Blogging Resources

ViveVita: Creating Solutions for Everyday Living #Mompact

Vive Vita arose from the need of one woman to tackle problems she encountered in everyday living. Robyn is the mother of nine children who became frustrated when she could not find a simple solution to issues such as handtowels and bathroom towels constantly on the floor, confusion between multiple drink cups for children, and organization and security for the children while in public places. With no readily available products that fit her needs, Robyn decided to create her own solutions.

People began noticing the ingenuity of her solutions…

Like most mom-invented products, the solutions that Robyn created to solve her own busy mom challenges were quickly embraced by other moms in her life. As she improved upon her early inventions, she decided on the name ViveVita, which means “Living Life” – because that’s what her products help you do! ViveVita’s products are all invented to help you simplify your life, to help make it just a little easier, and a little more fun. {Which is SO similar to my mission here at Sunshine and Sippy Cups – we’re all about Smart Solutions for Busy Moms!} It should be clear by now, the clever ideas created at ViveVita are a big hit in my house!

“We’re making life easier and prettier, one product at a time.” – ViveVita

One of my favorite ViveVita products, the ViveVita Gripsterz, is featured in this video as a “Must-Have” product for moms, and I totally agree! If you don’t understand why any parent would ever put their child in one of those little backpacks with the leash on it – well, I’m very happy for you, lol. My brother had to wear one of those when we were little, he had incredibly bad ADHD, and was really hard to keep an eye on when my mom had 3 other kids under the age of 6. He loved it, and it was a lifesaver, but… I don’t really like the idea of having to use one of those for Abby – but she LOVES the Gripsterz! She says, “Hand? Hold hand?” – and will grab a hold of her monkey’s hand and stay nearby every time. Works amazingly – and like all ViveVita products, it’s smart and adorable.

When Flair & function come together – now that’s savvy living!

You know that I love ViveVita products, but you don’t have to take my word for it! Check out some great reviews from other busy moms just like you, who share how helpful the products have been in their homes too –

Darcy shares some great tips on how she uses the Gripsterz to keep her kids safe when shopping.
April shows off the products in action, so you can get a “real life” glimpse at how they work.
Mallery has some of the most ADORABLE pics of her little man with the products – seriously, so cute.
Nicole shares her story of how the Gripsterz helped her little dancer stay close by while out shopping, instead of being so distracted. Worked great for her too!

You can learn more about the full line of smart solutions at ViveVita on their website, and be sure to connect with them on Facebook and Twitter too, for updates on some really cool new products that they have coming out soon!

CONNECT WITH ViveVita AT REVIEWER’S RETREAT

And speaking of connecting – You can learn more about the ViveVita products from me, and Nicole, the mom-inventor behind the Buti-Bag – if you’ll be attending Reviewer’s Retreat this weekend! They are just one of the brands I’ll be helping to represent during the Sponsor Speedway portion of the events. I hope to see some of you there!

If you’re interested in learning more about how to partner with smart mom-invented brands like this, and working with some great bloggers on fun campaigns, you can learn more about how Mompact supports moms in business, and sign up to be part of the team at Question Moms.

Weekly Bloggertunities – 5/30

“OTHER PEOPLE AND THINGS CAN STOP YOU TEMPORARILY. YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DO IT PERMANENTLY.” – ZIG ZIGLAR

Do you ever suffer from “Blogger Burn-Out?” I’m sure most of us do from time to time – especially when you have a family that needs you, a house that’s looking rough around the edges, and the reviews are piled up in the dining room like you’re living in a FedEx warehouse. But all you wanna do is go sit outside with a Mojito and enjoy the sunshine, right? I understand. So – what do YOU do when you suffer that burn-out? I’d LOVE for you to share your best tips on my Facebook post, and possibly be featured in an upcoming post. Until then, use this extra big list of new opps and events and cool income generators to help you find some new people to work with, and maybe some new excitement and motivation for summer blogging.

