There are so many different opinions when it comes down to the subject of being paid to blog, but I’m just going to come out and say it. I don’t blog for free and neither should you. I’ll explain why.
How many of you bloggers out there have received emails from companies wanting something from you with nothing in return? These emails are usually along the lines of “Dear Blogger, I came across your blog and just love your work and think you would be a great fit to write about our company. We would love for you to share ____ about our company to your readers as we think this is something they would be interested in. In return, if your post is chosen, we MAY share your post on our social media. Please let us know your thoughts on this. Thanks.”
Unfortunately, I, along with many other bloggers, receive these emails multiple times a week. Some of these companies want you to share about their products, link back to their site, share their articles, etc. and all they can do is MAYBE share your post on their Twitter? Thanks, but no thanks. You don’t work for free, so why should I? I know everyone has a different opinion, so let me explain how I perceive this and why I don’t blog for free.
If a company is contacting you with the request for you to share and promote something of theirs, then they obviously see that there is value in your work and what you have to offer, otherwise they wouldn’t be asking in the first place. If you have an established blog community, then you have influence and brands know this. This article from Forbes sums it up perfectly. I think it’s fair to compensate someone in return for their work, and find it insulting not to. This can be in the form of monetary compensation, free product, guaranteed exposure from a big brand, or a combination of it all. Compensation can be whatever you are comfortable with, but make sure it’s something, otherwise, what’s in it for you?
Being both a blogger and small business owner, I’ve witnessed both ends of the spectrum. On the blogging side, I see bloggers complain about no pay all the time, and on the business side, I witness business owners in networking groups publicly scoff at what a blogger wants to charge for a post in response to their collaboration pitch, with several comments to follow from other business owners bashing a blogger’s fee because they fail to perceive the full value. This is often the case, even when it’s a small fee such as $25, which is beyond reasonable.
Businesses know the value is there because they’ve chosen the blogger as the one to share their product and brand, but for some reason many don’t fully understand the extent of that value and still don’t want to offer fair compensation. What they fail to realize is when a blog post is done correctly, they are getting professional, high quality images of their products, a well written post that a blogger has spent hours working on, links to their site and products, potential sales and new customers, and thousands of monthly page views on a consistent basis which drives awareness to their brand/product and traffic to their site just from the blog post being published and shared across social media. So what makes people think this should come without a cost?
It’s important to remember that no matter how big or small your blog may be, you have something to offer. Don’t underestimate your worth! Partnering with brands that offer nothing to you in return is equivalent to a friendship with someone that only cares about herself. Not cool! Obviously there will be times when a budget isn’t in place but you feel compelled to share a cause or something that truly moves you, and that’s fine! But for those that are just out there that want something for nothing, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself! Companies that understand your value to its fullest potential will always work within your request for fair compensation, and trust me, there are plenty of them out there that do so. This is why I don’t blog for free and neither should you.
Marci Smith says
This is great insight! As a new blogger I haven’t been hit with these emails yet, and I probably would’ve jumped at the first one. I’m glad I read this before that happened.
Clarissa says
I totally agree with your perspective and believe that as bloggers our content adds value and we should be compensated for our time. My blog is relatively small, but I have been approached with these types of offers before. What tips do you have to turn them down gracefully?
Hannah says
I love this post. I think it’s totally unreasonable for brands to not charge bloggers for their work. A lot goes into writing a blog post and I find the best way to look at it is basically paying an hourly fee. They wouldn’t think twice about paying an hourly fee to someone in their marketing office, so why is a blogger different?
Lynda H says
My blog isn’t the type that I can really make money on, but it would be nice if I could. I recently added Google Ads, but I’m a long way off making money. I used to have a lot more traffic until I went self hosting and I lost 400 followers and about 80% of my traffic. I went self-hosting so I could put ads on… I feel like I shot myself in the foot, so to speak. I have taken a lot from this article though, and I have my thinking cap on. 🙂
laci says
Definitely agree 100% of course you have to start out and get going for free but then if a company wants to be promoted you need to be paid 🙂
Mayra Murillo says
I completely agree with you. Many of us bloggers use our platform to get our name and writing out there to apply as freelance writers elsewhere. Why shouldn’t we get paid for our work? I would love for you to do a follow up post on this on what you consider reasonable fees for a particular post or series. I think many of us struggle with charging to much or mainly too little for our work.
