How to reach out and collab with brands: Step-by-step guide

What is a brand collab?

A brand collab is a partnership where a content creator teams up with a brand to promote a product or service.

When set up right, it's a win-win situation––the brand taps into your audience while you share fresh content and receive perks.

Brand collabs come in all shapes and sizes, but here are a few common types:

• Affiliate marketing: You share a link or code with your followers. When they use it to make a purchase, you earn a commission. ‍

• Sponsorship: A brand pays you to create content that features their product or service. It could be a sponsored post, blog, social media shoutout, or video.

• Product placement: You integrate a brand's product into your content naturally. For example, sipping a branded drink in an Instagram Reel or wearing a branded tee in a Story.

• Co-created content: This is when you and the brand work together to create something unique, like a limited-edition new product or a special content series.

The main goal of brand collaborations is to use your influence and audience to increase brand awareness, generate buzz, and drive sales.

Why are brand deals important?

Besides generating revenue, brand deals come with many benefits for creators of all levels, from micro-influencers to celebrities.

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• Monetization: Brand deals offer a direct avenue for monetizing your content and platform, providing financial rewards for your creative efforts.

• Audience growth: Collaborating with brands can introduce your content to new audiences, expanding your reach and follower count.

• Credibility: Partnering with reputable brands enhances your credibility, positioning you as an authority in your niche and building trust with your audience.

• Long-term partnerships: Successful collaborations can evolve into long-term partnerships, offering a consistent source of income and ongoing opportunities for growth.

How to reach out and collab with brands in 7 steps

Follow these seven steps to make your mark and forge successful partnerships.

Step 1: Create a high-quality relevant portfolio

First impressions count, and a polished portfolio is your ticket to standing out. Use your portfolio to highlight your expertise, skills, and past successes.

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• Bio: Give a brief overview of who you are, what you do, and what makes you unique. This is your chance to showcase your personality and connect with brands.

• Content samples: Select a range of your best work that demonstrates your style and the quality of your content. Make sure these samples are relevant to the brands you're targeting.

• Results and metrics: Brands love numbers! Include metrics like engagement rates, follower growth, or conversion rates to prove the impact of your content.

• Testimonials: If you've worked with brands or clients before, include their feedback or endorsements. Positive testimonials boost your credibility.

• Curate your portfolio to your brand’s niche: Tailor your portfolio to reflect your niche and the types of brands you want to attract. If you're a fitness enthusiast, highlight your fitness-related content and collaborations.

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💡Pro tip: KOMI displays all your content in one central place. It’s a personalized landing page that showcases your brand, social media links, video content, podcast appearances, and more.

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Step 2: Find brands that align with your content

The secret to a successful collab is finding the right brand fit. You want to partner with brands that resonate with you and your target audience.

Here's how to spot those dream collaborations:

• Start with what you know and love. Look at the products you already use or the content you regularly interact with. If you're genuinely passionate about a brand, it'll shine through in your collaboration.

• Ensure the brand's content vibe meshes well with yours. If your content is all about eco-friendly living, a brand that prioritizes sustainability would be a natural fit.

• Research which brands are already working with creators in your niche. Search relevant hashtags to find potential brands who are working with creators. This can be a good indicator that they're open to collaborations and value influencer partnerships.

• Keep an eye on social media platforms, especially Instagram and TikTok, where brands often showcase their collaborations. Engage with their content, and express your interest in a partnership.

For instance, professional boxer Anthony Joshua showcased a paid partnership with Lucozade on his Instagram account, promoting their new product launch.

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Step 3: Identify the right contacts

Finding the right person to reach out to is key for successful pitching. You want to make sure your proposal lands in the hands of someone who makes decisions about partnerships.

Here's how to pinpoint the right contacts:

1. Start by scouring LinkedIn or the brand's website to identify key people in their marketing, branding, or influencer partnership teams. Look for titles like marketing manager, brand manager, or influencer partnership coordinator.

2. Check the brand's site for a dedicated partnerships page. Alternatively, the general contact or PR section might list relevant contacts.

‍3. Once you've identified the right person, jot down their name, position, and contact details. Personalizing your outreach with their name can make a big difference in getting a response.

For instance, the skincare brand Cocokind shares relevant email addresses for creators interested in collaborating.

Step 4: Craft a personalized pitch

Brands can see through copy-and-paste pitches––they want to see you understand them and have done your research.

Instead of mass-sending generic pitches, take the time to tailor each pitch to the specific brand. Show them that you understand their brand and are genuinely interested in collaborating.

Your pitch should be concise, compelling, and include the following elements:

• Intro: Briefly introduce yourself, your platform, and number of followers.

• Industry experience: Highlight your experience and expertise in your niche.

• Social media links: Provide links to your social media profiles or content platforms.

