How Small Bloggers Get Big Opportunity: Conference Sponsorship With Britax #SafeConBritax

When I wrote the post on surviving the car seat blues for Britax USAas submission for a full conference sponsorship to Niche Mommy, I didn’t have high expectations. I was hoping for the best, as I really wanted to go, but… my blog isn’t exactly “big”. I figured earning a conference sponsorship was something only for big time bloggers. In a simple Facebook status update, in which I was tagged, I found out that I would be representing Britax at Niche Mommy in New Orleans. I was elated – but still cautious. Other than my husband, I told no one. This couldn’t actually be happening to me, right?

A few days passed where I wasn’t sure whether to start preparing for my first conference or just forget the status update I saw. I didn’t want to get my hopes up. But when I received the email with all my travel information, I flipped out…

Where I have always been a Britax supporter for the quality of their child safety equipment, it wasn’t until after I became their ambassador that I realized what a quality corporation they are. In their social media outreach program, they are the type of company any blogger would be thrilled to work with. They value our work, our passion for their product and the ability to engage our specific audience. If you are a small blogger, know that not all companies are created equally, nor will they treat you the same. Seek out companies that will appreciate your work. For me, this one quality partnership is worth more than 10 less-supportive ones.

After learning I was indeed going to Niche Mommy, I spent an entire day freaked out, with high anxiety, crazy excitement, and nervous self doubt until I finally calmed down and began to prepare. I feel so blessed for the opportunities I’ve gained from my blogging community, in addition to the wonderful people that have come into my life. But, trust me when I tell you, sometimes I can’t figure out why De Su Mama has garnered the type of support from the kinds of people that it has. As a lover of storytelling and legacy building, I have high aspirations for De Su Mama and will be pursing them in coming months. However, as this blog stands right now, in terms of statistics and readership and the “business of blogging”, I am only mildly important. So why all the love? How has this small blogger gained such big opportunity? Specifically, how did I get sponsored to attend a conference? 

I’ve been thinking a lot about this since last week and have come up with four reasons why I believe that, with the right message and presentation {and A LOT of hard work}, even a small time blogger should reach for big time opportunity…

1. Know your audience. Where I may lack in reader quantity, I thrive in reader quality. Many of my readers have been with me since the beginning. They love my kids, they support my endeavors, and they listen to my reviews. They email me to say hi, and I love them for that. More and more companies are looking for engaged readers, people who are vested in what a blogger has to say and not just numbers.

2. Find your niche, be yourself and write about what you are passionate about. I love building a legacy for my kids. The culture of our family is something I aim to document in a detailed way. As De Su Mama grows, I hope to solidify that message more accurately. But, in the meantime, I think the big time opportunities that I have gained have been because of my passion for this topic and my vulnerably in my messages. If you are a small blogger that hopes to achieve any level of success, you can’t afford to be fake. Your readers will catch on in a New York minute.

3. Presentation makes a big difference. If you know any Cuban people, you will understand when I say that we know how to make a pretty presentation. Cubans will find a way to make their world beautiful, regardless of resources {Cubans will even sweep dirt floors!}. So, even small bloggers should be proud of their online home. Be sure to have well written content. Learn a little bit about photography. Invest in quality graphics and web design. Much of my readership comes from people who love to “see” my kids. Some say they love the way I write. Either way, if I’ve gotten a reader {or a PR rep} to visit my site, I make a concerted effort to make it worth their time with quality writing and imagery.

4. Identify and make acquaintances with bloggers in your same niche. This idea that you shouldn’t associate with your “competitors” is ridiculous. If you are a small blogger, you need help getting your message out to the world. That’s just a fact. Assuming you have a voice/site they are interested in backing, most bloggers are happy to support each other with guest posting, etc. I attribute my conference sponsorship in no small part to networking with other bloggers who are excited to see my continued success. To give you an example, in terms of networking for De Su Mama, I love my communities of Multicultural bloggers, Latina bloggers, Vegas bloggers and writing groups. Many PR reps, network owners and company ambassadors are also just regular bloggers… so go out there and network! You never know who you might meet!

In preparing for my first conference, I’ve experienced a plethora of emotions. None more great, however, than that of gratitude. I feel grateful to my readers. I feel grateful to my blogging community. I feel SO grateful to Britax and their #SafeConBritax campaign.

I hope that with this post, I have helped at least one other small blogger realize that, with some passion and effort, achieving big time success is not so far out of reach.