I’d like to think that most brands I work with I have managed to build an ongoing working relationship with. This post was actually requested by the lovely Nikita, so here are my tips on how to navigate your way to building relationships between brands and bloggers!
Brands and Bloggers Need Each Other
I think it’s so important to remember this throughout, that not only do you need them but they also need you. Brands and bloggers are both guilty of forgetting that it can be a mutually great thing when the collaboration is done right. Whilst I have had great working relationships with brands I’ve also had people tell me “there’s plenty of other bloggers that will do it” when I’m not happy with their terms, my answer? ask them then!
Whilst brands can really help you to build your blogging portfolio and get your name out there, if it’s not a mutually beneficial collaboration and you’re not comfortable with what they’re asking, don’t do it. Your worth more and at the end of the day it’s your name on the blog so you have to be happy with everything you put out to the world. If you blog about something you’re giving it your seal of approval and readers value this the most, don’t take advantage of it!
“You’ve got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette”
Your not going to be making money from collaborations and working with big brands overnight. However, if there’s a brand you really want to get in with, why don’t you buy something and do a post on it anyway? Use all their hashtags, email them and let them know you did the post and ask for feedback and you never know where it could lead.
Kirk my photographer used this quote to me when I was trying to justify a massive Misguided order in the 50% sale – you know the one that crashed their website? A brand I would love to work with, unfortunately the order wouldn’t go through and then the stuff was sold out damn you Misguided, but I’m definitely bearing this excuse/justification/great idea in mind for the next time I’m debating at the checkout.
Go above and beyond expectations
I think this is so important, if you’re just starting out and someone asks you to do something for them, wow them. Going above and beyond will make them sit up and watch what you’re doing, it also shows you’re creative, reliable and use your initiative . . all great things.
A recent example I have of this is when I did a denim collaboration on instagram with Asos. They asked for one instagram photo, I posted several over a few weeks and did a blog post. If you have the time and the ideas, why would you not do it just because they haven’t paid or asked for it . . you have to work up to that by impressing them and showing how valuable you are.
Don’t be afraid to reach out
This is one that divides people. Some bloggers think that it’s not the same if you ask, sure you don’t get that “OMG me?!” feeling when you open the email, but they still want to work with you! I have to admit I don’t really do this any more, but when I first started I did. I think it helped to have a sister on the receiving end of the brands and bloggers relationship as she showed me how everyone does it!
The way I look at it is this, how many bloggers are there? If you were a pr, would you spend hours on end looking for new bloggers or would you work with the ones you already know or that have come to your attention? In my opinion, you’re probably doing them a favour!
Know your worth
I’ve kind of already covered this one but from the opposite angle. when it comes with brands and bloggers relationships, brands generally want as much as possible for as little as possible. I won’t tar all brands with the same brush as some are extremely generous, however I’m a firm believer of if you don’t ask you don’t get.
I didn’t start thinking of my blog as a business and looking at earning money from it for a while so I wouldn’t recommend charging straight off the bat, but if you feel you should then do it. Whats the worst that can happen?
I’m happy to admit that I have asked before and a brand have said no, it doesn’t mean they won’t still work with you, if you don’t mind a different agreement that is, and it certainly doesn’t mean that they won’t approach you again.
Building a strong working relationship between brands and bloggers
If you’re working with a brand on a regular basis it means you’re doing something amazingly right. To me, the ones I work best with are when I’ve met the pr’s in person building a friendship. If you live in London or are ever down for the day, make sure you let people know and go for a coffee or a lunch, it’s nice for brands and bloggers alike to be able to put a face to a name and they’re more likely to bear you in mind if they know your face than if you’re just a name on a list!
I was actually also asked about how to get invited to events but I wouldn’t say that I’m flooded with invites, for me I am quite picky about the events I attend due to not being in London. I would definitely say contacting PR’s and asking to be added to a list would help, working with brands also often leads to event invites, these are usually the ones I attend!
Make sure you check out my Bloggers Survival Guide for all things blogger related, it’s a great reference page of my blogging tips posts so far!
You can also follow me on Bloglovin’ to make sure you never miss another blogging tips post! They’re always on a Thursday FYI! Follow me on Bloglovin’ Here! You can also now subscribe to my Youtube channel where I will be posting the odd haul, favourites and who knows what! Do let me know if there’s any particular videos you want me to film!
If you have any tips on building relationships between brands and bloggers, make sure you leave me a comment and share with us all!!!
Great post, really helpful tips. I only really started working with brands this year, and then because I was reaching out to brands. But since reaching out myself, I’ve found myself being contacted more and more, I don’t know whether this is just a coincidence or whether, because I’m posting more content with brands on my blog I’m getting noticed more, but it feels great. I still reach out to the brands I really want to work with, but it’s nice to have that “omg me?!” feeling sometimes too! x http://www.aimeeraindropwrites.co.uk x
Definitely!!! Nothing beats that feeling! But honestly, I do think when other brands re post you it makes them sit up and pay attention!
Great tips! I always get too scared to approach brands! But you’re right, what’s the worst that can happen! xx
I’m glad I’ve changed your mind hun! Good Luck!
