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Instagram is also becoming more and more popular with influencers. It’s the third most used social media site among creators, according to the 2017 State of the Creator Economy (SOCE) study. While Twitter and Facebook both saw drops in use between 2015 and 2016, Instagram saw an increase in influencers, up to 89 percent from 86 percent. Also, Pew Research Center’s latest study of social media use found that 28 percent of adults in the US used the site. If you’re wondering how to contact Instagram Influencers, there’s a lot to consider.

Once you’ve found an Instagram influencer you’d like to work with, you might be left wondering how to approach them, or how to contact Instagram influencers in general. Like most things in life, there’s a right way to get in touch and a not-so-right way.

Make sure your message gets through by following these tips.

NOT How to Contact Instagram Influencers

What’s NOT the best method of how to contact Instagram influencers? Leave him or her a comment on a photo he or she posted giving your pitch.

It’s true that the best Instagram influencers pay attention and even reply to comments. But a busy influencer is probably only going to give a random pitch in a comment a raised eyebrow and move on. In the worst-case scenario, they’ll delete your comment altogether.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t comment on an influencer’s post. You can, and should, if you like what he or she is posting. Just make sure your comment has to do with the video or photo and not a sales pitch.

How to Contact Instagram Influencers

There are at least two better ways of how to contact Instagram Influencers. The first way is to send him or her a direct message through the Instagram or track down his or her email address and send a message that way.

Although messaging an influencer definitely looks more professional than leaving a comment, there are some potential drawbacks to it. For one thing, you don’t even know if the Instagram influencer is looking for new projects. You also might never get a reply back. Email inboxes have a way of eating messages. The same is true for direct messages to Influencers on Instagram.

The second, more reliable way of how to contact Instagram influencers is to use an influencer marketplace to find the influencer in the first place. Then use the influencer marketplace as your platform for communication.

With an influencer marketplace, you get some assurance that the Instagram influencer is looking for work. You also get to review past campaigns he or she has worked on and see how those posts performed. If the Instagram influencer does accept your pitch, you’re able to accept bids or make a counteroffer and track every aspect of the campaign.

What to Say to Instagram Influencers

The SOCE found that creators and influencers are becoming more and more particular about who they work with and the types of projects they take on.

You know what they say—you only get one chance to make a first impression. That means what you say in your initial message to an influencer matters more than anything else.

There are three things to remember for how to contact Instagram influencers:

  • Be brief.
  • Be clear.
  • Make your ask.

Tell the Instagram influencer who you are, what your brand is, and what you would like from him or her. You don’t have to go into full details during your initial pitch. You just want to get a yes or no.

One last thing to remember for how to contact an Instagram influencer:

  • Be friendly

Don’t pour on the sap. Just remember to say things like “hello,” and to say at least one thing you like about their Instagram profile.

Are you likely to get a reply from every Instagram influencer you contact? Probably not, at least not if you work directly through the social media site itself. But using an influencer marketplace not only increases your chances of finding an influencer who wants to work with you, but also one your brand will love working with.

Want to learn the ins and outs of Instagram influencer marketing?

Download your free copy of the Instagram Influencer Marketing Guide today!