Even if you have an engaged audience, chances are that if you throw a sponsored post onto your feed without any context more than half your audience will keep scrolling. No one likes to feel like they are being sold to just so you can make a profit. Luckily there are a few ways you can draw your reader in so that when you introduce the sponsored product, they are already hooked.
1. Tell an Engaging Story
Start the post off by telling a personal story or a struggle you have had and how this product has helped you. Saying something like “I have taken these vitamins everyday and now I feel better” doesn’t always cut it. Have you struggled with gut health? Have you finally found a product to help you with chronic acne? Did you start a nutrition program to help you lose weight and keep it off? Tell your audience! The more personal you can make your story the better chance you have of having people relate to it.
2. Keep It On Brand
Possibly the worst thing you can do for your credibility is promote a product that is completely off brand. For example, if you have a wellness or nutrition account you wouldn’t want to start posting about a fast food chain or a soda company. Your audience would call BS! In order to sound genuine in your recommendations, make sure you only take on collaborations that would genuinely fit your niche.
3. Give Your Audience All the Facts
If there are pros and cons to the product you are promoting, tell them! Your audience will be more likely to trust you if you are transparent. For example, you can say things like “it may be a little expensive, but it is well worth the investment!” and tell them why. What makes this product unique? How is it different from the competitors? Give your audience all the information they could possibly need to make an informed decision.
4. Share Behind the Scenes Images
One of the best ways to show your audience that you actually use the product you are recommending is to show images and videos of you using the product. Show yourself working out to the workout app you are recommending or using those camera accessories you mentioned. Show yourself taking the vitamins each and every morning or cooking food using a particular kitchen tool. If someone sees you actually using the product, they are more likely to trust that your recommendation is genuine.
5. Show Your Audience How the Product Solves a Problem
Is there a specific problem that you know a lot of your audience struggles with? For example, how to keep your clothes organized when you travel? (Packing cubes!) Or how to get the wrinkles out of clothes that have been in your suitcase. (A steamer!) Tell your audience how the product you are recommending can solve a problem that they may have when they travel.
At the end of the day, if you want your audience to trust your recommendations, show them that you are only recommending products that you would use yourself.
If you found this helpful and want to learn more about how to create your dream career as an influencer and entrepreneur, click here.