• Content ideas: Share a short list of ideas that would fit the brand's image, goals, and target market.

• Results of successful collabs: Showcase the results of past collaborations to prove your effectiveness.

• Rates and CTA: Include your rates and a clear call to action. What do you want the brand to do next? Schedule a call? Reply with their interest?

Keep in mind that when it comes to sending your pitch, most brands (52%) prefer creators to pitch them via email. Here’s an example of a short and sweet email pitch template you could adapt:

If you don’t hear back, send a polite follow-up three to five days after pitching.

Step 5: Set your collab up for success

Once you've secured a collaboration, it's time to lay the groundwork for a successful partnership.

Here are some key steps to ensure everything runs smoothly:

1. Outline clear expectations. Be clear about your rates and what the brand can expect regarding deliverables and timelines.

2. Set a clear agreement on what content you'll be producing. For example, you might agree to create 4 TikToks, 2 Reels, 3 Stories, and 1 YouTube video.

3. Clarify how many revisions the brand is entitled to. This helps manage expectations and prevents scope creep.

4. Decide on communication channels. Will you use email or Slack, or will you schedule regular calls? Clear communication is key to a smooth collaboration.

5. Set milestones to keep the project on track. These might include deadlines for the first draft, brand revision timelines, and final submission dates.

‍6. Protect your collab with a contract. A contract isn't just a formality––it's essential for protecting both you and the brand. It should outline all the important details of your collaboration, including rates, timelines, deliverables, and property rights.

Step 6: Execute your campaign

Execution is when your planning and preparation come to life.

Here's how to make sure your marketing campaigns are a hit:

• Stick to the agreed-upon timeline and deliverables. If you said you'd deliver 4 TikToks and 2 Reels by a specific date, make sure you do it. Reliability is key to building trust with brands.

• It's always better to exceed expectations. If you can add extra value or deliver ahead of schedule, you'll leave a lasting impression and increase the chances of future collaborations.

• Keep the brand in the loop throughout the campaign. If there are any delays or issues, communicate them early. Brands appreciate transparency and the opportunity to address concerns promptly.

• Strike the right balance between creativity and compliance. Adhering to the brand's guidelines is important, but don't be afraid to bring your creative flair to the campaign.

Step 7: Measure and share the success of your campaign

Once your campaign is live, it's time to measure its impact and share the results with the brand.

Here's how:

• Understand the brand's success metrics. Are they looking for increased engagement rates, higher click-through rates (CTRs), more conversions, or something else? Knowing this will help you focus on the right metrics.

• Track your analytics. Use your platform's analytics tools or third-party tools like KOMI to monitor the performance of your content. Monitor key metrics such as total clicks, views, earnings, and CTR.

• Report to the brand. Share the results with the brand in a clear and concise report. Highlight the successes and any learnings that could inform future campaigns. Brands appreciate transparency and insights that can help them improve.

• Use success stories for future collabs. With the brand's permission, use the success of your campaign as a case study to win future collaborations. Demonstrating proven results can be a powerful tool in pitching to new brands.

💡 Pro tip: With KOMI, see a comprehensive overview of your campaign's performance. Use these data-driven insights to evaluate better what worked well and what requires improvement.

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How to reach out and collaborate with brands FAQs

1. How do I find brands to collaborate with?

To find brands for collaboration, follow these five steps:

1. Look for brands that share your values and whose products or services resonate with your content.

2. Follow and engage with potential brands on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X.

3. Check for a “Collaborations” or “Partnerships” page to find contact information or submit a collaboration inquiry.

4. Attend industry events, join online communities, and connect with other creators to discover collaboration opportunities.

5. Use influencer marketing platforms or agencies that connect creators with brands looking for partnerships.

2. How can you attract the right collabs for your personal brand?

To attract the right collaborations for your personal brand, follow these five tips:

1. Clearly define your niche and content style to attract brands that align with your audience and values.

2. Consistently produce high-quality content that showcases your unique voice and expertise.

3. Focus on growing and engaging your target demographic to demonstrate your influence and reach.

4. Engage with brands and industry influencers on social media to increase your visibility and network.

5. When reaching out to brands, tailor your pitch to show how your personal brand aligns with their goals and values.

The best way to collaborate with brands

How do you monetize your content? With KOMI’s mini-site, you can create your own media kit, partner with brands, and sell to your existing audience.

KOMI provides powerful features to help you reach and collab with brands, including:

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• Easy-to-use content buttons to curate YouTube videos, products, images, music, or podcasts

• A links bar to display your existing brand partnerships

• Fully customizable branding and themes to match your personal brand

• A store module to sell products (affiliate or your own) directly from your page

• Affiliate modules to highlight your affiliate links to your customer base