ProBlogger Guest Post: y Travel Blog Corporate Sponsorship Case Study
Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Mojito Mother, Caz Makepeace about her blog’s corporate sponsorship deal with major international airline, Qantas.
The valuable content contained in this interview, formed the case study I provided in my ProBlogger Guest Post:
7 Powerful Reasons Why Companies Will Pay For You To Blog
In addition to two beautiful daughters, y Travel Blog is Caz’s third baby, which she created with her husband, Craig.
Through this intrepid couple, 
Qantas was lucky enough to access y Travel Blog’s community of over 50,000 monthly visitors, as well as their thousands of highly engaged social media followers and subscribers.
In return for a 12-day, all expenses paid, luxury tour of New Zealand, covering the high profile, Rugby World Cup international sporting event (in support of the Australian Wallabies, of course!)…
Caz and Craig blogged, tweeted and updated their facebook fanpage about their experiences.
These blogging pioneers will be speaking at the upcoming ProBlogger Training Day in Melbourne on 21 October 2011, about how they formed their corporate partnership.
However, you can get an exclusive preview in my interview, right here:
(If you have any questions for Caz and Craig after listening to the podcast, I’m sure they won’t mind answering you in the Comments section below.)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this interview, Caz speaks very generously and candidly, about:
How they built their blog, without any previous professional writing, blogging or publishing experience, in just over a year.
The secrets behind their impressive traffic statistics.
The details of how Caz and Craig gained the attention of this major international brand.
What both parties, the brand and the blog, were looking for from the relationship.
Why it is possible to secure a corporate deal, just by showing up.
The top 3 things you can do TODAY, to work towards securing corporate sponsorship.
The top 3 things to focus on over the long-term, to work towards securing corporate sponsorship.
Note: Since this interview, y Travel Blog monthly visitor numbers have increased significantly.
(As a mummy blogger, I do have a valid excuse explaining why there’s a short interruption from a crying baby during the interview!)
Listen to the interview, here:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
SPECIAL THANKS to Mrs Woog from Woogsworld and Lorraine Murphy from Naked Communications for being very helpful sources of information for my ProBlogger guest post.
Written by Lina Nguyen
Mother’s Love Letters © 2011
See also: Why We Love Mummy Bloggers & Why Companies Are Paying Attention
See also: ProBlogger Darren Rowse on Fatherhood & Blogging
See also: 7 Compelling Reasons Why Mothers Are Excellent Bloggers
25 Responses to ProBlogger Guest Post: y Travel Blog Corporate Sponsorship Case Study
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Thanks so much Lina for interviewing me and featuring us in your post both on here and Problogger. It was fun and I hope the information will be helpful to other bloggers.
You are doing and amazing job and I love how much you want to help others.
I can’t Thank You enough for your continual support and encouragement, Caz. What a pleasure for me, to share your journey with others. Can’t wait to see you speak at ProBlogger Training Day!
Absolutely amazing what Caz and Craig have achieved in just 12 months. They are an absolute inspiration to all bloggers.
Thanks so much for sharing this with your readers Lina.
Jan
Yes, they really are an inspiration. Their blog has been going now for… I think 17 months. At the time they got the Qantas deal, the blog was just a little over a year old. Thanks for your support, Jan. Caz and Craig really are incredibly humble and would be very grateful for your words. Lina
Hi Lina,
This is amazing. You have shared so much information, and have the most amazing interview skills. Listening to you and Caz Makepeace explain about why blogs are attraching the corporate sponsorships is amazing. It has given me so much motivation. This has opened up my eyes to so much
Cheers
Lisa
Hi Lisa. It’s really wonderful to know this information has made a difference to you.
I can’t wait to see you and your family with a major corporate sponsorship deal soon.
Glad you weren’t too turned off by my baby in the background! LOL!
Do you know – if I hadnt read about your baby being in the background, I wouldnt have even notice. The other thing about hearing your baby – it goes to show that you are a Mum, and you have a family, and your are human. It was a nice personal touch
Thank you
Cheers
Lisa
LOL, Thank you so much, Lisa. Glad you understand!
Cheers for the interview Lina (and thanks to Caz for agreeing). I think the point about balancing commercial posts with informative posts is very important – especially for sites that you put your full reputation behind. By coming across as someone who is genuinely helpful you are more likely to reflect the values that attract corporate brands.
Cheers for taking the time to listen to what Caz has to share, David. I value your opinion on this: What do you think is the “right balance” of sponsored posts versus “informative posts”? Do you think they’re mutually exclusive? What would turn you off on a sponsored post, from a blog that you had been following for some time?
Thank you Lina for sharing the interview, it was truly inspirational. It is incredible what Caz and Craig have achieved in such a short time. Boy, I will never underestimate the importance of social media.
I’m glad you got something out of it, Kerry. Yes, they truly are inspirational. They work about 30 hours EACH, a week on their blog. They take it very seriously, are incredibly passionate and committed. Big action takers, is a key thing I’ve learnt about them.
I am writing before I listen…not really cheating, but I love evening time when I get to read via my google reader.
It is clear to me, Lina, that you are already putting so much time and effort into creating a wonderful & fulfilling on-line space. There are many bloggers, and there are many blogs.
Yours shines with the personality and traits of success already within you. I wish you blessings for the wondrous real life journey in mothering. Your son is lucky to have you for his mama. Denyse XX
Denyse, the blogosphere – and the planet – is craving for more people like you.
Like little bees – quiet but busy in the background – spreading your kindness from one place to another, working so selflessly to leave a footprint of love and joy.
As a blogger, I know you can appreciate the work that goes into delivering our messages.
And how, just the smallest acknowledgement and kind words, can keep us going, at times when we feel like pulling the plug altogether.
THANK YOU, for stopping by and and sharing your love with me and my piece of creation. I really, really appreciate it.
I really, really appreciate you.
Lina
It’s amazing Lina that you are spending so much of your time to put up so much information that would help other people. Your interview was excellent as well. Keep up the good work and I’m sure you are on your ways to success!
Wilson
Thanks, Wilson. It’s hard to keep something as great as Caz’s knowledge and kindness to myself. I do feel I had a responsibility to share it with others.
Fantastic interview … this couple is an inspiration to us all!
Thanks for leaving your comment, Bronnie. I’m sure Caz and Craig will really appreciate it. And so do I
.
Hi Lina and Caz,
Lovely to hear your voices – and baby:) What a great time to be blogging, I’m excited too there is huge potential for bloggers in all niches, thanks for inspiring us!
Can’t wait to meet you both at the Problogger conf!
x A
Thanks, Annabel! Yes, all this pre-conference hype! We better make sure we see each other!
Congrats on securing your amazing sponsor for ProBlogger Training Day. They’re very lucky to have you.
Lina
Brilliant post and I must say I’m inspired by all your wonderful comments, how lovely are you? – very lovely
I’m great thanks, Nathalie!
Being inspired is always a great thing. Thanks for stopping by.
Lina
Hi I cant seem to play the podcast, the link doesn’t work. Is there anywhere else I can listen to it? thanks
Hi Chris
I’m sorry you’re having trouble with this. Let me sort it out and I’ll get back to you soon.
Thanks for letting me know.
Lina