Amanda @ Anchored to Sunshine says
This is an awesome post! I want to forward it to a few companies who just don’t understand why I would charge to promote them haha you summed it up so well 🙂
Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple says
LOVE this!!! Preach girl. Think I need to add a link to this post when I get emails from companies saying that they ‘don’t have any budget, but they *MAY* share your post if they like it’- ugh!
Natalina Sents says
I love this post. Totally something I need to hear. I’ve always struggled with treating my blog like a business because I am passionate and would be doing it anyway. Thanks for the encouragement! I’m working harder to not work for free! 🙂
Angie says
YES! I seriously do find it insulting when I’m constantly contacted by companies (big ones too) that are like “we’ll wont pay you, but we’ll share our favorite posts on our social media” um no. No thank you.
kristen says
Girl, preach. I LOVE this. I honestly dont understand where companies come off saying they have no budget for ads, Like, honey, that is not true. and I didn’t reach out to you asking for free product! Ugh, sorry, vent sesh over 🙂 thanks for writing this, I hope it goes viral!
Kari says
I love this post! I think it’s so important to remember our worth, in all aspects of life. Blogs included!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Bethany says
Such a great post to read as a aspiring blogger!! I haven’t been paid for writing but I’ve only worked on my own blog, looking forward to trying new things though so advice is awesome. Thanks for posting!
Ashley says
I couldn’t agree with you more! It is absolutely ridiculous that people want, and quite frankly think they are entitled to free advertising. Blogging takes a ton of work and to act like it is anything less is insane. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley Graham says
This is a fantastic post! I realize that I have made a mistake by allowing a few companies take advantage of the work I have done for them on my blog. I’ve always had the mentality of putting in the word and receiving the benefits later on, but how much later would I have to wait if I continue to let this slip?
“If a company is contacting you with the request for you to share and promote something of theirs, then they obviously see that there is value in your work and what you have to offer, otherwise they wouldn’t be asking in the first place.”
You are an inspiration… Thank you!
Sarah says
I love this! I totally agree as well. I have never been offered monetary compensation (outside of collective bias) but I do almost always receive something product wise in exchange for a post. How do you respond to brands asking for monetary compensation?
jen says
I get emails like that all the time. I don’t understand why PR and marketing people send them. It is insulting. The only time I will work for free is when I think establishing a relationship with a brand would be possible and beneficial to both of us. Otherwise I politely ask to be compensated for my time and energy. Thank you for the great post!
Neely (@Neelykins) says
My favorite is when a company wants me to just mention their product because it will help me? Ummmm
Christie says
This post has accurately summed up exactly how I feel about this whole “sponsored content” business.
When I first started blogging, I’d be honoured when I’d receive a “dear blogger” email (cringe). It wasn’t until a company actually ASKED what my budget was that I realised.. I’m doing a JOB for them, people get paid for jobs, why aren’t I? I used to feel bad asking for payment of some description, but I’ve since learned that my time is valuable and I should be compensated for it.
Great post! (:
Christie’s Take on Life. x
Ashleigh says
This is wonderful and I totally agree! I get emails all the time to write for free and I just think, why would I do that? I have done it twice for companies I truly believe in and wanted to support. But if it is someone reaching out to me and I have yet to try their product, then the answer is no! Thanks for sharing!
Denay DeGuzman says
I’m so glad that I have this pinned to Pinterest because this is such an important article for all bloggers to read. I also hope brands read this too. As bloggers we work our tails off every single day to create awesome content and build up all of our various social media channels. And in many instances this is a full-time job! It is absolutely ridiculous for companies to expect us to utilize the fabulous resources we’ve built over years with love, sweat and tears to advertise their products and services for free. It’s also absurd for them to offer us unfair compensation. We are not non-profits. We too are running professional businesses.