This is a great post! I always wonder how bloggers start working with brands, but I’ve never really considered branching out and contacting them myself. I suppose I always wonder whether they’ll just dismiss queries for smaller bloggers? You’ve given me lots to think about! xx
http://www.girlglobalising.com
I think so long as you choose companies that realistically would be happy to work with you, brands that are on your level then I don’t see why now! That’s what I did when I first started! I would contact really small brands or local brands!
Knowing your worth is so crucial as a newbie blogger. Too many PRs and brands want to take you for a ride and get you to make content for nothing!
Rachel | http://www.currentlyrachel.com
EXACTLY! But I also think doing things for free is fine, you have to walk before you can run and it’s beneficial to build up your portfolio and show what you can do!
These are some seriously awesome tips! I do social media & can certainly agree that bloggers help us out if they reach out. It’s beneficial for everyone & shouldn’t been seen as taboo. :]
// ▲ itsCarmen.com ▲
Ah I’m so glad you agree hun! Obviously everything I write is just my opinion and views!
Great post! I have recently started working with brands. This post was helpful.
I’m glad you found it helpful!!!
This was really helpful, thank you.
xo Millie http://www.modishrambling.com
thanks for reading hun!
A great and useful post 🙂
Thanks lovely! Glad you found it helpful!
As some one starting out this was very insightful! Thank you!
http://www.mytwopence.com/
Glad you found it helpful lovely!!!
Thank you for the tips! Great post as always!
Glad you liked it and found it helpful hun!
Very helpful post, i really like reading your blog.
ah thanks lovely! Do let me know if theres anything in particular you want me to post about! I love to hear what people want!
These tips are super helpful! I definitely have a huge fear of rejection when reaching out to brands but I know it’s a risk worth taking. 🙂 Thanks!
xoxo
Autumn
100% it’s all about proving why they need you!
This was really helpful! I will remember these tips for sure : )
Steph x.
marvelsteph.blogspot.co.nz
Glad you found it useful lovely!!
A wonderful post! I’m just getting into working with brands and this was a very helpful post. I usually wait for brands to contact me but I should definitely start reaching out to brands and not fear rejection!
Exactly! What’s the worst that can happen?
Great post. Given me alot to think about xx
http://Www.naybeautymua.com
I’m glad!!!
This is a wonderful post! I only just started blogging and I have had a few reach out to me but I know I should only accept offers and collabs when it suits my blog style 🙂
Kathy x
I think this is such a key thing! I definitely didn’t do this myself when I first started and I kind of lost my personal style but I’ve got better at it now!
This was a really helpful post. I’m always in two minds about reaching out to brands but the way you explained it all make everything sound much more reasonable.
I know I think sometimes it gives me the heeby jeebies but honestly everyone is scared of rejection. I’ve had PR’s say no then contact me in the future about a different brand so you just never know!
This is a lovely read! Really informative post for aspiring bloggers, thanks for sharing! xx
http://deliremoda.blogspot.co.uk
no problem hun! Glad you found it helpful!
I feel the same way about adding the wow factor Sinead, I’m sure brands works with tons of bloggers so we should use the opportunity to do something different and add out special stamp on things. I’ve just done a similar posts, I like reading your thoughts on working with brands too 🙂
Hanh | hanhabelle
Thanks lovely! I definitely think that going above and beyond is what sets you apart from the rest!
Such great advice – especially for those like me who are still starting out and starting to work with brands. Such an insightful post 🙂
No problem at all hun! I hope you can put my tips to some good use and good luck with the blog!
Such a helpful post for a blogger new to working with brands, thank you! xx
No problem at all lovely, I’m just glad you found it useful!
I found this blog post so helpful! I am so new to blogging and I have fallen in love with it actually I am always thinking when can I work on my blog again if I’m out and about!! Thank you for writing a helpful blog post!
http://www.sophiekate.co.uk
Oh my god same! it’s so addictive I love it so much!
This is such a helpful and truthful post, I agree with everything you’ve said here! It is important to reach out and realize each and every one of us needs the other in order to grow and collaborate together!
Exactly! Glad you found it helpful lovely!
Such a helpful post! I’m saving this for future reference- reaching out to brands is something that’s massively out of my comfort range and that I’m currently working on!
Lisa
Beauxdiaries.com
Ah I’m so glad lovely! I hope I gave you the confidence to do so!
Such a helpful post! Some really useful tips! I’m still new to blogging so I’m a complete newbie when it comes to PR’s and stuff, don’t have a clue what I’m doing. So this helped me improve my knowledge a bit 🙂
Itsmeganrose.blogspot.co.uk
Ah I’m so glad you found it helpful lovely!!!
Very helpful post!
Do you usually contact PR agencies or individual bran PR management teams?
– Arora xx
http://www.aroraappleby.com
A mixture hun! It really depends, when I contacted PRS I contacted agencies just to introduce myself but when I’ve contact specific brands I’ve found the details on their website!
Great post, this is generally what I follow when attempting to collaborate with brands as well.
simplyluxeblog.com
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Glad were on the same page! I think everyone is different but these are generally the rules I follow!
Very useful post!
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Thankyou! I hope you can put my tips to good use!
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Exactly! I think it’s nothing to be shy of if its a mutually beneficial partnership!
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I always think it’s great when you build a good relationship with a brand and you can work together so effortlessly!