5 things I learned by creating a media kit

I've been learning about media kits and had been thinking about making one for a while, but I didn't think my blog was "big enough" to need a media kit. Then an opportunity to work with a company arose and they asked interested bloggers to send their media kits in. I knew if I wanted to try and get involved that it was time to make one. 

As I worked I started to really define why I blogged and what I wanted to blog about. I hadn't ever really wrote these things down and it gave me a lot more direction than I thought it would. I want to share the top 5 things I learned by creating my media kit.

1. The original focus of my blog wasn't driving me. When I started this blog I wanted to be an awesome fashion/shoe blogger like Sydney from The Daybook. What made blogging really difficult for me was that I didn't have the money to keep up with the trends. I've loved fashion blogging and I'm going to continue because it has helped me figure out how to express myself through my clothing, but it might not be the sole purpose of my blog. 

2. I needed to use my skills better. I studied journalism in college and that is my true passion. I love writing, but, again, when it came to the fashion posts I was trying to be someone I wasn't. I really enjoy writing the lifestyle and parenting aspects of my blog because it gives me a chance to really write. Not just be witty and talk about clothes. 

3. I needed to focus on my audience more. It's easy to think people don't care about what you blog about when you don't see thousands of followers, but I learned that this mindset can hold you back from growth. When you start looking at what your readers are interested in you'll be able to create better posts that will reach your audience on a deeper level. 

4. I need to set goals. Setting goals is such an important aspect in life and I wasn't bringing that to my blogging. I have a bad habit of not being consistent, and without clear goals for my blog and ultimately my business I wasn't going anywhere. Simply by creating my media kit I was making a goal to work with other companies. Now I have to set more goals so that companies want to work with me as well. 

5. Don't be afraid of the next step. While I was creating my media kit and writing emails to companies I wanted to work with I kept trying to talk myself out of doing it. I didn't want to be denied once I put myself out there. Finally I said to myself, "The worst thing is they can say no and nothing changes for you." Realizing that life would either stay the same or move forward helped me to push the send button and put myself out there. 

If you want to learn more about creating a media kit I suggest using this guide and then using this guide to draft your pitch emails. Jana at Life Could be a Dream is amazing and you should probably follow her blog while you're there. ;)