via Black Enterprise

Since I've started blogging, I've learned that it can truly become a business if you work it right. I ran across this really great article that I thought would be very helpful to some of you who are bloggers working on building your brand and turning your blog into a lucrative business.

Many bloggers admit their blog started off as simply a hobby and another way to explore their passion. But what happens when you realize your blog has a competitive following, and are ready to cash in? For some bloggers, taking that platform to the next level will require partnering with big-name brands. Aligning your blog with a brand doesn’t have to be a big-to-do. Follow these 4 steps and watch the brand partnership grow into a seamless union.

Leave a lasting impression 

Brands will be scouting out your blog, so remember that first impressions are everything. Invest in having an aesthetically pleasing website. People tend to like the way things look and function. (It’s one of the many reasons Apple continues to thrive in the technology space.) Afterwards, make sure the quality of your interactions and content match your new creation.

Consistency will seal the deal 

Bloggers, you want to make sure the brand you’d like to work with knows this is more than a hobby; hence, it starts with consistency. Create a content calendar. While you will have your franchise-styled content running regularly, be flexible as opportunities for impromptu stories always arise. If you are going to be traveling, schedule posts to go live in your absence. Brands want to know you’re not going to let the ball drop.

Is the brand right for you? 

Black Blogger Month 2011’s Patrice Yursik, widely-known as Afrobella, provided a wealth of knowledge on this topic during the Blogging While Brown panel entitled “Next Level Sister Bloggers,” sponsored byBlogHer. "Look at the brands that align with your blog,” said the Chicago-based blogger. “Which brands fit in with your aesthetic? Which brand collaboration makes the most sense? Which brands do you like and use?" When asking yourself these questions, be honest. You know your audience and content best, so only you can make the final decision on what works for your brand.

Be prepared

It’s the big day and you’re about to meet with the brand of choice. You have a media kit, right? When approaching a well-established brand, they are expecting you to come correct with your analytics in order and media kit handy. "Be very clear on who you are, what your goal is, and who your audience is,” said Maria Niles, client services director at BlogHer. “And understand the value that you have, and [what] you can bring to your partners…understand the brand and who their audience is, what their message is, and how they are working to market themselves, so you understand if you fit with this brand."

This information is crucial because it gives your soon-to-be partners a better sense of your audience, reach, and engagement. If your site’s metrics are low, highlight your social media engagement and reach. Don’t let those Facebook,Twitter or Pinterest posts go to waste!