1. Sponsored Blog Posts
I thought I would start off with what I do least. A sponsored blog post. A brand will approach me and say "we want you to write about xyz". When I first started I did an awful lot of standalone reviews but now I try to incorporate a review or mentioning a brand into a far more interesting post for my followers (here's an example). As I am a law abiding kinda gal my sponsored blogs will always say they are just that in them at some point.
2. Free Shizzle
Sometimes we are very lucky to be offered products or experiences to review. More often than not for larger ticket items I don't accept payment. The free shizzle we get always comes with a big condition. That it's not actually free. As the brand would expect us to promote it on social media, or chat about it in a video. Talk to the people who follow us why we like it in the vain hope they like it too.
A 'free' holiday to the Isle of Wight.
I produced seven videos, two blog posts, a brochure article and countless social shares
3. Instagram Posts
A brand may ask to pay us to produce an instagram post. These should ALWAYS have #AD in them so you know they are an ad. It seems quite an easy thing to 'take a photo to flog something'. But sometimes you have to really think about what your followers would like, a photo that would fit in with your brand (mine is bit of a crap maniac, bit niche). There will be a lot of emails behind this photo talking about what the brand does and doesn't want in the shot. What hashtags to use. The brand needs to approve it. You may have to retake it. And when you finally pop it up you need to reply to the comments and report back to the brand how successful it was. All that work for one little tiny square of photo.
#THISISANAD
4. Sponsored Videos
Sponsored videos are by far the most amount of hard work. So let's use a example AO asked me to chat about a fridge freezer. Seems simple enough doesn't it! But no one wants to see me going "LOOK AT MY NEW FRIDGE FREEZER". So I had to develop an idea that was interesting to my followers, mock up a story board, get the brand to approve the idea, go out and source props (in this case yummy food), film every day for a week, edit the footage, sent it to the brand, wait for any amends, upload it and then reply to comments. Hours of work for a video under three minutes. Crazy! But really, really fun! These will always have #AD in the title so if you don't like ads? You can scroll on by.
A little sponsored video example for AO
Each week I make a vlog around 14 minutes long. Occasionally a brand will ask me to chat about something in that vlog. I usually 'sell' a two minute slot and it will always say #AD in the corner. It's always something I would like myself. You have no idea about how many insane products I have said "NO WAY" to (waist sinchers, vaginal dryness cream, magic tea that makes you lose weight). A little less ridged that a sponsored video but you still have to chat with the brand about what they want.
In this vlog I worked with HP Printers
I get millions of minutes watched on YouTube each month. I generally pick up around £300. It is MEGA hard to make stacks of cash on there so that's why I have to make my own dollar (I said dollar as I thought that sounded youth).
7. Speaking Engagements
Sometimes I get asked to speak in conferences. More often than not this is for free for example I recently spoke at Birmingham University. Occasionally I get asked to chat to business people and they will pay me to come along and talk about blogging. I LOVE doing this as it means I get to mingle with other human beings. And not just my dog.
A day out the office to chat all things blogging (SEE HOW EXCITED I AM!)
8. The REALLY Boring Stuff
I don't have an agent. I am a one man band so I have to do all the following myself; writing, taking photos, editing photos, filming, lighting, editing, producing thumbnails, uploading videos, storyboards, emailing brands, invoicing, CHASING INVOICES (every god damn day people), responding to comments from my 115K+ following and all the boring paperwork that goes with running a business. Some days are wonderful filming adventures with my family, most days are boring AF screaming "JUST SOMEONE PAY ME PLEASE".
9. The REALLY Fun Stuff
Every blogger is different. Some blogs are mainly sponsored content which is good for them but not for me. My general rule of thumb (and some months are different) you would struggle to find two ADs together on any of my platforms. I have turned down work, I have had stand offs with brands where I have stated I wasn't going to post an AD as I didn't want you to see another one. My main concern is to provide you with loads of fun content. Hauls, silly instagrams, funny blog posts. I'm an entertainer and I want you to be entertained. And it takes quite a lot of work to get the balance right.
Walking in the Hamleys parade. We didn't get paid. We paid our own travel but?
We had THE TIME OF OUR LIVES!
10) You And ADs
When I see an #AD on instagram I always like it as I know the hard work that goes behind it. I know a lot of people HATE ADs but here is the real beauty of social media. You can scroll on, you can not click on a sponsored video. You could happily follow me and NEVER interact with an AD (fun fact in my contracts it is written in I don't share ADs on Facebook so I can have one AD free platform). But....
