Monday, July 25, 2016

5 Ways to Shine at Sponsored Posts

Making Money

5 Ways to Shine at Sponsored Posts

August 01, 2016
by: Kel Amstutz

If you’re working with brands (or hoping to), at some point you’ll write a sponsored post. But how do you make a blog post about a brand not one big buzzword-filled snoozefest?

Well, keep it true to your style and voice for starters.

You’ll not only make the brand happy; your readers won’t hit the back button either.

These five tips will give you a fresh twist for your next sponsored post.

Plus, check out the examples from bloggers who know how to write for brands in a way that’s both authentic and informative.




Just Be Real… Even if that means at Your Own Expense

You don’t have to sound like you’re spouting marketing-babble when you write a sponsored post.

Brands want to see you being you so keep it real, even if that means showing a less-than-perfect day or poking a little fun at yourself.

Shining Example: Anne from AnneHogan.net did a great sponsored post for Kohl’s Wink of Pink Giveaway. Is pink her favorite color? Not at all. But she took on the challenge of working in pink clothes into her wardrobe, which makes a believer out of any pink skeptic. Not only that, Anne wasn’t afraid to poke a little fun at herself.

5 Ways to Shine at Sponsored Posts- get real, even at your own expense! 

Every time I see this picture, I crack up. That would TOTALLY be me.

 

It all starts with a Compelling Headline

If you want to bore someone into never clicking on your blog post, then start off with a really boring blog post title. 

Who wants to click the link that says “NEW POST: Free React Mobile App”? Zzzzzzz. 

Instead, create a snazzy headline that makes readers curious. The only caveat? You MUST follow-through with an awesome post!

Shining Example: Dani from Cloudy with a Chance of Wine does this brilliantly, both the headline and the post. Instead of calling her blog post “Free React Mobile App,” her post is titled “Why I Never Left College Parties by Myself.”

Now THAT’s a post I want to read. She doesn’t disappoint, using her college mishap to explain why this app is such a good idea.

5 Ways to Shine at Sponsored Posts- have an irresistible headline


 

Add a Dash of Video

Do you like creating videos? 

Well, no one says your sponsored post has to just be written words. Adding video to your posts helps readers really get a sense of the product being talked about (not to mention, get to “know” you a little better by seeing more than a little headshot in your sidebar.)

Shining Example: Fadra from All Thing’s Fadra is always the first person who comes to mind when I think of great sponsored posts with videos. Her post for Kia about Life in a Small Car takes a humorous look of a luxury chick trying out the Kia Forte LX. She saves some of the car’s features for the text, but in the video she shows herself using the car for a little trip to a blogger meetup. She takes the car for a spin, drops cookies, and her camera falls. While the latter two might not relate to the car, the video is memorable and fun… just what Kia wants.




Give Readers a Benefit that Clicks

A rookie marketing mistake is to only talk about a product’s features. Typically, benefits are what seals the deal in a consumer’s mind. Using __ product will make me ___. So, when writing about a brand’s product or service, consider your audience. How can that “thing” make them healthier? Improve their life? Simplify their day? Solve a problem?

Shining Example: Anna from My Life and Kids didn’t just create a green smoothie recipe to promote Silk Coconutmilk. She tapped into a feeling most parents have: feeling tired. Her solution is an energizing smoothie for tired parents all over. (Must try this!)
With three little kids, a growing business and an endless pile of laundry – I don’t have time to be tired. No – seriously. I don’t have time to spend my afternoons yawning or unfocused. I don’t have time to spend my mornings in a foggy, half-awake state while I try to get one kid on the bus, another kid dressed for preschool and keep another kid from playing in the toilet.
5 Ways to Shine at Sponsored Posts- give readers a benefit that clicks

Be Relate-able

Brands work with bloggers because they’re “just like you and me.” A brand talking about their own product, service, or cause is one thing, but hearing it from someone we can already relate to? That’s even more convincing. When you start off a sponsored post with something everyone can relate to (like nostalgia), you get your audience nodding their head… and reading your content.

Shining Example: Roo from Neon Fresh knows how to pull readers in with a relate-able, humorous style. And her sponsored post about eBay’s Curate a Collection for a Cause is no different. She gets you all nostalgic for the 90s (even as a child of the 80s, I can still relate to playing Oregon Trail, yo), which is the perfect set up to talking about eBay, isn’t it? She makes me WANT to put together a curate a collection…maybe one in which I curate bits and pieces of the 80s (Rainbow Brite anyone?).











 
Nope! I can't wait to be done with school in two weeks and then off to my dream job! Haters approval not needed! I have found something I love to do! It makes me happy to see I'm such an inspiration to all my haters :):
If you found this post interesting, I bet you’ll love checking out my other most popular posts:






 Here is my most popular eBook! 

