Brand Collaborations1
BRAND COLLABORATIONS
Breaking into the world of influencer marketing is extremely exciting and if you don’t know where to start, Project Influencer has you covered. With a bit of strategic planning and a focus on providing value, you can start to build relationships with brands and secure those coveted sponsored deals.
A brand collaboration involves a cooperative effort between a brand and an influencer, where both parties generate content to showcase the brand’s products to the influencer’s audience. Collaborating with influencers who share a similar target demographic allows brands to expand their reach to potential customers and gain new followers. In return, influencers may receive complimentary products, payment, or exposure on the brand’s website and social media channels.
Julia Kong’s experience with Glossier reposting her Reel (literally 3 days after she posted her Reel & tagged the brand Glossier – image 1 ) is a fantastic example of the positive impact influencer marketing can have. It showcases the power of brand recognition, social proof and strategic collaboration in building a successful influencer career. This experience undoubtedly elevates Julia’s standing within the beauty community and paves the way for further growth and success.
Glossier’s repost of Julia’s Instagram Reel on their own Instagram account (image 2) exposes Julia’s content to a much larger audience, potentially reaching millions of Glossier followers who wouldn’t have seen her original Reel. This significantly increases her brand awareness and expands her reach within the beauty community. Being acknowledged and chosen by a respected brand like Glossier adds immense credibility to Julia’s persona. It validates her taste, expertise and influence in the beauty space, making her recommendations more trustworthy to her audience.
The repost likely drives significant traffic to Julia’s profile, leading to increased engagement through likes, follows, comments and shares. This can boost her overall engagement rate and solidify her presence within the platform’s algorithm. Glossier’s positive recognition opens doors for potential future collaborations with the brand. From sponsored content and product placements to ambassador deals, Julia’s relationship with Glossier can evolve into mutually beneficial partnerships. Notably, this can attract other brands seeking similar influencer partnerships, expanding her opportunities in the long run. So if you’re just starting out or building your portfolio, consider tagging the brand in your content additionally, think about targeting smaller brands. Instagram is a treasure trove of hidden gems! Unearth small brands just waiting to collaborate with passionate influencers like you.
Collaborations with brands can take various forms, such as social media posts, sponsored blog entries, YouTube or Instagram reels and product placements. Prior to commencing any collaboration, it’s crucial to engage in discussions with the brand, clarifying their expectations, determining the type of content required for effective product promotion and reaching a mutual agreement on payment terms.
Jacob Riglin is a well-known photographer and influencer on Instagram, recognised for his stunning travel and lifestyle photography. Take a look at the first video above to see how he got started and the second video for some hot tips from Jacob about starting out on social media.
“1. Putting effort into your social media is critical. Post reels, share stories, engage with your community no matter whether you have 500 followers of 500k followers.
2. Set up a clean portfolio of your work. WordPress is simple and easy, make sure you have a place you can send people.
3. List out your tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 brands. Get clear on who you want to work with and then start with the easy ones to connect with and build from there.“
Jacob began his career as an influencer by leveraging his passion for photography and travel. He initially gained recognition by working with Beautiful Destinations, a popular travel content platform. During his time with Beautiful Destinations, he led travel-content campaigns, creating visually captivating content that resonated with a global audience. His work involved collaborating with various tourism boards, showcasing different destinations, and inspiring people to explore new places through his lens.
As his skills and unique style gained traction, Jacob attracted the attention of high-profile brands. His ability to create engaging content that highlighted the essence of different locales helped him build a strong personal brand. This, combined with his growing social media following, paved the way for partnerships & collaborations with major brands such as Audi, Bugatti, and Marriott Bonvoy.
Jacob’s rise as an influencer was fueled by his dedication to his craft, consistent quality of work, and ability to stay at the forefront of digital content trends. His journey from leading travel campaigns to becoming a sought-after photographer and creative director in the social and digital marketing world highlights his influence and impact in the industry.
With over 1.7 million followers on his social media channels, numerous awards for his impactful work, and a packed schedule with top-tier brands eager to collaborate, Jacob has firmly established himself as a go-to photographer and creative director in the social and digital marketing world.
Where do I start and what key points do I need to consider?
Start with Affiliate Marketing
Before diving into sponsored content, consider affiliate marketing as a stepping stone. Many brands you already love offer affiliate programs, allowing you to earn commissions by promoting their products or services. Platforms like Amazon, ASOS and Lookfantastic provide access to a wide range of affiliate opportunities. As an influencer, you partner with a brand and share a unique affiliate link with your followers. When your followers use that link to make a purchase, you earn a commission from the sale. It’s a way to monetise your influence and recommend products you genuinely like to your audience. At the end of this guide we have an extensive list of brands with affiliate programs for UK influencers, so don’t forget to check it out!
Know Your Worth
Brands are increasingly recognising that engagement and conversion rates matter more than just follower count. Track your metrics, understand your audience demographics and showcase your unique strengths in your pitches. If your small but loyal following consistently drives sales, highlight that. Don’t be afraid to offer more value for less in the beginning.
Target Brands You Love and Use
Focus on brands you genuinely love and use, as your enthusiasm will shine through in your pitches. If you’re constantly raving about Abercrombie jeans, compile real data on your influence and present it to them. Or, if you’re planning a kitchen remodel and eyeing LG appliances, reach out to LG with your plans. Consider this a bit of a warm up prior to approaching brands. Don’t send generic emails! Research the brand, mention specific campaigns you’d love to be part of and explain how your unique value can benefit their reach and engagement. Showcase your relevant content examples, audience demographics and performance stats to demonstrate your potential impact.
Consider doing a dry-run with friends & Family:
Before diving headfirst into brand collaborations, consider a “dry run” with friends or family businesses – this could be a product or service they offer! Treat this as a practice session to hone your skills and build a mini portfolio without the pressure of big brands. Using Project Influencer’s examples (further on in the guide), craft an email pitch showcasing your potential, create a media kit highlighting your audience and engagement, and produce content (video, reels, etc.) tailored to their brand. This allows you to experiment, gather feedback and refine your approach before venturing into official partnerships. This low-stakes environment strengthens your skills, builds confidence and equips you with a tangible showcase when approaching real brands, ultimately setting you up for success!
Consider an Influencer Agency
Joining an influencer agency can elevate your game in several ways. Firstly, agencies have vast industry knowledge and connections, helping you land brand deals that align with your niche and values. They act as matchmakers, saving you time and effort searching for opportunities. Secondly, they handle negotiations, securing better contracts and ensuring fair compensation. Thirdly, they become your campaign managers, streamlining communication, managing deadlines, and taking administrative burdens off your shoulders. This frees you to focus on creating great content. Finally, agencies offer strategic guidance, helping you refine your brand, build a long-term career plan and navigate the ever-changing influencer landscape. In short, an agency can be your partner in growth, amplifying your reach, impact and earning potential.
Lead with Value, Not Numbers
In your pitches, focus on the value you bring to the table rather than simply listing your follower count. Position yourself as a problem solver who can enhance their brand’s reach and engagement.
Remember, brand collaborations are a journey, not a race. By focusing on these key points, you’ll approach brands with a clear identity, strong portfolio, valuable insights, deeper understanding and targeted content, resulting in impactful campaigns that resonate authentically with both your audience and the brand’s target market. Start small, build your credibility and consistently deliver value to brands. With dedication and the right approach, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful influencer.