Using Sponsored Posts and Reviews to Monetize Your WordPress Blog

Sponsored posts and reviews are one of the most lucrative ways to monetize a WordPress site. If you have a blog with engaged readers, brands may be willing to pay you to feature their products or services. This guide will walk you through how to attract sponsorships, set your rates, and write high-quality sponsored content that benefits both your audience and advertisers.

What Are Sponsored Posts and Reviews?

A sponsored post is a blog article that a company pays you to write and publish on your website. It can be a product review, a tutorial featuring their product, or an informative post that subtly promotes their brand.

A sponsored review is a detailed evaluation of a product or service, often including its benefits, drawbacks, and real-world use. Brands sponsor these reviews to gain credibility and exposure.

Why Brands Pay for Sponsored Content

Exposure to a targeted audience.
Increased brand trust through influencer recommendations.
Improved SEO through backlinks from authority websites.

How to Attract Sponsored Post Opportunities

Before you can get sponsorships, you need to make your site attractive to brands.

1. Grow Your Blog’s Traffic & Engagement

Create high-quality, niche-relevant content.
Optimize your posts for SEO to rank higher in search engines.
Engage with your audience through comments and social media.

2. Build a Strong Online Presence

Increase your social media following.
Build an email list to show brands that you have a dedicated audience.
Establish authority in your niche by guest posting and networking.

3. Create a ‘Work with Me’ Page

Having a sponsorship page on your site makes it easier for brands to reach out. Include:

An introduction about your blog and audience demographics.
Examples of previous sponsored posts (if available).
Pricing and types of sponsorship opportunities.
Contact details.

4. Join Sponsored Content Marketplaces

If you don’t want to wait for brands to find you, sign up for platforms that connect bloggers with sponsors, such as:

Cooperatize – Connects bloggers with travel and lifestyle brands.
IZEA – A marketplace for bloggers, influencers, and brands.
TapInfluence – Ideal for bloggers with high engagement.
Blog Meets Brand – A platform for bloggers in multiple niches.

How Much Should You Charge for Sponsored Posts?

Pricing depends on your traffic, niche, and engagement rate. Here are some general guidelines:

New bloggers (under 10,000 monthly views): $50 – $150 per post.
Mid-level bloggers (10,000 – 50,000 monthly views): $200 – $500 per post.
High-traffic bloggers (50,000+ monthly views): $500 – $2,000+ per post.

Other factors to consider:

Whether you’re writing the content or publishing pre-written content.
If social media promotion is included.
The complexity of the post (research, photography, etc.).

How to Write High-Quality Sponsored Posts & Reviews

1. Be Honest & Transparent

Disclose sponsored content to comply with FTC guidelines (e.g., add #ad or “This post is sponsored by [Brand]”).
Provide a balanced review—mention both positives and any limitations.
Only promote products you genuinely believe in.

2. Make It Engaging & Valuable

Don’t just write an ad—make the content useful to your readers.
Include real-life examples of how the product/service benefits you.
Use high-quality images or videos to improve credibility.

3. Optimize for SEO

Use relevant keywords so the post ranks well in search engines.
Include internal links to other related content on your site.
Avoid excessive promotional language—Google may penalize overly commercial content.

4. Promote the Sponsored Post

Share the article on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.).
Send it to your email subscribers to drive traffic.
Engage with readers by responding to comments.

Legal Considerations for Sponsored Content

FTC Disclosure: Clearly state that the post is sponsored.
No-Follow Links: To comply with Google guidelines, sponsored links should be tagged as “nofollow” (unless the brand explicitly requests otherwise).
Contracts: If working with larger brands, have a written agreement outlining the terms, payment, and expectations.

Alternative Ways to Monetize with Sponsored Content

Sponsored Social Media Posts – Brands may pay you to promote their product on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.
Sponsored Newsletter Mentions – Feature a brand in your email newsletter for a fee.
Sponsored Giveaways – Collaborate with brands to run contests that drive engagement.

Conclusion

Sponsored posts and reviews are a great way to monetize your WordPress site while providing valuable content to your audience. By growing your traffic, establishing credibility, and following best practices, you can attract sponsorships and turn blogging into a profitable business.