Have you ever found yourself wondering how to approach brands as an influencer? Or how to DM brands on Instagram to get paid brand collabs? If so, you’re in the right place! Learning how to approach brands as an influencer can open doors to exciting collaborations and lucrative partnerships. Whether you’re a macro influencer or a nano influencer just starting out, mastering the art of pitching brands is essential. In this guide, we’ll reveal proven strategies and insider tips to help you craft compelling brand pitches, make lasting impressions, and secure those coveted brand deals. Get ready to turn your passion into profit and build strong, mutually beneficial relationships with top brands. Let’s dive in and start making those connections!
11 St. Studio Influencer Agency
By the way, if you’re new here — welcome, I’m Jaye and I’m the creator of 11 St. Studio influencer agency and I’ve been helping influencers like you price their rates for brand deals, and negotiate brand contracts, since 2019. With that said, I recently launched a NEW webinar where I share exactly what goes into calculating rates for brand deals — IN DETAIL — because let me tell you, it is NOT a one-size fit’s all approach. And in that webinar I also reveal how to get your hands on my personal influencer rate calculator, because trust me when I say, it’s a MUST-HAVE if brands are asking for your rates.
Again, I reveal IT ALL in the webinar. So make sure to click the link below this video to join the webinar because I don’t want anyone (who’s interested in learning how to price their rates for brand deals the RIGHT way) to miss it.
How to Approach Brands as an Influencer
Ok, so back to the topic, how to approach brands as an influencer. By now I’m sure you’re aware that pitching brands via email is one of the smartest things an influencer can do to land paid brand deals. But did you know that sending them a DM on social media could actually be detrimental to your success? If you’re wondering how to DM brands on Instagram, that’s totally fine, but just be aware that Instagram DM’s are not always the best place to well…do business. And let’s face it, if you’re partnering with a brand to promote their products, that is a business transaction! So, wherever you can, try not to DM brands on Instagram regarding brand deals.
And, there’s a couple reasons for this. First, brands frequently mention that influencers are sending them DM’s on Instagram, Twitter and other social media platforms requesting to connect, and some are even pitching them via DM. And they’re quite honestly not thrilled about it. Are you one of them? If so, again, you may want to re-think this strategy. Why? Because it’s just not very professional, and let’s be real – you want your first impression to be 100% positive!
SO…if you’re serious about earning an income working with brands, you need to always (always) strive to act professionally! Regardless if you’re posting new photos, stories, video’s OR reaching out to brands to introduce yourself. Professionalism goes a long way in this industry! And, the influencers who put a lot of time, and thought and consideration into their brand outreach… and strive to connect with brands on the platform they do business on everyday (meaning. email + phone) are typically the ones who get noticed — and get the best brand deals!
SO…Think about it, how often do you reply to (or even acknowledge) the brands that leave comments on your posts to “send us a DM to collaborate”? Or, how often do you reply to the DM’s from brands that are clearly spam? If your answer is “never”, that’s understandable! Now think about it from a brand’s viewpoint. Do you want your first impression on a brand to be unprofessional? Or for a brand to view you as spammy? Probably not!
How to Approach Brands as an Influencer
SO, if you’re hoping to really impress them, and get those high paying collabs, I strongly suggest taking the time to send them an email. And, no — not to their general inbox! Instead, I suggest sending it directly to their marketing manager, their influencer manager, heck even their PR team.
These are the people who are working behind the scenes to create influencer campaigns -— not the social media manager behind their DM’s! Now, if for some reason you can’t find the brand’s marketing manager’s direct email address anywhere, then and only then, I suggest you send them a DM. However, please be as professional as possible and simply request the name and email of their marketing manager so that you can pitch them via email.
Otherwise, keep in mind that a brand’s direct messages on social media is a place for their customer’s to inquire about products, not an ideal place to do business. Just remember, brands are in the business of marketing their products, and they’re searching for influencers who can help them achieve their sales goals! Given that brands are earning $6.50 for every $1.00 spent on influencer marketing, trust me — they’re prepared to pay you well. So do your best to make an unforgettable impression because every time you present yourself professionally you significantly improve your chances of landing the best brand deals!
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Protect YOUR Brand
OK, onto the next reason that I don’t encourage influencers to DM brands on Instagram is that DM’s are NOT (in my knowledge) legally binding contracts. Emails, on the other hand, ARE. So, worst case scenario, you and a brand are discussing a brand deal within your DM’s on Instagram, and you agree to a brand deal, post the content and the day comes to get paid and the brand never sends a payment, well — you may be out of luck.
Or, say you and a brand are discussing a brand deal via DM’s and you agree to create all kinds of content, spend weeks preparing it, are ready to post and they “change their minds’…again, you may be out of luck. If you had discussed everything via email however, to my knowledge that would be legally binding, so take that into consideration!