I strongly recommend my eBook, The Social Media Manager Kit by Kel (w/ bonus) in order to get you started. It will include templates for emailing potential clients or those you landed a completed job with, it will allow you to focus and challenge you to keep moving forward. 

This life, working at home, being financial free and with my family, is something that I used to dream about

Today...
  • I am living it. 
  • I am loving it. 
  • I am making it my life! 

Need More Help?  

Check out my eBook, Make your Dream a Reality in 30 Days or Less! - a jump start guide with templates to get you ready, set and ROCKING this Social Media Manager gig! 
 



 

 



Monday, July 11, 2016

It's time to take a break...

It's TIME to take a BREAK
by: Kel Amstutz    *July 11, 2016


It's ok to take a break. <a class="pintag" href="/explore/quotes/" title="#quotes explore Pinterest">#quotes</a>

Hi All!

Get Wise Words delivered at <a href="http://theprudentpantry.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">theprudentpantry.com</a>It's KEL here. 

I know...I know... L O N G time... no post. 

I'm sorry!  

It's been hectic trying to juggle!  

And it's SUMMER and the first one in a LONG time that I have had with the kiddos!


So, it is time for an ANNOUNCEMENT:


It is time for a much needed break

Who knew keeping three (3) blogs would be so hectic? 

Plus...I have this little gig... you know... this J O B that I call being MOM and all!  

I have tons of things filtering through my mind right now...how I can regroup, reface, redo my blog


Burnt out and struggling? What you need is a break to re-energize your spirit.:  

I have had a BLAST putting Life at Gray Gables into motion and keeping it chalked full of content, but let's face it...it is kind of...OK if you must, totally A-D-D and really ALL OVER THE PLACE! 

  




I mean, WHAT IS Life at Gray Gables anywhoo?  

A lady who loves BOOKS, RECIPES, FAMILY- sure... but what does that REALLY have to do with GRAY GABLES? 


YUP...this is where I am at!  

So what if it has taken about four (4) years to realize, I am HERE now! 



So, I am going to take a break....
Pushing for what you want takes energy but is worth it in the end. Is there anything you did when you were a kid that you ended up quitting and now regret? For me it was piano. Now I'm learning how to play again after 12 years and am determined not to quit again. Allow yourself time to rest & take a little break and then go back at it once you re-energize. Rest > quit.  ///  SNAPCHAT: kellidav via @angela4design by @happsters:
Don't worry, it's just a little reformat break


I am going to get this FOCUS together because with this free-time that God has given me, he has also granted me purpose into finding the meaning of Life at Gray Gables and I can NOT WAIT to SHARE with you all! 


So, I will be back...SOON!  

And my blog will look a little different, but don't worry! I am sure you are going to love what is coming.



Oh, and don't forget to check out my other blogs:


Sweet Tea and Business

-and-





Feng Shui To Keep Moving Forward (And Not Sliding Backward!) | The Tao of Dana:



http://dalicetrost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Recommended-stamp.jpg I strongly recommend my eBook, The Social Media Manager Kit by Kel (w/ bonus) in order to get you started. It will include templates for emailing potential clients or those you landed a completed job with, it will allow you to focus and challenge you to keep moving forward. 

This life, working at home, being financial free and with my family, is something that I used to dream about

Today...
  • I am living it. 
  • I am loving it. 
  • I am making it my life! 

Need More Help?  

Check out my eBook, Make your Dream a Reality in 30 Days or Less! - a jump start guide with templates to get you ready, set and ROCKING this Social Media Manager gig!








 
Nope! I can't wait to be done with school in two weeks and then off to my dream job! Haters approval not needed! I have found something I love to do! It makes me happy to see I'm such an inspiration to all my haters :):
If you found this post interesting, I bet you’ll love checking out my other most popular posts:

Saturday, July 9, 2016

I AM BATMOM...with a HULKED OUT Oreo Junkie... apparently!

Truer words could not be spoken... 
as my 5 year old decided to  
throw down 
in the  
checkout line 
at the store and 
WAIL
 about how  
MAD  
she was and how  
HUNGRY  
she was... 
I mean...
ON THE BRINK OF DEATH...  
i fear... 
and that snack (OREOS) was what she 
"NEEDED RIGHT NOW..."
as I calmly...  
(maybe a little in my BATMAN voice)
 reminded her that we were headed to grab dinner 
as soon as we were done 
CHECKING OUT!!! 


#momoftwogirls  #iambatmom









 
Nope! I can't wait to be done with school in two weeks and then off to my dream job! Haters approval not needed! I have found something I love to do! It makes me happy to see I'm such an inspiration to all my haters :):
If you found this post interesting, I bet you’ll love checking out my other most popular posts:

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