We’ve recently received a lot of emails regarding recent Premium Opportunities. How can I be Premium, they say. Read my blog, they say, am I Premium! Are you, though? Do you have what it takes to work with some of the most exciting advertisers this side of the blogosphere? Walk with me, talk with me, roll up your sleeves to do some serious work if you want into this program.
Let’s take Armani, which was geared toward fashion/makeup/beauty blogs with an obvious reader interaction (as in, this person gets consistent comments). Before you say, ‘but I DO write about fashion‘ and send me examples, hear this: Yes, you blogged about your 4 year old’s sequined swimsuit and yes, you wrote a post 8 months ago about your high school prom dress (with a picture), but no- you do not qualify as a Fashion blogger. And, I say that in the most loving way possible.
Can You Spot the Premium?
Being Premium is about being passionate. It’s about becoming a trusted source for your information about your topic/niche, and providing valuable content of relevance to your community and having that community interact with you. Being passionate about something (your kids, cupcakes, gadgets, makeup, environmentalism, gaming, product packaging, or even your hometown) means that you genuinely care about what you are spending time writing about. Obviously, if you care more, you’ll be a better writer, a more in depth researcher, a more involved blogger.
Advice from Premiums:
“I think it’s all about the trust & relationship you have built with your readers.” -Melissa Garcia
“Quality, authenticity, and influence are things that make me think “Premium.” -Lori Falcon
“…I think going to conferences is very helpful. I made tons of connections and got a couple hundred new Twitter followers in one weekend [at BlogHer].” -Jenny Rapson
“…someone who is a thought leader in their niche. This comes from a combination of strong stats compared to other bloggers in their niche, and a good number of repeat commentators.” -Dad’s House Blog
“We use all sorts of metrics to track engagement on our sites, including page views, bounce rate, average time spent, comments, sign-ups and sales through our links.” -She Finds
As mentioned in a previous post about Premiums, there is no basic formula that automatically gets you into the program. Remember that we, not unlike our clients, are always looking for bloggers, not billboards. It’s the voice we’re after- a voice brings listeners- oh, and a nice, clean layout.
However, there are some basic guidelines that we follow when evaluating bloggers into the program. Last, remember that niche is important, too. The tech blogger field and mommy blogger field are far more saturated than, say, the knitting or cupcakes field. The standards are different for tech bloggers and mommy bloggers, than the number one source for knitting.
The Actual Blog
- The design of the blog
- Quality of content
- Number of legitimate comments
The Blogs statistics
- How many unique visitors per month (premiums usually above 50k)
- How many page views per month (premiums usually above 100k)
Third Party validation
- Real Rank (for those already in our system- below 1000)
- Alexa score (Below 100k)
- Technorati authority (Above 500)
- Technorati rank (Under 20k)
- RSS Subs (Above 2000)
- Media Coverage, Book deals, speaking engagements
- Twitter followers (typically 5,000+)
- Celebrity
- Corporate Sponsorships
- Broad reach via YouTube (Millions of views)
If you feel your blog meets what we’re looking for, don’t hesitate to leave a comment and be sure to include your blog’s URL in the URL field. If you haven’t already, visit SocialSpark and create an account! The system will help you monitor your Alexa Score, RealRank, and unique visits.
Deb Ng said on 7.28.09 at 4:40 pm
My blog/network is the number one online community for freelance writers. I'd love for you to stop by for a visit!
Thanks for the consideration!
Deb Ng
Scott Ramsey said on 7.29.09 at 5:53 am
Goodmorning,
My name is Scott, aka Beach Bum Pirate.
I have Facebook, Myspace, Twitter,as well as a few other music sites that I am involed with.
I am also involed with a cruise group called The Island Hoppers. My musoic sties are inspired by our cruise group and have songs that I wrote for our group.
I have a lot of people that keep in touch with me thru my sites, and would love to be involved with your venture.
Please feel free to stop by stardzines, or simply do a search for Beach Bum Pirate to find me and see if I have what it takes to help out.
I love gadgets, & Movies. I tried to start a Movies blog about Movies that I have seen but was not able to keep up with the new realses.
I also wanted to start a Video gadget show where I tried gadgets that people wanted to learn about.
I have always been a bit of a computer geek, helping friends and family with thier newest gadgets. I always thought it would be cool to have a show similar to what Tim Allen Mocked on Home improvment. Only with Gadgets not tools.
I can see it now, Beach Bum Pirate, and guest trying out new products, explaning how they work, and taking call in's to help people with them. But I digress, Please feel free to view all my links at www.stardzines.com
Thanks for the consideration.
Scott, ~~Beach Bum Pirate~~_/)~~~
Ramsey
Gloria Harris said on 7.29.09 at 8:48 pm
Interested please send information, thank you gloria
Metallman said on 7.30.09 at 12:06 am
I love to see if I have what it takes to be a premium blogger!
Donna Liens said on 7.30.09 at 2:31 am
I have to work real hard coz of the premium competitors here are very great. Go on people, be premium blogger!
tech said on 9.13.09 at 8:47 am
my tech blog is a good candidate ;).
Samantha said on 10.17.09 at 7:45 am
Interested in coming a premium blogger
erin said on 10.20.09 at 4:41 pm
I would love to be considered to become a premium blogger! I can provide stats if needed. I just moved to a WordPress blog, self-hosted.
Stacie Haight Connerty said on 10.21.09 at 12:13 am
I would love to be considered to be a premium blogger. I meet almost all of the requirements above. Thanks!
chitgoks said on 12.7.09 at 10:10 pm
hi i would to be considered as a premium blogger. please do check my tech blog.
i also have travel http://disneyusa.blogspot.com and my personal blog http://wuhtevah.chitgoks.com
please let me know. thanks
Melinda said on 12.13.09 at 1:47 pm
We all consider ourselves passionate about our blogs. One's persons passion is another person's filler. I love my family so I write about them and all the things we do which include product review/giveaways for all the stuff that entertains us.
trisha said on 12.22.09 at 3:20 pm
I believe i meet all of your qualifications. Please check out my blog at www.momdot.com .
Jules said on 12.29.09 at 11:05 am
There are people who are really good at something. Well, as long as you like what you're doing, the premium thing will come along. Its not just about the money. Its about the passion. :) Who cares if you're not a premium blogger. As long as you have readers and you're giving value to people who cares to read your blog, then that's something already :D
But then again, I don't mind to be part of the premium blogging team hahaha! kidding :D
tanyetta said on 1.19.10 at 9:19 am
1000 visitors? I get excited when 3 people leave a comment. :)