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

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…..