Learning how to use a media kit to engage brands and save yourself time is one way to increase income as a blogger. Here are tips and templates to help you get started!
In the IBA article, How to Create a Blog Media Kit, I discussed the benefits of having one, how to save time (and money) creating one, and even the key components that should appear in a media kit.
Now, let’s talk about how using a media kit can make you more money and save you oodles of that most precious commodity: time.
Disclosure: I, Sarah Nenni-Daher, could receive a commission for purchases made through a link(s) in this post. See full disclosure here.
How to Use a Media Kit to Engage Brands: Make a Decision
Benefits of Including a Media Kit When Blind Pitching
When a blogger sends a pitch to a brand or agency, they can either include a media kit or not. The PROs to pitching with a media kit include:
- You’re able to send out more partnership requests.
- You can keep all offerings the same, limiting deviation and customization. This can assist you in producing more content and in using your time to get a higher quantity of pitches sent.
Drawbacks of Including a Media Kit When Blind Pitching
The CONs of blind pitching with a media kit, however, are what keep me from sending a media kit on a blind pitch. For reference, a blind pitch is when I do not have any previous engagement with the brand or agency directly. Some of what I consider:
- A media kit could make the discussion about price instead of your proposal. A site’s voice, blog, and audience are unique, and positioning should be about these over price.
- Media kits could position you to work inside your offerings and limit your opportunities.
- PR reps want to be “sold” on the creative partnership and want to generate ideas that will benefit both parties.
- Some PR reps and brand managers will not open an attachment from an unknown party. Larger companies have stripping software that will not deliver attachments from unapproved / unknown senders. Can your email pitch stand on its own without the kit?
When pitching, I believe it is best to craft an offering specific to that brand, positioning your audience and the proposal you designed specifically for the brand.
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How to Use a Media Kit: Blind Pitches
If you are going to include your media kit in blind pitches, know that it could be stripped. Make sure your email can stand alone, communicating that you require payment and offer options for many budgets.
One way to include your media kit in a blind pitch WITHOUT actually attaching your media kit is to create an online version. Using PicMonkey‘s HUB feature, which allows you to save your work, so it is easily editable later, will make quick work of this!
Additionally, I do suggest including a link to the page hyperlinked in your email signature. When I pitch, my email signature looks like this:
Your email signature can have a hyperlinked “Work with Me” page and/or a link to your kit on Dropbox, Google Drive, or other hosting option.
For larger opportunities (or those I REALLY want), I will create a page on my site just for the brand I’m pitching. I can unpublish it after I secure the work and keep it stored.
How to Use a Media Kit: Save Yourself Time and Increase Efficiency
Many bloggers receive blind pitches from brands or agencies requesting the blogger to promote or review their product. Getting to the root of the partnership quickly is tantamount – you want to know if they will pay you! The best way to do find that out and communicate your interest is to respond using a template.
It takes me 15 seconds to respond when I use a template. Often, I attach the media kit to give them an idea of rates and possible partnerships and use this template to flush out the opportunity a bit more.
Template: Response to Clarify Payment (response includes media kit)
Thank you for reaching out. I’m excited to learn more about how we can partner up and present your brand to (blog name)’s audience.
I have a few ideas prepared for you already and will wait to hear back after you review the options for sponsorship.
Please see the attached document and let me know what package you’re interested in or if you’d like something customized.
Excited to work with you,
Awesome Blogger
Awesome Blogger’s HTML signature with social links
Link of Awesome Blogger’s generic “Work with Me” page
Summary
Learning how to use a media kit to engage brands and save time will allow a blogger to work efficiently through opportunities. Share this on Pinterest to help your fellow bloggers make money and grow their blogging business!