Now that you understand your audience, the next step is to identify and approach brands that align with their interests. This stage requires a balance between targeting well-known brands and discovering emerging ones.
Discovering brands that align with your audience is an exploratory and creative process. Here are some strategies to uncover these potential partners:
Different brands and situations call for different approaches. Whether it’s direct messaging on Instagram, email outreach, attending events, or leveraging referrals, each channel has its unique advantages.
Your message is your first impression. It needs to be concise, clear, and compelling.
A well-crafted message can make a significant difference. Here are a few templates to get you started:
Subject: Collaboration Opportunity with [Your Name/Brand]
Hi [Brand Representative's Name],
I've been a long-time admirer of [Brand] and particularly loved your recent [specific campaign or product]. I believe there’s a great synergy between [Brand] and my audience who are passionate about [relevant interest].
I’ve successfully collaborated with [mention any past collaboration if applicable], seeing [mention a key result, like engagement rate or audience growth]. I’d love to explore how we can work together to create engaging content that resonates with our shared audience.
Would you be open to a discussion about potential collaboration opportunities?
Follow Up Message Example:
I wanted to follow up on my previous email regarding a potential collaboration between [Brand] and my platform. I’m excited about the possibility of working together and would love to discuss how we can create mutually beneficial content.
Please let me know if you’re available for a brief chat this week.
Looking forward to the possibility of collaborating!
Measuring Success and Refining Your Approach
Like any good strategy, assessing the effectiveness of your efforts is key to improvement.
Understanding industry-standard metrics is crucial to measure the success of your outreach efforts and refine your approach. Here are some benchmarks to consider:
Securing your first few brand collaborations can set the tone for your future growth as a content creator. Your approach may vary based on your prior experience and existing relationships with brands.
If You Have Previous Brand Collaborations
"In my recent collaboration with [Previous Brand], we saw a 30% increase in audience engagement and a significant uptick in traffic to their website, directly attributable to our campaign together. I am excited about the possibility of achieving similar results with [New Brand].”
If You Are Starting from Scratch
"Hi [Brand Name], I've been a long-time consumer and fan of [Brand's Product]. I frequently share my experiences with [Product] with my followers, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. I'd love to explore any gifting opportunities you might have, as I believe a more formal collaboration could be mutually beneficial and further amplify your brand among my audience! Would you be open to discussing further?"
"Hi [Contact Name], I’m looking to expand my brand collaborations, particularly in [specific niche]. I noticed you’ve worked with [Brand Name], a company I’m super excited about! If you’re comfortable, would you be open to making an intro?"
If You Want to Transition from Gifted to Paid Collaborations
Read on in Part 3: Pricing and Contracts
Bento is a platform that helps ambitious content creators with 10-100K followers grow their business through brand partnerships. Bento offers many features to help you start selling:
Join the waitlist: www.onbento.com
