Influencer thread: What most brands/agencies keep an eye out for...

5 *basic* tips to what you always need to be on top of as a paid influencer...

Brief Disclaimer: This thread is based on my general knowledge with working with both Influencers and brands.

& having been on the influencer side and on the brand side but today I’m going to be giving perspective from the brand’s side.

Accessibility : please have a working email in your bio. An email that you or your mgt checks regularly.

most at times influencers can be very hard to reach, esp if you don’t know them personally. You decide to mail the email in a bio but it takes days to get a response

Most at times brands / agencies work with micro & nano influencers that are ready and available, while they might be interested in a service you can offer note that there’s a wide pool of influencers that are eager and easily accessible.

Lastly on accessibility, please check your DM requests regularly.

Brands / agencies might reach our directly or some one who works there. Either way check frequently to make sure you don’t miss it.

Extra tip on this: usu brands that reach out are direct (should be) but Incase they’re not and they start with formalities I.e “Hi xx how’re you doing?” please don’t be a snob, you’re in an industry where you can’t take any chances and miss out on opportunities

Rate card: This is VERY IMPORTANT

(Learnt this the hard way )

As an influencer make sure you have an updated rate card available, you get extra points if you have a bio and insights card too!

The holy trinity questions are:

Can we have your rate card?

Please share your insights

Can we know more about what you do/ have done?

Some brands usually have an influencer budget they’re working with and they might want something your packages might not cover, you should be open/flexible to customizing a package for them with their budget.

And in creating said customized package please don’t take too long, give them a feasible timeline too to manage expectations.

I.e. I’ll put something together and email it to you by tomorrow COB.

Content quality: I feel this goes hand in hand with rates, many times I see influencers complain about not being paid well etc but there’s a question. Is your content worth the prices you’re mentioning?

Brands can be victims too.

As an influencer you need to ask yourself what value you are bringing on board. I feel a lot of influencers are thinking more of what’s in it for them and that takes away focus from creating quality content for the client. When it should be a balance

Some Influencers are more focused on doing the work quickly and cashing out than actually focusing on how they’re adding value to the brand.

quick to mention figures but when asked how traffic will be driven it’s crickets

think of the brand, do the necessary research when approached, think of how creative u can get, what kind of quality content u can produce & then back this up with how much you’re asking for.

Brands are looking for awareness &/ to drive sales, how are you going to help this?

Email linguo: my personal pet peeve

It goes without saying but please note the basics of sending a professional email.

1st of all, wipe that “sent from my iPhone” from there please no we don’t want to see you sent it from your iPhone.

2. Always have a subject

3. Greeting: Hi xx trust you are well please find attached my rate card and insights as requested.

4. End: Looking forward to hearing from you / on standby for your feedback.

Warm Regards

(xxx)

You’d think it does w/o saying but it doesn’t, it needs to be said

Last point; Work ethic

this isn’t something that is taught/learned, it’s all in your attitude towards work but brands look out for this a lot.

Are you late to shoots? Do you send reports and on time? Or when you’re asked to?

As much as you feel it’s collaborative work, brands have guidelines they follow, are you respectful of these guidelines?

Work ethic is v. important & can even spoil ur name as an influencer. If u’re someone difficult to work with this info spreads fast & u won’t be recommended

Just to add to the email point when asked for insights please don’t just send screenshots from your phone, try to make your work / reports organized i.e. put them in a doc. make it easy for the person to work with you so they call on you again & recommend you.

Fin.

Just to summarize the basic points were

Accessibility
Rate card
Content quality
Email linguo
Work ethic

My general experience working w/ influencers hasn’t smooth some are good and are on the right track while others... but hopefully this thread helps!