Firstly, pat yourself on the back, you’ve done it. A company recognized you. 

Secondly, don’t pat yourself on the back too hard because they’ve recognized you and 100 other bloggers. They are not paying you, they want free promotion from you.

They know a few things about the blogger psyche:

  • They know that we love to be recognized by a company or brand.
  • If they’ve checked out your blog they know that you’ve never or seldom worked with a company before, so you don’t know what to expect really.
  • They know that flattery gets them a free promotional blog post.

How can you use this situation to your advantage?

You can tell them that you will do the post, but in return, you would like them to give you a review of your post. What do I mean by a review?

They can say something like “Very insightful, clear and funny blog”- Coca-Cola (or whoever)

Then you take the quote they have given you, add a page to your blog called ‘Testimonials’, and write the quote there including the company name, etc.

This will help build your blog profile. When potential advertisers visit your blog, they will see that you have worked with different companies and this raises your credibility.

Should you accept all free blog promotion offers?

No. Try to do 4 or 5 ones that you like. And get the reviews for your blog then don’t do any further. 

Why? PR companies talk. If they realize you are doing a free promotional post all the time, no one would want to pay you to write a post in the future.

I think doing a free blog post does have benefits.

  • You get to experience working with a brand
  • You get a ‘review’ to build your blog.
  • You build professional relationships.
  • You get exposure to other parts of the blogosphere.

But do keep in mind, that you’ve worked hard for your blog. It takes time and effort to build a relationship with your audience and create great content. Don’t overwhelm your readers with so many promotional blog posts that you lose their interest.

The email normally starts of by them telling you that:

  • They’ve read your blog and they like it.
  • They have a blog idea for your blog.
  • They would like you to promote their website.
  • If you agree, you write the post and send it to them so they can check it and change a few things.

With these types of promotions, you don’t get paid, or send any products. You give the company free publicity. Some of the companies enter you into a ‘draw’ and you might be chosen to be featured on their website.

Here are 3 different examples from 3 different companies contacting me.

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If you liked this post and would like to read more beginner blogger tips, click here. ๐Ÿ™‚

Until tomorrow.

Happy living ๐Ÿ™‚

Chantal

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29 responses to “Should beginner bloggers do free promotional posts?”

  1. Ben Aqiba Avatar

    Thank you Chantal ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Chantal De Geus Avatar

      Hey Ben! Would you do a free sponsored post?

      Like

      1. Ben Aqiba Avatar

        I don’t know. I have some offers for paid posts ,but I said NO.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Chantal De Geus Avatar

        So interesting! ๐Ÿ‘ why did you say No?

        Like

      3. Ben Aqiba Avatar

        Because as you said we are working hard on our blogs, and the price was too low…once,one big bloger said me “don’t sell your site place cheap “….

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Chantal De Geus Avatar

        Yeah I know the feeling. How much did the company wane give You? Two weeks ago someone wanted to pay me $16 for a post. So I declined. You can barely buy a bread and milk with $16 nowadays. If I was still in the beginning of my blogging career I might have taken the post, but now nope. I’ve worked too hard.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Ben Aqiba Avatar

        I agree with you. First ofer was 5$. I said what !? Second was a little higher about ten dollars and last one was about 20$. I sad NO to all. I received also an email where someone said to me in imperative “Send me good site . I want to publish post ” :). Yea,sure ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Chantal De Geus Avatar

        Gosh it’s so weird right. In the world we have people that work for less then no money in sweat shops or illegal factories. And now people with that low paying mentality is in the blogging industry as well. But what can a blogger do? Saying no is the best thing. Since there are so many other great companies out there looking to do honest business. Thanks for your comments, it was very insightful!

        Like

      7. Ben Aqiba Avatar

        Just like that. I believe also that we can say just NO. We are hard workers here on our blogs,and we should appreciete our sites . We like to share our thoughts right,and that should be oir main goal until the moment when we get some serious offer . Then we will know that we should accept it ๐Ÿ™‚ You are welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  2. alexisicasillas Avatar

    Thanks for the tips! These are all really good!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Chantal De Geus Avatar

      I’m so happy you enjoyed It!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Mr. Militant Negro Avatar
    Mr. Militant Negro

    Reblogged this on The Militant Negroโ„ข.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Chantal De Geus Avatar

      As always, thank you Mr. Militant Negro

      Like

      1. Mr. Militant Negro Avatar
        Mr. Militant Negro

        My thanks to you Ms. Chantal and wishing you and your family/loved ones a joyous, happy, safe holiday season. ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜‡๐Ÿ˜Ž๐ŸŒน๐Ÿงข๐Ÿ’ž๐Ÿค—

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Chantal De Geus Avatar

        To you too๐Ÿ’—๐Ÿค—

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Mr. Militant Negro Avatar
        Mr. Militant Negro

        ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜‡๐Ÿ˜Ž๐ŸŒน๐Ÿงข๐Ÿ’ž๐Ÿค—

        Like

  4. mistimaan Avatar
    mistimaan

    Thanks for the advice ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Chantal De Geus Avatar

      Such a pleasure. Did you receive any emails for free promotion yet?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. mistimaan Avatar
        mistimaan

        Till now no

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Chantal De Geus Avatar

        Let me know when you do get it. ๐Ÿ™‚ How often do you post?

        Liked by 1 person

      3. mistimaan Avatar
        mistimaan

        Sure…..Once in a week

        Like

  5. Vilina Christoph Avatar

    Such good info here! I haven’t written a promo post yet and not sure if I will but if that happens I’ll come back and read your suggestions. Thanks for sharing โค

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Chantal De Geus Avatar

      Thanks so much! Let me know when you get your first promo post! For interest sake, how long have you been blogging?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Vilina Christoph Avatar

        I’ve been blogging since 2012 but more actively since 2015. How about you? X

        Like

  6. Should beginner bloggers do free promotional posts? – Jesus Works Avatar

    […] Should beginner bloggers do free promotional posts? โ€” Read on chantalandshekinah.wordpress.com/2017/11/21/should-beginner-bloggers-do-free-promotional-posts/ […]

    Like

  7. maryjaneadajar Avatar
    maryjaneadajar

    Wow! This article is very helpful! I am new in this field. Yes, I will do free promotional post (since that might be a good stepping stone too) given that I will apply the tips you mentioned in the article. Thanks Chantal! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

    1. Chantal De Geus Avatar

      hey! I think that’s a great idea! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. maryjaneadajar Avatar
        maryjaneadajar

        And thank you for sharing those tips! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Like

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