Have your ever looked at your favorite blogger’s post sponsored by a swanky brand and thought, “Hey, why isn’t that me sipping that exotically named beverage on a pristine beach?”

Well, why isn’t it you, indeed?

Let me take you back to the summer of 2018. I was blogging about DIY crafts from my little apartment in Brooklyn, my audience was about as large as a high school science class, and my most significant sponsorship was from my grandma (bless her heart).

Fast forward to now, I’ve collaborated with countless brands, some of which I used to daydream about while window shopping.

And all that started with me taking a leap of faith, sending that first email, and enduring my fair share of rejections.

It’s a bit like asking someone out, isn’t it? There’s fear, excitement, and many ‘what ifs.’ But guess what?

The worst they can say is ‘no,’ and that’s not so bad. Believe me; I’ve heard it plenty of times.

In fact, did you know that even the most successful influencers face rejection 90% of the time when approaching brands for sponsorships? Yep, you heard it right.

Now, let’s get down to business. I will share with you some tried and tested strategies on how to approach brands for sponsored posts.

It’s not rocket science, but it does require some effort, just like everything worthwhile in life.

So grab your notebook (or open a new Google Doc), get comfy, and let’s dive in.

Let’s do this!

Table of Contents

• Step 1: Do Your Homework – Find the Perfect Match
• Step 2: Create a Winning Media Kit
• Step 3: The Art of Crafting a Personalized Pitch
• Step 4: The Follow-up Game – How to Handle Rejection?
• Step 5: Sealing the Deal & Delivering A+ Content

Step 1: Do Your Homework – Find the Perfect Match

First things first… you can’t just approach ANY brand for a sponsored post, right? It’s time for some research to find brands that:

• Align with your niche and audience
• Have a history of working with influencers or bloggers like you
• Share similar values and goals (think: #sustainability or #bodypositivity)

And, WHAT’S THE SECRET #? 🤔 Use social media, influencer platforms, and good ol’ Google to discover and assess potential brands.

Don’t forget to check their website, social media channels and even look at their competitors!

Step 2: Create a Winning Media Kit

Now that you’ve got a list of potential brands, it’s time to (humbly) showcase your awesomeness. And how do you do that? Say hello to your media kit! Make sure it includes:

• A short and sweet bio about you and your platform
• Your audience demographics and engagement numbers
• A few examples of previous collaborations
• Your rates and packages (Go on, you know you’re worth it!)

Psst… add some high-quality photos to make it visually appealing, and don’t forget to update it regularly.

Step 3: The Art of Crafting a Personalized Pitch

Ready to make your first impression count? Don’t you dare send a generic email! Instead, take the time to write a personalized and compelling pitch by:

• Using a catchy subject line (Hey there, clickbait!)
• Addressing them by their name or department
• Sharing a genuine connection you have with their brand
• Presenting your unique selling points
• Attaching your media kit and linking to your selected work

Remember, the devil is in the details, so PROOFREAD like a boss.

Step 4: The Follow-up Game – How to Handle Rejection?

Hey, we’ve all been there. A no-reply or a rejection can sting, but don’t let it get you down. Here’s how to up your follow-up game:

• Send a follow-up email 1-2 weeks later (in case they missed it)
• Keep track of your pitches and rejections
• Analyze patterns and reasons for rejection (Room for improvement? Market saturation? Bad timing?)
• Adjust your approach accordingly for future collaborations

Remember, rejection is a part of the game. Keep learning, growing and

Step 5: Sealing the Deal & Delivering A+ Content

Well, look at you; you’ve finally got a “yes!” Give yourself a pat on the back, but hold your horses – the work isn’t over yet.

Now, it’s time to turn that agreement into a success story.

Firstly, get everything on paper. Draw up a contract that details payment terms, deliverables, deadlines, rights and other ‘fun’ legal stuff. It may sound like a chore, but trust me; it’s essential to protect both parties.

Besides, nothing makes you feel more professional than sending over a contract, am I right?

Next, time to get cracking on the content.

This is your moment to shine, so give it everything you’ve got. Be sure to incorporate the brand naturally and authentically into your content.

Remember, your audience trusts you, so don’t break that trust for a quick buck.

Honesty is the best policy, !

And don’t forget to promote your sponsored post. Social media, newsletters, skywriting – whatever floats your boat.

The more visibility, the better. Let’s be real; everyone involved wants this to be a hit!

Step 6: Post-Collaboration Follow-Up – Let’s Keep the Party Going!

Thought we were done, did you?

Not so fast. Now comes the post-collaboration follow-up because who doesn’t love a bit of networking?

Share the results with the brand – engagement stats, sales numbers, audience feedback, you name it.

If the collaboration was a success, why not propose a future partnership?

You could even suggest a long-term ambassador role.

And if you really want to go above and beyond, a handwritten thank you note can work wonders. Who says chivalry is dead?

Remember, it’s not about burning bridges; it’s about building them. Keep the communication lines open for future collaborations.

You never know when the next opportunity might come knocking!

And that’s it, folks! You’re now officially ready to take on the world of sponsored posts. You’ve got the tools, the know-how, and the charm – what are you waiting for?

Get out there and show ’em what you’ve got!

Just remember, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach. It’s about trial and error, experimenting, and finding what works for you.

Take it from me, a girl who once struggled to get even her cat to follow her on Instagram; you’ve got this!

So here’s to you, the future influencer with big dreams.

May your pitches always be personalized, your media kit always be updated, and your content always be on point.