Sponsored Posts for Influencers and Bloggers: the lowdown

Here it goes, guys!

I’m breaking down ads and sponsored posts for influencers and bloggers, and sharing just how we really make money.

When I first started blogging, I honestly truly did not even THINK there a possibility I could make money through it. You guys. I didn’t even realize I would enjoy the luxury of free things. I definitely did not think about how sponsored posts would be something I would even have the opportunity to do. I’ve said it before but collaborating with local Winnipeg brand Coal & Canary was one of my dreams (happy to say this “dream” was achieved and they’ll always be one of my favourite brands to work with!) but making money through Instagram was nothing I would have thought about. Although I would be what’s considered a “micro-influencer” I realized VERY quickly that these perks are common, and they only grow as your followers and engagement do.

2+ years later, I have had the opportunity to make some extra income through blogging. Now when I say this, don’t think it’s anything outrageous or something I could use as an income. As you may know, I have a full-time job, but being able to make a bit of extra money through my favourite hobby is not a bad thing! I recognize that for anyone who is not involved in the blogging world, it can be a bit of a challenge understanding what is and what is not an “ad”, as well as what #ad even means.

I want to make this a little more transparent and break down what an #ad is, why I do them, and how/when I make money through my blog.

WHAT IS AN #AD?

Whether it’s #ad, #sponsored, or #gifted, it’s difficult to decipher what it means. To make it simple, whoever it using the hashtag either received free product and/or payment for posting. So why do we do this? Because it’s the law. Advertising laws in Canada state that on social media, you must reveal when you have been given product or payment in exchange for a post. Depending on the blogger OR the brand they’re working with, what is “disclosed” via hashtag in caption can vary. It’s kind of up to the contract (if there is one) to disclose what the sitch is. Some brands who have given me product for post with ask me to include #ad. But some who have paid me mention nothing of it; so then I do it myself. 

To put it simple:

#sponsored and #ad typically mean the user is being paid for posting. BUT, I’ve had brands ask me to disclose one of those hashtags, when they weren’t actually paying me; just gifting me free product.

Sometimes, if a brand is just sending you product with the expectation you will post, then you should use #gifted.

OK so now that you understand what it means, here’s my take on Instagram #ads.

Due to the influx and growth of influencers and bloggers, marketing law requirements of disclosure make it really simple to spot when someone is being paid/gifted product for a post — which has begun to be viewed as being flakey or worse, fake. For me personally, I’m happy to admit that I work with brands, again for both products or payment, but I have never worked with a brand that I didn’t like, didn’t trust, or didn’t actually care about. 

WHY I WORK WITH BRANDS

The time I put into blogging is significant. spend hours weekly writing posts like these, taking (or forcing my boyfriend to take) photos that are icarefully planned out to the smallest details, editing these shots, and working on building a community of women that I can bring value to.

Getting paid for the odd post allows me to keep this going. Sponsored posts for influencers are like clients for a small business. It helps to pay the bills, and allow us to do what we love: which for me is creating and sharing content for likeminded ladies in their 20s — and not have it be a total time & money drain. It also helps me build legitimacy in my brand!

I know there can be a bit of a negative connotation with sponsored posts for influencers, but for anyone who understands it, the time and effort we put into all of our posts and content creation, is truly worthy of a some free products or payment as compensation.

At the end of the day, I want my platforms to be accurate representations of ME. So with this, I create content with brands that I personally like, use, or believe in. Whether or not these are things that EVERYONE will feel the same about isn’t important. Ultimately I choose to share things that I love. When some of you try it and also love it because of my recommendation, that’s even better!

I have no problem admitting I’ve worked with brands who reached out to me that I had l never previously heard of, but only when I did my research first and decided it was a brand or product that I was truly interested in and wanted to try. There’s also been MANY, many brands that have offered me product or payment that I’ve declined, because they didn’t align with me and my values or preferences.

HOW TO FIND BRANDS/LET BRANDS FIND YOU

So how exactly do I find brands, or, do brands find me? Once again, Instagram is king. I believe Instagram has been the main source of all my partnerships/collaborations, as it’s a simple way to reach out to brands, or let brands find you. When I want to partner up with a brand, I typically reach out via DM or locate the address in their profile and send an email. This would explain who I am, why I want to collab, who my audience (following) is, and why I believe it would be a good fit. I‘ve done this with brands I know and love, and sometimes with brands I’ve never tried but that I think I’d love (and most often, end up do loving).

FAQ: Is there a certain number of followers you should have before reaching out to brands? 

My answer: NO! If you can provide value in some way, whether it’s brand exposure or content creation, you have all the reason in the world to at least reach out. If they don’t want to work with you, don’t sweat it. Guaranteed there’s others who will. 

MY TOP TIP

As much as I reach out to brands, brands reach out to me. By using hashtags with #Winnipeg (or your own location), it’s a simple (yet super effective) way for brands or PR agencies to locate you when they’re looking for a specific market to gain exposure in. This has led me to the most paid collaborations, as it’s typically these instances when brands have a budget and are looking to find influencers in a certain region or city. They see you’re in that city, and target YOU specifically because they see value in investing in you to reach your audience.

So there you have it, a simple breakdown of the world of paid posts in blogging/influencing! Did you know these things before, or is this all new game for you? 

If you’re interested in these topics or have any other blogger/influencer questions, I’d love to hear them and hopefully shed some more light for you!