I’ve been lucky enough to work with lots of lovely brands in
the two years since I started my blog, Pauls Boutique, ASOS, Abbot Lyon, LUSH,
Benefit, Gemporia, The Fragrance Shop, Corkys, Romwe, Diamonfire and
Vestry - to name a few. Although there are PR companies designed
specifically to provide bloggers with collaboration opportunities (etailPR is
one I use) I generally find it easier and more effective to approach the brands
that I am passionate about directly
First of all brand collaborations are not simply going to
fall into your lap. Believing in yourself and what you do is hugely important
to the success of your blog, especially on the days where it seems like
everyone around you is landing huge collaborations and you’re stagnating. You
aren’t. But only you can change that. Second to that is proactivity, if you
want to work with a brand then you need to put your hands in the air and shout
“I’m over here, here are my skills”
Yes skills. Because you do need to have SOMETHING to offer
them and I’m not just talking about a big number or a blue tick next to your
name, because as much as numbers are made out to be the “be all and end all” in
blogging, they’re not. I’ve had plenty of amazing opportunities with big brands
and my following is still pretty far down the food chain. I’m talking about a
USP (unique selling point) perhaps you’re a photography whizz who can offer
some professional and original, quirky shots? Perhaps you’re an incredible
writer who could talk engagingly and creatively about their product and capture
a new audience for them? Whatever your strong point is you need to promote it,
you need to sell yourself
So what do you do first? Find a PR contact within your
chosen brand, which involves you going a bit Miss Marple. I usually do this via
Twitter or Instagram by public or private messaging. Failing that I’ll send a
few tester emails in to their customer service and usually someone points me in
the right direction. Compose a light hearted but clear email about why you want
to work with them and why they should WANT to work with you. Include any
relevant past blog posts you have written that could relate to the brand. I
attach my social links and blog URL below my signature in these emails so that
the person in question can gather a quick overview of my style without spamming
them with statistics
Once you’ve been accepted the brand should usually let you
know what they require of you. If they don’t, ask. You’ve done the hardest bit
and got the relationship started; you don’t have to wait three days for them to
call. Most of the brands that contact me ask me to select something from their
website to photograph/model on my social media channels and blog
I have a template response email detailing my sizing’s and
postal address which I return to brands with my product selections.
It’s
important to think clearly about what you are selecting from their sites when
choosing, have an idea of what sort of post you want to create and then select
the products accordingly. I once got wildly overexcited and selected a
full-length sequin dress from one site and found myself completely stumped in
terms of how to style and shoot it. A mirror selfie just wasn’t going to cut it.
Brands also usually prefer you to select items from their “New In” section, as
older products will most likely already have adequate coverage in place.
There’s also less of a chance of these items being permanently sold out by the
time your post has been publicized, otherwise it would be fairly pointless
I am going to write another post about payments but if you aren’t getting paid for your post
choose something you genuinely like and would wear so that at the very least
you’ll get some use out of the item they sent beyond taking a photo for your
blog. Also make sure that the brand has GIVEN you the item and aren’t expecting
you to send it back after you’ve shot it, that would be awkward
If a brand contacts you first and asks you to select
something, get back to them as soon as possible and as concisely as possible
with above information. Time is literally money to brands and any faffing
around on your part will not be appreciated. I also usually mention that a post
containing their items will appear within a two week window after receiving the
items as this gives me time timetable the styling, editing and writing of posts
alongside other collaborations I may be working on. It also allows for
inevitable postal f**k ups so you don’t end up with one day to get everything
done after your parcels been enjoying a lengthy trip round the country
I’ll also write a post regarding PR disclosure but it’s just
wayyyyyy to much to tag onto this post. But I hope it was helpful and do please
feel free to email me with further questions and keep your eyes peeled for Part 2

Great tips dear!Thanks for sharing!xx
ReplyDeleteVildana from :
http://living-like-v.blogspot.ba/2016/03/spring-fever-poly-power.html
http://staliaisbae.blogspot.ba/2016/03/you-are-song-of-my-heart.html
Thankyou for this valuable post! Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteEmma
x
http://www.peacelovevintage.com/