Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Corresponding With Advertisers, Part 1

Several months ago, I had the blessing of connecting with a well-established blogger who, inexplicably, took me under her wing and willingly answered my amateurish questions about how to make money as a blogger. She kindly sent me the skeleton of an email she used to contact companies, asking them to consider joining her site as a giveaway sponsor.
*
Since corresponding with her, I've worked to create my own method to obtain sponsorship for site giveaways. It takes a lot of time (I've spent hours this week contacting and communicating with companies), but the results are often worth the effort. This week, after emailing twelve different companies, inquiring as to their interest in joining me as a giveaway sponsor for three upcoming co-op events, three companies emailed or called me back willing to join forces with my site.
*
One of the most incredible things about blogging in the instant sense of community it offers. I've thoroughly enjoyed networking with the owners of several remarkable, innovative companies and feel grateful to establish relationships and points of contact with each of them. Be on the lookout for several upcoming posts which will giveaways from these companies.
*
In the meantime, I share with you a skeleton of the email I used to contact and obtain donations this week. I hope you'll find it useful as you work to create one of your own. Happy Blogging!


Hi [COMPANY NAME]!
*
Was I ever DELIGHTED to discover your website while looking for
[PRODUCT].
*
I wanted to get in touch with you to see if your company might be interested in a unique marketing collaboration. My name is Brooke McLay and I am the owner of the online food & lifestyle website
http://www.tongue-n-cheeky.com/. My site holds a Google ranking of x and recieves over xx,xxx visitors per month. [ETC, ETC].

On [DATE], I will be posting on [DETAILED INFORMATION ON UPCOMING POST]. That day, I would also like to offer a giveaway to site visitors. I was wondering if your company might be interested in donating a prize for the event.
[ETC, ETC].

To thank you for your giveaway donation, I would like to offer you a month of free advertising for your company through a square sidebar button placed on my site.

I look forward to hearing from you and hope you're up for it! I believe the collaboration between your site and mine will prove very worthwhile for your company.

Thank you so much!

Brooke McLay, http://www.tongue-n-cheeky.com

2 comments:

Pamela said...

Great idea! Thanks so much for sharing. I look forward to more of your blogging secrets. You inspire me!

Kristi Drennan said...

I love that you're sharing your secrets! I truly feel that if you make your business about helping others you'll have success so I love your willingness! What I'm wondering is...how to get so many hits and followers?? Because we know that's when advertisers want in on the action!