Last Saturday we shared a bunch of Small Business and discounts to encourage you to support them during this time of economic uncertainty. And today, I wanted to shed light on another kind of small business--content creators. Chris Loves Julia employs and supports 8 different families (we're a small business!) and I know so many other bloggers, instagrammers, influencers, youtubers--we'll call them all content creators--employ photographers, graphic designers, editors, accountants, crafters, stylists, etc. to put content out on a consistent basis.
During this pandemic, we're all digesting more web content than ever, but like many other jobs, content creators are having to shift gears. The creators who make the content you love are able to do so through the generous support of sponsors and affiliate revenue from the products you love and buy with your hard-earned money. Some sponsorships have been put on hold. Some have dissolved. Understandably, we’re all a little more cautious with our spending, so some have seen affiliate marketing decrease. The good news is that there are a lot of FREE ways to support your favorite content creators (and keep them making the content you love!). Consider supporting the online creators you love most by:
- Like/Comment on Instagram photos. If it makes you pause, like it. If it makes you smile, leave a comment!
- Share accounts, individuals and projects that inspire and wow you! (You don't have to be an "influencer" to share the love. It makes our day every time.)
- Tag the source in the first line of a photo you share. This photo by @__________ should not be hidden or after the fold.
- Turn on post notifications so you don't miss a thing!
- Visiting the actual website. While Instagram and other social platforms don't have a built in way for creators to monetize, we make change every time anyone goes to chrislovesjulia.com. Every. time.
- Tag A Friend in the comments on Instagram. It's the fastest way to introduce new people to what caught your eye.
- Disable Ad Blockers. Not only does this prevent creators from receiving any compensation for their work, but it has started blocking sponsored posts as well! Which, in our case, are some beefy, informative posts like painting cabinets and over-grouting our fireplace. Sponsors jump in and pay for these projects so we can keep working.
- Enable cookies. These track your activity so that the next time you DO buy something (say, on Amazon), if your search started with a link on a blog, the creator earns a small commission with no extra cost to you.
- Make Your Purchase Through An Affiliate Link. Not everything you'll buy online is affiliated, but did you know that buying something through your favorite creator's affiliate link won't cost you any extra? Brands love affiliate marketing because they only pay if something is actually purchased and they build it into their marketing budgets like any other kind of advertising.
- Leave comments. Tell us what you think! This is a community built on support and we love hearing your feedback.
- Click on links. This is how our brand partners measure your interest and our success. We try to code EVERY link to open in a new tab so you'll never miss your spot.
- Subscribe to the YouTube channel if they have one. And then pop some popcorn, and watch some great content :)
- Join the mailing list. A lot of your favorite creators have a weekly newsletter with bonus content. (Have you signed up for Love Letter?) We NEVER ever ever give your email to anyone else. It's just a way for us to stay connected with you in case other outlets go kaput, and provide more exclusive content (and highlighting some old favorites from the archives).
We have some great content planned in the coming weeks and appreciate all of your active support! This is a community and we're so glad you're here!
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I appreciate this post. I so appreciate the content you create and you've helped to explain how I can show you all my appreciation! Thanks!
Informative post, thank you for all the great content you create. It's allowed me to dream again and recognize the passion I have for all things design.
Be safe and keep up the good work!
I will do what I can to support you and other consistent bloggers. As a UK resident I cannot often buy your recommended items, and regularly cannot even see what you are talking about because the link leads to a dead end ( retailers who are too spooked by our EU mandated privacy laws).
Thank you for your very clear explanation of your business model, and I wish you and all other self employed people success in maintaining your income. You have a family and employees depending on you.
I would like to leave you honest and constructive criticism. I'm a long time, daily reader who clicks on referral links and purchases your recommendations. I laughed thru "CLJ-cottage gate" and supported your choice in $7k credenza. This post feels like a blatant money grab. You've prided yourself on organic growth of followers, you should trust your readers will come back to your sites. This won't get approved to be posted, but I want to make sure someone on your team reads this.
First, thank you for coming along for the ride! We appreciate your loyalty and perspective, and feedback is such an important tool for making our content better — so we love your willingness to share your two cents. But, eeks! Definitely not going for a "money grab." We're all navigating uncertain waters, and our job, like so many jobs, is being weighed against what is essential. We know from the engagement we've seen recently that so many of our followers are spending more time online and scrolling through social media, more than ever. But the economy isn't where it was a month ago. If without spending ANY money, you could support your favorite restaurant, ensuring that it would still be making your favorite foods when all of this was over, wouldn't you? If you could save your cash but still support your local bookstore through this time — you totally would! This blog post is meant to be a tool for fans and followers of all great online content. We want to make sure our fellow content creators are seeing the love and are properly supported so that the incredible work that they do doesn't go away. Of course, we hope to earn the honor of sticking around for another decade ourselves! So if any of these free avenues of support resonate with you, we'd be so grateful by your efforts.
P.S. The credenza was actually $3,691, and it's 20% off now with the code CLJ20 ;)
Have all your revenue streams dried up overnight?
I'm assuming it's pretty bad. Half the population is losing their jobs and no one is buying anything.
It's tough out there. We're all feeling it, for sure. We're staying home, staying healthy. We hope this blog will serve as a resource for supporting content creators without spending any money.
I work in at a hospital in NYC. Things are so bad. Hundreds of new patients a day. Staff is getting sick so the remaining staff is overworked then they get sick. We probably have two months until the numbers start coming down. In about four weeks the rest of the country will be like here. The virus is so contagious.
Wishing you well.
I love to read your blog on slowly Saturday mornings. It’s my coffee time before the day starts. Your blog in so inspiring, even if it’s only for watching how amazing work you are doing with your new house. I live outside of Madrid in an apartment, not much I can do with the space but watching you make me dream.
Hope everything will turn well for you, and thank you for posting while staying home.
I love to read your blog on slowly Saturday mornings. It’s my coffee time before the day starts. Your blog is so inspiring, even if it’s only for watching how amazing work you are doing with your new house. I live outside of Madrid in an apartment, not much I can do with the space but watching you make me dream.
Hope everything will turn well for you, and thank you for posting while staying home.
This is awesome! Thanks so much =]
I love everything you do!! Its amazing how you can see things and then pull it together for the rest of us!
In terms of posts could you update the 'shop our house' section to include your new house too? Or even a 'tour our house' section? I struggle to find posts that were put up a while ago and always want to go back to them!
We're working on this for you, Jo!
Sometimes I will go to your blog from Instagram stories, then read it again in a larger format. I guess that’s a good thing! I’ve been a reader for many years (and podcast listener when you were recording that). Thank you for your quality content and beautiful blog. I appreciate it even more nowadays. I’ll be sure to keep clicking through and liking posts on yours and my other favorite blogs & Instagram.
I love what you guys do!