Weekly Bloggertunities – 4/24

Weekly Blogging Opportunities

I’m BAAAAACK!!! As most of you know by now – I was hacked. Not just a little issue – I was knocked down, repeatedly, for almost a week. If you want to know what happened, how to know if your WordPress site was hacked, and what do if you DO get hacked, you can read the whole story in my last post. Long story short – It sucked. But, I learned a lot – including what a great group of bloggy buddies I’ve built up over this past year. You guys all ROCK! So – this post was started almost 2 weeks ago, but wasn’t able to be posted due to the issues I had going on. If anything is outdated by now, I apologize. I tried to check ’em all – but I’m in a posting frenzy today, so I might have missed something! Just leave me a comment so if you find something that’s no longer valid. Thank you!

Learn to be a blogging ninja – @sunandsipcups shares her weekly tips and tricks sunshineandsippycups.com/2012/04/weekly… #mombloggers

— SunandSipCups (@SunandSipCups) April 24, 2012

Good Reading for Bloggers

As a blogger – or anyone at all who works primarily online – you MUST be constantly learning and staying updated. The web, social media, search – they are all constantly changing and evolving, so it’s important that you are too. Here are a few great reads this week –

1. Dealing with Disappointment: My friend Ellen wrote a great post about why you might not be chosen for a specific blogging opportunity – and why you shouldn’t let it get you down! She also offers some tips to help you improve, so that you can start getting more of the opps that you want.
2. Social Media: This book just got delivered today – 30 Days to Social Media Success: The 30 Day Results Guide to Making the Most of Twitter, Blogging, LinkedIN, and Facebook – and I am SUPER excited to get started reading it. I’m part of a group that will be going through the book together, and sharing our thoughts. Watch for a review of it coming soon – and buy it too if you’d like to follow along with my updates.
3. Rafflecopter: Read this great post with a tutorial on how to add giveaway images right to your Rafflcopter form. Love it.
4. Time Management: This is a round-up of posts from some of my favorite bloggers, sharing their time management tips and tricks. Good stuff.

Want more? I have a whole board on Pinterest devoted to Blogging & Social Media – tips, resources, cool tools, creative ideas, and more. Check it out and find some good stuff.

Earn an Income with Your Blog

As always – the biggest question I am asked by other bloggers is how to monetize their site. So, here are a few things you can use to start earning more money with your site – and watch for a more comprehensive series of posts on smart monetizing skills coming in a few weeks!

1. InfoStable: Super simple, and it’s very easy to earn. They have a limited amount of offers, and they’re mostly giveaways to promote. I signed up for a few to test it – no spam. Check it out and start earning today – InfoStable Sign Up.
2. Maggie’s Direct: This started out a little crazy – but they’ve simplified their Pro Blogger program, making it MUCH easier to participate! Set up a free account, then sign up for the Pro Blogger program! Learn more on their site – but it includes shopping credit for you, free products, and more. I haven’t used this much yet – and I’ve heard mixed reviews. But it’s working GREAT for some people, so it’s worth looking into.
3. Social Spark: Many bloggers start with posts in the $15-$25 range, which is where I started with them around 6 months ago. Now I average $65 per post, with some as high as $100-$200. Super easy, and pays via PayPal as soon as you reach $50. Sign up and learn more.
4. Bloggertise: This one is a little trickier. I earn quite a bit with them – BUT, not all of their offers are, um, quality. And I do NOT ever recommend posting something JUST because you can earn some bucks. So, only post if the required info can educate or entertain your readers. That said – I find loads of projects that I can make into interesting articles, and use it weekly. Learn more and sign up here.
5. Examiner: I just got promoted to be eligible to receive media credentials to local events – I’m so excited! I love writing here, love connecting with more local companies, and have a lot of fun having a forum to share on besides my blog. Interested? You’re already a writer, so this may be a great fit for you too –  Examiner.com Application.

What are your favorite networks to connect you with sponsored posts or other opportunities to earn an income with your writing? Share them in the comments – maybe I’ll find a new favorite!

Networks to Join

I’m a member of so many great networks – I love meeting new people, sharing tips and resources, and having access to some really great opps and info. Here are a few that I’m a member of…

1. Mom Spark: This is the only network that I pay to be a part of – and it’s definitely worth it. I get connected to awesome opps through them, and having access to their tutorials and community is priceless.
2. Moms Do It Better: This is a really helpful new network that I’ve just joined – A lot of fun tips, and great opportunities to be found. Join here.
3. Mommy PR: She is an awesome chick, with equally awesome stuff to share with other bloggers. Sign up for her PR Friendly Bloggers mailing list to learn about new opps each week.

What are a few of your favorites? What do you like most about them – and what do you find most helpful?

Cool Opportunities

Hopefully these are still available – Most of these were opportunities that I came across last week – but some are brand new too.

1. Fashion Bloggers: Belt Buckle Boutique is looking for bloggers who write about 75% of their content focused on fashion to do an upcoming review and giveaway opportunity – Fill out the form if you are all about fashion!
2. Foodie Guest Posts: Trio of Tastebuds – my favorite foodie site! – is looking for people to contribute a favorite recipe to their “three views” posts. Get details and contact info here.
3. Paid Posts: Fill out this form to be considered for upcoming paid writing opps, or for paid guest posting on your own site. Sounds cool.
4. Mom Ambassador: I’ve been a member here for a couple of years – It’s called Moms Meet, and you get to do regular house parties to share all organic, green, healthy products with your group. The shipments are always very generous and actually worth sharing! Learn more and sign up here.
5. CBS: If you have a mostly US based readership and audience, fill out this form for a new partnership opportunity with CBS.
6. All You Magazine: What’s your most clever way to stay on top of all of the paperwork that comes home from school (and your mail too!)? Tell us at Reallife@allyou.com for a chance to be featured in our magazine.

I hope you get connected to some fun review and giveaway opps here – I LOVE hearing stories from people who got into a great campaign from hearing about it in my post :) Some of you have gotten into things I REALLY wanted too, but I didn’t get chosen, lol. But I love being able to share!

Events to Join

Again, some of these I added awhile back – so if something is no longer taking sign-ups, and I missed removing it – just leave me a comment so that I know to remove it from the list!

1. Birthday Bash: This will start May 11th – and prizes will be announced as more bloggers join! It’s only $2 a link, I joined with 2 links, and hope to see some of you join us too – Sign up here.
2. Free Event: You get one link for free, $1 for each additional link. Very cool, right? Sign up and learn more.
3. Baby Shower: This is another totally FREE event – you get one link free, and can get a second one if you share the sign up form. This is Facebook and Twitter only, and starts soon – so get in today!
4. Huge list of events: This is a really great list of tons of giveaway events that you can join – with loads more free options too! Check it out and sign up for some fun stuff.
5. Bloggy Bootcamp: If you can’t attend any of these great events this year due to the travel costs, why not check out the awesome online-only package option? Very cool! Online Bloggy Bootcamp.

Do you have a cool event coming up that you’d like to share – or need sign ups for an upcoming giveaway? Share your sign up link in the comments!

Love it? Share it with your own network of awesome bloggy buddies too!