Social Media | Approaching Brands

I get approached all the time by Instagram users wanting to promote my chunky knit throws on my behalf. While it’s very flattering to have a product that people want to post about, there have been quite a few face palm moments.

If you’re considering approaching a brand, asking to promote their product, here’s some handy tips that will hopefully get your proposition taken seriously:

1) Engage before you approach

Before you get in touch with an organisation about promoting their product, engage with them via social media. Like and comment on their posts so that your user name is familiar when you open the lines of communication.

If it’s within your budget to do so, it’s a really nice gesture to purchase the product and post about it before approaching the brand for further product – already being a customer will earn you plenty of brownie points.

Pet peeve: Like spamming a whole heap of images on the page (I think the record was 45), without actually liking the page, and then sending a message within minutes asking for product

2) Approach professionally

Most businesses have their email address on their social media profile, and almost all have it somewhere on their website. Draft an email, including a proposal and a price, and send your details to the brand.

Try and find out the name of the person you are contacting. This isn't always possible, but can often be found in the social media bio or on the "About Us" page of their website.

Pet peeve: I know that my brand name is confusing, so I can forgive an initial email addressed to Hazel and not Renee, but when I reply as Renee and get a response to Hazel...there is always an eyeroll

3) Tell them what's in it for them

Tell the brand about your stats, demographics and engagement levels, your values and "theme" of your social media as well as other brands you've worked with. If you have conversion stats from other brands include those too.

Talk about their product specifically and what you are offering in terms of posts on platforms, blog content, stories etc, and what they can expect in return for sending you freebies and/or payment.

Pet peeve: An email that tells me how many Instagram followers and encourages me to get back to them with ideas about how we can work together...as if I don't have enough to do...

Instead of this DM after like spamming 18 of my pics on Instagram:

"Dear Hazel, I LOVE your stuff and would love to talk to you about how we can collaborate. I have 1,576 followers on Instagram and they are growing by the day. I have worked with quite a few brands, and did a giveaway last month that got great engagement. My Instagram is @iwanttobeaninfluencer if you want to check it out. I look forward to hearing from you soon and hopefully working together in the future x"

Try this email after engaging with the brand on social media:

"Hi Renee

I have been following you on Instagram and I love the super chunky knits that you make for HEART from HAZEL (note: flattery doesn't really work for me, but it might work for someone else, so I'll leave it in). I am currently working on my social media strategy (you can check out my Instagram profile here - note: make this a hyperlink), and am approaching brands that I think are a good fit.

Of my audience of just over 1,200, 80% are females aged 18 to 24. I find that I get great engagement when I post styled pictures, decor shots and #inspo, which is what I would be using Couch Candy for - to debut my bedroom makeover.

I have a blog that I am building up the content on (you can find it here - note: make this a hyperlink), and I plan to highlight my top five items from my bedroom makeover, including my velvet bedhead, my large print and my linen bedding from other small businesses.

In return for a super chunky throw, I'll be posting at least three static Instagram and Facebook posts over three weeks, as well as updates in my Instagram story, and the blog post as mentioned.

If you're interested in me promoting your products on my channels, I'd be happy to discuss this further.

Thank you

Hannah"

If you are thinking about approaching a brand to promote their products on your social media channels, feel free to get in touch and I'll proof your email for you!