I have always been of the opinion that if you don’t ask you don’t get.
The same remains true now I am a blogger and most of my opportunities have come from reaching out to brands to look at ways we can work together.
The worst they can say is no right?
Though to be honest I have had a fairly high success rate with brands I have approached both in the UK and the UAE.
In the UK, blogging is a big industry and a great source of marketing promotion for businesses, great. They often have budget to work with you and if you are polite and professional you often get a positive response.
In Dubai, blogging is relatively new and so reaching out to brands to work with means that you are putting yourself out there and showcasing your blog. People often don’t think of bloggers as a source of marketing.
Whilst I still don’t have my media pack sorted (but here is a fantastic post on how to do it from Amy at Mr and Mrs T plus 3) it is on the top of my to do list, it hasn’t stopped me approaching brands to suggest ways for me to work with them.
First things first
Similarly to you getting irritated when Andy’s Tyres request you work on a PR piece with them as they have nothing to do with what you write about, there is no point in you approaching a brand that won’t fit with your blog.
Besides from the obvious that it won’t fit with your posts, it looks unprofessional, like you haven’t thought it through and that you are blanket emailing everyone and anyone for free stuff.
Not good.
SELECT YOUR BRANDS CAREFULLY
Examples of how this work are the way I’ve interwoven aspects of my life with brands I have worked with.
Milk and Mummy – breastfeeding dresses, relevant to where I am in my journey of breastfeeding and the fact that I am going to my brothers wedding whilst still feeding and there isn’t anything in the shops meant that this review (coming in September) doesn’t throw my blog out of whack.
DinnerTime UAE – meal planning and cooking feature heavily on my blog. When I was working with DinnerTime was when my blood pressure shot up and I got told to rest and NO WANDERING ROUND SUPERMARKETS by my doctor. Again, a great and relevant fit for me.
Speak to the RIGHT person
It’s no good speaking to Joan from accounts. Find out who the relevant marketing manager is. Find out their name if you can. Use it.
Come armed with your ideas
It’s a blogger eat blogger world out there. What’s your specific hook?
Do you have an internationally read blog? A highly engaged Pinterest following? A trending hashtag on Twitter? A Facebook Page with lots of shareable content? Are you one of only a few people that blogs the way you do?
While you will have carefully researched the company you are approaching chances are that they may have not heard of your blog.
Sell Yourself
When I approach I generally follow this pattern
Structure
Introduce myself and my blog.
Introduce WHY I want to work with your company.
Introduce HOW I envisage working together, number of blog posts, social media mentions, competition ideas.
My stats.
Be original
So they might have 16 bloggers all pitching them for the same product, think outside the box and offer something above and beyond.
Working with Milk and Mummy I worked with my personal Facebook groups to get them to decide which dress was best for my brothers wedding. With DinnerTime UAE not only did I meal plan, but I then had the four follow up recipe posts. With Personalised Prints not only have I worked with Lisa on my blog but I have gone on to work with her over on Sassy Mama Dubai because I was so impressed with the quality and service.
Link to existing reviews you have done
You need to showcase your work! Let them know what they will be getting by working with you.
Don’t be disheartened if they say no
There is always next time!
Have you had success working with brands?
Thanks for this Laura, I’ve tried a few times for different brands/places, but so far I just don’t get a response at all!! I definitely need help on my pitch for direct to brands. š x
Author
Oh no Jenny! Often I found its finding the right name and a little bit of perseverance. As well as showing reviews you’ve done (that aren’t necessarily brand sponsored)x
I definitely agree with you, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. And it’s so important to avoid jumping on band wagons, and instead carefully consider what works for your blog; reviews especially can be very time consuming. Isn’t it wonderful that one doesn’t need a media pack to have success in brand work? It’s of course good to have one ready, just in case. Thanks for sharing your experience. #BlogStorm
Author
Exactly Mo, it’s great that you can work with brands while you are building up your blog media attack missiles and it’s fantastic that brands are happy to look at you without. I’ve managed to do mine since, guess what my next #blogstorm is going to be?
Oh now this is what Iām talking about! If it is a mutually beneficial collaboration then there is absolutely no harm in asking. Well done! x
Author
Thanks Amy! Exactly and chances are you’re going to go the extra mile if you’ve approached them as you really really re all want to work with them! Finally used your post to do my media kit x
Thanks for sharing your tips. I need to be more proactive with approaching brands.
Author
No problem! I think I’d still be waiting otherwise š
I am enjoying working with brands however i’ve learnt to not give away all my ideas away until after they agree. Last time I set out out a plan of what I would do for a brand i was working with, they decided not to work with me and just asked for a basic review instead and then went and stole my idea and used it as there own! I guess this is part of blogging but…. karma bites you in the butt and a lot of my blogging friends picked up on what had happened and knew! Cant be good for the brand!
Angela from http://www.daysinbed.com
Author
Ooh that’s bad karma indeed! I think a good thing is If you are pitching about your social media following they can’t really pinch it too much as its your followers! X
Hi Laura,
Thanks for the tips. I’ve been wondering about this lately, but as I only have a new blog it seems mils away. When do you think is a good time to begin approaching brands?
Cheers,
Katie
Author
Katie I did it when my blog was about a month old, I’m working with a group of bloggers on a collaborative blog and we’ve only been live 2 weeks and are already working with brands. There’s no right answer! Whenever you feel you have something to offer xx
This is great advice! Ive heard other bloggers mention but never explained it – this really helps! Thanks for sharing x
Great tips and interesting to hear the difference between countries x
Great tips. I’ve never approached brands as I still feel like I’m finding my bogging feet. Thank you.
Fantastic tips, especially about making sure the brand fits your blog. I find it hard to take reviews serious if they are out of place, but when done right with a bit of a back story I think they can be brilliant. Thanks for hosting #blogstorm
Debbie
You are right – the worst that can happen is they say no. Thanks for the boost, you have encouraged me to go out & approach brands myself! Eek! š Followed your #BlogStorm link to this post x
Author
Ooh let me know how you get on!! X