Opportunties for Bloggers

Blogger Insider: Join this mailing list to get notified of new opportunities like sponsored posts, paid guest blogging, and more. You can let them know which options you are interested in, and what topics you prefer to write about. Blogger Insider Sign Up.
Question Moms: If you’re a business owner, you can get great feedback on your products or services. If you’re a blogger – you can earn incentives for sharing your feedback with the brands, and connect with them for product reviews too.
WOLF @ Best Buy Bloggers: Apply to join this cool blogging program – Get the opportunity to review new gadgets and products from Best Buy.
Kidstuff Public Relations: Email them to apply to be a partner blogger with them. You can read their terms, and what they expect – and they require a screenshot to give them information about your monthly page views. Learn more and see if you qualify: Kidstuff Blogger Inquiry.
Mommy Bloggers: Fill out this form to notify them that you would be interested in working with them on sponsored posts. I don’t have too much detail about it, but it might be a good option for some of you too.
WB Word: Sign up to get access to the hottest new DVD’s from shows like Chuck, Pretty Little Liars, and more – plus get paid to write about them. Learn more and apply for WB Word here.
USFamilyGuide.com: You can submit your info here to apply, and it says – “Drive traffic to your blog, enjoy free activities and earn money through US Family Guide.”- I’ve heard good things about them!
Work from Home: Mommy Bag Marketing, Inc. is looking to hire Christian Moms in Metro areas across the United States! Please go here to see if this unique work from home job opportunity is right for you! {And for more work from home ideas,visit my directory.

Monetize Your Writing

Sponsored Tweets: Super easy way to earn a little extra cash by sharing cool stuff on Twitter. Sign up here.
Paper Coterie: This is my very favorite photo product company – gorgeous designs, and such amazing quality. Signing up as an affiliate is easy, and thesystem is set up just like Escalate, so it’s easy to use. They’re also easy to promote since they always have cool deals and freebies.
Deal Junkies: Do you love finding great deals and sharing them with your friends? Then you’ll LOVE zuuzs – you get rewarded with cash. Very cool – Learn more here on how you earn money with them. And – if you sign up, make sure to then to the Blogger Sign Up link too, so you can earn all of the extra perks!
Coupon Lovers: If you’re a total pro at couponing, and love sharing that knowledge with others – this might be a perfect fit for you. The Couponizer is adding new affiliates, where you earn a percentage of sales. And, they have another very cool opportunity – Become a Couponizer Coach. You buy a kit, get access to support and some cool programs, and earn money by reselling the Couponizers. If you teach coupon classes, this could be a money-maker for you!
Examiner: I have a Frugal Living column on Examiner, and was promoted to now being able to get media credentials, which is helping get me access to some cool new local events. I’ve connected with a lot of cool peeps locally, and enjoy sharing their news. Check it out, and see what categories are available in your town.
Blogvertise: Earn cash for posts. Fair warning – there is a lot of… Um, not so good offers here. But, I do find plenty that I can post too – and taking 20 minutes to write up a $10 paying post, once a day, equals almost $300 a month. {The highest paying offer I’ve gotten there was around $35 bucks} Plus – they just started some new services, to pay you for tweets and possibly Facebook activity. I’m anxious to see how those roll out…
BlogFrog: If you’re a member of Blog Frog, fill out their blogger partner form for a chance to partner with them on fun campaigns! Blogger Partner Sign Up.
Social Spark: This is one of my consistent streams of income – easy posts, and they allow no-follow links. Tip: Make sure to connect your analytics, to ensure you get the right pay for your posts!
SITS Girls: Fill out their application to get matched with exciting opportunities to partner with sponsors. Learn more and sign up – SITS Girls Blogging Opp.
ChaCha Affiliates: This is another new one that I’ve joined recently – you have quite a few options on how you’d like to share their content, and it’s super easy to get started with and use. Learn more and sign up here.

