Before I begin, I just wanted to let you know that I’ve drafted this post for quite some time now, and have been deliberating all that time on whether to publish it or not. It is obvious to you and I that it screams “PR” all over the place, and that there may be a misconception that it’s all just to obtain free stuff from them. I would like to state that this is not the case. I do not deny that I do get products sent to me from time to time for review, and I make sure the fact is enclosed in those reviews (please see my disclosure policy). However, I do take my blog very seriously in hopes to move on to something bigger in future, and I embrace social media networking, which also means that I do network with the PR folks. Phew, now that I’ve got that off my chest, let’s begin!
If you’ve been blogging for a while, and would like to take your blog to the next level (i.e. renting blog space out for advertisements, doing sponsored posts*, approaching brands and PRs to introduce yourself, etc), a media kit would help you tremendously.
First of all, I understand that there are beauty bloggers who blog in their own time just for fun and do not monetise their websites, and I respect that. After all, that was exactly how I started too. As time went on, PR folks started approaching me, and I’ve also decided to place ad spaces for rent on my blog to earn a bit of pocket money to fund my makeup collection. To date, I’m still earning peanuts. Oh well. *shrug*
This post would, I hope, be useful for bloggers who would like to know what a beauty blogger’s media kit is like, and what you could do with one. It’s not mandatory, of course. I know of successful bloggers who don’t even use one. It’s up to you if you prefer to have one. Me, I’m pedantic that way 🙂
Perhaps you’ve been blogging for quite some time now and would like to strike up a relationship with PR companies of brands you’re passionate about. Sending them a media kit about your blog would let them know who you are, what you write about, who you write for, etc. That’s how I introduce myself when I approach a brand. A media kit just adds a touch of professionalism to the introduction.
What’s in a beauty blogger’s media kit?
No two media kits are the same, so feel free to do it up in accordance to the theme of your blog. Still, there are a few items which I believe are essential to your kit.
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Updated 9 May 2012
Hello folks!
If you’re wondering where the rest of the original post is, well, I’ve finally compiled all that information and much more into an ebook!
Best part of all, the ebook is free for you to download. No charge, just doing my part in sharing my knowledge with the beauty blogging community. Of course, if you would like to buy me a cup of coffee, I’m more than happy to oblige 🙂
Just click on the Download button below to download the PDF file, and let me know what you think!
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Thank you for posting this! It is quite an eye opener for me. When I started my beauty blog, I didn’t even think about all of these things. But your post is very helpful indeed. Not that I wanna venture out “big time” 🙂 My blog is still very much a hobbyist blog (if you can call it that).
Lyn: I think it’s probably more for the Australian blogging community here that PRs recognise us more in comparison to Malaysia. I’ve been out of touch with the Malaysian beauty blogger-PR relationships for a long time now, so I’m afraid I don’t know how it is. So there’s that relationship with them Aussie PRs there, and I think a media kit helps them to know the beauty blogger and the blog better 🙂
Don’t underestimate beauty blogs that start out as a hobby (yours included), because these are the ones that end up doing great things. You never know, perhaps a few months or years down the road, you’ll be hit with success that you wouldn’t even believe it. So yeah, I have faith in you and your blog, oh hobbyist 😉
WOW!!! Great info! I was wondering for a long long time. Thanks Tine!!! As I have mentioned before, your beauty blog was the first one I read…and you inspired me to start my own…and you are my blogging guru because you hand out sound pieces of advice…and I love how you are so helpful and caring to baby bloggers. Sharing is caring indeed. *mwah*
Ling: Haha aww I’m blushing red now. Appreciate the very kind words 🙂 I try to help as much as I can, when I can. Back in the day when we first started blogging, we certainly had no clue what we were doing, and we learn from mistakes. A LOT of mistakes (have I told you about the time I accidentally deleted three years worth of work and almost died right there?).
That’s what the beauty blogging community is about, emphasis on COMMUNITY (ooh double emphasis there). We help each other out 🙂
Great post! I’m not a beauty blogger, but I think most of what you’ve written is applicable for any sort of PR enquiries for all sorts of bloggers.
Julia: You’re right! I believe this applies for bloggers of other niches too 🙂
Good tips Tine! Wish I had someone to hand out tips when I was prepping my Media Kit 😛 I also find it more relevant for those who want to sell ad space as I did before. For PR purposes, I find a quick note explaining how I do what I do and having the relevant info on my contact page is usually sufficient as most of them would (and should) have done some reading before contacting us and they usually tell me if they need statistical info which I then compile.
