The one question I hear new bloggers asking is “how do I get brands to work with me?” I always follow it with 2 questions; one, has any brand approached you? two, Have you approached any brand? The answer is usually “no” to the two questions.

I remember after 1 year of blogging I started approaching brands, stores, whatever I felt would work with my content I approached them. I use to send out more than 10 emails a day, on a good day, I’d get 2 replies and on a bad day no replies. It was hard at the beginning, rejection never feels good however with the few brands I got to work with I quickly realised that there were untapped opportunities.

If you want to make money from your blog, you have to show up to work every day. Look at it like a job interview, there’s no day a job  interview will come looking for you; you have to seek it. When you find something that fits you, something you love; you’ll apply then wait to be accepted. the same concept applies when seeking brands to partner with your blog.

Most times brands don’t work with newer bloggers because they don’t want to, it’s because they don’t know you exist. Send an email, introduce yourself and talk about your brand. You have an idea, write up and send in a proposal. The worst thing that could happen is getting ignored or getting a flat “no.” Feel sad for an hour or two, pick yourself up and repeat the process.

Don’t just wait for it to be handed to you, wake up, show up, work hard and be brave. This also applies to other aspects of life, not just blogging.