So, you’ve done your research and have found a brand you love- what next? I’d always advise getting in touch with brands you admire, even if it’s just to introduce yourself. Making yourself known, and letting people know that you love what they do is a sure way to make yourself stand out next time a blogger collaboration is on the cards. Even if you feel your blog needs to expand and build a little more before you jump in at the deep end and start asking to work with brands, a little ‘hello’ email is never a bad thing! Here are a few things to be aware of and prepare before you send that all important email:
1. Individualise your Email!
Make it clear this isn’t one email of a hundred more you’re about to send out. Mention what exactly it is you love about the brand, and why you think it’s so perfectly suited to your blog. A great outreach email makes all the difference.
2. Mention the Brand in a Post
If you really love the brand and would be willing to work with them professionally, it stands to reason you’ve probably already mentioned this on your blog! Your blog may not suit an entire post on one brand, but try to show them you mean business by demonstrating you know about the brand and have already writing about them in some form- even if it’s just a brief mention.
3. Get in Touch on Social Media First
A few conversations on twitter can be a great way to warm up a relationship with a brand. Even if the person you intend to email doesn’t run the social media, it’ll look great if you’re able to say you’ve already had contact on twitter. Perhaps tweet about a great product you’ve tried, or a company policy you really admire (the later usually goes down particularly well!). This will get the ball rolling and will show your brand contacts that you’re serious about getting to know them rather than trying to get a one-off freebie.
4. Put Some Numbers Together!
The first thing you need to demonstrate is your passion for the brand in question- the second is showing what you can offer them! Get together a few details on your site visits, social following and blogging achievements so you can show what you might be able to offer them. The numbers don’t have to be huge, the main attraction will most likely be the relevance of your following- so make sure you have a little information about who your readership are!
Do you have any relationship-building tips of your own? Have any more questions? Comment below!
Love this! I especially like the fact you’ve mentioned reaching out with them on social media first – this is a great way to ‘get in’.
I’d probably also add that it’s important to do some research on the company so you know exactly how to approach them and what to bring to the table.
Thanks Carmen, yeah it definitely helps when the brand has seen you online a little before you go straight in with an email or phone call.
Absolutely- researching the brands you want to work with is an absolute must!
Please tell me.. who would the right person be, when contacting a brand? Marketing Manager? Customer Services? or…?
That would depend on the kind of collaboration you’re after, the PR department is often a main contact but Marketing are often also involved.
Such a handy post! I am only now starting out in the exciting world of blogging/YouTube so this was very useful to me
thank you xx
Hey Laura,
So glad the post could help you out!
Really helpful tips here for getting ‘in’ with brands. I learnt a lot in just a few minutes. Thank you! Jx