Tools for Busy Bloggers

Sendible: I am totally in love with this site, and wish I’d found it a year ago. It’s the best way I’ve found to manage ALL of my social media. Seriously amazing. You can try it for 30 days free – you don’t have to add a credit card or anything, they’ll give you the option to give payment info after your 30 days, IF you want to continue. But you will – it’s awesome.
PicMonkey: If you need a replacement for Picnik, you will love PicMonkey. I actually might even like it better – which I never thought I’d say about anything else, lol. It’s built so similar to Picnik that you’ll catch on within seconds, the layout is really cool and kinda retro, and there are some really awesome tools available.
Shared Schedules: Whether you want to be able to coordinate events and schedules with a team for blogging events and conferences coming up, or just keep your “home team” on a schedule together, this is an awesome tool you can access right from your smart phone.
Pinterest 101: A pretty comprehensive guide to everything Pinterest – It’ll help show you how to get started if you’re a beginner – but it’s also got some cool new tricks and tips to learn if you’re more of an expert. Pinterest 101: Pin Like a Rockstar!
Peer Index: If you’re a blogger, enter your info here, learn what they think of your social media influence, and qualify for fun free perks – kind of similar to Klout. Peer Index Influencer Perk.

Good Reads this Week

Facebook Update: Yes, Facebook DOES now have an option {available on almost all pages by now} to pay an advertising fee to promote your post to more of your fans than would normally get to see it. But NO, it is not the end of the world. Learn the facts on the new Facebook Change here.
Pinterest Scam: I had NEVER heard of this before – but there is an incredibly sneaky scam going on, involving a fake Pinterest link, your own posts, and a spammy download. Check it out – and share it around. Pinterest Scam info.
Blogging What You Love: Why I think it’s important to define your niche – whether it’s a specific category like green living, or a overall theme like humor, it’s important to know who you are, and why you’re blogging.
31 Days to Build a Better Blog: I’m working on through this book right now – and LOVE it! Totally recommend checking it out, to get your blog rockin’ this year. Click here to view more details.
8 Wildly Effective Ways to Promote Yourself Today: Free ebook you can request from Grow with Stacy. Get your free guide to promoting your blog posts.

Events & Parties to Join

Blogathon: This sounds like so much fun! The Biannual Blogathon Bash is coming up in June – and you can sign up now. It’s a 72 hour bash to try to get as much work done on your blog as possible, with mini-challenges, a Twitter party, and more. Love this.
Reviewer’s Retreat: Are you going to be there? If so – I’ll be helping out during the second Sponsor Speedway session, and would LOVE to connect with you there! Learn more about the brands I’m representing there, and I drop me a note on my Facebook wall with your name and blog if I’ll be seeing you there! I’m excited to meet some new faces :)
Blogger LinkUp: Get guest posts, offer guest posts, connect with sources for interviews, and more. Very cool, and I’m really liking it so far – Join Blogger LinkUp.
Blogging Conferences for Women: Find lists of all the cool conferences coming up this year, and plan to attend your favorites! Women’s Blogging Conferences 2012 schedule lists.

Love it? Share it with your networks too…

Want to earn money from your blog, find cool new partnerships, and have more fun? #Blogging tips – sunshineandsippycups.com/2012/05/weekly… via @sunandsipcups

— SunandSipCups (@SunandSipCups) May 30, 2012

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 30, 2012 Filed Under: Blogging Resources, Weekly Opp's | 14 Comments

Connecting Brands & Bloggers at Reviewer’s Retreat #RevRet12

Most of you guys know by now that I’m going to be attending Reviewer’s Retreat in just a couple more weeks. Well, not just attending – I’ll also be speaking at the event! I’m going to be presenting with a couple of other amazing social media gals, teaching our best tips on growing your audience using social media, email newsletters, giveaway events, and more. I’m pretty excited to meet some new people, share some helpful info, and get to see some of my favorite blogging friends again too!

“Position yourself as a center of influence – the one who knows the movers and shakers. People will respond to that, and you’ll soon become what you project.” – Bob Burg

If you’re going to be at Reviewer’s Retreat too, I’d LOVE to love to connect with you there. I’ll be speaking on Monday, June 4th, at 10:30, presenting the Undergraduate session titled Growing Your Audience. {If you haven’t signed up for that session yet, you can visit the site to build your schedule.} And, I’m also going to be helping out during the Sponsor Speedway portion of the event, meeting with bloggers at the Mompact table. The first speedway is during my presentation, but I’ll be at the table during the second one, later in the afternoon.

What is the Sponsor Speedway?

