This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of IZEA for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Let me preface this by saying that I do not make a million dollars blogging, nor am I an expert money-maker. I do, however, monetize my blog. And although it started out very slowly, I know I am where I am today because IZEA helped me get here.
When I started this blog a few years ago, it was just a personal outlet. I didn’t really think anyone other than my mom read it (Mom, you read it, right?!). But as I slowly, slowly picked up momentum and started creating better content, (and learning HOW to create better content) content that people outside my immediate family cared about, I realized I could possibly make money off my hobby.
That is when IZEA came into the picture. I still had a very small following at the time, but IZEA pays based on a blog’s following and reach, so I was able to participate in their programs. At first, this may seem unfair that two different bloggers working on the same campaign would make different amounts, but when you realized that the advertiser is not getting the same exposure, the same “bang for their buck”, it starts to make sense.
This is one reason why I love IZEA. I didn’t have the numbers or experience to get on a big campaign network, (I tried!) but I was still able to work with advertisers on sponsored posts with IZEA, thus building experience as I built my numbers and followers.
Here was my very first sponsored post. I do love my little mummy! I was paid $25 and given some Duck Tape to do the project. It may not sound like much, but I was able to prove myself to the brand. I showed them that I would work hard to promote my post, to get my project out there so it would be worth their time and money spent on me.
My next offer was for $75.
My next one was for $100.
As my followers grew, and my experience expanded, I was able to earn more money, I was able to show other advertising companies that I would be worth the investment, that I would create great content for my readers that would showcase products I used and truly cared about. This is why I encourage big or small blogs to use IZEA.
And it all started with my little pumpkin and $25.
