SwipeTown Academy

One of the most common ways to make money on social media is through business collaborations and paid sponsorships.

You can market yourself as a social media influencer to gain the attention and trust of major companies or brands.

Then, you can promote their products and/or services in exchange of money, rewards, or freebies.

However, pitching for a brand collaboration is much more difficult today than in the past.

As you can see, nearly everyone is on social media. The over-saturation can really be challenging if you are trying to stand out.

Also, online users are typically harsh towards social media influencers. Since they are able to hide behind faceless profiles and usernames, they have no qualms about bashing others and posting hurtful comments.

Followers and fans are not the only ones who say mean things to influencers.

Even business owners tend to bully those who come to them for a collaboration or paid sponsorship.

Take the case of Elle Darby, for instance. She has been in a feud with Paul Stenson, owner of the White Moose Cafe, after a pitch gone wrong.

If you want to become a social media influencer, you have to have a thick skin.

Otherwise, you may become insecure, anxious, and depressed from the negativity on social media.

So, how can you successfully make a pitch and collaborate with a business or brand?

Consider if the Business or Brand even works with Influencers

To avoid having the same experience as Elle Darby, you should do your research prior to sending a pitch to a certain business or brand.

Find out if they are actually open to working with influencers and if they have had any altercations in the past.

Search for articles, blog posts, and interviews about this business or brand online. Find out as much as you can about the people who run the company.

This way, you can arm yourself with the right knowledge and tailor your pitch according to their preferences in case they do work with influencers.

Understand the Value and Product that you Offer.

Before you make a pitch, you have to understand the value that you can bring to businesses or brands.

Make them realize that working with you can truly boost their sales, expand their fan base, and improve their reputation.

You can do this by informing them about your niche and credibility.

Tell them how your platform is unique and better than others. Show them proof of your claims.

Consider the needs of the Business or Brand.

Determine what you want to gain from collaborating with this business or brand. Do you want to get a free hotel accommodation, sponsored tour, gifts, or discounts on services?

Then, you should determine what you can offer in return. What does this business need the most?

For example, you may offer brand awareness, buzz on new initiatives, conversions, or new content for their website and fan page.

Consider how you can Make your Offer in the Best Possible Manner.

Of course, you have to sound professional on your letter or e-mail. Hire an editor if you are not confident with your writing style or grammar. You also have to match your strengths to their needs.

For example, you are a travel vlogger with one million subscribers on YouTube. If you want to collaborate with a hotel in exchange for a free room for the weekend, you can offer to promote the business on your channel.

Since your subscribers are interested in travel and they trust your judgment, they are highly likely to take your recommendation and book this hotel on their next trip. This is beneficial for the hotel owner.

While it’s true that making it big as a social media influencer is more difficult today than in the past, it is not impossible to reach the top. If you follow the above given tips, you can surely step up your game.