Pitching a brand for the first time can be intimidating- especially when it is a cold pitch! Luckily I have put together my top tips to increase your chances of not only getting a response back, but landing a paid partnership.
1. Follow the Brand on Social Media
Before pitching any brand, click the “follow” button on their social media pages. It is an easy way to show that you are invested in their content, especially if you want to start working with them. Plus, once you send them your handle, brands will most likely check out your Instagram pages and it can only work in your favor when they see “follow back” instead of “follow”.
2. Engage with the Brand on Social Media
Once you have followed the brand, start engaging with their social media accounts. This means leaving likes and comments on their IG posts and even responding to their stories. This helps to “warm up” the person running their social media account so that when you do ultimately pitch them they recognize your name.
3. Promote the Brand Organically
Before reaching out to pitch, promote the brand to your page organically. This could mean mentioning their handle in your IG stories or even posting them to your page. This is beneficial for two reasons. First, it shows that you are truly a fan of the brand. It also is a way to show off how interested your audience would be in the product. Get your audience engaged by creating a series of polls that you can use during your pitch.
The second reason to tag a brand organically is to get on their radar. I have had brands reach out to me after tagging them in my stories to offer me a gift card to their store and even to collaborate. Many brands will greatly appreciate the free publicity you give them.
4. Have a Case Study
A great way to stand out from other influencers and to showcase your influence is to present your pitch with a case study. A case study is a breakdown of the numbers from a past collaboration with a similar brand. For example, how many people the collaboration reached, how many people engaged in the posts, how many people used the affiliate code, and more. They can be created and customized for any niche and are a great way for influencers with a smaller audience to really show off their value!
If you are interested in learning more about how to create a case study, we dive deep into this topic and many more in the Influencer Basics Course.
5. Email Your Pitch
When sending a pitch, make sure to send it through email. Sending an email is an easy way to look professional and helps brands to take you seriously. If you are not sure of the company’s correct email address, feel free to send them a DM on social media to ask.
For more tips on how to find the correct PR contacts, check out this post.
If you found this post helpful and want to learn more about how to get paid to work with brands, we dive deeper into this topic in the “How to Land Your 1st Paid Brand Collab” mini course. You can also find the most up to date programs and courses to help you design your influencer career here.
