How to Partner with Brands
Working with brands as an influencer or content creator can take a bit of work, but when collaborating as a partner, you can potentially diversify your income, increase credibility, and create more dream content for future opportunities!
Before we go into the checklist, take a moment and write out all the dream brands you’d love to work with. Then take note of previous influencers they’ve featured, what their brand aesthetic might be, and who they cater their message toward.
Next comes your Press Kit, or some call it a Media Kit. A press kit includes elements such as your story or mission, marketing assets, stats, branding & contact details, media mentions, and press releases. Press Kits can help influencers stand out when pitching to a brand, giving a snapshot of who you are and what you’re capable of.
So…what if you’re new and have never landed a brand deal? That’s where our handy dandy checklist can help:
1. The first intention we want to call action to is to purposefully show up. This includes engagement and interaction with the brand without asking for anything in return.
Make an effort to follow the brand you’re interested in and get a feel for where you fit in.
Attend classes and shows that are being sponsored by the brand you’re interested in. If the brand you’re interested in working with sponsors a class or attending a trade show, make the effort to be where they are, share your experience & tag the brand.
Show up as yourself and market your own brand. Have you heard the expression, “you get in where you fit in”? Show the parts of you that fit your dream brand, and what you have in common. Are they bold & expressive, subtle & minimal, or maybe you share common beliefs.
2. Be kind, keep things positive, and be the hardest working person in the room. Not all proposals will lead to an immediate opportunity, but remaining positive and hard-working will always lead to future opportunities.
Be consistent. Try setting a schedule you can stick with and allow for downtime, days off, and breaks to avoid burnout.
Offer to volunteer for events. This will help you get your name out there and rub shoulders with the right people.
Offer to support stylists already working with the brand. From collaborations to assisting…sometimes getting in the right room creates the perfect opportunity!
Show interest, ask questions, become friends with those who have already partnered with the brand you’d like to work with. This is where you can shine on Instagram, get to know & become a like-minded peer of those who align brand-wise. You just may get the right contact from your Insta-friends as well.
3. Find a mentor. Someone who is where you want to be, and is open to sharing experience.
A mentor has experience in the area you’re seeking, wants to help, and should have enough experience in educational & foundational work to help with blueprinting a plan toward your goals.
Offer to support and assist them. Most mentors will charge for their time, but a good mentor who is open to sharing, will likely offer advice outside of monetary compensation. Simply by asking how you can support or assist is a great way to get the conversation going.
Ask questions. How did they get to where they are? What suggestions and advice do they have for you and your goals?
4. Know your goals. Goals are basically an organized plan: go through this list to make sure you’re on the right track, before writing down these prompting questions:
What is your goal for working with said brand?
What do you want to learn?
What can you offer?
Find your why and make it clear.
5. Work on your public speaking & communication skills!
Join community events, such as toastmasters to help improve your public speaking.
Do instagram lives- come up with weekly content or themes to start practicing.
Take a class & don’t stop!
Assist at an event, as mentioned before, but totally worth the mention again.
Find someone who does a lot of public speaking. Ask to assist them, ask for any advice they have.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
5. Work with humble confidence.
Leave your ego at the door, it’s not cute & can rub the right (or even wrong) people the wrong way.
Know why you’re in it, keep your why clear and near to your heart.
Act like someone you would want to work beside.
Know your worth!
6. Follow, tag, and interact with the brand. Check through some of these bullets:
Be persistent and stay consistent!
Support the brands you want to work with by following them.
Gain attention by interacting authentically to what they post that speaks to you.
Rinse and Repeat. Persistence prevails!
Want to know what brands look for in an educator? Listen to this podcast episode below to hear from International Sales Director of Truss Professional, Lucas Pontes.
For more on mentorship, how to market your business, or one-on-one coaching, get started today with your own 90 minute private session.
From business goals, to marketing strategies, to earning passive income, we can build a personalized goal tracker & task sheet to help you get to your goals faster.
Leave a comment if you liked this article or would like more ideas on how you can expand your business!
XO
-Ambrosia Carey