.....here is how I see it over the years I have written over 1200 blog posts, filmed 500 videos, uploaded over 4000 instagrams and I dread to think how many FB posts. And you have paid not one penny to sit in your bed watching me talk about crap, to laugh out loud at something my son has done on the bus or see a post and thought "thank god it's not just me". So to make you smile for free I am afraid I have to make money to buy food and shoes for my kids. There will always have to be the odd AD here and there. It would be nice if you liked it or commented. That simple gesture would mean so much to me and the blog. But if you don't? I won't hold it against you and you can carry on enjoying all the other good stuff. We can still be friends.
(*PS I know I am the luckiest woman alive to have such an amazing job and it's all down to you lot. And this is something I will NEVER forget. Love you! Typed small as I'm not good with over the top emotions)
I really enjoyed reading this! I think it's fantastic how you've built your business and totally agree with you about ads, some people seem to complain about them but you've subscribed to that influencer's content and they have to pay the bills somehow! Loved reading about the various places you make your money from, thanks so much for sharing it! I hope to be successful at this blogging biz some day so really appreciated reading this xx
ReplyDeleteGood luck it's a wonderful job to have x
Deletesuch a handy post Emma, I love how honest you are about it all, I always make sure to ‘like’ an AD too, after all it does only take a few seconds doesn’t it! 🤷🏻♀️ Xo
ReplyDeletesophiejc.blogspot.co.uk
Yay! x
DeleteFirst of all how have I only just come across your Instagram and blog?!?! It’s bloody fab🙈. I loved this post, I think about the uproar recently it’s good people are being open where the money comes from and how hard it is to make it. The commitment that must have been put in initially for the first four years say how hard you’ve worked!
ReplyDeleteMuch love
Soph
Xxx
Thanks so much! x
DeleteI think you do a great job as a 'lone wolf', it's very inspiring. I really enjoy your content and never feel bombarded with Ads. Keep up the good work x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! x
DeleteGreat round up, Em! Great to show just how much work goes into everything. Holidays are great, of course, but I 100% agree that nothing is free!! So much time and effort goes into producing quality content for that "freebie". Keep up the hard work xxx
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing free in this life! (sadly) x
DeleteWow I love this blog! I love your videos and instragram posts! Love your honesty, I've watched a few people talk about how money is made from social media but never like this! It defo looks like hard work! If people moan about the ads they need to remember nothing is free in this world and everyone has to make money. Defo not as easy as it looks, I clearly couldn't do it as it's taken me ages just to write this!!!
ReplyDeleteI think your blooming fab!!!
Not sure how many times I can mention love in this comment, I'm not a weirdo I promise!
XxxxxX
Ha ha! Thanks so much! x
DeleteI love the way you’ve written this and you’ve answered a lot of my questions about making money from blogs. How you managed to build your blog, teach and have a family is beyond me and you must be super woman! I’m struggling to remember to tweet/insta or try and post regularly!
ReplyDeleteI admire you and I love your blogs/vlogs. They make me smile regularly and I now use the term “living my best life” - ha ha
Yay! Thanks for your comment bab! x
DeleteLove this. I now want 1 of those printers for my 30th ��
ReplyDeleteHAAA!!!!
DeleteI started blogging recently and had no idea how much work goes into it. I thought it’d be a case of taking a few nice snaps, writing some words and voila (or should that be wallah?) Anyway, pre-blogger me was a total numpty. People forget you’re not being paid to produce awesome content (talking about you here, not me) and that money has to come from somewhere. It’s no different to TV programmes with ad breaks in the middle. No one complains about those and if you’re not a fan, just fast forward. Thanks for being so honest as always x
ReplyDeleteTrue people just have to skip through them! ;) x
DeleteThank you for such an honest blog blog post! I too am a teacher come blogger from Brummy land as well! I would love one day to make it as a blogger but know how hard it would be to get to that point. You’ve absolutely gotta do whatever it takes to pay the bills, combined with a balance of what feels right to you.
ReplyDeleteYay for teachers! I really miss teaching x
DeleteI can’t recall the last time I watched an ad on Tv so I actual like seeing ads on these platforms. I especially like the reviews you have done with the kids on toys as it gives me ideas x
ReplyDeleteAh that's lovely! x
DeleteGreat blog post. You're the only youtuber I watch, and my son thinks it's great that I now watch a youtuber lol (He's a YouTube addict). I love your reviews, especially Home Bargains and Poundland - love those stores! I always like ads as I know it helps my insta friends. And I'm not a blogger, just an instablogger writing a book. And I love your work xx
ReplyDeleteOh a book how exciting! Good luck with it all! x
DeleteSome really interesting options here and thank you for putting up such an honest post! I am a new blogger who has been looking into the option of making money going forward, so it is nice to know my options.
