covered, others may be looking for a fee on top. Whichever it is, just state it upfront and with clarity.
7. Why should they work with you?
You have given them your stats in your media kit, but what else can you offer the brand. Loyal readers, thriving Facebook community, the demographic of your readers matches those of the people the brand is targeting. These are all very desirable things to a brand, so make sure you point them out.
8. Ways to contact brands
There are various ways you can contact a brand, some more appropriate than others depending on the individual company.
- Put a notice on your email signature, saying you are seeking sponsorship.
- Add a page or badge to your blog.
- Tweet out a request for sponsorship.
- Email brands directly.
- Use Twitter Direct Messaging.
The first sponsorship I secured via a direct message (to a brand that followed me), which I followed up with an email. The most recent was a spec email to a brand, who ran a focus group that I was involved in.
Remember if you don’t ask you don’t get.
Comments 109
Some great tips! I have to say I haven’t really made much effort to look in the past but it is definitely something I want to look into more for future events.
I have always been sponsored to attend conferences. My biggest tip would be selective with who you work with and look for people that fir your blog
Author
Yes definitely x
Brilliant advice and well done in being so successful. Some really useful tips here, thanks!
Author
Thank you so much x
This is such a useful post Aby, thank you so much and I can’t believe you have only been blogging for 17 months well done on such a big success in a short space of time. X X
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Thanks so much that is really kind. Hope the post helps x
I love this post, so clear and plenty of great tips to get your sponsorship. I am hoping to go to Britmums this year and as a new blogger these tips are very useful, thank you for sharing 🙂
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Let me know how you get on x
Pinned for later! xx
Author
Hope it helps xx
This is another cracker Aby!! I may brave it!
Author
Thanks! Do it now! x
I’ve read this a few times today, taking notes as I go 🙂 Another fantastic post that is exactly what I need right now. Thank you x
Author
I am so glad you like it x
I’ve never even thought about being sponsored to go to conferences but you’ve explained very well how to do it – thank you!
Author
Hope it helps x
A great post.
I’ve been sponsored topmost blog events and I would say be picky. don’t just go with the first company to offer sponsorship, make sure they fit then it works for you both
Author
Yes good point, it has to be a good marriage x
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I am going to be brave and give this a go..!
Author
Fabulous, let me know how you get on x
Brilliant post Aby and lots of great advice here, thank you so much for sharing.
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Just really glad it is useful x
This is a brilliant post that I am going to save and action it. Thanks will be back to check your other post next week.
Author
I hope it helps you x
Great advice here Abby. Sometimes I have been sponsored othertimes I pay via sponsored posts.
Author
Thank you,hopefully it will help someone x
Some fab tips! Have to admit I have never looked for sponsorship, worrying that it may detract from my fun/learning if I feel I have to represent a brand too – have you found this a problem at all? I cant do BritMums this year as my other half is running a Punk Festival that weekend this year, but may well use some of your tips for Blogfest!
Author
Not at all for me, but I think it depends on the individual agreement with the brand and what they want you to do x
Great post and very useful tips. I haven’t tried to get sponsorship before but might try this year 🙂
Author
You should try and let me know how you get on x
This is really great advice and I think no.6 is the one which most people are wary about and I agree with you x
Author
I hope the tips help someone get a sponsor x
Great tips as always Aby!! And, as you know, just what I needed 😉 xxx
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Thanks huni, hope it helps xxx
FAB FAB FAB!!!! Now just to wait for next weeks Media Kit post then I can get started because as you know I have no idea!
X
Author
Glad you like it hun. Hope it helps x
Brilliant post, hun! Until a few days ago, I had never thought about trying to get sponsorship to go to a blogging conference, but everything you wrote makes sense. A brilliant post I will definitely read again, hun! Pinning now. xx
Author
Thanks hun. I hope it helps xx
Great post! Those are perfect tips. I’ve never thought to get sponsorship to a conference, I just put it down to a personal development expense. But I might have a look into that now.
