Table of Contents
The following list of resources I’ve compiled is intended for fellow creators who are interested in my journey. It’s NOT a definitive guide on how things should be done, but rather a collection of insights into the equipment I use, the tips I’ve found helpful, and suggestions for anyone who might be feeling unsure or overwhelmed. I’ll make updates as needed.
Before you pitch yourself to a Brand......
it’s crucial to be well-prepared and strategic. Here are some tips to help you make a strong impression:
- Research the Brand: Understand the brand’s values, target audience, products, and previous collaborations. Tailor your pitch to show how you can add value and align with their brand identity.
- Know Your Strengths: Identify what sets you apart from others and highlight your unique skills, experiences, and personality traits that make you a good fit for the brand.
- Craft a Compelling Pitch: Develop a clear and concise pitch that outlines who you are, what you offer, and why you’re interested in collaborating with the brand. Highlight any relevant achievements or past collaborations.
- Showcase Your Audience: If you have a following or audience, emphasize its size, demographics, and engagement rates. Brands are often interested in influencers who can help them reach their target market effectively.
- Demonstrate Authenticity: Authenticity is key in influencer marketing. Be genuine in your pitch and show how your values align with those of the brand. Authenticity builds trust and credibility with both the brand and your audience.
- Provide Examples: Include examples of your work, such as past collaborations, sponsored content, or content relevant to the brand’s niche. This helps the brand visualize how you can represent their products or services.
- Be Professional: Approach the pitch with a professional demeanor. Use proper grammar and formatting in your pitch email or presentation. Treat the brand representatives with respect and courtesy.
- Be Flexible: Be open to negotiation and flexible in your terms. Understand the brand’s objectives and be willing to adjust your approach or proposal to accommodate their needs.
- Follow Up: If you don’t hear back from the brand after your initial pitch, don’t be afraid to follow up politely. Sometimes, brands are busy or may have missed your email. A gentle reminder can help keep your pitch on their radar.
- Be Patient: It may take time for the brand to review your pitch and make a decision. Be patient and avoid putting pressure on them to respond immediately. Respect their timeline and be prepared to wait for a response.
Reaching out to Brands
Obtaining the right contact team/person to collaborate with a brand can be difficult. You can use the main email address or look for an email associated with the brands press team (ex. “PR” or “Press”@“company”.com) . I have also reached out to brands on IG and that has worked although, some people shy away from this strategy.
So, my journey kicked off with Alexis Bittar. I shot them a pitch over email and Instagram, and guess what? They hit me back, open to collaborate. Lucky timing too, as the designer had just reclaimed the brand amid Brooks Brothers’ bankruptcy mess. It was a prime chance for me to ride the wave and grow alongside them as an influencer. The moral here? Always jump on opportunities, even if they seem small at first. That’s how you build those killer long-term connections. Plus, everyone’s gotta start somewhere, right?
My next big break came with H&M. After numerous pitches, they finally responded to my persistence. I’m immensely thankful for this chance. Remember, even if you’re met with silence or a rejection, keep reaching out. You never know when persistence will pay off.
Also, It’s totally ok to accept gifts from smaller brands, but it’s important to recognize that they’re often working with limited resources. So, it’s about being flexible and understanding, like covering shipping costs, for instance. As the brand starts to flourish, you can always revisit your arrangement. Sometimes, footing the shipping bill can be an investment in your future relationship with the brand. If not, well, maybe it’s best to let that one slide. Now, if it’s a big brand asking for shipping, well, that’s a different conversation altogether.
Another reminder: I’m still relatively new to this, only a year in, so I’ve learned that persistence is absolutely crucial!
Networking: Building Relationships is Extremely Important
- Instagram & TikTok – Connect with other Creators and turn on notification post to companies that host event in your Niche
- Events: Attend conferences, workshops, and events related to your niche. These provide valuable opportunities to meet industry professionals and potential collaborators face-to-face. This also helped me to start getting invites instead of always looking. I started using : Eventbrite.com
- Join Online Communities: Join online forums, Facebook groups, or Discord servers related to your niche. Participate in discussions, share insights, and connect with other members.
Please note….. There are many other ways!
Email Pitch: If you get a reply "NO" or No Response it's NORMAL
Here are some Email Pitch Templates examples and of course, there are thousands of other examples on google, but here are a few I liked that have templates:
Note: To always include your Media Kit in your Pitch (see below)
https://collabstr.com/blog/how-to-pitch-brands-as-an-influencer
https://ladybossblogger.com/how-to-pitch-a-collaboration-with-brands/
https://www.rightinbox.com/blog/brand-pitch-email-template
Media Kit Suggestions
Canva has Free Media Kit Templates: https://www.canva.com/media-kits/templates/
Consider incorporating past collaborations and, if feasible, include links in your media kit. This not only adds credibility but also serves as compelling evidence when pitching to larger brands, demonstrating your worth as a valuable investment.
