The number one thing I am asked by fellow influencers is how to work with brands.
Often in the building phase of your business, you will have to do the reaching out to brands in order to find sponsorships. A common myth is that bloggers should wait for brands come to them. The truth is, there are a lot of us, and in order to get noticed, you may have to do the work! Even influencers with a significant following will do the initial contact if it is a company or product that they really want to work with!
I asked nine other women in the business of blogging how to reach out, the dos and don’ts of doing so, and their best tips! Read below to hear what they have to say, and be sure to check out their social media along the way.
How to Pitch a Collaboration to Brands as an Influencer
Stacie Skinner | Stacie’s Place | Blogging 10 Years
Have you ever reached out to a brand first?Yes
Do you think it is acceptable to share PR or marketing contacts with other bloggers? Yes
What is your number one tip when reaching out?Be honest and authentic!
Savanna Monroy | Modern Wanderer | Influencing 1.5 Years
Have you ever reached out to a brand first? Yes
Do you think it is acceptable to share PR or marketing contacts with other bloggers? Yes. But, I say to be careful when you are sharing a contact with someone. I would never share with a blogger I don’t know very well or in a Facebook group, but I happily share contacts with close blogging friends that I know are reliable and have good content.
What is your number one tip when reaching out? My number one tip when reaching out to the brand is to be CONFIDENT. If you are upfront and confident with what you are asking for, a brand can see that and never be afraid to ask for compensation even when you’re the one reaching out.
Hillary Dixon | Style in a Small Town | Blogging 2.5 Years
Have you ever reached out to a brand first? No
Do you think it is acceptable to share PR or marketing contacts with other bloggers? No
What is your number one tip when reaching out? Be confident! If you think you deserve it, tell them why!
Shani Ogden | Sunshine and Munchkins | Blogging 16 Months
Have you ever reached out to a brand first? Yes
Do you think it is acceptable to share PR or marketing contacts with other bloggers? No
What is your number one tip when reaching out? Be clear about what you are offering in exchange for working with them (# of pictures, # of social media posts, when the post will go live, etc.) If you can present a basic plan or ideas, then they will feel like you are more likely to follow through.
Rachel Segovia | Tutus and Heels | Blogging 4 Years
Have you ever reached out to a brand first? Yes
Do you think it is acceptable to share PR or marketing contacts with other bloggers? No
What is your number one tip when reaching out? Don’t be afraid to Be yourself and don’t under value yourself
Ciera Hudson | Yours Truly Ciera | Blogging 2.5 Years
Have you ever reached out to a brand first? Yes
Do you think it is acceptable to share PR or marketing contacts with other bloggers? No
What is your number one tip when reaching out? Have a thought out detailed email that doesn’t sound like a copy & paste email
Kris Andradre | With Love From Kris | Blogging 3 Years
Have you ever reached out to a brand first? Yes
Do you think it is acceptable to share PR or marketing contacts with other bloggers? No
What is your number one tip when reaching out? Show your genuine interest. How? By interacting with the brand first–on social. Then allude to a recent post or product that really resonated with you. Share an experience with them. So, really there are many ways you can SHOW the brand you are genuinely interested. That’s KEY. Why because brands want REAL people to share their brand’s story.
Kate Winford | Kate Loves Makeup | Blogging 2 Years
Have you ever reached out to a brand first? Yes
Do you think it is acceptable to share PR or marketing contacts with other bloggers? No
What is your number one tip when reaching out? Buy their product first! When pitching to makeup brands I always buy their product, feature it on my blog and then send the a link to SHOW them what I can do for them! It also shows that I genuinely have an interest in their brand.
Alice Williams | Honestly Fitness | Blogging 3 Years
Have you ever reached out to a brand first? Yes
Do you think it is acceptable to share PR or marketing contacts with other bloggers? No
What is your number one tip when reaching out? Be professional and state exactly how you can provide value to them. Do you have a niche audience that will appreciate their product or service? Then tell them that and use numbers to back you up!
Ashley Hargrove
February 10, 2017Such a great post! I love how you got opinions from other influencers to help out. This is definitely something influencers have trouble with!
lauryncakes
February 10, 2017It is the number one thing I get asked about! I love that others were willing to share.
Savanna Monroy
February 10, 2017Thanks for sharing my input on the subject! This is so helpful to those starting out!
lauryncakes
February 10, 2017It absolutely is! Thanks for you input on it.
Erica Ligenza
February 10, 2017Other influencers chiming in…hooray for collaboration!!
Coming Up Roses
lauryncakes
February 10, 2017HAHAH right?! I love hearing from others!
Lanae Bond
February 10, 2017I find it interesting that some bloggers were willing to give PR contact information with others!
Jessica Sheppard
February 10, 2017Great post! Love getting experienced bloggers input on how to achieve the most success. It helps getting started to know the best approach. Thank you for sharing these various perspectives.
annette
February 10, 2017This is such a great post. I love that you got other influencers to offer their input.
Kim Myers
February 10, 2017Such a great post! I love that you polled other bloggers to create this content and make it honest!
xoxo,
Kim
Shani Ogden
February 10, 2017Great post! I loved reading what everyone had to say. Reaching out to brands can be super intimidating–no one wants to be rejected. But we have to put ourselves out there if we want to stand out and the more we try the easier and more experienced we'll become. Thanks for including me!
BNBstyling
February 11, 2017I love this post! It is so interesting to see other bloggers views on this too
BNBstyling.com
Sydney Power
February 12, 2017Great post, very cool to hear many opinions!
Bailey Schwartz
February 13, 2017this was so helpful! I loved hearing the perspective of all the other bloggers!
xoxo,
Bailey
Here’s The Skinny
@baileyschwartz
Stephanie Pernas
February 14, 2017Such a great post! So interesting to see how everyone sort of has different opinions on things like sharing contacts, reaching out, etc. It just goes to show how very new and fluid our industry is. Such a fascinating thing to be a part of!
sparkleshinylove
February 15, 2017This is a great post! Love all of the great advice!
xoxo Mandy
http://www.sparkleshinylove.com