Pitching to brands…
Can you believe that we live in an era where brands are paying everyday women like me and you to post their products?! CAN IT GET MORE EXCITING THAN THIS?! Influencers everywhere want in on the “secret” for how to get these endless brand deals. It’s like we are all Plankton trying to steal the Krabby Patty Secret Formula from Spongebob. Well good news for you…I have the formula for you here TODAY. Plus, when you read to the end of this post, you can download my free email templates for how to turndown unpaid collaborations!
Now, if you haven’t read last weeks blog about How to Work With Brands, I highly suggest that you skim through it before reading on. There are some important topics we cover in that blog that connect to this one and will increase your Pitching skills. Don’t worry, this will still be here when you get back!
Ready to move on? Great! Without further ado, The Secret Formula for Pitching to Brands:
Ingredient #1: Complement the brand.
Start with a complement, or telling them something that you connect with when it comes to their brand or product. Why do you like them? What about their company stands out to you? Not only does this make them feel good but it immediately brings a personal connection to you and the company. On the flip side, if you can’t think of anything nice to say, then is this really a brand you want to be reaching out to?
Ingredient #2: Why you?
Briefly introduce yourself and tell them why you are the best influencer to partner with them? Now, this doesn’t mean it is time to start listing your demographics or brag about how many followers you have. You can definitely talk about your followers but how will your audience connect with their message? Why is your audience going to LOVE them. Remember this is about serving the brand and helping them reach their goals.
Ingredient #3: idea or solution
This is where the pitch can go one of two ways:
Option 1: With a specific idea
Option 2: With a general solution
Idea: This is where you have something specific in mind that you’re going to create for them. For example, say you are scrolling through Instagram and see your favorite Influencer post an adorable photo of herself at the beach. You remember you’re traveling to Hawaii in a few weeks and want to take a photo just like it…*SAVED*. Now, you find yourself pitching to a swimwear company, you have the perfect inspiration photo to send them and they know exactly what to expect from you with the collaboration.
Solution: This is what will THEY benefit from collaborating with you? What problem can you solve for them? This probably will connect really easily with Ingredient #2. It can be as simple as - their mission is to spread aware Happiness everywhere and you want to help them do that!
It doesn’t matter which option you go with, at the end of the day the overarching goal should not be for self-gain, but for mutual growth.
Ingredient #4: Wrap it up.
You don’t want to write them a novel! This pitch should be 2-3 paragraphs at the most. Leave them wondering more about you, don’t lay it all out. Thank them for their time and leave your best contact information.
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There you go everyone. There was the step-by-step walk through on how to write a perfect pitch to brands. It can definitely be intimidating at first but don’t give up. Here is a rule of thumb I’ve learned: 1 in every 10 brands will say “yes”. That means the worst that could happen is a brand says “no” or your left on “read”, and that’s not even that bad!
Now with the combined tips you learned from last weeks blog and this weeks, you are a master when it comes to working with brands. As promised, click here to download free templates for turning down unpaid collaborations!
Now everyone, go out there and slay those pitch emails.
Follow your joy,
Millie