If you have clicked on this post, you have most likely built up an audience on social media and are now wondering how to get paid to work with your favorite brands. Well you have come to the right place! Influencer marketing is an increasingly popular way for brands to get their products in front of a targeted audience and many companies are often looking for influencers to promote their products. If you would like to know how to position yourself to be one of those influencers, keep reading.
On the flip side, if you are a brand looking for tips on how to approach influencers check out this post.
What is Influencer Marketing?
Influencer marketing is when a brand hires a social media influencer, a person with an audience on a social media platform, to promote their product or service.
Why Brands With Influencers
Influencer marketing is a great way for brands to get their product in front of a targeted audience. Influencers spend a lot of time building an audience in a specific niche and are generally known to be experts in their field. People look to travel influencers for vacation ideas and to mommy bloggers for tips on how to navigate life with children. In general, people are more likely to check out a product recommended by an influencer that they love and trust over a pop up ad on their screen.
Why You Should Reach Out to Brands
There are three main reasons why you should be reaching out to brands as an influencer. The first reason is that many new or smaller brands would love to have their products reach a wider audience, but they don’t know how to take the first step. Don’t be afraid to send them a pitch email detailing how you can help them and how you can work together. I have messaged many companies who have been grateful to receive my email.
The second reason you should be reaching out to brands is simply to let them know that you exist. While brands and PR companies do their best to find influencers to work with, there are millions of accounts on the internet for them to sort through. If there is a particular brand in your niche that you are interested in collaborating with don’t be afraid to send them an email. Even if they don’t have a budget to work with you right now, you have put yourself on their radar and often they will reach out to you when they have a collaboration you are a fit for.
The third reason you should be reaching out to brands is to start monetizing on the value that you are providing to your audience. I know how much hard work and dedication goes in to each and every one of your posts and you deserve to get paid! While this may take time, just remember that your posts have value.
Related: How To Grow an Engaged Social Media Audience
How To Approach a Brand as an Influencer
One of the mistakes that many influencers make is to write a pitch about how a collaboration would help them vs how a collaboration would help the brand. Brands are not interested in how they can help you, they want to grow their business. When a company chooses to work with you, they are investing in you and your audience to help spread awareness about their products and increase sales.
As an influencer, the reason people follow you is because they trust you and they like your message. Keep this in mind when you approach a brand. You will have more luck landing the collaboration if you focus on the value your audience can provide and your ability to help them with their sales goals.
Related: 9 Mistakes to Avoid Making as an Influencer
Show the Brand How You Can Help Them
No matter what the size of your audience is, most brands are happy to work with influencers who can help them grow their company. Even if you only have 50 very engaged followers, that is still 50 potential people who could be interested in purchasing what the brand has to offer!
When pitching a company, you should always include your media kit. Your media kit should include information about your audience, past examples of your work, and your statistics from previous posts. Remember to work the statistics in your favor. Do you have a mostly female audience in a particular age range that would be interested in the clothing brand? Do the majority of your followers live near a particular restaurant that you want to work with? Let them know!
If a brand tells you they don’t have a budget to work with influencers, ask them if they would be willing to set up an affiliate code for you. This way they will be able to track the activity coming from your audience and see the value your page offers. Often once they see the value you provide by promoting their company, they may be willing to work with you in the future.
Learn more about How To Pitch a Brand as a Microinfluencer here.
Pitch Brands an Idea of How to Collaborate
One of the ways a pitch can fall short is to say that you would love to collaborate, but fail to provide information as to how. Don’t make the brand do the work for you! If you know they have a new product coming out or will be launching a new spring clothing line, offer suggestions as to how you can help them spread awareness.
Keep Your Pitch Short
One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received is to keep pitches short, especially if it is a cold pitch. Brands and PR companies know why you are emailing them. They know that you want to work together. What they don’t have is all day to read through a lengthy email from you as to why you should work together. Be respectful of their time.
Keep your pitch concise and to the point. Give them your statistics and a brief elevator pitch as to who you are and what you do. You can also include your media kit to provide them with more relevant information. If they are interested in working with you, you will hear from them.
Write a Catchy Subject Line
One of the most overlooked items of pitching a brand is the subject line. I will admit, I struggled with this for years! You want to make the subject line personal and enticing to open. Let the brand know what you are looking for in the subject.
Examples of email subject lines I have received lately are:
“Interview Opportunity: _ (Insert the article pitch here)_ “
“(Brand name) Would love to connect to see how we can collaborate!”
From a hotel: “Reiki Retreat in VT This Valentine’s Day”
Event Invitation: “You’re Invited: (Name of Event)”
Or simply “(Company name) + (Influencer Name) Collaboration” or “Working Together (Company Name) + (Influencer Name)”
Final Thoughts
Remember, at the end of every email is a real person. Start each email with a first name if you know it and be polite. Show them you have done a little research about their company and make your pitches personal if possible.
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If you found this article on how to pitch brands helpful and want to learn more about how to land PAID collaborations, we dive deeper into this topic here. You can also check out my latest up to date courses and free resources to grow your business as an influencer and entrepreneur here.
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