ReplyDeleteEmma | Frillsanddoodads.com xx
Good luck! It becomes addictive! x
DeleteI love this- I know a couple of pro bloggers and this all rings so true. I used to blog vintage and never got near pro but would get offered the "free shizzle" that was not really free ... and some of it was REALLY WEIRD (my blog was vintage fashion and some products were a bit ummm NO like undergarments!).
ReplyDeleteI started blogging again and my goal was not to aim for big stuff - because even as a side job it's so hard! I can only imagine the workload to get your dollar (I am a teacher so worked it out lol) WELL DONE! Earning that much and keeping it fresh, creative and real is such a talent.
Ah thanks so much! x
DeleteI couldn't agree with number 10 more. It frustrates me so much when I see people complaining about ads or when people miss an upload once because "you'd be nothing without us". You don't personally pay a single penny towards these people and if you don't like ads you don't have to give them any time, that's the beauty of these things! It's so easy yet people make it so hard.
ReplyDeleteDefo! I kinda get if you're buying merch or perfume or some sort of product but all my content i free as a biiirrrrrd! x
DeleteFab write up, if I had your balls I would love to be where you are but unfortunately my confidence in my abilities is not great! I love seeing your stuff and you certainly keep things real! Keep on rockin! Xx
ReplyDeleteAh you should give it a go! x
DeleteGreat post, love what you do and appreciate the #ad. Some bloggers/Insta people don't appear to advertise the stuff they would genuinely like or use and its a shame when you follow someone you enjoy just to be presented with a random #ad that doesn't seem to fit! Not the case here, keep going xxx
ReplyDeleteOh I do turn down quite a lot of stuff as it is just BIZARRE! x
DeleteMassive respect to you for allll the hardwork that goes into allll of this Emma! It ain't easy that's for sure...
ReplyDeleteThanks! x
DeleteIt's a job at the end of the day. I think as long as you're not daft enough to ask the White Moose cafe for a freebie you'll be fine.....
ReplyDeleteHAAAAAA!!!!!
DeleteHaving blogged for over 8 years and never made it my job I have loved seeing those who have and like you, I think it is amazing. I know how much work you must put it and have worked to get it right. This post is great for those who might think it's a quick way to make cash, it's not. Well done lovely x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! x
DeleteYou work so hard Em and deserve all the success. You are a testament to this industry. Its a career despite what some people think x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much bab! x
DeleteThis made for such an interesting read, Emma. I think the industry gets a bad rep for being so secretive and "not a real job" but you've explained well where the money is and how much work actually goes into it. Great job!
ReplyDeleteAnna x
http://www.annatations.co.uk/
Hopefully people will be a little bit more honest soon! x
DeleteReally enjoyed this post as it shows the hard work you put in and the thought behind everything. And really shows in your blog that you put such hard work and thought
ReplyDeleteGreat post Em, we need more of these so people out there stop thinking of bloggers/vloggers/influencers as a bunch of freeloading twats! You/me/others work hard for success and to make money for our families, and you especially deserve all the good things that have come to you x
ReplyDeleteGreat post and you made me feel like you - but I’m not as good as you with Facebook free ads (that’s really interesting too) x
ReplyDeleteYou are a bloody marvel - keep it up!
ReplyDeleteLove love love this post! Very interesting to read from another blogger's perspective. You are shamazing and totally 'youth' ;)
ReplyDeleteOMG I love your posts! You are just yourself, a normal, beautiful, hard working mummy and wife! Your family must be so proud of you. Keep doing what your doing and I will be certain to give the ads a like from now on.
ReplyDeleteRosie xx
P.S can’t wait for the Disney vids this year ��
Great post .i love your hauls exitement and humour. Genuine question is if you tube makee such little money how do vloggers manage to give up work. Do they definatly need a blog, sponsored content/ ads and affiliate links every month to make their income a livable wage? Again another question is i notice lot vloggers will film the same hauls at the same time example primark/pound land do they mostly use their own money or is it common retailers to giftcard or offer free items if they do a brand haul?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely Love your blog vlogs insta etc and have followed you for a while now i have my own blog but it is still very early stages so to read this is great! Thanks Emma and keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteP.S however i do want to unfollow and stop reading when you go back to Disney but that is only because i am jealous :P
Very good write-up. I certainly love this website. Thanks!
ReplyDelete