Working with Brands: How to Write Emails that PR’s will Respond to

Working with Brands

We’ve always advised getting in touch with brands- not necessarily so you can outright ask for a product, but to introduce yourself, pitch an idea or sow the seeds of an exciting collaboration. The best blogger/brand campaigns are the result of an expert pairing of PR and blogger, working together to create something really special. PR’s work incredibly hard to find bloggers that align perfectly with the brands they represent for these types of larger campaigns, and what better way is there to show you align with your favourtie brand then to get in touch directly?! It may not result in an instant campaign, but it will help you stand out among the huge sea of bloggers that PR’s need to get through to find their brand ambassadors!

One of the biggest issues people have when they get in touch with brands is the lack of response they receive. Whether it’s because your emails are going straight into junk, or are simply being read and ignored, here are our top tips to help you start meaningful conversations with the brands you love via email!

Be Clear and Concise about Who You Are and Why You’re Getting in Touch

You’d be surprised about how many bloggers get in touch with us asking to find out about working with brands without even sending us their blog URL or telling us about their site! It’s hard to build a relationship with a blogger and pair them with brands when you can’t even look at what they do! Make sure you start up by telling the PR who you are, where you blog and what you’re about. Don’t make this part too long though, a couple of introductory sentences will do.

The next part of your email should explain why you’re getting in touch. Did you just want to introduce yourself and get to know the brand’s PR team, or do you have something specific in mind? Again, try not to be too long-winded here; an opening email should always be fairly short. You can go into more depth once the conversation as opened up.

Make it Personal

If you can, try to find an individual to contact at the brand. Using specifics like names can really help grab peoples attention. Remember most of these people are getting dozens of emails per day- some even hundreds! Make sure yours doesn’t look so generic it gets ignored.

Don’t Ask for Too Much in Your Initial Email

The first few emails are relationship building, don’t think of PR’s as Father Christmas; it is not their sole purpose to hand out gifts! Rather than thinking about what they might be able to give you, think about getting to know them and how you might be able to work together. It’s always better to get on with your colleagues- and this goes for the PR/blogger relationship just as much as work colleague relationships.

Finish Up with a Question

Ending an email without a question is a rookie mistake! If you want people to reply, give them something specific to reply to; it’s as simple as that!

Always Write a Follow Up

If you don’t get a reply within a few days don’t despair! Often, people intend to reply but don’t have time, or the just miss your first email all together. Sending a really brief follow up, just asking if they saw your initial email and would they like to chat is a polite way of prompting people to reply. Definitely something I would recommend getting into the habit of doing.

Have you been getting in touch with PR’s? Are you a PR with a few tips of your own?! Let us know what you think in the comments below…..

6 Responses to Working with Brands: How to Write Emails that PR’s will Respond to

  1. LJ October 30, 2014 at 4:00 pm #

    Awesome post! Just one question: I’ve never sent a PR email and have always waited for companies to contact me. Do you have any advice on what the subject line should say. I’d assume to avoid anything to casual like “HEY!” but not sure what IS appropriate.

    • Rebecca Brown October 31, 2014 at 10:27 am #

      I’d advise judging it on the brand- if it’s a fun and quirky brand with a personal brand voice, then you can replicate that with something outgoing and friendly! If the brand has a slightly more reserved voice, you may want to consider mirroring this in your subject line by keeping it very to the point.

      One other tip- try to keep your subject line fairly short!

      Hope that helps!

  2. Ruthie Turner November 1, 2014 at 1:01 am #

    I’ve spent the last few nights doing some research on how to approach a travel brand company. My hardest thing has been creating the email itself and what to say and how to say it. I have a rough draft but I think I am missing something.

    Is there an example or layout that you can provide to bloggers on how to build the email?

    Thank you,

    Ruthie

    Reply
    • Rebecca Brown November 3, 2014 at 9:26 am #

      Hi Ruthie-

      Let me have a think, that’s a great idea for a post so I think there is certainly something we can put together.

      In the meantime, feel free to email me if you have any specific questions!

      All the best,

      Rebecca

      Reply
  3. Shannon Kircher November 7, 2014 at 12:06 pm #

    Thanks for the great tips!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Brown November 7, 2014 at 12:09 pm #

      You are more than welcome! :)

      Reply

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