Add Value
That’s it. The big secret to successful sponsored posts. The one way you won’t turn all your readers away when you do a sponsored posts. Add value.
Let me give you an example
Many of you are probably familiar with Michaels’ Dream Tree Challenge. For the challenge, Michaels’ provides bloggers a Christmas tree and X amount of dollars to spend at Michaels to create a dream Christmas tree. Sometime in November all the bloggers post their trees and we all get to gawk over them!
A lot of the bloggers do a post similar to this, “I’m so excited to share my dream tree today! Michaels gave m $xxx to decorate a Christmas tree. Look at how beautiful it is!” They then proceed to share close up pictures of all the beautiful details on their Christmas tree. While I love looking at beautiful Christmas trees, I usually leave those type of sponsored posts thinking, “Well, my tree would look that amazing too if Michaels gave me money to decorate it!”
Example of a good sponsored post
Not all bloggers write their Dream Tree challenge post that way though. (I would know, because I read them all, every year. Is it Christmas yet?!) Here is an example of a Dream Tree Challenge post that adds value!
Lil Luna’s Advent Christmas Tree
Not only do I love the tree that Kristyn created for the Dream Tree Challenge, but I also love the post. Along with pictures of all the pretty details, Kristyn provides steps for creating an advent Christmas tree, a tutorial on how to create a Christmas word plaque, a tutorial for creating scrapbook ornaments, and tips for styling your own dream Christmas tree.
I left her blog thinking, “Wow! I could do that!”
Notice the difference in how I felt.
Sponsored posts with value improve your blog.
Not only does Kristyn’s post add value to the reader, but it is also going to help her more.
How? Check out her title. It isn’t Michaels Dream Tree Challenge, it is Advent Christmas Tree. The focus isn’t Michaels, the focus is the Advent Christmas Tree. People are looking for Christmas advent ideas. Plus, your readers are going to appreciate the post more, making them more likely to return!
Sponsors want you to add value.
I haven’t talked to Michaels, but I am pretty sure that they love it when bloggers show how to create something out of their products. That’s the purpose of Michaels!
Companies will be more satisfied with your posts when it represents the company well and when leaves your reader with good impression of the company.
Add value to your sponsored posts.
If your readers wanted commercials, they’d watch the Super Bowl. Sponsored posts are more likely to be successful when they are more than just a commercial. Your fans read your blog to gain insight or for entertainment. If your sponsored post accomplish one of these, you’ve written a successful post!
I’d love to read your successful sponsored posts! Leave a link below and tell us all what made it successful!
I have not done a paid sponsored post but I just love all the information you provide. I learn something valuable and new with each of blogambitions posts!
Great information. Thanks.
Your welcome! Hope it helps.
Great advice! I haven’t written a sponsored post yet, but I’ll definitely keep this in mind and try to think from this perspective when I do. Visiting from SITS
Let me know how your first sponsored post goes!
Oooh! I love these suggestions. I am a somewhat new blogger and see lots of information on your site that I need to soak in and take to heart. This is the perfect advice for a blogger like me, who is thinking of dipping her toe into the world of sponsored posts. I am a new follower!
Hi Sarah, I’m glad you found this article helpful! Good luck dipping your toes in sponsored posts! Let me know how it goes.
Thank you for this post! I haven’t jumped into the sponsored post world yet, but saving this for when I do!
Visiting from SITS Sharefest! http://www.thewanderinghome.com
Hello, thank you for sharing this story. I agree with you some sponsored posts sound like rushed commercials that do not offer any additional value. As a reader I would love to read how I can utilize the same items in my home.
I find it helpful to think from the readers perspective! If I wouldn’t like reading it, I shouldn’t write it!
Incredibly helpful post. There are so many people doing sponsored posts that you absolutely have to do something different to stand out from the crowd. I’m grateful for blogging networks that force you to think creatively and push out a post that acknowledges the sponsor but places the emphasis on adding value.
You said it perfectly Anitra! I know it takes a little more work for bloggers, but it will be more beneficial in the long run.
Great example. I haven’t done a sponsored post yet but I will definitely keep this advice in mind if I do. I like to read a personal story much more than an advertisement, too! #sitsgirls
I’ve had that example bookmarked since Christmas of last year. Just waiting for the right time to write the post! I like learning from examples.
Great post! I love it.
New to blogging, kinda use it as a way to express my self, and pretend to be a writer. Had no clue as to what a “Sponsored Post” was, and this explains it all and then some. Interesting, and now some of the posts I have read now make sense!
Not sure I have the courage to do it, but now I am informed. Wouldn’t know where to begin anyways…..
Thanks and have a great day!
I’m so glad this post helped clear things up for you about sponsored posts!
Stick around and you’ll know where to begin!
Excellent, excellent article! I’m a big supporter of sponsored posts that are actually worth reading–all it takes is shifting one’s mindset a little and being creative!
I liked that comment so much, I just scheduled part of it as a tweet. Thanks
What a great article. I haven’t done the sponsored post thing yet, and honestly, I just wasn’t sure how to do it without seeming like I was pushing product or service on my readers. I just love the example you shared. What a perfect way to do a sponsored post.
I think it is a fine line to walk, pushy or helpful. But, it can be done!
You’re amazing! I always have a hard time thinking of fun ideas for sponsored posts and I love the idea of thinking outside the box!
Thanks Elizabeth! Can’t wait to read your next sponsored post to see how you add value to it!