Author
I hope they help x
Great tips – I have never been to one as it is too difficult to co-ordinate with four children and work but I would love to in the future.
Author
I hope you find a way to attend one in the future x
Some great advice here – I haven’t actually done this myself before, I like to go under my own steam so I don’t have to worry about doing stuff. But excellent tips for those that need one. xxx
Author
Thank you, I just hope they help someone xx
Some good tips but I don’t think I will try and get sponsored again. I found it too hard trying to showcase their product in such a busy venue, which is what they wanted
Author
Yes I think it depends on what agreement you have with your sponsor x
Brilliant post Aby. Some very useful tips. I need to gather courage to ask next time I go.
Author
Thanks hun, good luck with finding a sponsor x
This post rocks Aby. There’s so many things here I wouldn’t have thought of and I hope will help me get sponsorship for events like Britmums! Zx
Author
Thanks so much huni, I hope you find a sponsor lovely x
This is a brilliant post – I keep coming back to read it! Thank you so much for sharing your vast knowledge. I’m going to bite the bullet and have a go at finding myself a sponsor, using your guide.
Author
Thank you so much. I am so glad it is useful, good luck and let me know how you get on x
This was a real eye opener, ive not been blogging all that long, well just a year and ive not had that many opportunists yet, though I am sure they will come in time.
A great post and great tips, enjoying this series x
Author
Thanks huni. Glad you like it x
These are really good tips. Looks like a good media kit and pitch are important for securing brands for posts and conferences.
Author
I hope they help you to secure sponsorship x
Some really fab tips lovely, I am always a bit frightened to ask which I really need to work on! xx
Author
Thanks hun. Hope they help, you shouldn’t be frightened to ask, what is the worst that can happen? xx
amazing tips here, I’m not sure whether I will attend this year, I can never really commit until nearer the time and then think perhaps I would be too late to gain sponsorship. These tips have been valuable to me though so will definitely put them into practise soon. #TheList
Author
Thanks huni, I am so glad it is useful and I hope to meet you at a conference soon x
Great post and great tips as always =D
Fab tips…now to just get over these nerves!!
I really need to finish my media pack. I’m sure one day someone will look at it!
Great tips once again thank you Aby. I will be sure to start thinking about these in the coming months.
Fantastic post. I wasn’t going to go to any of the blogging convo’s this year due to my rubbish maternity pay not being able to stretch the budget to cover the ticket or travel price but who knows, now with this advice Cinderella may go to the ball!
Author
Oh I so hope it helps you. Also BlogCamp is free so you should check that one out x
Absolutely brilliant tips! Thanks ever so much for sharing. I agree, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Must get on with my media pack….:) X
#THELIST
Author
Ah thank you huni, I am grateful for your comment. x
great post as always. I am going to Britmums this year but have not even thought about getting a sponsorship as I don’t think I am established a bough yet. But I am sure this post will come in useful for future xx #TheList
Author
If you don’t ask huni, you don’t get. Why not give it a try and see what happens? xx
My problem with my blog is that its not as design friendly as WP or blogger. So my social media icons are just html that I sourced out somewhere. I really wanted to attend these events and yet I don’t think I can secure a sponsor cuz I cant really follow a lot of these tips =( #brillblogposts
Author
That’s a shame hun x
Great post – so useful, especially for us (even more) newbies! Will be bookmarking this one and sending to Rachel and Nicky. We’ve never been to a blog conference so suggestions on good ones to go to also welcome! xo
Author
Thanks, I hope it helps you get to a conference x
I am going to my first Britmums this year, and this is great, thank you! I am looking for a sponsor and will try all you have suggested! x #TheList
Author
I am so happy that it may help you to find one x
Fab timing Aby, I’ve just started the road of trying to find a sponsor for Britmums and have been tweeting out and have written a post, but the media kit still scares me a bit so I’m looking forward to your post about that! xx
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Maybe I am a bit psychic! Hope it works for you x
Great tips – It is daunting asking brands for sponsorship but your simple steps make it seem a lot easier #thelist
Author
Thanks hun, I hope they help you secure one x
Some great tips for newbie bloggers here Aby, thanks – really blew my mind when I started blogging that companies would sponsor people to attend events. However, having been around for 6 months, it makes sense why they do.