Equipment I currently use and Why!
- Photography
- The Latest iPhone- Apple-I love professional photos and videos but we are still educating ourselves on the camera settings and sometimes we just don’t get it right and the backup photos you take on the iPhone maybe more aesthetically pleasing.
- My Current Professional Camera: Alpha a6400 Mirrorless 4K Video Camera
- Sony Flash: (please always keep extra AA batteries handy) Imagine, taking photos in a dark location and using flash and the batteries die as soon as you figured out the settings SMH…. I learned my lesson too many times.
- An upgrade from my current camera: The Sony – Alpha a7 III Mirrorless
2. Videography
- Canon – PowerShot G7 X Mark II-In the past, I relied on this for vlogging at events, but its bulkiness made it incompatible with certain purses. Consequently, I now utilize it exclusively for stable set vlogging. Moreover, I found it inconvenient to handle both my purse and the camera simultaneously during events. Despite the availability of the Upgrade ->Mark III, the feedback from numerous creators suggests that the Mark II surpasses it in performance.
- DJI Osmo Pocket 3 – My FAV! I utilize this for creating on-the-go content, whether it’s vlogging at events or capturing moments in the car. It’s convenient and compact enough to fit into the majority of my handbags. Please note that this camera uses a Micro SD card
- DJI Mic (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) – You can use your phone to record your voice but I use this for voiceovers and speaking on Vlogs.
- Go Pro Hero– Used for vacations, walking in the city and to capture behind the scenes content.
3. Extras & Lighting
- Tripod (s) – Amazon
- Extra Light for iPhone: Clips on your phone
- Soft Box Light: Good for Photoshoots
- Ring Light: Amazon
MORE Resources, So you know it's real.....
How I Learned to Edit:
Learned a lot from his videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x3Hy7zie94
Apps I use:
- Canva – Create LTK or Shopping Suggestions
- Lightroom -To edit photos
- Final Cut Pro – Edit Youtube Videos
- Cap Cut Mobile – To create Stories, TikTok’s & Reels
Creator Platforms:
Consider any gifted items as an opportunity for practice.
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LTK: LTK is a shopping platform where you can discover and shop products recommended by influencers.
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Shop My: Shop My is a platform where influencers curate and share their favorite products for their followers to purchase.
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Modsense: Modsense is a fashion platform offering a wide range of designer clothing, accessories, and more.
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Collectively Inc.: Collectively Inc. is an influencer marketing agency connecting brands with creators for authentic collaborations.
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InfluenceHer Collective: InfluenceHer Collective is a community of female influencers collaborating with brands across various industries.
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Find Your Influence: Find Your Influence is an influencer marketing platform connecting brands with influencers to create impactful campaigns.
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Target Creator: Target Creator is a platform for content creators interested in collaborating with Target and its affiliated brands.
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Walmart Creator: Walmart Creator is a platform for creators interested in partnering with Walmart for content creation and collaboration opportunities.
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Mavely: Mavely is a platform that enables influencers to monetize their recommendations by earning commissions on sales generated through their content.
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Captive 8 (Zara): Captive 8 is an influencer marketing platform connecting creators with brands like Zara for sponsored content opportunities.
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Creatively: Creatively is a job platform specifically designed for creative professionals, including influencers, photographers, videographers, and more.
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Collective Voice: Collective Voice is an influencer marketing platform connecting brands with influencers for authentic collaborations and campaigns.
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Aspire: Aspire is a platform that helps influencers and creators grow their audience and monetize their content through various partnerships and collaborations.
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Revolve: Revolve offers an ambassador program where influencers can apply to collaborate with the fashion brand and promote its products.
Outsourcing:
I’ve mentioned this previously, and I’ll reiterate: I’m not a full-time creator! That’s why I’ve chosen to delegate specific tasks to other experts who can lend a hand. I deluded myself into thinking I could handle everything solo, but I’ve come to realize I can’t. Identifying your priorities and being honest with yourself is the first crucial step. Here are two links I rely on for assistance.
- Fiverr: Fiverr is a freelance services platform where you can find professionals for various tasks, from graphic design to video editing.
- Thumbtack: Thumbtack is a platform where you can search for local photographers, videographers, and other professionals for hire.
Final Thoughts & Freely Speaking
I’m noticing brands will watch you for a while before reaching out, so keep going and try find ways to really define your socials. I used to also worry about posting everyday, so take the time to create premium content rather than rushing and regretting it later. It shows your intent and your dedication.
It’s a lot and I hope this helps! but think about it like this …. after All of this, you STILL have to Be yourself, Live & actually create!
Best of Luck 🙂
