If you’re looking to take your blog from hobby to profitable side hustle or even full-time career check out these 11 Blogging Networks That Pay and Which One’s I’ve Actually Used.
When I first started blogging I was at a loss for how to turn my new “hobby” into a full-time income. It was not until a network reached out to me on Instagram inviting me to join did I even know networks existed.
I signed up, took their free course on how to apply for campaigns, submitted several applications, and to my surprise landed my first campaign about 3 weeks later. I think it paid about $250 for a blog post and 6 social shares. Looking back at all the work I did, I realize now I was totally underpaid but hey, we all have to start somewhere right.
After I had a few campaigns under my belt I set out to search for more. I currently only work with a handful of networks as I focus more on pitching brands and PR agencies more than anything else. At one point, however, I was registered with over 40 networks! My advice to those starting out is to register with as many as you can then weed them out once you see which ones you like the most. You will have your favorites and if they like you and your work, they will keep you busy.
If you’re looking to sign up with a few networks to test out the waters, here is a list of a few I have worked with and loved. I’m even sharing why I liked them!
Blogging Networks Every Blogger Should Sign Up With
Activate
I debated even adding them to the list because although I have applied for well over 50 campaigns with them, I have only worked with them a handful of times. What I like about Activate is also what I hate about Activate. They allow you to set your own rate which can be good or bad.
When I was a new blogger I had no idea what to charge so I set my rate lower than I should have for the amount of work I did. On the flip side, now that I have more experience I feel I rarely get selected for campaigns because my rates are too high. This means I used to waste a lot of time applying for campaigns I had zero chances of being selected for which was annoying.
My one piece of advice is to sign up anyway even if you don’t plan on actually applying for campaigns. The handful of campaigns I have gotten from them has mostly been from them picking me (without ever applying). Sign up and just keep your profile updated.
My favorite campaign with Greenlight Financial. Activate works with Instagram-only and TikTok Only accounts as well as Bloggers and Youtubers. They also have a lot of event opportunities. They pay Net90 but I have been able to negotiate Net30 direct with brands.
Social Fabric
I’ll be honest, Social Fabric is known for paying extremely low $500 for an IG and IG Stories campaign and $800 for a blog post. Their rates are based on your follower count however even with my numbers being in the 100k range they still pay awful.
The one thing I do like about Social Fabric is they have some pretty fun campaigns and TONS of food campaigns. if your niche is food, Social fabric is a must. The campaign managers are really nice and responsive and are happy to answer questions. They offer tools and information on how to best land campaigns and they pay quickly (Net 30) as well as advance you part of the money upfront to cover the product. I’ve never had an issue with being paid in time with Social Fabric.
What I sometimes hate about social fabric is they will send you on a wild goose chases looking for the product when it would have been much easier to mail it. I once drove to 8 different Walmarts looking for a product that they later ended up mailing because it was sold out nationwide. Needless to say, I was annoyed.
One thing to be cautious about with Social Fabric is they are extremely picky with deliverables so make sure you are following the brief exactly with them. Also be prepared for revisions, possibly rounds of revisions. I have done over 100 campaigns with social fabric and I don’t think I’ve ever had a campaign that didn’t require a revision. They will pay for reshoots but they make you ask so be prepared to speak up.
My favorite campaign with them was for the Samsung Galaxy Note S9+! Social Fabric works with Instagram-only and TikTok Only accounts as well as Bloggers. They pay Net30
We Are Women Online
If you’re looking to make a social impact through your blog, you will LOVE Women Online. They are super easy to work with, I’ve had no problem getting them to pay my rate, they pay on time and fairly quickly.
My only complaint about them is I don’t work with them often (maybe 4-5 times a year). Typically they reach out to me and tell me they have a campaign for me and ask if I’m interested. Easy, no pitching no filling out long applications. I’m not even sure how I got signed up with them but I’m happy I did. I have done a lot of campaigns around women’s health, parenting, and voting.
My favorite campaign with them was the Adverse childhood experiences or ACEs campaign. They flew me to Chicago for the weekend and I got to network with some awesome ladies who I’m still friends with to this day. Women Online works mostly with bloggers but I have gotten quite a few Facebook Live campaigns from them as well. They pay Net30 but I have always been paid much sooner.
Massive Sway
I used to LOVE Massive Sway and they are easily in my top five favorite networks. I’ve had a wide range of campaigns from them including events, speaking opportunities, blog campaigns, and video campaigns. They are easy to work with, offer decent pay for new bloggers and their campaigns are really fun.
They recently changed their application process and applying for campaigns is much faster. It used to be really time-consuming.
They seem to focus a lot on consumer products and food and I’ve seen lots of baby products. I’ve done several really fun in-person events with them and one where they even flew me to San Franciso for the day for lunch for a food brand.
My only gripe with them is they once used an image in their newsletter without my permission and I had to call them on it. They ended up paying me (once I sent them an invoice). That, combined with their rates being below my starting rates, I don’t work with them much anymore.