Paris: That’s a good idea. I do the same. See, it’s no wonder you’re my blogging guru ;P
One more thing – if sending out Media Kits, make sure its in .pdf format 😉
bravo for writing this post! Unfortunately, PR in msia is no match with those you have there. And and, I believe quite a number of blogs here started out with an ‘intention’ anyway.
Xin: I was mentally preparing myself for any whiplash from this post. Didn’t want my readers to think that this is just for getting free stuff from PRs, which is completely NOT the case. I’m glad and relieved that it’s been received well so far 🙂
wow i dint even know there is a ‘beauty blogger media kit’ lol thanks for the great tip!
xoxo elle
Elle: To tell you the truth, I had no idea either until a few months ago. I read somewhere about it, googled it, and woah, so many bloggers have one! So typical me, kiasu as ever, gotta have one too! 😀
*cheering*
Great job, Tine!! This is so spot on and very much required reading. I shall be referring this post on to everyone who asks me about approaching PRs.
Kimmi: Aww thanks Kimmi. Coming from you, that’s a huge compliment 🙂
Great post! PR’s are a hard nut to crack for many different angles of their role I have noticed. It’s good to know what they are looking for and the best way to work with them
Belinda: Thanks Belinda! At the end of the day, PRs have their jobs to do, quotas to fill. It bodes well for them to know the blogger and blog they’re working with. This helps 🙂
SUCH a great post Tine <3 <3 🙂 You are encouraging me to eventually get off my lazy ass and make one !
Celina: Bahahahaha! Anything I can do to, er, help? 😛
Thanks so much for doing this post- such good help for noobs like me 🙂
Jen: From the things you’re doing on your blog, I don’t think anyone can tell you’re new. You’re such a pro! 🙂
Thanks for this post, I was just thinking about putting together a media kit for my blog. 🙂
Gio: My pleasure Gio. Do Google for examples. I didn’t think there were any by beauty bloggers till I did the almighty Google 😛
This is such a helpful post Tine! I have bookmarked it for when I get to my own media kit. Looks like I have finally found my blogging guru 🙂 I am learning so much from you….thanks!
Harshleen recently posted..Beauty Bites For Dove Diaries
Harshleen: Aww it’s an honour to be known as someone’s blogging guru, so I really appreciate that 😀
Hi! I have been stuck on your site for the last hour taking notes with all of the advice you’ve given out. I have been doing non-stop research on taking my beauty and fashion blog to the next level, and your tips and notes have helped me a lot. Sometimes I do get intimidated by how long “seasoned” bloggers have been at this, getting products to review with no problems, and well known brands practically begging to be featured on their blog. My question is, once you’ve started taking things serious, how long does it take for your blog to get to that level? I want to be practical knowing that it will take some time before I any monetization, but how long should I be expecting? Thanks so much & can’t wait to hear back from you!
McKenzie 🙂
McKenzie: Hi McKenzie! Aww thanks, and I hope my tips helped. I guess it depends by what you mean by ‘seasoned’ bloggers. There are bloggers who have been blogging for a long time and are recognised, and there are also bloggers who blogged for less than a year and achieved the same (if not more) achievements and accolades as the ones who blogged much longer. Either way, it pretty much boils down to the passion you have for blogging, and what your objectives are.
If you’re interested in monetising your blog (nothing wrong with that), then give it about 6 months and more to build up your readership. After that, start reaching out to brands and introducing your blog. Unless you’re uber popular, a lot of brands don’t really care about you unless you’ve reached a certain amount of traffic, which would interest them. I’d say give yourself at least 6 months and see where you are 🙂
Hope that helps. x
You are awesome 🙂 Thanks for replying back so fast! (Another tip I learned from you…always respond to comments lol, I’m getting better at a timelier response for that on my blog as well hehe)
McKenzie Harris recently posted..Simple. Clean. Classic <3
Hi Tine! I love your Bloggie Wednesday series, and every Wednesday I read the current one plus a few from the past. I am very new at beauty blogging (though I’ve had personal blogs since 2004), and your posts are both educational and inspirational. I don’t feel ready yet to contact PR, because I’m still finding my voice, building content and slowly trying to be part of the community (I love Aussie bloggers!). But I’m definitely making a mental note of all the wonderful tips that you’re sharing. Thank you!!!
Jos recently posted..Sigma The Cities Paris Brush Set Review
Jos: Thanks very much for your words of encouragement. It really spurs me on to want to do better. All the best in your blogging journey! 🙂 xx
Thanks for the wonderful post! such a help for me 🙂
Sarvin Sidhu recently posted..DIY : Mango-Yogurt Mask ( for combination or oily skin)
My pleasure! If you’re interested, I’ve written an eBook explaining this further. It’s free to download 🙂
http://www.beautyholicsanonymous.com/ebook-a-beauty-bloggers-media-kit/