There are a bundle of different programs for Bloggers that provide compensation and community out there. Influenster is a relatively new-ish one is Canada, but already making its mark.

Although they don’t provide compensation for reviews and exposure, there is still a benefit in being involved with their platform.

“If there is no money” you ask “what could the value be?”

As with any industry practice makes perfect.  You can’t expect to walk into your first job and start managing the place and pulling in a salary and benefits.

Ditto with our industry.  New bloggers need practice, and not just “practice writing” but actual, in the trenches practice writing for and engaging with brands. Influenster provides one opportunity, with specific directions and suggestions for bloggers to start supporting brand messages, via product compensation.

Not only is this giving you the chance to have brand messaging on your site, and the opportunity to “find your voice” in communicating that messaging, but you also get to play nationally with influencers supporting the same hashtags.

Bloggers playing “in” the industry, visibly with brands, opens the door for other brands to reach out to you.

Because there is a big “grey” area there in brands approaching bloggers as well!  Many times bloggers aren’t in the monetization field and are highly offended when a brand reaches out.  And you probably know how it feels to be rebuffed once and scared to try again.

Check out Influester, sign up for a free account on their platform and start engaging with their program and see if you can get included on one of their “VoxBox” review programs!  You never know what will happen, and if all you do is expand your network, well that alone can be a great thing.