My favorite campaign with them was Starkist Tuna. Massive Sway works mostly with bloggers. They pay Net60
Popular Pays
I have a love-hate relationship with Popular Pays. If you love doing video, this is the platform for you. I love Popular Pays because they have awesome campaigns like BOSE, Cheetos, Starbucks, Uber, Scandisk, etc.
The people who make the most on popular pay are those who shoot video. I love Popular Pays because I have never had a problem getting my rate. I hate them because once they like you for one thing (ie video) it’s hard to get them to use you for anything else like just IG-only content. I also used to like that they paid Net 14 however that recently changed that and they now pay Net 30.
With Popular Pays most of the time you can also set your own rate, but what I really like about Popular Pays is if you bid too high and the brand wants to work with you they will contact you and attempt to negotiate. They also have a pretty good selection of fitness-type campaigns so, if you’re a health nut, you’ll want to check them out.
My only complaint with them is the campaigns tend to drag out. I’ve had several campaigns that were supposed to be done in 14 days drag out to 30 days.
My favorite campaign with them was Maruchan. Popular Pays works with mostly social-only accounts (Instagram and Tiktok) and commercial/video-only campaigns that you don’t have to post. Again, they are heavy on video content. They pay Net30
IZEA
IZIA is a wonderful network that’s ideal for beginning bloggers. You have up to five bids each month under the free plan. They have a great selection of campaigns that are perfect for new bloggers.
They work with mostly lifestyle brands and mommy bloggers, however, they do offer some travel opportunities as well. They recently added more payment options including the ability to get paid sooner by paying a fee.
My favorite campaign with them was Kashi. IZEA works with mostly lifestyle bloggers and handles both social-only accounts as well as bloggers. They pay Net30
Linqia
Linqia offers different ways to earn money on its platform. They offer a pay per click/view model where you are given a goal (for example 1000 clicks) and when you reach that goal you get a set payment (ie $500 etc).
After you have been with them for a while they also offer set rate campaigns where clicks don’t matter and you are paid based on content. I love working with Linquia because they tend to give you full control over the content ad don’t typically require drafts. They offer mostly food campaigns but I have seen a few technology-based campaigns as well. All are mostly for bloggers with very few social-only campaigns.
My favorite campaign with them was Calipower Pizza. IZEA works with mostly lifestyle and food bloggers and handles mostly blogging campaigns. They also pay super quick (They say NET30 but I’ve always been paid NET14)
Influence Central
I have a love-hate relationship with Influence Central because their pay is usually on the low end and their campaigns always require drafts and I’ve never been able to get by with less than 3 revisions which can get annoying. Their campaigns also require TONS of deliverables across all your platforms.
The main reason I work with them is they have some really good long-term high product value campaigns. My favorite campaign with them was Invisalign. The pay was low ($7,000 for 4 blog posts and 12 social shares) but I was not about to pass up $7,000 worth of free braces for Reese.
My favorite campaign with them was Invisalign. Influence Central works with mostly lifestyle, mommy, and food bloggers. They pay NET60
Takaumi
Takaumi is an app-based network so it only works on your phone which can be kind of annoying when you have other people pitching for you. Their campaigns are mostly lifestyle and I’ve seen everything from food, alcohol, travel, and fitness. They also tend to have several campaigns for male bloggers. They are super easy to work with. While they do require drafts that tend to give you control over what you deliver. Also applying is really easy (usually just click a button) which is great.
My favorite campaign with them was Frutly. Takaumi works with mostly Instagram and TikTok content creators in the lifestyle, mommy, fitness, and food niche. They pay NET14
AspireIQ
Aspire reminds me a lot of Activate in the sense of you can spend weeks applying for campaigns and never get accepted however when you do they are usually with quality brands and the pay is amazing. Some of my best partnerships (Purple, Lands End, Marriott, HP have all come from AspireIQ). With Aspire you are communicating directly with brands so feel free to negotiate your rate, payment terms, and almost anything else.
My favorite campaign with them was Smile Direct. AspireIQ works with nearly every niche and social account. They Pay NET30 but you can negotiate whatever terms you want.
Blog Meets Brand
Blog Meets Brand makes the list not because they have a ton of high-paying campaigns or even a lot for that matter. They make the list because they are super easy to work with and the account manager Ian is a total sweetheart. I get mostly campaigns for my daughter’s accounts from Blog Meets Brand. But I love that they typically don’t require drafts. Their campaigns range from anything from health and fitness to travel content that does not require travel.
My favorite campaign with them was Baby G. blog Mets Brand works with nearly every niche and is mostly for bloggers with a few social-only campaigns. They Pay NET90
The best blogging networks for new bloggers are ones that offer a variety of features to help you succeed. Whether you’re looking for access to exclusive content, opportunities to network with other influencers, or ways to grow your blog through SEO and social media tools, there is an option out there waiting for you! We recommend trying several different options before settling on one so that you don’t miss out on any potential opportunity.