Jenny says
YES YES YES x a thousand.
I legit hate the ones that say that they may boost my post?
Like why waste our time if it’s not even a guarantee.
No one asks them to go and work for free at their jobs everyday.
xoxo, Jenny
Janae @ Hi Y'all! says
Wow! Love this! So true!
Laura Kathleen says
I have gotten so many of these emails, when I first started blogging (about 5 months ago) I thought if I didn’t answer them I’d never get “real” sponsors, but I decided to not dilute my brand and not work for free and I’m so glad with that choice. I recently did my first “sponsored” post where I ran a company sponsored giveaway and got a free product but I felt adequately compensated for my time. I am happy to hear your thoughts on this as well!
Laura | Laura Aime Vous
michelle says
I got an email from a company wanting to be the middleman between myself and sponsors will keeping 60% of the profits. Nope not gonna play that game. I don’t blog for free and I won’t let someone make more money than I will for my handwork
Lindsey says
Great post and I definitely agree. Companies see the value of bloggers yet still feel that they should not have to pay especially when it is considered a “hobby”. I don’t blog for free. In fact, I haven’t had a paid or sponsored post in some time because everyone wants something for free and nothing has caught my attention enough for me to want to blog about it anyways
Mattie says
Such a great post, as a fairly new blogger I have been emailed by a few companies who aren’t really offering anything in return. I’m like thanks but no thanks. I’d rather put that time into my own posts!! Thank you for reinforcing this idea!
~Mattie
http://www.mattiesmakings.com
Charline says
Great insight! Especially when you do sit on both sides of the conversation and can see it both ways.
Tara says
It might be tempting to do something like this for potential exposure, but the truth is, bloggers are worth more than they think. Don’t be exploited!
Clare Speer says
I love this – for us to realize to not “underestimate our worth” – good information and I appreciate it!
Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations says
This was such a great post and summed the situation up perfectly! After all, a blogger is marketing their product and shouldn’t’ that be a paid position? Pinned so I can refer back, thanks!
Zainab says
My blog hasn’t reached the point where I can do collabs or promos but even with my small size, there’s still a lot of work that goes into my humble site. I’d be insulted (as should other bloggers) if a company wanted me to do things for free that have no form mutual benefit for me and my work!
Melissa says
Great post, you are so right! As a former business manager of a large corporation I totally see the value. I have had a harder time flipping that to my own blog since I began. I am going to a conference next week and the online pre-training has really helped me change that internal narrative. On a side note- it made me cringe when you shared how businesses bash bloggers. Makes me so sad when there is such negativity in any realm! Thanks for being awesome!
chelsea jacobs says
PREACH. Those emails make me so mad!
Mimi Rose says
I so so agree with you! I’ve seen it from both sides as well since I work as a marketing manager for a health & wellness company (who works with bloggers often) as well as a blogger who has made my brand into my own business. There is still this misunderstood nature around blogging and how much it’s really worth, I’m hoping the mindset from companies continues to change around it – bloggers and influencers can make such a different to brand awareness and even direct sales for companies. But I guess that’s always the case with more artistic professions, people are always going to try and get you to do work for free, which is when you need to politely but firmly say no. Thanks for your input on the subject!
Abby says
I definitely agree! We put a lot of effort into capturing the photos and writing the actual post, and then promoting the post, then they only offer us the “chance” to be featured. I find it so insulting, I don’t even respond to these emails anymore.
xo,
Abby of Life in the Fash Lane
Lasonia says
Thank you for providing this information. I haven’t had the opportunity to receive this type of email – YET, but you have given some very valuable information that we all should consider. Thanks again for sharing.
Veronica says
Glad I read this post! I’m a new blogger and this is really helpful. Thanks 🙂