This is a bit of time set aside for bloggers and brands to connect with each other. Bloggers will get to take a seat, about 5-6 at a time, with each brand. You’ll get a little less than 10 minutes to quickly introduce yourself to the brand, exchange business cards, and hopefully make a totally charming first impression. Then your group will move on to the next table, until everyone has had a chance to connect. There will be some really great brands – from big names like Kia and Pampers, to fun brands like Mompact and Uncommon Goods. At Mompact, I’ll be looking for some really passionate and talented new reviewer’s to join our team this year – so don’t forget to stop by and get me one of your card. {Need a card with a totally memorable design to catch all of these great brand’s attention? Check out my very favorite blogging business card company to find some awesome inspiration.} I’ll also have some actual products on hand, if you’re interested in taking something home with you to review on your site later.

“Networking is simply the cultivating of mutually beneficial, give and take, win-win relationships. It works best, however, when emphasizing the ‘give’ part.” – Bob Burg

About Mompact… “It’s time for moms to support other moms in business the way we do in motherhood. The compassion we feel when we meet a mom in need of encouraging words at the check out line, or struggling to quiet a fussy toddler at a restaurant, is the same kind of compassion and connection moms have in business. We get what the other mom is going through: how she has to juggle work and family, sacrifice financially, and learn along the way. We’re here to provide a platform for that support.”

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” – Jane Howard

I’m really excited to be representing Mompact, and some of our amazing partner businesses, at this event. And I know that the mom inventors who work with Mompact are definitely very excited to get their products introduced to some of the most influential review bloggers in the blogosphere – meaning YOU. If you’d like to learn a little more about the brands I’ll be bringing to share at Reviewer’s Retreat, read on…

Twooth Timer: This is a great gadget that has completely changed bedtimes around my house! Kids love it, and it encourages them to brush their teeth much longer, with no nagging. Learn more about the Twooth Timer, and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.
Parking Pal Magnet: This is such a genius product for moms of bigger kids – it keeps them safe when getting in and out of the car, especially in busy parking lots. So simple, but really works. Everyone that sees always stops to comment on it. See the selection of Parking Pal Magnets online, then connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.
Tidy Tots: This is a new way of looking at potty training – a stage I’m JUST getting started with. These are a potty chair liner that makes clean up quick and easy – just grab the bag and toss the mess. I can definitely see the appeal to this great solution! You can learn more about Tidy Tots online, read their blog for some great tips, and connect with them on Facebook too.
ViveVita: The inventor behind these smart solutions for everyday living is the mother to nine – yes NINE – children. So she knows about challenges! Her products are all meant to make your life a little easier, and all are very clever ideas. See the selection of ViveVita products, and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.
Nini Baby: Tired of having to pick up the toy/sippy cups/crayon/pacifier/you name it! – that your child just threw onto the floor? Then you will totally appreciate the great problem solvers at Nini Baby! Learn more about their great selection, and connect on Facebook and Twitter.
Liv and Lily Boutique: Love accessories? Then you will just adore Liv and Lily! These are luxury pieces designed by moms with a love of great fashion. From beautiful headbands and hair clips for girls, to adorable fedoras and suspenders for boys – these luxe accessories complete any little fashionista’s wardrobe! See the Liv and Lily designs for yourself, and connect on Twitter and Facebook too.
Buti-Bag: Ohmyheck – while we’re talking about cute fashions, you have GOT to check out the adorable designs from Buti-Bag! She carries a fun line of Belle Bottoms that totally glam up a pair of little girl jeans, and totally gorgeous bags and accessories. See her great goodies at Buti-Bag.com, and connect on Twitter and Facebook today too!
CuddleCloth: I had wished for something like this when Abby was a baby – and it would still be so helpful now – the CuddleCloth is a towel that you wear, making it simple to grab a slippery bath-time baby and wrap her up quickly – without getting yourself wet too! Check out the CuddleCloth in action, and visit them on Facebook and Twitter too.
Babee Covee: This is so smart – it’s a 6-in-1 Blanket and Cover for babies and kids – it’s patented design ensures that it won’t fall off, whether used for a cover in the stroller, over a car seat, or on playdates – this blanket is super versatile, durable, and super cute. Watch the Babee Covee video to see why it’s so cool, then check them out on Facebook and Twitter.
Boogie Wipes: I’m a Boogie Wipes Ambassador, and let me tell ya – I’ve given out hundreds of samples of these great kids wipes, and there is not ONE person who doesn’t totally love them! They’re for more than just colds and allergies – they work as an all purpose kiddo wipe too! Learn more about why Boogie Wipes are a must-have addition to any moms purse or diaper bag, then visit them on Facebook and Twitter too.

