Way back in April 2007, I wrote about earning my first dollars from travel blogging through Text Link Ads. It was an exciting time, as I was gearing up for my trip around the world, and learning how to build a WordPress blog at the same time.
Year over year, I’ve managed to double my online income through blogging, and I would like to see this trend continue in 2010. In order for that to happen, I’m going to experiment with methods beyond traditional banners, text links, and sponsored posts.
In 2009, Twitter and Facebook Fan Pages were accepted as mainstream media platforms, and a case could even be made for (travel) blogging on the whole. This is new media in action – an incredibly dynamic and ever-shifting landscape of online platforms. As a result, I feel it’s time to test the waters with regard to sponsored tweets.
Earlier today, I signed up for Ad.ly, a service which connects advertisers with Twitter users. The sign-up process was incredibly easy, taking less than 5 minutes. I currently have about 2,500 followers on Twitter, which translates into a suggested rate of $7 per sponsored tweet.
I was able to select up to 4 categories which relate to the topics I tweet about, however I was surprised to find that “travel” was not an option. As a result, I chose the next best categories, which I believe are a reflection of my tweeting habits: food, entertainment, and lifestyle.
Payment is issued via PayPal or check, and is issued the month after you reach the minimum threshold of $50. By joining Ad.ly, I am also automatically set up with their affiliate program, which offers a 12% commission on anything made by people who sign up via my referral links.
I’ve spent the last 5 months painstakingly building my Twitter following so that it is filled with the best travel tweeters out there. I’ve also tweeted close to 5,000 times. It’s practically a full time job to tweet that often, at least in an engaging, useful, and humorous manner. Based on the volume of tweets I send out, I’d like to think that the occasional sponsored tweet won’t disrupt my followers’ experience.
I will have complete control over which sponsored tweets go out in conjunction with my name, @rtwdave, and they will all be fully disclosed with a reference to Ad.ly.
What’s your take on sponsored tweets?
About the Author:
Dave is the author of 1527 posts on Go Backpacking.
Dave (Editor-in-Chief) blogged his way around the world from 2007-2009, and then started Travel Blog Success to teach others how to do the same. When not writing, he can be found salsa dancing in Medellin. Follow him on Twitter @rtwdave or look for him on Google+
The Travel Blog Success community offers practical resources and personal support to help you build a better travel blog.
Whether you treat blogging as a hobby, or dream of building a location independent business, you'll learn what's required to create a name for yourself in the online travel world.
Benefits of Joining:
- Personal support from Dave, including site critiques and tips on negotiating advertising deals.
- Ability to learn from others' mistakes, and save yourself time, energy and money.
- Chance to network with other travel bloggers of all levels, from around the world.
Categories: How To Make Money
Post tags: advertising, marketing, twitter
18 Comments
I've got nothing against them in principle, as long as they aren't annoying. Will be interested to see how it pans out for you…
FYI Dave…I had to unfollow you on Twitter because of all your retweets…I don't follow a whole lot of people but when I logged on to Twitter and my entire page is filled with your retweets it became frustrating to find and see the tweets from other people I follow. I'm still subscribed to your blog though.
That's understandable. My brother unfollowed me months ago for the same reason.
Thanks for supporting Go Backpacking :)
Of course, if no advertisers are interested, then no sponsored tweets. I figured I should at least give it a chance though.
I enjoy twitter a lot and love to travel . a good combination
Johnny Ray
http://www.newmesotheliomaresearch.info/
Hi Dave,
It's interesting to read about sponsored tweets from this post. I'll need to build up my followers before I could tweet for money…
By the way, you have a great travel blog here. Cheers!
Hi Cecil,
Thanks for stopping by Go Backpacking, and hope to see you around more often.
Just because I am ready to accept sponsored tweets doesn't mean anyone will buy them from me. Should be interesting though.
I think as long as your disclosing the tweets that are paid ads, as you mentioned, then not too many people will get their panties in a ruffle. Gotta make a living man.
I'll be curious how this pans out. Not a terrible idea, but it'll be interested to see what (if anything) comes from it. Keep us posted!
Hey Josh, thanks for your feedback. I'm anxiously awaiting my first sponsored tweet. I may need to build up my followers further before anyone comes knocking.
Hey Adam,
One thing I've learned over the last 3 years is that if my initial desire is to resist a new approach to marketing, later down the road, I'll be doing it because everyone else is. Twitter seems here to stay, so I figured I'd play around with the sponsored tweets idea and see if I can get in on the action early.
i too will be interested in how this pans out…keep us posted with a follow up in a month!
I think it's a brilliant idea, and I comment your honesty. I'll be interested to see how it goes. With 130 followers, I don't imagine my tweets are worth much. :)
I think it's a brilliant idea, and I comment your honesty. I'll be interested to see how it goes. With 130 followers, I don't imagine my tweets are worth much. :)
I'm with a few others here, Interested to see how this pans out but I would have to gather more followers and loyal readers (if I even have any yet) to my blog. I don't have any way to get income on my blog (no google adsense or sponsors) and won't get that until I invest a little more into the site myself. All and all I don't think it will bother most of your twitter followers unless your one of 20 people they follow then like some commenters said you seem to monopolize their tweet feed.
Thanks Matt – so far no bites. I bet once you get over 5,000 or 10,000 it's easier to get noticed.
Read Full News ::: http://usspost.com/sponsored-tweets-4249/
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