This session arms you with the tools and vernacular to help you monetize your blog. The session focuses on identifying your strengths and marketable offerings and walks you through positioning yourself (with an overview of media kits), the right way to pitch yourself (and how to find those elusive contacts), and if successful, tips for maximizing monetization and contract negotiation.

1. Elissa Garza @style_wire www.style-wire.com
Pitching, Positioning, +
Monetization

2. WHAT WE’LL COVER:
● Positioning yourself What do you have to
offer brands? How can you leverage that?
● Pitching: Who do you pitch to? How do
you find them? Crafting a media kit,
Writing pitches
● Monetization and negotiation:
Maximizing your profit, and visibility
T O O L S + R E S O U R C E S
● Wordpress.org or other
self-hosted site
● Photoshop, Lightroom,
Snapseed
● Camera
● InDesign, Canva, or Word
● Google Analytics

3. Why should brands work with you?
What do you have to offer brands?
How can you leverage that?
What value can you assign to that commodity?

4. M A R K E T A B L E O F F E R I N G S
Identify what you do do best and
determine its value. . .
❏ Content/Guest Posts
❏ Photography
❏ Local Market Visibility
❏ Niche Audience
❏ Traffic
M Y P H O T O G R A P H Y

5. B E F O R E Y O U P I T C H
Crafting your pitch. . .
❏ Familiarize yourself with FTC
disclosures and regulations
❏ Have quality samples/past work you
can reference
❏ Create your media kit + fee structure
❏ Find a contact
❏ LinkedIn
❏ Brand website
❏ Past press releases
T H I N G S T O C O N S I D E R
❏ Who are you pitching?
❏ Why are you pitching them?
❏ Does this align with your brand?
❏ Will this brand resonate with
your audience?
❏ Research the brand
❏ What will you do if they say yes?
❏ Flesh out your “big idea”
❏ Outline your deliverables

6. Crafting your pitch. . .
C R E A T I N G Y O U R M E D I A K I T
❏ Include a short biography and mission statement
❏ Include relevant statistics and analytics
❏ All social accounts and following
❏ Blog traffic (UMV, Users, Sessions, or impressive
growth statistics)
❏ Demographic/Audience breakdown
❏ Age
❏ Gender
❏ Location
❏ Interests
❏ Include an outline collaboration options, menu of
services, fee structure, and rates
❏ Include testimonials and examples of past work or
partners

7. Crafting your pitch. . .
Hi, My name is Elissa Garza and I'm a Boston-based fashion and
lifestyle blogger at Style-Wire.com. I'm reaching out to you
today regarding a potential collaboration.
I am planning a trip to Austin, TX on November 11-13 and would
love the opportunity to experience the Kimpton Van Zandt. I
have had the pleasure of working with the Kimpton family at the
Nine Zero Hotel here in Boston for a staycation and was so
impressed with the stay that I would love to share more
Kimpton properties with my audience.
I'd be happy to provide a full review on Style-Wire.com, a
separate post reviewing any on-site dining, ample social
promotion, social media takeovers (if your property uses
Instagram/Snapchat), as well as the promotional use of any
photography for you to publish and share via social as you see
fit.
I've attached my media kit as well as links to previous hotel and
restaurant reviews. Please let me know if there is anything else
you may need from me to move forward. I hope to hear from
you soon!

8. N O W W H A T ?
Follow up
Negotiate a fee (if applicable)
Finalize Deliverables + Posting Dates
Create your Content
Post + Amplify
Submit Invoice
Deliver Recap + Reporting
CELEBRATE!

9. But where do you get all of those samples?
Where can I find more collaboration opportunities?
Where can I earn commission on sales from my site?
What other ways can I generate leads?
M O N E T I Z I N G + I N C R E A S I N G R E V E N U E
How can I get invited to events?

10. M O N E T I Z I N G + I N C R E A S I N G R E V E N U E
Product Based Networks:
BrandBacker
Influenster
ApexDrop
Blog Networks and Collectives:
Activate by Bloglovin
Blog Meets Brand
Cooperatize
HerCampus
Linqia
Obviously Social
One2One Network
SheSavvy
TapInfluence
Affiliate Links and Networks:
RewardStyle
Shop Style Collective
Commission Junction
Pepperjam
Curate Additional Leads From:
PR Agencies
Press Releases
Local Businesses + Boutiques
Additional Services:
Administrative Assistance
Writing
Content Creation
Consulting Services
Photo Editing
Photography
Public Speaking
Social Media
Management
Video Production +
Editing

11. F I N A L T H O U G H T S
● When to Say No
● Review any contracts carefully; don’t be afraid to propose changes
● Never work for free (exceptions can be made for high-value products,
accommodations, exploring new verticals, etc.)
● Don’t be afraid to negotiate
● Strengthen your network and relationships by referring others in
your network for opportunities that may not be a fit
Any final questions?

12. T H A N K Y O U
Elissa Garza
egarza@style-wire.com