If you’re interested in learning more about these awesome brands, and working with them in the future – I’d love for you to take a minute to stop by their social media pages today, and let them know that you’re excited to learn more about them at Reviewer’s Retreat! They’ll love getting to “Meet” you – and I look forward to meeting you soon too. You’ll also get to connect with the Owner of Buti-Bags at the Sponsor Speedway, and learn more about the awesome designs she creates. See you soon!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 25, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution, Blogging Events | 12 Comments

Weekly Bloggertunities – 5/23

“Social Media is about sociology and psychology more than technology.” – Brain Solis

As bloggers who promote brands, our goal is not to simply be a commercial for those brands – we’re here to help them build a connection to our readers. People read our blogs, and follow our posts, because they are educated and entertained by what we share. So, my tip this week is remember why people read you blog – and don’t let the possibility of getting paid make you post things that just aren’t a good fit. Good content is the most important thing you can do to build your brand and your blog. But – we do all need to pay the bills too, right? So here are some great places to find new ways to earn, too….

Monetize

Paper Coterie: This is my very favorite photo product company – gorgeous designs, and such amazing quality. Signing up as an affiliate is easy, and the system is set up just like Escalate, so it’s easy to use. They’re also easy to promote since they always have cool deals and freebies. I’m lovin’ them!
Infostable: If your readers love giveaways, you should do well with this. I signed up for some of the giveaway offers myself, to test it out – no spam, nothing weird. So I feel confident to promote them. You can sign up here – Infostable Affiliates.
Sponsored Tweets: Share posts to twitter, earn cash. Seriously simple – learn more, and sign up for Sponsored Tweets today too!
ChaCha Affiliates: This is another new one that I’ve joined recently – you have quite a few options on how you’d like to share their content, and it’s super easy to get started with and use. Learn more and sign up here.

Networks & Reviews

Bookieboo Blogger Network: Fill out the application to be considered for upcoming opportunities like Twitter parties, brand ambassador positions, focus groups, and in-home parties.
Question Moms: If you’re a business owner, you can get great feedback on your products or services. If you’re a blogger – you can earn incentives for sharing your feedback with the brands, and connect with them for product reviews too.
Mamavation Network: This is a great forum that I just joined last week – There is SO much info here, great resource. And totally fee. Join me there today.
JetPack Pens: Sign up for their mailing list, and get random free product that only needs a simple review. Seems easy enough, and I always need new office supplies. Apply here.
Pro Home Stores: If you’re a PR2, under a million on Alexa, and not on a blogspot platform, then fill out this form for a chance to review a product of your choice {value $100} from one of their sites.
Mom Central: Love working with them – great opportunities for reviews, blog tours, and ambassadorships. {Anyone else DYING to know who got the kitchen re-do’s and washer/dryer combos??} Learn more and sign up here.
Uncommon Goods: Sign up for a chance to do a product review with Uncommon Goods – very, very cool products. You must be a PR3 to qualify.
Work from Home: Mommy Bag Marketing, Inc. is looking to hire Christian Moms in Metro areas across the United States! Please go here to see if this unqiue work from home job opportunity is right for you! {And for more work from home ideas, visit my directory.

Tools, Resources, & Good Reads

Coupon tool: This looks really cool, and could be incredibly helpful for any of you who are coupon bloggers. You can try the free version, and pay to upgrade if you want all of the features. Check out the blogger coupon tool here.
Facebook: Have you seen the new tool that allows you to pay Facebook to get them to finally show your fans your posts? Learn more, share your thoughts, and tell me if you’ll be using it. Facebook Promoted Posts.
Business Cards: Are you heading to conferences this summer too? Then you need to have the coolest business cards – seriously. And my very favorite are Moo.com. {Hint, sign up for their newsletter, to get TONS of super cool ideas each week. Love the creative cards that people come up with!}
Moms & Marketing: Seriously great article on why businesses should partner with bloggers, some examples of successful partnerships, and predictions for the future of mom blogging.
Giveaway Linky: This great weekly giveaway linky is on one of the very first blogs I ever started reading – Mom Spotted. I get great traffic from it too. Link up here.

