Approaching brands as an Instagram influencer can be a delicate process, but with the right strategy, it can also be very effective. Here are some steps you can take:
- Build Your Brand: First and foremost, make sure you have a clear brand identity for your Instagram page. What kind of content do you post? Who is your target audience? What kind of aesthetic does your page have? Understanding your own brand will help you identify which businesses align with your brand and which ones do not.
- Build Your Audience: Brands are more likely to collaborate with influencers who have a strong, engaged audience. This means not just focusing on the number of followers you have, but also on the quality of your engagement (likes, comments, shares).
- Identify Potential Brands: Once you have a solid understanding of your own brand and audience, you can start identifying brands that align with your image. These should be brands that you genuinely enjoy and believe in, as authenticity is key in influencer marketing.
- Research the Brand: Before reaching out to a brand, make sure you have done your homework. Understand their product or service, their mission, their current marketing campaigns, and their target audience. The more knowledge you have about the brand, the more effective your pitch will be.
- Craft Your Pitch: When you’re ready to approach a brand, send them a clear, concise pitch. Explain who you are, what your brand is, who your audience is, and how a partnership could benefit both of you. You should also provide examples of successful collaborations you’ve had in the past.
- Contact the Brand: You can usually find contact information for brand collaborations on the company’s website or Instagram page. Alternatively, you could send them a direct message on Instagram, though this might be less effective.
- Follow Up: Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back right away. Brands receive many pitches and yours might have simply been overlooked. It’s perfectly acceptable to send a polite follow-up email after a week or so.
- Be Professional: Always maintain professionalism in all your communications. Treat this like any other business interaction.
- Know Your Worth: It can be tempting to accept any offer that comes your way when you’re starting out. However, it’s important to know your worth and not sell yourself short. Consider the time and effort you put into creating content and make sure you’re fairly compensated.
- Consider a Media Kit: A media kit is a document containing information about your brand, audience, engagement rates, and previous collaborations. This can be a useful tool to send along with your pitch, as it provides the brand with an at-a-glance view of your influencer credentials.
Remember, it’s important to be patient and persistent. Not every brand will be interested in a collaboration, and that’s okay. Focus on building relationships with the brands that align with your image and values. It’s about quality, not quantity.
