Brand partnerships are the primary income source for most influencers. But how does one land these collaborations? We’ve outlined a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help you navigate the path to profitable brand partnerships as an influencer:
Establish yourself as trusted influencer
If you’re ready to explore brand collaborations, you need to show brands that you’re an active, experienced influencer. You should have:
A well-defined niche
Commit to a niche and stick with it. While some influencers dabble in two related niches, like fashion and beauty, if you’re just starting out, it’s most often the best idea to stick with one.
Consistent posts
Post content on a regular schedule. Be sure to regularly share content with your audiences on your preferred social media channels.
Engage with your audience on each platform
Brands aren’t just looking for someone in their niche, they’re looking for someone who relates to their audience and engages with them. Monitor comments, answer questions, and thank your followers for interacting with your content. Use each platform’s features to engage with your audience. For example, reply to comments with videos on TikTok.
Polish your bios
Before reaching out to brands, review your bios and make sure they include your niche, location and email. Check your links, description, and images and update them if necessary.
Complete the pre-hiring checklist
Once you’re an established influencer, you can start thinking about which brands you want to work with and engage with them. Here’s how:
Make a list of ideal brands to work with
Which brands are a good fit for you? Make a list of brands that are within your niche that you’d like to work with. Split the list into two; brands you’re familiar with, and brands you’d like to be familiar with.
Research brands
Take a look at your lists and research each. Some you’re probably more familiar with than others, but do your due diligence. You may already own products from some companies, and be aware of their brand’s product lines, but if you’re not, familiarize yourself with them.
Research who handles influencer collaborations too, so you can pitch a specific person. Generally, the person you’ll connect with is in the marketing or PR department. Many companies use platforms like IZEA’s Marketplace to find creators, so be sure you create a detailed profile with examples of your work so you can land opportunities.
Engage with the brand
Follow all of the brands on your list and start engaging with them. Like their posts, reshare content, and pose questions.
Create a media kit or online profile
Brands usually ask for a media kit or digital portfolio. It should include:
- A bio including your niche and interests
- Statistics like follower count, engagement rate, monthly views, audience demographics
- Examples of previous branded campaigns
- Testimonials
- Rates
You can find templates to create this resource and more detailed information in this Influencer Media Kit Guide. Another easy way to compile this information is via a creator listing on izea.com. It features your collaboration rate, examples, bio, and more.
Pitch brands
Using your list, reach out to brands. If the brand has Casting Calls seeking creators to work with, respond with a thoughtful and detailed pitch. Email pitches are another option, though it can sometimes take more time to receive a response.
When you craft a pitch, you should:
- Introduce yourself and your content
- Reference the specific product and your specific idea to showcase it
- Offer statistics that demonstrate your success, like engagement rates and follower counts
- Provide a link to your media kit or online portfolio or listing
- Encourage the brand to reach out
Follow up with brands
If your pitch goes unanswered, it’s OK to send a follow-up email or message. Marketing teams are busy, so if you haven’t heard back in 3-5 business days, reach out again.
Getting hired as an influencer does take time and effort. You need to invest in your online presence, research brands, and reach out in a succinct, effective way. In addition to the steps above, you can also join an influencer marketing platform to find influencer jobs.
The Creator Marketplace, for example, gives influencers a chance to create a profile, provide links to social channels, and even sell content packages that clients can buy instantly. Brands flock to the platform to search for and connect with qualified creators every day. Join now.
Influencers:
Looking to partner with industry-leading brands? Create your free profile today.
Marketers:
The world’s biggest brands trust IZEA. Find which of our self-serve marketing tools or full-service influencer marketing solutions are right for you.