Events to Join

Christmas in July: Great giveaway hop event open now for new sign ups. Must have a prize to fit the theme, $25 or more in value. You know that I LOVE Christmas, so this sounds super fun.
Kids DVD: Join this giveaway event free, get a link to Twitter or Facebook, and help promote the event while it lasts. Sign up here.
Book Event: All you need is a book giveaway with a value of at least $10 to join this fun giveaway hop. Learn more and sign up here.
Free Events: Big list of free blogging events to join – love this resource. You can see the selection and join the ones that are a good fit for you here – Free Blogging Events.

As always, if you have a great event that needs sign ups, share it in the comments. Or, if you’ve written a great blogging tips or tutorial post lately, I’d love for you to leave that in the comments as well, and I’ll include a few of them next week. Thanks for reading!

Be a blogging rockstar – learn new tips, get new leads, and share YOUR best advice too – sunshineandsippycups.com/2012/05/weekly… #blogging

— SunandSipCups (@SunandSipCups) May 24, 2012

Want more? Check out past Bloggertunity posts, or visit my Blogging & Social Media board on Pinterest!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 23, 2012 Filed Under: Weekly Opp's | 7 Comments

Is Facebook Really Charging for Status Updates?

No, not exactly. But – if you haven’t noticed it yet – there is a new option available to all business page owners when you write your next status update. It’s called Facebook Promoted Posts – “Promote your page posts so more people see them in their news feed.” Sounds great, right? But there’s a catch – you have to PAY to have those posts promoted. That does not sound so great.

Did you know… only 16 out of every 100 of your “fans” actually see your status updates?

If you haven’t seen the new update about Promotional Posts yet, you should soon. When you use Facebook as your page, and begin to write your status update, it will show you a pop-up bubble with the option to promote that post. If you click for details, it will then let you know that you’ll be paying for that chance to have your post seen by more of your own fans. This feature started as a test option, where personal users could pay to have their status updates shared more widely, but they quickly realized they would have better luck getting businesses to pay. I had a feeling that Facebook would soon start charging business owners more fees, but this was still pretty surprising. And personally, I think it’s a bad move – Here’s why:

First, Facebook said that it wants brands to act more like people – interact with users, not advertise to them. They even have a rule that when you create the large banner image for your Facebook page, you cannot promote sales or deals – because the goal is to have pages to create good content, not ads. So – they will prevent you from using the graphic on your page as an ad, but will now allow you to treat the status updates that you post as ads, by paying to ensure that they are seen? That doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.
Why not just show all of my fans my posts anyway? If Facebook is serious about their stated goal of improving the user experience, then why do they hide my posts? When I like a brand or blog page, it’s because I’m interested in following their posts, and learning what they have to say. So why hide things from me that I chose to follow?
Right now, Facebook shows your post to a limited amount of your fans – the average is 16%. How do they decide who to show it to? Well, they look at whether someone has interacted with your page before, whether the status update is popular {lots of likes and shares means Facebook will show it to even more people}, and what the content is {picture, video, links, etc}. They do this with a goal of giving you only updates that will be interesting to you. So why would they do the complete opposite, and allow people to pay to show me status updates that Facebook would not have shown me in the first place?

But, this is the way it is now, so I have to adapt. We all do. And, from what I’m hearing around the web, there will be a lot more changes coming soon too. {Isn’t there always a new change coming to Facebook? Ugh.} While they still guarantee that Facebook will never charge people to use it, they WILL be adding quite a few more features that they can charge business owners to use. I hope the next ones are better than this.

If I wanted to pay for an ad, I would. I shouldn’t have to pay to have my status shown to people who have already chosen to like my page.

Well, now that we know what this new Promoted Posts tool is, let’s take a look at how it works, so you can take advantage of it if you choose to. I mean, like it or not, working on the web means constantly adapting to new changes. So – here’s some basic tips on using the new Promoted Posts function on Facebook.

