small update. another influencer just DM'd to let me know she was offered a flat fee up front (which was then doubled) for this same opportunity, 1 video with no request for unpaid pitches...interesting!

and yes. she is. https://twitter.com/chescaleigh/status/1283460110103252994

anyhoo. if folks have questions about influencer marketing or need advice on doing branded social deals i'm down to do a lil Q&A. i've got some time to kill before my next meeting

more brand deal advice: if you don't have a manager, start looking for a lawyer to review contracts before you agree to a deal just to be safe. entertainment lawyers work on commission, anywhere from 5-10% is fair. it's always smart to have someone review before you sign

if you're open to brand deals, make a list of the types of things you are & aren't willing to promo & stick to it. the last thing you want to do is water down your brand for a check. it'll turn off your audience, hurt your credibility & make it harder for you to get deals later

in the event you don't have a manager & can't find a lawyer to review your contract, make sure you get the payment schedule in writing and ask for at least 50% up front before you start doing work. that way if they flake on you at least you've gotten some form of payment

true story, before i had reps i made a second email for my "agent" that also went to me lol when deals would come in i'd say "thanks for reaching out, copying my agent to take over!" and then posing as my agent, i'd ask for a ridiculous amount of money & negotiate something fair

a few thoughts about MCN (multi-channel networks) and managers. if you're approached for management or representation, 10% commission is pretty standard. i've heard of people signing deals for 40% commission which is....WILD. don't do that. also. your reps get paid when YOU DO.

if someone asks you for money up front to represent you or wants commission on deals they haven't negotiated for you, RUN THE OTHER WAY. i'd also avoid anyone that asks you to sign a multi-year contract for representation. instead ask to freelance for a few months & then decide

if a brand reaches out with a deal, they're up front about budget & the content ask but you can't do it (not the right fit, bad timeline etc) ask if you can suggest some people. if they say yes, get permission from your friends BEFORE you share their info. good habit to get into

usually brands want you to use a specific hashtag to promo their campaign. it's always a good idea to search the hashtag to get an idea of the types of ppl they've worked with prior & what the content generally looks like. you can also reach out to those influencers for intel

another good habit to get into is boosting the content of other influencers that were in the same brand campaign (if you like their work) & following up to connect. it's a nice way to build your network of influencers that you can get advice from & potentially collab w later

ok! i hope this thread of influencer marketing advice has been helpful! i tried to include things i've learned from past mistakes & via friends in the biz. i have to jump into work but if you have questions put them here & i'll try to answer them later!