Ok you guys, I'm here today to spill the beans on how easy it is to make a few extra bucks, or save a few extra bucks, as a blogger. Think about it, as a blogger you've got some insanely valuable assets and skills that you've developed over the years. When you're a blogger, you're a one stop shop - you have to do it all yourself. Everything from learning photography, to editing, to SEO, to building a large and engaged following. You name it, you do it as a blogger. So, today, I figured I'd bring you 7 EASY ways to make an extra buck, or save an extra buck just using the skills you've developed from blogging all of these years!
1. #SAVE || Eat and Drink For Free
Just Don't Forget Cash for a Tip
Just Don't Forget Cash for a Tip
This sounds far fetched, and it TOTALLY IS NOT. You also do not have to have a localized account, like Dallas Love List, to get these perks, you just have to love food (me, hi, I love food) and taking photos of your food.
There are these things called MEDIA dinners, right? Basically, restaurants that are either new, or launching new menu items, invite members of the media (aka- bloggers and instagrammers) out to preview the meals.
Now, yes, at these media dinners it is MOSTLY food bloggers, but certainly not ONLY food bloggers. There's almost always a rogue lifestyle or fashion blogger that has been invited.
So how do you get yourself on these lists?
USE RELEVANT HASHTAGS ON NEW AND EXISTING CONTENT.
I'm not telling you to only start posting food, but throw some food posts in there a couple of times a month, and be sure to tag #CITYeats #CITYfoodie #CITYdrinks #CITYfood. Your posts will appear in the feeds the PR companies use to build their media invite lists.
For example, not all food pics, have to be off brand. Edit your food photos just like you would your flatlays.
Here's a photo I'd have no problem posting on VTIM's instagram account, even though it isn't the normal content I share.
Slap on #DallasEats #DallasFoodie #DallasFood and #DallasBlogger and you're on the track to free food and drinks!
Here's a photo I'd have no problem posting on VTIM's instagram account, even though it isn't the normal content I share.
Slap on #DallasEats #DallasFoodie #DallasFood and #DallasBlogger and you're on the track to free food and drinks!
While you're at the media dinner, be sure to share on your stories and share your beautiful photography on instagram, post event, to keep getting invited back!
YUM!
How many of us lifestyle bloggers have a DSLR and know how to use it? If you can photograph cocktail recipes for your blog, with that beautiful bokeh blurred background, you can photograph for a small restaurant in your hometown.
I'm not suggesting that you go knocking down the doors at Chipotle and demand they hire you immediately to photograph the entire menu, but I bet your favorite ice cream shop would love a little help with extra photos for their social media accounts.
It's worth a pitch to local restaurant brands, some will pay in cash, some will pay in free ice cream. Both are worth it to me!
I worked with Mesa Restaurant in Grapevine to photograph their menu for their website. They asked if I'd be interested, and I said I would love to, it was something I hadn't even considered before!
I'm VERY in to maintaining my feed on Dallas Love List. I think it is the biggest asset Dallas Love List has, so I'm not willing to just throw any old photo in there. I don't make a lot of money on Dallas Love List, but one way I do, without compromising my feed is by selling out the caption and bio link for 24 hours.
If a company contacts me to collaborate together, if we aren't able to work out a trade (i.e. food/drink in exchanges for social share), I tell them I'd be willing to sell them my instagram caption and I'll use a relevant photo.
For example, a company that conducts paid research groups contacted me asking how we could collaborate. I suggested they purchase the caption. Turns out, it was a great campaign for them because a bunch of my followers DID signup for the research groups! Bingo-bongo - everyone is happy!
For example, a company that conducts paid research groups contacted me asking how we could collaborate. I suggested they purchase the caption. Turns out, it was a great campaign for them because a bunch of my followers DID signup for the research groups! Bingo-bongo - everyone is happy!
4. #SAVE || Find Flexibility in Monthly Bills
As a blogger, you have months where you are TOTALLY KILLING IT, and then, of course, months where waiting for clients is like watching paint dry. Having a cell phone plan that is flexible is something that is essential for a blogger who doesn't have a consistent income every single month.
I've partnered with AT&T PREPAID to tell you how easy this plan is to maintain when you need flexibility in your life from month-to-month. There is no annual contract or credit check, and you get unlimited data, talk & text for $60/month with AutoPay. Plus, you're on the AT&T Network, the nation’s best data network, reaching more than 300 million people in North America. Oh, and did I mention you can even BYOD -Bring your own device - INCLUDING the iPhone!
CB and I are on the same plan, and I've been talking him into bringing his small business on a multi-line prepaid plan which can save up to $75 a month. He could add up to five lines for a consumer account or ten lines for small business and make one easy payment each month.
You can still have a phone at all times, still have access to your instagram and blog at all times and still be connected and working on growing your own personal brand, wihout having to spend a small fortune on your wireless bill. Plus, you'll have the ability to change your plan on months where money is tight!
CB and I are on the same plan, and I've been talking him into bringing his small business on a multi-line prepaid plan which can save up to $75 a month. He could add up to five lines for a consumer account or ten lines for small business and make one easy payment each month.
You can still have a phone at all times, still have access to your instagram and blog at all times and still be connected and working on growing your own personal brand, wihout having to spend a small fortune on your wireless bill. Plus, you'll have the ability to change your plan on months where money is tight!
5. #SAVE || Cover Events
Repeat after me, "As a blogger who has worked so hard to build a following, I should never pay for any events I attend!"
If you want to attend an event, just ask for tickets in exchange for coverage! Promise them a blog post covering the event, or perhaps, instead, a ticket giveaway prior to the event and insta story shares while at the event.
99% of the time, I'm able to find a press contact on the website of the event I'm wanting to attend. Also, I did this long before I started Dallas Love List. Take the Untapped Fort Worth Festival for example, that had nothing to do with Dallas Love List. I got those tickets via Venus Trapped in Mars! All I did was email, ask for something specific (i.e. two GA tickets) and what I'd give in return - a full blog post recapping the event.
Have you found any other, awesome ways to save money as a blogger?
Do tell, do tell!
Thank you to AT&T for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.If you want to attend an event, just ask for tickets in exchange for coverage! Promise them a blog post covering the event, or perhaps, instead, a ticket giveaway prior to the event and insta story shares while at the event.
99% of the time, I'm able to find a press contact on the website of the event I'm wanting to attend. Also, I did this long before I started Dallas Love List. Take the Untapped Fort Worth Festival for example, that had nothing to do with Dallas Love List. I got those tickets via Venus Trapped in Mars! All I did was email, ask for something specific (i.e. two GA tickets) and what I'd give in return - a full blog post recapping the event.
Have you found any other, awesome ways to save money as a blogger?
Do tell, do tell!