OK, now with that said, if going forward for some reason, you and a brand are discussing a potential brand deal via DM’s… I recommend suggesting you pivot the conversation to email, just to protect yourself and your brand in the rare event that something changes last minute. Hopefully that makes sense! Let me know in the comments on the YouTube video if you have any questions about how to approach brands as an influencer.
Now, on strategy that would help prevent any discussions from every happening in DM”s is by investing in landing pages software, like LeadPages, in order to create a “Contact Form” for brands that are interested in working with you. You can then link to it in your bio and in this situation, they would enter their information, and then YOU would get an email notifying you that a brand is interested in a partnership, and can from there email them so discuss the details.
I personally used LeadPages as a food blogger and received all lot of brand partnerships requests this way, so I highly recommend it. Plus, if you do so you’ll then have a list of contacts that you can reach out to for future brand deals at your fingertips.
How to Approach Brands as an Influencer: Recap
Ultimately, knowing how to approach brands as an influencer is your golden ticket to turning your passion into profit. Let’s recap some of the most important things to keep in mind.
Polish Your Profile
First things first, you need to make sure your social media profile is looking sharp. Brands want to work with influencers who are professional, engaging, and have a clear niche. Here’s what you need to do:
- Create a Cohesive Aesthetic: Your feed should tell a story and reflect your personality. Use consistent colors, filters, and themes.
- Engage with Your Followers: Respond to comments, like posts, and create interactive content like polls and Q&A sessions.
- Highlight Your Best Work: Pin your top posts and showcase collaborations you’ve done in the past.
By presenting a polished and professional profile, you’ll be more attractive to brands looking for influencers to partner with.
Research and Select Brands
Now, let’s talk about finding the right brands to approach. Not all brands will be a good fit for your style and audience. Here’s how to narrow down your options:
- Identify Your Niche: Are you into fitness, fashion, beauty, travel, or tech? Whatever your niche, look for brands that align with your content.
- Check Brand Values: Ensure the brand’s values match yours. Authenticity is key, and your followers will appreciate genuine partnerships.
- Analyze Past Collaborations: See which influencers the brand has worked with before. This gives you an idea of what they’re looking for and if you fit the bill.
Craft the Perfect Pitch
Here’s where the magic happens! Crafting the perfect pitch is crucial when approaching brands. Your pitch should be personalized, concise, and compelling. Here’s a simple template to get you started:
Subject: Brand [XYZ] Collaboration
Hi [Brand Name] Team,
I’m [Your Name], a passionate [Your Niche] influencer with a community of [Your Follower Count] engaged followers. I’ve been a huge fan of your [Product/Service] and have featured it several times on my profile. I believe my audience would love to learn more about [Brand Name] and how it can enhance their [related aspect of their lives].
Here are a few ideas for collaboration:
1. [Idea 1]
2. [Idea 2]
3. [Idea 3]
I’ve attached my media kit for more details about my audience and engagement rates. Looking forward to the possibility of working together!
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Brand Pitch Email Template
If you’re in the market for professionally written brand pitch email templates, make sure to check out our Pro Pitch Package, with 10+ fill-in-the-blank email templates you can use to pitch brands you love!
Showcase Your Value
When you’re pitching to brands, it’s essential to showcase the value you bring to the table. Highlight your unique selling points and how they align with the brand’s goals. Here’s how:
- Share Your Stats: Include your follower count, engagement rates, and any relevant analytics.
- Provide Examples: Share screenshots or links to successful past collaborations.
- Highlight Your Audience: Describe your audience demographics and how they match the brand’s target market.
Follow Up
Sent your pitch? Awesome! But don’t just sit back and wait. Follow up after a week if you haven’t heard back. A polite reminder can show your enthusiasm and keep you on their radar.
Be Professional and Personable
When communicating with brands, strike the right balance between professionalism and personality. Be polite, respectful, and maintain a friendly tone. Brands want to work with influencers who are easy to collaborate with and bring a positive vibe to the partnership.
Negotiate Fairly
When discussing terms, be confident in your value and negotiate fairly. Understand the scope of work, deliverables, and compensation. Be open to negotiation but don’t undervalue your worth.
Conclusion
Approaching brands as an influencer can be both exciting and rewarding. By polishing your profile, selecting the right brands, crafting compelling pitches, and showcasing your value, you’ll be well on your way to landing amazing collaborations. Remember, confidence and authenticity are your best allies in this journey. So go ahead, take the plunge, and start building those brand relationships. Happy influencing!
OK that’s it for what you need to know when questioning how to approach brands as an influencer! If you have any further questions regarding how to approach brands as an influencer, please leave them in the comments below. Also, I recommend checking out the blog post I wrote called “How To Get Paid Brand Deals” next!
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