Author
I hope the post helps x
Great advice. Having been on both sides of the fence – blogging and PR – this is just the type of thing that’s going to get your sponsorship request taken seriously.
Author
Thanks, good to know x
Greatest thank you for the tip, I would love to get sponsorship this year, but need to get brave and send some pitches x
Author
Do it huni! What is the worst that can happen? x
Fab tips, I had fashion label sponsorship for BritMums last year with Me&i and Fever London which was fun, I was a walking ad for them. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts
Author
It’s great isn’t it. I was sponsored by a kids brand, but was also gifted 2 dresses to wear by a clothing brand. x
Hi there. I found your blogpost really useful, and I have used some of your ideas in the what I can do for you section to write my own request. Hope this is ok.
Author
Of course, that is why I wrote it. I hope it works for you x
Great post Aby, i really enjoyed reading this. Some great tips, here is me trying to get used to the jargon, and life on the blog scene, all very confusing at times, thanks for all the advice, only a month blogging now and this virtual world is ever expanding. So many opportunities available. Tanita x
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Thanks hun. I hope it helps you x
Great tips, thanks so much. Love your blogging posts x
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Thanks huni. I hope it helps x
Brilliant post – thank you! I had been wondering what the whole sponsorship and blogger events link was and u have e explained perfectly what companies can actually get out of being sponsors 🙂
Lots of great advice here! And the bit about contacting brands can be helpful for anyone contacting brands, even if there is no conference. I am wondering, though, why bloggers ask for sponsorship? You’ve put about free travel and ticket. Is it that the sponsor pays for that and then the blogger does the sponsored posts (or whatever is agreed)? I’m just curious to know 🙂
#The List – sorry I forgot that bit!
mmmmmm….food for thought…could I do this?? Cheers for the help. #TheList
Bookmarked for the day I may wish to attend a blogging conference! Thank you. #TheList
Some great tips as I’m sure lots of people are thinking about this or trying to arrange something. Keep contacting the brands. It dos help to find out who is the right person to send your media kit too. Some will also be happy with an email (like my sponsorship for BritMums). Also aim for a range of small and bigger brands. Everyone loves to have a bit of marketing! your an also ask different brands to sponsor you for different parts like your clothes or travel of ticket. So,e smaller companies may only be able to contribute something to your ticket so be open to the options if it’s your first time. Good luck! XSunita #THELIST
Hi Aby, this is a great post and has just given me the impetus to send my first direct email to a brand that I work with to see if they will consider sponsoring me for a ticket to Blog Fest! I’ve been thinking about it for a while but was a little nervous about actually asking, but I guess I have nothing to lose other than a little bit of pride 😉 Fingers crossed! Emily #TheList
Great tips! I’ve only ever bothered with sponsorship once at to be honest it was fairly undemanding so worked well xx #TheList
Wow I never even knew you could get sponsorship to a blog conference! I am pinning for future. Thanks so much for all your help. #TheList
such fantastic tips and these go for so many types of conferences, not just blogging ones. I’ll be saving this one for future reference, thank you! #thelist
Great tips. I’m very new to blogging so am nowhere near this stage yet but certainly something to keep in mind for the future.
#TheList
I think a lot depends on timings too. I’ve only been sponsored (partially) for 1 conferences, and I’ve tried to pitch the 2 following years. I’ve not got anywhere – even with brands that contact me about it, mostly because they contact tonnes of bloggers, or the timing hasn’t been right or they’ve done a campaign instead. It’s annoying when I see brands that would be a perfect match for me working with other people, but often it’s not just the pitch, it’s timing, getting in first and getting to the person with the relevant sign off. Great post though
Great tips once again Aby. I’m going to pin this one for future! x