Switch to use Facebook as your page, and click on the status update box, to start a new post. You’ll see a new button at the bottom of the box, labeled “Promote.”
Click the drop down menu arrow, and you’ll see options to set your price, payment method, and other settings.
Now, you can promote your post. You can also go to other previous posts {from the last 3 days only}, and add them to be promoted as well, within the budget amount that you have set up.

When the post appears in people’s newsfeeds, it will be labeled as sponsored. I’m not sure how bold the label will be, or whether it will appear more spammy looking to people. But – I can see the appeal to this option. We’ve all used Facebook for such a long time, that our eyes are trained to kind of ignore that side of the page where the ads are. Think about it – Can you remember any ads that you’ve seen lately? But you DO notice what’s in your newsfeed, so allowing brands to add their sponsored posts right into the stream you’re reading – right in between an announcement about your best friend’s new baby, and an upcoming graduation party for a niece, then the sponsored post is pretty darn likely to be actually looked at and read. This also helps with the mobile user problem – a growing percentage of people visit Facebook primarily from their cell phones, totally bypassing ads altogether. But now, brands have a new way to reach them.

What Facebook says about Promoted Posts

“Nothing has changed about how your posts are shared with the people who like your Page.” – Facebook.com A lot of activity happens on Facebook and most people only see some of it in their news feeds. They may miss things when they’re not on Facebook, or they may have a lot of friends and Pages, which results in too much activity to show all of it in their news feed. If you don’t promote your post, many of the people connected to your Page may still see it. However, by promoting a post, you’re increasing its potential reach so an even larger percentage of your Page audience and the friends of those interacting with your post will see it.

Do you “Like” this new update?

Is this tool something that you’ll use to promote your own posts? As a user, do you think you’ll be bothered by these sponsored updates in your newsfeed? I’d love to hear some comments on all sides of this issue – I’m still trying to figure out what I think about it all. And, if you’d like to learn more, you can visit the Facebook Promoted Posts FAQ page, and a little more about Facebook advertising and it’s always changing form.

Is Facebook Really Charging for Status Updates? Yep, but there’s more to it – sunshineandsippycups.com/2012/05/is-fac… #Facebook

— SunandSipCups (@SunandSipCups) May 23, 2012

{Photo credits: First photo, second photo.}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 23, 2012 Filed Under: Blogging Resources, Tech Tips | 50 Comments

Weekly Bloggertunities – 5/17

“Blogging is an art, same as any other method of self-expression. Some are better at it than others.” – Hugh Macleod

I’ve been so busy lately, trying to catch up on projects – and maybe even get a little bit ahead before I fly away again… This time to North Carolina, to see my bloggy buddies, and speak at Reviewer’s Retreat. And since I’ve been so busy, my email had piled up. A lot. So I had totally missed the Collective Bias email newsletter for a few days… and I was the featured member on Social Fabric this week! Did you see by big face smiling at you from the newsletter on Monday?You can check out my random answers to the profile questions, and leave a comment too if you’d like to show a little love. It was startling as I was quickly going through messages to suddenly see myself in that one, lol. But lots of fun – I LOVE the peeps over there. {Yes, when they open up to new members again, I’ll let you guys know asap!} Here is a round up of new tips, leads, and tools for this week – and as always, feel free to leave your best blogging tips article links, sign up forms, or event details – in the comments below!

Monetize Your Blog

Link Vehicle: This is one of those options that you need to read the fine print when you do offers with them. The first project that I worked with them on, I didn’t realize that the price they quoted me was the price that the advertiser would pay THEM, and that I’d get half. But – after that confusion, I’ve had a few successful projects with them too. You can learn more and sign up here.
Sponsored Tweets: Make money from tweeting. Super simple – sign up, they’ll show you offers of things you can tweet, and you make some bucks for clicking to approve. Easy peasy cash – learn more here.
YaySave: If you’re a deal blogger this could be a great way for you to earn. During May, earn up to $100 bucks per person you refer – you earn 20% off their purchase. YaySave shows you the lowest prices from them, Walmart, and Amazon, so you know you’re getting seriously sweet deals. AND, you earn Swagbucks from a lot of your shopping. Rocks, seriously. I’ve had a big month with them. Learn more about earning with YaySave.
Paper Coterie: This is one of the prettiest, most amazingly high quality photo product sites I’ve used. The products are really unique and fresh, and they constantly have awesome promotions to share. Sign up as an affiliate – it’s set up JUST like Escalate, same framework, so it’s super duper easy to use.
zuuzs: Similar type of site – share deals, and earn every time your friends shop. Then earn more when THEIR friends shop too. Sweet, right? And what’s really cool is that they often do referral bonuses for affiliates – which means extra cash for you each month. You can sign up for a basic account here, then go to the Affiliate section to let them know you’re a blogger, so you can get the additional earnings.

