5 tips for brands on how to talk to an influencer
The world of influencer marketing can be a wonderful one; if you know how to navigate it. Influencers these days are in-demand people who have excelled at what you need: reaching their audience and connecting with it. Of course, you can be a part of their success story as well, but they are busy, so knowing how to approach them is a huge benefit. Allow us to help.
It can be hard to find the right influencer for your brand, and if you do, it’s another thing to set up and run a successful collaboration.
It’s already a lot easier, though, if your communication is on par. Therefore, here are Influo’s 5 expert tips on how to approach an influencer, from start to finish.
Do your research
When you’ve found a good match and want to approach them, please create a personalized pitch. You want to show them that you’re familiar with their content and that you’ve already put some thought into contacting them.
Start by using their first name (not just their social handle). If they specify their pronouns on their socials, respect that throughout your communication.
Next, sum up why they caught your eye or what you like about them. Tell them why you think they’d make a good match for your brand, rather than simply generalizing how big of a fan you are and how you’d love to work with them. Make it a bit more personal than that.
Ensure a friendly, not overly professional tone
The key, always, is a friendly tone and transparent communication. You want to build a meaningful connection with this influencer because that always pays off. Don’t just stick to the professional back-and-forth. Show genuine interest and respect for what they do because they work hard to build and maintain the connection with their audience – that you’re getting access to.
Always be direct and transparent
We can’t stress this enough: it is essential to communicate your expectations clearly and early on. No vagueness, no generalizing, no embellishing.
For example: what exactly do you need and by when? How many posts? Who should they tag? What link should they include? Is there a hashtag they need to use? Are there any words they absolutely need to mention? Does the post need to be approved? When is the deadline for approval? Do you want to make up a contract? Is there an exclusivity clause?
The more you specify, the better.
The same goes when it comes to the payment. Make sure they know what you’re offering them in return. Some influencers want to be paid a fee; others are okay with another kind of compensation (e.g., free products). Whatever you want to offer, be direct about it; however, leave scope for discussion and negotiation. Remember tip 2 – don’t draw the line too firmly.
Allow their creative input
It’s a collaboration, not a dictatorship. Reach out, organize a brainstorm and ask the influencer for their input. If they have ideas, listen attentively. They are experts in what they do, so trust their experience. They got to where they are by knowing how to reach the right people. Respect that, learn from them and take the time to listen to them. Work together.
Give feedback
Their time is just as precious as yours, so don’t waste it. Do you have doubts? Let them know immediately and have an open conversation about it. Don’t let them do all the work only to give negative feedback afterward.
At the end of your campaign together, they will report back to you. Share your thoughts as well. Was there something that could’ve been better? Or would you like to try something different? Do you want to stop the collaboration? Let them know what you’re thinking. They’ve put in a lot of effort – don’t just leave them hanging.
Looking for more help and/or educational tips? Head on over to our Hub filled with more concrete tips on influencer marketing, or contact us to see what we can do for you.
Join us 23/6 for our webinar on the topic of how young people in Belgium experience influencer marketing.
Register for the webinar here!