Paid Freelance Writing Jobs

Skyword: I just joined this site this week – so I haven’t done any writing. Yet. But there are great opportunities through them; I applied to write for Lowes, What to Expect, and a couple beauty columns. Very excited to get started – check it out if you’re interested too: Apply as a Skyword.com Writer.
Examiner: Most of you know that I write a Frugal Living column on Examiner. I’m thinking of picking up a second column soon too – some type of local entertainment category would be fun. I’m eligible now to get media credentials, which helps me score free tickets and fun extras here in town. If you’d like to learn more, and find a category that YOU are an expert on locally – Apply to be an Examiner writer.
Constant Content: This is a great site for freelance writers – people post jobs, and you pick the ones you want. The choices are vast – from “How to pick the best winter boots” to “Malaysian finance tips” – so you’ll always find something new to write about. Learn more here.

Events to Check out

BlogHer ’12: The amazing Jennifer at Makobi Scribe is also doing something really incredible for one lucky blogger – she’ll be awarding one lucky gal a $200 scholarship to help her attend BlogHer ’12 this year! How cool is she, right? I hope that by next year, this is something that I can offer too. You can apply here, and if you’d like, stop by and give her a big thank you on Facebook for offering this!
Stroller: This is a free event to join – just commit to sharing the giveaway at least three times over the course of a month – easy peasy, right? It’s for a pretty awesome $200 stroller, you get a free Facebook link, and you can sign up here.
Nature’s Sleep: Jennifer at Makobi Scribe is looking for 30 bloggers to join her in a massive giveaway event for Nature’s Sleep! Get the details and sign up here.

Cool Partnerships

Product Safety: I’m pretty excited about the new tools available for bloggers on WeMakeItSafer.com. There’s a product safety search feature -similar to what some of the big parenting sites have – but you just copy and paste the code right to your site. I used a full size one on my new Product Recall Finder page, the app on my Facebook wall, and there are also smaller widgets for sidebars. You’ll find all of the cool content here. Let me know what you think of it. Adding this makes you a great resource for parents – but it also has categories for other home products too!
Guac Squad: Join the Wholly Guacamole brand Guac Squad to get notifications of new PR stuff from them – very fun.
QuestionMoms: This is a great network – Check out new mom-invented products first, give direct feedback to influence and improve their ideas, and get paid for sharing that amazing knowledge. As a blogger, you totally “get” what works and what is just NOT going to be popular, so your voice is super helpful here. Plus – you can apply to review awesome Mompact products like the Aquaduck and Swim Zip!
Mom Entrepreneur: Looking for a new project? Well Laina at Mom Entrepreneur is looking for a new partner! She has too many ideas, not enough time – A situation I can relate to 110%! Contact her at laina@lainaturner.com for more info and to introduce yourself!
Supernanny: If you’re in the Atlanta, Georgia area, you might be interested in checking this out – They’re looking for families to work with the show. Learn more about this – they’re only taking applications until May 25th – and apply if you’re interested. Supernanny Sign Ups.

Want More?

If you’re looking for more blogging tips and info, you can check out all of the other Weekly Bloggertunity posts too, or browse my Blogging & Social Media board on Pinterest.

Weekly list of new leads, events, and tips on monetizing your site – sunshineandsippycups.com/2012/05/weekly… #mombloggers

— SunandSipCups (@SunandSipCups) May 17, 2012

Have tips or events to share? Leave them in the comments!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 17, 2012 Filed Under: Weekly Opp's | 12 Comments

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